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Graphene is atomically thin, possesses excellent thermal conductivity, and is able to withstand high current densities, making it attractive for many nanoscale applications such as field-effect transistors, interconnects, and thermal management layers. Enabling integration of graphene into such devices requires nanostructuring, which can have a drastic impact on the self-heating properties, in particular at high current densities. Here, we use a combination of scanning thermal microscopy, finite element thermal analysis, and operandoscanning transmission electron microscopy techniques to observe prototype graphene devices in operation and gain a deeper understanding of the role of geometry and interfaces during high current density operation. We find that Peltier effects significantly influence the operational limit due to local electrical and thermal interfacial effects, causing asymmetric temperature distribution in the device. Thus, our results indicate that a proper understanding and design of graphene devices must include consideration of the surrounding materials, interfaces, and geometry. Leveraging these aspects provides opportunities for engineered extreme operation devices.

Objectives: People with intellectual disabilities are more vulnerable to and experience mental health concerns at a higher incidence than their peers without intellectual disabilities. This may be directly related to the aetiology of their intellectual disability but also occur because of negative psychological and social factors that affect their lives, such as loss of self-esteem or lack of meaningful opportunities. The SOOTHE project, sought to understand the meaning that adults with intellectual disabilities attribute to mental health and wellbeing, the factors influencing good and poor mental health, and the strategies they utilised to maintain good mental health and wellbeing. Using an online anonymous survey, participants were invited to electronically submit an image that represented their perspectives on what mental health and wellbeing meant to them. Methods: This study, which took place in 2020 during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, employed an anonymous survey approach which resulted in individual images being received from 329 people with intellectual disabilities living in Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland. These were analysed thematically and brought together in an electronic quilt/mosaic. Results: Images were classified into seven potential themes: (1) Covid-19 and mental health; (2) maintaining good mental health; (3) activities that promote good mental health; (4) nature and mental health; (5) perspectives on self; (6) the importance of relationships; and (7) home and feeling safe. Conclusions: This paper explores the possible meaning of the images and seeks alignment of those meanings with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the UNCRPD. The project supports the belief that persons with intellectual disabilities have an understanding of mental health and wellbeing and are able to identify ways of maintaining positive mental health.

Purpose: People who identify as transgender face stigma, isolation and harassment while often struggling to come to terms with their gender identity. They also disproportionately experience mental health difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to present the voices of transgender people in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) in regard to the issues they are facing, improvements they would like to see made to schools, workplaces, services and society in general and whether mental health supports fulfil their needs. Design/methodology/approach: Ten open questions were embedded within a quantitative online survey (LGBTIreland study) on factors impacting social inclusion, mental health and care. These open questions were re-analysed with exclusive focus on the transgender participants (n= 279) using content/thematic analysis. Findings: The participants in this study reported significant signs of mental distress. The following themes emerged: impact of stigma, deficiencies in mental health services, need for education on transgender identity, importance of peer support, achieving self-acceptance and societal inclusion questioned. Research limitations/implications: Efforts to recruit young participants have led to a possible over-representation in this study. Practical implications: The findings suggest the need for improvement in mental health support services, including further education in how to meet the needs of transgender individuals. Social implications: Transgender people in Ireland experience social exclusion. The need for more inclusivity was emphasised most in secondary schools. Education on transgender identities in all contexts of society is recommended by the participants. Originality/value: This study reports on the largest group of transgender participants to date in RoI. Their voices will affect perceptions on social inclusion and mental health care.

Background/AimsThroughout the global pandemic, nurses have had to deal with increased workloads, the fear of exposure to COVID-19 on top of risking their own health and that of their families. In mental health services, the challenge of providing care for distressed service users while managing identified personal experiences has been significant. The aim of this study was to explore mental health nurses' professional experiences of working through the global pandemic and how personal circumstances may have impacted on this. The objectives were to examine the consequences of working through the pandemic to identify future support needs.MethodsThis qualitative study used descriptive data from (n=161) responses received via a Qualtrics survey that was subjected to a thematic analysis.ResultsFollowing data analysis, four themes were identified: contamination; alienation; resilience; and existential shift.ConclusionsMental health nurses continue to prove their ability to adapt and operationalise change in a high intensity environment. However, there is an impact in having to manage personal safety, fears, personal circumstances and mental health in the long term. Strong and emotionally supportive leadership and individualised support is needed to help alleviate the long-term burden on mental health nurses.

Midway between Chicago and St. Louis, the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur, Ill., has been home to six generations of the Condill-McDonald family--farmers and educators who live and work on [...]

FALLING LEAVES A framed collage of pressed leaves mimics the forest floor in autumn--both the source and the inspiration for some simple decorating projects. A chartreuse oak leaf, found in [...]

Three tables joined together and covered with simple, inexpensive burlap create a long single dining table for Susan's 16 guests; railroad lanterns provide illumination as night falls. During a break [...]

ENCHANTING autumn arrangements can be crafted with items from your yard, a farm stand, even the supermarket. Create this wreath on a square wreath base or a picture frame; tie [...]

Chronic respiratory symptoms are frequently reported after Southwest Asia deployment in support of combat operations. The full spectrum of clinical lung diseases related to these deployments is not well characterized.

AbstractResearch evidence suggests that education can play an important role in a family’s acceptance and support of a trans(gender) young person. However, there is a lack of robust evidence around the impact of education programs for these families. This article reports the findings of a mixed-methods evaluation of an online education program developed for families of trans young people. Surveys were administered before and after participation in the education program to assess the impact of the program on several measures, including trans-related knowledge, self-reflection and insight, family problem-solving, family communication, self-efficacy, and views of gender identity. Interviews were used to explore family members’ experiences of the program, its perceived impact, and recommendations for further development. The survey findings revealed a statistically significant increase in knowledge scores from the pre-education program to post-education program. Interview participants felt the education program was accessible and easy to use and the majority reported learning about trans-related issues from the program. Fewer participants reported developing skills around self-reflection, problem-solving, and communication following participation in the program. The findings from this evaluation add to the evidence base concerning the efficacy of education for families of trans young people, with further implications and recommendations highlighted.

The influence of nanostructuring and quantum confinement on the thermoelectric properties of materials has been extensively studied. While this has made possible multiple breakthroughs in the achievable figure of merit, classical confinement, and its effect on the local Seebeck coefficient has mostly been neglected, as has the Peltier effect in general due to the complexity of measuring small temperature gradients locally. Here we report that reducing the width of a graphene channel to 100 nm changes the Seebeck coefficient by orders of magnitude. Using a scanning thermal microscope allows us to probe the local temperature of electrically contacted graphene two-terminal devices or to locally heat the sample. We show that constrictions in mono- and bilayer graphene facilitate a spatially correlated gradient in the Seebeck and Peltier coefficient, as evidenced by the pronounced thermovoltage Vthand heating/cooling response ΔTPeltier, respectively. This geometry dependent effect, which has not been reported previously in 2D materials, has important implications for measurements of patterned nanostructures in graphene and points to novel solutions for effective thermal management in electronic graphene devices or concepts for single material thermocouples.

Fresh, fragrant flowers are never more abundant or inexpensive as they are in summer--the perfect time to try your hand at creating this lush, romantic wreath from Country Living contributing [...]

The article presents several recipes including cashew rice, tomato salad, and grilled lamb.

The article focuses on the history and significance of pressed leaves, chartreuse oak left in Vermont. It reveals that these specimens have collected through out the country due to its story, distinctive shapes and colors. Richard Kollath and Edward McCann, contributing editors of "Country Living" narrate that it's fun and wonderful to collect the leaves and used it in exploring the landscape of decorative crafts.