High-Strength Amorphous Silicon Carbide for Nanomechanics

For decades, mechanical resonators with high sensitivity have been realized using thin-film materials under high tensile loads. Although there have been remarkable strides in achieving low-dissipation mechanical sensors by utilizing high tensile stress, the performance of even the best strategy is limited by the tensile fracture strength of the resonator materials. In this study, a wafer-scale amorphous thin film is uncovered, which has the highest ultimate tensile strength ever measured for a nanostructured amorphous material. This silicon carbide (SiC) material exhibits an ultimate tensile strength of over 10 GPa, reaching the regime reserved for strong crystalline materials and approaching levels experimentally shown in graphene nanoribbons. Amorphous SiC strings with high aspect ratios are fabricated, with mechanical modes exceeding quality factors 10^8 at room temperature, the highest value achieved among SiC resonators. These performances are demonstrated faithfully after characterizing the mechanical properties of the thin film using the resonance behaviors of free-standing resonators. This robust thin-film material has significant potential for applications in nanomechanical sensors, solar cells, biological applications, space exploration and other areas requiring strength and stability in dynamic environments. The findings of this study open up new possibilities for the use of amorphous thin-film materials in high-performance applications

New detrital petrographic and thermochronologic constraints on the Late Cretaceous-Neogene erosional history of the equatorial margin of Brazil: Implications for the surface evolution of a complex rift margin

The equatorial margin of Brazil is an example of a rift margin with a complex landscape, dominated by an escarpment perpendicular to the continental margin, which testifies to an equally complex rift and post-rift surface and tectonic evolution. This has been the focus of a long debate on the driving mechanism for post-rift tectonics and on the amount of exhumation. This study contributes to this debate with new petrographic and thermochronologic data on 152 samples from three basins, Para-Maranhao, Barreirinhas and Ceara, on the offshore continental platform. Our detrital record goes back to the rift time at ca. 100 Ma ago and outlines three major evolutionary phases of a changing landscape: a rift phase, with the erosion of a moderate rift escarpment, a Late Cretaceous-Palaeogene post-rift phase of major drainage reorganization and significant vertical erosion and a Late Oligocene-to-Recent post-rift phase of moderate vertical erosion and river headwater migration. We estimate that along the equatorial margin of Brazil, over a large onshore area, exhumation since the Late Cretaceous has totalled locally up to 2-2.5 km and since the late Oligocene did not exceed 1 km

Microsatellite markers for Caesalpinia echinata Lam. (Brazilwood), a tree that named a country.

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Adherence to clinical follow-up recommendations for liver function tests: A cross-sectional study of patients with HCV and their associated risk behaviors

This study examined whether patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection adhered to their physicians\u27 recommendation and HCV clinical guidelines for obtaining a regular liver function test (LFT), and whether high-risk behaviors are associated with behavioral adherence. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 101 eligible patients with HCV who were recruited from health centers in New Jersey and Washington, DC. Adherence outcomes were defined as the patients\u27 self-report of two consecutive receipts of LFTs in accordance with their physicians\u27 recommended interval or the clinical guidelines for a LFT within 3-6 months. 67.4% of patients (66/98) reported a receipt of their physicians\u27 recommendation for a LFT. The rate of adherence to physician recommendation was about 70% (46/66), however over 50% (52/101) of patients with HCV did not obtain regular LFTs. 15.8% (16/101) of patients continued to use injection drugs. Patients who used injection drugs had 0.87 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.03-0.59) times lower odds adhering to their physician recommendation, relative to non-users. Patients with HIV co-infection had increased odds of adhering to the clinical guidelines (odds ratio 3.41, 95% confidence interval 1.34-8.70) vs. patients who did not report HIV co-infection. Additionally, patients who had received a physician\u27s recommendation had 7.21 times (95% confidence interval of 2.36-22.2) greater odds adhering to the clinical guidelines than those who had not. Overall, promoting HCV patient-provider communication regarding regular LFTs and reduction of risk behaviors is essential for preventing patients from HCV-related liver disease progression

Moderators of the stress effects on caregiver's self-perceived health

O objetivo do presente estudo foi examinar se percepção de benefícios no cuidar de idosos e religiosidade poderiam atuar como variáveis mediadoras na relação entre estresse do cuidador, saúde auto-percebida e tensão emocional relatada. A amostra consistiu de 345 cuidadores com idade variando entre 64 e 88 anos (M= 42,35; DP= 5,2), integrantes do Caregiver’s Health Effect Study, um dos componentes do Cardiovascular Health Study. O método de path análise identificou que, como esperado, o estresse das demandas ambientais apresentou uma relação indireta com saúde física percebida dos cuidadores. Religiosidade e estresse das demandas ambientais foram mediados pela percepção de benefícios na atividade de cuidar de idoso, resultando na diminuição da tensão emocional, a qual teve relação direta com saúde percebida. Nos grupos de baixo nível educacional, especificamente, encontrou-se que religiosidade teve um efeito direto sobre saúde auto-percebida. Os resultados sugerem assim que um importante foco na intervenção com cuidadores seria a percepção de benefícios na atividade de cuidar de idosos, devido a sua função protetora na saúde física e emocional.   Palavras-chave: cuidadores de idosos; estresse; percepção da saúde.The purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived benefits of caregiving and religiosity could mediate the relationship between caregiver stress and emotional strain on self-perceived health. The sample consisted of 345 caregivers between 64 and 88 years old (M= 42,4; SD= 5,2), from the Caregiver’s Health Effect Study, one of the Cardiovascular Health Study components. Path analysis method identified that, as expected, stress of environmental demand had an indirect impact on selfperceived health. Religiosity and stress of environmental demands were mediated by perceived benefits in caregiving, further reducing emotional strain which had a direct impact on self-perception health. In the low socioeconomic status group, specifically, had been found direct effect of religiosity on self-perceived health. Thus, the results suggest that an important scope of intervention with caregivers it would be the perceived benefits in caregiving activities, due to its protective function in the physical and emotional health.Keywords: caregiving; stress; perceived-health

