Effect of the Growth Conditions on Organic Crystals with Rare Earth Ions and 1,10-Phenanthroline.

Using a simple solution growth technique, we grow crystals with phenanthroline as a ligand and various rare earth ions: thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), gadolinium (Gd), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), europium (Eu), and erbium (Er). We then selected the composition that forms thin plates with well-defined shapes, Er(NO3)Phen2, and explored the effects of various conditions on crystal formation and growth, including temperature regime, light illumination, and substrates where the crystals are formed and grown. The composition and local environment strongly affect the size and shape of microcrystals and substrate coverage. The use of gold substrates significantly enhances the crystal growing process. Elevated temperatures negatively affect the crystal growth.

Pregnant Women's Concerns Regarding COVID-19 and Their Willingness to Be Vaccinated.

Objectives: We investigated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) opinions, experiences, and willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy at two prenatal clinics in early 2021 and early 2022. Materials and Methods: Paper questionnaires were distributed to pregnant women at prenatal care facilities in Virginia and Florida between January and April 2021 and January and April 2022. Questions regarding acceptance and opinions of the influenza vaccine served as a baseline to assess COVID-19 vaccine opinions. Associations between demographic parameters and vaccine opinions and acceptance were examined using Chi-square. A COVID-19 concern score was constructed by principal component analysis with differences between groups assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Many participants (40.6%) reported that the COVID pandemic had affected their pregnancy. Main themes were problems with social networks, increased stress/anxiety, and being more cautious. In 2021, 19.5% reported they would accept a COVID-19 vaccination during their pregnancy, which increased to 45.8% in 2022. Vaccine hesitancy did not vary by race or between sites, but educational attainment was significant (p < 0.001). Women with a higher concern score were more likely to report they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Women who would accept COVID vaccination had a positive opinion regarding the influenza vaccine. Main themes for refusing COVID-19 vaccination were concerns about side effects, lack of research/data, and mistrust of vaccines. Conclusions: The proportion of women willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination increased but remained below 50%. Willingness to accept vaccination during pregnancy was associated with higher education, higher concern about COVID-19, and a positive opinion of the influenza vaccine.

Artificial Light Increases Local Predator Abundance, Predation Rates, and Herbivory.

Human activity is rapidly increasing the radiance and geographic extent of artificial light at night (ALAN) leading to alterations in the development, behavior, and physiological state of many organisms. A limited number of community-scale studies investigating the effects of ALAN have allowed for spatial aggregation through positive phototaxis, the commonly observed phenomenon of arthropod movement toward light. We performed an open field study (without restricted arthropod access) to determine the effects of ALAN on local arthropod community composition, plant traits, and local herbivory and predation rates. We found strong positive phototaxis in 10 orders of arthropods, with increased (159% higher) overall arthropod abundance under ALAN compared to unlit controls. The arthropod community under ALAN was more diverse and contained a higher proportion of predaceous arthropods (15% vs 8%). Predation of immobilized flies occurred 3.6 times faster under ALAN; this effect was not observed during the day. Contrary to expectations, we also observed a 6% increase in herbivory under ALAN. Our results highlight the importance of open experimental field studies in determining community-level effects of ALAN.