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Cohn-Schwartz E, Mannheim I, Meiry L. Assessment of a digital intervention program with Holocaust survivors. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:587-594. [PMID: 37545419 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2240263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study evaluated a digital intervention program with aging Holocaust survivors. Participants received a tablet device and were coupled with a volunteer who assisted them to use the tablet. The study aimed to assess which characteristics of the Holocaust survivors are linked with more frequent use of digital communication at the end of the program. METHODS Information was collected by telephone interviews with 91 survivors before and 54 after participating in the program. We combined this data with digital usage data from the tablets. Regression models examined the characteristics of Holocaust survivors that were related to higher frequency of using digital communication technologies during the intervention. RESULTS The Holocaust survivors expressed high satisfaction with the program. They increased their frequency of using digital communication technologies-text correspondence and video chats with friends and family. Regressions showed that Holocaust survivors who reported increased digital communication were characterized at the start of the intervention by having fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms, higher levels of flourishing (reflecting a more meaningful life and higher well-being), being lonelier, and were also more satisfied with the program at follow-up. CONCLUSION The pilot program benefited the aging Holocaust survivors. Further programs should be developed to increase the digital communication of vulnerable older populations, such as trauma survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Cohn-Schwartz
- Gerontology Program, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Ittay Mannheim
- Gerontology Program, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Department of Communication Studies, Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Lian Meiry
- Gerontology Program, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Be'er Sheva, Israel
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Mallet N, Müller J, Pezard J, Cristiano F, Makarem R, Fazzini PF, Lecestre A, Larrieu G. Metallic Nanoalloys on Vertical GaAs Nanowires: Growth Mechanisms and Shape Control of Ni-GaAs Compounds. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:2449-2456. [PMID: 38117013 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c09689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
GaAs nanowires are promising candidates for emerging devices in a broad field of applications (e.g., nanoelectronics, photodetection, or photoconversion). These nanostructures benefit greatly from a vertical integration, as it allows for the exhibition of the entire nanowire surface. However, one of the main challenges related to vertical integration is the conception of an efficient method to create low resistive contacts at nanoscale without degrading the device performance. In this article, we propose a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible approach to form alloyed contacts at the extremities of vertical GaAs nanowires. Ni-based and Pd-based alloys on different vertical GaAs nanostructures have been characterized by structural and chemical analyses to identify the phase and to study the growth mechanisms involved at the nanoscale. It is shown that the formation of the Ni3GaAs alloy on top of nanowires following the epitaxial relation Ni3GaAs(0001)∥GaAs(111) leads to a pyramidal shape with four faces. Finally, guidelines are presented to tune the shape of this alloy by varying the initial metal thickness and nanowire diameters. It will facilitate the fabrication of a nanoalloy structure with tailored shape characteristics to precisely align with a designated application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Mallet
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse 31031, France
| | - Jonas Müller
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse 31031, France
| | - Julien Pezard
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse 31031, France
| | | | - Raghda Makarem
- LPCNO, INSA Toulouse, CNRS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse 31077, France
| | | | | | - Guilhem Larrieu
- LAAS-CNRS, University of Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse 31031, France
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Botvid SHC, Storgaard Hove L, Sauer Mikkelsen C, Skovgaard N, Lynge Pedersen M, Balslev Backe M. Patterns in contacts with primary health care centres in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2217007. [PMID: 37219998 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2217007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity within the primary health care (PHC) in Greenland by identifying the patterns of all registered contacts made by patients in 2021, and to compare the most frequently used types of contacts and diagnostic codes in Nuuk to the rest of Greenland. The study was designed as a cross-sectional register study using data from the national electronic medical records (EMR) and diagnostic codes from the ICPC-2-system. In 2021, 83.7% (46,522) of the Greenlandic population were in contact with the PHC, resulting in 335,494 registered contacts. The majority of the contacts with PHC was made by females (61.3%). On average, females were in contact with PHC 8.4 times per patient per year, while males were in contact with PHC 5.9 times per patient per year. The most frequently used diagnostic group was "General and unspecified", followed by "Musculoskeletal" and "Skin". The results are in line with studies from other northern countries and indicate an easily accessible PHC system, with a predominance of female contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Hedvig Christina Botvid
- Queen Ingrid's Health Care Center, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Carsten Sauer Mikkelsen
- Hudklinikken i Brønderslev, Research Center, Department of Dermato-venereology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Nils Skovgaard
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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Sarwat SG, Le Gallo M, Bruce RL, Brew K, Kersting B, Jonnalagadda VP, Ok I, Saulnier N, BrightSky M, Sebastian A. Mechanism and Impact of Bipolar Current Voltage Asymmetry in Computational Phase-Change Memory. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2201238. [PMID: 35570382 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale resistive memory devices are being explored for neuromorphic and in-memory computing. However, non-ideal device characteristics of read noise and resistance drift pose significant challenges to the achievable computational precision. Here, it is shown that there is an additional non-ideality that can impact computational precision, namely the bias-polarity-dependent current flow. Using phase-change memory (PCM) as a model system, it is shown that this "current-voltage" non-ideality arises both from the material and geometrical properties of the devices. Further, we discuss the detrimental effects of such bipolar asymmetry on in-memory matrix-vector multiply (MVM) operations and provide a scheme to compensate for it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Le Gallo
- IBM Research-Europe, Säumerstrasse 4, Rüschlikon, 8803, Switzerland
| | - Robert L Bruce
- IBM Research-Yorktown Heights, Yorktown Heights, NY, 10598, USA
| | - Kevin Brew
- IBM Research AI Hardware Center-Albany, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
| | | | | | - Injo Ok
- IBM Research AI Hardware Center-Albany, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
| | - Nicole Saulnier
- IBM Research AI Hardware Center-Albany, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
| | | | - Abu Sebastian
- IBM Research-Europe, Säumerstrasse 4, Rüschlikon, 8803, Switzerland
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Kleynhans J, Dall'Amico L, Gauvin L, Tizzoni M, Maloma L, Walaza S, Martinson NA, von Gottberg A, Wolter N, Makhasi M, Cohen C, Cattuto C, Tempia S. Association of close-range contact patterns with SARS-CoV-2: a household transmission study. eLife 2023; 12:e84753. [PMID: 37461328 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Households are an important location for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, especially during periods when travel and work was restricted to essential services. We aimed to assess the association of close-range contact patterns with SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods We deployed proximity sensors for two weeks to measure face-to-face interactions between household members after SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the household, in South Africa, 2020-2021. We calculated the duration, frequency, and average duration of close-range proximity events with SARS-CoV-2 index cases. We assessed the association of contact parameters with SARS-CoV-2 transmission using mixed effects logistic regression accounting for index and household member characteristics. Results We included 340 individuals (88 SARS-CoV-2 index cases and 252 household members). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 acquisition were index cases with minimum Ct value <30 (aOR 16.8 95% CI 3.1-93.1) vs >35, and female contacts (aOR 2.5 95% CI 1.3-5.0). No contact parameters were associated with acquisition (aOR 1.0-1.1) for any of the duration, frequency, cumulative time in contact, or average duration parameters. Conclusions We did not find an association between close-range proximity events and SARS-CoV-2 household transmission. Our findings may be due to study limitations, that droplet-mediated transmission during close-proximity contacts plays a smaller role than airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the household, or due to high contact rates in households. Funding Wellcome Trust (Grant number 221003/Z/20/Z) in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Kleynhans
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Laetitia Gauvin
- ISI Foundation, Turin, Italy
- Institute for Research on Sustainable Development, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Michele Tizzoni
- ISI Foundation, Turin, Italy
- Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Lucia Maloma
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sibongile Walaza
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Neil A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, United States
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nicole Wolter
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mvuyo Makhasi
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Cohen
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ciro Cattuto
- ISI Foundation, Turin, Italy
- Department of Informatics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Tempia
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Coleman M, Hill J, Timeon E, Rimon E, Bauro T, Ioteba N, Cunanan A, Douglas NM, Islam T, Tomlinson J, Campbell PO, Williman J, Priest P, Marais BJ, Britton WJ, Chambers ST. Effectiveness of population-wide screening and mass drug administration for leprosy control in Kiribati: the COMBINE protocol. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065369. [PMID: 37385746 PMCID: PMC10314446 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progress towards leprosy elimination is threatened by increasing incidence in 'hot-spot' areas where more effective control strategies are urgently required. In these areas, active case finding and leprosy prevention limited to known contacts is insufficient for control. Population-wide active case-finding together with universal prevention through mass drug administration (MDA) has been shown to be effective in 'hot-spot' areas, but is logistically challenging and expensive. Combining leprosy screening and MDA with other population-wide screening activities such as for tuberculosis may increase programme efficiency. There has been limited evaluation of the feasibility and effectiveness of combined screening and MDA interventions. The COMBINE study aims to bridge this knowledge gap. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This implementation study will assess the feasibility and effectiveness of active leprosy case-finding and treatment, combined with MDA using either single-dose rifampicin or rifamycin-containing tuberculosis preventive or curative treatment, for reducing leprosy incidence in Kiribati. The leprosy programme will run over 2022-2025 in concert with population-wide tuberculosis screening-and-treatment in South Tarawa. The primary research question is to what extent the intervention reduces the annual leprosy new case detection rate (NCDR) in adults and children compared with routine screening and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among close contacts (baseline leprosy control activities). Comparisons will be made with (1) the preintervention NCDR separably among adults and children in South Tarawa (before-after study) and (2) the corresponding NCDRs in the rest of the country. Additionally, the postintervention prevalence of leprosy obtained from a survey of a 'hot-spot' sub-population will be compared with prevalence documented during the intervention. The intervention will be implemented in collaboration with the Kiribati National Leprosy Programme. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Approval has been obtained from the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the University of Otago (H22/111) and the University of Sydney (2021/127) Human Research Ethics Committees. Findings will be shared with the MHMS, local communities and internationally through publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Coleman
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Tuberculosis Research Program, The Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeremy Hill
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Tuberculosis Research Program, The Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eretii Timeon
- Government of the Republic of Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Erei Rimon
- Government of the Republic of Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Temea Bauro
- Government of the Republic of Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Tarawa, Kiribati
| | - Nabura Ioteba
- Pasifika Futures Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Pacific Leprosy Foundation, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Arturo Cunanan
- Pacific Leprosy Foundation, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Health, Culion Sanatorium and General Hospital, Culion, Philippines
| | - Nicholas M Douglas
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Tauhid Islam
- Division of Programmes for Disease Control, Manila, Philippines
| | | | - Patrick O Campbell
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Williman
- Biostatistics and Computation Biology Unit, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | - Ben J Marais
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Warwick J Britton
- Tuberculosis Research Program, The Centenary Institute at the University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen T Chambers
- Pacific Leprosy Foundation, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Miyahara R, Tamura K, Kato T, Nakazaki M, Otani K, Ko YK, Kamigaki T, Arima Y, Tani H, Oishi K, Suzuki M. SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Age-Dependent Infection Rates among Household and Nonhousehold Contacts. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29. [PMID: 37343546 PMCID: PMC10370865 DOI: 10.3201/eid2908.221582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
To determine the effects of age and variants of concern on transmission of SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed infection rates among close contacts over 4 periods in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Among household contacts, odds of infection were 6.2 times higher during the period of the Omicron variant than during previous periods, particularly among children and adolescents.
