Interpregnancy interval following miscarriage and adverse pregnancy outcomes : systematic review and meta-analysis

Funding This research project did not receive any funding.Peer reviewedPostprin

Operating Principles of Zero-Bias Retinomorphic Sensors

Zero bias retinomorphic sensors (ZBRSs) are a new type of optical sensor which produce a signal in response to changes in light intensity, but not to constant illumination. For this reason, they are hoped to enable much faster identification of moving objects than conventional sensing strategies. While recent proof-of-principle experimental demonstrations are significant, there does not yet exist a robust quantitative model for their behaviour, which represents an impediment for effective progress to be made in this field. Here I report a mathematical framework to quantify and predict the behaviour of ZRBSs. A simple device-level model and a more detailed carrier-dynamics model are derived. Both models are tested computationally, yielding equivalent behaviour consistent with experimental observations. A figure of merit, Λ_0, was identified which is hoped to enable facile comparison of devices between different research groups. This work is hoped to serve as the foundation for a consistent description of ZBRSs

The effect of substrate curvature on capacitance and transfer characteristics for thin film transistors on the surface of spheres

Conformable, flexible, and stretchable thin film transistors hold promise for ubiquitous and low-cost electronics. As part of the research endeavor toward this goal, the challenges associated with compatible materials and growth processes have been intensely studied. What is seldom considered, however, is how device electrostatics change as the physical form of devices change. In this report, we study how one would expect the current–voltage characteristics of thin film transistors to change as they are deformed on the surface of a sphere. We derive analogous equations to those derived in the gradual channel approximation to relate current to applied voltage for various spherical geometries. Combined with a finite-difference strategy to evaluate geometric capacitance, example current–voltage characteristics are calculated. The results demonstrate for certain deformations in this geometry, the behavior deviates from what one would expect using just the gradual channel approximation. For flexible electronics to be commercially viable, it must be predictable in any physical form. These results represent some of the first steps in a broader effort to quantify the relationship between device geometry and electrical behavior

Energy quantization in solution-processed layers of indium oxide and their application in resonant tunneling diodes

\u3cp\u3eThe formation of quantized energy states in ultrathin layers of indium oxide (In\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e) grown via spin coating and thermally annealed at 200°C in air is studied. Optical absorption measurements reveal a characteristic widening of the optical band gap with reducing In\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e layer thickness from ≈43 to ≈3 nm in agreement with theoretical predictions for an infinite quantum well. Through sequential deposition of In\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e and gallium oxide (Ga\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e) layers, superlattice-like structures with controlled dimensionality and spatially varying conduction band characteristics are demonstrated. This simple method is then explored for the fabrication of functional double-barrier resonant tunneling diodes. Nanoscale current mapping analysis using conductive atomic force microscopy reveals that resonant tunneling is not uniform but localized in specific regions of the apparent device area. The latter observation is attributed to variation in the layer(s) thickness of the In\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e quantum well and/or the Ga\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e barrier layers. Despite the nonidealities, the tremendous potential of solution-processable oxide semiconductors for the development of quantum effect devices that have so far been demonstrated only via sophisticated growth techniques is demonstrated.\u3c/p\u3

Role of blend ratio in bulk heterojunction organic retinomorphic sensors

Conventional image sensors are designed to digitally reproduce every aspect of the visual field; in general representing brighter regions of a scene as brighter regions in an image. While the benefits of detecting and representing light in this way are obvious, limitations imposed by processing power and frame rate place a cap on the speed at which moving objects can be identified. An emerging alternative strategy is to use sensors which output a signal only in response to changes in light intensity, hence inherently identifying movement by design. These so-called retinomorphic sensors are hoped to outperform conventional sensors for certain tasks, such as identification of moving objects. In this report, the working mechanism of retinomorphic sensors based on organic semiconductors as the active layer is probed. It is observed that the sign of the voltage signal is changed when electrode connections are reversed, suggesting our previous description of device behaviour was incomplete. By systematically varying the ratio of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) to phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl (PCBM) in the absorption layer, a maximum performance was observed when the ratio was 1 : 2 P3HT : PCBM, while pure P3HT and pure PCBM exhibited very weak signals

Role of A‐Site Composition in Charge Transport in Lead Iodide Perovskites

As the power conversion efficiency and stability of solar cells based on metal halide perovskites continue to improve, the community increasingly relies on compounds formed of mixed cations and mixed halides for the highest performing devices. The result is that device engineers now have a potentially infinite number of compositions to choose from. While this has provided a large scope for optimization, it has increased complexity of the field, and the rationale for choosing one composition over another remains somewhat empirical. Herein, the distribution of electronic properties for a range of lead iodide perovskite thin films is mapped. The relative percentages of methylammonium, formamidinium, and cesium are varied, and the electronic properties are measured with time-resolved microwave conductivity, a contactless technique enabling extraction of electronic properties of isolated films of semiconductors. It is found a small amount of Cs leads to larger carrier mobilities and longer carrier lifetimes and that compositions with a tolerance factor close to 0.9 generally show lower performance that those closer to 0.8 or 1.0

Endothelin-1 mediates Aspergillus fumigatus induced airway inflammation and remodelling

