Janitorial services are an essential part to keep workplaces functional. Janitors consider the job labor intensive, and that workload is increasing in recent years. The most impacted body parts are ...hand/wrist, shoulder, and back in this population. This paper reports a compendium of physical ergonomics exposure assessment using three observational methods. The composite Strain Index (COSI) for hand/wrist, Manual Task Risk Assessment (ManTRA) for shoulder, and Recommended Cumulative Recovery Allowance (RCRA) for shoulder and back, were chosen for their capability to capture the complex and dynamic nature of all tasks performed in a janitorial job. Forty-six unique cleaning task-location-tool combinations received assessments, and the risk scores from the three methods are compiled into a compendium. This information can help practitioners to estimate the risk for a job, or designers to plan jobs for a team of janitors so the risks can be mitigated with careful task assignments.
•This paper presents a compendium of physical ergonomics exposure assessment.•Three observational methods were used: Composite Strain Index, ManTRA, and RCRA.•Hand-wrist, shoulder, and back risks were assessed for 46 common cleaning task-location-tool combinations.•Assessments results for 11 tasks, 17 locations, and 16 tools are also documented.
This work presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a novel two-dimensional (2D) all-optical and polarization-independent tunable guided-mode resonance filter. This filter is composed ...of a 2D sub-wavelength photonic crystal nanostructure with a dye-doped liquid crystal layer in a doped-nanoparticle-induced homeotropic alignment. Experimental results show that the resonant wavelength of the filer can be all-optically and polarization-independently tuned for red- and blue-shifting if the cell is illuminated successively by UV and green beams. The all-optical and polarization-independent tunability of the filter is attributed to the phase transition between homeotropic ( H ) and isotropic ( I ) state, resulting in variations in the LC refractive index between the ordinary index ( n o ) and refractive index in I state ( n i ) via either UV-beam-induced trans-cis or green-beam-induced cis-trans back isomerization. In addition, the optically tunable cycle of the filter is repeatable for many times without significant decay or damage. This filter has potential applications, such as optical filters in signal processing, optical switches in communications technology, and optical sensors.
Surface condition plays an important role in the optical performance of semiconductor materials. As new types of semiconductors, the emerging metal-halide perovskites are promising for ...next-generation optoelectronic devices. We discover significantly improved light-emission efficiencies in lead halide perovskites due to surface oxygen passivation. The enhancement manifests close to 3 orders of magnitude as the perovskite dimensions decrease to the nanoscale, improving external quantum efficiencies from <0.02% to over 12%. Along with about a 4-fold increase in spontaneous carrier recombination lifetimes, we show that oxygen exposure enhances light emission by reducing the nonradiative recombination channel. Supported by X-ray surface characterization and theoretical modeling, we propose that excess lead atoms on the perovskite surface create deep-level trap states that can be passivated by oxygen adsorption.
Vascular injury is a very rare complication following arthroscopic knee surgery. This is the first report of pseudoaneurysm at the saphenous branch of the descending genicular artery complicating ...semitendinosus tendon harvest in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
A 19-year-old male had developed large ecchymosis, focal swelling and tenderness around his posteromedial knee after an arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Compartment syndrome of the lower leg and deep vein thrombosis were ruled out. A pseudoaneurysm formation was confirmed through an angiography and coil embolization was performed. At one year follow up, the patient reported improved functional outcome with good stability of the knee. However, mild paresthesia over the posteromedial calf was noted due to the compression injury of the saphenous nerve by the hematoma.
The pseudoaneurysm was presumed to result from accidental vascular injury while dissecting the accessory bands of the semitendinosus and was successfully treated by coil embolization. Care must be taken to section the expansions of the hamstring tendon, especially when the patient presents with underlying coagulopathy or vascular disease.
Aims and Objectives
To test how the three components of professional commitment (i.e. affective, continuance and normative professional commitment) are associated with nurse‐reported patient‐centred ...care and care quality.
Background
Patient‐centred care and care quality are the two critical care outcomes. However, no study has yet examined how the three components of professional commitment are related to nurse‐reported patient‐centred care and care quality, showing a research gap.
Design
This study adopted a two‐wave design (first wave in 2017 and second wave in 2019), which is known to reduce the possibility of reverse causality, and which was conducted in a large hospital in Northern Taiwan.
Methods
Proportionate random sampling was used. Full‐time nurses were surveyed, while nursing students, interns, nurse practitioners and nursing supervisors were excluded. The first wave included 524 nurses, and 438 nurses were retained in the second wave. We used confirmatory factor analysis to verify the psychometric properties of the measures. Structural equation modelling was used to implement hypothesis testing. We used the Professional Commitment Scale of Meyer et al. (Journal of Applied Psychology, 1993, 78, 538), the Patient‐Centered Care Scale of Laird‐Fick et al. (Patient Education and Counseling, 2011, 84, 90) and the Care Quality Perceptions Scale of Teng et al. (Journal of Nursing Management, 2010, 18, 275). The STROBE statement was chosen as the EQUATOR checklist.
