Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based protein analysis is a promising alternative to existing early stage diagnoses. However, SERS research conducted thus far accompanies challenges such as nonuniformity of plasmonic nanostructures, irregular coating of analytes, and denaturation of proteins, which seriously limit the practicability of suggested approaches. Here, we introduce a carboxylic acid-functionalized and graphitic nanolayer-coated three-dimensional SERS substrate (CGSS) fabricated by sequential nanotransfer printing. The substrate consists of well-defined, uniform gold nanowire arrays for effective Raman signal enhancement and a strong protein-immobilization layer. With an enhancement factor (EF) of 5.5 × 105, on par with the highest ever reported values, the CGSS allows the detection of protein conformational changes and the determination of protein concentration via Raman measurements. Exploiting the CGSS, we successfully measured the SERS spectra of Alzheimer’s biomarkers, tau protein and amyloid β, based on which secondary structural changes were analyzed quantitatively.

No abstract

Noble metal-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has enabled the simple and efficient detection of trace-amount molecules via significant electromagnetic enhancements at hot spots. However, the small Raman cross-section of various analytes forces the use of a Raman reporter for specific surface functionalization, which is time-consuming and limited to low-molecular-weight analytes. To tackle these issues, a hybrid SERS substrate utilizing Ag as plasmonic structures and GaN as charge transfer enhancement centers is presented. By the conformal printing of Ag nanowires onto GaN nanopillars, a highly sensitive SERS substrate with excellent uniformity can be fabricated. As a result, remarkable SERS performance with a substrate enhancement factor of 1.4 × 10 11 at 10 fM for rhodamine 6G molecules with minimal spot variations can be realized. Furthermore, quantification and multiplexing capabilities without surface treatments are demonstrated by detecting harmful antibiotics in aqueous solutions. This work paves the way for the development of a highly sensitive SERS substrate by constructing complex metal-semiconductor architectures.

Background The health status of Rohingya refugees or Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs), especially women and children, is a significant challenge for humanitarian workers in Bangladesh. Though the Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with other organizations, is offering health care services to FDMNs, a comprehensive understanding of the program implementation is required for continuation in the future. This study explores the challenges and potential solutions for effective implementation of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programs for FDMNs residing in camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Methods We conducted a qualitative study conducted in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, which involved 34 interviews (15 key informant interviews and 19 in-depth interviews) with relevant persons working in organizations responsible for MNCH services to FDMNs. We relied on both inductive and deductive coding and applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as a guide to our thematic analysis and presentation of qualitative data. Results Our study identified some key challenges hindering the effective implementation of MNCH service delivery for the FDMNs. High turnover and poor retention of staff, overlapping of service, weak referral mechanism, complex health information system, and lack of security of the front line health providers were some of the key challenges identified. Motivating the

Unsupported Pt electrocatalysts demonstrate excellent electrochemical stability when used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells; however, their extreme thinness and low porosity result in insufficient surface area and high mass transfer resistance. Here, we introduce three-dimensionally (3D) customized, multiscale Pt nanoarchitectures (PtNAs) composed of dense and narrow (for sufficient active sites) and sparse (for improved mass transfer) nanoscale building blocks. The 3D-multiscale PtNA fabricated by ultrahigh-resolution nanotransfer printing exhibited excellent performance (45% enhanced maximum power density) and high durability (only 5% loss of surface area for 5000 cycles) compared to commercial Pt/C. We also theoretically elucidate the relationship between the 3D structures and cell performance using computational fluid dynamics. We expect that the structure-controlled 3D electrocatalysts will introduce a new pathway to design and fabricate high-performance electrocatalysts for fuel cells, as well as various electrochemical devices that require the precision engineering of reaction surfaces and mass transfer.

The purpose of this paper 1 is to build a fundamental framework of discovering and analyzing a workflow-based social network formed through workflow-based organizational business operations. A little more precisely speaking, the framework formalizes a series of theoretical steps from discovering a workflow-based social network to analyzing the discovered social network. For the sake of the discovery phase, we conceive an algorithm that is able to automatically discover the workflow-based social network from a workflow procedure; while on the other hand, in the analysis phase we apply the degree centrality algorithm to the discovered social network, which is one of the well-known social network analysis algorithms in the literature. Consequently, the crucial implication of the framework is in quantifying the degree of work-intimacy among performers who are involved in enacting the corresponding workflow procedure. Also, as a conceptual extension of the framework, it can be applied to discovering and analyzing degree centrality or collaborative closeness and betweenness among architectural components and nodes of collaborative cloud workflow computing environments.Keywords-workflow-based social network, ICN-based workflow model, human network discovery, degree of work-intimacy, centrality analysis

No abstract

Background Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a proven low-cost intervention to prevent neonatal mortality of pre-term and low birth weight babies and is very relevant to Bangladesh. KMC provides thermal regulation and thus directly avert neonatal mortality. KMC includes early, continuous, and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between an infant and caregiver, exclusive breastfeeding, early discharge from the hospital, and post-discharge follow-up. The purpose of this study was to investigate the fidelity of this intervention’s implementation according to national guidelines across all tiers of government (public) health facilities of Bangladesh. Methods We adopted a triangulation mixed-methods approach of both quantitative and qualitative components in this research to support and explain the information obtained from quantitative observation with the help of qualitative interviews on the fidelity of KMC practice. We used an observation checklist to find the fidelity of KMC practice and used semi-structured guidelines to explain and understand the moderators of fidelity through key informant interviews and in-depth interviews. We undertook eight facility visits in four districts, observed twenty-three neonates and their caregivers during KMC practice at those facilities, and conducted twenty-seven key informant interviews with facility managers, health care providers, and five in-depth interviews with caregivers. Extracted information was triangulated and arranged under the themes of the fidelity framework. Results Despite being a low-cost intervention, findings exhibit some adherence to the national guideline with several gaps in practice. Leadership played a critical role in ensuring the KMC practice. Specific components of KMC practice, like duration, nutrition maintenance, discharge criteria, and follow-up, were not consistent as recommended. Infrastructure, human resources, developmental partner support, and the demand-side and supply-side responsiveness played a critical role in enacting this human-centric approach’s fidelity. The observed interruption found in the implementation process posed threats to achieve the intended outcome as these caused violations of the basic principles of KMC. Conclusions The study findings will help find ways to effectively deliver this intervention so that fidelity of practice is maintained, enhancing KMC services’ quality and advocating towards the successful scale-up of this program.