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We have recently reported the synthesis and application of boron–nitrogen dihydroindeno[1,2-b]fluorene derivatives as acceptors in organic photovoltaic devices. Their modest observed efficiencies may be related to the properties of their reduced congeners. In this work, we report two new members of this family of compounds prepared via the electrophilic borylation of 2,5-di- p-tolylpyrazine followed by an arylation of the boron center with ZnAr2 reagents. Two derivatives, 1 (Ar = 2,4,6-F3C6H2) and 2 (Ar = C6F5) were synthesized, and their radical anions, 1•− and 2•−, were formed via chemical reductions with CoCp*2 and CoCp2, respectively. Through comparison of structural parameters, as well as spectroscopic and computational data, the unpaired electron in the radical anions is localized in the planar core of the molecule, and dimerization is disfavored as a result. However, unlike the neutral starting materials, 1•− and 2•− are reactive toward ambient atmosphere. These observations suggest that the reduced compounds are stable toward intrinsic degradation pathways but subject to extrinsic degradation in device operation.

Aims Past research suggests that people report a greater desire to consume alcohol when they experience social threat—or threats to their social selves, such as social exclusion. Nevertheless, experimental research on the role of social threat in alcohol consumption is limited. The present study examined the causal relationship between social threat and wine consumption. Methods Undergraduate students (N = 83; Mage = 21.8 years old, SDage = 1.62 years old; 72.3% women; 61.4% Latinx/Hispanic) participated in a study under the pretense that they were in a focus group gauging students’ opinions of a bar being constructed at their university. During the study, participants and two confederate researchers completed a group activity in which they selected design elements for the bar. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In the social threat condition, confederates rejected participants’ design choices and socially excluded them during a follow-up task. In the social acceptance condition, confederates supported participants’ choices and did not socially exclude them. All participants then completed a wine taste test. Results Contrary to predictions, an independent-samples t-test revealed that participants who experienced social threat consumed significantly less wine than those who were socially accepted, t(81) = −2.22, P = 0.03, d = −0.49. Furthermore, a linear regression test revealed that this effect persisted even when controlling for typical alcohol-consumption behavior, b = 56.09, t = −2.50, P = 0.02, d = −0.61. Conclusion The relationship between social threat and alcohol consumption may be more nuanced than anticipated. Discussion centers around two potential moderators including positive affect and identity.

Although resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has the potential to offer insights into changes in functional connectivity networks after traumatic brain injury (TBI), there are few studies that examine the effects of moderate TBI for monitoring functional recovery in experimental TBI, and thus the neural correlates of brain recovery from moderate TBI remain incompletely understood. Non-invasive rsfMRI was used to longitudinally investigate changes in interhemispheric functional connectivity (IFC) after a moderate TBI to the unilateral sensorimotor cortex in rats (n = 9) up to 14 days. Independent component analysis of the rsfMRI data was performed. Correlations of rsfMRI sensorimotor networks were made with changes in behavioral scores, lesion volume, and T2- and diffusion-weighted images across time. TBI animals showed less localized rsfMRI patterns in the sensorimotor network compared to sham (n = 6) and normal (n = 5) animals. rsfMRI clusters in the sensorimotor network showed less bilateral symmetry compared to sham and normal animals, indicative of IFC disruption. With time after injury, many of the rsfMRI patterns in the sensorimotor network showed more bilateral symmetry, indicative of IFC recovery. The disrupted IFC in the sensorimotor and subsequent partial recovery showed a positive correlation with changes in behavioral scores. Overall, rsfMRI detected widespread disruption and subsequent recovery of IFC within the sensorimotor networks post-TBI, which correlated with behavioral changes. Therefore, rsfMRI offers the means to probe functional brain reorganization and thus has the potential to serve as an imaging marker to longitudinally stage TBI and monitor for novel treatments.

Post transition metal chalcohalides are an emerging class of semiconductor materials for optoelectronic applications. Within this class, bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) is of particular interest due to its high environmental stability, low toxicity, and defect tolerance considered typical of ‘ns2’ materials. Here we fabricate BiOI thin films using a solution-processed method that affords pin-hole free highly pure films without any residual carbon or other contaminant species. Based on these films, solution processed all-inorganic solar cells with an architecture ITO/NiO x /BiOI/ZnO/Al are fabricated for the first time. Additional device improvements are realised by templating BiOI thin film growth to attain efficiencies that rival some of the best vacuum deposited devices. The BiOI thin films and devices outlined here are an excellent platform for the further development of solution processed bismuth chalcohalide optoelectronic devices.

