593 research outputs found
Quasi-freestanding and single-atom thick layer of hexagonal boron nitride as a substrate for graphene synthesis
We demonstrate that freeing a single-atom thick layer of hexagonal boron
nitride (hbn) from tight chemical bonding to a Ni(111) thin film grown on a
W(110) substrate can be achieved by intercalation of Au atoms into the
interface. This process has been systematically investigated using
angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission and absorption
techniques. It has been demonstrated that the transition of the hbn layer from
the "rigid" into the "quasi-freestanding" state is accompanied by a change of
its lattice constant. Using chemical vapor deposition, graphene has been
successfully synthesized on the insulating, quasi-freestanding hbn monolayer.
We anticipate that the in situ synthesized weakly interacting graphene/hbn
double layered system could be further developed for technological applications
and may provide perspectives for further inquiry into the unusual electronic
properties of graphene.Comment: in print in Phys. Rev.
Surgical treatment versus medical treatment in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Sixty-three patients operated upon for HOCM and 49 patients selected for non-surgical treatment have been followed-up for 15 years. Pre-operatively, surgical patients had a higher left ventricular outflow tract gradient at rest and, on the average, more severe symptoms than non-surgical patients. Septal myectomy relieved the pressure gradient and symptoms more consistently than long-term treatment with β-blockers or verapamil. Within an average observation time of 7½ years, there was late deterioration or death in almost half of the non-surgical patients but in less than one-quarter in the operated patients. The 10 year mortality rate was 80% in the surgical series and 71% in the non-surgical series. In operated patients, pre-operative symptomatic status was significantly related to early and late mortality. In medically treated patients, mortality was unrelated to symptoms; however, it was significantly lower in patients receiving long term treatment with β-blockers or verapamil. In conclusion, a high basal pressure gradient associated to limiting symptoms is a clear-cut indication for surgery. Other indications are more debatable. In medically treated patients, long-term administration of β-blockers or verapamil is beneficial even without symptoms as it appears to improve prognosi
Light-Trap: A SiPM Upgrade for Very High Energy Astronomy and Beyond
With the development of the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique (IACT),
Gamma-ray astronomy has become one of the most interesting and productive
fields of astrophysics. Current IACT telescope arrays (MAGIC, H.E.S.S, VERITAS)
use photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to detect the optical/near-UV Cherenkov
radiation emitted due to the interaction of gamma rays with the atmosphere. For
the next generation of IACT experiments, the possibility of replacing the PMTs
with Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) is being studied. Among the main
drawbacks of SiPMs are their limited active area (leading to an increase in the
cost and complexity of the camera readout) and their sensitivity to unwanted
wavelengths. Here we propose a novel method to build a relatively low-cost
pixel consisting of a SiPM attached to a PMMA disc doped with a wavelength
shifter. This pixel collects light over a much larger area than a single
standard SiPM and improves sensitivity to near-UV light while simultaneously
rejecting background. We describe the design of a detector that could also have
applications in other fields where detection area and cost are crucial. We
present results of simulations and laboratory measurements of a pixel prototype
and from field tests performed with a 7-pixel cluster installed in a MAGIC
telescope camera.Comment: Proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC
2017), Bexco, Busan, Korea. Id:81
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A Pilot Study of an mHealth Application for Healthcare Workers: Poor Uptake Despite High Reported Acceptability at a Rural South African Community-Based MDR-TB Treatment Program
Introduction: As the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal addresses a growing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) epidemic by shifting care and treatment from trained specialty centers to community hospitals, delivering and monitoring MDR-TB therapy has presented new challenges. In particular, tracking and reporting adverse clinical events have been difficult for mobile healthcare workers (HCWs), trained health professionals who travel daily to patient homes to administer and monitor therapy. We designed and piloted a mobile phone application (Mobilize) for mobile HCWs that electronically standardized the recording and tracking of MDR-TB patients on low-cost, functional phones. Objective: We assess the acceptability and feasibility of using Mobilize to record and submit adverse events forms weekly during the intensive phase of MDR-TB therapy and evaluate mobile HCW perceptions throughout the pilot period. Methods: All five mobile HCWs at one site were trained and provided with phones. Utilizing a mixed-methods evaluation, mobile HCWs’ usage patterns were tracked electronically for seven months and analyzed. Qualitative focus groups and questionnaires were designed to understand the impact of mobile phone technology on the work environment. Results: Mobile HCWs submitted nine of 33 (27%) expected adverse events forms, conflicting with qualitative results in which mobile HCWs stated that Mobilize improved adverse events communication, helped their daily workflow, and could be successfully expanded to other health interventions. When presented with the conflict between their expressed views and actual practice, mobile HCWs cited forgetfulness and believed patients should take more responsibility for their own care. Discussion This pilot experience demonstrated poor uptake by HCWs despite positive responses to using mHealth. Though our results should be interpreted cautiously because of the small number of mobile HCWs and MDR-TB patients in this study, we recommend carefully exploring the motivations of HCWs and technologic enhancements prior to scaling new mHealth initiatives in resource poor settings
