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A composite droplet made of two miscible fluids in a narrow tube generally moves under the action of capillarity until complete mixture is attained. This physical situation is analysed here on a combined theoretical and numerical analysis. The mathematical framework consists of the two-phase flow phase-field equation set, an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation, and closure relationships relating the surface tensions to the chemical concentration. The numerical framework is composed of the COMSOL Laminar two-phase flow phase-field method coupled with an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation. Through transient studies, we show that the penetrating length of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is linear at early-time regime and exponential at late-time regime. Through parametric studies, we show that the rate of penetration of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is proportional to a time-dependent exponential function. We also show that this speed obeys the Poiseuille law at the early-time regime. A series of position, speed-versus-property graphs are included to support the analysis. Finally, the overall results are contrasted with available experimental data, grouped together to settle a general mathematical description of the phenomenon, and explained and concluded on this basis.

When two Newtonian liquid droplets are brought into contact on a solid substrate, a highly curved meniscus neck is established between the two which transforms the bihemispherically shaped fluid domain to a hemispherically shaped domain. The rate at which such topological transformation, called coalescence phenomenon, evolves results from a competition between the inertial force which resists the transformation, the interfacial force which promotes the rate, and the viscous force which arrests it. Depending on the behaviour of these forces, different scaling laws describing the neck growth can be observed, predicted theoretically, and proved numerically. The twofold objective of the present contribution is to propose a simple theoretical framework which leads to an Ordinary Differential Equation, the solution of which predicts the different scaling laws in various limits, and to validate these theoretical predictions numerically by modelling the phenomenon in the commercial Finite Element software COMSOL Multiphysics.

Macronutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) are critical for plant growth and development. Field-grown canola (Brassica napus L.) is supplemented with fertilizers to maximize plant productivity, while deficiency in these nutrients can cause significant yield loss. A holistic understanding of the interplay between these nutrient deficiency responses in a single study and canola cultivar is thus far lacking, hindering efforts to increase the nutrient use efficiency of this important oil seed crop. To address this, we performed a comparative quantitative proteomic analysis of both shoot and root tissue harvested from soil-grown canola plants experiencing either nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or sulphur deficiency. Our data provide critically needed insights into the shared and distinct molecular responses to macronutrient deficiencies in canola. Importantly, we find more conserved responses to the four different nutrient deficiencies in canola roots, with more distinct proteome changes in aboveground tissue. Our results establish a foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of the shared and distinct nutrient deficiency response mechanisms of canola plants and pave the way for future breeding efforts.

Single-molecule fluorescence experiments have transformed our understanding of complex materials and biological systems. Whether single molecules are used to report on their nano-environment or provide for localization, understanding their blinking dynamics (i.e., stochastic fluctuations in emission intensity under continuous illumination) is paramount. We recently demonstrated another use for blinking dynamics called blink-based multiplexing (BBM), where individual emitters are classified using a single excitation laser based on blinking dynamics, rather than color. This study elucidates the structure-activity relationships governing BBM performance in a series of model rhodamine, BODIPY, and anthraquinone fluorophores that undergo different photo-physical and-chemical processes during blinking. Change point detection and multinomial logistic regression analyses show that BBM can leverage spectral fluctuations, electron and proton transfer kinetics, as well as photostability for molecular classification—even within the context of a shared blinking mechanism. In doing so, we demonstrate two- and three-color BBM with ≥ 93% accuracy using spectrally-overlapped fluorophores. Single-molecule fluorescent probes can be used for nanoreporting, localization, and now multiplexing, but understanding their stochastic fluctuations in emission intensity is crucial for accurate signal interpretation. Here, the authors elucidate the blinking dynamics of rhodamine, BODIPY, and antraquinone dyes, demonstrate that multiplexing performance improves with photophysical differences, and suggest guidelines for the selection and design of organic fluorophores for single-molecule multiplexing.

The evolution of a thin liquid film subject to a volatile solvent source and an air-blow effect which modifies locally the surface tension and leads to Marangoni-induced flow is shown to be governed by a degenerate fourth order nonlinear parabolic h-evolution equation of the type given by ∂ t h = − div x M 1 h ∂ x 3 h + M 2 h ∂ x h + M 3 h , where the mobility terms M 1 h and M 2 h result from the presence of the source and M 3 h results from the air-blow effect. Various authors assume M 2 h ≈ 0 and exclude the air-blow effect into M 3 h . In this paper, the authors show that such assumption is not necessarily correct, and the inclusion of such effect does disturb the dynamics of the thin film. These emphasize the importance of the full definition t → · grad γ = grad x γ + ∂ x h grad y γ of the surface tension gradient at the free surface in contrast to the truncated expression t → · grad γ ≈ grad x γ employed by those authors and the effect of the air-blow flowing over the surface.