Certain migrant groups have been identified as being at increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder, but there is limited research on the outcomes for migrants who develop a first episode of psychosis (FEP). We investigated symptomatic outcomes (remission and relapse rates), functional outcomes (occupational status and relationships) and service utilization (hospital admission and engagement). Young people, aged between 15 and 24, who presented with FEP to the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) at Orygen between 01.01.11 and 31.12.16 were included. Place of birth was recorded at the time of presentation. To determine remission, symptoms were scored at three-month intervals using the short-form Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms. A total of 1220 young people presented with FEP over the six-year period (mean age = 19.6 ± 2.8). Of these, 58.1% were male and 24.0% were first-generation migrants. While there was no difference in overall rates of admission after presentation, migrants were more likely to have an involuntary admission after presentation (31.4% vs. 24.6%, aHR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.19, 2.01]) and this risk was greatest for African migrants (HR = 1.98, 95% C.I. [1.37, 2.86]. The rates of remission and relapse were similar in migrants and those born in Australia and there was no difference in functional outcomes, such as employment rates at follow-up. The outcomes for migrants who experience FEP appear to be largely similar to those for the Australian-born population. Our finding that a greater rate of involuntary admission for migrants at presentation supports existing literature and needs further exploration to improve clinical care.

Aim Phenomena within the psychosis continuum that varies in frequency/duration/intensity have been increasingly identified. Different terms describe these phenomena, however there is no standardization within the terminology. This review evaluated the definitions and assessment tools of seven terms - (i) 'psychotic experiences'; (ii) 'psychotic-like experiences'; (iii) 'psychotic-like symptoms'; (iv) 'attenuated psychotic symptoms'; (v) 'prodromal psychotic symptoms'; (vi) 'psychotic symptomatology'; and (vii) 'psychotic symptoms'. Methods EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched during February-March 2019. Inclusion criteria included 1989-2019, full text, human, and English. Papers with no explicit definition or assessment tool, duplicates, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or no access were excluded. Results A total of 2238 papers were identified and of these, 627 were included. Definitions and assessment tools varied, but some trends were found. Psychotic experiences and psychotic-like experiences were transient and mild, found in the general population and those at-risk. Psychotic-like symptoms were subthreshold and among at-risk populations and non-psychotic mental disorders. Attenuated psychotic symptoms were subthreshold but associated with distress, risk, and help-seeking. Prodromal psychotic symptoms referred to the prodrome of psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptomatology included delusions and hallucinations within psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptoms was the broadest term, encompassing a range of populations but most commonly involving hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and disorganization. Discussion A model for conceptualizing the required terms is proposed and future directions needed to advance this field of research are discussed.

We have recently reported the synthesis and application of boron-nitrogen dihydroindeno[1,2-b]fluorene derivatives as acceptors in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Their modest observed efficiencies may be related to the properties of their reduced congeners. In this work, we report two new members of this family of compounds prepared via the electrophilic borylation of 2,5-di-p-tolylpyrazine followed by an arylation of the boron centre with ZnAr2 reagents. Two derivatives, 1 (Ar = 2,4,6-F3C6H2) and 2 (Ar = C6F5) were synthesized, and their radical anions, 1•− and 2•−, were formed via chemical reductions with CoCp*2 and CoCp2, respectively. Through comparison of structural parameters, as well as spectroscopic and computational data, the unpaired electron in the radical anions is localized in the planar core of the molecule, and dimerization is disfavored as a result. However, unlike the neutral starting materials, 1•− and 2•− are reactive towards ambient atmosphere. These observations suggest that the reduced compounds are stable towards intrinsic degradation pathways but subject to extrinsic degradation in device operation.