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Nikolovski Z, Foretić N, Vrdoljak D, Marić D, Perić M. Comparison between Match and Training Session on Biomarker Responses in Handball Players. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:sports11040083. [PMID: 37104157 PMCID: PMC10144828 DOI: 10.3390/sports11040083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of loads are placed upon an athlete in team sports (e.g., training, match, or competitions). However, the volume of the training load plays an important role in match success. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the differences in biomarker dynamics during the match and during training, and to evaluate if such training represents a good stimulus for an athlete to adapt to match stress. Ten male handball players (average age of 24.1 ± 3.17 years, body height of 1.88 ± 0.64 m, and body mass of 94.6 ± 9.6 kg) took part in this study. Their saliva cortisol, testosterone, and alpha-amylase were sampled during the match and training (sessions of 90 min duration, respectively). The results showed that cortisol had higher values after the match (0.65 µg/dL) than after training (0.32 µg/dL) (p = 0.05; ES = 0.39). Testosterone concentrations had a steeper increase during a match (65%) than after training (37%). Alpha-amylase levels did not differ significantly between the match and training (p = 0.77; ES = -0.06). Overall, the results showed that the environment of a match was more stressful for the athletes; therefore, a match provoked a stronger endocrine response in the studied markers. Therefore, we concluded that a match seemed to be a stronger trigger for all of the measured biomarker responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Nikolovski
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
- High Performance Sport Center, Croatian Olympic Committee, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Foretić
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
- High Performance Sport Center, Croatian Olympic Committee, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dario Vrdoljak
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Dora Marić
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Mia Perić
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Lanier WA, Palmer DK, Willmore DK, Oakeson KF, Young EL, Nolen LD. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in the Context of Prevention Protocols, Utah, September-November 2021. Public Health Rep 2023:333549231152198. [PMID: 36734220 PMCID: PMC9899664 DOI: 10.1177/00333549231152198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Group singing and playing of wind instruments increase COVID-19 transmission risk. After a pause during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square organization (hereinafter, Choir) resumed musical events in September 2021 with prevention protocols, including required vaccination and pre-event rapid antigen testing. We investigated potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission at Choir events during September 21-November 7, 2021. We interviewed COVID-19-positive members (hereinafter, case-members) and identified members exposed when a case-member attended a Choir event during his or her infectious period. We compared whole genome sequencing results to assess the genetic relatedness of available SARS-CoV-2 specimens obtained from case-members. We identified 30 case-members through pre-event testing (n = 10), self-reported positive test results (n = 18), and a review of Utah's disease surveillance system (n = 2). All 30 case-members reported symptoms; 21 (70%) were women and 23 (77%) received a positive test result by nucleic acid amplification test. No hospitalizations or deaths were reported. We identified 176 test-eligible exposed members from 14 instances of case-members attending events during their infectious periods. All were tested at least once 2 to 14 days after exposure: 74 (42%) by rapid antigen test only (all negative) and 102 (58%) by nucleic acid amplification test (4 positive, 97 negative, and 1 equivocal). Among viral sequences available from 15 case-members, the smallest single-nucleotide polymorphism distance between 2 sequences was 2, and the next-smallest distance was 10. The lack of disease detected in most exposed members suggests that minimal, if any, transmission occurred at Choir events. When community COVID-19 incidence is high, prevention protocols might help limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission during group musical activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. Lanier
- Utah Department of Health and Human
Services, Salt Lake City, UT, USA,Career Epidemiology Field Officer
Program, Division of State and Local Readiness, Center for Preparedness and
Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA,US Public Health Service, Rockville,
MD, USA,The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square,
Salt Lake City, UT, USA,William A. Lanier, DVM, MPH, Utah
Department of Health and Human Services, 288 N 1460 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116,
USA.
| | - David K. Palmer
- The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square,
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - D. Keith Willmore
- The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square,
Salt Lake City, UT, USA,Brigham Young University Health Center,
Provo, UT, USA
| | - Kelly F. Oakeson
- Utah Department of Health and Human
Services, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Erin L. Young
- Utah Department of Health and Human
Services, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Leisha D. Nolen
- Utah Department of Health and Human
Services, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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10
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Kherabi Y, Tunesi S, Kay A, Guglielmetti L. Preventive Therapy for Contacts of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis. Pathogens 2022; 11:1189. [PMID: 36297246 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventing the progression of a drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) infection to disease is an important pillar of the DR-TB elimination strategy. International guidelines have recently proposed fluoroquinolones for tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) in DR-TB contacts, although the available evidence is low quality. The pooled data from small observational studies suggest that a fluoroquinolone-based TPT is safe, effective and cost-effective as a preventive treatment in DR-TB contacts. Three clinical trials are currently ongoing to generate higher quality evidence on the efficacy of levofloxacin and delamanid as a DR-TB preventive therapy. Additional evidence is also needed, regarding TPT treatment in fluoroquinolone-resistant-TB contacts, patient and health care worker perceptions on DR-TB preventive therapy for contacts, and the service delivery models to increase DR-TPT access. This state-of-the-art review presents the current literature on TPT for contacts of DR-TB cases, focusing on the available evidence and international guidelines.
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11
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Rouzier V, Murrill M, Kim S, Naini L, Shenje J, Mitchell E, Raesi M, Lourens M, Mendoza A, Conradie F, Suryavanshi N, Hughes M, Shah S, Churchyard G, Swindells S, Hesseling A, Gupta A. Caregiver willingness to give TPT to children living with drug-resistant TB patients. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2022; 26:949-955. [PMID: 36163664 PMCID: PMC9524515 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.21.0760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric household contacts (HHCs) of patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) are at high risk of infection and active disease. Evidence of caregiver willingness to give MDR-TB preventive therapy (TPT) to children is limited.METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of HHCs of patients with MDR-TB to assess caregiver willingness to give TPT to children aged <13 years.RESULTS Of 743 adult and adolescent HHCs, 299 reported caring for children aged <13 years of age. The median caregiver age was 35 years (IQR 27-48); 75% were women. Among caregivers, 89% were willing to give children MDR TPT. In unadjusted analyses, increased willingness was associated with TB-related knowledge (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.3-11.3), belief that one can die of MDR-TB (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.2-23.4), concern for MDR-TB transmission to child (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6-12.4), confidence in properly taking TPT (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.6-12.6), comfort telling family about TPT (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.1-14.3), and willingness to take TPT oneself (OR 35.1, 95% CI 11.0-112.8).CONCLUSIONS A high percentage of caregivers living with MDR- or rifampicin-resistant TB patients were willing to give children a hypothetical MDR TPT. These results provide important evidence for the potential uptake of effective MDR TPT when implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Rouzier
- GHESKIO Centers, Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Weill Cornell Medicine, Center for Global Health, Department of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - M Murrill
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | - S Kim
- Frontier Science Foundation, Brookline, MA
| | - L Naini
- Social and Scientific Systems, Inc., Silver Springs, MD, USA
| | - J Shenje
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - E Mitchell
- University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Mowbray, South Africa
| | - M Raesi
- Gaborone Clinical Research Site, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - M Lourens
- TASK Applied Science Clinical Research Site, Bellville, South Africa
| | - A Mendoza
- Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación - Barranco Clinical Research Site, Lima, Peru
| | - F Conradie
- Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - N Suryavanshi
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
| | - M Hughes
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - S Shah
- Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - G Churchyard
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - S Swindells
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - A Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - A Gupta
- GHESKIO Centers, Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Weill Cornell Medicine, Center for Global Health, Department of Medicine, New York, NY
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12
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Love NK, Ready DR, Turner C, Yardley L, Rubin GJ, Hopkins S, Oliver I. The acceptability of testing contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases using serial, self-administered lateral flow devices as an alternative to self-isolation. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35947525 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Evidence suggests that although people modify their behaviours, full adherence to self-isolation guidance in England may be suboptimal, which may have a detrimental impact on COVID-19 transmission rates.Hypothesis. Testing asymptomatic contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 could reduce onward transmission by improving case ascertainment and lessen the impact of self-isolation on un-infected individuals.Aim. This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a 'test to enable approach' as part of England's tracing strategy.Methodology. Contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases were offered serial testing as an alternative to self-isolation using daily self-performed lateral flow device (LFD) tests for the first 7 days post-exposure. Asymptomatic participants with a negative LFD result were given 24 h of freedom from self-isolation between each test. A self-collected confirmatory PCR test was performed on testing positive or at the end of the LFD testing period.Results. Of 1760 contacts, 882 consented to daily testing, of whom 812 individuals were within 48 h of exposure and were sent LFD testing packs. Of those who declined to participate, 39.1% stated they had already accessed PCR testing. Of the 812 who were sent LFD packs, 570 (70.2%) reported one or more LFD results; 102 (17.9%) tested positive. Concordance between reported LFD result and a supplied LFD image was 97.1%. In total, 82.8% of PCR-positive samples and 99.6% of PCR-negative samples were correctly detected by LFD. The proportion of secondary cases from contacts of those who participated in the study and tested positive (6.3%; 95% CI: 3.4-11.1%) was comparable to a comparator group who self-isolated (7.6%; 95% CI: 7.3-7.8%).Conclusion. This study shows a high acceptability, compliance and positivity rates when using self-administered LFDs among contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Offering routine testing as a structured part of the contact tracing process is likely to be an effective method of case ascertainment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Derren R Ready
- UK Health Security Agency, England, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Lucy Yardley
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - G James Rubin
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Isabel Oliver
- UK Health Security Agency, England, UK.,Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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13
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Vachon A, Berryman N, Mujika I, Paquet JB, Bosquet L. Preconditioning Activities to Enhance Repeated High-Intensity Efforts in Elite Rugby Union Players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022;:1-8. [PMID: 35259728 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the effect of a rugby-specific high-intensity interval-training (HIITRugby) protocol on the repeated high-intensity-effort ability of young elite rugby union players and to verify the influence of 2 preconditioning sequences composed either of physical contacts (ie, tackles) or of additional runs on the magnitude of improvement. METHOD Fourteen players (19 [1] y; 183.5 [8.6] cm; 95.6 [15.6] kg) underwent an HIITRugby protocol, consisting of 7 supervised training sessions over 4 weeks, each session including 3 or 4 sets of 1 to 2 minutes with 1-minute recovery. Prior to HIITRugby training, players underwent a preconditioning contact sequence or a preconditioning running sequence, to assess their influence on subsequent interval-training sessions. RESULTS The overall group showed a moderate improvement in total sprint time, sprints ≥90% of the best, and 20-m sprint (-3.91% [2.68%], P = .0002; 74.6% [123.7%], P = .012; -3.22% [3.13%], P = .003, respectively) and a large improvement in percentage decrement (-23.1% [20.5%], P = .005) following the 4-week training block. Relative improvements were similar between groups in total sprint time, 20-m sprint, and perceived difficulty, but the preconditioning running-sequence group exhibited a larger magnitude of gains in percentage decrement (-28.6% [20.2%] vs -17.6% [20.7%]; effect size = -1.01 vs -0.73). CONCLUSION An HIITRugby training block was effective to improve repeated high-intensity-effort ability. A preconditioning contact sequence prior to HIITRugby can reduce subsequent long-interval running activity, which may attenuate the improvement of repeated high-intensity-effort indices related to the aerobic system.
