Photocatalytic active ZnO1-xSx@CNTs heteronanostructures.

Herein, we report on the use of vertically aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) films as support for ZnO/ZnS photocatalytic active nanostructures. The CNTs were synthetized via a hot-filament chemical vapor deposition (HfCVD), using Fe catalyst on top of Al2O3buffer layer. Controlled point defects in the CNTs outer walls were created by exposure to a low pressure nonthermal water vapors diffusive plasma and acted as seeds for subsequent pulsed-electrodeposition of Zn nanoparticles. This was to achieve a direct and improved contact between the nanoparticles and CNTs. To obtain ZnO, ZnS and mix phase of ZnO/ZnS spread on CNTs, the oxidation, sulfurization and 2 steps subsequent annealing in oxygen and sulfur rich atmospheres were applied. High resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-rays spectroscopy in scanning mode, provided the chemical mapping of the structures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses proved the hexagonal phase of ZnO and ZnS, obtained after oxidation in H2O and S vapors, respectively. In the case of the samples obtained by the 2 steps subsequent annealing, XRD showed mainly the presence of ZnO and a small amount of ZnS. The benefit of the secondary annealing in S vapor was seen as an absorption enhancement of the ZnO1-xSx@CNTs sample having the absorption edge at 417 nm, whereas the absorption edge of ZnO@CNTs was 408 nm and of ZnS@CNTs 360 nm. For all the samples, compared to the bare ZnO and ZnS, the absorption red shift was observed which is attributed to the CNTs involvement. Therefore, this study showed the double sides benefit to induce the absorption of ZnO of the visible light, one from S doping and second of CNTs involvement. The absorption enhancement had a positive impact on photocatalytic degradation of methyl blue dye, showing that ZnO1-xSx@CNTs heteronanostructure was the best photocatalyst among the studied samples.

Prevalence of methicillin-sensitive, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in newborns: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in healthy newborns and the role of maternal transmission are scarcely discussed. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of MSSA, MRSA, and ESBL among healthy newborns. Additionally, mother-to-newborn transmission rates were investigated as well as antibiotic susceptibility of MSSA, MRSA, and ESBL isolates. METHODS: Swabs of 658 newborns and their mothers were collected to investigate the presence of MSSA, MRSA, and ESBL. Swabs were taken from the nose and umbilicus immediately after birth. Additional swabs were taken from the nose, perianal area, and umbilicus 3 days after birth. Samples were screened and further characterized using culture and molecular methods. RESULTS: Prevalence of MSSA, MRSA, and ESBL colonization was 10.9, 0.5, and 2.6%, respectively. There was no association between the colonization status of the newborn and infections at any time point. Mother-to-newborn transmission rates (confirmed by PFGE) were 53.6% for MSSA/MRSA and 100% for ESBL. Maternal carriage of MSSA, MRSA, or ESBL was a risk factor for colonization of the newborn. Some isolates were resistant to the antibiotics recommended for therapy, including clindamycin and daptomycin for MSSA/MRSA isolates and ertapenem, fosfomycin, and tigecyclin for ESBL isolates. CONCLUSION: No association between infections and the newborns' colonization status could be detected. Maternal colonization played an important role in newborn colonization, but not every case of colonization could be explained by mother-to-newborn transmission. General screening of pregnant women and healthy newborns in the absence of other risk factors is not necessary. To prevent the possibility of transmission in the healthcare setting, professionals, pregnant women, parents, hospital visitors, and obstetricians should receive regular training on appropriate hygiene measures. With regard to the emergence of resistance to recommended antibiotics, an antibiogram should be conducted before treating MSSA/MRSA/ESBL infections to ensure the efficacy of the antibiotics.

Insight into the Formation and Stability of Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Nanostructured Silicon-Based Anode Electrodes Used in Li-Ion Batteries.

