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domains walls (DWs) of head-to-head/tail-to-tail (H-H/T-T) type in ferroelectric (FE) materials are of immense interest for a comprehensive understanding of the FE attributes as well as ...harnessing them for new applications. Our first principles calculation suggests that such DW formation in hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) based FEs depends on the unique attributes of the HZO unit cell, such as polar-spacer segmentation. Cross pattern of the polar and spacer segments in two neighboring domains along the polarization direction (where polar segment of one domain aligns with the spacer segment of another) boosts the stability of such DWs. We further show that low density of oxygen vacancies at the metal-HZO interface and high work function of metal electrodes are conducive for T-T DW formation. On the other hand, high density of oxygen vacancy and low work function of metal electrode favor H-H DW formation. Polarization bound charges at the DW get screened when band bending from depolarization field accumulates holes (electrons) in T-T (H-H) DW. For a comprehensive understanding, we also investigate their FE nature and domain growth mechanism. Our analysis suggests that a minimum thickness criterion of domains has to be satisfied for the stability of H-H/T-T DW and switching of the domains through such DW formation.
The response to antipsychotic therapy is highly variable. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) factors play a major role in deciding the effectiveness and safety of antipsychotic drugs. A hybrid type 2 ...effectiveness-implementation research will be conducted to evaluate the clinical utility (safety and efficacy), cost-effectiveness, and facilitators and barriers in implementing PGx-assisted management compared to standard of care in patients with schizophrenia attending a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.
In part 1, a randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Adult patients with schizophrenia will be randomized (2: 1) to receive PGx-assisted treatment (drug and regimen selection depending on the results of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes DRD2, HTR1A, HTR2C, ABCB1, CYP2D6, CYP3A5, and CYP1A2) or the standard of care. Serum drug levels will be measured. The patients will be followed up for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint is the difference in the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side-Effect Rating Scale score between the two arms. In part 2, the cost-effectiveness of PGx-assisted treatment will be evaluated. In part 3, the facilitators and barriers to implementing PGx-assisted treatment for schizophrenia will be explored using a qualitative design.
The study findings will help in understanding whether PGx-assisted management has a clinical utility, whether it is cost-effective, and what are the facilitators and barriers to implementing it in the management of schizophrenia.
The study has been registered with the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI/2023/08/056210).
Abstract
To understand and harness the physical mechanisms of ferroelectric hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO)‐based devices, there is a need for clear understanding of domain interactions, their ...dynamics, negative capacitance effects, and other multidomain characteristics. These crucial attributes depend on the coupling between neighboring domains quantified by the gradient energy coefficient (
g
). Furthermore, HZO has unique orientation‐dependent lateral multidomain configurations. To develop an in‐depth understanding of multidomain effects, there is a need for a thorough analysis of
g
. In this work, the energetics of multidomain configurations and domain growth mechanism corresponding to lateral domain walls (DWs) of HZO are analyzed and gradient energy coefficients are quantified using first‐principles density functional theory calculations. These results indicate that one lateral direction exhibits the following characteristics: i) DW is ultra‐sharp and domain growth occurs unit‐cell‐by‐unit‐cell, ii) the value of
g
is negative and in the order of 10
−12
V m
3
C
−1
, and iii)
g
reduces (increases) with compressive (tensile) strain. In contrast, in the other lateral direction, the following attributes are observed: i) DW is gradual and domain growth occurs in quanta of half‐unit‐cell, ii)
g
is positive and in the order of 10
−10
V m
3
C
−1
, and iii)
g
increases (reduces) with compressive (tensile) strain.
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•Supercritical, ultrasound and microwave-assisted deasphalting were investigated for HFO.•Microwave-assisted solvent deasphalting lowers solvent use requirements.•Microwave causes a ...higher degree of resin solubilization and asphaltene aggregation in HFO.•Central composite design and artificial neural network models agree with experimental data.•Deasphalting reduces the viscosity of HFO along with a significant drop in S and N contents.
As petroleum recovery has progressed historically, the portion of heavier crudes and bottom of the barrel residues from the refining process has increased. These crudes are challenging to process, leaving vacuum residues with large fractions of ash and refractory sulfur due to high asphaltene content. Asphaltenes are known to form coke in catalytic upgraders and deactivate refining catalysts. Asphaltenes, which are present in significant amounts in heavy crudes, are the cause of reduction of combustion efficiency, clogging of refinery pipes, and particulate matter emissions. Asphaltenes can be removed from heavy crudes by solvent deasphalting. But the requirement of a high solvent to oil ratio limits its commercial viability. To lower the requirement of solvent, this study investigates deasphalting of heavy fuel oil (HFO) with n-heptane, n-hexane, and n-pentane by microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and supercritical solvent deasphalting methods. Among the different methods investigated, the microwave-assisted method was found to be more efficient and removed 88 and 80 wt% of asphaltenes from HFO with heptane and hexane, respectively. Microwave irradiation selectively heats asphaltenes in microwave transparent non-polar solvents and increases the degree of collision of asphaltenes for aggregation and thus precipitation. Besides, resins are readily solubilized by the solvent under microwave heating and thus they are unable to act as peptizing agents of asphaltenes. The optimization of process parameters such as solvent to HFO ratio, microwave power, and holding time was investigated for microwave-assisted deasphalting using Central Composite Design (CCD) and artificial neural network (ANN). The optimum removal of asphaltene was observed when the solvent to HFO ratio, microwave power, and holding time were kept at 3, 150 W, and 20 min, respectively. Deasphalting also significantly improved the quality of HFO by dropping the viscosity along with the sulfur and nitrogen contents of HFO. The outcomes of this study are significant for the petrochemical industry as potentially improved crude oil processing with lower solvent to HFO ratios can be achieved in a more effective, economical manner using microwave assistance.