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways and patients sensitised to airborne fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus have more severe asthma. Thickening of the bronchial subepithelial layer is a contributing factor to asthma severity for which no current treatment exists. Airway epithelium acts as an initial defence barrier to inhaled spores, orchestrating an inflammatory response and contributing to subepithelial fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyse the production of profibrogenic factors by airway epithelium in response to A. fumigatus, in order to propose novel anti-fibrotic strategies for fungal-induced asthma. METHODS: We assessed the induction of key profibrogenic factors, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, periostin and endothelin-1, by human airway epithelial cells and in mice exposed to A. fumigatus spores or secreted fungal factors. RESULTS: A. fumigatus specifically caused production of endothelin-1 by epithelial cells in vitro but not any of the other profibrogenic factors assessed. A. fumigatus also induced endothelin-1 in murine lungs, associated with extensive inflammation and airway wall remodelling. Using a selective endothelin-1 receptor antagonist, we demonstrated for the first time, that endothelin-1 drives many features of airway wall remodelling and inflammation elicited by A. fumigatus. CONCLUSION: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that elevated endothelin-1 levels contribute to subepithelial thickening and highlight this factor as a possible therapeutic target for difficult-to-treat fungal-induced asthma

A process evaluation of the bereavement follow-up programme in Critical Care at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Background Mortality figures in critical care are high with the trajectory of dying often unpredictable. The negative impact of unexpected and sudden death on relatives is well documented and can make the grieving process significantly more difficult. There is no current research in the UK that either surveys the availability of follow-up or examines individual bereavement follow-up interventions. This study is a process evaluation of the bereavement follow-up programme implemented in 2018 in the Critical Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow. The intervention consists of a condolence card given at time of death along with the When Someone Has Died information pack. A letter and card are sent out after three months, giving relatives the opportunity to contact the bereavement team. Methods This is a mixed methods study and follows the UK Medical Research Council’s guidelines for process evaluations. A process evaluation was chosen as the most appropriate method of study as it allows researchers to pick apart the complexity of interventions by looking at implementation process, acceptability, and mechanisms of change including the impact of contextual factors. The beravement follow up programme is an intervention in current practice and therefore this project aligns to a pragmatic process evalaution. Quantitaitve data from critical care mortality figures, bereavement follow-up spreadsheets for 2019 and 2020, along with a telephone questionnaire of 16 bereaved relatives over a two-month period, examine the implementation process and acceptability variables. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 6 consultants, 3 nurses, 1 hospital chaplain, and 4 bereaved relatives who had returned for a follow-up meeting. The interviews examine the experience of the intervention through in-depth qualitative data. The results are considered in the context of a large critical care department, the organisation, and the wider social and global context. Findings Implementation process results show that overall fidelity is impacted by issues around giving information at time of death, collecting information on the nearest/closest friend or relative and relying on a single contact. Acceptability of bereavement follow-up is high with over 90 per cent of relatives answering the telephone questionnaire stating that critical care should contact bereaved families. However, engagement with the intervention is low, despite this, the benefits for relatives who return for a meeting based on analysis of the semi-structured interviews go beyond answering questions and clarifying events. This suggests a gap in both how the programme is offered and the understanding of the mechanisms of change in bereavement follow-up. Stakeholder data indicate that, while bereavement support is viewed as important, time and resource constraints are barriers to its implementation. Attending a meeting is a learning experience for clinicians and helps inform practice. Conclusion and Recommendations This is a valuable study of a current bereavement follow-up intervention in critical care in the UK. The results of the evaluation show that process improvements are important for the fidelity of the intervention. Acceptability among bereaved families is high. The simple change mechanisms of non-abondonemnt and recognition of significant loss are important. However, there are opportunities to better understand gaps in engagement with the programme, the complex change mechanisms and the optimum process for bereavement follow-up. Recommendations for the current programme are made, including the need for resources and funding. Essential to the recommendations is a greater acknowledgement of the importance of bereavement follow-up at organisational level, and more policy and guidance from professional organisations. The study has implications for the wider critical care community and opportunity for more collaborative research

Myelopathy and Quadriparesis due to Spinal Cord Compression of C1 Laminar Osteochondroma

The aim of this paper is to show that osteochondromas of the cervical vertebrae can cause myelopathy and neck pain.The reported etiology, diagnosis, treatment and differential diagnosis were reviewed. Osteochondromas may present as a solitary lesion with no genetic component or as multiple lesions as a part of a genetic disorder known as hereditary multiple exostosis. Osteochondromas of the spine are rarely encountered in clinical practice. These lesions are reported more commonly with neural compression in cases associated with hereditary multiple exostosis. The authors describe a unusual clinical manifestation of a solitary osteochondroma located in the right posterior arch of the atlas. Complete removal of the tumor was performed resulting in the relief of neck pain and spastic quadriparesis. Although unusual, osteochondromas of the cervical spine must be considered in patients with persistent neck pain and progressive symptoms of myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with plain radiograms is the neuroradiological modality of choice. The diagnosis and surgical excision of these tumors are important because they can cause spinal stenosis resulting in neural tissue compression and myelopathy

Noncommunicable and Communicable Diseases: Finding Common Ground

As the world grapples with unprecedented health challenges, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and now monkeypox, the focus on traditional concerns, like maternal and child health, and relatively newer pandemics, e.g., diabetes and obesity tend to get diluted. This is especially concerning in countries which face a dual challenge of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In this article, we list the factors that are common to both communicable disease and NCDs, and suggest measures to integrate procedures for their screening, management and prevention