We present molecular dynamics simulations of the adsorption of mixed CO2-water vapors on a graphene-flakes (GF) substrate, a model inspired by the microporous structure of activated carbons. Adsorption strength is quantified through a reduced energy measure that avoids ambiguities associated with defining adsorption regions. We find that CO2 adsorbs more strongly and more rapidly than water across all temperatures studied. Adsorption from wet vapors was observed to resul in higher CO2 uptake compared with dry vapors at temperatures below 375 K. At intermediate temperatures, water molecules were seen to form clusters that interact with both the substrate and CO2, potentially promoting CO2 adsorption. Additionally, we observe that the GF substrate inhibits the formation of large water clusters, altering water aggregation dynamics near the surface. These findings highlight a cooperative adsorption mecha- nism in humid environments and suggest that graphene-flakes-based materials may perform effectively for carbon capture under realistic, moisture-containing conditions.
Background and ContextDespite the growing demand for computing professionals, high dropout rates and pronounced gender disparities persist in CS programs. While factors such as grit and programming experience influence student retention and success and may differ by gender, how these differences shape retention remains unclear.ObjectiveThis paper employs the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to study how gender differences in grit and programming experience across the introductory computing curriculum affect students' intention to complete their computer science (CS) degree.MethodWe collected survey data from 303 undergraduate CS major students enrolled in CS1, CS2, and CS3 at an engineering-focused university in the southeastern United States.FindingsResults showed differences between men and women at different course levels in terms of grit and programming experience, which in turn influenced their self-efficacy to study CS, outcome expectations, attitude toward computing, and consequently their intention to continue studying CS as their major.ImplicationsThe study highlights the need for intervention strategies to enhance retention and provide tailored, gender-inclusive support for computer science students.
We present a confocal microscopy-based method for constructing power-dependent optothermal transition (OTT) diagrams of phase-change chalcogenide (PCC) thin films via spatial light modulation, without diffraction-limited optics, pulse shaping, or temporal modulation. Optical dosage is engineered through controlled scanning dynamics to systematically map amorphous, crystalline, semi-crystalline, and failure regimes in Ge2Sb2Te5 and Sb2Te3 on silicon and silicon-on-insulator substrates. Substrate-dependent transition setpoints and cycling behavior are identified and supported by optothermal simulations, while failure mechanisms, including delamination and dewetting, are experimentally resolved through spatially mapped optical measurements. Reproducible intermediate optical states are achieved through controlled variations in incident power and exposure count. Integration of two-photon excitation fluorescence and second-harmonic generation probes enable single-step discrimination between phase transitions and degradation, while revealing dynamic nonlinear behavior within the crystalline phase. This scalable optical platform advances PCC materials characterization and programming for photonic memory and reconfigurable integrated photonics. (c) 2026 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement
West Africa experiences some of the highest particulate pollution levels globally due to Saharan dust, biomass burning and urban emissions. Despite the severe health burden, air quality monitoring remains sparse. This study evaluates WRF-Chem's performance in simulating PM2.5 levels across seven West African cities in 2021 using newly available AirNow observational data sets. Results show that while the model effectively captures seasonal PM2.5 variability, it largely overestimates concentrations in northern landlocked cities during the dry season (November-April), including N'Djamena (mean bias (MB) = 86.2 ) and Bamako (MB = 102.3 ) due to excess dust, and underestimates PM2.5 in Lagos during the wet season (MB = -19.5 ), when dust contributions are minimal. Daily PM2.5 correlations are highest during the dry season at sites with dense observational coverage, including N'Djamena (R = 0.63), Abidjan (R = 0.63), and Accra (R = 0.64), but correlations mostly decline during the wet season when non-dust PM2.5 emissions become more prominent. Evaluations of AERONET aerosol optical depth further indicates widespread dry-season overestimation at northern sites, supporting overestimated dust emissions in the model. Meteorological evaluation shows good representation of seasonal monsoon transitions but reduced skill in coastal wind fields, which may contribute to PM2.5 errors in coastal cities. Additionally, positive model biases in meridional wind across northern cities may contribute to enhanced simulated dust emissions and transport. Overall, these findings call for improved dust emissions, non-dust PM2.5 evaluations, meteorological validations, and expanded monitoring for reliable air-quality forecasting and public-health protection.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a safe and cost-effective strategy for preventing cervical cancer, yet uptake remains low worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Numerous interventional studies in LMICs have attempted to improve vaccine uptake or knowledge, with mixed success. In this narrative review, we synthesize the evidence on implementation and education strategies and highlight best practices to guide future vaccination efforts. School-based vaccination programs have the strongest evidence for achieving high coverage, but alternative approaches are required to reach out-of-school youth and high-risk adult populations. While access to the HPV vaccine remains the most critical determinant of uptake, coupling this with education and awareness campaigns is essential to drive uptake. The most effective educational strategies are culturally adapted and grounded in learning theory. Overall, the evidence suggests that simply providing the HPV vaccine along with culturally relevant education will lead to broad vaccine acceptance across most populations. Future research should prioritize rigorous evaluation of unique educational and implementation strategies, such as mother-daughter approaches or culture-specific educational formats, with a focus on quantifying the impact these strategies have on endline vaccination status and not surrogate outcomes. Such studies will advance the evidence base, strengthen HPV vaccination strategies, and help reduce the global burden of HPV-associated cancers.