Results
Affective professional commitment was positively associated with nurse‐reported patient‐centred care (β = .18, p = .002 and .01), which was positively associated with nurse‐reported care quality (β = .85, p < .001). Affective and normative professional commitment were also positively associated with nurse‐reported care quality (β = .17, p < .001).
Conclusions
Our findings offer insights for nursing managers that nurses’ affective and normative professional commitment could help upgrade care outcomes. Hospital managers should consider professional commitment as relevant to their workforce.
Relevance to clinical practice
Nursing managers could publicise reports documenting nurses’ significant contributions to public health. This could strengthen affective professional commitment among nurses.
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•A portable nanocluster-modified paper analytical device integrated with a syringe for highly sensitive Hg2+ detection.•The CMC-EDC/NHS method attaches AuNCs to the substrate, ...preventing the AuNCs from leaching.•This platform accumulates the signal of Hg2+ by flowing with increased solution volume.•The platform can complete the detection of Hg2+ ions within 30 min, with a detection limit as low as 1.2 nM.
To minimize the need for complex testing procedures, sophisticated instrumentation, and electricity for on-site testing, we demonstrate a simple and portable gold nanocluster (AuNC)-modified paper analytical device integrated with syringe-driven fluid flow to enable highly sensitive mercury ion (Hg2+) detection for environmental monitoring. The device is composed of a paper substrate modified with fluorescent AuNCs (AuNC-paper), which is held within a reusable cartridge connected to a syringe, thus allowing users to flow a large volume of the sample solution through the paper test for greater accumulation of the analyte signal. The metallophilic d10-d10 interaction of Hg2+ with Au+ on the surface of the AuNC-paper induces fluorescence quenching, which can be monitored using a smartphone. Importantly, the red-emitting AuNCs avoid interference with the background fluorescence of the paper substrate. Additionally, the AuNCs are strongly-attached to the paper substrate via carbodiimide coupling, which helps prevent the AuNCs from leaching and enables a large amount of solution to interact with the test (up to 2.5 mL) to increase the amount of the target ions that react with the AuNC-paper. As a result, without the need for preconcentrating the test solution, this paper device can provide the highly sensitive detection of Hg2+ ions, including a 26-fold higher sensitivity than the AuNC-modified test paper without a fluidic cartridge, at a low level of down to nM. The paper platform can complete the detection of Hg2+ ions within 30 min, with a detection limit as low as 1.2 nM, which is less than the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory limit for drinking water. This highly sensitive, selective, portable, and easy-to-operate platform may be valuable for on-site mercury pollution monitoring in resource-constrained settings.
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•Six MnO2 with different crystal forms are compared for HMF conversion to DFF.•Effects of temperature, reaction time, catalyst dosage, and PO2 are investigated.•β-MnO2 can produce ...much higher DFF per surface area than other MnO2 crystals.•β-MnO2 achieves the highest CHMF = 99% and YDFF = 97%, higher the reported values.•β-MnO2 exhibits YDFF > 90% over 5 cycles and maintained its crystalline structure.
Aerobic oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-Diformylfuran (DFF) using O2 gas represents a sustainable approach for valorization of lignocellulosic compounds. As manganese dioxide (MnO2) is validated as a useful oxidation catalyst and many crystalline forms of MnO2 exist, it is critical to explore how the crystalline structures of MnO2 influence their physical/chemical properties, which, in turn, determine catalytic activities of MnO2 crystals for HMF oxidation to DFF. In particular, six MnO2 crystals, α-MnO2, β-MnO2, γ-MnO2, δ-MnO2, ε-MnO2, and λ-MnO2 are prepared and investigated for their catalytic activities for HMF oxidation to DFF. With different morphologies and crystalline structures, these MnO2 crystals possess very distinct surficial chemistry, redox capabilities, and textural properties, making these MnO2 exhibit different catalytic activities towards HMF conversion. Especially, β-MnO2 can produce much higher DFF per surface area than other MnO2 crystals. β-MnO2 could achieve the highest CHMF = 99% and YDFF = 97%, which are much higher than the reported values in literature, possibly because the surficial reactivity of β-MnO2 appears to be highest in comparison to other MnO2 crystals. Especially, β-MnO2 could exhibit YDFF > 90% over 5 cycles of reusability test, and maintain its crystalline structure, revealing its advantageous feature for aerobic oxidation of HMF to DFF. Through this study, the relationship between morphology, surface chemistry, and catalytic activity of MnO2 with different crystal forms is elucidated for providing scientific insights into design, application and development of MnO2-based materials for aerobic oxidation of bio-derived molecules to value-added products.