In 2017, Morocco became the first Arab country to incorporate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in its HIV-prevention program. Yet no research has been published on PrEP from Morocco. Although female sex workers are one of the target populations of PrEP in Morocco, their enrollment in PrEP is lower than men who have sex with men. In this study, we conducted 38 semi-structured interviews with female sex workers, physicians who prescribe PrEP, policymakers, and community advocates to identify problems associated with access to and use of PrEP. We also investigated preferences for daily oral, vaginal ring, and long-acting injectable PrEP. A reflexive thematic analysis revealed seven themes: PrEP stigma; stigmatization and criminalization of sex work; one size doesn’t fit all; knowledge and misconceptions about PrEP; economic burden; inconvenience of PrEP pills; and preferred PrEP modalities. This paper discusses the implications of the findings for increasing access and use of PrEP in Morocco. Plain Language Summary Factors that Influence Uptake of Oral PrEP among Female Sex Workers One of the most recent scientific advancements in the history of the HIV pandemic was the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, the uptake of PrEP in the Arab world is low. In this paper we interviewed female sex workers, physicians who prescribe PrEP, policymakers, and community advocates to identify problems associated with access to and use of PrEP. Several barriers were identified including stigma attached to PrEP, misconceptions about PrEP, and financial burden. Although most female sex workers in our study were interested in using PrEP, the delivery methods of PrEP should be tailored to fit the lifestyle and personal circumstances of potential users.

Information concerning the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on populations most affected by HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV; or key populations [KP]), and those working with these populations in community settings, is limited. Community-based organizations working in the field of HIV and viral hepatitis are well placed to identify and meet the new needs of KP owing to the health crisis. This study aims to describe the development and implementation of an exploratory and descriptive multicountry, community-based research program, EPIC (Enquêtes Pour évaluer l'Impact de la crise sanitaire covid en milieu Communautaire), within an international network of community-based organizations involved in the response to HIV and viral hepatitis. The EPIC program aimed to study the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on KP or people living with HIV or HCV and people working with these populations at the community level (community health workers [CHWs]) and to identify the key innovations and adaptations in HIV and HCV services. A general protocol and study documents were developed and shared within the Coalition PLUS network. The protocol had a built-in flexibility that allowed participating organizations to adapt the study to local needs in terms of the target population and specific themes of interest. Data were collected using surveys or interviews. From July 2020 to May 2022, a total of 79 organizations participated in the EPIC program. Across 32 countries, 118 studies were conducted: 66 quantitative (n=12,060 among KP or people living with HIV or people living with HCV and n=811 among CHWs) and 52 qualitative (n=766 among KP or people living with HIV or people living with HCV and n=136 among CHWs). The results of the EPIC program will provide data to describe the impact of the health crisis on KP and CHWs and identify their emerging needs. Documentation of innovative solutions that were put into place in this context may help improve the provision of services after COVID-19 and for future health crises. DERR1-10.2196/45204.

All organizations, regardless of their size or complexity are faced with the challenge of implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system that will prevent injuries and ill health to persons that are working under the control of the organization. The purpose of this paper is to show how organizations can improve their health and safety performance through the effective implementation of existing statutory requirements and regulations. Using a case study from a Printing Industry organization, the key requirements needed to implement a H&S programme and focus on the concept of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control were investigated. The organization is a large company, which has implemented a system to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act: 2005. Findings reveal that there is a lack of control procedures to ensure compliance to legal requirements. The Health and Safety Policy needs to be reviewed. Significant hazards need to be prioritized. The company does not regularly conduct risk assessments. Employees need more training on H&S issues. Use of hazardous substances must be properly controlled. Appropriate H&S objectives and targets have to be set and regularly monitored. Internal auditing, which has up to now been limited to their ISO 9000:2008 certification, should be extended to the OH&S Management systems. To enable a better control of the situation, it is recommended that OHSAS 18001:2007 should be implemented, including the concept of continual improvement, to assist in more effective control of the Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

For concrete produced in a commercial ready mix operation, the compressive strengths were fitted to Weibull and normal distributions. It was found that the Weibull distribution successfully describes concrete compressive strength failure data. This information is useful in the theoretical description of concrete failure. Furthermore, based on chi-squared, Anderson-Darling and Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit tests, the difference between the Weibull and normal distribution is not large enough to make a clear distinction regarding which distribution definitively fits the experimental data better. Key words: compressive strength, normal distribution, Weibull distribution, goodness-of-fit.

Abstract The primary roles of external examiners at the University of Mauritius (UoM) are to assist the university in ensuring that degrees awarded meet international standards, that assessment is valid, and that procedures and arrangements for assessment, examinations, and determination of awards are sound and conducted rigorously, fairly, reliably, and consistently. External examiners come from a wide range of highly reputed institutions across the globe and the UoM has a set of external examining policies that act as a guide to external examiners. At the end of their visit, the external examiners submit their signed reports to the Vice-Chancellor. The reports, which include their concerns, are circulated to all administrators and academic staff for their review and analysis. Analysis of the external examiners’ reports (UoM, 2016–2019) reveal that 28% of the UoM external examiners come from the UK, 39% were from South Africa, and the remaining 33% from Australia, India, and other European countries. Overall, 98% of external examiners have rated the UoM programs as average and above compared to institutions where they had experience of external examining. The contributions of external examiners are highly valued in the continued growth of the new vision of the institution aspiring to be a research-engaged and entrepreneurial institution.