Ionic-Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of Mixed-Phase Manganese Oxide Nanorods for a High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) provide a safer and cost-effective energy storage solution by utilizing nonflammable water-based electrolytes. Although many research efforts are focused on optimizing zinc anode materials, developing suitable cathode materials is still challenging. In this study, one-dimensional, mixed-phase MnO nanorods are synthesized using ionic liquid (IL).

Improving the photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of CuO photocathodes using a protective CuBiO layer.

A heterojunction photocathode of CuO and CuBiO grown on an FTO substrate (FTO/CuO/CuBiO) was synthesized using hydrothermal method followed by spin coating and annealing to overcome the bottlenecks encountered by CuO in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting application. The synthesis methods, morphological, structural properties, and composition of each sample under each synthesis condition are discussed in detail. The photocathode with 15 coating layers annealed at 450 °C exhibited the best PEC performance.

Rare case of pancreatic cancer with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs very rarely in patients with pancreatic cancer. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is characterized by multifocal seeding of the leptomeninges by malignant cells that originate from a solid tumor. To the best of our knowledge, brain metastasis from pancreatic cancer is extremely rare.

[Accessibility of peritoneal organs according to the routes of approach in NOTES].

Background/aims: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new era of minimally invasive surgery which has the potential to offer scarless surgery. So far, numerous reports on various routes to peritoneal organs in NOTES have been published. In case of transgastric approach, it is more inconvenient than transcolonic approach to access upper abdominal organs because of retroflexion.

[A case of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding from a Meckel's diverticulum detected by wireless capsule endoscopy].

Meckel's diverticulum is an embryonic derivative of the omphalomesenteric duct and the most commonly encountered congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Its incidence records about 2%. Among them, only 5% are symptomatic with complications-bleeding, intestinal obstruction, inflammation, and perforation.

The growth of freestanding single carbon nanotube arrays.

Regular arrays of freestanding single carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared on Ni dot arrays by dc plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. The size of the Ni dot was reduced for single CNT growth by means of conventional photolithography and a lateral wet-etch process. The vertical alignment of a single CNT was directly dependent on the location of the catalyst metals.

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct in the duodenal bulb: clinical implications.

Background: An ectopic opening of the common bile duct in the duodenal bulb is extremely rare, and the clinical significance of this anomaly has not been clarified. This study analyzed the clinical implications and cholangiographic findings of this anomaly.

Methods: A total of 18 patients (15 men, 3 women; median age, 51 years) with an ectopic opening of the common bile duct in the duodenal bulb were studied.