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p-(001)NiO/n-(0001)ZnO heterojunction devices grown by pulsed laser deposition technique
NiO/ZnO heterostructures are grown on c-sapphire substrates using the pulsed laser deposition technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study shows that the ZnO layer epitaxially grows along the [0001]-direction on the (0001)sapphire surface, as expected, while the epitaxial NiO film is found to be deposited along the [001]-direction on the (0001)ZnO surface. Moreover, the presence of three (001)NiO domains laterally rotated by 30° with respect to each other has also been confirmed by XRD and precision electron diffraction techniques in NiO layers. The study reveals the continuous nature of the NiO film, which also possesses a very smooth surface morphology. In a sharp contrast, ZnO films are found to grow along the [0001]-direction when deposited on (111)NiO layers. These films show columnar morphology. (001)NiO/(0001)ZnO layers exhibit the rectifying current–voltage characteristics that suggests the existence of p–n junctions in these devices. However, the behavior could not be observed in (0001)ZnO/(111)NiO heterojunctions. The reason could be the columnar morphology of the ZnO layer. Such a morphology can facilitate the propagation of metal ions from the contact pads to the underlying NiO layer and suppress the p–n junction effect.
Who becomes an entrepreneur after university? Evidence from Canada
In recent decades there has been significant interest among policy makers in supporting entrepreneurship among university students, with the goal to improve labor market outcomes and contribute to the economy through venture creation. Drawing from the 2018 National Graduate Survey in Canada, our study examines who engages in entrepreneurial activity after graduation, investigating differences among demographic groups and between those who participated in entrepreneurship education on campus and those who did not participate. We find that those graduates who participated in entrepreneurship education are more likely to be self-employed and own their own business three years after graduating than the general population of university graduates. We also find differences according to gender, citizenship, and socio-economic status in entrepreneurial activity. Our results are consistent with previous studies documenting demographic disparities in entrepreneurship and provide more generalizable evidence about the relationship between entrepreneurship education and subsequent entrepreneurship.
Radiation effects on pure silica and Ge-doped silica core optical fibers and fiber Bragg grating sensors
Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are widely used in high-radiation environments owing to their high sensitivity, stability, and resistance to electromagnetic interference. In this study, pure and Ge-doped silica core fibers were fabricated using chemical vapor deposition. Based on these fibers, two temperature sensors, FBG-Si and FBG-Ge, were developed using femtosecond laser direct writing combined with metalized armoring. The fibers and sensors were exposed to gamma radiation, and their stability, temperature accuracy, and refractive index were systematically evaluated. Electron paramagnetic resonance and radiation-induced loss were used to investigate the effects of gamma radiation on the fiber materials and temperature sensors at the atomic micro-scale. The results showed that the Bragg center wavelength (λB) of the FBGs linearly redshifted with increasing temperature under non-stressed conditions. After gamma irradiation, at a temperature, λB, redshifted further with increasing radiation dose. The FBG-Si sensor exhibited higher stability and smaller temperature errors than FBG-Ge. Both sensors exhibited a decrease in output power after irradiation. The performance degradation of the FBGs after irradiation is attributed to an increase in the number of color centers and defects within the grating, leading to higher transmission losses. As the radiation dose increased, the concentration of the color centers increased, leading to changes in the refractive index of the gratings. This ultimately resulted in a redshift in λB and caused temperature measurement errors.
Safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in non-emergent patients with a history of seizures: A retrospective cohort study
Background Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is well established as a treatment for various medical conditions. However, it poses a risk of oxygen toxicity, which can cause seizures particularly in individuals with pre-existing seizure disorders. Consequently, seizure disorders are considered a relative contraindication to HBOT. Despite this, the relative risk of HBOT-induced seizures in this patient population remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the safety of HBOT among patients with pre-existing seizure disorders. Methods After obtaining approval from the Research Ethics Board, we retrospectively reviewed the patient charts of individuals with a history of seizures who were referred to the Rouge Valley Hyperbaric Medical Center and Toronto General Hyperbaric Medicine Unit for HBOT between January 2020 and December 2023. Relevant demographic information, past medical history, and HBOT session treatment protocols, such as the treatment pressure set in absolute atmospheric pressure (ATA) and number of air breaks, were recorded. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 43 patients were referred to HBOT during the study period, and 21 patients did not proceed with the treatments. In total, 634 HBOT sessions were administered to 22 patients in monoplace chambers with five-minute air breaks, and one patient experienced a seizure event. Each patient completed an average of 29 (range 3–60) sessions lasting 90–120 minutes at 1.8 ATA (n = 3), 2.0 ATA (n = 18), or 2.4 ATA (n = 1). Fifteen patients were on oral antiseizure medications during the HBOT course. The overall incidence of seizures was one in 634 treatments. Conclusion While patients with a history of seizures may develop seizure activity during HBOT, the majority can safely undergo treatment when predetermined protocols are followed. With careful management and adherence to established protocols, HBOT can be a viable treatment option for those with seizure histories.