Dados preliminares de um levantamento de viroses de plantas cultivadas na região de Tomé-Açú e Belém, PA.

Resumos do 13º Congresso da Sociedade Brasileira de Fitopatologia, 1980, Rio de Janeiro

Protecting healthcare workers against SARS-CoV-2

A COVID-19 é uma séria ameaça à capacidade de resposta dos serviços de saúde. Neste contexto espera-se que os trabalhadores de saúde (TdS) laborem longas horas, sob grande pressão profissional, familiar e emocional, com recursos muitas vezes inadequados, enquanto aceitam os perigos inerentes à atividade, à proximidade com pessoas infeciosas, aos perigos inseparáveis dos ambientes de trabalho. O impacto na pandemia reflete-se nos TdS enquanto indivíduos, mas também afeta as suas famílias, quer relativamente ao menor tempo disponível quer ao nível da saúde mental. Fatores como a quantidade, o custo, a disponibilidade bem como a falta de hábito no uso de equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) condicionam a sua utilização pelos TdS. A utilização de EPI não é proteção suficiente se não for acompanhada da adoção de outras medidas de controlo de infeção, como a higienização das mãos e distanciamento físico entre funcionários em todas as situações. Deve também ser dada prioridade à testagem de TdS. A pandemia desafia os sistemas de saúde a uma adaptação dinâmica na gestão dos recursos existentes, com um especial enfoque nos sistemas de informação. Os serviços digitalizados ou de telemedicina podem potencialmente reduzir o contato com o paciente e, portanto, os riscos de infeção por SARS-CoV-2. Na perspetiva de uma vacina contra o SARS-CoV-2 para breve, os TdS deverão estar entre os grupos prioritários para a receber. Os TdS são dos recursos mais importantes de um país, pelo que há que cuidar destes profissionais em todos os aspetos nas organizações de saúde, para que os TdS estejam em melhores condições de responder às exigências desta pandemia e outras que eventualmente irão ocorrer no futuro. A pandemia não reconhece fronteiras. Devendo ser abordada de forma a fortalecer uma colaboração internacional que possibilite a solidariedade e a partilha equitativa de recursos. COVID-19 is a serious threat to the responsiveness of health services. In this context, health workers (HW) are expected to work long hours, under great professional, family and emotional pressure, with resources often inadequate, while accepting the dangers inherent in the activity, the proximity to infectious people, inseparable dangers of work environments.The impact of the pandemic is reflected in HW as individuals, but it also affects their families, both in terms of less time available and in terms of mental health. Factors such as quantity, cost, availability as well as the lack of habit of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) affects its use by HW. The use of PPE is not sufficient protection if not accompanied by the adoption of other infection control measures, such as hand hygiene and physical distance. Priority should also be given to testing H W. The pandemic challenges health systems to a dynamic adaptation in the management of existing resources, with a special focus on information systems. Telemedicine services can potentially reduce direct contact with the patients and, therefore, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the perspective of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine soon, HW should be among the priority groups to receive it .HW are one of the most important resources in a country, so it is necessary to take care of these professionals in all aspects in health organizations, so that HW are able to respond to the demands of this pandemic and others that will eventually occur in the future. The pandemic does not recognize borders. It must be addressed in a way that strengthens international collaboration that enables solidarity and equitable resource sharing.publishersversionpublishe

Understanding the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos: A qualitative study

IntroductionRates of lung cancer screening among Latinos remain low. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos.MethodsParticipants (N=20) were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. Eligibility criteria included: 1) self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 2) spoke English and/or Spanish, and 3) met the USA Preventive Services Task Force eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and English, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Using the health belief model, a qualitative theoretical analysis was used to analyze the interviews.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 58.3 years old (SD=5.8), half of the participants were female, 55% had completed high school or lower educational level, and 55% reported speaking more Spanish than English. All participants were currently smoking. Fourteen participants (70%) were unaware of lung cancer screening, and eighteen (90%) did not know they were eligible for lung cancer screening. Regarding lung cancer screening, participants reported multiple perceived benefits (e.g., smoking cessation, early detection of lung cancer, increased survivorship) and barriers (e.g., fear of outcomes, cost, lung cancer screening not being recommended by their clinician). Lastly, multiple cues to actions for lung cancer screening were identified (e.g., family as a cue to action for getting screened).ConclusionsMost Latinos who were eligible for lung cancer screening were unaware of it and, when informed, they reported multiple perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action. These factors provide concrete operational strategies to address lung cancer screening among Latinos