Paleoclimate Implications from Stable Isotope Analysis of Sedimentary Organic Carbon and Vertebrate Fossils from the Cedar Mountain Formation, UT, U.S.A.

Oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of fossilized vertebrate teeth and bone were analyzed to determine isotopic values of vertebrate faunal diet from the early Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation of Utah. Results for δ18O of PO4 (δ18Op) (Suarez et al., 2014) from the same data set have been compared to the δ18O of CO3 (δ18Oc) portion of teeth and turtle shell to determine if diagenetic alteration of the isotopes has occurred by plotting the line of best fit equation that models the relationship between unaltered δ18OP and δ18OC of modern mammals from Iacumin et al., 1996. Results indicate slight diagenesis of some specimens has occurred. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) estimates, using the equations from Kohn (2010) and Diefendorf et al., (2010), were determined for each sampled stratigraphic member using carbon isotopic values derived from vertebrate faunal diet estimations from bioapatite, based on the observation that δ13C of modern C3 plants increases with decreasing MAP (Kohn, 2010; and others). Values indicate a prolonged period of semi-arid to arid climate in the Ruby Ranch and Yellow Cat members of the CMF likely caused by a rain-shadow (Suarez et al., 2014) on the eastern, leeward side of the uplifting Sevier Fold and Thrust belt (SFTB). The upper Mussentuchit Member becomes much more humid as the Western Interior foreland basin, continues to subside, eventually becoming inundated by the Western Interior Seaway. The basal Cretaceous CMF sits unconformably atop the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, with a hiatus of ~20 Ma (Kirkland and Madsen, 2006). Chemostratigraphic curves of the basal Yellow Cat member (YCM) were constructed using δ13C of bulk organics of sediment, and δ13C and δ18O of inorganic carbonate of sediment in an attempt to correlate with the early Cretaceous chemostratigraphic record. Correlating positive and negative carbon isotope excursions (PCIEs and NCIEs) from the YCM to stratigraphically well-constrained marine sections lends evidence for an age determination of the basal CMF. Correlations indicate the YCM to be Barremian to Aptian (~130-120 Ma) in age and detect several distinct CIEs of this period, specifically the B5-B8 excursions of the Barremian and the A1-C5 excursions of the Aptian

Is 'planning' missing from our family planning services?

The role of family planning in achieving the Millennium Development Goals is well recognised. The benefits of family planning, in developing countries in particular, extend beyond decreasing fertility and include poverty reduction, improved health for both mother and child, the promotion of gender equality by increasing women's opportunities beyond reproductive and domestic activities, and environmental sustainability. In addition, prevention of undesired pregnancies among HIV-positive women by eliminating unmet need for contraception is a highly cost-effective means of preventing mother-to-child transmission. In South Africa, free contraceptives are available at public sector health care facilities, and contraception use is high: an estimated 65% of sexually active women use a method.3 The method mix comprises predominantly short-acting methods - primarily injectable contraceptives. Long-acting contraceptives, such as the intra-uterine device (IUD), are highly effective among typical users owing to consistency of function, yet are underutilised in South Africa's public sector facilities. Of importance, especially in South Africa's high HIVprevalent setting, is that the IUD can be safely used on clinically well HIV-positive women. The 2004 Demographic and Health Survey showed that 10% of sexually active women were sterilised, while less than 1% of women were using the IUD. In preparation for an intervention aimed at improving contraceptive options, including long-acting and permanent methods (LAPM), for all postpartum women, we assessed women's knowledge and attitudes to LAPM. We report on findings from our baseline survey, which have prompted the question: Where is the 'planning' in family planning services

Effect of consistent condom use on 6-month prevalence of bacterial vaginosis varies by baseline BV status

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition characterized by a disturbed vaginal ecosystem which fluctuates in response to extrinsic and intrinsic factors. BV recurrence is common. To explore whether consistent condom use was associated with BV occurrence or recurrence, we compared the effect of condom use on BV prevalence after six months, among women with and without BV at baseline

Predictors of Unprotected Sex Among Female Sex Workers in Madagascar: Comparing Semen Biomarkers and Self-Reported Data

Research on the determinants of condom use and condom non-use generally has relied on self-reported data with questionable validity. We identified predictors of recent, unprotected sex among 331 female sex workers in Madagascar using two outcome measures: self-reports of unprotected sex within the past 48 h and detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biological marker of recent semen exposure. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that self-reported unprotected sex was associated with three factors: younger age, having a sipa (emotional partner) in the prior seven days, and no current use of hormonal contraception. The sole factor related to having PSA detected was prevalent chlamydial infection (adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–10.1). Differences in predictors identified suggest that determinants of unprotected sex, based on self-reported behaviors, might not correlate well with risk of semen exposure. Caution must be taken when interpreting self-reported sexual behavior measures or when adjusting for them in analyses evaluating interventions for the prevention of HIV/STIs

Monitoring Toxicity Associated with Parenteral Sodium Stibogluconate in the Day-Case Management of Returned Travellers with New World Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

Sodium stibogluconate (SbV), a pentavalent antimonial, administered parenterally, is the recommended treatment for South American cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania Viannia, which is a neglected disease that affects many people resident in Central and South America, as well as travellers to the areas. Antimonials have been used for the treatment of leishmaniasis since the 1930s. We report the toxicity experienced by a series of NWCL patients receiving SbV in a resource-rich setting. This study also evaluates administration of the drug to patients without admitting them to hospital. The administration of parenteral SbV was associated with myelosuppression, derangement of markers of liver function and prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiography, although these effects were not found to be associated with adverse clinical events, and the majority of doses of SbV were administered without cause for hospital admission. Our data shows that parenteral SbV treatment may be provided with reduced monitoring for toxicity than is currently done, and on an outpatient-basis, without endangering safety. Such practice, with reduced demands on local finances and the healthcare workforce, would be desirable in more resource-limited settings