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14
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Zhao Y, Cheng P, Yang H, Wang M, Meng D, Zhu Y, Zheng R, Li T, Zhang A, Tan S, Huang T, Bian J, Zhan X, Weiss PS, Yang Y. Towards High-Performance Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics: Dual-Functional p-Type Soft Interlayer. ACS Nano 2022; 16:1231-1238. [PMID: 34932319 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c09018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have drawn significant attention for their promising potential in the field of building integrated photovoltaics such as energy-generating greenhouses. However, the conflict between the need to attain satisfying average visible transmittances for greenhouse applications and the need to maintain high power conversion efficiencies is limiting the commercialization of semitransparent OPVs. A major manifestation of this issue is the undermining of charge carrier extraction efficiency when opaque, visible-light-absorbing electrodes are substituted with semitransparent ones. Here, we incorporated a dual-function p-type compatible interlayer to modify the interface of the hole-transporting layer and the ultrathin electrode of the semitransparent devices. We find that the p-type interlayer not only enhances the charge carrier extraction of the electrode but also increases the light transmittance in the wavelength range of 400-450 nm, which covers most of the photosynthetic absorption spectrum. The modified semitransparent devices reach a power conversion efficiency of 13.7% and an average visible transmittance of 22.2%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hangbo Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Minhuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Dalian, 116024, China
| | | | | | | | - Tengfei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - Jiming Bian
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Paul S Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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15
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Zhao Y, Cheng P, Yang H, Wang M, Meng D, Zhu Y, Zheng R, Li T, Zhang A, Tan S, Huang T, Bian J, Zhan X, Weiss PS, Yang Y. Towards High-Performance Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics: Dual-Functional p-Type Soft Interlayer. ACS Nano 2022; 15:13220-13229. [PMID: 34932319 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have drawn significant attention for their promising potential in the field of building integrated photovoltaics such as energy-generating greenhouses. However, the conflict between the need to attain satisfying average visible transmittances for greenhouse applications and the need to maintain high power conversion efficiencies is limiting the commercialization of semitransparent OPVs. A major manifestation of this issue is the undermining of charge carrier extraction efficiency when opaque, visible-light-absorbing electrodes are substituted with semitransparent ones. Here, we incorporated a dual-function p-type compatible interlayer to modify the interface of the hole-transporting layer and the ultrathin electrode of the semitransparent devices. We find that the p-type interlayer not only enhances the charge carrier extraction of the electrode but also increases the light transmittance in the wavelength range of 400-450 nm, which covers most of the photosynthetic absorption spectrum. The modified semitransparent devices reach a power conversion efficiency of 13.7% and an average visible transmittance of 22.2%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hangbo Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Minhuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Dalian, 116024, China
| | | | | | | | - Tengfei Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | - Jiming Bian
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion, and Electron Beams, Dalian University of Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Paul S Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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16
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Zhang L, Yan F, Li L, Fu H, Song D, Wu D, Wang X. New focuses on roles of communications between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in identification of biomarkers and targets. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e626. [PMID: 34841708 PMCID: PMC8562589 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The communication between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria (Mt) plays important roles in maintenance of intra- and extra-cellular microenvironment, metabolisms, signaling activities and cell-cell communication. The present review aims to overview the advanced understanding about roles of ER-Mt structural contacts, molecular interactions and chemical exchanges, signal transmissions and inter-organelle regulations in ER-Mt communication. We address how the ER-Mt communication contributes to the regulation of lipid, amino acid and glucose metabolisms by enzymes, transporters and regulators in the process of biosynthesis. We specially emphasize the importance of deep understanding about molecular mechanisms of ER-Mt communication for identification and development of biology-specific, disease-specific and metabolism-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets for human diseases. The inhibitors and modulators of the ER-Mt communication are categorized according to therapeutic targets. Rapid development of biotechnologies will provide new insights for spatiotemporally understanding the molecular mechanisms of ER-Mt communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Furong Yan
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Liyang Li
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Huirong Fu
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Dongli Song
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Duojiao Wu
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Zhongshan HospitalDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineJinshan Hospital Centre for Tumor Diagnosis and TherapyFudan University Shanghai Medical CollegeShanghai Institute of Clinical BioinformaticsShanghai Engineering Research for AI Technology for Cardiopulmonary DiseasesShanghaiChina
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17
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Burguet L, Duvignaud A, Nguyen D, Receveur MC, Kaminski H, Pellegrin I, Rogues AM, Peuchant O, Moreau K, Merville P, Couzi L. Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Management of Contact Patients in a Department of Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 117:251-257. [PMID: 34029706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the investigation, follow-up, management and outcomes in a cohort of chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients exposed to a case of pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS Contacts were investigated following a concentric circles approach and followed-up according to their level of priority. In those with an evidence of latent tuberculous infection, treatment decision was based on the level of exposure, individual vulnerability, as well as the results of an interferon-gamma release assay. RESULTS 130 patients with chronic kidney disease and 180 kidney transplant recipients were identified as contacts and followed-up over a two-year period.Only few vulnerable high-priority contacts received an anti-tuberculosis treatment, including the 2 (100%)highly exposed patients in circle 1, 11/78(14.1%)chronic kidney disease patients and 4/142 (2.8%) kidney transplant recipients in circle 2, and10/52 (19.2%) chronic kidney disease patients and 2/36 (5.6%) kidney transplant recipients in circle 3;all having a positive interferon-gamma release assay result. No incident case of tuberculosis disease occurred. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that latent tuberculosis treatment, as recommended in European guidelines, might be reasonably avoided in vulnerable high-priority contacts of circle 2 with a negative interferon-gamma release assay in countries with low prevalence of tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Burguet
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis and Apheresis, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Alexandre Duvignaud
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Division of Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France; Inserm U1219, Univ. Bordeaux, IRD, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Duc Nguyen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Division of Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marie-Catherine Receveur
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Division of Tropical Medicine and Clinical International Health, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Hannah Kaminski
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis and Apheresis, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Isabelle Pellegrin
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anne-Marie Rogues
- Department of Infection Control, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivia Peuchant
- Department of Bacteriology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Karine Moreau
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis and Apheresis, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre Merville
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis and Apheresis, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
| | - Lionel Couzi
- Department of Nephrology, Transplantation, Dialysis and Apheresis, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France; Immunoconcept, CNRS UMR 5164, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France
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18
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Fraticelli L, Freyssenge J, Claustre C, Martinez M, Redjaline A, Serre P, Bochaton T, El Khoury C. Estimating the Proportion of COVID-19 Contacts Among Households Based on Individuals With Myocardial Infarction History: Cross-sectional Telephone Survey. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e26955. [PMID: 33855968 PMCID: PMC8083951 DOI: 10.2196/26955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adults with cardiovascular diseases were disproportionately associated with an increased risk of a severe form of COVID-19 and all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study are to report the associated symptoms for COVID-19 cases, to estimate the proportion of contacts, and to describe the clinical signs and behaviors among individuals with and without myocardial infarction history among cases and contacts. METHODS A 2-week cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted during the first lockdown period in France, from May 4 to 15, 2020. A total of 668 households participated, representing 703 individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease in the past 2 years and 849 individuals without myocardial infarction history. RESULTS High rates of compliance with health measures were self-reported, regardless of age or risk factors. There were 4 confirmed COVID-19 cases that were registered from 4 different households. Based on deductive assumptions of the 1552 individuals, 9.73% (n=151) were identified as contacts, of whom 71.52% (108/151) were asymptomatic. Among individuals with a myocardial infarction history, 2 were COVID-19 cases, and the estimated proportion of contacts was 8.68% (61/703), of whom 68.85% (42/61) were asymptomatic. The cases and contacts presented different symptoms, with more respiratory signs in those with a myocardial infarction history. CONCLUSIONS The telephone survey could be a relevant tool for reporting the number of contacts during a limited period and in a limited territory based on the presence of associated symptoms and COVID-19 cases in the households. This study advanced our knowledge to better prepare for future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Fraticelli
- RESCUe-RESUVal, Lucien Hussel Hospital, Vienne, France.,Laboratory Systemic Health Care P2S EA 4129, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Julie Freyssenge
- RESCUe-RESUVal, Lucien Hussel Hospital, Vienne, France.,RESHAPE Research on Healthcare Performance, INSERM U1290, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Mikaël Martinez
- Emergency Department, Hospital Center du Forez, Montbrison, France.,REULIAN Emergency network Loire Ardèche Nord, Firminy, France
| | - Abdesslam Redjaline
- REULIAN Emergency network Loire Ardèche Nord, Firminy, France.,Emergency Department, Hospital Center Le Corbusier, Firminy, France
| | - Patrice Serre
- RESCUe-RESUVal, Lucien Hussel Hospital, Vienne, France.,Emergency Department, Hospital Center Fleyriat, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
| | - Thomas Bochaton
- Emergency and Critical Cardiac Care, Cardiologic Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Carlos El Khoury
- RESCUe-RESUVal, Lucien Hussel Hospital, Vienne, France.,RESHAPE Research on Healthcare Performance, INSERM U1290, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Emergency Department and Clinical Research Unit, Medipole Hopital Mutualiste, Villeurbanne, France
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19
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Abstract
Laser Vision Correction (LVC) is an elective, self-pay and safe surgical procedure to correct myopia and hyperopia. Since FDA approval 25 years ago, there have been a progression of technological improvements leading to better outcomes and LVC is now one of the safest surgical procedures. With a potential pool of 50 million patients, 6000 trained ophthalmic surgeons regularly treating in over 1000 centers of which 65% are physician owned. Treatments remain low from an earlier peak of 1.4 million to less than 800,000 over last 10 years. The factors preventing patients undergoing surgery have not changed and include the cost of $2000 ± $1000 per eye and fear of laser surgery on their eyes. The latter is overcome by word of mouth referrals and positive social media messaging. In addition, press misinformation and lack of optometrists participating in co-management have not helped grow LVC procedures despite the positive results of the FDA’s Patient Reported Outcomes with LASIK studies known as PROWL. The surgery is quick, and patients can be “in and out” in less than two hours with a rapid recovery, minimal postoperative restrictions and within 24 hours have 20/20 vision. Volume and price drives center and physician profitability with a scheduling capacity of two to four patients’ treatments per hour. Laser vision correction and especially LASIK, remains the treatment of choice for myopic and hyperopic patients wanting to remove their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen N Joffe