Imaging pyrometry of metal fragments initially generated during the supersonic impact of reactive metal projectiles
The early stage of the impact-initiated reaction of supersonic cylindrical reactive metal projectiles (magnesium, aluminum, titanium, and zirconium) with an inert aluminum oxide target is investigated experimentally with impact velocities from 1.1 to 1.3 km/s. A three-color imaging pyrometer is used to obtain temperature maps of the condensed fragments generated during the first few microseconds following contact between the projectile and the target. Experiments conducted in inert and oxidizing atmospheres confirm that chemical reactions initiate readily upon contact between the projectile and the target. In oxidizing atmospheres, the fragment temperatures measured for each metal are, on average, below but near the respective adiabatic temperature in air, except for Zr which produced temperatures significantly below expectations. Only the particles shed at the interface between the projectile and the target visibly react with the oxygen in the ambient atmosphere. At the impact velocities under study, only a small fraction, on the order of a few percent, of the mass of the projectile is finely fragmented during the initial impact event.
CBGTPy: An extensible cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic framework for modeling biological decision making
Here we introduce CBGTPy, a virtual environment for designing and testing goal-directed agents with internal dynamics that are modeled on the cortico-basal-ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) pathways in the mammalian brain. CBGTPy enables researchers to investigate the internal dynamics of the CBGT system during a variety of tasks, allowing for the formation of testable predictions about animal behavior and neural activity. The framework has been designed around the principle of flexibility, such that many experimental parameters in a decision making paradigm can be easily defined and modified. Here we demonstrate the capabilities of CBGTPy across a range of single and multi-choice tasks, highlighting the ease of set up and the biologically realistic behavior that it produces. We show that CBGTPy is extensible enough to apply to a range of experimental protocols and to allow for the implementation of model extensions with minimal developmental effort.
High-throughput material search by magnetic and compositional mapping of reactively sputtered combinatorial FexVyNz films
Despite the many advantages afforded to the investigation of complex compositional systems by combinatorial sputtering, the application of this synthesis technique is hindered by high-throughput characterization bottlenecks. The recent application of translatable compositional and magnetic characterization techniques, such as precision Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) and Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE), are enabling for full wafer mapping of film chemistry, magnetic moment, and coercivity, although under-applied. An example system that stands to benefit from the application of combinatorial sputtering and high-throughput characterization is lightly nitrided FexVyNz, which, among other doped FeN materials, is a candidate rare earth-free permanent magnet for electric motor and read/write head applications. Within this report, a combinatorial sputtering and characterization procedure, which leverages high-throughput WDXRF and MOKE mapping, is utilized to investigate the effects of V composition on the room temperature ferromagnetic properties of FexVyNz. Observations made using WDXRF and MOKE mapping are shown to closely agree with vibrating sample magnetometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements made on cleaved regions of interest from the parent wafer. It is observed that the inclusion of V deleteriously affects the saturated moment of FeN, resulting in complete macroscopic reduction at 18 at. %. A maximum film coercivity of 165 Oe is observed at 10 at. % V, likely contributed to by crystallographic texture due to processing, followed by a complete reduction along with the saturated moment. These observations support the high-throughput characterization approaches of WDXRF and MOKE to combinatorial synthesis workflows.
Epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in four districts of central Ethiopia: Prevalence and risk factors
From February 2022 to April 2023, a cross-sectional study on dog gastrointestinal parasites was conducted in Bishoftu, Dukem, Addis Ababa, and Sheno, Central Ethiopia, with the aim of estimating the prevalence and evaluating risk factors. A total of 701 faecal samples were collected and processed using floatation and McMaster techniques. In dogs that were investigated, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 53.1% (372/701). Nematode (28.2%), cestode (8.4%), and protozoan (5.6%) parasite infections were detected in dogs in both single (42.2%) and combined (10.8%) infections. With respective prevalences of 16%, 9.8%, 5%, 3.9%, and 3.1% Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Giardia spp., and Taenia/Echinococcus spp. were the most common parasites. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was significantly higher (P<0.05) in female dogs (73.8%, OR = 0.4), adult dogs (55.3%, OR = 0.4), dogs that were given raw food (57.9%, OR = 2.7), and dogs kept free outdoor (60.9%, OR = 2.4). The incidence of gastrointestinal parasites was also higher in dogs with diarrheal faecal consistency (89.1%, OR = 9.1) and dogs from highland areas (62.1%, OR = 1.8). In contrast, statistically significant variation in the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was not recorded among dogs of different breeds. The current study found that dogs in the studied locations had a high overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. In conclusion, gastrointestinal parasites in dogs have the potential to pose a serious threat to public health, so addressing this issue requires a unified approach. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct detailed epidemiological and genetic research on dog parasites in vast study regions across various agro-ecologies zones and seasons in Ethiopia. Additionally, it is crucial to raise public awareness of the prevalence, effects on public health, and financial implications of dog gastrointestinal parasites in Ethiopia.
Physics-informed neural networks for analyzing size effect and identifying parameters in piezoelectric semiconductor nanowires
Piezoelectric semiconductors (PSCs) are crucial in micro-electromechanical systems, but analyzing their size effects and accurately determining flexoelectric parameters is challenging due to the complexity of multi-scale and multi-field coupling. Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), which merge physical laws with machine learning, provide a promising approach for solving partial differential equations and parameter inversion. In this paper, we develop a PINN model to solve a system of fourth-order partial differential equations for PSC nanowires, accounting for strain gradient and flexoelectric effects. Predictions by the model closely match results from traditional numerical methods. Additionally, with minimal labeled data, the PINN model can predict both physical solutions and material parameters, such as the flexoelectric coefficient. It is expected that PINNs offer an effective method for analyzing PSC nanowires and inverting key material properties.
Analysis of RL electric circuits modeled by fractional Riccati IVP via Jacobi-Broyden Newton algorithm
This paper focuses on modeling Resistor-Inductor (RL) electric circuits using a fractional Riccati initial value problem (IVP) framework. Conventional models frequently neglect the complex dynamics and memory effects intrinsic to actual RL circuits. This study aims to develop a more precise representation using a fractional-order Riccati model. We present a Jacobi collocation method combined with the Jacobi-Newton algorithm to address the fractional Riccati initial value problem. This numerical method utilizes the characteristics of Jacobi polynomials to accurately approximate solutions to the nonlinear fractional differential equation. We obtain the requisite Jacobi operational matrices for the discretization of fractional derivatives, therefore converting the initial value problem into a system of algebraic equations. The convergence and precision of the proposed algorithm are meticulously evaluated by error and residual analysis. The theoretical findings demonstrate that the method attains high-order convergence rates, dependent on suitable criteria related to the fractional-order parameters and the solution’s smoothness. This study not only improves comprehension of RL circuit dynamics but also offers a solid numerical foundation for addressing intricate fractional differential equations.
Luminescence efficiency and temperature quenching of spontaneous and stimulated emission in ultra-low dislocation density InN
In this letter, we evaluate temperature quenching of photoluminescence in ultra-high quality epitaxial InN films to assess the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of band-to-band light emission. Measured room-temperature carrier lifetimes of ∼10 ns in the samples with record-low dislocation density of Nd ∼ 5 × 108 cm−2 appear consistent with the diffusion-limited Shockley–Reed–Hall recombination model and lead to a maximum emission IQE of ∼1.5% at T = 300 K. For the stimulated emission (SE) regime, dislocation densities in excess of 1010 cm−2 can be actually tolerated without seriously affecting the SE threshold, and its temperature dependence is determined by a competition between radiative and Auger processes, with a crossover point around liquid-nitrogen temperature.
