Tin (Sn) is known to be a good catalyst for electrochemical reduction of CO to formate in 0.5 M KHCO. But when a thin layer of SnO is coated over Cu nanoparticles, the reduction becomes Sn-thickness dependent: the thicker (1.8 nm) shell shows Sn-like activity to generate formate whereas the thinner (0.8 nm) shell is selective to the formation of CO with the conversion Faradaic efficiency (FE) reaching 93% at -0.7 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). Theoretical calculations suggest that the 0.8 nm SnO shell likely alloys with trace of Cu, causing the SnO lattice to be uniaxially compressed and favors the production of CO over formate. The report demonstrates a new strategy to tune NP catalyst selectivity for the electrochemical reduction of CO via the tunable core/shell structure.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.

Retention in care is key to effective HIV treatment, but half of PLWHA in the U.S. are continuously engaged in care. Incarcerated individuals are an especially challenging population to retain, and empiric data specific to jail detainees is lacking. We prospectively evaluated correlates of retention in care for 867 HIV-infected jail detainees enrolled in a 10-site demonstration project. Sustained retention in care was defined as having a clinic visit during each quarter in the 6-month post-release period. The following were independently associated with retention: being male (AOR=2.10, p=<0.01), heroin use (AOR 1.49, p=0.04), having an HIV provider (AOR 1.67, p=0.02), and receipt of services: discharge planning (AOR 1.50, p=0.02) and disease management session (AOR 2.25, p=<0.01) during incarceration; needs assessment (AOR 1.59, p=0.02), HIV education (AOR 2.03, p=<0.01), and transportation assistance (AOR 1.54, p=0.02) after release. Provision of education and case management services improve retention in HIV care after release from jail.

Objectives We examined the use, procurement, and motivations for the use of diverted buprenorphine/naloxone among injecting and noninjecting opioid users in an urban area. Methods A survey was self-administered among 51 injecting opioid users and 49 noninjecting opioid users in Providence, RI. Participants were recruited from a fixed-site syringe exchange program and a community outreach site between August and November 2009. Results A majority (76%) of participants reported having obtained buprenorphine/naloxone illicitly, with 41% having done so in the previous month. More injection drug users (IDUs) than non-IDUs reported the use of diverted buprenorphine/naloxone (86% vs 65%, P = 0.01). The majority of participants who had used buprenorphine/naloxone reported doing so to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms (74%) or to stop using other opioids (66%) or because they could not afford drug treatment (64%). More IDUs than non-IDUs reported using diverted buprenorphine/naloxone for these reasons. Significantly more non-IDUs than IDUs reported ever using buprenorphine/naloxone to “get high” (69% vs 32%, P < 0.01). The majority of respondents, both IDUs and non-IDUs, were interested in receiving treatment for opioid dependence, with greater reported interest in buprenorphine/naloxone than in methadone. Common reasons given for not being currently enrolled in a buprenorphine/naloxone program included cost and unavailability of prescribing physicians. Conclusions The use of diverted buprenorphine/naloxone was common in our sample. However, many opioid users, particularly IDUs, were using diverted buprenorphine/naloxone for reasons consistent with its therapeutic purpose, such as alleviating opioid withdrawal symptoms and reducing the use of other opioids. These findings highlight the need to explore the full impact of buprenorphine/naloxone diversion and improve the accessibility of buprenorphine/naloxone through licensed treatment providers.

Monodisperse Cu nanoparticles (NPs) assembled on a pyridinic-N rich graphene (p-NG) support show a Cu NP mass-and size-dependent catalysis for the selective electrochemical reduction of CO 2 to ethylene (C 2 H 4). For the 7 nm Cu NPs assembled on the p-NG with the p-NG/Cu mass ratio of 1:1, the C 2 H 4 formation Faradaic efficiency and hydrocarbon selectivity reach 19% and 79% respectively at-0.9 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode). The p-NG itself can catalyze the CO 2 reduction to formate, but in the composite p-NG-Cu structure, the pyridinic-N functions as a CO 2 and proton absorber, facilitating hydrogenation and carboncarbon coupling reactions on Cu for the formation of C 2 H 4. The work demonstrates a new strategy to improve Cu NP catalytic activity and selectivity for the electrochemical reduction of CO 2 for sustainable chemistry and energy applications.