- History of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Surgery and Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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20
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Craig R, Kunkel E, Crowcroft NS, Fitzpatrick MC, de Melker H, Althouse BM, Merkel T, Scarpino SV, Koelle K, Friedman L, Arnold C, Bolotin S. Asymptomatic Infection and Transmission of Pertussis in Households: A Systematic Review. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:152-161. [PMID: 31257450 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a systematic review to describe the frequency of mild, atypical, and asymptomatic infection among household contacts of pertussis cases and to explore the published literature for evidence of asymptomatic transmission. We included studies that obtained and tested laboratory specimens from household contacts regardless of symptom presentation and reported the proportion of cases with typical, mild/atypical, or asymptomatic infection. After screening 6789 articles, we included 26 studies. Fourteen studies reported household contacts with mild/atypical pertussis. These comprised up to 46.2% of all contacts tested. Twenty-four studies reported asymptomatic contacts with laboratory-confirmed pertussis, comprising up to 55.6% of those tested. Seven studies presented evidence consistent with asymptomatic pertussis transmission between household contacts. Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of subclinical infection in household contacts of pertussis cases, which may play a substantial role in the ongoing transmission of disease. Our review reveals a gap in our understanding of pertussis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodger Craig
- Applied Immunization Research and Evaluation, Public Health Ontario,Toronto.,Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Kunkel
- Applied Immunization Research and Evaluation, Public Health Ontario,Toronto.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Natasha S Crowcroft
- Applied Immunization Research and Evaluation, Public Health Ontario,Toronto.,Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Meagan C Fitzpatrick
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Hester de Melker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Benjamin M Althouse
- Institute for Disease Modeling, Bellevue, Washington.,Information School, University of Washington, Seattle.,Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
| | - Tod Merkel
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Samuel V Scarpino
- Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.,Institute for Scientific Interchange Foundation, Torino, Italy
| | - Katia Koelle
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lindsay Friedman
- Applied Immunization Research and Evaluation, Public Health Ontario,Toronto
| | - Callum Arnold
- Division of Infectious Diseases,The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Shelly Bolotin
- Applied Immunization Research and Evaluation, Public Health Ontario,Toronto.,Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Reichler MR, Khan A, Sterling TR, Zhao H, Chen B, Yuan Y, Moran J, McAuley J, Mangura B. Risk Factors for Tuberculosis and Effect of Preventive Therapy Among Close Contacts of Persons With Infectious Tuberculosis. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:1562-1572. [PMID: 31127813 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Close contacts of persons with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have high rates of TB disease. METHODS We prospectively enrolled TB patients and their close contacts at 9 US/Canadian sites. TB patients and contacts were interviewed to identify index patient, contact, and exposure risk factors for TB. Contacts were evaluated for latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB, and the effectiveness of LTBI treatment for preventing contact TB was examined. RESULTS Among 4490 close contacts, multivariable risk factors for TB were age ≤5 years, US/Canadian birth, human immunodeficiency virus infection, skin test induration ≥10 mm, shared bedroom with an index patient, exposure to more than 1 index patient, and index patient weight loss (P < .05 for each). Of 1406 skin test-positive contacts, TB developed in 49 (9.8%) of 446 who did not initiate treatment, 8 (1.8%) of 443 who received partial treatment, and 1 (0.2%) of 517 who completed treatment (1951, 290, and 31 cases/100 000 person-years, respectively; P < .001). TB was diagnosed in 4.2% of US/Canadian-born compared with 2.3% of foreign-born contacts (P = .002), and TB rates for US/Canadian-born and foreign-born contacts who did not initiate treatment were 3592 and 811 per 100 000 person-years, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Treatment for LTBI was highly effective in preventing TB among close contacts of infectious TB patients. Several index patient, contact, and exposure characteristics associated with increased risk of contact TB were identified. These findings help inform contact investigation, LTBI treatment, and other public health prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary R Reichler
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Awal Khan
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Hui Zhao
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bin Chen
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yan Yuan
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Joyce Moran
- New York City Department of Health and Charles P. Felton Tuberculosis Center, New York
| | - James McAuley
- Respiratory Lung Association and Rush University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bonita Mangura
- New Jersey Medical School National Tuberculosis Center, Newark
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22
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Tom T, Ros E, López-Pintó N, Miguel Asensi J, Andreu J, Bertomeu J, Puigdollers J, Voz C. Influence of Co-Sputtered Ag:Al Ultra-Thin Layers in Transparent V 2O 5/Ag:Al/AZO Hole-Selective Electrodes for Silicon Solar Cells. Materials (Basel) 2020; 13:E4905. [PMID: 33142888 PMCID: PMC7662906 DOI: 10.3390/ma13214905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
As optoelectronic devices continue to improve, control over film thickness has become crucial, especially in applications that require ultra-thin films. A variety of undesired effects may arise depending on the specific growth mechanism of each material, for instance a percolation threshold thickness is present in Volmer-Webber growth of materials such as silver. In this paper, we explore the introduction of aluminum in silver films as a mechanism to grow ultrathin metallic films of high transparency and low sheet resistance, suitable for many optoelectronic applications. Furthermore, we implemented such ultra-thin metallic films in Dielectric/Metal/Dielectric (DMD) structures based on Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) as the dielectric with an ultra-thin silver aluminum (Ag:Al) metallic interlayer. The multilayer structures were deposited by magnetron sputtering, which offers an industrial advantage and superior reliability over thermally evaporated DMDs. Finally, we tested the optimized DMD structures as a front contact for n-type silicon solar cells by introducing a hole-selective vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) dielectric layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tom
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (T.T.); (N.L.-P.); (J.M.A.); (J.A.)
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eloi Ros
- Departament d’Enginyeria Electrònica, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Nicolau López-Pintó
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (T.T.); (N.L.-P.); (J.M.A.); (J.A.)
| | - José Miguel Asensi
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (T.T.); (N.L.-P.); (J.M.A.); (J.A.)
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Andreu
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (T.T.); (N.L.-P.); (J.M.A.); (J.A.)
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Bertomeu
- Departament de Física Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (T.T.); (N.L.-P.); (J.M.A.); (J.A.)
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Puigdollers
- Departament d’Enginyeria Electrònica, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
| | - Cristobal Voz
- Departament d’Enginyeria Electrònica, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; (E.R.); (J.P.)
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23
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Lau CS, Chee JY, Ang YS, Tong SW, Cao L, Ooi ZE, Wang T, Ang LK, Wang Y, Chhowalla M, Goh KEJ. Quantum Transport in Two-Dimensional WS 2 with High-Efficiency Carrier Injection through Indium Alloy Contacts. ACS Nano 2020; 14:13700-13708. [PMID: 32915542 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have properties attractive for optoelectronic and quantum applications. A crucial element for devices is the metal-semiconductor interface. However, high contact resistances have hindered progress. Quantum transport studies are scant as low-quality contacts are intractable at cryogenic temperatures. Here, temperature-dependent transfer length measurements are performed on chemical vapor deposition grown single-layer and bilayer WS2 devices with indium alloy contacts. The devices exhibit low contact resistances and Schottky barrier heights (∼10 kΩ μm at 3 K and 1.7 meV). Efficient carrier injection enables high carrier mobilities (∼190 cm2 V-1 s-1) and observation of resonant tunnelling. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into quantum transport and properties of the WS2-indium interface. Our results reveal significant advances toward high-performance WS2 devices using indium alloy contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chit Siong Lau
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
| | - Jing Yee Chee
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
| | - Yee Sin Ang
- Science, Math and Technology (SMT), Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
| | - Shi Wun Tong
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
| | - Liemao Cao
- Science, Math and Technology (SMT), Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
- College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421002, China
| | - Zi-En Ooi
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
| | - Tong Wang
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
| | - Lay Kee Ang
- Science, Math and Technology (SMT), Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372 Singapore
| | - Yan Wang
- Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, United Kingdom
| | - Manish Chhowalla
- Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, United Kingdom
| | - Kuan Eng Johnson Goh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, 138634 Singapore
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, 117551 Singapore
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24
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El Sayed SM, Aboonq MS, El Rashedy AG, Aljehani YT, Abou El-Magd RM, Okashah AM, El-Anzi ME, Alharbi MB, El-Tahlawi R, Nabo MMH, Yousef RS, Elshazley M, Abu-Elnaga M, Mahmoud HS, El-Alaf H, Abdelrahman AI, Abdel-Gawad AR, Soliman TM. Promising preventive and therapeutic effects of TaibUVID nutritional supplements for COVID-19 pandemic: towards better public prophylaxis and treatment (A retrospective study). Am J Blood Res 2020; 10:266-282. [PMID: 33224571 PMCID: PMC7675122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvant nutritional treatment is a commonly overlooked topic when treating lethal viral diseases as COVID-19 pandemic. We recently introduced TaibUVID nutritional supplements (nigella sativa, chamomile and natural honey) as adjuvants for COVID-19 contacts, patients and public prophylaxis. TaibUVID Forte adds costus, senna and fennel to TaibUVID. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews confirmed evidence-based therapeutic benefits of TaibUVID components in treating many human diseases e.g. diabetes mellitus and hypertension, common co-morbidities in COVID-19 patients. Double-blind clinical trials for treating COVID-19 patients with TaibUVID supplements were inapplicable. In this retrospective study in Egypt, COVID-19 patients and contacts knew TaibUVID via social media and voluntarily used them. 65% of COVID-19 patients (n = 13) received both pharmacological treatments and adjuvant TaibUVID nutritional supplements. 35% (n = 7) received TaibUVID only. Lymphopenia rapidly improved to lymphocytosis upon regular TaibUVID intake. TaibUVID nutritional supplements helped COVID-19 contacts' prophylaxis. 70% of COVID-19 contacts (n = 14) (on regular TaibUVID intake) did not get SARS-COV2 infection. 30% (n = 6) were not using TaibUVID regularly and got mild flu-like symptoms and upon using both TaibUVID and pharmacological treatments, all improved and got negative nasopharyngeal swabs PCR. COVID-19 contacts were mainly physicians (40%, n = 8) (dealing with COVID-19 patients daily) and members of physicians' families (45%). Main presentations reported by COVID-19 patients (n = 20) were cough (90%), fever (55%), anosmia (45%), taste loss (45%), sore throat (45%), respiratory difficulty (45%) and malaise (35%). TaibUVID inhalation therapy (nigella sativa/anthemis/costus solution nebulization) was used by 65% of COVID-19 patients (n = 13) and alleviated respiratory manifestations e.g. cough and respiratory difficulty and was life-saving in some cases. 70% of COVID-19 patients (n = 14) improved in 1-4 days, 25% (n = 5) improved in 5-10 days while 5% improved in more than 10 days. TaibUVID nutritional supplements were tolerable and significantly satisfactory (P<0.01). 81.25% of COVID-19 patients (n = 13) did not report side effects. 18.25% (n = 3) reported mild diarrhea, sweating and hyperglycemia (not confirmed to be due to TaibUVID supplements). 31.25% of patients (n = 5) were satisfied by 100% with TaibUVID nutritional supplements. 37.5% (n = 6) of patients were satisfied by 75%. In conclusion, TaibUVID nutritional supplements are recommended for public prophylaxis (to decrease emergence of new cases) and treatment in COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical trials and further investigations are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Mohamed El Sayed
