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[Display omitted] • Growth of poly- Ge films on quartz glass via thermal evaporation method. • Annealing induced morphology evolution for preferential crystal growth. • Impact of heat treatment on the microstructural, electrical, and optical properties. • Better crystallinity in conjunction with reduction in localised band tail states confirmed by the red-shift in band gap. • Phase-inversion from amorphous-to-polycrystalline Germanium thin films. In this work, we present the sequential growth of metal–semiconductor bilayer structure on HF-treated textured glass substrates by thermal evaporation method. The process of aluminum-induced crystallization of amorphous germanium thin films was critically observed under heat treatment. Temperature assisted structural modifications triggered the nucleation phenomenon for controlled grain growth which transformed the nature of Ge-thin film from amorphous-to-polycrystalline. Interestingly, the electrical resistivity also decreased by subsequent annealing which promoted the conduction mechanism. Optical measurements indicated a dwindling in band tail states and related structural defects, leading to better crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of anemia in pregnant women with preterm labour. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah International Hospital (Teaching Hospital of Women Medical College), Abbottabad. Period: July 2020 to December 2020. Material & Methods: The study comprised 171 females with a singleton pregnancy on ultrasound, gestational age of 24 to 37 weeks on ultrasound, parity 0-4 and preterm labour. Patients with history of cervical insufficiency, vaginal infection in last one year and urinary tract infection in last one year were excluded. Venous blood was collected from all 171 women in sodium EDTA tube by a 3rd year resident and was immediately sent to laboratory. Hemoglobin < 9 g/dL was recorded as anemia. Results: The participants in this study ranged in age from 18 to 40 years, with mean age of 28.274±3.48 years, mean gestational age was 30.473±3.37 weeks, mean parity1.064±1.28 and mean weight was 73.836±9.74. Anemia was seen in 41.5% patients. Conclusion: The study gave us the information about the importance of iron deficiency anemia as a risk factor for preterm labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transitions between hospital and community services and from child and adolescent to adult services have been identified as a priority for improvement in the child and adolescent mental health and addictions sector across Canada and internationally. Despite widespread recognition of the issue, there is very little in the way of evidence to guide policy and programming to improve transitions. Transition support workers have been identified as a promising intervention to facilitate successful transitions, and innovative programs involving transition workers are currently operating in the Canadian mental health sector. This commentary presents two case studies of existing transition worker programs in the Greater Toronto Area that link hospital and community mental health sectors for youth ages 12-18. We discuss program characteristics, the transition worker role, recommendations to organizations considering creating a similar service, and areas for future research. The goal of this commentary is to contribute to knowledge exchange and ultimately strengthen the evidence base for the transition worker role in child and adolescent mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shelf life of tomato is limited due to its perishable nature. The fruit is highly susceptible to fungal attack such as Fusarium oxysporum. The edible coating has been used to enhance the postharvest life of different food products. The present study was designed for the development of edible antifungal coating on tomato fruit using pomegranate peel extract in combination with chitosan. Pomegranate peel extract was obtained from pomegranate peel using water distillation method. The antifungal coating was prepared with different concentrations of pomegranate peel extract (To, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 for 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%) respectively. Coated tomatoes were subjected to physicochemical, microbial, and sensory analysis during storage. The firmness and lycopene content were decreased during storage. However, the coated tomatoes have more firmness and lycopene content than uncoated tomatoes. Maximum weight loss was observed for To (6.22 ± 0.07%) after 21 days. Lycopene content of coated tomato were improved during storage as compare with uncoated samples. Maximum total plate count was observed for To (6.11 ± 0.07 CFU/g) and minimum was observed for T5 (2.11 ± 0.08 CFU/g). All the treatments were significantly effective to control total plate count and mold count in comparison with the control. The coating materials did not affect the sensory profile of tomatoes. Pomegranate peel extract was proved effective antimicrobial coating material for tomatoes. The study will pave way for the researchers to use coating material for fruits based on the fruit waste. Practical applications: Fruit waste‐based edible coating can prevent postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. Pomegranate peel extract and chitosan have shown potential to reduce postharvest losses in tomatoes. PPE‐based coating has antimicrobial activity against Fusarium oxysporum. The edible coating can help to reduce qualitative and safety issues in tomatoes during storage. It may be used as a replacement of synthetic preservatives in tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]