Gender is an intersectional determinant of health that remains insufficiently integrated in programmes and policies. Sustained processes of dialogue and collaboration, including participatory approaches such as co-design, are needed to effect gender integration. However, the contexts and power dynamics through which co-design may support gender integration are not well understood. This qualitative case study examined a co-design partnership that undertook gender integration within an established adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme in South Africa from 2022-2025, drawing on (n = 37) project documents, (n = 36) post-meeting reflections, (n = 2) annual project group reflections, and (n = 12) key informant interviews. Analysis was deductive-inductive and informed by theories of context, organisational logics, gender, and power. Three interlinked contextual levels influenced the partnership. Macro-level funding arrangements and accountability structures created hierarchical pressures that constrained participatory and gender-responsive work. Meso-level organisational logics differed across partners, creating misalignment with the reflective co-design approach and between partner organisations. At the micro-level, boundary-spanning individuals enabled trust-building and adaptation. Interactions across levels revealed how institutionalised power shaped feasible forms of participation and gender integration. Co-design partnerships can strengthen gender integration in programmes but require macro-level enabling systems, institutional support, and navigation of meso-level organisational logics alongside sustained micro-level action.
Network centralization, driven by hub nodes, impacts communication efficiency, structural integration, and dynamic processes such as diffusion and synchronization. Although numerous centralization measures exist, a major challenge lies in determining measures that are both theoretically sound and empirically reliable across different network contexts. To resolve this challenge, we normalize 11 measures of network centralization and assess them systematically using an axiomatic framework and numerical simulations. Our axiomatic assessment tests each measure against the six postulates of centralization, ensuring consistency with minimal theoretical requirements. In addition, our numerical assessment examines the behavior of normalized centralization measures over different random graphs. Our results indicate major differences among the measures, despite their common aim of quantifying centralization. Together, our assessments point to the relative suitability of three measures: normalized betweenness centralization, normalized closeness centralization, and normalized degree centralization. Applying these three measures to real-world networks from diverse domains reveals meaningful variation in the organization of the networks with respect to hubs. Normalized betweenness centralization highlights path-based dominance; normalized closeness centralization reflects accessibility and efficiency of reach; and normalized degree centralization captures degree-based hub concentration. When used jointly, the three measures demonstrate the required sensitivity to varying levels of centralization and provide complementary aspects of network centralization that no single measure can offer alone. Our dual evaluation framework clarifies conceptual differences among existing measures and offers practical guidance for selecting reliable centralization metrics.
The production of silicon (Si) wafers generates substantial amounts of micron-sized, high-purity Si waste, resulting in environmental pollution and resource loss. Similarly, the manufacturing of artificial graphite (AG) components results in the generation of significant amounts of unused AG waste. This research focuses on the development of a carbon (C) coated Si/AG composite material with long cycle stability by recycling Si and AG waste. Initially, purified Si waste is combined with anhydrous ethanol and processed in a sand mill to create a Si-containing nanoslurry. Next, carbon nanotubes, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and AG waste are incorporated into the SM-nano Si, mixed, and then spray-dried. The final step involves high-temperature annealing in a hydrogen-argon atmosphere to develop a three-dimensional interpenetrating Si/AG/C structure. When used as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries, the coin cell maintains a capacity of 639 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g-1 , achieving a capacity retention rate of 88 %. Following additional electrostatic modification, the capacity rises to 691.7 mAh g-1 . This study highlights the potential of recycling Si and AG waste to produce high-performance Si/C anode materials, significantly contributing to the sustainable reuse of discarded resources.
Most patients with relapsed or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (rmHNSCC) do not experience durable responses to PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors. PD-L1 tissue expression is the most commonly assessed response marker, but an insufficient predictor of treatment outcome. To identify suitable response biomarkers, we profiled the FOCUS trial (Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05075122) cohort for several blood- and tissue-based markers. PD-L1 levels in the tumor or tumor microenvironment were not associated with treatment benefit. In contrast, inflammation-related markers such as IL-6, sCD25, and sTIM-3, as well as high peripheral neutrophils, cell-free DNA levels, and T cell receptor repertoire clonality, were associated with poor clinical outcomes. Patients lacking these high-risk markers performed remarkably well on inhibition of immune checkpoints with pembrolizumab. Biomarker-guided patient selection for pembrolizumab monotherapy or novel combinatorial approaches—potentially including anti-inflammatory agents—for patients with immune-impaired, inflammatory profiles may be the next step in personalizing immunotherapy for these hard-to-treat patients.
The boron diffusion process in the front field of N-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells is crucial for PN junction formation and the creation of a selective emitter. This study presents a theoretical model of boron diffusion in silicon using molecular dynamics. The research examines the mean square displacement and diffusion coefficient of boron atoms at varying temperatures, confirming their diffusion behavior. The simulations indicate predominant boron diffusion in the z-direction within the silicon matrix, with the diffusion depth being temperature dependent. The optimal temperature range for boron diffusion in silicon is identified as 950 degrees C to 1050 degrees C. Using boron-doped silicon paste and boron trichloride as dopants, thermal diffusion experiments were conducted to fabricate the front-field PN junction (p(+) layer) and selective emitter (p(++) layer) by one step. Subsequent processing and performance evaluation were performed on a production line. Experimental findings reveal a decrease in boron diffusion at higher temperatures, reduced sheet resistance, increased doping concentration, and deeper junction formation. The ideal boron concentration in the p(+) layer is 8.68 x 10(18) atom/cm(3) with a depth of 0.53 mu m, while the p(++) layer is 2.35 x 10(19) atom/cm(3) and 0.82 mu m. The efficiency of the optimized TOPCon + cell production line reaches up to 25.17 %, marking an improvement of 0.23 % over the standard cell production line. This research contributes to elucidating the mechanism of boron diffusion and offers insights for enhancing the efficiency of TOPCon solar cells.