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah UniversityAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag UniversityEgypt
- Prophetic Medicine and Integrative Medicine Course and Research, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah UniversityAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moutasem Salih Aboonq
- Department of Medical Physiology, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah UniversityAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Gamal El Rashedy
- Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Sohag Fever HospitalSohag, Egypt
| | - Yasmeen Talal Aljehani
- Director of The Research and Studies Department of Health Affairs in Al-Madinah Region, Consultant Family Medicine and Trainer in Family Medicine Program for Postgraduate StudiesAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rabab M Abou El-Magd
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology ApplicationsAlexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Okashah
- Academic Affairs Director and Consultant Clinical Immunologist, Al-Madinah Directorate of Health, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Ministry of HealthSaudi Arabia
| | - Mariam E El-Anzi
- Diabetic Center in King Fahd Hospital & Sayed Al-Shohada Primary Health Care CenterAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mansour Barakah Alharbi
- Head of Training and Academic Affairs and Designated Institutional Official (DIO), King Fahad Hospital, Al-Madinah and Leader of Training and Academic Affairs TaskforceAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab El-Tahlawi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Taibah UniversitySaudi Arabia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig UniversityEgypt
| | - Manal Mohamed Helmy Nabo
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatrics Department, Maternity and Children HospitalHail, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatrics Department, Sohag Teaching HospitalSohag, Egypt
| | - Reda S Yousef
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag UniversityEgypt
| | - Momen Elshazley
- Department of Medicine, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah UniversityAl-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Occupational Diseases and Toxigenomics, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag UniversityEgypt
| | - Mostafa Abu-Elnaga
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Abdul-Aziz UniversityJeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar UniversityEgypt
| | - Hany Salah Mahmoud
- Center of Scientific Foundation for Experimental Studies and ResearchIsmailia, Egypt
| | - Hassan El-Alaf
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag UniversityEgypt
| | | | | | - Tamer M Soliman
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag UniversityEgypt
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25
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Syggelou A, Spyridis N, Benetatou K, Kourkouni E, Kourlaba G, Tsagaraki M, Maritsi D, Eleftheriou I, Tsolia M. BCG Vaccine Protection against TB Infection among Children Older than 5 Years in Close Contact with an Infectious Adult TB Case. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E3224. [PMID: 33050061 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been shown to provide considerable protection against miliary or meningeal tuberculosis (TB), but whether it prevents other forms of disease remains controversial. Recent evidence has shown that the BCG vaccine also provides protection against latent TB infection (LTBI). The aim of the current study was to examine whether BCG has a protective role against LTBI among children in close contact with an adult index case in a low TB endemicity setting with the use of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT). A cross-sectional study was conducted over a 10-year period among children referred to our outpatient TB clinic with a history of close contact with an adult with pulmonary TB. All subjects had a QFT-GIT performed. In total, 207 children > 5 to 16 years of age with known recent exposure were enrolled. BCG-vaccinated subjects had a 59% lower risk of presenting with LTBI after close contact with an adult index case compared with unvaccinated subjects (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23–0.73, p = 0.002). After adjustment for possible confounders, the protective effect of prior BCG immunization was estimated at 68% (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.66, p = 0.002). Other risk factors for LTBI included a history of migration (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.53, p = 0.021) and transmission of infection to other exposed child contacts (OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.27–9.39, p = 0.001). We were able to determine a strong protective role of BCG vaccination among children older than 5 years, immunized at school entry, who had close contact with an adult infectious TB case.
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26
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Jadwiszczak J, Maguire P, Cullen CP, Duesberg GS, Zhang H. Effect of localized helium ion irradiation on the performance of synthetic monolayer MoS 2 field-effect transistors. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2020; 11:1329-1335. [PMID: 32953377 PMCID: PMC7476591 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.11.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Helium ion irradiation is a known method of tuning the electrical conductivity and charge carrier mobility of novel two-dimensional semiconductors. Here, we report a systematic study of the electrical performance of chemically synthesized monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field-effect transistors irradiated with a focused helium ion beam as a function of increasing areal irradiation coverage. We determine an optimal coverage range of approx. 10%, which allows for the improvement of both the carrier mobility in the transistor channel and the electrical conductance of the MoS2, due to doping with ion beam-created sulfur vacancies. Larger areal irradiations introduce a higher concentration of scattering centers, hampering the electrical performance of the device. In addition, we find that irradiating the electrode-channel interface has a deleterious impact on charge transport when contrasted with irradiations confined only to the transistor channel.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pierce Maguire
- School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Conor P Cullen
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Georg S Duesberg
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- State Institute of Physics, EIT 2, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, 85577 Neubiberg, Germany
| | - Hongzhou Zhang
- School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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27
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Freedy KM, McDonnell SJ. Contacts for Molybdenum Disulfide: Interface Chemistry and Thermal Stability. Materials (Basel) 2020; 13:E693. [PMID: 32033092 DOI: 10.3390/ma13030693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In this review on contacts with MoS2, we consider reports on both interface chemistry and device characteristics. We show that there is considerable disagreement between reported properties, at least some of which may be explained by variability in the properties of geological MoS2. Furthermore, we highlight that while early experiments using photoemission to study the interface behavior of metal-MoS2 showed a lack of Fermi-level pinning, device measurements repeatedly confirm that the interface is indeed pinned. Here we suggest that a parallel conduction mechanism enabled by metallic defects in the MoS2 materials may explain both results. We note that processing conditions during metal depositions on MoS2 can play a critical role in the interface chemistry, with differences between high vacuum and ultra-high vacuum being particularly important for low work function metals. This can be used to engineer the interfaces by using thin metal-oxide interlayers to protect the MoS2 from reactions with the metals. We also report on the changes in the interfaces that can occur at high temperature which include enhanced reactions between Ti or Cr and MoS2, diffusion of Ag into MoS2, and delamination of Fe. What is clear is that there is a dearth of experimental work that investigates both the interface chemistry and device properties in parallel.
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28
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Suryavanshi N, Murrill M, Gupta A, Hughes M, Hesseling A, Kim S, Naini L, Jones L, Smith B, Gupte N, Dawson R, Mave V, Meshram S, Mendoza-Ticona A, Sanchez J, Kumarasamy N, Comins K, Conradie F, Shenje J, Nerette Fontain S, Garcia-Prats A, Asmelash A, Nedsuwan S, Mohapi L, Lalloo U, Cristina Garcia Ferreira A, Okeyo E, Swindells S, Churchyard G, Shah NS. Willingness to Take Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Preventive Therapy Among Adult and Adolescent Household Contacts of MDR-TB Index Cases: An International Multisite Cross-sectional Study. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 70:436-445. [PMID: 30919881 PMCID: PMC7188234 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Household contacts (HHCs) of individuals with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are at high risk of infection and subsequent disease. There is limited evidence on the willingness of MDR-TB HHCs to take MDR-TB preventive therapy (MDR TPT) to decrease their risk of TB disease. METHODS In this cross-sectional study of HHCs of MDR-TB and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) index cases from 16 clinical research sites in 8 countries, enrollees were interviewed to assess willingness to take a hypothetical, newly developed MDR TPT if offered. To identify factors associated with willingness to take MDR TPT, a marginal logistic model was fitted using generalized estimating equations to account for household-level clustering. RESULTS From 278 MDR-TB/RR-TB index case households, 743 HHCs were enrolled; the median age of HHCs was 33 (interquartile range, 22-49) years, and 62% were women. HHC willingness to take hypothetical MDR TPT was high (79%) and remained high even with the potential for mild side effects (70%). Increased willingness was significantly associated with current employment or schooling (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.83 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.07-3.13]), appropriate TB-related knowledge (aOR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.23-3.99]), confidence in taking MDR TPT (aOR, 7.16 [95% CI, 3.33-15.42]), and being comfortable telling others about taking MDR TPT (aOR, 2.29 [95% CI, 1.29-4.06]). CONCLUSIONS The high percentage of HHCs of MDR-TB/RR-TB index cases willing to take hypothetical MDR TPT provides important evidence for the potential uptake of effective MDR TPT when implemented. Identified HHC-level variables associated with willingness may inform education and counseling efforts to increase HHC confidence in and uptake of MDR TPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi Suryavanshi
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
| | | | - Amita Gupta
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Hughes
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Anneke Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Linda Naini
- Social and Scientific Systems, Inc, Silver Springs, Maryland
| | - Lynne Jones
- Frontier Science and Technology Research Foundation, Amherst, New York
| | - Betsy Smith
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nikhil Gupte
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rodney Dawson
- University of Cape Town Lung Institute, Mowbray, South Africa
| | - Vidya Mave
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sushant Meshram
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College Clinical Trials Unit, Pune, India
| | | | - Jorge Sanchez
- Asociación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación, San Miguel Clinical Research Site, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Kyla Comins
- TASK Applied Science Clinical Research Site, Bellville
| | | | - Justin Shenje
- South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sandy Nerette Fontain
- GHESKIO Centers–Institute of Infectious Diseases and Reproductive Health, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
| | | | | | - Supalert Nedsuwan
- Program for HIV Prevention and Treatment-Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Thailand
| | - Lerato Mohapi
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - Umesh Lalloo
- Durban International Clinical Research Site, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Gavin Churchyard
- Aurum Institute
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
- Advancing Care and Treatment for TB/HIV, South African Medical Research Council, Parktown, South Africa
| | - N Sarita Shah
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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29
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Iemmo L, Urban F, Giubileo F, Passacantando M, Di Bartolomeo A. Nanotip Contacts for Electric Transport and Field Emission Characterization of Ultrathin MoS 2 Flakes. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E106. [PMID: 31947985 DOI: 10.3390/nano10010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We report a facile approach based on piezoelectric-driven nanotips inside a scanning electron microscope to contact and electrically characterize ultrathin MoS2 (molybdenum disulfide) flakes on a SiO2/Si (silicon dioxide/silicon) substrate. We apply such a method to analyze the electric transport and field emission properties of chemical vapor deposition-synthesized monolayer MoS2, used as the channel of back-gate field effect transistors. We study the effects of the gate-voltage range and sweeping time on the channel current and on its hysteretic behavior. We observe that the conduction of the MoS2 channel is affected by trap states. Moreover, we report a gate-controlled field emission current from the edge part of the MoS2 flake, evidencing a field enhancement factor of approximately 200 and a turn-on field of approximately 40 V/μm at a cathode–anode separation distance of 900 nm.
