Third order non linear optical properties of ZnO:Al thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) thin films were deposited by reactive chemical pulverization spray pyrolysis technique on heated glass substrates at 450degC. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and third harmonic generation (THG) are used to characterize their structure , morphology and nonlinear optical properties as a function of Al concentration (0, 3, 5, 7 at %). The intensity of third order non linear optical susceptibility increase by incorporation of aluminium. A strong value of susceptibility chi(3) was found for films with a good crystallinity

Diagnostic study of the roughness surface effect of zirconium on the third-order nonlinear-optical properties of thin films based on zinc oxide nanomaterials

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and zirconium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Zr) thin films were deposited by reactive chemical pulverization spray pyrolysis technique on heated glass substrates at 500 °C using zinc and zirconium chlorides as precursors. Effects of zirconium doping agent and surface roughness on the nonlinear optical properties were investigated in detail using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and third harmonic generation (THG) technique. The best value of nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3) was obtained from the doped films with less roughness. A strong third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3) = 20.12 × 10−12 (esu) of the studied films was found for the 3% doped sample

Corporate reputation in the spanish context: An interaction between reporting to stakeholders and industry.

ABSTRACT: The authors describe the intensity and orientation of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in four Spanish industries and explore the relationship that exists between both concepts and an independent measurement of reputation for CSR (CSRR). The results demonstrate that the CSR reporting is especially relevant and useful in the finance industry. Finance companies report significantly more CSR information than most industries in Spain, and this reporting is more closely linked to their CSRR than the CSR reporting of basic, consumer goods and services industries. Borra

The influence of social disclosure on the relationship between Corporate Financial Performance and Corporate Social Performance*

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo geral investigar o efeito moderador do disclosure do Corporate Social Performance (D-CSP) na relação entre Corporate Social Performance (CSP - Performance Social Corporativa) e Corporate Financial Performance (CFP - Performance Financeira Corporativa). Com base nesse objetivo, a pesquisa apresentou um modelo no qual o D-CSP atua como moderador em relação aos stakeholders primários (funcionários, comunidade e fornecedores). O D-CSP é um mecanismo pelo qual os diversos aspectos sociais envolvidos nas políticas, ações e atividades discricionárias identificados no gerenciamento para stakeholder podem ser avaliados. Para testar o modelo, utilizou-se uma amostra de 1.147 empresas pertencentes a 10 distintos setores e aos cinco continentes do planeta. Utilizaram-se dados da base Bloomberg de 2010 a 2014, totalizando 5.623 observações. A relação foi testada utilizando-se o modelo de regressão linear múltipla com dados em painel com efeitos fixos, recorrendo-se à correção de Newey-West erro padrão robusto. Para efetuar os testes, utilizaram-se três construtos: D-CSP, CSP e CFP. Empregou-se, como medida de CSP, a CSP dos stakeholders funcionários, fornecedores e comunidade. Como medida do D-CSP, aplicaram-se os scores de disclosure de CSP disponíveis na base de dados e, como medida da CFP, utilizou-se o retorno sobre ativo (ROA). Os testes realizados apontaram a existência do efeito moderador positivo do disclosure na relação entre CSP de stakeholders primários e CFP. Os resultados permitem inferir que, além de apresentar um CSP positivo em relação aos stakeholders primários, é necessário divulgar tais resultados, contribuindo para desempenhos financeiros superiores.This study’s general objective is to investigate the moderating effect of Corporate Social Performance Disclosure (D-CSP) on the relationship between Corporate Social Performance (CSP) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). Based on this objective, the study presented a model in which D-CSP acts as a moderator in relation to primary stakeholders (employees, community, and suppliers). D-CSP is a mechanism through which the various social aspects involved in discretionary policies, actions, and activities identified in the management for stakeholders process can be evaluated. A sample of 1,147 companies belonging to 10 different sectors and five continents was used to test the model. Data were collected from the Bloomberg database, totaling 5,735 observations, from 2010 to 2014. The relationship was tested using the multiple linear regression model involving panel data with fixed effects, and the Newey-West robust standard errors correction. Three constructs, D-CSP, CSP, and CFP, were used to perform the tests. As a CSP measure, the CSP of the employee, supplier, and community stakeholders was used. As a D-CSP measure, the CSP disclosure scores available from the database were used, and return on assets (ROA) was used as a CFP measure. The tests carried out indicated the existence of a positive moderating effect of disclosure on the relationship between the CSP of primary stakeholders and CFP. Besides presenting a positive CSP in relation to the primary stakeholders the results enable it to be inferred that these results need to be disclosed, thus contributing to higher corporate financial performance

Medication adherence in chronic illness: do beliefs about medications play a role?