Recent evidence identifies a potent role for aerobic exercise to modulate the activity of hypothalamic neurons related to appetite; however, these studies have been primarily performed in male rodents. Since females have markedly different neuronal mechanisms regulating food intake, the current study aimed to determine the effects of acute treadmill exercise on hypothalamic neuron populations involved in regulating appetite in female mice. Mature, untrained female mice were exposed to acute sedentary, low- (10 m/min), moderate- (14 m/min), and high (18 m/min)-intensity treadmill exercise in a randomized crossover design. Mice were fasted 10 h before exercise, and food intake was monitored for 48 h after bouts. Immunohistochemical detection of cFOS was performed 3 h post-exercise to determine the changes in hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and SIM1-expressing neuron activity concurrent with the changes in food intake. Additionally, stains for pSTAT3tyr705 and pERKthr202/tyr204 were performed to detect exercise-mediated changes in intracellular signaling. Briefly, moderate- and high-intensity exercises increased 24-h food intake by 5.9 and 19%, respectively, while low-intensity exercise had no effects. Furthermore, increases in NPY/AgRPARC, SIM1PVN, and TH neuron activity were observed 3 h after high-intensity exercise, with no effects on POMCARC neurons. While no effects of exercise on pERKthr202/tyr204 were observed, pSTAT3tyr705 was elevated specifically in NPY/AgRP neurons 3 h post-exercise. Overall, aerobic exercise increased the activity of several appetite-stimulating neuron populations in the hypothalamus of female mice, which may provide insight into previously reported sexual dimorphisms in post-exercise feeding.

Introduction Cinnamaldehyde (CA) elicits itch sensation in humans. We investigated if CA elicits scratching behavior in mice and determined the roles for TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPV4. Materials and methods Scratching behavior elicited by intradermal injection of CA was assessed in wildtype (WT) mice and knockout (KO) mice lacking TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPV4, or deficient in mast cells. We also assessed scratching and wet dog shakes elicited by low-threshold mechanical stimulation of skin treated topically with CA or vehicle. Using calcium imaging we tested if CA activates dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of each genotype. Results Intradermal cheek injection of CA elicited dose-dependent hindlimb scratch bouts, with fewer forelimb wipes and facial groom bouts that were not dose-dependent. CA elicited significantly fewer scratch bouts in TRPV1 and TRPV4 KO mice, but not TRPA1KOs, compared with WTs. There were no sex differences across genotypes. The histamine H1 antagonist cetirizine did not affect CA-evoked scratching, which was normal in mast cell deficient mice, indicating lack of histamine involvement. Scores for alloknesis were significantly greater following topical application of CA compared with vehicle. Post-CA alloknesis scores were significantly higher in TRPV4KOs of both sexes and in female TRPV1 and TRPA1KOs, compared with WTs. Low threshold mechanical stimuli also elicited significantly more wet dog shakes in mice treated topically with 20% CA, with significantly fewer in TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPV4KOs compared with WTs. In calcium imaging studies, CA excited 24% of WT DRG cells, significantly fewer (11.5%) in cells from TRPV4KOs, and none in TRPA1KOs. Responses of cells of all genotypes exhibited significant sensitization to repeated CA stimulation. Sensitization was significantly enhanced by IL-4, which itself excited 16% of WT DRG cells and none from TRPA1KOs. Discussion The results indicate that TRPA1 is dispensable for CA-evoked scratching, which depends partly on TRPV1 and TRPV4.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic disability. It is a progressive disease, involving pathological changes to the entire joint, resulting in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of mobility. There is currently no disease-modifying pharmaceutical treatment for OA, and the treatments that do exist suffer from significant side effects. An increasing understanding of the molecular pathways involved in OA is leading to many potential drug targets. However, both current and new therapies can benefit from a targeted approach that delivers drugs selectively to joints at therapeutic concentrations, while limiting systemic exposure to the drugs. Delivery systems including hydrogels, liposomes, and various types of particles have been explored for intra-articular drug delivery. This review will describe progress over the past several years in the development of polymer-based particles for OA treatment, as well as their in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evaluation. Systems based on biopolymers such as polysaccharides and polypeptides, as well as synthetic polyesters, poly(ester amide)s, thermoresponsive polymers, poly(vinyl alcohol), amphiphilic polymers, and dendrimers will be described. We will discuss the role of particle size, biodegradability, and mechanical properties in the behavior of the particles in the joint, and the challenges to be addressed in future research.

