A Comparison of the Validity and Responsiveness of the EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D for Measuring Health Spillovers: A Study of the Family Impact of Meningitis

The “health spillover” of patient illness on family members is important to capture in economic evaluation. This study compares the construct validity and responsiveness of 2 widely used health-related quality-of-life instruments, the EQ-5D-5L and SF-6D, in capturing health spillover effects for family members with and without an informal care role (carers and noncarers). Construct validity and responsiveness were assessed using data from a 2012 UK survey of the family impact of meningitis-related sequelae. Construct validity was assessed by testing associations between family members’ health status and variables anticipated to be associated with spillover effects (patient health status and informal care). Responsiveness was assessed by testing associations between the longitudinal change in family members’ health status and longitudinal change in patient health and caring hours. Among noncarers, both the EQ-5D-5L and the SF-6D exhibited construct validity with 10 of the 11 associations that were hypothesized being statistically significant on both measures. There was less clear evidence of responsiveness of the measures for noncarers. Among carers, the EQ-5D-5L exhibited greater construct validity, as well as responsiveness, with respect to spillovers from patient health. This was evidenced by the EQ-5D-5L detecting 9 significant associations compared with 4 on the SF-6D. However, the SF-6D exhibited greater construct validity with respect to spillovers generated from informal care provision (5 associations significant compared with 2 on the EQ-5D-5L). Both the EQ-5D-5L and the SF-6D exhibited a degree of validity that could justify their use as measures of health-related quality-of-life spillovers on family members in economic evaluation

Service evaluation of weight outcomes as a function of initial BMI in 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/commercial weight management partnership scheme

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Comparative Study on Gas-Sensing Properties of 2D (MoS2, WS2)/PANI Nanocomposites-Based Sensor

NH3 is a highly harmful gas; when inhaled at levels that are too high for comfort, it is very dangerous to human health. One of the challenging tasks in research is developing ammonia sensors that operate at room temperature. In this study, we proposed a new design of an NH3 gas sensor that was comprised of two-dimensional (TMDs, mainly WS2 and MoS2) and PANI. The 2D-TMDs metal was successfully incorporated into the PANI lattice based on the results of XRD and SEM. The elemental EDX analysis results indicated that C, N, O, W, S and Mo were found in the composite samples. The bandgap of the materials decreased due to the addition of MoS2 and WS2. We also analyzed its structural, optical and morphological properties. When compared to MoS2 and PANI, the proposed NH3 sensor with the WS2 composite was found to have high sensitivity. The composite films also exhibited response and recovery times of 10/16 and 14/16 s. Therefore, the composite PANI/2D-TMDs is a suitable material for NH3 gas detection applications.This work is supported by the Qatar National Research Fund (Project number UREP 25-057-2-023). The funding achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the autors. The characterizations of this work are accomplished in the Central Laboratories Unit, Qatar University

Promising transparent and flexible thermoelectric modules based on p-type CuI thin films—A review

The state-of-the-art thermoelectric technology owns a unique capability of direct, noise-free, and efficient conversion of waste heat into valuable electricity. The conventional thermoelectric generators are complex and expensive in fabrication, which restricts their use in wearable and miniaturized electronics to fulfill the current and rapid growth in demands for sufficient self-powered energy harvesters. Herein, this comprehensive review paper highlights the promising and next-generation thermoelectric generators based on flexible, transparent, abundant, non-toxic, and lightweight p-type Copper Iodide (CuI) thin films. It introduces the principles of energy conversion within thin-film thermoelectric generators and the structure of p–n junction including the criteria in the selection of substrates, p-type and n-type materials, connecting electrodes, and modules designed to sustain its mechanical flexibility and optical transparency. This review underlines the morphology and properties of CuI thin-film thermoelectric generators to figure out the latest trends in advanced synthesis and characterization techniques. It draws attention to its promising applications in wearable biosensing, energy harvesting, and smart miniaturized electronics. It discusses also the challenges and prospects in boosting the thermoelectric performance of CuI thin-film generators. This targeting to exceed the unity in its Figure-of-Merit (ZT) values for excellent output power generation, large-scale production for commercialization, and long-term stability for reliable thermoelectric applications.This work was supported by Qatar University Grant no. GTRA-17722. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Open Access funding is provided by the Qatar National Library. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript

Long-Term Stability Analysis of 3D and 2D/3D Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Despite the remarkable progress in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their instability and rapid degradation over time still restrict their commercialization. A 2D capping layer has been proved to overcome the stability issues; however, an in-depth understanding of the complex degradation processes over a prolonged time at PSC interfaces is crucial for improving their stability. In the current work, we investigated the stability of a triple cation 3D ([(FA0.83MA0.17)Cs0.05]Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3) and 2D/3D PSC fabricated by a layer-by-layer deposition technique (PEAI-based 2D layer over triple cation 3D perovskite) using a state-of-art characterization technique: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A long-term stability test over 24 months was performed on the 3D and 2D/3D PSCs with an initial PCE of 18.87% and 20.21%, respectively, to suggest a more practical scenario. The current-voltage (J-V) and EIS results showed degradation in both the solar cell types; however, a slower degradation rate was observed in 2D/3D PSCs. Finally, the quantitative analysis of the key EIS parameters affected by the degradation in 3D and 2D/3D PSCs were discussed.This publication was made possible by NPRP award [NPRP11S-1210-170080] from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis of hole transporting material free mesoporous and planar perovskite solar cells

The future photovoltaic technologies based on perovskite materials are aimed to build low tech, truly economical, easily fabricated, broadly deployable, and trustworthy solar cells. Hole transport material (HTM) free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are among the most likely architectures which hold a distinctive design and provide a simple way to produce large-area and cost-effective manufacture of PSCs. Notably, in the monolithic scheme of the HTM-free PSCs, all layers can be printed using highly reproducible and morphology-controlled methods, and this design has successfully been demonstrated for industrial-scale fabrication. In this review article, we comprehensively describe the recent advancements in the different types of mesoporous (nanostructured) and planar HTM-free PSCs. In addition, the effect of various nanostructures and mesoporous layers on their performance is discussed using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. We bring together the different perspectives that researchers have developed to interpret and analyze the EIS data of the HTM-free PSCs. Their analysis using the EIS tool, the limitations of these studies, and the future work directions to overcome these limitations to enhance the performance of HTM-free PSCs are comprehensively considered.This publication was made possible by NPRP award (NPRP11S-1210-170080) from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

QUYSC STEM Digilearning Model

Covid-19 and the unprecedented shift in educational delivery, has revealed multiple perforations in the science-learning pedagogies. The technological replacements for a physical presence of an instructor and peer collaborated classroom could not retain student interaction and positive learning attitude as in the pre-Covid period. YSC STEM Digilearning Model, is an online voluntary summer course that was created to combat the respective hitches and was successfully implemented on 38 primary-preparatory students from diverse schools promising an active learning environment. Student Feedback mechanism approach was implemented throughout the course thereby providing voice to the students in the learner centered approach adopted by the STEM course. The course carried out diverse synchronous and asynchronous activities with positive student response as the study witnessed minimal student withdrawals and presentation of completed student assignments

Liquid exfoliated MoS2 sheet coupled with conductive polyaniline for gas sensor

Polyaniline (PANI)/MoS2 composites with porous microspheres were prepared by a hydrothermal and in situ polymerization method. The structural, optical, and morphological properties were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope. The XRD results confirmed that the PANI/MoS2 composite was formed. Morphological characterization reveals that the successful formation of few to multilayered MoS2 nanosheet intercalated with the PANI nanoparticles