Microwave plasma and rapid thermal processing of indium-tin oxide thin films for enhancing their performance as transparent electrodes

Rehab Ramadan, Kamal Abdel-Hady, Miguel Manso-Silván, Vicente Torres-Costa, and Raúl J. J. Martín-Palma "Microwave plasma and rapid thermal processing of indium-tin oxide thin films for enhancing their performance as transparent electrodes," Journal of Photonics for Energy 9(3), 034001 (27 August 2019). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JPE.9.034001Indium-tin oxide (ITO) is widely used as a transparent electrode for optoelectronic devices given its large transparency and high conductivity. However, the particular properties of this material greatly depend on the overall fabrication process. We report on the effect of four different postfabrication processes on ITO thin films grown by electron beam evaporation. More specifically, the effect on the overall properties of the evaporated ITO thin films of microwave plasma annealing, rapid thermal processing, and the two processes combined were analyzed. In particular, the morphological, chemical, optical, and electrical properties of the annealed ITO thin films were studied. The experimental results show that the ITO thin films can be turned from opaque to transparent, and their conductivity can be improved by one order of magnitude depending on the particular postfabrication proces

Serial testing with an interferon-γ release assay in German healthcare workers

Aim: Data concerning conversion and reversion rates in the serial testing of healthcare workers (HCWs) is rare. So far, there is no consensus on how to define and interpret interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) conversions and reversions, or how to deal with such results. We analysed conversion and reversion rates in the serial testing of HCWs using an IGRA

Quality of health care for HIV patients: health professionals' view

Objective: To evaluate the quality of care provided for people with HIV/AIDS at the Reference Center for the treatment of AIDS in Natal-RN, in the health professionals’ perspective. Methods: Evaluative and quantitative research conducted in a public hospital in Natal/RN, from August 2010 to July 2011, through structured interviews with professionals who provide care for people with HIV. Results: The evaluation of the service was considered satisfactory by 58.8% of respondents, standing on nine indicators: support offered by the service, convenience of service hours, host, provided guidance on treatment, timeliness of health professionals, availability of antiretroviral drugs, availability of laboratory tests, professional/user relationship and ease of access to service. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in satisfaction with the indicators: punctuality of professionals, convenience of service timetables and availability of laboratory tests

Modelling the impact of deep-water crustacean trawl fishery in the marine ecosystem off Portuguese Southwestern and South Coasts: I) the trophic web and trophic flows

The concentration of the population in coastal regions, in addition to the direct human use, is leading to an accelerated process of change and deterioration of the marine ecosystems. Human activities such as fishing together with environmental drivers (e.g. climate change) are triggering major threats to marine biodiversity, and impact directly the services they provide. In the South and Southwest coasts of Portugal, the deep-water crustacean trawl fishery is not exemption. This fishery is recognized to have large effects on a number of species while generating high rates of unwanted catches. However, taking into account an ecosystem-based perspective, the fishing impacts along the food web accounting for biological interactions between and among species caught remains poorly understood. These impacts are particularly troubling and are a cause of concern given the cascading effects that might arise. Facing the main policies and legislative instruments for the restoration and conservation of the marine environment, times are calling for implementing ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management. To this end, we use a food web modelling (Ecopath with Ecosim) approach to assess the fishing impacts of this particular fishery on the marine ecosystem of southern and southwestern Portugal. In particular, we describe the food web structure and functioning, identify the main keystone species and/or groups, quantify the major trophic and energy flows, and ultimately assess the impact of fishing on the target species but also on the ecosystem by means of ecological and ecosystem-based indicators. Finally, we examine limitations and weaknesses of the model for potential improvements and future research directions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Qualidade da atenção à saúde de portadores de HIV: opinião de profissionais de saúde Quality of health care for HIV patients: health professionals’ view

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da assistência prestada a portadores de HIV/Aids, no centro de referência de tratamento da Aids em Natal/RN, na perspectiva de profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Pesquisa avaliativa e quantitativa realizada em um hospital público de Natal/RN em agosto de 2010 a julho de 2011 por meio de entrevista estruturada com os profissionais que atendem os portadores de HIV. Resultados: A avaliação do serviço foi considerada satisfatória por 58,8% dos entrevistados, destacando-se em oito indicadores: apoio oferecido pelo serviço; conveniência dos horários de atendimento; acolhimento; orientações recebidas sobre o tratamento; pontualidade dos profissionais; disponibilidade de antirretrovirais e exames laboratoriais; relacionamento profissional/usuário; acesso ao serviço. Conclusão: Não houve diferença significativa quanto à satisfação em relação aos indicadores: Pontualidade dos profissionais, Conveniência dos horários e Disponibilidade de Exames laboratoriais.Descritores: HIV, Síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida, Avaliação de serviços de saúde, Satisfação do paciente, Qualidade da assistência à saúde

Qualidade da atenção à saúde de portadores de HIV: opinião de profissionais de saúde Quality of health care for HIV patients: health professionals’ view

