Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infection in Coyotes from Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica, 2021.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is the second most common hookworm infecting humans in the Asia-Pacific region. Recent reports suggest presence of the parasite in the Americas. We report A. ceylanicum infections in coyotes from the Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica. Our findings call for active surveillance in humans and animals.

Carbon nitride-based light-driven microswimmers with intrinsic photocharging ability.

Controlling autonomous propulsion of microswimmers is essential for targeted drug delivery and applications of micro/nanomachines in environmental remediation and beyond. Herein, we report two-dimensional (2D) carbon nitride-based Janus particles as highly efficient, light-driven microswimmers in aqueous media. Due to the superior photocatalytic properties of poly(heptazine imide) (PHI), the microswimmers are activated by both visible and ultraviolet (UV) light in conjunction with different capping materials (Au, Pt, and SiO2) and fuels (H2O2 and alcohols). Assisted by photoelectrochemical analysis of the PHI surface photoreactions, we elucidate the dominantly diffusiophoretic propulsion mechanism and establish the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as the major surface reaction in ambient conditions on metal-capped PHI and even with TiO2-based systems, rather than the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which is generally invoked as the source of propulsion under ambient conditions with alcohols as fuels. Making use of the intrinsic solar energy storage ability of PHI, we establish the concept of photocapacitive Janus microswimmers that can be charged by solar energy, thus enabling persistent light-induced propulsion even in the absence of illumination-a process we call "solar battery swimming"-lasting half an hour and possibly beyond. We anticipate that this propulsion scheme significantly extends the capabilities in targeted cargo/drug delivery, environmental remediation, and other potential applications of micro/nanomachines, where the use of versatile earth-abundant materials is a key prerequisite.

Covalent Organic Framework Nanoplates Enable Solution-Processed Crystalline Nanofilms for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution.

As covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are coming of age, the lack of effective approaches to achieve crystalline and centimeter-scale-homogeneous COF films remains a significant bottleneck toward advancing the application of COFs in optoelectronic devices. Here, we present the synthesis of colloidal COF nanoplates, with lateral sizes of ∼200 nm and average heights of 35 nm, and their utilization as photocathodes for solar hydrogen evolution. The resulting COF nanoplate colloid exhibits a unimodal particle-size distribution and an exceptional colloidal stability without showing agglomeration after storage for 10 months and enables smooth, homogeneous, and thickness-tunable COF nanofilms via spin coating. Photoelectrodes comprising COF nanofilms were fabricated for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar-to-hydrogen conversion. By rationally designing multicomponent photoelectrode architectures including a polymer donor/COF heterojunction and a hole-transport layer, charge recombination in COFs is mitigated, resulting in a significantly increased photocurrent density and an extremely positive onset potential for PEC hydrogen evolution (over +1 V against the reversible hydrogen electrode), among the best of classical semiconductor-based photocathodes. This work thus paves the way toward fabricating solution-processed large-scale COF nanofilms and heterojunction architectures and their use in solar-energy-conversion devices.

Applying reflective multicriteria decision analysis to understand the value of therapeutic alternatives in the management of gestational and peripartum anaemia in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the FeminFER project was to assess the value of ferric carboxymaltose following a multicriteria decision analysis in obstetrics and gynaecology in Spain. METHODS: Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and ferrous sulphate were evaluated using the EVIDEM framework. Ten stakeholders participated to collect different perspectives. The framework was adapted considering evidence retrieved with a PICO-S search strategy and grey literature. Criteria/subcriteria were weighted by level of relevance and an evidence-based decision-making exercise was developed in each criterion; weights and scores were combined to obtain the value of intervention relative to each criterion/subcriterion, that were further combined into the Modulated Relative Benefit-Risk Balance (MRBRB). RESULTS: The most important criterion favouring FCM was Compared Efficacy/Effectiveness (0.183 ± 0.07), followed by Patient Preferences (0.059 ± 0.10). Only Direct medical costs criterion favoured FS (-0.003 ± 0.03). MRBRB favoured FCM; 0.45 ± 0.19; in a scale from -1 to + 1. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, considering the several criteria involved in the decision-making process, participants agreed with the use of FCM according to its MRBRB.

Transfer of 1D Photonic Crystals via Spatially Resolved Hydrophobization.

1D photonic crystals (1DPCs) are well known from a variety of applications ranging from medical diagnostics to optical fibers and optoelectronics. However, large-scale application is still limited due to complex fabrication processes and bottlenecks in transferring 1DPCs to arbitrary substrates and pattern creation. These challenges were addressed by demonstrating the transfer of millimeter- to centimeter-scale 1DPC sensors comprised of alternating layers of H3 Sb3 P2 O14 nanosheets and TiO2 nanoparticles based on a non-invasive chemical approach. By depositing the 1DPC on a sacrificial layer of lithium tin sulfide nanosheets and hydrophobizing only the 1DPC by intercalation of n-octylamine via the vapor phase the 1DPC can be detached from the substrate by immersing the sample in water. Upon exfoliation of the hydrophilic sacrificial layer, the freestanding 1DPC remains at the water-air interface. In a second step, it can be transferred to arbitrary surfaces such as curved glass. In addition, the transfer of patterned 1DPCs is demonstrated by combining the sacrificial layer approach with area-resolved intercalation and etching. The fact that the sensing capability of the 1DPC is not impaired and can be modified after transfer renders this method a generic platform for the fabrication of photonic devices.

Complementary effectiveness of carotid sinus massage and tilt testing for the diagnosis of reflex syncope in patients older than 40 years: a cohort study.