Jacinthe Lemay,1 Mohammad Waheedi,2 Sarah Al-Sharqawi,1 Tania Bayoud2 1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait Background: Several medicines are prescribed for chronic disease management; however, adherence to long-term therapy remains poor. Culture influences beliefs about medications and, ultimately, adherence to treatment. There is a paucity of data with regard to beliefs about medications in the Middle East region, and it remains to be determined how these beliefs would impact treatment adherence. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between patients’ beliefs about medications with self-reported adherence to treatment among a chronically ill multicultural patient population. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among patients treated for chronic illnesses in the Ministry of Health primary care clinics in Kuwait. Patients completed a questionnaire that consisted of questions to collect information about their health status and demographics using validated instruments: the Beliefs about Medication, Sensitive Soma Assessment Scale, and Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 items. The main outcome measures were self-reported adherence to medications, beliefs, and perceived sensitivity toward medications. Results: Of the 1,150 questionnaires distributed, 783 were collected – giving a response rate of 68.1%. Of the 783 patients, 56.7% were male, 73.7% were married, 53.3% were non-Kuwaitis, and 49.4% had low income (<1,000 KD/3,350 USD monthly). Patients self-reported having a cardiovascular illness (80.2%), diabetes mellitus (67.7%), respiratory disease (24.3%), or mood disorder (28.6%). Participants had a mean of two comorbid illnesses and indicated taking an average of four prescription medicines to treat them. A structural equation model analysis showed adherence to medications was negatively impacted by higher negative beliefs toward medications (beta = -0.46). Factors associated with negative beliefs toward medications included marital status (being unmarried; beta = -0.14), nationality (being Kuwaiti; beta = 0.15), having lower education level (beta = -0.14), and higher illness severity (beta = 0.15). Younger age (beta = 0.10) and higher illness severity (beta = -0.9) were independently associated with lower medication adherence. Income and gender did not influence medication adherence or beliefs about medications. The combined effect of variables tested in the model explained 24% of the variance in medication adherence. Conclusion: Medication adherence is a complex, multifaceted issue and patient beliefs about medications contribute significantly, although partially, to adherence among a multicultural Middle Eastern patient population. Keywords: beliefs, medication adherence, Kuwait, primary care, structural equation mode

Electrochemical investigation of lithium aromatic sulfonyl imide salts

International audienceThe ionic behavior of an aromatic lithium sulfonyl imide, i.e. lithium bis(4nitrophenyl)sulfonylimide, has been investigated in an amorphous poly(oxyethylene) network and compared to that of usual lithium salts dissolved in the same host polymer. The NO2 groups which are substituents at both phenyl groups, are expected to induce a strong electron-withdrawing effect on the imide negative charge to provide large delocalization and therefore generate high charge carrier concentration. The conductivities observed are lower than those of lithium salts such as (CF3SO2)2NLi (LiTFSI) dissolved in the same host polymer. An important increase of Tg with salt concentration reflects a greater stiffness of the polymer induced by the aromatic rings, which reduces mobility, and might account for the lower conductivity. Interestingly, the aromatic imide exhibits higher cationic mobility with t+ ranging between 0.4 and 0.45, compared to 0.08–0.12 for the fluorinated imide. Cyclic voltammetry shows that lithium bis(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonylimide undergoes irreversible reduction before lithium plating, which has been attributed to the presence of nitro group

Adverse drug reaction reporting among physicians working in private and government hospitals in Kuwait