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da assistência prestada a portadores de HIV/Aids, no centro de referência de tratamento da Aids em Natal/RN, na perspectiva de profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Pesquisa avaliativa e quantitativa realizada em um hospital público de Natal/RN em agosto de 2010 a julho de 2011 por meio de entrevista estruturada com os profissionais que atendem os portadores de HIV. Resultados: A avaliação do serviço foi considerada satisfatória por 58,8% dos entrevistados, destacando-se em oito indicadores: apoio oferecido pelo serviço; conveniência dos horários de atendimento; acolhimento; orientações recebidas sobre o tratamento; pontualidade dos profissionais; disponibilidade de antirretrovirais e exames laboratoriais; relacionamento profissional/usuário; acesso ao serviço. Conclusão: Não houve diferença significativa quanto à satisfação em relação aos indicadores: Pontualidade dos profissionais, Conveniência dos horários e Disponibilidade de Exames laboratoriais.Descritores: HIV, Síndrome de imunodeficiência adquirida, Avaliação de serviços de saúde, Satisfação do paciente, Qualidade da assistência à saúde

Identification of protein expression signatures in gastric carcinomas using clustering analysis

Background and Aim: The identification of gastric carcinomas (GC) has traditionally been based on histomorphology. Recently, DNA microarrays have successfully been used to identify tumors through clustering of the expression profiles. Random forest clustering is widely used for tissue microarrays and other immunohistochemical data, because it handles highly-skewed tumor marker expressions well, and weighs the contribution of each marker according to its relatedness with other tumor markers. In the present study, we e identified biologically- and clinically-meaningful groups of GC by hierarchical clustering analysis of immunohistochemical protein expression. Methods: We selected 28 proteins (p16, p27, p21, cyclin D1, cyclin A, cyclin B1, pRb, p53, c-met, c-erbB-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta I, TGF-beta II, MutS homolog-2, bcl-2, bax, bak, bcl-x, adenomatous polyposis coli, clathrin, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, mucin (MUC) 1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC6, matrix metalloproteinase [ MMP]-2, and MMP-9) to be investigated by immunohistochemistry in 482 GC. The analyses of the data were done using a random forest-clustering method. Results: Proteins related to cell cycle, growth factor, cell motility, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and matrix remodeling were highly expressed in GC. We identified protein expressions associated with poor survival in diffuse-type GC. Conclusions: Based on the expression analysis of 28 proteins, we identified two groups of GC that could not be explained by any clinicopathological variables, and a subgroup of long-surviving diffuse-type GC patients with a distinct molecular profile. These results provide not only a new molecular basis for understanding the biological properties of GC, but also better prediction of survival than the classic pathological grouping.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [98/14335-2

Nursing Students' Perceptions on Healthcare-Associated Infection Control and Prevention Teaching and Learning Experience: Development and Validation of a Scale in Four European Countries

Healthcare-associated infections are one of the major concerns worldwide. This study presents the development and the validation process of the InovSafeCare scale and aimed at identifying and measuring the ecosystem variables related to healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) prevention and control practices in European nurse students. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to (1) elaborate an item pool related to the educational environment, the healthcare setting environment, and the attitudes, beliefs, and performance of the nursing students regarding HCAI prevention and control and (2) analyze psychometric properties of the scale using factor analysis. The validated InovSafeCare scale was applied to undergraduate nursing students of five European Higher Education Institutions. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method with SMART-PLS3 software was used. The study sample consists of 657 nursing students, who responded a self-report inventory. From the analyzed data were identified 14 factors. The InovSafeCare scale reveals good validity and reliability of the dimensions in different European countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nursing Students’ Perceptions on Healthcare-Associated Infection Control and Prevention Teaching and Learning Experience in Portugal

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are one of the major concerns worldwide, posing significant challenges to healthcare professionals’ education and training. This study intended to measure nursing students’ perceptions regarding their learning experiences on HAI prevention and control. In the first phase of the study, a cross-sectional and descriptive study with a convenience sample composed of undergraduate nursing students from Portugal, Spain, Poland, and Finland was conducted to develop the InovSafeCare questionnaire. In the second phase, we applied the InovSafeCare scale in a sample of nursing students from two Portuguese higher education institutions to explore which factors impact nursing students’ adherence to HAI prevention and control measures in clinical settings. In phase one, the InovSafeCare questionnaire was applied to 1326 students internationally, with the instrument presenting adequate psychometric qualities with reliability results in 14 dimensions. During phase two, the findings supported that Portuguese nursing students’ adherence to HAI prevention and control measures is influenced not only by the curricular offerings and resources available in academic settings, but also by the standards conveyed by nursing tutors during clinical placements. Our findings support the need for a dedicated curricular focus on HAI prevention and control learning, not only through specific classroom modules, innovative resources, and pedagogical approaches, but also through a complementary and coordinated liaison between teachers and tutors in academic and clinical settings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio