A small angle neutron scattering and Mössbauer spectrometry study of magnetic structures in nanocrystalline Ni3Fe

Results are reported from small angle neutron scattering and Mössbauer spectrometry measurements on nanocrystalline Ni3Fe. The nanocrystalline materials were prepared by mechanical attrition and studied in the as-milled state, after annealing at 265 °C to relieve internal stress, and after annealing 600 °C to prepare a control sample comprising large crystals. The small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements were performed for a range of applied magnetic fields. Small differences were found in how the different samples reached magnetic saturation. From the SANS data obtained at magnetic saturation, we found little difference in the nuclear scattering of the as-milled material and the material annealed at 265 °C. Reductions in nuclear scattering and magnetic scattering were observed for the control sample, and this was interpreted as grain growth. The material annealed at 265 °C also showed a reduction in magnetic SANS compared to the as-milled material. This was interpreted as an increase in magnetic moments of atoms at the grain boundaries after a low temperature annealing. Both Mössbauer spectroscopy and small angle neutron scattering showed an increase in the grain boundary magnetic moments after the 265 °C annealing (0.2 and 0.4µB/atom, respectively), even though there was little change in the grain boundary atomic density

Vibrational entropy and microstructural effects on the thermodynamics of partially disordered and ordered Ni3V

Samples of Ni3V were prepared with two microstructures: (1) with equilibrium D022 order, and (2) with partial disorder (having a large D022 chemical order parameter, but without the tetragonality of the unit cell). For both materials, we measured the difference in their heat capacities from 60 to 325 K, inelastic neutron-scattering spectra at four values of Q at 11 and at 300 K, and Young's moduli and coefficients of thermal expansion. The difference in heat capacity at low temperatures was consistent with a harmonic model using the phonon density of states (DOS) curves determined from the inelastic neutron-scattering spectra. In contrast, at temperatures greater than 160 K the difference in heat capacity did not approach zero, as expected of harmonic behavior. The temperature dependence of the phonon DOS can be used to approximately account for the anharmonic contributions to the differential heat capacity. We also argue that some of the anharmonic behavior should originate with a microstructural contribution to the heat capacity involving anisotropic thermal contractions of the D022 structure. We estimate the difference in vibrational entropy between partially disordered and ordered Ni3V to be Spdis -Sord =(+0.038±0.015)kB /atom at 300 K

Managing Pharmacotherapy in People Living With HIV and Concomitant Malignancy.

Objective: To describe data with selected malignancies in people living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV in individuals affected by both conditions and to summarize drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with clinical recommendations for point-of-care review of combination therapies. Data Sources: Literature searches were performed (2005 to December 2018) in MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify studies of malignancies in PLWH in the modern era. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Article bibliographies and drug interaction databases were reviewed. Search terms included HIV, antiretroviral therapy, antineoplastic agents, malignancies, and drug interactions. Data Synthesis: In the pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) era, malignancies in PLWH were AIDS-defining illnesses, and life expectancy was shorter. Nowadays, PLWH are living longer and developing malignancies, including lung, anal, and prostate cancers. Concurrently, the oncology landscape has evolved, with novel oral targeted agents and immunotherapies becoming routine elements of care. The increased need for and complexity with antineoplastics in PLWH has led to recommendations for multidisciplinary care of this unique population. Evaluation of DDIs requires review of metabolic pathways, absorption mechanisms, and various drug transporters associated with antineoplastics and ART. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This review summarizes available data of non-AIDS-defining malignancies, principles of HIV care in the patient with malignancy, and guidance for assessing DDIs between antineoplastics and ART. Summary DDI tables provide point-of-care recommendations. Conclusions: The availability of ART has transformed AIDS into a chronic medical condition, and PLWH are experiencing age-related malignancies. Pharmacists play an important role in the management of this patient population

Implementation of an evidence-based practice nursing handover tool in intensive care using the knowledge-to-action framework

Background Miscommunication during handover has been linked to adverse patient events and is an international patient safety priority. Despite the development of handover resources, s tandardised handover tools for nursing team leader s in intensive care are limited. Aims The study aim was to implement and evaluate an evidence- based electronic minimum dataset for nursing team leader shift -to-shift handover in the intensive care unit using the k nowledge- to-action framework. Methods This study was conducted in a 21- bed medical/surgical intensive care unit in Queensland, Australia. Senior registered nurses involved in team leader handover were recruited. Three phases of the knowledge- to-action framework (select, tailor and implement interventions, monitor knowledge use and evaluate outcomes ) guided the implementation and evaluation process. A post -implementation practice audit and survey were carried out to determine nursing team leader use and perceptions of the electronic minimum dataset three months after implementation. Results are presented using descriptive statistics ( median, IQR, frequency and percentage) . Results Overall (86%, n=49) , team leader s used the electronic minimum dataset for handover and communication regarding patient plan increased . K ey content items however were absent from handovers and additional documentation was required alongside the minimum dataset to conduct handover. Of the team leader s surveyed (n=35), those receiving handover perceived the electronic minimum dataset more Page 4 of 24 positive ly than team leader s giving handover (n=35) . Benefits to using the electronic minimum dataset included the pat ient content (48%), suitability for short -stay patients (16%), decreased time updating (12%) and print ing the tool (12%) . Almost half of the participants however, found the minimum dataset contained irrelevant information, reported difficulties navigating and locating relevant information and pertinent information was missing. Suggestions for improvement focused on modifications to the electronic handover interface. Linking evidence to action Prior to developing and implementing electronic handover tools , adequate infrastructure is required to support knowledge translation and ensure clinician and organisational needs are met

Retrograde transport pathways utilised by viruses and protein toxins

A model has been presented for retrograde transport of certain toxins and viruses from the cell surface to the ER that suggests an obligatory interaction with a glycolipid receptor at the cell surface. Here we review studies on the ER trafficking cholera toxin, Shiga and Shiga-like toxins, Pseudomonas exotoxin A and ricin, and compare the retrograde routes followed by these protein toxins to those of the ER trafficking SV40 and polyoma viruses. We conclude that there is in fact no obligatory requirement for a glycolipid receptor, nor even with a protein receptor in a lipid-rich environment. Emerging data suggests instead that there is no common pathway utilised for retrograde transport by all of these pathogens, the choice of route being determined by the particular receptor utilised

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to manage interruptions during nursing team leader handover in the intensive care unit: Quality improvement project

Introduction: Intensive care unit (ICU) nursing team leader (TL) handover is a process that is at risk for miscommunication, compromising patient safety. Interruptions during this process have the potential to increase miscommunication. Bedside handover and use of a structured handover tool are two strategies advocated internationally to improve safety of handover. Study objectives: This quality improvement project employed the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to improve handover processes during nursing TL handover, including to reduce interruptions post-implementation of a multidimensional strategy. Methods: The project was conducted in a 21-bed adult medical/surgical ICU, at a tertiary referral hospital, in Queensland, Australia. All TLs were invited to participate, with consent provided to observe and record process details of handover. Baseline data indicated that TLs experienced frequent interruptions during handover. An audit of the source and reason interruptions occurred informed the development of an intervention that included education sessions focussed on safe handover practices, hands on training using an evidence-based electronic minimum dataset to discuss patient information and the relocation of handovers from the central ICU desk to the bedside. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (median, IQR, frequency and percentages). Results: Handovers during the baseline period (n = 40) were conducted at the central desk and attracted 64 interruptions, equivalent to one interruption every 23 min. After implementation of the improvement strategy (n = 49 handovers), 52 interruptions occurred at the bedside, equivalent to one interruption every 29 min. During both the baseline period and post-intervention nurses were the main source to interrupt handovers to exchange greetings with the TL and to discuss patient and organisational updates. Conclusion: The PDSA provided a structure to understand the problem, develop an improvement strategy and inform future work to effectively manage interruptions during nursing TL handover

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of an evidence-based electronic minimum dataset for nursing team leader handover: A descriptive survey

© 2017 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Introduction: There is widespread use of clinical information systems in intensive care units however, the evidence to support electronic handover is limited. Objectives: The study aim was to assess the barriers and facilitators to use of an electronic minimum dataset for nursing team leader shift-to-shift handover in the intensive care unit prior to its implementation. Methods: The study was conducted in a 21-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit, specialising in cardiothoracic surgery at a tertiary referral hospital, in Queensland, Australia. An established tool was modified to the intensive care nursing handover context and a survey of all 63 nursing team leaders was undertaken. Survey statements were rated using a 6-point Likert scale with selections from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree', and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise results. Results and discussion: A total of 39 team leaders responded to the survey (62%). Team leaders used general intensive care work unit guidelines to inform practice however they were less familiar with the intensive care handover work unit guideline. Barriers to minimum dataset uptake included: a tool that was not user friendly, time consuming and contained too much information. Facilitators to minimum dataset adoption included: a tool that was user friendly, saved time and contained relevant information. Identifying the complexities of a healthcare setting prior to the implementation of an intervention assists researchers and clinicians to integrate new knowledge into healthcare settings. Conclusion: Barriers and facilitators to knowledge use focused on usability, content and efficiency of the electronic minimum dataset and can be used to inform tailored strategies to optimise team leaders' adoption of a minimum dataset for handover

Synaptic tagging and capture : differential role of distinct calcium/calmodulin kinases in protein synthesis-dependent long-term potentiation

Weakly tetanized synapses in area CA1 of the hippocampus that ordinarily display long-term potentiation lasting ~3 h (called early-LTP) will maintain a longer-lasting change in efficacy (late-LTP) if the weak tetanization occurs shortly before or after strong tetanization of an independent, but convergent, set of synapses in CA1. The synaptic tagging and capture hypothesis explains this heterosynaptic influence on persistence in terms of a distinction between local mechanisms of synaptic tagging and cell-wide mechanisms responsible for the synthesis, distribution, and capture of plasticity-related proteins (PRPs). We now present evidence that distinct CaM kinase (CaMK) pathways serve a dissociable role in these mechanisms. Using a hippocampal brain-slice preparation that permits stable long-term recordings in vitro for >10 h and using hippocampal cultures to validate the differential drug effects on distinct CaMK pathways, we show that tag setting is blocked by the CaMK inhibitor KN-93 (2-[N-(2-hydroxyethyl)]-N-(4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl)amino-N-(4-chlorocinnamyl)-N-methylbenzylamine) that, at low concentration, is more selective for CaMKII. In contrast, the CaMK kinase inhibitor STO-609 [7H-benzimidazo(2,1-a)benz(de)isoquinoline-7-one-3-carboxylic acid] specifically limits the synthesis and/or availability of PRPs. Analytically powerful three-pathway protocols using sequential strong and weak tetanization in varying orders and test stimulation over long periods of time after LTP induction enable a pharmacological dissociation of these distinct roles of the CaMK pathways in late-LTP and so provide a novel framework for the molecular mechanisms by which synaptic potentiation, and possibly memories, become stabilized

ArDM: a ton-scale liquid Argon experiment for direct detection of Dark Matter in the Universe

The ArDM project aims at developing and operating large noble liquid detectors to search for direct evidence of Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) as Dark Matter in the Universe. The initial goal is to design, assemble and operate a $\approx$1 ton liquid Argon prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of a ton-scale experiment with the required performance to efficiently detect and sufficiently discriminate backgrounds for a successful WIMP detection. Our design addresses the possibility to detect independently ionization and scintillation signals. In this paper, we describe this goal and the conceptual design of the detector.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Talk given at IXth international conference on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP05), Zaragoza, (Spain

Developing a minimum dataset for nursing team leader handover in the intensive care unit: A focus group study

Background Despite increasing demand for structured processes to guide clinical handover, nursing handover tools are limited in the intensive care unit. Objectives The study aim was to identify key items to include in a minimum dataset for intensive care nursing team leader shift-to-shift handover. Methods This focus group study was conducted in a 21-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit in Australia. Senior registered nurses involved in team leader handovers were recruited. Focus groups were conducted using a nominal group technique to generate and prioritise minimum dataset items. Nurses were presented with content from previous team leader handovers and asked to select which content items to include in a minimum dataset. Participant responses were summarised as frequencies and percentages. Results Seventeen senior nurses participated in three focus groups. Participants agreed that ISBAR (Identify-Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendations) was a useful tool to guide clinical handover. Items recommended to be included in the minimum dataset (≥65% agreement) included Identify (Name, age, days in intensive care), Situation (Diagnosis, surgical procedure), Background (Significant event(s), management of significant event(s)) and Recommendations (Patient plan for next shift,tasks to follow up for next shift). Overall, 30 of the 67 (45%) items in the Assessment category were considered important to include in the minimum dataset and focused on relevant observations and treatment within each body system. Other non-ISBAR items considered important to include related to the ICU (Admissions to ICU, staffing/skill mix, theatre cases) and patients (Infectious status, site of infection, end of life plan). Items were further categorised into those to include in all handovers and those to discuss only when relevant to the patient. Conclusions The findings suggest a minimum dataset for intensive care nursing team leader shift-to-shift handover should contain items within ISBAR along with unit and patient specific information to maintain continuity of care and patient safety across shift changes