Nanoscale Texturing and Interfaces in Compositionally Modified CaCoO with Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance.

Oxide thermoelectric materials are nontoxic, chemically and thermally stable in oxidizing environments, cost-effective, and comparatively simpler to synthesize. However, thermoelectric oxides exhibit comparatively lower figure of merit () than that of metallic alloy counterparts. In this study, nanoscale texturing and interface engineering were utilized for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of oxide polycrystalline CaCoO materials, which were synthesized using conventional sintering and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques.

Cholecystectomy for Prevention of Recurrence after Endoscopic Clearance of Bile Duct Stones in Korea.

Purpose: Cholecystectomy in patients with an intact gallbladder after endoscopic removal of stones from the common bile duct (CBD) remains controversial. We conducted a case-control study to determine the risk of recurrent CBD stones and the benefit of cholecystectomy for prevention of recurrence after endoscopic removal of stones from the CBD in Korean patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 317 patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone extraction between 2006 and 2012 were included.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of colonic diverticulitis in young patients].

Background/aims: The clinical course and the most appropriate management of colonic diverticulitis in young patients are currently unresolved. This retrospective study was designed to compare young patients (≤40 years) with older patients (>40 years) regarding clinical characteristics of acute colonic diverticulitis and to determine whether differences exist in treatment outcome.

Methods: Three-hundred sixty eight patients presenting with acute colonic diverticulitis from March 2001 through April 2011 at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital were reviewed retrospectively.