BackgroundThe large volume and suboptimal image quality of portable chest X-rays (CXRs) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could post significant challenges for radiologists and frontline physicians. Deep-learning artificial intelligent (AI) methods have the potential to help improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy for reading portable CXRs.PurposeThe study aimed at developing an AI imaging analysis tool to classify COVID-19 lung infection based on portable CXRs.Materials and methodsPublic datasets of COVID-19 (N = 130), bacterial pneumonia (N = 145), non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia (N = 145), and normal (N = 138) CXRs were analyzed. Texture and morphological features were extracted. Five supervised machine-learning AI algorithms were used to classify COVID-19 from other conditions. Two-class and multi-class classification were performed. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired two-tailedttests with unequal variance between groups. Performance of classification models used the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsFor the two-class classification, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 100%, 100%, and 100% for COVID-19 vs normal; 96.34%, 95.35% and 97.44% for COVID-19 vs bacterial pneumonia; and 97.56%, 97.44% and 97.67% for COVID-19 vs non-COVID-19 viral pneumonia. For the multi-class classification, the combined accuracy and AUC were 79.52% and 0.87, respectively.ConclusionAI classification of texture and morphological features of portable CXRs accurately distinguishes COVID-19 lung infection in patients in multi-class datasets. Deep-learning methods have the potential to improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy for portable CXRs.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and are increasingly affecting younger populations, particularly African Americans in the southern United States. Access to preventive and therapeutic services, biological factors, and social determinants of health (ie, structural racism, resource limitation, residential segregation, and discriminatory practices) all combine to exacerbate health inequities and their resultant disparities in morbidity and mortality. These factors manifest early in life and have been shown to impact health trajectories into adulthood. Early detection of and intervention in emerging risk offers the best hope for preventing race-based differences in adult diseases. However, young-adult populations are notoriously difficult to recruit and retain, often because of a lack of knowledge of personal risk and a low level of concern for long-term health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a system design for the MOYO mobile platform. Further, we seek to addresses the challenge of primordial prevention in a young, at-risk population (ie, Southern-urban African Americans). METHODS Urban African Americans, aged 18 to 29 years (n=505), participated in a series of co-design sessions to develop MOYO prototypes (ie, HealthTech Events). During the sessions, participants were orientated to the issues of CVD risk health disparities and then tasked with wireframing prototype screens depicting app features that they considered desirable. All 297 prototype screens were subsequently analyzed using NVivo 12 (QSR International), a qualitative analysis software. Using the grounded theory approach, an open-coding method was applied to a subset of data, approximately 20% (5/25), or 5 complete prototypes, to identify the dominant themes among the prototypes. To ensure intercoder reliability, 2 research team members analyzed the same subset of data. RESULTS Overall, 9 dominant design requirements emerged from the qualitative analysis: customization, incentive motivation, social engagement, awareness, education, or recommendations, behavior tracking, location services, access to health professionals, data user agreements, and health assessment. This led to the development of a cross-platform app through an agile design process to collect standardized health surveys, narratives, geolocated pollution, weather, food desert exposure data, physical activity, social networks, and physiology through point-of-care devices. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant cloud infrastructure was developed to collect, process, and review data, as well as generate alerts to allow automated signal processing and machine learning on the data to produce critical alerts. Integration with wearables and electronic health records via fast health care interoperability resources was implemented. CONCLUSIONS The MOYO mobile platform provides a comprehensive health and exposure monitoring system that allows for a broad range of compliance, from passive background monitoring to active self-reporting. These study findings support the notion that African Americans should be meaningfully involved in designing technologies that are developed to improve CVD outcomes in African American communities.

Introduction. This is a case report of an isolated vastus lateralis rupture identified by MRI and treated successfully with surgical repair. Case Presentation. A 50-year-old male recreational weightlifter who sustained an isolated vastus lateralis rupture while dead lifting and underwent surgical repair using a suture anchor fixation. Conclusion. An isolated vastus lateralis rupture is a rare injury that may be successfully treated with surgical repair allowing return to preinjury activities.