Silicon-based anode fabrication with nanoscale structuration improves the energy density and life cycle of Li-ion batteries. As-synthesized silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs) or nanoparticles (NPs) directly on the current collector represent a credible alternative to conventional graphite anodes. However, the operating potentials of these electrodes are below the electrochemical stability window of all electrolytes used in commercial Li-ion systems. During the first charging phase of the cell, partial decomposition of the electrolyte takes place, which leads to the formation of a layer at the surface of the electrode, called solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). A stable and continuous SEI layer formation is a critical factor to achieve reliable lifetime stability of the battery. Once formed, the SEI acts as a passivation layer that minimizes further degradation of the electrolyte during cycling, while allowing lithium-ion diffusion with their subsequent insertion into the active material and ensuring reversible operation of the electrode. However, one of the major issues requiring deeper investigation is the assessment of the morphological extension of the SEI layer into the active material, which is one of the main parameters affecting the anode performances. In the present study, we use electron tomography with a low electron dose to retrieve three-dimensional information on the SEI layer formation and its stability around SiNWs and SiNPs. The possible mechanisms of SEI evolution could be inferred from the interpretation and analysis of the reconstructed volumes. Significant volume variations in the SiNW and an inhomogeneous distribution of the SEI layer around the NWs are observed during cycling and provide insights into the potential mechanism leading to the generally reported SiNW anode capacity fading. By contrast, analysis of the reconstructed SiNPs' volume for a sample undergoing one lithiation-delithiation cycle shows that the SEI remains homogeneously distributed around the NPs that retain their spherical morphology and points to the potential benefit of such nanoscale Si anode materials to improve their cycling lifetime.

New Schottky-Type Wire-Based Solar Cell with NiSix Nanowire Contacts.

Solar cells built with arrays of semiconductor wires have been studied for several years. They present some potential advantages over their bulk counterparts, such as (much) less use of semiconductor material, as well as improved light absorption properties. Most wire-based solar cells are fabricated with arrays of semiconductor p-n junctions, either radial or axial. Here, using a newly developed random connection process based on nickel silicide nanowires, we have built Schottky-type solar cells on interdigitated base and emitter coplanar electrodes that reach an efficiency of 6.5% when only 64% of the footprint area of the device is covered with p-type Si wire light-absorbers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the best efficiency reported so far for a Schottky-type wire-based solar cell; a simple extrapolation of the surface area suggests that an efficiency of more than 10% can be reached, which is comparable to that of single-junction hydrogenated amorphous Si cells. We also compare the Schottky-type cell with a "control" p-i-n one using the same device layout and the same nickel silicide nanowire random connection process: the efficiency of the p-i-n cell is higher (∼8%) but this is due to a higher VOC, the short-circuit current density (ISC) being very similar in both cases, close to 20 mA/cm2. The maximum temperature reached throughout the fabrication process of the cells (whether Schottky-type or p-i-n) is 550 °C, corresponding to the growth of the crystalline Si wires. Altogether, the results presented here hold promises toward cheap photovoltaics based on the use of randomly organized and randomly connected Si wire arrays.

The Use of Virtual and Immersive Technology in Creating Personalized Multisensory Spaces for People Living With Dementia (SENSE-GARDEN): Protocol for a Multisite Before-After Trial.

BACKGROUND: The number of people living with dementia is rapidly increasing. With dementia's impact on memory, communication, and self-identity, it is important to identify ways of meeting individual needs of diagnosed individuals and their caregivers. This study will test a new intervention, SENSE-GARDEN, that integrates autobiographical music, films, pictures, and scents with innovative technology to create an immersive environment tailored specifically for the individual. OBJECTIVE: The SENSE-GARDEN study is an Active Assisted Living Program-funded multicenter project. The primary objective of the study is to assess whether a personalized, innovative technology-based intervention can improve the well-being of older adults living with moderate to severe dementia. The study will also assess whether the intervention can improve coping and reduce burden in caregivers. METHODS: A controlled before-after study design will be used. There will be 3 sites in 3 trial countries: Belgium, Norway, and Portugal. A total of 55 people with dementia (PWDs) will be recruited. All eligible participants for the study will be randomized into the intervention or control group. For the first three months of the study, all participants will receive the SENSE-GARDEN intervention. For the final month of the study, the intervention group will continue visits to the SENSE-GARDEN, and the control group will discontinue visits. A mixed-methods approach will be used, including the use of standardized outcome measures, quantitative physiological data, and qualitative interview data. RESULTS: The trials commenced recruitment in August 2019, and all data are expected to be collected by the end of May 2020. A user-centered design process is underway, with results from the first phase of user interviews indicating that people with mild cognitive impairment, family caregivers, and professional caregivers consider the SENSE-GARDEN to be a potentially valuable tool in providing numerous benefits to dementia care. Feasibility testing of the SENSE-GARDEN has been completed and results are expected to be published in October 2019. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the SENSE-GARDEN trials will provide insights into the use of technology for personalizing interventions to the PWD. This will have potential implications on not only dementia research, but it may also have influences on care practice. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/14096.

