Hybrid conferences in the new normal: reality in a resource restricted context

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Inter-Layer Coupling Induced Bandgap Reduction in Ultrathin MoS2

We report on a study of highly crystalline islands of MoS2 grown on HOPG substrate. Using STM/STS we find that the valence band edge shifts as a function of the layer number. Numerical calculations reveal the mechanism underlying the bandgap reduction and the role of the interfacial Sulfur atoms is clarified

Life Quality Impairment Caused by Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans in Resource-Poor Communities in Manaus, Brazil

Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic skin disease common in developing countries with hot climates. In resource-poor settings, CLM is associated with considerable morbidity. The disease is caused by animal hookworm larvae that penetrate the skin and migrate aimlessly in the epidermis as they cannot penetrate the basal membrane. Particularly in the rainy season, the intensity of infection is high with up to 40 larval tracks in an affected individual. Tracks are very itchy and are surrounded by a significant inflammation of the skin. Bacterial superinfection is common and intensifies the inflammation. The psychosocial consequences caused by CLM have never been investigated. We showed that CLM causes skin disease-associated life quality impairment in 91 patients with CLM. Skin disease-associated life quality was significantly impaired. The degree of impairment correlated to the intensity of infection and the number of body areas affected. After treatment with ivermectin, life quality was rapidly restored

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Trends in, and characteristics associated with, trouble accessing sterile needles and syringes among people who inject drugs in Sydney, New South Wales.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises providing access to sterile needles and syringes to be a ‘fundamental component of any comprehensive and effective public health program’ to reduce the transmission of HIV amongst people who inject drugs (PWID). Similarly, Australia’s national and jurisdictional blood borne virus (BBV) strategies highlight promoting the use of and ensuring access to sterile needles and syringes as a primary intervention in retaining the virtual elimination of HIV amongst PWID and reducing hepatitis B and C transmission. These strategies aim to guide Australia’s response to meeting its commitments in reducing BBVs amongst priority populations. While Australia routinely exceeds the UNAIDS definition of high syringe coverage, receptive needle sharing practices continue to occur and is reported to be associated with sub-populations within the PWID community, such as women and younger people. Increased access to sterile needles is emphasized for these subpopulations. Internationally, the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a drastic reduction in the distribution of sterile needles. In New South Wales (NSW), COVID-19 restrictions forced services providing needle and syringe programs (NSP) to adapt their modes of operation to comply with restrictions and protect the wellbeing of their staff, volunteers, and service users. Changes to services included reduced opening hours, limiting the number of staff and clients allowed in physical spaces to maintain social distancing requirements, and implementing contact tracing systems. While NSP services rapidly implemented strategies to ensure they continued to provide essential harm reduction services and information to their clients, there were concerns that changes to services and disruptions to supply chains could result in reduced NSP coverage

Nature of the Metal-Insulator Transition in Few-Unit-Cell-Thick LaNiO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e Films

The nature of the metal-insulator transition in thin films and superlattices of LaNiO3 only a few unit cells in thickness remains elusive despite tremendous effort. Quantum confinement and epitaxial strain have been evoked as the mechanisms, although other factors such as growth-induced disorder, cation non-stoichiometry, oxygen vacancies, and substrate–film interface quality may also affect the observable properties of ultrathin films. Here we report results obtained for near-ideal LaNiO3 films with different thicknesses and terminations grown by atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy on LaAlO3 substrates. We find that the room-temperature metallic behavior persists until the film thickness is reduced to an unprecedentedly small 1.5 unit cells (NiO2 termination). Electronic structure measurements using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculation suggest that oxygen vacancies existing in the films also contribute to the metal-insulator transition