Real Convergence in Some OECD Countries

The purpose of this letter is to re-examine the convergence hypothesis for 21 OECD countries during the period of 1950-2008. Our nonlinear unit root procedures are able to reject the existence of a unit root in both the de-meaned output and the output gap series from USA series for 21 OECD countries, wheraes the linear ADF test fails to do so, providing some supportive evidence of nonlinear convergence in the outputs.

Impact of Li passivation on recombination and charge transfer at the TiO2/perovskite interface

This research aims to comprehensively examine the dynamics of charge transfer occurring at the interface of Li-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) and perovskite. The specific focus is on investigating the mitigation of intrinsic defects at the interface between the electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite, aiming to understand and address trap-assisted recombination. Compared to the pristine control cell, the Li-doped TiO2-based perovskite solar cell (PSC) showed a notable improvement in conversion efficiency, increasing from 17.6 to 20.2%. Additionally, the open circuit voltage (V-oc) value increased from 1090 to 1120 mV, accompanied by a decrease in current density-voltage (J-V) hysteresis upon doping. The introduction of Li-doping led to a notable enhancement in recombination resistance, signifying a reduced recombination rate and improved charge transfer at the interface. These observations were evident in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements conducted both in the absence and in the presence of light. Furthermore, various charge transfer kinetics, such as charge transfer resistance, recombination lifetime, and diffusion length, were calculated to fully clarify the effect of Li passivation. EIS analysis demonstrated that the TiO2:Li-based solar cell displayed increased recombination resistance, suggesting enhanced charge carrier dynamics at the TiO2/perovskite interface compared to the bare TiO2. Additionally, the reduction in trap-assisted recombination, as indicated by improved chemical capacitance, recombination lifetime, and diffusion length values upon Li passivation, underscores the effectiveness of this approach in optimizing solar cell performance. The research delved into the impact of Li passivation on the TiO2/perovskite interface and the performance of PSCs by examining structural, optical, morphological, and electronic aspects.Presidency of Turkish Republic Department of Strategy and Budget [2016K12-2841]; Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [1649B031903340]; Ege University Project Office [15GEE007, 16GEE004]Authors acknowledge to Presidency of Turkish Republic Department of Strategy and Budget for the financial support Project Grant Nr: 2016K12-2841 and Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for financial support of A. MUTLU in the frame of the program 2211/C with Grant Nr.:1649B031903340. Also, we acknowledge to Ege University Project Office for financial support with Grant Nr: 15GEE007 and 16GEE004

The ocular surface side effects of an anti-psychotic drug, clozapine

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term clozapine usage on tear film stability and corneal topographic parameters.Material and methods: The study was conducted between March 2014 and November 2014. Thirty patients who were diagnosed of schizophrenia and have been under clozapine treatment for 2.730.73 years (range 2-4 years) were involved in this study (group 1). Thirty healthy subjects (group 2) who have statistically similar demographic features compared with the group 1, were involved as a control group. Full ophthalmologic examination with biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy was applied. Corneal topographic parameters were measured using the Pentacam HR and Schirmer test was done. Statistical analysis of the subjects was evaluated by using SPSS (for Windows version 16.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) program.Results: K-1 value was measured as 43.39 +/- 0.17D (43-43.50D) and K-2 value was measured as 43.39 +/- 0.06D (43.30-43.50D) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In groups 1 and 2, K-2 values were noted as 43.86 +/- 0.27D (43.50-44.50D) and 43.72 +/- 0.18D (43.50-44.00D), respectively. Central corneal thickness was found to be 523.93 +/- 15.66 mu m (495-554 mu m) and 550.13 +/- 1.03 mu m (520-580 mu m) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Corneal apex thickness was 525.86 +/- 15.75 mu m (497-556 mu m) in group 1 and 551.60 +/- 14.99 mu m (521-581 mu m) in group 2. The corneal thickness of thinnest location was 520.93 +/- 15.60 mu m (492-551 mu m) and 548.06 +/- 15.17 mu m (518-578 mu m) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Corneal volume was determined as 58.13 +/- 3.46mm(3) (52-64mm(3)) in group 1 and 60.73 +/- 3.76mm(3) (54-66mm(3)) in group 2. The Schirmer test showed thichkness of 3.33 +/- 0.72mm (2-4mm) and 13.60 +/- 1.59mm (11-16mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean fluorescein break-up time was 5.40 +/- 1.50s (3-8s) and 12.46 +/- 1.40s (10-14s) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the Schirmer test, fluorescein break-up time, central corneal thickness, corneal apex, and the thinnest corneal location thickness between the two groups.Conclusion: Clozapine may induce dry eye syndrome and thus may lead to morphological alterations in corneal parameters through its anticholinergic and antidopaminergic activities. Because of these corneal alterations, one should be aware of evaluating patients having diseases like glaucoma or preoperative selection of corneal refractive surgery candidates

Comprasion of ICare Rebound Tonometer and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer in High Myopia

Purpose. To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the ICare rebound tonometer (RBT) in high myopic eyes. Patients and Methods. This randomized prospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with high myopia. All patients’ central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AXL), keratometry, and refractive measurements were recorded and followed by IOP measurement with RBT and GAT. Results. The average CCT, AXL, and ACD were determined to be 514.65±32 μm, 27.65±2.22 mm, and 3.25±0.51 mm, respectively. Mean K was 43.27±1.4 D and mean spherical equivalent was -11.31±4.30 D. The mean IOP values obtained by RBT and GAT were 17.18±3.72 mmHg and 16.48±3.19 mmHg, respectively. The deviations of RBT readings from corrected GAT values were highly correlated with CCT values (r=0.588, P=0.0001). The mean corrected GAT reading was 17.49±3.01 mmHg. Linear regression analysis showed that a CCT change of 10 μm resulted in an RBT reading deviation of 0.57 mmHg. The Bland-Altman scatter-plot and McNemar test showed a clinically good level of agreement between the two tonometers. Conclusion. This study found a good agreement level between the two tonometers in high myopic patients and that RBT measurements are influenced by CCT variations

Outcome comparison between transcanalicular and external dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM: To compare the outcomes achieved with external dacryocystorhinostomy (EX-DCR) and transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy (TC-DCR) using a multidiode laser in patients with bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO)

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of mercury on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), macular thickness (MT), and choroidal thickness (CT) by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in battery industry workers who had been chronically exposed to mercury

Toxic Effects of Chronic Mercury Exposure on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Industrial Mercury Battery Workers

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of mercury on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), macular thickness (MT), and choroidal thickness (CT) by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in battery industry workers who had been chronically exposed to mercury