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Potassium hydroxide (KOH) aqueous solutions can effectively etch germanium. Etch rates were determined in an electrolytic etch cell. Electrically isolated Ge wafers were subject to an etch rate of 1.45 ± 0.07 nm min−1, increasing to 12.6 ± 0.2 nm min−1 when grounded, 97 ± 2 nm min−1 when biased at −0.9 V, and 138 ± 2 nm min−1 with periodic biasing. Results suggest that the previously reported limited etching in KOH is associated with the recombination of holes with electrons injected from the surface reaction. The results of this study demonstrate that changing the hole concentration through biasing is an effective tool to control electrolytic etch rates, enabling future selective etching processes for germanium.

Highlights Confirmation of 2-electron model for anodic dissolution of Ge in H2O2 Etching mechanism for Ge is significantly different compared to silicon Etch processing techniques cannot be transferred between silicon and germanium Addition of alcohol to H2O2 and agitation improves specularity and etch quality

This article presents the Psycho-Ecological Systems Model (PESM)--an integrative conceptual model rooted in General Systems Theory (GST). PESM was developed to inform and guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of transdisciplinary (and multilevel) community-engaged scholarship (e.g., a participatory community action research project undertaken by faculty that involves graduate and/or undergraduate students as service-learning research assistants). To set the stage, the first section critiques past conceptual models. Following a description of GST, the second section provides a comprehensive description of PESM, which represents an integration of three conceptual developments: the ecological systems model (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), the biopsychosocial model (Kiesler, 2000), and the principle of reciprocal determinism (Bandura, 1978). In the third section, we discuss implications of PESM for community-based research. A greater emphasis on the development of integrative conceptual frameworks may increase the likelihood that community-based research projects will: (a) address complex questions; (b) develop and implement efficacious (and sustainable) transdisciplinary (and multilevel) projects; (c) assess constructs at multiple levels using a blend of quantitative and qualitative approaches; and (d) utilize multiple research designs and methods to systematically examine hypotheses regarding a project's influence on outcome variables and process variables.

The editorial "The Responsibility to Protect at an Inflection Point" reflects on the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and its relevance in the face of ongoing mass atrocities globally. The article discusses debates surrounding the effectiveness of R2P, challenges to its implementation, and the need for deeper research into atrocity prevention and human rights violations. The editorial also highlights the journal's efforts to publish quality scholarship, promote inclusivity, support early career researchers, and facilitate conversations between scholars and practitioners. The incoming editorial team is expected to continue advancing innovative research on preventing and halting mass atrocities. [Extracted from the article]

Mammals receive light information through the eyes, which perform two major functions: image forming vision to see objects and non-image forming adaptation of physiology and behavior to light. Cone and rod photoreceptors form images and send the information via retinal ganglion cells to the brain for image reconstruction. In contrast, nonimage-forming photoresponses vary widely from adjustment of pupil diameter to adaptation of the circadian clock. nonimage-forming responses are mediated by retinal ganglion cells expressing the photopigment melanopsin. Melanopsin-expressing cells constitute 1-2% of retinal ganglion cells in the adult mammalian retina, are intrinsically photosensitive, and integrate photic information from rods and cones to control nonimage-forming adaptation. Action spectra of ipRGCs and of melanopsin photopigment peak around 480 nm blue light. Understanding melanopsin function lets us recognize considerable physiological effects of blue light, which is increasingly important in our modern society that uses light-emitting diode. Misalignment of circadian rhythmicity is observed in numerous conditions, including aging, and is thought to be involved in the development of age-related disorders, such as depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer. The appropriate regulation of circadian rhythmicity by proper lighting is therefore essential. This perspective introduces the potential risks of excessive blue light for human health through circadian rhythm disruption and sleep deprivation. Knowing the positive and negative aspects, this study claims the importance of being exposed to light at optimal times and intensities during the day, based on the concept of the circadian clock, ultimately to improve quality of life to have a healthy and longer life.