HZO/ZrO 2 (HZZ) nanolaminates have attracted attention as a promising strategy for obtaining ultra-low equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) 1. HZZ nanolaminates have a structure of alternate thin layers ...of HZO and ZrO 2 with o- (ferroelectric or FE) and t-phase (anti-FE or AFE), respectively (Fig. 1a) 2. HZZ displays an intermediate polarization-voltage (P-V) characteristic of FE and AFE, referred to as a broken loop. Atomic-scale sub-lattice model of HZO attributes this effect to morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) formation (Fig. 1b) 3. However, the device-scale model with multi-phase co-existence is yet to be explored. In this work, we propose a phase-field model based on sub-lattices to explain the unique characteristics of HZZ nanolaminates. We investigate the underlying polarization switching mechanisms for HZZ and compare them to those in HZO and ZrO 2 .
Infectious diseases account for an estimated 36% of neonatal deaths globally. The purpose of this study was to determine safe, effective, simplified dosing regimens of gentamicin for treatment of ...neonatal sepsis in developing countries.
Neonates with suspected sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC), Vellore, India (n = 49), and Dhaka Shishu Hospital (DSH), Bangladesh (n = 59), were administered gentamicin intravenously according to the following regimens: (1) 10 mg every 48 hours for neonates <2000 g; (2) 10 mg every 24 hours for neonates 2000-2249 g; and (3) 13.5 mg every 24 hours for neonates > or =2500 g. Serum gentamicin concentration (SGC) at steady state and pharmacokinetic indices were determined. Renal function was followed while under treatment and hearing was examined 6 weeks to 3 months after discharge.
All neonates, except 1 weighing 2000-2249 g at DSH, had a peak SGC >4 microg/mL. Overall, 5 (10%) and 17 (29%) infants had a peak SGC level > or =12 microg/mL from CMC and DSH, respectively, and 10 (20%) and 4 (7%) cases from CMC and DSH, respectively, had a trough SGC level > or =2 microg/mL. However, no infant <2000 g had a trough SGC level > or =2 microg/mL. We found no evidence of gentamicin nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity.
Safe, therapeutic gentamicin dosing regimens were identified for treatment of neonatal sepsis in developing country settings. Administration of these doses could be simplified through use of Uniject, a prefilled, single injection device designed to make injections safe and easy to deliver in developing country settings.
Introduction:
Despite having innumerable literatures, there has been dearth of comprehensive model of the manifestation of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).
Aim and Objectives:
The current study aims ...to construct a statistically validated model to explore the theoretical connections and the pathway to NSSI among female adolescents.
Material and Method:
A model was proposed based on the constructs empirically associated with NSSI. The research aims to explore the direct effects of external shame, hated self, and self-compassion on NSSI, and whether this relationship is mediated by borderline personality traits and menstrual phase. A total of 168 female adolescents completed the survey, including informed assent from the adolescents. The Other as Shamer Scale-2, the Forms of Self-Criticism/Self-Reassuring Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, the Risk-Taking and Self-Harm Inventory for Adolescents, and Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children were administered to the participants. Analysis of data involved descriptive statistics and path analysis.
Result:
The pathway shows hated self, disturbed intrapersonal relationship, and the inability to direct compassion for self may increase NSSI. Borderline personality traits and premenstrual dysphoria form indirect but contributory factors to strengthen the association between internal traits and NSSI.
Conclusion:
Thus it may be concluded from the present finding that external shame has significant negative effect on self-compassion and external shame has a significant positive effect on hated self. Also, self-compassion has a significant negative effect, and hated self as well external shame have significant positive effects on borderline traits. Thus, exploring this path would help to plan a suitable preventive action.