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Phyo AM, Kumar AMV, Soe KT, Kyaw KWY, Thu AS, Wai PP, Aye S, Saw S, Win Maung HM, Aung ST. Contact Investigation of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study from Myanmar. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 5:E3. [PMID: 31887995 PMCID: PMC7157597 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
There is no published evidence on contact investigation among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients from Myanmar. We describe the cascade of contact investigation conducted in 27 townships of Myanmar from January 2018 to June 2019 and its implementation challenges. This was a mixed-methods study involving quantitative (cohort analysis of programme data) and qualitative components (thematic analysis of interviews of 8 contacts and 13 health care providers). There were 556 MDR-TB patients and 1908 contacts, of whom 1134 (59%) reached the health centres for screening (chest radiography and symptoms). Of the latter, 344 (30%) had presumptive TB and of them, 186 (54%) were investigated (sputum microscopy or Xpert MTB/RIF®). A total of 27 TB patients were diagnosed (six bacteriologically-confirmed including five with rifampicin resistance). The key reasons for not reaching township TB centres included lack of knowledge and lack of risk perception owing to wrong beliefs among contacts, financial constraints related to loss of wages and transportation charges, and inconvenient clinic hours. The reasons for not being investigated included inability to produce sputum, health care providers being unaware of or not agreeing to the investigation protocol, fixed clinic days and times, and charges for investigation. The National Tuberculosis Programme needs to note these findings and take necessary action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aye Mon Phyo
- TB Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Mandalay 15021, Myanmar; (A.S.T.); (P.P.W.); (S.A.)
| | - Ajay M. V. Kumar
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France; (A.M.V.K.); (K.W.Y.K.)
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), South-East Asia Office, New Delhi 110016, India
- Department of Community Medicine, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru 575022, India
| | - Kyaw Thu Soe
- Department of Medical Research (Pyin Oo Lwin Branch), Ministry of Health and Sports, Pyin Oo Lwin 05081, Myanmar;
| | - Khine Wut Yee Kyaw
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), 75006 Paris, France; (A.M.V.K.); (K.W.Y.K.)
- Department of Operational Research, International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Mandalay 15021, Myanmar
| | - Aung Si Thu
- TB Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Mandalay 15021, Myanmar; (A.S.T.); (P.P.W.); (S.A.)
| | - Pyae Phyo Wai
- TB Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Mandalay 15021, Myanmar; (A.S.T.); (P.P.W.); (S.A.)
| | - Sandar Aye
- TB Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Mandalay 15021, Myanmar; (A.S.T.); (P.P.W.); (S.A.)
| | - Saw Saw
- Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon 11191, Myanmar;
| | - Htet Myet Win Maung
- National Tuberculosis Programme, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw 15011, Myanmar; (H.M.W.M.); (S.T.A.)
| | - Si Thu Aung
- National Tuberculosis Programme, Ministry of Health and Sports, Nay Pyi Taw 15011, Myanmar; (H.M.W.M.); (S.T.A.)
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Freedy KM, Zhang H, Litwin PM, Bendersky LA, Davydov AV, McDonnell S. Thermal Stability of Titanium Contacts to MoS 2. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:35389-35393. [PMID: 31468959 PMCID: PMC7717568 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b08829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Thermal annealing of Ti contacts is commonly implemented in the fabrication of MoS2 devices; however, its effects on interface chemistry have not been previously reported in the literature. In this work, the thermal stability of titanium contacts deposited on geological bulk single crystals of MoS2 in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) is investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). In the as-deposited condition, the reaction of Ti with MoS2 is observed resulting in a diffuse interface between the two materials that comprises metallic molybdenum and titanium sulfide compounds. Annealing Ti/MoS2 sequentially at 100, 300, and 600 °C for 30 min in UHV results in a gradual increase in the reaction products as measured by XPS. Accordingly, STEM reveals the formation of a new ordered phase and a Mo-rich layer at the interface following heating. Due to the high degree of reactivity, the Ti/MoS2 interface is not thermally stable even at a transistor operating temperature of 100 °C, while post-deposition annealing further enhances the interfacial reactions. These findings have important consequences for electrical transport properties, highlighting the importance of interface chemistry in the metal contact design and fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren M. Freedy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Huairuo Zhang
- Theiss Research, Inc., La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
- Corresponding Authors (Z.H.)., (S.McD.)
| | - Peter M. Litwin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Leonid A. Bendersky
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Albert V. Davydov
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Stephen McDonnell
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
- Corresponding Authors (Z.H.)., (S.McD.)
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Abstract
Metal-halide perovskites are rapidly emerging as an important class of photovoltaic absorbers that may enable high-performance solar cells at affordable cost. Thanks to the appealing optoelectronic properties of these materials, tremendous progress has been reported in the last few years in terms of power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), now with record values in excess of 24%. Nevertheless, the crystalline lattice of perovskites often includes defects, such as interstitials, vacancies, and impurities; at the grain boundaries and surfaces, dangling bonds can also be present, which all contribute to nonradiative recombination of photo-carriers. On device level, such recombination undesirably inflates the open-circuit voltage deficit, acting thus as a significant roadblock toward the theoretical efficiency limit of 30%. Herein, the focus is on the origin of the various voltage-limiting mechanisms in PSCs, and possible mitigation strategies are discussed. Contact passivation schemes and the effect of such methods on the reduction of hysteresis are described. Furthermore, several strategies that demonstrate how passivating contacts can increase the stability of PSCs are elucidated. Finally, the remaining key challenges in contact design are prioritized and an outlook on how passivating contacts will contribute to further the progress toward market readiness of high-efficiency PSCs is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Aydin
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Michele De Bastiani
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefaan De Wolf
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Physical Sciences and Engineering Division (PSE), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Gao Z, Zhou Z, Tománek D. Degenerately Doped Transition Metal Dichalcogenides as Ohmic Homojunction Contacts to Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Semiconductors. ACS Nano 2019; 13:5103-5111. [PMID: 31038922 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b08190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In search of an improved strategy to form low-resistance contacts to MoS2 and related semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, we use ab initio density functional electronic structure calculations in order to determine the equilibrium geometry and electronic structure of MoO3/MoS2 and MoO2/MoS2 bilayers. Our results indicate that, besides a rigid band shift associated with charge transfer, the presence of molybdenum oxide modifies the electronic structure of MoS2 very little. We find that the charge transfer in the bilayer provides a sufficient degree of hole doping to MoS2, resulting in a highly transparent contact region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Gao
- Physics and Astronomy Department , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
- Center for Phononics and Thermal Energy Science, School of Physics Science and Engineering , Tongji University , 200092 Shanghai , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixian Zhou
- Physics and Astronomy Department , Wayne State University , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - David Tománek
- Physics and Astronomy Department , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
- Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics and School of Physics , University of the Witwatersrand , 2050 Johannesburg , South Africa
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Grahn A, Bråve A, Tolfvenstam T, Studahl M. Absence of Nosocomial Transmission of Imported Lassa Fever during Use of Standard Barrier Nursing Methods. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:978-987. [PMID: 29775178 PMCID: PMC6004835 DOI: 10.3201/eid2406.172097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosocomial transmission of Lassa virus (LASV) is reported to be low when care for the index patient includes proper barrier nursing methods. We investigated whether asymptomatic LASV infection occurred in healthcare workers who used standard barrier nursing methods during the first 15 days of caring for a patient with Lassa fever in Sweden. Of 76 persons who were defined as having been potentially exposed to LASV, 53 provided blood samples for detection of LASV IgG. These persons also responded to a detailed questionnaire to evaluate exposure to different body fluids from the index patient. LASV-specific IgG was not detected in any of the 53 persons. Five of 53 persons had not been using proper barrier nursing methods. Our results strengthen the argument for a low risk of secondary transmission of LASV in humans when standard barrier nursing methods are used and the patient has only mild symptoms.
