A survey to ascertain peer support models available in Head and Neck cancer across the United Kingdom.

In cancers and chronic conditions, peer support (PS) has been shown to improve quality of life (QOL) and provide an important coping mechanism for patients, however there is little evidence for this intervention in Head and Neck cancer (HNC). Peer support allows individuals to come together and share information, encouragement, and experiences. It is delivered in a variety of ways including one-to-one, online, and support groups. There is limited literature regarding the timing, barriers, and types of PS available for individuals with HNC across the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of this project was to survey healthcare professionals with respect to their experience regarding types, timings, and barriers to PS in HNC. The survey was developed based on the literature, feedback and advice from a HNC patient research group and healthcare professionals. It was conducted online and consisted of twelve questions. Eighty-eight individuals responded covering twenty-four of twenty-six cancer alliances across the UK. Three main themes with subthemes were identified: patient barriers (emotional barriers and patient limitations), organisational barriers (administrative problems, limited time and resources and COVID-19), and staff barriers (lack of departmental support, concerns with PS and matching and timing of support). The survey demonstrated the different types of PS available across the UK and the barriers faced when implementing this support. It highlighted the complexity of being able to satisfactorily deliver appropriate and effective PS in HNC and the challenges involved.

Open-cellular organic semiconductor thin films by vertical co-deposition using sub-100 nm nanosphere templates.

Vertical co-deposition of sub-100 nm polystyrene sphere templates with water-soluble small molecule or polymeric semiconductors, followed by solvent vapour assisted sphere removal, is shown to be an excellent method for generating porous large area organic semiconductor thin films with sub-100 nm open-cellular networks, with numerous potential applications in areas such as sensing and photovoltaics.

Charge transfer between acenes and PbS nanocrystals.

Organic-inorganic hybrid heterojunctions have potential as the basis for future photovoltaic devices. Herein, we report the results of investigations exploring the possibility of using pentacene and tetracene as photoelectron donors in conjunction with PbS nanocrystals (PbS-NCs). Photoinduced charge transfer was probed using external quantum efficiency measurements on acene:PbS-NC hybrid photovoltaic devices in conjunction with photoluminescence studies of the corresponding bilayer films. It is shown that photoelectron transfer from pentacene to the PbS-NCs is inefficient as compared to that between tetracene and PbS-NCs. The latter case can be rationalized in terms of the energy level alignment at the heterojunction assuming a common vacuum level. However, in the case of pentacene:PbS-NC junctions an interfacial energy level shift must be considered in order to explain the observations.

The fabrication and analysis of a PbS nanocrystal:C(60) bilayer hybrid photovoltaic system.

A near-infrared sensitive hybrid photovoltaic system between PbS nanocrystals (PbS-NCs) and C(60) is demonstrated. Up to 0.44% power conversion efficiency is obtained under AM1.5G with a short circuit current density (J(sc)) of 5 mA cm(-2) when the PbS-NC layer is treated in anhydrous methanol. The observed J(sc) is found be approximately one-third of the maximum expected from this hybrid configuration, indicating the potential for further optimization. Crucial for device operation, a smooth film of nanocrystals is seen to form on the hole transporting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer deposited on the transparent electrode, facilitated through an ionic interaction between nanocrystal capping ligands and the PEDOT:PSS. The formation of the open circuit voltage in this system is seen to be influenced by an interfacial dipole formed at the hole-extracting electrode, providing insights for further optimization.