All existing solar cell materials including hybrid perovskites show rather small absorption coefficient (α) of ≈104 cm−1 in the bandgap (Eg) transition region. The weak band‐edge light absorption is an essential problem, limiting conversion efficiency particularly in a tandem solar cell. Herein, all distorted chalcogenide perovskites (BaZrS3, SrZrS3, BaHfS3, and SrHfS3) are found experimentally to exhibit extraordinary high α exceeding 105 cm−1 near Eg, indicating the highest band‐edge α among all known solar cell materials. The giant absorption in the Eg region, which is consistent with the first principles, arises from the intense p–d interband transition enabled by dense S 3p valence states. For solar cell application, low‐gap BaZrS3 derivatives, Ba(Zr,Ti)S3 and BaZr(S,Se)3, are further synthesized. Among the possible candidates of top‐cell materials, an earth‐abundant and nontoxic Ba(Zr,Ti)S3 alloy shows great potential, reaching a maximum potential efficiency exceeding 38% in a chalcogenide perovskite/crystalline Si tandem architecture.
We were able to safely treat HCC located in the caudate lobe by RFA. However, there was a high incidence of local recurrence, presumably because of the heat sink effect of the inferior vena cava and the restricted puncture approach. We should pursue a revised method to reduce local recurrence.
Obesity-related metabolic abnormalities, including adipokine imbalance and chronic inflammation, are involved in liver carcinogenesis. Chemerin, a novel adipokine, plays a critical role in adipogenesis, energy metabolism, and inflammation. We evaluated the impact of serum chemerin levels on liver functional reserves in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and on the recurrence and prognosis of HCC. This study included 44 patients with any stage of HCC who underwent curative treatment at Gifu Municipal Hospital (Gifu, Japan) between 2006 and 2007. Recurrence-free survival and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Serum albumin levels (Pearson’s correlation coefficient; r = 0.3110, p = 0.0399), platelet counts (r = 0.4159, p = 0.0050), and prothrombin times (r = 0.3775, p = 0.0115) were significantly correlated with serum chemerin levels in patients with HCC, and they were inversely correlated with Child-Pugh scores (r = −0.3732, p = 0.0126), serum alanine aminotransferase levels (r = −0.3864, p = 0.0105), and total bilirubin levels (r = −0.4023, p = 0.0068). Among these variables, a multiple comparison test identified that platelet counts and total bilirubin levels were associated with serum chemerin levels (p < 0.0083). No significant correlation was found between serum chemerin levels and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.3691) or overall survival (p = 0.7916). In HCC patients, serum chemerin concentrations were correlated with liver functional reserves and platelet counts, but not with recurrence or prognosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.