PurposeThough many conceptual and empirical studies have been conducted on the servicescape, limited research has focused on how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped factors influencing the ...servicescape. This paper aims to propose an extension of Bitner’s original conceptualization, including pandemic-induced physical and social constraints on servicescape in the form of crowding, consumer risk perception during the crisis and their impact on consumers' and employees’ behavioral changes in retail and hospitality sectors.Design/methodology/approachThis paper critically reviewed the past and emerging servicescape and risk literature. It then examines and delineates the concepts of crowding, density and associated risk perceptions to offer an extended servicescape framework. Alongside, scales were proposed to measure the constructs and guidelines given to conduct future empirical studies.FindingsThis paper discussed the major impact on servicescape during a pandemic situation, to what extent risk is perceived during consumption and the impact of crowding and store density on employee and customer behavioral responses.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper principally contributes by explicitly including specific risk dimensions and crowding and proposes the scales to measure consumers’ understanding of pandemic-induced perceptions of risk, crowding and density within servicescapes for further empirical testing. Alongside this, the identification and concretization of different types of perceived risks under COVID-19 provide critical and useful marketing implications.Originality/valueThis study identifies relevant risk dimensions, proposes crowding as an independent construct apart from servicescape physicality and proposes relevant measures for empirical verification.
To sustain the upcoming paradigm shift in computations technology efficiently, innovative solutions at the lowest level of the computing hierarchy (the material and device level) are essential to ...delivering the required functionalities beyond what is available with current CMOS platforms. Motivated by this, in this dissertation, we explore ferroelectric-based devices for steep-slope logic and energy-efficient non-volatile-memory functionalities signifying the novel device attributes, possibilities for continual dimensional scaling with the much-needed enhancement in performance.Among various ferroelectric (FE) materials, Zr doped HfO2 (HZO) has gained immense research attention in recent times by virtue of CMOS process compatibility and a considerable amount of ferroelectricity at room temperature. In this work, we investigate the Zr concentration-dependent crystal phase transition of Hf1-xZxO2 (HZO) and the corresponding evolution of dielectric, ferroelectric, and anti-ferroelectric characteristics. Providing the microscopic insights of straininduced crystal phase transformations, we propose a physics-based model that shows good agreement with experimental results for 10 nm Hf1-xZxO2. Further, in a heterogeneous system, ferroelectric materials can exhibit negative capacitance (NC) behavior. Such NC effects may lead to differential amplification in local potential and can provide an enhanced charge and capacitance response for the whole system compared to their constituents. Such intriguing implications of NC phenomena have prompted the design and exploration of many ferroelectric-based electronic devices to not only achieve an improved performance but potentially also overcome some fundamental limits of standard transistors. However, the microscopic physical origin as well as the true nature of the NC effect, and direct experimental evidence remain elusive and debatable. To that end, in this work, we systematically investigate the underlying physical mechanism of the NC effect in the ferroelectric material. Based upon the fundamental physics of ferroelectric material, we investigate different assumptions, conditions, and distinct features of the quasi-static NC effect in the single-domain and multi-domain scenarios. While the quasi-static and hysteresis-free NC effect was initially propounded in the context of a single-domain scenario, we highlight that the similar effects can be observed in multi-domain FEs with soft domain-wall (DW) displacement. Furthermore, to obtain the soft-DW, the gradient energy coefficient of the FE material is required to be higher as well as the ferroelectric thickness is required to be lower than some critical values. Otherwise, the DW becomes hard, and their displacement would lead to hysteretic NC effects. In addition to the quasi-static NC, we discuss different mechanisms that can lead to the transient NC effects. Furthermore, we provide guidelines for new experiments that can potentially provide new insights on unveiling the real origin of NC phenomena.Utilizing such ferroelectric insulators at the gate stack of a transistor, ferroelectric-field-effect transistors (FeFETs) have been demonstrated to exhibit both non-volatile memory and steep-slope logic functionalities. To investigate such diverse attributes and to enable application drive optimization of FeFETs, we develop a phase-field simulation framework of FeFETs by selfconsistently solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) equation, Poisson’s equation, and non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) based semiconductor charge-transport equation. Considering HZO as the FE layer, we first analyze the dependence of the multi-domain patterns on the HZO thickness (TFE) and their critical role in dictating the steep-switching (both in the negative and positive capacitance regimes) and non-volatile characteristics of FeFETs. In particular, we analyze the TFE-dependent formation of hard and soft domain-walls (DW).
The purpose of the present study was to construct a tool to measure academic engagement among school students and to test the tool's usability. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in ...this tool construction. The processes include - conceptualization and generation of items with five-point responses, relevant judgement of these items, item validity and identification of factor hierarchical structure, determining psychometric properties of tool. The study was done based on 401 adolescent school students of Tripura state of India, selected through purposive sampling technique and statistical analyses was done using IBM SPSS 22.The S-CVI results show .87 ( S-CVI/average) which indicates high content validity of overall academic engagement scale. EFA on this scale reveals a) initiation, b) Maintaining attention, c)using engagement strategy d) exploration e) Outcome Analysis f)Persistence g) Disengagement Strategy making h) valence in academic process as 8 components among 49 items. Two second order components 'Perceived valence of academic process' and 'execution' were extracted from these eight factors. Satisfactory Internal consistency of 8 principal components using Cronbach Alpha (.632 -.768) were found. The tool is effective in assessing the academic engagement of adolescent school students.