Vitamin D, acute respiratory infections, and Covid-19: The curse of small-size randomised trials. A critical review with meta-analysis of randomised trials
Background Randomised trials conducted from 2006 to 2021 indicated that vitamin D supplementation (VDS) was able to prevent severe COVID-19 and acute respiratory infections (ARI). However, larger randomised trials published in 2022 did not confirm the health benefits of VDS in COVID-19 patients. Objective To examine through a systematic review with meta-analysis the characteristics of randomised trials on VDS to COVID-19 patients and admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and of randomised trials on VDS for the prevention of ARI. Method A systematic search retrieved randomised trials on VDS to COVID-19 patients and admission to ICU. Data on VDS and ARI were extracted from the meta-analysis of Jolliffe et al. 2021. Groups were formed including trials with total numbers of patients below or above the median size of all trials. The associations between VDS vs no VDS, and admission to ICU were evaluated using random-effects models from which summary odds ratios (SOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained. Meta-analyses were done for all trials and for each group of trials, which allowed testing a possible effect modification of trial size. Publication bias was assessed using the Louis-Furuya-Kanaruori (LFK) index (no bias if index between -1 and +1) and the trim and fill method. Results Nine trials on VDS for preventing admission to ICU were identified, including 50 to 548 patients. The summary odds ratio (SOR) was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.39–0.95) for all trials, 0.34 (0.13–0.93) for trials including 50 to <106 patients and 0.88 (0.62–1.24) for trials including 106 to 548 patients (interaction p = 0.04). The LFK index was -3.79, and after trim and fill, the SOR was 0.80 (0.40–1.61). The SOR for the 37 trials on VDS for ARI prevention included 25 to 16,000 patients. The SOR was 0.92 (0.86–0.99) for all trials, 0.69 (0.57–0.83) for trials including 25 to <248 patients and 0.98 (0.94–1.03) for trials including 248 to 16,000 patients (interaction p = 0.0001). The LFK index was -3.11, and after trim and fill, the SOR was 0.96 (0.88–1.05). Conclusion Strong publication bias affected small randomised trials on VDS for the prevention of severe COVID-19 and of ARI. Systematic reviews should beware of small-size randomised trials that generally exaggerate health benefits.
Cryogenic hybrid magnonic circuits based on spalled YIG thin films
Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) magnonics has garnered significant research interest because of the unique properties of magnons (quasiparticles of collective spin excitation) for signal processing. In particular, hybrid systems based on YIG magnonics show great promise for quantum information science due to their broad frequency tunability and strong compatibility with other platforms. However, their broad applications have been severely constrained by substantial microwave loss in the gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrate at cryogenic temperatures. In this study, we demonstrate that YIG thin films can be spalled from YIG/GGG samples. Our approach is validated by measuring hybrid devices comprising superconducting resonators and spalled YIG films, which exhibit anti-crossing features that indicate strong coupling between magnons and microwave photons. Such new capability of separating YIG thin films from GGG substrates via spalling and the integrated superconductor-YIG devices represent a significant advancement for integrated magnonic devices, paving the way for advanced magnon-based coherent information processing.
Efficiency of four trap types and human landing catch in the sampling of Mansonia (Diptera, Culicidae) in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
Entomological surveillance plays a crucial role in designing and implementing mosquito control measures. In this context, developing more effective collection strategies is essential to accurately estimate the entomological parameters necessary for effective control. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of four traps: CDC light trap, MosqTent, BG-Sentinel, and SkeeterVac, compared to human landing catch (HLC) in the collection of Mansonia mosquitoes, known to cause discomfort to riverside populations along the Madeira River in the District of Jaci Paraná, Porto Velho, in Rondônia state, Brazil. Sampling was conducted, during three periods corresponding to two seasons, dry and rainy, over five consecutive days for each period. The captures using HLC and the installation of the traps took place on the grounds of five selected residences from 6 to 10 pm. Rotational exchanges between houses ensured that all traps and the HLC were used in each of the five residences, following a predetermined Latin square pattern. A total of 7,080 mosquitoes were collected, of which 90.5% belonged to the Mansonia genus, distributed in four species: Mansonia titillans (75.97%), Mansonia humeralis (18.91%), Mansonia amazonensis (1.90%), and Mansonia indubitans (1.37%). HLC captured the highest number of Mansonia mosquitoes (58.1%), followed by SkeeterVac (21.8%) and MosqTent (18.9%). CDC and BG-Sentinel showed a very low performance (0.92 and 0.23%, respectively). Although HLC performed better in capturing Mansonia, our results suggest that SkeeterVac and MosqTent can serve as valuable additional tools to entomological inventories or sentinels for detecting invasive species in areas with high epidemiological vulnerability, thereby providing evidence-based recommendations for improving mosquito control measures and entomological surveillance.