Introduction: To improve patient safety and care, the identification and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) should be systematic and mandatory for all healthcare professionals (HCPs). Physicians remain the main HCPs with direct patient care whose role in ADRs reporting should not be ignored. Objective: To document the awareness and attitude of physicians working in private and government hospitals in Kuwait with regard to pharmacovigilance (PV) and ADR reporting and to identify their practices of reporting ADRs. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-based 25-item questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 1017 questionnaires were distributed to the eligible physicians in the government and private hospitals, giving a response rate of 84.2% and 83.0%, respectively (an overall response rate of 83.8%). Private physicians exhibited a better knowledge profile with regards to the purpose of PV (75.2% vs 64.8%; p = 0.002) and the correct ADR definition (75.8% vs 65.3%; p = 0.001). The majority of physicians showed good attitude towards reporting ADRs, nevertheless, private physicians had a significantly stronger belief that reporting ADRs is a professional obligation (93.4% vs 85.5%; p = 0.001). Three quarters of the study population (74.6%) had identified an ADR during their daily practice, however, only a small proportion (34.2%) confirms having ever reported ADRs. Regardless, significantly more private physicians had done so (42.4% vs 29.6%; p < 0.001). ADR reporting was significantly higher in physicians who knew the correct ADRs to be reported (adjusted OR = 1.86, p = 0.036), and those who were aware of any center or ADR reporting system in Kuwait (adjusted OR = 2.88, p = 0.020). Conclusions: A national PV center empowered by clear legislation on “how” and “what” to report should improve physicians’ reporting practices and hence is required in the country. This should be combined with constant training and education in this regard. Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Physicians, Hospitals, Private, Governmen

Molecularly imprinted polymer dedicated to the extraction of glyphosate in natural waters

International audienceThree molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesized in order to bind efficiently glyphosate (GLY) in natural waters (mineral and underground). Since the target analyte is polar and hydrophilic, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds have been favored with two templates (phenylphosphonic acid and diethyl(alpha-aminobenzyl)-phosphonic acid) and two functional monomers (1-allyl-2-thiourea and methacrylic acid). MIPs have been assessed by comparison of the recoveries obtained with MIP and NIP (non imprinted polymer) by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The selectivity of MIP versus NIP was satisfactory for the three imprinted polymers with a very straightforward protocol: conditioning of 250 mg of MIP or NIP packed in 3-mL polypropylene cartridges with 3 mL Milli-Q water, loading of Milli-Q water (15 mL) spiked with 5 mg L-1 of GLY and its metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and elution by 3 mL NH4OH (10 mM) or 3 mL HCl (100 mM). SPE fractions were directly analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE). Thus, the recoveries of both analytes were greater than 80% for all MIPs and less than 25% for most NIPs. Moreover, the MIP prepared with 1-allyl-2-thiourea as functional monomer and phenylphosphonic acid as template displayed a capacity of 0.033 mu mol/mg for GLY. However, the substitution of Milli-Qwater by mineral water caused the decrease of MIP recoveries, for that, a pretreatment of the sample by ionic exchange resins was set up and succeeded in improving recoveries (about 50% for GLY and 25% for AMPA). Then, groundwaters were spiked with low concentrations of GLY and AMPA (0.5 mu g L-1) and directly percolated through MIP cartridges. The extractions were carried out by triplicate and the elution fractions were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. The results showed no retention of AMPA but a total retention of GLY by MIP

Effect of fluorine incorporation on the third-order nonlinear-optical properties of indium oxide thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

International audienceUndoped and Fluorine-doped iridium oxide (In(2)O(3):F) thin films have been prepared by spray pyrolysis technique on heated glass substrates at 450 degrees C from the Indium chloride (InCl(3)) and ammonium fluoride (NH(4)F). The effect of fluorine doping agent on the nonlinear optical properties was investigated using X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, transmission, and third harmonic generation (THG). The best value of nonlinear optical susceptibility chi((3)) was obtained from the doped films with low electrical resistivity of 6 x 10(-3) Omega cm. A strong third order nonlinear optical susceptibility chi((3)) = 1.98 x10(-11) (esu) of the studied films was found for the 5% doped sample.</p