Using small angle x-ray scattering to examine the aggregation mechanism in silica nanoparticle-based ambigels for improved optical clarity.

Silica-based aerogels are a promising low-cost solution for improving the insulation efficiency of single-pane windows and reducing the energy consumption required for space heating and cooling. Two key material properties required are high porosity and small pore sizes, which lead to low thermal conductivity and high optical transparency, respectively. However, porosity and pore size are generally directly linked, where high porosity materials also have large pore sizes.

Acceptability of a Long-Acting, Multipurpose Vaginal Ring: Findings from a Phase I Trial in the U.S. and Dominican Republic.

Women worldwide face risks from pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To date, highly effective contraceptive methods provide no HIV/STI protection, and HIV prevention products, excluding condoms, provide no pregnancy protection. Intravaginal rings (IVRs) delivering antiretrovirals and contraceptives are a promising multipurpose prevention technology (MPT).

Genital Mucosal Drug Concentrations and anti-HIV Activity in Tenofovir-Based PrEP Products: Intravaginal Ring vs. Oral Administration.

Objective: To describe and compare systemic and local pharmacokinetics (PK) and cervicovaginal (CV) pharmacodynamics (PD) of oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in combination with emtricitabine (FTC) with tenofovir (TFV) intravaginal ring (IVR).

Design: Phase I, randomized, parallel-group study. Women (n = 22) used TDF/FTC oral tablets daily or TFV IVR continuously and were assessed at baseline and 14 days.

Safety and Pharmacokinetics of a Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate-Emtricitabine based Oral Antiretroviral Regimen for Prevention of HIV Acquisition in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Daily oral emtricitabine (FTC, F)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) combination is approved for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in men and women. Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) is a newer, more potent prodrug of tenofovir (TFV), and in combination with FTC, has recently been approved for prevention of HIV through rectal transmission.

Methods: This Phase I, prospective, interventional, randomized study was conducted in three clinical sites: PROFAMILIA, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; University of Pittsburgh and Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Understanding Correlation Between CO Insertion Mechanism and Chain Length of Diamine in Metal-Organic Framework Adsorbents.

Although CO insertion is a predominant phenomenon in diamine-functionalized Mg (dobpdc) (dobpdc =4,4-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3'-dicarboxylate) adsorbents, a high-performance metal-organic framework for capturing CO , the fundamental function of the diamine carbon chain length in the mechanism remains unclear. Here, Mg (dobpdc) systems with open metal sites grafted by primary diamines NH -(CH ) -NH were developed, with en (n=2), pn (n=3), bn (n=4), pen (n=5), hn (n=6), and on (n=8). Based on CO adsorption and IR results, CO insertion is involved in frameworks with n=2 and 3 but not in systems with n≥5.

Emerging Porous Materials and Their Composites for NH Gas Removal.

NH, essential for producing artificial fertilizers and several military and commercial products, is being produced at a large scale to satisfy increasing demands. The inevitable leakage of NH during its utilization, even in trace concentrations, poses significant environmental and health risks because of its highly toxic and reactive nature. Although numerous techniques have been developed for the removal of atmospheric NH, conventional NH abatement systems possess the disadvantages of high maintenance cost, low selectivity, and emission of secondary wastes.

End-user preference for and choice of four vaginally delivered HIV prevention methods among young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe: the Quatro Clinical Crossover Study.

Introduction: Adherence to HIV prevention methods is a challenge, particularly for young women in Sub-Saharan Africa. End-user research during product development can inform modifiable factors to increase future uptake and adherence.

Methods: Preferences for four vaginally inserted placebo HIV prevention methods were assessed among Zimbabwean and South African young women using a crossover clinical design.

Development and clinical assessment of new objective adherence markers for four microbicide delivery systems used in HIV prevention studies.

Background: Adherence is critical for successful topical, vaginally delivered anti-retroviral (ARV)-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Quantitating systemic or tissue ARV levels through LC-MS/MS is currently viewed as the most reliable measure of adherence. However, for placebo-controlled trials, this is a high cost analysis that measures adherence only in the drug treatment group.

"It Was Not My Aim to Sleep There": The Impact of Timing and Location of Sex on Adherence to Coitally-Dependent HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

The FACTS 001 trial found that vaginal pre- and post-coital application of 1% tenofovir gel did not prevent HIV-1 infection amongst young South African women. The trial included a multi-faceted approach to adherence support and collected objective and self-reported adherence measures. Using qualitative data collected from a random sub-set of FACTS 001 participants (135 in-depth interviews at product discontinuation and 13 focus group discussions at dissemination of trial results), we explore the importance of 'place' and 'timing' in shaping acts of sexual intimacy and product adherence.