Magnetic properties of a novel Pr Fe Ti phase

In a systematic study of the (Pr1−xTix)Fe5 alloy series, the (Pr0.65Ti0.35)Fe5 alloy has been found to have a dominant phase with either the rhombohedral Th2Zn17 structure or the newly discovered Nd2(Fe,Ti)19 (S. J. Collocott, R. K. Day, J. B. Dunlop, and R. L. Davis, in Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Magnetic Anisotropy and Coercivity in R‐T Alloys, Canberra, July 1992, p. 437) structure, depending on the annealing procedure. Powder‐x‐ray‐diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy show that the sample annealed at a temperature of 850 °C followed by 1000 °C has the 2:17 structure whereas annealing at 1000 °C directly leads to the new 2:19 structure. Energy‐dispersive x‐ray analysis yields Pr:Fe:Ti ratios of 10.7:86.2:3.1 for the Pr2(Fe,Ti)17 phase and 9.2:85.9:4.9 for the Pr2(Fe,Ti)19 phase. 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (at 295 K) gives values for the average 57 Fe hyperfine field of 15.7 T for the 2:17 phase and 17.5 T for the 2:19 phase, respectively

Improving appropriate polypharmacy for older people in primary care: selecting components of an evidence-based intervention to target prescribing and dispensing

Background The use of multiple medicines (polypharmacy) is increasingly common in older people. Ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate combinations of medications (appropriate polypharmacy) is a significant challenge. The quality of evidence to support the effectiveness of interventions to improve appropriate polypharmacy is low. Systematic identification of mediators of behaviour change, using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), provides a theoretically robust evidence base to inform intervention design. This study aimed to (1) identify key theoretical domains that were perceived to influence the prescribing and dispensing of appropriate polypharmacy to older patients by general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists, and (2) map domains to associated behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to include as components of an intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy in older people in primary care. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of each healthcare professional (HCP) group using tailored topic guides based on TDF version 1 (12 domains). Questions covering each domain explored HCPs’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to ensuring the prescribing and dispensing of appropriate polypharmacy to older people. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis involved the framework method and content analysis. Key domains were identified and mapped to BCTs based on established methods and discussion within the research team. Results Thirty HCPs were interviewed (15 GPs, 15 pharmacists). Eight key domains were identified, perceived to influence prescribing and dispensing of appropriate polypharmacy: ‘Skills’, ‘Beliefs about capabilities’, ‘Beliefs about consequences’, ‘Environmental context and resources’, ‘Memory, attention and decision processes’, ‘Social/professional role and identity’, ‘Social influences’ and ‘Behavioural regulation’. Following mapping, four BCTs were selected for inclusion in an intervention for GPs or pharmacists: ‘Action planning’, ‘Prompts/cues’, ‘Modelling or demonstrating of behaviour’ and ‘Salience of consequences’. An additional BCT (‘Social support or encouragement’) was selected for inclusion in a community pharmacy-based intervention in order to address barriers relating to interprofessional working that were encountered by pharmacists. Conclusions Selected BCTs will be operationalised in a theory-based intervention to improve appropriate polypharmacy for older people, to be delivered in GP practice and community pharmacy settings. Future research will involve development and feasibility testing of this intervention

Mineralogia e química de um Latossolo câmbico desenvolvido de rocha pelítica do grupo Bambuí, MG.

Foram realizados analises quimica e mineralogica das fracoes argila e silte de amostras de um perfil de solo com tres camadas distintas: uma superficies xantizada, uma camada de subsuperficie vermelha e um horizonte C apresentado variegados amarelos e vermelhos. Os minerais de maior ocorrencia sao caulinita, mica/vermiculita e goethita. A cor do solo esta relacionada a proporcao hematita/goethita (determinada pela espectroscopia Mossbauer). A substituicao isomorfica de ferro por aluminio na goethita aumenta uniformemente, de 20 a 40 mol%, da base para o topo de perfil; SiO2 decresce uniformemente e ha, ainda, uma tendencia de o Fe 2+ ser continuamente oxidado, na medida em que mica se transforma em vermiculita. O aparecimento de hematita na camada vermelha nao pode ser explicado quantitativamente pela hipotese de que os silicatos sejam a unica fonte de ferro, a menos que haja uma consideravel reducao de volume de camada siltosa amarela do horizonte C para as camadas vermelhas do horizonte B. Os dados sugerem uma transformacao reversivel goethita hematita, em resposta as condicoes ambientais

High Altitude Long Endurance Air Vehicle Analysis of Alternatives and Technology Requirements Development