AIMS: Indications, methodology, and diagnostic criteria for carotid sinus massage (CSM) and tilt testing (TT) have been standardized by the 2018 Guidelines on Syncope of the European Society of Cardiology. Aim of this study was to assess their effectiveness in a large cohort which reflects the performance under 'real-world' conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed all patients who had undergone CSM and TT in the years 2003-2019 for suspected reflex syncope. Carotid sinus massage was performed according to the 'Method of Symptoms'. Tilt testing was performed according to the 'Italian protocol' which consists of a passive phase followed by a sublingual nitroglycerine phase. For both tests, positive test was defined as reproduction of spontaneous symptoms in the presence of bradycardia and/or hypotension. Among 3293 patients (mean age 73 ± 12 years, 48% males), 2019 (61%) had at least one test positive. A bradycardic phenotype was found in 420 patients (13%); of these, 60% were identified by CSM, 37% by TT, and 3% had both test positive. A hypotensive phenotype was found in 1733 patients (53%); of these, 98% were identified by TT and 2% had both TT and CSM positive. CONCLUSION: The overall diagnostic yield of the tests in patients >40-year-old with suspected reflex syncope was 61%. Both CSM and TT are useful for identifying those patients with a bradycardic phenotype, whereas CSM has a limited value for identifying the hypotensive phenotype. Since the overlap of responses between tests is minimal, both CSM and TT should be performed in every patient over 40 years receiving investigation for unexplained but possible reflex syncope.

Reproducibility of carotid sinus massage.

AIMS: The reproducibility of carotid sinus massage (CSM) is debated. The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility according to the methodology and diagnostic criteria defined by the guidelines on syncope of the European Society of Cardiology. METHOD: Among 2800 patients with syncope who underwent CSM in the years 2005-2019, 109 patients (62 males; mean age 76 ± 10 years) had performed a second CSM after a median of 28 months. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) was diagnosed when CSM elicited a pause of >3 s and/or a fall in systolic blood pressure >50 mm Hg without reproduction of spontaneous symptoms. Carotid sinus syndrome (CSS) was established when spontaneous symptoms were reproduced in the presence of bradycardia and/or hypotension. RESULTS: The reproducibility of CSM was 78% for 18 CSS patients, 41% for 29 CSH patients, and 77% for 62 negative patients. The corresponding interrater agreement was good for CSS (kappa = 0.66), moderate for negative CSM (kappa = 0.42), and poor for CSH (kappa = 0.30). Combining CSH and negative tests, their reproducibility rose to 90% with kappa = 0.66. CONCLUSION: CSS but not CSH has a good reproducibility. About half of patients with CSH had a negative response at the second test, thus suggesting a great overlap between them.

Evaluation of the human petrotympanic fissure using anatomized cadaveric specimens and multi-detector CT imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is twofold. First, to investigate the variability of the petrotympanic fissure's (PTF) morphology in anatomized human cadaveric specimens using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), and second, to compare the resulting measurements to investigate the possibilities of applying MDCT in the determination of PTF morphology in living humans. METHODS: Specimens (n = 15) containing the temporal bone and TMJ were obtained from embalmed adult female (53.3%) and male (46.7%) cadavers and imaged using a helical 16-row scanner. Afterwards, cryosections were obtained and morphometric parameters were measured. Degree of agreement between both determinations was investigated and morphometric variables were also compared between PTF types. RESULTS: Three different types of PTF were identified. Type 1 was a wide tunnel-shaped structure. It was found in 20% of the cases. Type 2 was wide in the entrance but gradually narrows to the tympanic cavity. It was found in 46.7% of specimens. Finally, type 3, which was observed in 33.3% of the cases, was wide at the entrance of the mandibular fossa, followed by a middle region with flat-shaped tunnel structure and a narrow exit. The PTF's vertical diameters at the mandibular fossa, midpoint, and tympanic cavity and the width at the mandibular fossa all were significantly greater in type 1 specimens. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT is suitable for investigating the variable morphology of human PTF and its association with middle ear's and TMJ pathologies.

Dipole reorientation and local density of optical states influence the emission of light-emitting electrochemical cells.

Herein, we analyze the temporal evolution of the electroluminescence of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), a thin-film light-emitting device, in order to maximize the luminous power radiated by these devices. A careful analysis of the spectral and angular distribution of the emission of LECs fabricated under the same experimental conditions allows describing the dynamics of the spatial region from which LECs emit, i.e. the generation zone, as bias is applied. This effect is mediated by dipole reorientation within such an emissive region and its optical environment, since its spatial drift yields a different interplay between the intrinsic emission of the emitters and the local density of optical states of the system. Our results demonstrate that engineering the optical environment in thin-film light-emitting devices is key to maximize their brightness.

Absorption enhancement in methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells with embedded arrays of dielectric particles.

In the field of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite based photovoltaics, there is a growing interest in the exploration of novel and smarter ways to improve the cells light harvesting efficiency at targeted wavelength ranges within the minimum volume possible, as well as in the development of colored and/or semitransparent devices that could pave the way both to their architectonic integration and to their use in the flowering field of tandem solar cells. The work herein presented targets these different goals by means of the theoretical optimization of the optical design of standard opaque and semitransparent perovskite solar cells. In order to do so, we focus on the effect of harmless, compatible and commercially available dielectric inclusions within the absorbing material, methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI). Following a gradual and systematic process of analysis, we are capable of identifying the appearance of collective and hybrid (both localized and extended) photonic resonances which allow to significantly improve light harvesting and thus the overall efficiency of the standard device by above 10% with respect to the reference value while keeping the semiconductor film thickness to a minimum. We believe our results will be particularly relevant in the promising field of perovskite solar cell based tandem photovoltaic devices, which has posed new challenges to the solar energy community in order to maximize the performance of semitransparent cells, but also for applications focusing on architectonic integration.