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Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) represent a promising class of metallic catalysts for reduction of nitrogen-containing contaminants (NCCs), such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Nevertheless, ...most researches involving MOFs for 4-NP reduction employ noble metals in the form of fine powders, making these powdered noble metal-based MOFs impractical and inconvenient for realistic applications. Thus, it would be critical to develop non-noble-metal MOFs which can be incorporated into macroscale and porous supports for convenient applications. Herein, the present study proposes to develop a composite material which combines advantageous features of macroscale/porous supports, and nanoscale functionality of MOFs. In particular, copper foam (CF) is selected as a macroscale porous medium, which is covered by nanoflower-structured CoO to increase surfaces for growing a cobaltic MOF, ZIF-67. The resultant composite comprises of CF covered by CoO nanoflowers decorated with ZIF-67 to form a hierarchical 3D-structured catalyst, enabling this ZIF-67@Cu foam (ZIF@CF) a promising catalyst for reducing 4-NP, and other NCCs. Thus, ZIF@CF can readily reduce 4-NP to 4-AP with a significantly lower Ea of 20 kJ/mol than reported values. ZIF@CF could be reused over 10 cycles and remain highly effective for 4-NP reduction. ZIF@CF also efficiently reduces other NCCs, such as 2-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, methylene blue, and methyl orange. ZIF@CF can be adopted as catalytic filters to enable filtration-type reduction of NCCs by passing NCC solutions through ZIF@CF to promptly and conveniently reduce NCCs. The versatile and advantageous catalytic activity of ZIF@CF validates that ZIF@CF is a promising and practical heterogeneous catalyst for reductive treatments of NCCs.
Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer in the endocrine system, and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most prevalent type of thyroid cancer, accounting for 70 to 80% of all thyroid cancer ...cases. In clinical practice, visual inspection of cytopathological slides is an essential initial method used by the pathologist to diagnose PTC. Manual visual assessment of the whole slide images is difficult, time consuming, and subjective, with a high inter-observer variability, which can sometimes lead to suboptimal patient management due to false-positive and false-negative. In this study, we present a fully automatic, efficient, and fast deep learning framework for fast screening of papanicolaou-stained thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) and ThinPrep (TP) cytological slides. To the authors’ best of knowledge, this work is the first study to build an automated deep learning framework for identification of PTC from both FNA and TP slides. The proposed deep learning framework is evaluated on a dataset of 131 WSIs, and the results show that the proposed method achieves an accuracy of 99%, precision of 85%, recall of 94% and F1-score of 87% in segmentation of PTC in FNA slides and an accuracy of 99%, precision of 97%, recall of 98%, F1-score of 98%, and Jaccard-Index of 96% in TP slides. In addition, the proposed method significantly outperforms the two state-of-the-art deep learning methods, i.e., U-Net and SegNet, in terms of accuracy, recall, F1-score, and Jaccard-Index (p<0.001). Furthermore, for run-time analysis, the proposed fast screening method takes 0.4 min to process a WSI and is 7.8 times faster than U-Net and 9.1 times faster than SegNet, respectively.
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•Sandwich-like catalytic system (SCS) is created by combining HKUST-1 mesh/TEMPO@CC.•This SCS exhibits much higher conversion of VAL to VN under microwave irradiation.•SCS achieves ...100% of conversion, 100% of selectivity and 100% of yield of VN.•Conversion of VAL to VN by SCS surpasses almost all the reported values in literature.•SCS could be also reusable and continuously implemented for VAL conversion to VN.
Oxidation of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin represents a critical step towards sustainable valorization of lignocellulosic biomass. Although catalytic oxidation of vanillyl alcohol by Cu and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO) is promising for vanillyl alcohol oxidation, the traditional Cu/TEMPO adopts homogeneous Cu ions and TEMPO, which are difficult for recovery and reuse. In this study, a unique sandwich-like catalytic system (SCS), which comprises HKUST-1 mesh and TEMPO-grafted on carbon cloth, is developed as a heterogeneous catalyst for vanillyl alcohol oxidation. Through the electro-chemical technique, copper (Cu) mesh is used as a source of Cu to grow HKUST-1 directly, whereas carbon cloth is functionalized by TEMPO via covalent bonds. These resultant materials are then stacked to achieve layer-by-layer contacts between HKUST-1 and TEMPO, and enable flow-through reactions of VAL oxidation. Especially, such a SCS exhibits much higher conversion of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin under microwave irradiation than conventional oven heating. SCS could achieve 100% of conversion, 100% of selectivity and 100% of yield of vanillin at 120 °C for 60 min. This full conversion of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin surpasses almost all the reported values by other processes in literature, and SCS could be also reusable and continuously implemented for vanillyl alcohol conversion to vanillin. The used HKUST-1 mesh could retain crystalline structures of HKUST-1, whereas TEMPO is also preserved on TEMPO@CC, indicating that SCS would be a stable and reusable integrated catalyst for vanillyl alcohol oxidation to vanillin.
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