Central Compact Objects (CCOs) are a handful of sources located close to the geometrical center of young supernova remnants. They only show thermal-like, soft X-ray emission and have no counterparts ...at any other wavelength. While the first observed CCO turned out to be a very peculiar magnetar, discovery that three members of the family are weakly magnetised Isolated Neutron Stars (INSs) set the basis for an interpretation of the class. However, the phenomeology of CCOs and their relationship with other classes of INSs, possibly ruled by supernova fall-back accretion, are still far from being well understood.
Genome-wide association studies have implicated around 250 genomic regions in predisposition to type 2 diabetes, with evidence for causal variants and genes emerging for several of these regions. ...Understanding of the underlying mechanisms, including the interplay between β-cell failure, insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, and adipose storage has been facilitated by the integration of multidimensional data for diabetes-related intermediate phenotypes, detailed genomic annotations, functional experiments, and now multiomic molecular features. Studies in diverse ethnic groups and examples from population isolates have shown the value and need for a broad genomic approach to this global disease. Transethnic discovery efforts and large-scale biobanks in diverse populations and ancestries could help to address some of the Eurocentric bias. Despite rapid progress in the discovery of the highly polygenic architecture of type 2 diabetes, dominated by common alleles with small, cumulative effects on disease risk, these insights have been of little clinical use in terms of disease prediction or prevention, and have made only small contributions to subtype classification or stratified approaches to treatment. Successful development of academia–industry partnerships for exome or genome sequencing in large biobanks could help to deliver economies of scale, with implications for the future of genomics-focused research.
Biomimetic, lamellar, and highly porous transition-metal carbide (MXene) embedded cellulose nanofiber (CNF) aerogels are assembled by a facile bidirectional freeze-drying approach. The biopolymer ...aerogels have large-scale, parallel-oriented micrometer-sized pores and show excellent mechanical strength and flexibility, tunable electrical properties, and low densities (2.7–20 mg/cm3). The CNF, MXene, and lamellar pores are efficiently utilized to endow the aerogels with exceptionally high birefringence in the terahertz (THz) regime. Birefringence values as high as 0.09–0.27 at 0.4 THz are achieved, which is comparable to most commercial THz birefringent materials such as liquid crystals, which suffer from fast disintegration, high cost, and complicated preparation processes. Empirical modeling for different MXene contents and an experimental comparison with silver nanowire or carbon nanotube embedded CNF aerogels suggest that the intrinsic conductivity and content of embedded nanomaterials, the aerogel porosity, and the lamellar cell walls can affect the optical properties such as the THz birefringence and absorption. The determination of optical anisotropy in the biopolymer aerogels lays a foundation for further exploration of ultralight, freestanding, and low-cost biomimetic porous architecture-based THz devices.
Conventional manufacturing techniques allow the production of photoresponsive cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-based composites that can reversibly modify their optical, mechanical, or chemical ...properties upon light irradiation. However, such materials are often limited to 2D films or simple shapes and do not benefit from spatial tailoring of mechanical properties resulting from CNC alignment. Herein, we propose the direct ink writing (DIW) of 3D complex structures that combine CNC reinforcement effects with photoinduced responses. After grafting azobenzene photochromes onto the CNC surfaces, up to 15 wt % of modified nanoparticles can be introduced into a polyurethane acrylate matrix. The influence of CNC on rheological properties allows DIW of self-standing 3D structures presenting local shear-induced alignment of the active reinforcements. The printed composites, with longitudinal elastic modulus of 30 MPa, react to visible-light irradiation with 30–50% reversible softening and present a shape memory behavior. The phototunable energy absorption of 3D complex structures is demonstrated by harnessing both geometrical and photoresponsive effects, enabling dynamic mechanical responses to environmental stimuli. Functionalized CNC in 3D printable inks have the potential to allow the rapid prototyping of several devices with tailored mechanical properties, suitable for applications requiring dynamic responses to environmental changes.
3D printing technologies allow control over the alignment of building blocks in synthetic materials, but compositional changes often require complex multimaterial printing steps. Here, 3D printable ...materials showing locally tunable mechanical properties are produced in a single printing step of Direct Ink Writing. These new inks consist of a polymer matrix bearing biocompatible photoreactive cinnamate derivatives and up to 30 wt% of anisotropic cellulose nanocrystals. The printed materials are mechanically versatile and can undergo further crosslinking upon illumination. When illuminating the material and controlling the irradiation doses, the Young's moduli can be adjusted between 15 and 75 MPa. Moreover, spatially controlled illumination allows patterning stiff geometries, resulting in 3D printed structures with segments of different mechanical properties tailoring the mechanical behavior under compression. The high design freedom implemented by 3D printing and photopatternability opens the venue to rapid manufacturing of devices for applications such as prosthetics or soft robotics where the 3D shapes and mechanical properties must be tailored for personalized load cases.
Nanocellulose composite 3D structures, responsive to light, are produced by direct ink writing. Oriented anisotropic nanocellulose crystals combined with the formation of a photocured secondary crosslink network offer high design freedom to tailor the mechanical properties of printed structures. Thus, the developed materials can be adapted to very specific load requirements in several applications.
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the front lines against COVID-19 may face increased workload and stress. Understanding HCPs' risk for burnout is critical to supporting HCPs and maintaining the ...quality of healthcare during the pandemic.