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Zhang Y, Sanchez AM, Aagesen M, Huo S, Fonseka HA, Gott JA, Kim D, Yu X, Chen X, Xu J, Li T, Zeng H, Boras G, Liu H. Growth and Fabrication of High-Quality Single Nanowire Devices with Radial p-i-n Junctions. Small 2019; 15:e1803684. [PMID: 30556282 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201803684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nanowires (NWs) with radial p-i-n junction have advantages, such as large junction area and small influence from the surface states, which can lead to highly efficient material use and good device quantum efficiency. However, it is difficult to make high-quality core-shell NW devices, especially single NW devices. Here, the key factors during the growth and fabrication process that influence the quality of single core-shell p-i-n NW devices are studied using GaAs(P) NW photovoltaics as an example. By p-doping and annealing, good ohmic contact is achieved on NWs with a diameter as small as 50-60 nm. Single NW photovoltaics are subsequently developed and a record fill factor of 80.5% is shown. These results bring valuable information for making single NW devices, which can further benefit the development of high-density integration circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyan Zhang
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Ana M Sanchez
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Martin Aagesen
- Center for Quantum Devices, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Suguo Huo
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - H Aruni Fonseka
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - James A Gott
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Dongyoung Kim
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Xuezhe Yu
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Xingyou Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
| | - Jia Xu
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Tianyi Li
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1H 0AH, UK
| | - Haotian Zeng
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Giorgos Boras
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Huiyun Liu
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
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36
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Marks SM, Mase SR, Morris SB. Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Cost-effectiveness of Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis to Reduce Progression to Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. Clin Infect Dis 2018; 64:1670-1677. [PMID: 28329197 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Evidence-based recommendations for treating persons having presumed latent tuberculosis (LTBI) after contact to infectious multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) are lacking because published data consist of small observational studies. Tuberculosis incidence in persons treated for latent MDR -TB infection is unknown. Methods. We conducted a systematic review of studies published 1 January 1994-31 December 2014 to analyze TB incidence, treatment completion and discontinuation, and cost-effectiveness. We considered contacts with LTBI effectively treated if they were on ≥1 medication to which their MDR-TB strain was likely susceptible. We selected studies that compared treatment vs nontreatment outcomes and performed a meta-analysis to estimate the relative risk of TB incidence and its 95% confidence interval. Results. We abstracted data from 21 articles that met inclusion criteria. Six articles presented outcomes for contacts who were treated compared with those not treated for MDR-LTBI; 10 presented outcomes only for treated contacts, and 5 presented outcomes only for untreated contacts. The estimated MDR-TB incidence reduction was 90% (9%-99%) using data from 5 comparison studies. We also found high treatment discontinuation rates due to adverse effects in persons taking pyrazinamide-containing regimens. Cost-effectiveness was greatest using a fluoroquinolone/ethambutol combination regimen. Conclusions. Few studies met inclusion criteria, therefore results should be cautiously interpreted. We found a reduced risk of TB incidence with treatment for MDR-LTBI, suggesting effectiveness in prevention of progression to MDR-TB, and confirmed cost-effectiveness. However, we found that pyrazinamide-containing MDR-LTBI regimens often resulted in treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Marks
- Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sundari R Mase
- Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sapna Bamrah Morris
- Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Atlanta, Georgia
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37
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Jori F, Relun A, Trabucco B, Charrier F, Maestrini O, Chavernac D, Cornelis D, Casabianca F, Etter EMC. Questionnaire-Based Assessment of Wild Boar/Domestic Pig Interactions and Implications for Disease Risk Management in Corsica. Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:198. [PMID: 29250528 PMCID: PMC5716975 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild boars and domestic pigs belong to the same species (Sus scrofa). When sympatric populations of wild boars, feral pigs, and domestic pigs share the same environment, interactions between domestic and wild suids (IDWS) are suspected to facilitate the spread and maintenance of several pig pathogens which can impact on public health and pig production. However, information on the nature and factors facilitating those IDWS are rarely described in the literature. In order to understand the occurrence, nature, and the factors facilitating IDWS, a total of 85 semi-structured interviews were implemented face to face among 25 strict farmers, 20 strict hunters, and 40 hunting farmers in the main traditional pig-farming regions of Corsica, where IDWS are suspected to be common and widespread. Different forms of IDWS were described: those linked with sexual attraction of wild boars by domestic sows (including sexual interactions and fights between wild and domestic boars) were most frequently reported (by 61 and 44% of the respondents, respectively) in the autumn months and early winter. Foraging around common food or water was equally frequent (reported by 60% of the respondents) but spread all along the year except in winter. Spatially, IDWS were more frequent in higher altitude pastures were pig herds remain unattended during summer and autumn months with limited human presence. Abandonment of carcasses and carcass offal in the forest were equally frequent and efficient form of IDWS reported by 70% of the respondents. Certain traditional practices already implemented by hunters and farmers had the potential to mitigate IDWS in the local context. This study provided quantitative evidence of the nature of different IDWS in the context of extensive commercial outdoor pig farming in Corsica and identified their spatial and temporal trends. The identification of those trends is useful to target suitable times and locations to develop further ecological investigations of IDWS at a finer scale in order to better understand diseases transmission patterns between populations and promote adapted management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Jori
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Relun
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France.,BIOEPAR, ONIRIS, INRA, Nantes, France
| | - Bastien Trabucco
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,INRA, Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'Elevage (LRDE), Corte, France
| | - François Charrier
- INRA, Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'Elevage (LRDE), Corte, France
| | - Oscar Maestrini
- INRA, Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'Elevage (LRDE), Corte, France
| | - David Chavernac
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Cornelis
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France
| | - François Casabianca
- INRA, Laboratoire de Recherches sur le Développement de l'Elevage (LRDE), Corte, France
| | - Eric Marcel Charles Etter
- CIRAD, UMR Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risque et Ecosystèmes (ASTRE), Montpellier, France.,ASTRE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier, France.,Epidemiology Section, Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Wang F, Wang Z, Jiang C, Yin L, Cheng R, Zhan X, Xu K, Wang F, Zhang Y, He J. Progress on Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices of 2D Layered Semiconducting Materials. Small 2017; 13:1604298. [PMID: 28594452 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201604298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
2D layered semiconducting materials (2DLSMs) represent the thinnest semiconductors, holding many novel properties, such as the absence of surface dangling bonds, sizable band gaps, high flexibility, and ability of artificial assembly. With the prospect of bringing revolutionary opportunities for electronic and optoelectronic applications, 2DLSMs have prospered over the past twelve years. From materials preparation and property exploration to device applications, 2DLSMs have been extensively investigated and have achieved great progress. However, there are still great challenges for high-performance devices. In this review, we provide a brief overview on the recent breakthroughs in device optimization based on 2DLSMs, particularly focussing on three aspects: device configurations, basic properties of channel materials, and heterostructures. The effects from device configurations, i.e., electrical contacts, dielectric layers, channel length, and substrates, are discussed. After that, the affect of the basic properties of 2DLSMs on device performance is summarized, including crystal defects, crystal symmetry, doping, and thickness. Finally, we focus on heterostructures based on 2DLSMs. Through this review, we try to provide a guide to improve electronic and optoelectronic devices of 2DLSMs for achieving practical device applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Lei Yin
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ruiqing Cheng
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xueying Zhan
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Kai Xu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fengmei Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jun He
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
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Ruhl G, Wittmann S, Koenig M, Neumaier D. The integration of graphene into microelectronic devices. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2017; 8:1056-1064. [PMID: 28685106 PMCID: PMC5480353 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.8.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Since 2004 the field of graphene research has attracted increasing interest worldwide. Especially the integration of graphene into microelectronic devices has the potential for numerous applications. Therefore, we summarize the current knowledge on this aspect. Surveys show that considerable progress was made in the field of graphene synthesis. However, the central issue consists of the availability of techniques suitable for production for the deposition of graphene on dielectric substrates. Besides, the encapsulation of graphene for further processing while maintaining its properties poses a challenge. Regarding the graphene/metal contact intensive research was done and recently substantial advancements were made towards contact resistances applicable for electronic devices. Generally speaking the crucial issues for graphene integration are identified today and the corresponding research tasks can be clearly defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guenther Ruhl
- Infineon Technologies AG, Wernerwerkstrasse 2, 93049 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wittmann
- Infineon Technologies AG, Wernerwerkstrasse 2, 93049 Regensburg, Germany
- Nanochem CoE, OTH Regensburg, Seybothstrasse 2, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Koenig
- Infineon Technologies AG, Wernerwerkstrasse 2, 93049 Regensburg, Germany
- University of Siegen, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Hölderlinstr. 3, 57076 Siegen, Germany
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40
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Aitola K, Domanski K, Correa-Baena JP, Sveinbjörnsson K, Saliba M, Abate A, Grätzel M, Kauppinen E, Johansson EMJ, Tress W, Hagfeldt A, Boschloo G. High Temperature-Stable Perovskite Solar Cell Based on Low-Cost Carbon Nanotube Hole Contact. Adv Mater 2017; 29:1606398. [PMID: 28229537 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201606398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Mixed ion perovskite solar cells (PSC) are manufactured with a metal-free hole contact based on press-transferred single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film infiltrated with 2,2,7,-7-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,90-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). By means of maximum power point tracking, their stabilities are compared with those of standard PSCs employing spin-coated Spiro-OMeTAD and a thermally evaporated Au back contact, under full 1 sun illumination, at 60 °C, and in a N2 atmosphere. During the 140 h experiment, the solar cells with the Au electrode experience a dramatic, irreversible efficiency loss, rendering them effectively nonoperational, whereas the SWCNT-contacted devices show only a small linear efficiency loss with an extrapolated lifetime of 580 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerttu Aitola
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Konrad Domanski
- Laboratory for Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique de Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Kári Sveinbjörnsson
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Michael Saliba
- Laboratory for Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique de Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Abate
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, CH-1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Michael Grätzel
- Laboratory for Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique de Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Esko Kauppinen
- Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, 00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Erik M J Johansson
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Tress
- Laboratory for Photonics and Interfaces, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique de Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anders Hagfeldt
- Laboratory of Photomolecular Science, Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gerrit Boschloo
- Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory Physical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Box 523, 75120, Uppsala, Sweden
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41
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Guan J, Chuang HJ, Zhou Z, Tománek D. Optimizing Charge Injection across Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Heterojunctions: Theory and Experiment. ACS Nano 2017; 11:3904-3910. [PMID: 28319662 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In search of an improved strategy to form low-resistance contacts to semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, we combine ab initio density functional electronic structure calculations for an NbSe2/WSe2 interface with quantum transport measurements of the corresponding heterojunction between a few-layer WSe2 semiconductor and a metallic NbSe2 layer. Our theoretical results suggest that, besides a rigid band shift associated with charge transfer, the presence of NbSe2 does not modify the electronic structure of WSe2. Since the two transition metal dichalcogenides are structurally similar and display only a small lattice mismatch, their heterojunction can efficiently transfer charge across the interface. These findings are supported by transport measurements for WSe2 field-effect transistors with NbSe2 contacts, which exhibit nearly ohmic behavior and phonon-limited mobility in the hole channel, indicating that the contacts to WSe2 are highly transparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Guan
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Hsun-Jen Chuang
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Wayne State University , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhixian Zhou
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Wayne State University , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - David Tománek
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Michigan State University , East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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42
