Copper-based Dye-sensitized Solar Cells with Quasi-Solid Nano Cellulose Composite Electrolytes

The study presented describes the preparation of solvent-free nano composite gel electrolytes in combination with  copper(I)-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrolytes comprise poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and cellulose nano crystals (CNCs) and an I 3 – /I – redox shuttle. The quasi-solid-state DSSCs show increased photoconversion performance with increased amount of CNC in the electrolyte. DSSC performances measured on the day that the devices are fabricated show that when the electrolyte is composed of 80% CNC, a cell efficiency of 1.09% is reached compared to 1.16% using a standard liquid I 3 – /I – electrolyte. DSSCs containing the nano composites and the copper(I)-based dye show robust stability over time, and after 60 days, DSSCs with the PEO/CNC/I 3 – /I – electrolyte outperform those containing the liquid electrolyt

Quality and efficiency of statin prescribing across countries with a special focus on South Africa : findings and future implications

Statins are recommended first-line treatment for hyperlipidemia, with published studies suggesting limited differences between them. However, there are reports of under-dosing. South Africa has introduced measures to enhance generic utilization. Part one documents prescribed doses of statins in 2011. Part two determines the extent of generics versus originator and single-sourced statins in 2011 and their costs. Results: Underdosing of simvastatin in 2011 with average prescribed dose of 23.7 mg; however, not for atorvastatin (20.91 mg) or rosuvastatin (15.02 mg). High utilization of generics versus originators at 93–99% for atorvastatin and simvastatin, with limited utilization of single-sourced statins (22% of total statins – defined daily dose basis), mirroring Netherlands, Sweden and UK. Generics priced 33–51% below originator prices. Discussion: Opportunity to increase simvastatin dosing through education, prescribing targets and incentives. Opportunity to lower generic prices with generic simvastatin 96–98% below single-sourced prices in some European countries

Change in net primary production and heterotrophic respiration: How much is necessary to sustain the terrestrial carbon sink?

In recent years, the chief approaches used to describe the terrestrial carbon sink have been either (1) inferential, based on changes in the carbon content of the atmosphere and other elements of the global carbon cycle, or (2) mechanistic, applying our knowledge of terrestrial ecology to ecosystem scale processes. In this study, the two approaches are integrated by determining the change in terrestrial properties necessary to match inferred change in terrestrial carbon storage. In addition, a useful mathematical framework is developed for understanding the important features of the terrestrial carbon sink. The Carnegie‐Ames‐Stanford Approach (CASA) biosphere model, a terrestrial carbon cycle model that uses a calibrated, semimechanistic net primary production model and a mechanistic plant and soil carbon turnover model, is employed to explore carbon turnover dynamics in terms of the specific features of terrestrial ecosystems that are most important for the potential development of a carbon sink and to determine the variation in net primary production (NPP) necessary to satisfy various carbon sink estimates. Given the existence of a stimulatory mechanism acting on terrestrial NPP, net ecosystem uptake is expected to be largest where NPP is high and the turnover of carbon through plants and the soil is slow. In addition, it was found that (1) long‐term, climate‐induced change in heterotrophic respiration is not as important in determining long‐term carbon exchange as is change in NPP and (2) the terrestrial carbon sink rate is determined not by the cumulative increase in production over some pre‐industrial baseline, but rather by the rate of increase in production over the industrial period

Efficacy of salbutamol via Easyhaler®unaffected by low inspiratory flow

AbstractThe fine particle dose delivered via dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is often affected by the inspiratory flow rate generated during inhalation. This has clinical implications, since the fine particle dose determines the amount of drug reaching the lungs. With Easyhaler®DPI the fine particle dose remains relatively constant over the range of inspiratory flow rates from 30–60 l min−1. The aim of this study was to confirm that clinical efficacy is maintained even at low flow rates by comparing the bronchodilating effect of salbutamol (100 μ g) delivered via Easyhaler®at a target inspiratory flow of 30 l min−1with the same dose of salbutamol via pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) plus spacer.This was a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study with double-dummy technique. Twenty-one paediatric and adult asthmatic patients completed the study, which was conducted over 2 study days. The main outcome parameter was forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). The patients were trained to generate a low peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) of 30 l min−1, and the actual PIFR through Easyhaler®was recorded.The average PIFR through Easyhaler®was 28·7 l min−1. The difference in the maximum value of FEV1(FEV1max) between the treatments after drug inhalation was 0·01 l. The mean of FEV1maxwas 2·67 l after pMDI plus spacer compared to 2·69 l after Easyhaler®. Improvements in FEV1were clinically significant. No significant differences between treatments were found.A reasonably low inspiratory flow rate through Easyhaler®produces an equivalent improvement in lung function to a correctly used pMDI plus spacer. Hence, Easyhaler®can be used with confidence in patients who may have difficulty in generating a high inspiratory flow rate, such as children and the elderly