Enhanced ozone strongly reduces carbon sink strength of adult beech (Fagus sylvatica) – Resume from the free-air fumigation study at Kranzberg Forest
Ground-level ozone (O3) has gained awareness as an agent of climate change. In this respect, key results are comprehended from a unique 8-year free-air O3-fumigation experiment, conducted on adult beech (Fagus sylvatica) at Kranzberg Forest (Germany). A novel canopy O3 exposure methodology was employed that allowed whole-tree assessment in situ under twice-ambient O3 levels. Elevated O3 significantly weakened the C sink strength of the tree–soil system as evidenced by lowered photosynthesis and 44% reduction in whole-stem growth, but increased soil respiration. Associated effects in leaves and roots at the gene, cell and organ level varied from year to year, with drought being a crucial determinant of O3 responsiveness. Regarding adult individuals of a late-successional tree species, empirical proof is provided first time in relation to recent modelling predictions that enhanced ground-level O3 can substantially mitigate the C sequestration of forests in view of climate change
Understanding Adherence to Daily and Intermittent Regimens of Oral HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya
A qualitative assessment of Kenyan men who have sex with men taking daily and intermittent oral HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) found stigma, sex work, mobility, and alcohol impacted adherence. We analyzed quantitative data from the same cohort to explore different definitions of intermittent adherence. Volunteers were randomized to daily emtricitabine/tenofovir or placebo, or intermittent (prescription: Mondays/Fridays/after sex, maximum1 dose/day)emtricitabine/tenofovir or placebo (2:1:2:1), and followed for 4 months. By electronic monitoring, median adherence for daily dosing was 80 %. Median adherence for intermittent dosing was 71 % per a ‘‘relaxed’’ definition (accounting for off-prescription dosing) and 40 % per a ‘‘strict’’ definition (limited to the prescription). Factors associated with lower adherence included travel, transactional sex, and longer follow-up; higher adherence was associated with daily dosing and an income. The definition of intermittent dosing strongly affects interpretation of adherence. These findings suggest interventions should address challenges of mobility, sex work, and long-term PrEP
Multiple Measures Reveal Antiretroviral Adherence Successes and Challenges in HIV-Infected Ugandan Children
Background: Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) among children in developing settings is poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings: To understand the level, distribution, and correlates of ART adherence behavior, we prospectively determined monthly ART adherence through multiple measures and six-monthly HIV RNA levels among 121 Ugandan children aged 2–10 years for one year. Median adherence levels were 100% by three-day recall, 97.4% by 30-day visual analog scale, 97.3% by unannounced pill count/liquid formulation weights, and 96.3% by medication event monitors (MEMS). Interruptions in MEMS adherence of 48 hours were seen in 57.0% of children; 36.3% had detectable HIV RNA at one year. Only MEMS correlated significantly with HIV RNA levels (r = −0.25, p = 0.04). Multivariable regression found the following to be associated with <90% MEMS adherence: hospitalization of child (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–5.5; p = 0.001), liquid formulation use (AOR 1.4, 95%CI 1.0–2.0; p = 0.04), and caregiver’s alcohol use (AOR 3.1, 95%CI 1.8–5.2; p<0.0001). Child’s use of co-trimoxazole (AOR 0.5, 95%CI 0.4–0.9; p = 0.009), caregiver’s use of ART (AOR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4–0.9; p = 0.03), possible caregiver depression (AOR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4–0.8; p = 0.001), and caregiver feeling ashamed of child’s HIV status (AOR 0.5, 95%CI 0.3–0.6; p<0.0001) were protective against <90% MEMS adherence. Change in drug manufacturer (AOR 4.1, 95%CI 1.5–11.5; p = 0.009) and caregiver’s alcohol use (AOR 5.5, 95%CI 2.8–10.7; p<0.0001) were associated with 48-hour interruptions by MEMS, while second-line ART (AOR 0.3, 95%CI 0.1–0.99; p = 0.049) and increasing assets (AOR 0.7, 95%CI 0.6–0.9; p = 0.0007) were protective against these interruptions. Conclusions/Significance: Adherence success depends on a well-established medication taking routine, including caregiver support and adequate education on medication changes. Caregiver-reported depression and shame may reflect fear of poor outcomes, functioning as motivation for the child to adhere. Further research is needed to better understand and build on these key influential factors for adherence intervention development
Nitrogen-Functionalized Graphene Nanoflakes (GNFs:N): Tunable Photoluminescence and Electronic Structures
This study investigates the strong photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray excited
optical luminescence observed in nitrogen-functionalized 2D graphene nanoflakes
(GNFs:N), which arise from the significantly enhanced density of states in the
region of {\pi} states and the gap between {\pi} and {\pi}* states. The
increase in the number of the sp2 clusters in the form of pyridine-like N-C,
graphite-N-like, and the C=O bonding and the resonant energy transfer from the
N and O atoms to the sp2 clusters were found to be responsible for the blue
shift and the enhancement of the main PL emission feature. The enhanced PL is
strongly related to the induced changes of the electronic structures and
bonding properties, which were revealed by the X-ray absorption near-edge
structure, X-ray emission spectroscopy, and resonance inelastic X-ray
scattering. The study demonstrates that PL emission can be tailored through
appropriate tuning of the nitrogen and oxygen contents in GNFs and pave the way
for new optoelectronic devices.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures (including toc figure
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