Depression and Suicidal Behaviors Among HIV-Infected Inmates in Lesotho: Prevalence, Associated Factors and a Moderated Mediation Model.

Depression and suicidal behaviors are two common psychiatric problems observed among people living with HIV. The situation is worse among HIV-infected inmates. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression and suicidal behaviors among HIV-infected inmates, and to clarify the mechanisms underlying the impact of HIV-related stigma on suicidal behaviors. The data from 402 HIV-infected inmates in Lesotho showed the prevalence of depression and suicidal behaviors was 53.0% and 8.2%. Female and institution maladaptation were risk factors for depression, and the risk factor for suicidal behaviors was non-participation of institution activities. Moreover, HIV-related stigma indirectly increased inmates' suicidal behaviors through elevated depression. Such indirect effect was stronger for inmates with a lower level of meaning in life. These findings indicate more concern should be given to high-risk subgroups, and both depression and meaning in life are intervention targets for suicide prevention among HIV-infected inmates.

RESUMEN: La depresión y las conductas suicidas son dos problemas psiquiátricos comunes que se observan entre las personas que viven con el VIH. La situación es peor entre los reclusos infectados por el VIH. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la prevalencia y los factores asociados de la depresión y las conductas suicidas entre los reclusos infectados por el VIH, y aclarar los mecanismos subyacentes al impacto del estigma relacionado con el VIH en las conductas suicidas. Los datos de 402 reclusos infectados por el VIH en Lesotho mostraron que la prevalencia de depresión y conductas suicidas fue del 53.0% y el 8.2%. La mala adaptación de la mujer y la institución fueron factores de riesgo de depresión y el factor de riesgo de conductas suicidas fue la no participación en las actividades de la institución. Además, el estigma relacionado con el VIH aumentó indirectamente las conductas suicidas de los reclusos a través de una depresión elevada. Este efecto indirecto fue más fuerte para los reclusos con un nivel más bajo de significado en la vida. Estos hallazgos indican que se debe prestar más atención a los subgrupos de alto riesgo, y tanto la depresión como el significado de la vida son objetivos de intervención para la prevención del suicidio de los reclusos infectados por el VIH.

Air activation of charcoal monoliths for capacitive energy storage.

Charcoal monoliths derived from waste wood were activated with air for the application of electrochemical capacitor electrodes and an insight was given into the activation mechanism. The mild air activation is effective and pollution-free compared to the common chemical activation using KOH etc. for the preparation of crack-free carbon monoliths. The activation process was controlled by altering the activation temperature and time, and their effects on the nanostructure of charcoal monoliths were studied. As the activation temperature or time increased, air eroded the defective surface of charcoal layer-by-layer, with the oxygen atoms being introduced by chemisorption and oxidation reactions and removed by dehydration and decomposition reactions. Meanwhile, micro-pores were produced. The electrode activated at 300 °C for 1 h, with a specific surface area of 567 m2 g-1 and a high micro-porosity of 86%, exhibited a specific capacitance of 203 F g-1 and 35.5 F cm-3. Moreover, it presented a higher total capacitance of 3.6 F cm-2 than most reported pellet electrodes. These findings give a reasonable picture of the air activation process and are instructive to prepare activated carbon monoliths under an oxidizing environment.

Effects of h-BN addition on microstructures and mechanical properties of ß-CaSiO3 bioceramics.

The main purpose of this study consists in investigating the effects of h-BN addition on the sinterability of ß-CaSiO3 (ß-CS) bioceramics. ß-CS bioceramics with different contents of h-BN were prepared at the sintering temperature ranging from 800°C to 1100°C. The results showed that h-BN can be successfully used as sintering additive by being oxidized to form low melting point B2O3 related glassy phase and enhanced the flexural strength by the formation of rod-like ß-CS grains. ß-CS bioceramics with 1wt% h-BN sintered at 1000°C revealed flexural strength and fracture toughness of 182.2MPa and 2.4MPam(1/2) respectively, which were much higher than that of pure ß-CS bioceramics (30.2MPa, 0.53MPam(1/2)) fabricated in the same processing condition.

Effects of silica sol on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CaSiO3 bioceramics.

CaSiO3 ceramics were fabricated with silica sol addition by pressureless sintering. The effects of silica sol on phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of CaSiO3 ceramics were investigated. The silica sol additive was found to be effective in speeding up pore elimination, improving the grain growth, decreasing the sintering temperature and shortening the sintering time. When the amount of SiO2 was 5wt%, a flexural strength of 186.2MPa was achieved with an open porosity of 3.9%. The main crystal phase was ß-CaSiO3 below sintering temperature of 1150°C.

The improved mechanical properties of ß-CaSiO3 bioceramics with Si3N4 addition.

The motivation of this study is to investigate the effect of Si3N4 addition on the sinterability of ß-CaSiO3 ceramics. ß-CaSiO3 ceramics with different content of Si3N4 were prepared at the sintering temperature ranging from 1000°C to 1150°C. The results showed that Si3N4 can be successfully used as sintering additive by being oxidized to form SiO2. The ß-CaSiO3 ceramics with 3wt% Si3N4 sintered at 1100°C revealed flexural strength, hardness and fracture toughness of 157.2MPa, 4.4GPa and 2.3MPam(1/2) respectively, which was much higher than that of pure ß-CaSiO3 ceramics (41.1MPa, 1.0GPa, 1.1MPam(1/2)). XRD analysis and SEM observation indicated that the main phase maintained to be ß-phase after sintering.