The objective of this study was to develop a variety of High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) conceptual designs for two operationally useful missions (hurricane science and communications relay) and compare their performance and cost characteristics. Sixteen potential HALE UAV configurations were initially developed, including heavier-than-air (HTA) and lighter-than-air (LTA) concepts with both consumable fuel and solar regenerative (SR) propulsion systems. Through an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) down select process, the two leading consumable fuel configurations (one each from the HTA and LTA alternatives) and an HTA SR configuration were selected for further analysis. Cost effectiveness analysis of the consumable fuel configurations revealed that simply maximizing vehicle endurance can lead to a sub-optimum system solution. An LTA concept with a hybrid propulsion system (solar arrays and a hydrogen-air proton exchange membrane fuel cell) was found to have the best mission performance; however, an HTA diesel-fueled wing-body-tail configuration emerged as the preferred consumable fuel concept because of the large size and technical risk of the LTA concept. The baseline missions could not be performed by even the best HTA SR concept. Mission and SR technology trade studies were conducted to enhance understanding of the potential capabilities of such a vehicle. With near-term technology SR-powered HTA vehicles are limited to operation in favorable solar conditions, such as the long days and short nights of summer at higher latitudes. Energy storage system specific energy and solar cell efficiency were found to be the key technology areas for enhancing HTA SR performance

Magnetic properties of Gd(Fe1−xCox)9Ti2 alloys

Four samples of Gd(Fe1−xCox)9Ti2 with x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 were prepared by conventional arc melting followed by annealing at 1000 °C for 3 days. Powder‐x‐ray‐diffraction patterns of these samples show that all of the samples have a dominant phase with the tetragonal CeMn6Ni5 structure. Traces of TiFe2 are also present. 57 Fe Mössbauer spectra have been collected at 80 and 295 K. X‐ray‐diffraction patterns and Mössbauer spectra on magnetically aligned samples indicate that the easy axis of magnetization is the crystallographic c axis. The Curie temperature increases monotonically with increasing cobalt concentration. The average hyperfine field at 80 K reaches a maximum of 26.8(5) T for x≊0.2

The uses and abuses of power: teaching school leadership through children's literature

There are relatively few studies of how representations of teachers, schools and educational administrators in popular films and television might be, and are, used in leadership preparation. This paper seeks to add to this small body of work; it reports on an exploratory study of the representation of headteachers in contemporary children's fiction. Thirty-one texts are analysed to ascertain key themes and the major characterisations. The paper draws on children's literature scholars to argue that both the historical school story and its contemporary counterpart focus heavily on the power of the head to control the micro-world of the school. Because these fictional accounts deal with issues of power and justice more openly than many mainstream educational administration texts, this makes them particularly useful in the preparation of potential school leaders

Developing international business relationships in a Russian context

The collapse of the former Soviet Union has opened up a wealth of business opportunities for companies seeking new markets in the Russian Federation. Despite this, firms intending to do business in Russia have found themselves hampered by cultural differences in business practices and expectations. As Russia integrates into the global economy, understanding such practices and the managerial mindset of business people is crucial for managers who hope to navigate Russia's complex markets. This study draws on the trust literature and adopts quantitative tools to deconstruct the Russian 'Sviazi' system of social capital business networking. We develop a model isolating three dimensions of Sviazi: one an affective or emotional component; the second, a conative component; and the third, a cognitive component. The model provides a useful guide for helping foreign firms to succeed in Russia, while also serving as a basis for further research in the field. Keywords

Increasing capacity for the treatment of common musculoskeletal problems: A non-inferiority RCT and economic analysis of corticosteroid injection for shoulder pain comparing a physiotherapist and orthopaedic surgeon

Background Role substitution is a strategy employed to assist health services manage the growing demand for musculoskeletal care. Corticosteroid injection is a common treatment in this population but the efficacy of its prescription and delivery by physiotherapists has not been established against orthopaedic standards. This paper investigates whether corticosteroid injection given by a physiotherapist for shoulder pain is as clinically and cost effective as that from an orthopaedic surgeon. Methods A double blind non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was conducted in an Australian public hospital orthopaedic outpatient service, from January 2013 to June 2014. Adults with a General Practitioner referral to Orthopaedics for shoulder pain received subacromial corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injection prescribed and delivered independently by a physiotherapist or a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. The main outcome measure was total Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score at baseline, six and 12 weeks, applying a non-inferiority margin of 15 points. Secondary outcomes tested for superiority included pain, shoulder movement, perceived improvement, adverse events, satisfaction, quality of life and costs. Results 278 participants were independently assessed by the physiotherapist and the orthopaedic surgeon, with 64 randomised (physiotherapist 33, orthopaedic surgeon 31). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. Non-inferiority of injection by the physiotherapist was declared from total SPADI scores at 6 and 12 weeks (upper limit of the 95% one-sided confidence interval 13.34 and 7.17 at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between groups on any outcome measures at 6 or 12 weeks. From the perspective of the health funder, the physiotherapist was less expensive. Conclusions Corticosteroid injection for shoulder pain, provided by a suitably qualified physiotherapist is at least as clinically effective, and less expensive, compared with similar care delivered by an orthopaedic surgeon. Policy makers and service providers should consider implementing this model of care