Certain migrant groups have been identified as being at increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder, but there is limited research on the outcomes for migrants who develop a first episode of psychosis (FEP). We investigated symptomatic outcomes (remission and relapse rates), functional outcomes (occupational status and relationships) and service utilization (hospital admission and engagement).Young people, aged between 15 and 24, who presented with FEP to the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) at Orygen between 01.01.11 and 31.12.16 were included. Place of birth was recorded at the time of presentation. To determine remission, symptoms were scored at three-month intervals using the short-form Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms.A total of 1220 young people presented with FEP over the six-year period (mean age = 19.6 ± 2.8). Of these, 58.1% were male and 24.0% were first-generation migrants. While there was no difference in overall rates of admission after presentation, migrants were more likely to have an involuntary admission after presentation (31.4% vs. 24.6%, aHR = 1.54, 95% CI [1.19, 2.01]) and this risk was greatest for African migrants (HR = 1.98, 95% C.I. [1.37, 2.86]. The rates of remission and relapse were similar in migrants and those born in Australia and there was no difference in functional outcomes, such as employment rates at follow-up.The outcomes for migrants who experience FEP appear to be largely similar to those for the Australian-born population. Our finding that a greater rate of involuntary admission for migrants at presentation supports existing literature and needs further exploration to improve clinical care.

Although women remain underrepresented in U.S. elective office, female candidates have experienced similar or greater electoral success compared to their male counterparts. Research suggests both selection effects (the uniquely strong characteristics and qualifications of women who run for office) and selective candidacy (the decisions to run or not run for office based on the electoral context) contribute to this phenomenon. I leverage a large data set of candidate characteristics and electoral outcomes in state supreme court elections spanning 1990-2012 to clarify the causal mechanisms behind the electoral success of female candidates. I find that the success of female candidates in state supreme court elections is driven by the most capable women selectively running for open seats. I conclude that this phenomenon may be reflective of a broader gender gap in political ambition, with implications for tactics to improve gender representation in politics.

As the senior population in the United States increases, the aging LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) population should also see comparable growth rates. Health care providers and social se...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present proposed solutions and interventions to some of the major barriers to providing adequate access to healthcare in Kenya. Specific business models are proposed to improve access to quality healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Finally, strategies are developed for the retail clinic concept (RCC). Design/methodology/approach Google Scholar, PubMed and EBSCOhost were among the databases used to collect articles relevant to the purpose in Kenya. Various governmental and news articles were collected from Google searches. Relevant business models from other sectors were considered for potential application to healthcare and the retail clinic concept. Findings After a review of current methodologies and approaches to business and franchising models in various settings, the most relevant models are proposed as solutions to improving quality healthcare in Kenya through the RCC. For example, authors reviewed physician recruitment strategies, insurance plans and community engagement. The paper is informed by existing literature and reports as well as key informants. Research limitations/implications This paper lacks primary data collection within Kenya and is limited to a brief scoping review of literature. The findings provide effective strategies for various business and franchising models in healthcare. Originality/value The assembling of relevant information specific to Kenya and potential business models provides effective means of improving health delivery through business and franchising, focusing on innovative approaches and models that have proven effective in other settings.

Here we report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum managed with immunosuppressive therapy. A 55-year-old woman presented with a one week history of several painful nodules on her hands and face that appeared abruptly. She reported similar lesions in the past that resolved without treatment. Her medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis for which she was not undergoing treatment due to cost. Physical exam revealed large, ulcerated nodules on the left fifth finger, right fourth finger and left cheek near nostril. Given the negative cultures, and histopathology consistent with the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum, the patient was started on intravenous methylprednisolone. Within five days, the size, depth and associated pain of the ulcers had significantly improved. Therapy was changed to oral prednisone and patient continued to improve after 1 week. Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon cutaneous ulcerative disease that is generally managed with immunosuppressive therapy. Topical corticosteroids may be sufficient to treat mild and local disease while systemic steroids are considered first line therapy for severe and more extensive disease. This case highlights the rapid improvement that can be achieved with systemic immunosuppressive.

Piezoelectric fans have attracted attentions in the past decades because of their low energy consumption, low noise level, light weight and reliability. A novel form of piezoelectric flapping fan is characterized experimentally and numerically. An experimental setup was built to measure the pressure and flow rate of piezoelectric fans with low static pressure at various frequencies. The fan performance curve was established. A high speed camera system was used to analyze the oscillation motion of the fan wings. The displacement of the leading edge and trailing edge of the piezoelectric fan wings are used as inputs to describe the deflection of the fan in the numerical model. The flow field obtained from the model is analyzed. The vortex shedding is observed and discussed. The pressure and flow rate obtained from the 2D numerical model are compared with the experimental results. The results provide a fundamental understanding of a piezoelectric fan with opposing oscillating wings.