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Kløvgaard M, Nielsen NO, Sørensen TL, Bjerregaard P, Olsen B, Christesen HT. Children in Greenland: disease patterns and contacts to the health care system. Int J Circumpolar Health 2016; 75:32903. [PMID: 27938633 PMCID: PMC5148806 DOI: 10.3402/ijch.v75.32903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies of Greenlandic children’s disease pattern and contacts to the health care system are sparse and have focused on the primary health care sector. Objective We aimed to identify the disease pattern and use of health care facilities of children aged 0–10 in two Greenlandic cohorts. Methods and design In a retrospective, descriptive follow-up of the Ivaaq (The Greenland Child Cohort) and the CLEAR (climate changes, environmental contaminants and reproductive health) birth cohorts (total n=1,000), we reviewed medical records of children aged 6–10 in 2012 with residence in Nuuk or Ilulissat (n=332). Data on diseases and health care system contacts were extracted. Diagnoses were validated retrospectively. Primary health care contacts were reviewed for a random sample of 1:6. Results In 311 children with valid social security number, the total number of health care system contacts was 12,471 equalling 4.6 contacts per child per year. The annual incidence rate of hospital admissions was 1:10 children (total n=266, 1,220 days, 4.6 days/admission), outpatient contacts 2:10 children and primary care 3.6 per child. Contacts were overall more frequent in boys compared with girls, 39.5 versus 34.6 during the study period, p=0.02. The highest annual contact rates for diseases were: hospitalisations/acute respiratory diseases 13.9:1,000; outpatient contacts/otitis media 5.1:1,000; primary care/conjunctivitis or nasopharyngitis 410:1,000 children. Outpatient screening for respiratory tuberculosis accounted 6.2:1,000, primary care non-disease (Z-diagnosis) 2,081:1,000 annually. Complete adherence to the child vaccination programme was seen in 40%, while 5% did not receive any vaccinations. Conclusions In this first study of its kind, the health care contact pattern in Greenlandic children showed a relatively high hospitalisation rate and duration per admission, and a low primary health care contact rate. The overall contact rate and disease pattern resembled those in Denmark, except for tuberculosis screening. Adherence to the vaccination programme was low. These findings may be helpful for the organisation and dimensioning of the Greenlandic health care system for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Kløvgaard
- Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Regional Hospital, Ilulissat, Avannaa, Greenland
| | - Nina Odgaard Nielsen
- National Institute of Public Health, Center for Health Research in Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, Center for Health Research in Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Britta Olsen
- Pediatric Department, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Henrik Thybo Christesen
- Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.,Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;
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43
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Ryder CR, Wood JD, Wells SA, Hersam MC. Chemically Tailoring Semiconducting Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Black Phosphorus. ACS Nano 2016; 10:3900-17. [PMID: 27018800 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b01091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and black phosphorus (BP) have beneficial electronic, optical, and physical properties at the few-layer limit. As atomically thin materials, 2D TMDCs and BP are highly sensitive to their environment and chemical modification, resulting in a strong dependence of their properties on substrate effects, intrinsic defects, and extrinsic adsorbates. Furthermore, the integration of 2D semiconductors into electronic and optoelectronic devices introduces unique challenges at metal-semiconductor and dielectric-semiconductor interfaces. Here, we review emerging efforts to understand and exploit chemical effects to influence the properties of 2D TMDCs and BP. In some cases, surface chemistry leads to significant degradation, thus necessitating the development of robust passivation schemes. On the other hand, appropriately designed chemical modification can be used to beneficially tailor electronic properties, such as controlling doping levels and charge carrier concentrations. Overall, chemical methods allow substantial tunability of the properties of 2D TMDCs and BP, thereby enabling significant future opportunities to optimize performance for device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Ryder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Joshua D Wood
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Spencer A Wells
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Mark C Hersam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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44
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Foley BM, Hernández SC, Duda JC, Robinson JT, Walton SG, Hopkins PE. Modifying Surface Energy of Graphene via Plasma-Based Chemical Functionalization to Tune Thermal and Electrical Transport at Metal Interfaces. Nano Lett 2015; 15:4876-4882. [PMID: 26125524 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The high mobility exhibited by both supported and suspended graphene, as well as its large in-plane thermal conductivity, has generated much excitement across a variety of applications. As exciting as these properties are, one of the principal issues inhibiting the development of graphene technologies pertains to difficulties in engineering high-quality metal contacts on graphene. As device dimensions decrease, the thermal and electrical resistance at the metal/graphene interface plays a dominant role in degrading overall performance. Here we demonstrate the use of a low energy, electron-beam plasma to functionalize graphene with oxygen, fluorine, and nitrogen groups, as a method to tune the thermal and electrical transport properties across gold-single layer graphene (Au/SLG) interfaces. We find that while oxygen and nitrogen groups improve the thermal boundary conductance (hK) at the interface, their presence impairs electrical transport leading to increased contact resistance (ρC). Conversely, functionalization with fluorine has no impact on hK, yet ρC decreases with increasing coverage densities. These findings indicate exciting possibilities using plasma-based chemical functionalization to tailor the thermal and electrical transport properties of metal/2D material contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Foley
- †Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | | | - John C Duda
- †Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | | | | | - Patrick E Hopkins
- †Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
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45
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Belay M, Legesse M, Mihret A, Bekele Y, Bjune G, Abebe F. Lipoarabinomannan-specific TNF-α and IFN-γ as markers of protective immunity against tuberculosis: a cohort study in an endemic setting. APMIS 2015. [PMID: 26200933 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a virulent factor used for entry and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in macrophages. Although the role of LAM for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) has been extensively investigated, its cytokine response during natural Mtb infection in humans is largely unknown. In this study, LAM-specific IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels following whole blood assay were measured in untreated pulmonary TB patients, their contacts and community controls at baseline. In treated patients and contacts, cytokines were also measured at 6 and 12 months. At entry, 52.8% and 74.8% of controls and contacts were QFT-GIT positive, respectively. At baseline, untreated TB patients and contacts had significantly lower IFN-γ and TNF-α response compared to community controls (p < 0.0001). Besides, untreated patients had significantly higher TNF-α and IL-10 response compared to their contacts (p < 0.0001). At 6 months, contacts and treated TB patients had significantly increased INF-γ and TNF-α response (p < 0.0001). In TB patients, IFN-γ increased 10-fold following chemotherapy suggesting its potential role for treatment monitoring. The data suggests that LAM might have an anti-inflammatory effect during clinical TB and early Mtb infection. The data also suggests that LAM-induced IFN-γ and TNF-α could be used as biomarkers of protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulugeta Belay
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mengistu Legesse
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Bekele
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Gunnar Bjune
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fekadu Abebe
- Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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46
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Abstract
Dengue is currently the most rapidly spreading vector-borne disease, with an increasing burden over recent decades. Currently, neither a licensed vaccine nor an effective anti-viral therapy is available, and treatment largely remains supportive. Current vector control strategies to prevent and reduce dengue transmission are neither efficient nor sustainable as long-term interventions. Increased globalization and climate change have been reported to influence dengue transmission. In this article, we reviewed the non-climatic and climatic risk factors which facilitate dengue transmission. Sustainable and effective interventions to reduce the increasing threat from dengue would require the integration of these risk factors into current and future prevention strategies, including dengue vaccination, as well as the continuous support and commitment from the political and environmental stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pang Junxiong
- Communicable Disease Center, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, IIDE, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore
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47
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Luo D, Xu H, Zhao M, Li M, Xu M, Zou J, Tao H, Wang L, Peng J. Influence of source and drain contacts on the properties of indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors based on amorphous carbon nanofilm as barrier layer. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2015; 7:3633-3640. [PMID: 25619280 DOI: 10.1021/am5079682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin film transistors (α-IGZO TFTs) with damage-free back channel wet-etch (BCE) process were achieved by introducing a carbon nanofilm as a barrier layer. We investigate the effects of different source-and-drain (S/D) materials on TFT performance. We find the TFT with Ti/C S/D electrodes exhibits a superior performance with higher output current, lower threshold voltage, and higher effective electron mobility compared to that of Mo/C S/D electrodes. Transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are employed to analysis the interfacial interaction between S/D metal/C/α-IGZO layers. The results indicate that the better performance of TFTs with Ti/C electrodes should be attributed to the formations of Ti-C and Ti-O at the Ti/C-contact regions, which lead to a lower contact resistance, whereas Mo film is relatively stable and does not react easily with C nanofilm, resulting in a nonohmic contact behavior between Mo/C and α-IGZO layer. However, both kinds of α-IGZO TFTs show good stability under thermal bias stress, indicating that the inserted C nanofilms could avoid the impact on the α-IGZO channel regions during S/D electrodes formation. Finally, we successfully fabricated a high-definition active-matrix organic lighting emitting diode prototype driven by α-IGZO TFTs with Ti/C electrodes in a pilot line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiang Luo
- Institute of Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China
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48
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Mor GK, Le TP, Vakhshouri K, Kozub DR, Gomez ED. Elemental mapping of interfacial layers at the cathode of organic solar cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2014; 6:19638-19643. [PMID: 25347517 DOI: 10.1021/am504256s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
One of the limitations in understanding the performance of organic solar cells has been the unclear picture of morphology and interfacial layers developed at the active layer/cathode interface. Here, by utilizing the shadow-Focused Ion Beam technique to enable energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy imaging in conjunction with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments, we examine the cross-section of polythiophene/fullerene solar cells to characterize interfacial layers near the semiconductor-cathode interface. Elemental mapping reveals that localization of fullerene to the anode interface leads to low fill factors and S-shaped current-voltage characteristics. Furthermore, the combination of elemental mapping and XPS depth profiles of devices demonstrate oxidation of the aluminum cathode at the active layer interface for devices without S-shaped characteristics and fill factors of 0.6. The presence of a thin dielectric at the semiconductor-cathode interface could minimize electronic barriers for charge extraction by preventing interfacial charge reorganization and band-bending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal K Mor
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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49
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Clark RD. Emerging Applications for High K Materials in VLSI Technology. Materials (Basel) 2014; 7:2913-2944. [PMID: 28788599 PMCID: PMC5453339 DOI: 10.3390/ma7042913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The current status of High K dielectrics in Very Large Scale Integrated circuit (VLSI) manufacturing for leading edge Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) applications is summarized along with the deposition methods and general equipment types employed. Emerging applications for High K dielectrics in future CMOS are described as well for implementations in 10 nm and beyond nodes. Additional emerging applications for High K dielectrics include Resistive RAM memories, Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diodes, Ferroelectric logic and memory devices, and as mask layers for patterning. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a common and proven deposition method for all of the applications discussed for use in future VLSI manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Clark
- TEL Technology Center, America, LLC, NanoFab South 300, 255 Fuller Road, Suite 214, Albany, NY 12203, USA.
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50
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Huang CC, Tchetgen ET, Becerra MC, Cohen T, Hughes KC, Zhang Z, Calderon R, Yataco R, Contreras C, Galea J, Lecca L, Murray M. The effect of HIV-related immunosuppression on the risk of tuberculosis transmission to household contacts. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 58:765-74. [PMID: 24368620 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cit948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may modify the risk of transmitting tuberculosis. Some previous investigations suggest that patients coinfected with HIV and tuberculosis are less likely to transmit infection, whereas others do not support this conclusion. Here, we estimated the relative risk of tuberculosis transmission from coinfected patients compared to HIV-negative patients with tuberculosis. METHODS Between September 2009 and August 2012, we identified and enrolled 4841 household contacts of 1608 patients with drug-sensitive tuberculosis in Lima, Peru. We assessed the HIV status and CD4 counts of index patients, as well as other risk factors for infection specific to the index patient, the household, and the exposed individuals. Contacts underwent tuberculin skin testing to determine tuberculosis infection status. RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, we found that household contacts of HIV-infected tuberculosis patients with a CD4 count ≤250 cells/µL were less likely to be infected with tuberculosis (risk ratio = 0.49 [95% confidence interval, .24-.96]) than the contacts of HIV-negative tuberculosis patients. No children younger than 15 years who were exposed to HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count ≤250 cells/µL were infected with tuberculosis, compared to 22% of those exposed to non-HIV-infected patients. There was no significant difference in the risk of infection between contacts of HIV-infected index patients with CD4 counts >250 cells/µL and contacts of index patients who were not HIV-infected. CONCLUSIONS We found a reduced risk of tuberculosis infection among the household contacts of patients with active tuberculosis who had advanced HIV-related immunosuppression, suggesting reduced transmission from these index patients.
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