Approximately 17% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS pass through the correctional system each year. Jails provide a unique opportunity to diagnose and treat HIV infection among high-risk, transient populations with limited access to medical services. In 2007, the US Health Resources and Services Administration funded a multi-site demonstration project entitled Enhancing Linkages to HIV Primary Care in Jail Settings that aims to improve diagnosis and treatment services for HIV-positive jail detainees and link them to community-based medical care and social services upon release. We performed an evaluation of the Rhode Island demonstration site entitled Community Partnerships and Supportive Services for HIV-Infected People Leaving Jail (COMPASS). Through in-depth qualitative interviews among 20 HIV-positive COMPASS participants in Rhode Island, we assessed how COMPASS impacted access to health care and social services utilization. Most individuals were receiving HIV treatment and care services upon enrollment, but COMPASS enhanced linkage to medical care and follow-up visits for HIV and other co-morbidities for most participants. Several participants were successfully linked to new medical services as a result of COMPASS, including one individual newly diagnosed with HIV and another who had been living with HIV for many years and was able to commence highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). While many individuals reported that COMPASS support prevented substance abuse relapse, ongoing substance abuse nevertheless remained a challenge for several participants. Most participants enrolled in one or more new social services as a result of COMPASS, including Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, food assistance, and housing programs. The primary unmet needs of COMPASS participants were access to mental health services and stable housing. Intensive case management of HIV-positive jail detainees enhances access to medical and social support services and helps prevent relapse to substance abuse. Expanding intensive case management programs, public housing, and mental health services for recently released HIV-positive detainees should be public health priorities.

We report a solution phase synthesis of 16 nm CuNi nanoparticles (NPs) with the Cu/Ni composition control. These NPs are assembled on graphene (G) and show Cu/Ni composition-dependent catalysis for methanolysis of ammonia borane (AB) and hydrogenation of aromatic nitro (nitrile) compounds to primary amines in methanol at room temperature. Among five different CuNi NPs studied, the G-Cu 36 Ni 64 NPs are the best catalyst for both AB methanolysis (TOF = 49.1 mol H2 mol CuNi -1 min -1 and E a = 24.4 kJ/mol) and hydrogenation reactions (conversion yield >97%). The G-CuNi represents a unique noble-metal-free catalyst for hydrogenation reactions in a green environment without using pure hydrogen.

etc., is essentially crucial to help combat these hazards and build a sustainable society. Among them, rechargeable battery has been regarded as a key technology. In the past decade, we have witnessed that the prevailing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) made our society more portable, intelligent, and cleaner. [17][18][19] Nevertheless, the limited lithium resources and rising cost hinder their applications in the long run, especially in the field of large-scale stationary energy storage for renewable energy resources (e.g., solar, tide, and wind power). Thus, it is a huge stimulus for researchers to explore more sustainable rechargeable battery systems, which are expected to involve abundant and nontoxic metals to reduce the cost and impacts on environment.Diversified rechargeable batteries such as, the monovalent sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), [20][21][22][23][24] potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), [25][26][27] bivalent zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), [28][29][30][31] magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs), [32][33][34][35] calcium-ion batteries (CIBs), [36][37][38][39] and trivalent aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs), [40][41][42] have emerged and shown great energy storage promise. As depicted in Figure 1a, those nonlithium metals are much more abundant than Li, especially Al, Ca, Na, K, and Mg, all of which rank the top-8 abundant elements in earth crust. For SIBs and PIBs, since Al would not form alloys with Na and K, Al foil can be used as anode collector, which further lowers the prices of SIBs and PIBs. On the other hand, the higher standard potential of Na/Na + (−2.71 V vs standard hydrogen electrode, SHE) and K/K + (−2.93 V) and their heavier atomic weights make energy densities of SIBs and PIBs intrinsically lower than that of LIBs. For multivalent-ion batteries, the multielectron transfer enables their volumetric capacities (e.g., 5857 and 8056 mA h cm −3 for Zn and Al, respectively) higher than that of Li (2042 mA h cm −3 ). [43,44] Additionally, the small cation radius of Zn 2+ (0.74 Å), Mg 2+ (0.72 Å), and Al 3+ (0.54 Å) indicate that many intercalation electrode materials typical in LIBs may be also potential hosts for reversible intercalation of these multivalent ions. Combining all the above merits, one can anticipate that these emerging rechargeable batteries would be considered as promising alternatives to LIBs.In quest of safe, cost-effective, and high-performance rechargeable batteries, two technical routes have been