Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 is an industrially important heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO2 to methanol, which is in worldwide demand, and for the solution of the activation mechanism of catalytically inactive CO2. Recent studies have achieved numerous improvements in active sites of catalysts for this process, which can be described as “active copper with step sites” decorated with ZnO x . In spite of these improvements, the mechanism of this process is still unknown, and even its initial stage remains unclear. In this study, we simplified the catalytic system to bare Cu(111) and Cu(775) surfaces in order to systematically determine the mechanistic effects of step sites. The reaction was conducted by using a CO2/H2 gas mixture at 1 Torr at various temperatures and characterized with infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). The initial activation of CO2 was found to occur only with the coadsorption of hydrogen; it cannot on its own be converted into other activated species. This coadsorbed hydrogen induces the dissociation of CO2 and converts it into CO, surface oxygen (O*), and surface hydroxyl (HO*). These species are subsequently converted to carbonate (CO3*), bicarbonate (HCO3*), and formate (HCOO*). One significant observation is that the number of these formate species on step sites continuously decreases with increases in the number of CH2 species during stepwise heating. In addition, a continuous reaction is obtained from formate transfer from terrace to step. Also, an instantaneous feature of methoxy (CH3O*) was observed during the evacuation process. These phenomena strongly indicate that formate is an essential intermediate, especially on steps, for the conversion of CO2 to methanol and that the reduction in its level during this process is due to step-by-step hydrogenation.

Early academic achievement has been shown to predict high school completion, but there have been few studies of the predictors of early academic success focused on Latino students. Using longitudinal data from 750 Mexican and Dominican American families, this study examined a cultural model of parenting and early academic achievement. While Latino students were achieving in the average range as a whole, certain subgroups (e.g., Dominicans, boys) were at higher risk for underachievement. Results highlighted the protective role of authoritative parenting, which was associated with academic and social-emotional school readiness, both of which predicted higher achievement at the end of first grade. The role of respeto and authoritarian parenting practices in academic achievement at first grade differed between Mexican and Dominican American families. Findings advance understanding of early achievement and parenting among Latino families from a cultural perspective. Educational Impact and Implications StatementCertain subgroups of Latino students (e.g., Dominican-origin, boys) are at greater risk for underachievement than their peers (e.g., Mexican-origin, girls). Authoritative parenting practices are a protective factor for academic achievement in first grade. Efforts to support Latina mothers in how they socialize and interact with their young children may have positive effects on their child's later academic achievement.

ObjectiveTo summarize overall patterns of the impact of neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) on incidence stroke and uncover potential gaps in the literature, we conducted a systematic review of studies examining the association between nSES and incident stroke, independent of individual socioeconomic status (SES).MethodsFour electronic databases and reference lists of included articles were searched, and corresponding authors were contacted to locate additional studies. A keyword search strategy included the three broad domains of neighborhood, SES, and stroke. Eight studies met our inclusion criteria (e.g., nSES as an exposure, individual SES as a covariate, and incident stroke as an outcome). We coded study methodology and findings across the eight studies.ResultsThe results provide evidence for the overall nSES and incident stroke association in Sweden and Japan, but not within the United States. Findings were inconclusive when examining the nSES-incident stroke association stratified by race. We found evidence for the mediating role of biological factors in the nSES-incident stroke association.ConclusionsHigher neighborhood disadvantage was found to be associated with higher stroke risk, but it was not significant in all the studies. The relationship between nSES and stroke risk within different racial groups in the United States was inconclusive. Inconsistencies may be driven by differences in covariate adjustment (e.g., individual-level sociodemographic characteristics, neighborhood-level racial composition). Additional research is needed to investigate potential intermediate and modifiable factors of the nSES and incident stroke association, which could serve as intervention points.

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Situating Thomas Joiner's concept of belonging within an ecological perspective, this study examined the associations between school and community belonging and suicidal ideation and attempts among high school students. The study used data from the 2013 Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 2,560). Results demonstrated that community belonging reduced the odds of youth suicidal behaviors. School bullying, feeling unsafe at school, and being threatened or injured at a school increased the odds of suicidal behaviors. Findings suggest that fostering safe and inclusive environments and strengthening youth's experiences of school and community belonging may reduce suicidal behaviors in high school youth.

This study aimed to identify homeless youths' lifestyle and trauma-related risk factors as well as protective factors associated with alcohol use disorder or no disorder and drug use disorder or no disorder. Youth receiving homeless services in Denver ( n = 201), Austin ( n = 200), and Los Angeles ( n = 200; N = 601) completed quantitative interviews assessing demographic information, alcohol and drug use, homeless lifestyle risk factors, trauma-related risk factors, and protective factors. Findings showed differences in trauma-related risk factors between alcohol and drug use disorders, but not homeless lifestyle risks. Protective factors predicted substance use disorders beyond risk factors. Understanding trauma-related risk and protective factors associated with substance use disorders could improve interventions.

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Recently, ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) have gained extensive attention as possible candidates for emerging memory and synaptic devices for neuromorphic computing. However, the working principles of the FTJ remain controversial...