To assess exposure, perceptions, workload, and possible burnout of HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic we conducted a cross-sectional survey. The main outcomes and measures were HCPs' self-assessment of burnout, indicated by a single item measure of emotional exhaustion, and other experiences and attitudes associated with working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 2,707 HCPs from 60 countries participated in this study. Fifty-one percent of HCPs reported burnout. Burnout was associated with work impacting household activities (RR = 1·57, 95% CI = 1·39-1·78, P<0·001), feeling pushed beyond training (RR = 1·32, 95% CI = 1·20-1·47, P<0·001), exposure to COVID-19 patients (RR = 1·18, 95% CI = 1·05-1·32, P = 0·005), and making life prioritizing decisions (RR = 1·16, 95% CI = 1·02-1·31, P = 0·03). Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was protective against burnout (RR = 0·88, 95% CI = 0·79-0·97, P = 0·01). Burnout was higher in high-income countries (HICs) compared to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (RR = 1·18; 95% CI = 1·02-1·36, P = 0·018).
Burnout is present at higher than previously reported rates among HCPs working during the COVID-19 pandemic and is related to high workload, job stress, and time pressure, and limited organizational support. Current and future burnout among HCPs could be mitigated by actions from healthcare institutions and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders aimed at potentially modifiable factors, including providing additional training, organizational support, and support for family, PPE, and mental health resources.
The present paper proposes an investigation on the application of Al2O3-water nanofluid within a PV/T panel in order to assess the potential to improve the performance of the device. The analysis has ...been carried out by developing a numerical model by means of the commercial software Comsol. Two dimensional nanofluids laminar convection flows for Re comprised between 250 and 1000, concentration between 0% and 6%, inlet temperatures of 293.15 K and 323 K and particles dimension of 20 and 40 nm have been simulated in an asymmetric heated channel. Under an imposed external heat flux of 1000 W on the top surface of the channel, the results show that nanofluids guarantee better cooling performances, in fact a decrease in top wall temperature of ∼3 K is observed for an inlet temperature of 293.15 K and a reduction of ∼5 K is observed for an inlet temperature of 323 K. Nusselt number and average heat transfer coefficient for nanofluids also increase in a range between 2% and 15%. On the contrary, a relevant increase of pressure drops is detected. The combined effect of heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop increase has been investigated by implementing an entropy generation analysis, which highlights that reduction of thermal entropy generation is more significant than the increase of frictional entropy generation.
•Al2O3-water nanofluid within an asymmetric heated channel has been considered.•The utilization of the nanofluid determines a decrease of the temperature on the top surface.•It is expected that the utilization of nanofluids will increase the performance of PV/T systems.•When nanofluid is considered, an increase of pressure drops is detected with respect to the base fluid.
Statistical analysis of the eigenfunctions of the Anderson tight-binding model with on-site disorder on regular random graphs strongly suggests that the extended states are multifractal at any finite ...disorder. The spectrum of fractal dimensions f(α) defined in Eq. (3) remains positive for α noticeably far from 1 even when the disorder is several times weaker than the one which leads to the Anderson localization; i.e., the ergodicity can be reached only in the absence of disorder. The one-particle multifractality on the Bethe lattice signals on a possible inapplicability of the equipartition law to a generic many-body quantum system as long as it remains isolated.
•Overall a small consumer WTP for farm animal welfare was identified.•Only 4 of the 54 studies established WTP for reduced production diseases.•Differences in WTP for welfare existed between animal ...type, regions and population.•Gaps in evidence for policy development were identified.•The results support the use multiple policy options for improving animal welfare.
The sustainable intensification of animal production systems is increasing as a consequence of increased demand for foods originating from animals. Production diseases are particularly endemic in intensive production systems, and can negatively impact upon farm animal welfare. There is an increasing need to develop policies regarding animal production diseases, sustainable intensification, and animal welfare which incorporate consumer priorities as well as technical assessments of farm animal welfare. Consumers and/or citizens may have concerns about intensive production systems, and whether animal production disease represent a barrier to consumer acceptance of their increased use. There is a considerable body of research focused on consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for improved animal welfare. It is not clear how this relates specifically to a preference for reduced animal production disease incidence in animal production systems. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to establish the publics’ WTP for farm animal welfare, with a focus on production diseases which arise in intensive systems. Systematic review methodology combined with data synthesis was applied to integrate existing knowledge regarding consumer WTP for animal welfare, and reduced incidence of animal production diseases. Multiple databases were searched to identify relevant studies. A screening process, using a set of pre-determined inclusion criteria, identified 54 studies, with the strength of evidence and uncertainty for each study being assessed. A random effects meta-analysis was used to explore heterogeneity in relation to a number of factors, with a cumulative meta-analysis conducted to establish changes in WTP over time. The results indicated a small, positive WTP (0.63 standard deviations) for farm animal welfare varying in relation to a number of factors including animal type and region. Socio-demographic characteristics explained the most variation in the data. An evidence gap was highlighted in relation to reduced WTP for specific production diseases associated with the intensification of production, with only 4 of the 54 studies identified being related to this. A combination of market and government based policy solutions appears to be the best solution for improving farm animal welfare standards in the future, enabling the diverse public preferences to be taken into consideration.
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