Interaction of metal sulphides in films deposited from solutions of thiourea coordination compounds. Review

Metal sulphides are highly important for the technology of semiconductor film materials. The potential of these compounds has not been exhausted yet when it comes to creating optoelectronic devices, solar cells, and luminescent devices based on them. The goal of this work was to determine the nature of interaction of sulphides in polycrystalline layers of CdS–MemSn, where Me are metals of groups I–VII of the periodic table. Cadmium sulphide was chosen as the common component of all studied systems due to the great photoelectric and luminescent properties of this well-studied material.It was shown that using aerosol spray pyrolysis of the solutions of thiourea complexes, we can obtain solid solutions and chemical compounds of CdS–MеmSn at temperatures not exceeding 500 °C. The main electric, optical, and luminescent properties of the layers were described.It was established that the use of aerosol spray pyrolysis of the solutions of thiourea coordination compounds allows significantly expanding the areas of solubility during the formation of solid sulphide solutions. The specific character of solid-phase interaction and nonequilibrium of the processes occurring during the deposition of layers allow avoiding structural incompatibility of the components expressed in the form of typical factors, such as the non-uniformity of crystal structure, differences in the chemical nature of the components, and discrepancies in sizes of substituting/penetrating atoms.Under such conditions of deposition of films (the lower threshold of deposition temperatures is determined by the temperature of decomposition of the most thermally stable thiourea coordination compound and does not exceed 250 °С), the solid-phase interactions of most sulphides cannot be achieved. Therefore, the interaction occurs at the moment of thermal destruction of complex compounds due to the emerging valence opportunities of their structural fragments

Deodorant aerosol spray can in the rectum: a potential fire hazard during surgery

Rectal foreign bodies are not uncommon and often pose a serious challenge to surgeons. In majority, the objects are inserted by self in children, psychiatric patients and for sexual gratification in adults. Various rectal foreign bodies have been reported. Deodorant aerosol spray can in the rectum has not been reported previously. Danger of aerosol dispenser can is the risk of fire and explosion. Especially during any surgical procedures to remove the foreign body using cautery or any energy devices. We report of a rare foreign body of deodorant aerosol spray can in the rectum in a young male patient, which was removed under general anaesthesia.

The “contagious” clinician

The many new airborne viral pathogens such as coronavirus (Covid-19), the novel variant (SARS-CoV-2), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory distress syndrome (MERS), have brought about a whole new avalanche of problems. These airborne pathogens are all highly contagious and transmissible, especially in the dental setting where the procedures and machinery used may generate enormous amounts of aerosol spray. This is an ideal vector for air/ droplet spread. Most dentists have implemented screening procedures to determine if their patients are well enough to be treated, and have begun wearing a full gamut of personal protective clothing (PPE). Nonetheless, a concern that has received limited attention in the literature is the “contagious clinician” who continues to work and who may pose a risk of infecting their patients. This paper explores both the patient’s rights to quality care in a safe and healthy environment, as well as the clinician’s rights to determine for themselves if they are mentally and physically competent to practice. It also poses questions about whether health care practitioners can be mandated to be inoculated against potentially life-threatening and highly infectious agents.

Assessing Health Seeking Behaviour and Malaria Prevention Practices Among Communities in Four Districts of the Volta Region of Ghana

Background: Malaria is a preventable disease that causes huge morbidity and mortality in malaria-endemic areas especially among children and pregnant women. The malaria control program focuses on the prevention of mosquito bites using Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) and mosquito aerosol spray and coil, and prevention of severe disease among those infected through prompt and adequate treatment. The success of the malaria control program in Ghana is dependent on the malaria prevention practices of people in the community. Therefore, this study evaluated the malaria prevention practices of participants in four districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Ketu South, Nkwanta South, Hohoe Municipality and Ho West districts of the Volta Region of Ghana. Questionnaire were administered to adults who consented to each household visited. Questions were asked on the socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices of the households. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 with frequency distribution done for all the variables. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the significant association between socio-demographics and malaria prevention practices, and logistic regression was used to analyze the strength of the association. Result: Of the 668 participants that had a fever within the past 3 days, 268 (40.1%) visited a patent medicine store and 156(23.4%) visited health facilities. Out of the 2493 participants; 2234 (89.6%) owned ITN and 1528 (68.4%) used ITN a night before this study, 768(30.8%) used mosquito aerosol spray and 368 (15%) used mosquito coil. More females significantly owned ITN than males (1293, 92.4%, p ≤0.001). Participants from Ketu South had 1.5 times higher odds of owning an ITN (AOR, 1.56 [95% 1.09-2.22]; p=0.01). Conclusion: There is high ownership of ITNs but relatively low utilization among the community members. Education on malaria prevention practices should be intensified and continuous among the population of the Volta Region to ensure the success of malaria control in the region.