Recent scholarship has shown that legislators with deeper local roots and other preexisting place‐based attachments to their districts enjoy far‐reaching electoral advantages over their more "carpetbagging" colleagues. In this article, we consider how local roots, and its intersection with legislative polarization, influences legislative behavior, using a dataset of nearly 5,000 state legislators and novel measures of their local roots. We hypothesize that state legislators with deep local roots in their districts should be less ideologically polarized than their less‐rooted colleagues. This is precisely what we find. Using Shor‐McCarty ideology measures, we show that the most locally rooted legislators are 16% less ideologically extreme than their unrooted counterparts. These effects are comparable to or exceed those of district partisanship, chamber seniority, or other legislator characteristics. Collectively, these findings show that legislators' local roots not only affect their electoral fortunes, but also have major implications for legislative activity and party polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the contributions of police to the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in United Nations (UN) peace operations. Drawing on field research in four missions where police have had to implement PoC mandates in challenging and unprecedented ways, I identify lessons associated with emerging practice. The article contributes to debates about non-military forms of civilian protection arguing that police – at once uniformed and civilian, coercive but also community-oriented – offer unique contributions to PoC. It also highlights the need for a systematic evaluation of what works and what does not for protection through policing to be harnessed in future missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports empirical outcomes of an ongoing transdisciplinary participatory community action research project that implements behavioral activation in homeless shelters. The overall goal of this Project is twofold: (1) to improve psychosocial functioning of shelter residents and enhance their opportunities to overcome homelessness; and (2) to enhance civic development of service-learning students who assist in Project implementation. Two studies are reported, representing these goals. Study 1 found that residents of a men's shelter (n = 892), women's shelter (n = 433), and transitional housing (n = 40) perceived behavioral activation sessions as immediately beneficial (i.e., important, meaningful, worthy of repeating, and enjoyable), and over the course of shelter stay, they perceived behavioral activation as contributing to their hope, empowerment/self-sufficiency, quality of life, purpose/meaning in life, wellbeing, social support, shelter social climate, and relationships with staff. Quantitative findings are supported by qualitative data (comments by residents on forms). Study 2, which replicates and extends past research on civic-development in service-learning students, used a new quasi-experimental design to compare service-learning students (n = 41) in an interdisciplinary course on homelessness versus non-service-learning students (n = 16) in a psychology course. Service-learning students showed pre- to post-semester improvements in community service self-efficacy, decreases in stigmatizing attitudes, and increases in awareness of privilege and oppression, but students not engaged in service-learning did not show these civic-related changes. These quantitative results are supported by qualitative data (written reflections by students). Results and implications are discussed within the context of the concept of psychopolitical validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This monograph titled "How effective is policing in protecting civilians in peace operations? Lessons from the UN Mission in South Sudan" explores the effectiveness of policing in protecting civilians in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It examines the roles and structures of the UN Police in UNMISS, identifies challenges that affect their effectiveness, and provides recommendations to enhance their performance. The UN Police in UNMISS play a crucial role in protecting civilians through partnerships with local authorities and robust operations. However, they face challenges such as capacity limitations and coordination issues. The effectiveness of the UN Police is analyzed based on their capacity, inclusion of a gender perspective, and overall outcomes in protecting civilians. They engage with the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) and the community, monitor human rights violations, and provide physical protection to vulnerable groups. Challenges related to transparency, accountability, and their relationship with the SSNPS exist. The dynamic political and security environment in South Sudan affects the UN Police's effectiveness, and limited resources hinder their performance. Recommendations include security sector reform, improved coordination, and increased personnel. The text provides sources related to the conflict and peace efforts in South Sudan, including UN Security Council resolutions and reports from the Secretary-General. The importance of female police officers in building trust with vulnerable groups is highlighted. The study does not examine the impact of these findings on the UN Police's mandate. The recruitment process for UN Police involves various stages, and other reports assess the effectiveness of the UN Mission in South Sudan [Extracted from the article]