Multilayer chromium based coatings grown by atmospheric pressure direct liquid injection CVD

There is a great interest for multilayer hard coatings because they exhibit enhanced properties resulting from their nanostructuration. Such coatings are frequently constituted of carbide and nitride and are generally deposited under very low pressure by plasma and PVD processes. These vacuum techniques enable the growth of heterostructures with nanometric thick individual layers and sharp interfaces, which are two requirements for advanced performances. However, both to develop more economical processes and with the goal of continuous deposition applications, the CVD processes operating under atmospheric pressure are particularly attractive. In this paper we show that the combination of pulsed direct liquid injection and the use of metalorganic precursor (DLI-MOCVD) is a promising route for the growth of nanostructured multilayer coatings under atmospheric pressure. Chromium metal as well as chromium carbide and nitrides monolithic coatings have been deposited at 773 K by this process using liquid solution of bis(benzene) chromium as Cr molecular precursor. Then, CrCx/CrN nanostructured multilayer coatings with a bilayer period as low as 50 nm have been grown. Structural characterizations and preliminary mechanical properties of these metallurgical coatings are discussed

Ferrarese Chronicles in the Modern Era

En 1928, Giuseppe Pardi va publicar la primera de tres cròniques del segle XV sobre Ferrara. La seua edició d'un d'aquestes tres cròniques, el Diari ferrarese dall?anno 1409 sinó al 1502, va substituir versió del segle XVIII publicada per Ludovico Muratori. Pardi va mostrar una comprensió dels reptes que presenta la transcripció de documents antics, refusant alterar aquest material i enriquint les cròniques amb un aparell crític complet. Malgrat la disponibilitat i fàcil accés a materials inimaginables fins fa poc, les transcripcions de finals del segle XX no arriben als estàndards establerts per Pardi. Aquest article explora les transcripcions de les cròniques, en particular les de Pardi, il·lustrant com els inicis del segle XX van ser una època daurada sense igual abans o després

The Public’s Perceptions of Government Officials’ Communication in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Early news coverage in the US about the COVID-19 pandemic focused on information released from local, state and federal government officials. With an emphasis on US government at these levels, this study examined whether the public’s credibility perceptions and trust in government, along with message exposure, influenced their adherence to information from the government about (a) stay-at-home orders, (b) social distancing and (c) COVID-19 testing. Source credibility theory and situational crisis communication theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Through the survey data analysis, we investigated communication preferences in the wake of the pandemic and whether credibility perceptions differed according to the level of government. Survey findings revealed that message exposure influenced respondents’ perceived credibility of and trust in government officials during and after the stay-at-home order. Finally, practical implications regarding recommended communication strategies based on the findings were discussed

Public Sector Resource Allocation Since the Financial Crisis

Acknowledgements: The authors thank Tim Butcher from the Low Pay Commission for helpful discussions regarding changes in occupation classifications. We also thank the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Data Service for permitting and providing secure access to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. All results within this paper have been checked by the UK Data Service to ensure they are non-disclosive and cannot be used to identify a person or organisation. The Health Economics Research Unit is supported by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates (SGHSC). The views expressed here are those of the Unit and not necessarily those of the CSO.Peer reviewedPostprin

Evaluation of an innovative condom distribution program and point-of-access messaging targeting Black college women

Condom access is a major issue on some college campuses in the United States, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Lack of access increases risk of adverse sexual health outcomes, especially for young Black women. This project evaluated a structural intervention—a condom distribution program (via dispensers with free condoms) and point-of-access messaging (via posters on the dispensers)—on an all-female HBCU campus in North Carolina. The three-month intervention occurred between November 2015 and January 2016. We used a pre-post intervention only longitudinal panel design. We recruited N = 195 sexually active students to complete a baseline survey and N = 118 students completed the follow-up survey. The retention rate was 61%. The majority of students (89%) were aware of the dispensers. Slightly less than half (44%) used the dispensers, and 22% had those condoms with them at follow-up. Students mainly used dispensers to access condoms in the dorm bathrooms (81%, n = 42). They felt extremely comfortable using the dispensers, especially when alone. More than 70% (n = 38) who took condoms used them for sexual intercourse. Most students (77%) recognized at least one of the messages that had been posted on the dispensers. They reported that the messages made them feel confident and proud to be taking condoms, and motivated them to take a condom. More than a third of students (38%) talked about the dispensers or messages. Students were most likely to talk to their friends or sexual partners. Condom acquisition and carrying increased significantly (p <. 05) after the intervention. Perceptions of condom availability and accessibility also increased significantly (p <. 05). Perceptions of condom acceptability and norms did not change. Condom intentions and use decreased significantly among the sample as a whole. In multivariate analyses, dispenser use was associated with greater condom use. This study provides empirical evidence that condom distribution and safer sex messaging can improve perceptions of condom access (particularly availability and accessibility) and impact condom preparatory behaviors (acquisition and carrying). The findings add to our understanding of HIV/STI prevention interventions targeted at young Black women on an HBCU campus.Doctor of Philosoph

Hospital staff shortage : the role of the competitiveness of pay of different groups of nursing staff on staff shortage

This work was supported by the Medical Research Council under grant number G0800113-2.Peer reviewedPostprin

Hospital Staff Shortage: the Role of the Competitiveness of Pay of Different Groups of Nursing Staff on Staff Shortage. Hospital Staff Shortage: the Role of the Competitiveness of Pay of Different Groups of Nursing Staff on Staff Shortage

International audienceShortages of nursing staff in OECD countries have been a preoccupation for policy makers. Shortages of staff may be the consequence of uncompetitive pay. In the private sector, employers in different regions can offer different pay rates to reflect local amenities and cost of living. Hospitals in the UK however cannot set the pay for their employees, and as a result they might therefore incur staff shortages. Moreover, occupational groups do not operate in isolation. Shortages of staff may also be the consequence of the competitiveness of pay of an alternative group of staff. This is investigated using two distinct groups of nursing staff: assistant nurses and registered nurses working in English hospitals in 2003-5 using national-level data-sets. We find that an increase by 10% of the pay competitiveness of registered nurses decreases the shortage of both the registered nurses and of assistant nurses by 0.6% and 0.4% respectively