Influence of laser polarization on the laser-induced damage threshold: Comparison with photoionization theory
The influence of laser polarization on the laser-induced damage threshold of fused silica is presented. Measurements were performed using femtosecond and nanosecond laser pulse durations. The impact of laser polarization on the laser damage varies with laser wavelength. While no difference in UV laser damage was observed between linear and circular polarizations, circular polarization improved the damage resistance of fused silica to infrared and visible laser radiation in comparison with linear polarization. By measuring the femtosecond laser damage of a SiO2 thin film deposited onto a substrate, we show that the ratio between the bandgap of the sample and the photon energy causes the polarization dependent laser damage to change. These experimental findings are explained by considering the photoionization theory for solids.
Analysis of the social-epistemological dimensions of a Clinical Teaching Unit and Small Private Online Course compared to a traditional clerkship Internal Medicine
Clinical workplace learning is often suboptimal due to the dynamics of the clinical learning environment and several challenges encountered in clinical practice. At LUMC, clinical teachers introduced a novel blended learning program that included both the introduction of a Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU) and Small Private Online Course (SPOC). This study aimed to analyze the educational content and design of our educational interventions, by categorizing and comparing the dimensions of the learning program before and after the interventions. The novel blended learning program was integrated into a clerkship internal medicine, aiming to optimize clerks’ clinical workplace learning. Therefore, a traditional inpatient ward was transformed into a CTU, featuring the introduction of learning activities that promoted multidisciplinary and interprofessional learning. It included an integrated SPOC, aiming to improve clinical reasoning skills, feedback and collaboration of the clerks. The authors analyzed the clerkships’ content and design, by categorizing the social-epistemological dimensions of the teaching modes offered before (traditional clerkship) and after (including CTU and SPOC) the intervention. These dimensions consisted of individual versus group (collaborative), and objectivist versus constructive learning categories. The CTU model added eleven group activities to the clinical workplace, of which nine were characterized as constructivist-group activities. It also led to more active learning of the clerks, compared to the traditional clerkship. Analysis of the SPOC revealed 344 teaching modes in total, which included 113 objectivist–individual, 205 constructive–individual and 23 constructive–group activities. Compared to a traditional clerkship, the CTU with SPOC led to more constructivist and collaborative learning and a more diverse educational program. This study illustrates a methodology to address active and collaborative learning activities in an educational program, and offers tools to evaluate and redesign one’s teaching program. The methods and models described can be applied to clinical environments in other areas of medicine.
Lattice Boltzmann modeling of droplet actuation via temperature gradient and electrowetting
Droplet manipulation under various physical fields is crucial for microfluidics. Theoretical models are key to understand the physics. In this work, by extending the binary phase lattice Boltzmann model to fully coupled thermodynamics and electrostatics, we systematically explore the behaviors of droplet transport driven by temperature-dependent surface tension, thermocapillary, and electrowetting effects. It is shown that electrowetting enables bidirectional transport of the droplet, determined by various physical parameters such as electric voltage, wettability, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and surface tension. Specifically, the physics revealed in this work is more than simply electrowetting modified wettability. Actually, the droplet transport is controlled further by contact angle hysteresis and thermocapillary-induced temperature gradient.