It is important that the process goes quickly, isn't it?” A qualitative multi-country study of colorectal or lung cancer patients’ narratives of the timeliness of diagnosis and quality of care

Purpose: The emphasis on early diagnosis to improve cancer survival has been a key factor in the development of cancer pathways across Europe. The aim of this analysis was to explore how the emphasis on early diagnosis and timely treatment is reflected in patient's accounts of care, from the first suspicion of colorectal or lung cancer to their treatment in Denmark, England and Sweden. Method: We recruited 155 patients in Denmark, England and Sweden who were within six months of being diagnosed with lung or colorectal cancer. Data were collected via semi-structured narrative interviews and analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Participants’ accounts of quality of care were closely related to how quickly (or not) diagnosis, treatment and/or healthcare processes went. Kinetic metaphors as a description of care (such as treadmill) could be interpreted positively as participants were willing to forgo some degree of control and accept disruption to their lives to ensure more timely care. Drawing on wider cultural expectations of the benefits of diagnosing and treating cancer quickly, some participants were concerned that the waiting times between interventions might allow time for the cancer to grow. Conclusions: Initiatives emphasising the timeliness of diagnosis and treatment are reflected in the ways some patients experience their care. However, these accounts were open to further contextualisation about what speed of healthcare processes meant for evaluating the quality of their care. Healthcare professionals could therefore be an important patient resource in providing reassurance and support about the timeliness of diagnosis or treatment

Teachers’ receptive and productive vocabulary sizes in English-medium instruction

Despite the growing popularity of English-medium instruction (EMI), the conditions for and consequences of teaching and learning academic content through English are poorly understood. The ability of teachers in the EMI environment (i.e. disciplinary or ‘content’ teachers) to engage students in English is central in this regard since intelligible interaction between the teacher and the students is a precondition for learning when the medium of instruction is English. Across EMI contexts, concerns have been raised about teachers’ level of English proficiency (their ability to speak, write, read and listen in English), but research measuring their English proficiency attainments is lacking. This paper focuses on a key dimension of teachers’ English proficiency: vocabulary knowledge. Teachers (n = 130) took tests of receptive and productive knowledge of general and academic English vocabulary. The testing revealed significant proficiency variation in the cohorts tested, with some teachers exhibiting very low levels (<3000 words) of receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. Implications for teaching in EMI are discussed

Barking up the wrong tree: Modern northern European dogs fail to explain their origin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Geographic distribution of the genetic diversity in domestic animals, particularly mitochondrial DNA, has often been used to infer centers of domestication. The underlying presumption is that phylogeographic patterns among domesticates were established during, or shortly after the domestication. Human activities are assumed not to have altered the haplogroup frequencies to any great extent. We studied this hypothesis by analyzing 24 mtDNA sequences in ancient Scandinavian dogs. Breeds originating in northern Europe are characterized by having a high frequency of mtDNA sequences belonging to a haplogroup rare in other populations (HgD). This has been suggested to indicate a possible origin of the haplogroup (perhaps even a separate domestication) in central or northern Europe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sequences observed in the ancient samples do not include the haplogroup indicative for northern European breeds (HgD). Instead, several of them correspond to haplogroups that are uncommon in the region today and that are supposed to have Asian origin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We find no evidence for local domestication. We conclude that interpretation of the processes responsible for current domestic haplogroup frequencies should be carried out with caution if based only on contemporary data. They do not only tell their own story, but also that of humans.</p

Interannual variation in global-scale net primary production: Testing model estimates

Testing estimates of year‐to‐year variation in global net primary production (NPP) poses some challenges. Large‐scale, multiyear records of production are not readily available for natural systems but are for agricultural systems. We use records of agricultural yields at selected sites to test NPP estimates produced by CASA, a global‐scale production model driven by both meteorological data and the satellite‐derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We also test estimates produced by the Miami model, which has underlain several analyses of biosphere response to interannual changes in climate. In addition, we test estimates against tree ring data for one boreal site for which data from both coniferous and deciduous species were available. The agricultural tests demonstrate that CASA can reasonably estimate interannual variation in production. The Miami model estimates variation more poorly. However, differences in NDVI‐processing algorithms substantially affect CASA's estimates of interannual variation. Of the four versions tested, the FASIR NDVI most closely reproduced yield data and showed the least correlation with changes in equatorial crossing time of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites. One issue raised is the source of the positive trends evident in CASA's NDVI‐based estimates of global NPP. The existence of these trends is consistent with potential stimulation of terrestrial production by factors such as CO2 enrichment, N fertilization, or temperature warming, but the magnitude of the global trends seen is significantly greater than suggested by constraints imposed by atmospheric fluxes