This paper presents a novel piezoelectric flapping fan. The fan includes a bio-inspired thin wing attached to piezoelectric bending actuator supported through two connecting members. When activated by an AC signal, the piezoelectric actuator deflects up and down, inducing the wings to oscillate around their neutral position, generating a net air flow. The performance of the fan was characterized experimentally using a custom flow measurement system based on pressure difference and a high-speed camera. The cooling capability of the fan was also demonstrated with a fan-heatsink setup. The experimental results show this fan is capable of generating significant flow rate, thus making it a promising candidate for electronics cooling.

This chapter maps the landscape of health sciences librarian outreach to LGBTQ+ people. The authors develop this theme through case studies of health science librarians providing health information to the LGBTQ+ community and healthcare professionals. Following an overview of advocacy for LGBTQ+ health by the US National Network of Libraries of Medicine and professional information organizations, they conclude the chapter by discussing the “pioneering” nature of these projects and the common threads uniting them, and by identifying the next steps for continued successful outreach through the development of an evidence base and tailoring of outreach and resources to address other demographic aspects of the members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The existence of an implicit living microscopic world, composed primarily of bacteria, has been known for centuries. The exact mechanisms that govern the contribution of bacteria to human health and disease have only recently become the subject of intense research efforts. Within this very evident shift in paradigms, the rational design of probiotic formulations has led to the creation of an industry that seeks to progress the engineering of probiotic bacteria that produce metabolites that may enhance human host health and prevent disease. The promotion of probiotics is often made in the absence of quality scientific and clinically plausible data. The latest incursions into the probiotic market of claims have posited the amelioration of oxidative stress via potent antioxidant attributes or limiting the administration of probiotics to those species that do not produce D-Lactic acid (i.e., claims that D-Lactic acid acidosis is linked to chronic health conditions) or are strain-specific (shaping an industry point of difference) for appraising a therapeutic effect. Evidence-based research should guide clinical practice, as there is no place in science and medicine that supports unsubstantiated claims. Extravagant industry based notions continue to fuel the imprimatur of distrust and skepticism that is leveled by scientists and clinicians at an industry that is already rife with scientific and medical distrust and questionable views on probiotics. Ignoring scientifically discordant data, when sorting through research innovations and false leads relevant to the actions of probiotics, drives researcher discomfit and keeps the bar low, impeding the progress of knowledge. Biologically plausible posits are obligatory in any research effort; companies formulating probiotics often exhibit a lack of analytical understanding that then fuels questionable investigations failing to build on research capacity.

We monitored the effect of different gel aging temperatures (from −20 to 40 °C) and gel aging times (from 7 to 21 days) on the particle size and crystalline structure of template-free Linde type A zeolites through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate the synthesis of zeolite LTA with average particle sizes of 0.45 ± 0.07 μm by preliminary heat treatment of the precursor gel at −8 °C followed by crystallization at 100 °C. Here, we found that aging the precursor gels for 2 weeks at 40 °C decreases the size of particles by 59% compared with particles formed from unaged gels, and aging gels for 2 weeks at −8 °C results in particles that have a 95% smaller diameter compared with particles formed from the unaged gel. We hypothesize that decreasing the precursor aging temperature below 0 °C leads to the occurrence of spinodal decomposition at which the nucleation barrier vanishes. Consequently, a very large number of nuclei form...

Clinical Practice Guidelines are succinct evidence-based recommendations and in psychiatry, exist to advise on psychotropic prescribing to effectively treat mental health conditions whilst minimising medication adverse effects. Implementation of psychiatric guidelines have, in the past, demonstrated little and transient impact on clinical practice. How effective prescribing guidelines are in aligning practice with evidence currently is unknown and this systematic review aimed to investigate said efficacy. Literature searches were performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL up to September 2019 and articles were selected by two reviewers independently with discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. The review identified 18 eligible articles pertaining to the following conditions: depressive disorders, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar affective disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, and opiate addiction with depression guidelines being the most frequently evaluated. Seven studies revealed guidelines effected no change in psychotropic prescribing. The remaining studies illustrated that even when practice was changed, the effect was generally small, emphasising the need to change guideline development and implementation, taking into account obstacles or opportunities specific to psychotropic pharmacotherapy.