High capacity silicon anodes enabled by MXene viscous aqueous ink

The ever-increasing demands for advanced lithium-ion batteries have greatly stimulated the quest for robust electrodes with a high areal capacity. Producing thick electrodes from a high-performance active material would maximize this parameter. However, above a critical thickness, solution-processed films typically encounter electrical/mechanical problems, limiting the achievable areal capacity and rate performance as a result. Herein, we show that two-dimensional titanium carbide or carbonitride nanosheets, known as MXenes, can be used as a conductive binder for silicon electrodes produced by a simple and scalable slurry-casting technique without the need of any other additives. The nanosheets form a continuous metallic network, enable fast charge transport and provide good mechanical reinforcement for the thick electrode (up to 450 µm). Consequently, very high areal capacity anodes (up to 23.3 mAh cm−2) have been demonstrated

Expanding contraceptive options for PMTCT clients: a mixed methods implementation study in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract Background Clients of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in South Africa who use contraception following childbirth rely primarily on short-acting methods like condoms, pills, and injectables, even when they desire no future pregnancies. Evidence is needed on strategies for expanding contraceptive options for postpartum PMTCT clients to include long-acting and permanent methods. Methods We examined the process of expanding contraceptive options in five health centers in Cape Town providing services to HIV-positive women. Maternal/child health service providers received training and coaching to strengthen contraceptive counseling for postpartum women, including PMTCT clients. Training and supplies were introduced to strengthen intrauterine device (IUD) services, and referral mechanisms for female sterilization were reinforced. We conducted interviews with separate samples of postpartum PMTCT clients (265 pre-intervention and 266 post-intervention) to assess knowledge and behaviors regarding postpartum contraception. The process of implementing the intervention was evaluated through systematic documentation and interpretation using an intervention tracking tool. In-depth interviews with providers who participated in study-sponsored training were conducted to assess their attitudes toward and experiences with promoting voluntary contraceptive services to HIV-positive clients. Results Following the intervention, 6% of interviewed PMTCT clients had the desired knowledge about the IUD and 23% had the desired knowledge about female sterilization. At both pre- and post-intervention, 7% of clients were sterilized and IUD use was negligible; by comparison, 75% of clients used injectables. Intervention tracking and in-depth interviews with providers revealed intervention shortcomings and health system constraints explaining the failure to produce intended effects. Conclusions The intervention failed to improve PMTCT clients’ knowledge about the IUD and sterilization or to increase use of those methods. To address the family planning needs of postpartum PMTCT clients in a way that is consistent with their fertility desires, services must expand the range of contraceptive options to include long-acting and permanent methods. In turn, to ensure consistent access to high quality family planning services that are effectively linked to HIV services, attention must also be focused on resolving underlying health system constraints weakening health service delivery more generally

Co-generation of hydrogen and power/current pulses from supercapacitive MFCs using novel HER iron-based catalysts

© 2016 The Author(s) In this work, four different supercapacitive microbial fuel cells (SC-MFCs) with carbon brush as the anode and an air-breathing cathode with Fe-Aminoantipyrine (Fe-AAPyr) as the catalyst have been investigated using galvanostatic discharges. The maximum power (Pmax) obtained was in the range from 1.7 mW to 1.9 mW for each SC-MFC. This in-series connection of four SC-MFCs almost quadrupled Pmax to an operating voltage of 3025 mV and a Pmax of 8.1 mW, one of the highest power outputs reported in the literature. An additional electrode (AdHER) connected to the anode of the first SC-MFC and placed in the fourth SC-MFC evolved hydrogen. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) taking place at the electrode was studied on Pt and two novel platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalysts: Fe-Aminoantipyrine (Fe-AAPyr) and Fe-Mebendazole (Fe-MBZ). The amount of H2 produced was estimated using the Faraday law as 0.86 mMd−1cm−2 (0.132 L day−1) for Pt, 0.83 mMd−1cm−2 (0.127 L day−1) for Fe-AAPyr and 0.8 mMd−1cm−2 (0.123 L day−1) for Fe-MBZ. Hydrogen evolution was also detected using gas chromatography. While HER was taking place, galvanostatic discharges were also performed showing simultaneous H2 production and pulsed power generation with no need of external power sources

Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets as cathode catalysts in standard and supercapacitive microbial fuel cell

© 2017 The Authors Three-dimensional graphene nanosheets (3D-GNS) were used as cathode catalysts for microbial fuel cells (MFCs) operating in neutral conditions. 3D-GNS catalysts showed high performance towards oxygen electroreduction in neutral media with high current densities and low hydrogen peroxide generation compared to activated carbon (AC). 3D-GNS was incorporated into air-breathing cathodes based on AC with three different loadings (2, 6 and 10mgcm−2). Performances in MFCs showed that 3D-GNS had the highest performances with power densities of 2.059±0.003Wm-2, 1.855±0.007Wm-2 and 1.503±0.005Wm-2 for loading of 10, 6 and 2mgcm−2 respectively. Plain AC had the lowest performances (1.017±0.009Wm-2). The different cathodes were also investigated in supercapacitive MFCs (SC-MFCs). The addition of 3D-GNS decreased the ohmic losses by 14–25%. The decrease in ohmic losses allowed the SC-MFC with 3D-GNS (loading 10mgcm−2) to have the maximum power (Pmax) of 5.746±0.186Wm-2. At 5mA, the SC-MFC featured an “apparent” capacitive response that increased from 0.027±0.007F with AC to 0.213±0.026F with 3D-GNS (loading 2mgcm−2) and further to 1.817±0.040F with 3D-GNS (loading 10mgcm−2)