A systematic review of experimental animal studies on microbial bioaerosols: Dose-response data for the derivation of exposure limits.

Although exposure to high levels of microbial bioaerosols can be linked to the deterioration of the human respiratory system, precise exposure levels responsible for such effects are still unknown. A previous systematic review concluded that there was not enough information in the studies in humans to derive an exposure-response relationship. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to derive exposure limits for microbial bioaerosols based on health effects in experimental animal studies. A systematic search was done in MEDLINE (PubMed) for long-term in vivo exposure of the respiratory system via inhalation of a quantified microbial bioaerosol. A total of n = 301 studies were retrieved. Abstract screening using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria was followed by full-text screening and standardized data extraction of study characteristics and measured outcomes. As a result, four suitable studies were identified where mice or guinea pigs were exposed for 4-12 weeks to a previously described mixture of fungal spores or conidia via inhalation. The number of macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes following subchronic exposure has been reported by all included papers and suggested a dose- and time-dependent relationship. Significant inflammation was observed following subacute exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the outcomes of the studies could not be directly compared due to the large degree of variation and poor description of the exposure conditions. It is our conclusion that more experimental research needs to be done with the specific aim of establishing a No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) and a Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (LOAEL) for exposure to microbial bioaerosols in ambient air. Expertise of both exposure and outcome assessment should be brought together to enable standardization of experimental animal studies with properly generated aerosols aiming to derive health-based exposure limits.

Hospitalization cost at childbirth: Health parameters and colonization with antimicrobial resistant bacteria and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial resistant bacteria (AMR) are of public health and economic relevance. However, there is a lack of data regarding AMR colonization in pregnant women and in newborns. Furthermore, there are few studies analyzing hospital's net income (revenues and costs). STUDY DESIGN: The cross-sectional study took place in two Bavarian clinics. Available data regarding women and newborns were collected using a standardized questionnaire, personal IDs and medical records in addition to AMR/MSSA screening. Economic data consisted of estimated hospitalization costs, calculated using a billing system called G-DRG (German-Diagnosis Related Groups) as well as real hospitalization costs (e.g. staff, medical and non-medical infrastructure costs). RESULTS: Data from 635 pregnant women and 566 newborns were included. While AMR colonization has shown no significant association with clinical complications, or net hospital income; primipara status and medical condition during pregnancy did. AMR colonization did not have a significant influence on the health status of pregnant women or of the newborns. Net hospital income for pregnant women was mostly negative in 2014. In 2014 and 2015 the majority of the cases had a net income between ±€ 1000. Newborns with clinical complications differed significantly in Apgar score at 1min, weight, body length and AMR colonization of the pregnant woman and/or the newborn (p<=0.05). CONCLUSION: Results indicate that colonization does not lead to increased costs during hospitalization considering real hospitalization costs as well as G-DRG estimated costs. Both DRG groups had similar MSSA and AMR prevalence and health status. In future studies, a Centralized Cost Accounting as billing method and an improved possibility of AMR coding in G-DRG catalog would be desirable.

Hollow carbon nanospheres/silicon/alumina core-shell film as an anode for lithium-ion batteries.

Hollow carbon nanospheres/silicon/alumina (CNS/Si/Al2O3) core-shell films obtained by the deposition of Si and Al2O3 on hollow CNS interconnected films are used as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The hollow CNS film acts as a three dimensional conductive substrate and provides void space for silicon volume expansion during electrochemical cycling. The Al2O3 thin layer is beneficial to the reduction of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation. Moreover, as-designed structure holds the robust surface-to-surface contact between Si and CNSs, which facilitates the fast electron transport. As a consequence, the electrode exhibits high specific capacity and remarkable capacity retention simultaneously: 1560 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles at a current density of 1 A g(-1) with the capacity retention of 85% and an average decay rate of 0.16% per cycle. The superior battery properties are further confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance measurement.