In vivo imaging of mitochondrial function in normal, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma eyes
To investigate macula and optic nerve head (ONH) mitochondrial metabolic activity using flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) in normal, glaucoma suspect (GS), and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) eyes we performed a cross-sectional, observational study of FPF in normal, GS, and OAG eyes. The macula and ONH of each eye was scanned and analyzed with a commercially available FPF measuring device (OcuMet Beacon, OcuSciences Inc., Ann Arbor, MI). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare macula and ONH FPF scores between groups. Linear regression models investigated the correlation between FPF scores and structural and functional parameters. We included 25 normal, 16 GS, and 54 OAG eyes. The average age in years ± SD for normal, GS, and OAG groups was 60.6 ±17.4, 67.8 ± 10.3, and 67.9 ± 11.6, respectively (P = 0.064). There was no significant difference in gender, race/ethnicity, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure between groups. OAG eyes had larger cup-to-disc ratio, thinner retinal nerve fiber and macula thicknesses, and worse visual field indices compared to normal and GS eyes (P ≤ 0.018). There was no significant difference in any FPF metric between the study groups in either the macula or the ONH, despite normalizing FPF data for structural differences between groups (e.g. retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness). In conclusion, no significant differences in metabolic activity as measured by FPF were found in macula and ONH FPF scores using the integrated clinician report generator between normal, GS, and OAG eyes. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of mitochondrial metabolic activity measurements in glaucoma.
Characterization and optimization of high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells: Impact of recombination in the space charge region and trap-assisted Auger exciton recombination
Since the photoconversion efficiency η of the silicon-based solar cells (SCs) under laboratory conditions is approaching the theoretical fundamental limit, further improvement of their performance requires theoretical modeling and/or numerical simulation to optimize the SCs parameters and design. The existing numerical approaches to modeling and optimizing the key parameters of high-efficiency solar cells based on monocrystalline silicon, the dominant material in photovoltaics, are described. It is shown that, in addition to the four usually considered recombination processes, namely, Shockley–Read-Hall, surface, radiative, and band-to-band Auger recombination mechanisms, the non-radiative exciton Auger recombination and recombination in the space charge region (SCR) have to be included. To develop the analytical SC characterization formalism, we proposed a simple expression to model the wavelength-dependent external quantum efficiency of the photocurrent near the absorption edge. Based on this parameterization, the theory developed allows for calculating and optimizing the base thickness-dependent short-circuit current, the open-circuit voltage, and the SC photoconversion efficiency. The accuracy of the approach to optimizing solar cell parameters, particularly thickness and base doping level, is demonstrated by its application to three Si solar cells reported in the literature: one with an efficiency of 26.63%, another with 26.81%, and a third with a record efficiency of 27.3%. The results show that the developed formalism enables further optimization of solar cell thickness and doping levels, leading to potential increases in efficiency.
Look-alike modelling in violence-related research: A missing data approach
Violence has been analysed in silo due to difficulties in accessing data and concerns for the safety of those exposed. While there is some literature on violence and its associations using individual datasets, analyses using combined sources of data are very limited. Ideally data from the same individuals would enable linkage and a longitudinal understanding of experiences of violence and their (health) impacts and consequences. This paper aims to provide proof of concept to create a synthetic dataset by combining data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and administrative data from Rape Crisis England and Wales (RCEW), pertaining to victim-survivors of sexual violence in adulthood. Intuitively, the idea was to impute missing information from one dataset by borrowing the distribution from the other. In our analyses, we borrowed information from CSEW to impute missing data in the RCEW administrative dataset, creating a combined synthetic RCEW-CSEW dataset. Using look-alike modelling principles, we provide an innovative and cost-effective approach to exploring patterns and associations in violence-related research in a multi-sectorial setting. Methodologically, we approached data integration as a missing data problem to create a synthetic combined dataset. Multiple imputation with chained equations were employed to collate/impute data from the two different sources. To test whether this procedure was effective, we compared regressions analyses for the individual and combined synthetic datasets on binary, continuous and categorical variables. We extended our testing to an outcome measure and, finally, applied the technique to a variable fully missing in one data source. Our results show that the effect sizes for the combined dataset reflect those from the dataset used for imputation. The variance is higher, resulting in fewer statistically significant estimates. Our approach reinforces the possibility of combining administrative with survey datasets using look-alike methods to overcome existing barriers to data linkage.