Unraveling the mechanism of the one-pot synthesis of exchange coupled Co-based nano-heterostructures with a high energy product

The development of reproducible protocols to synthesize hard/soft nano-heterostructures (NHSs) with tailored magnetic properties is a crucial step to define their potential application in a variety of technological areas. Thermal decomposition has proved to be an effective tool to prepare such systems, but it has been scarcely used so far for the synthesis of Co-based metal/ferrite NHSs, despite their intriguing physical properties. We found a new approach to prepare this kind of nanomaterial based on a simple one-pot thermal decomposition reaction of metal-oleate precursors in the high boiling solvent docosane. The obtained NHSs are characterized by the coexistence of Co metal and Co doped magnetite and are highly stable in an air atmosphere, thanks to the passivation of the metal with a very thin oxide layer. The investigation of the influence of the metal precursor composition (a mixed iron-cobalt oleate), of the ligands (oleic acid and sodium oleate) and of the reaction time on the chemical and structural characteristics of the final product, allowed us to rationalize the reaction pathway and to determine the role of each parameter. In particular, the use of sodium oleate is crucial to obtain a metal phase in the NHSs. In such a way, the one-pot approach proposed here allows the fine control of the synthesis, leading to the formation of stable, high performant, metal/ferrite NHSs with tailored magnetic properties. For instance, the room temperature maximum energy product was increased up to 19 kJ m-3 by tuning the Co content in the metal precursor

Interventions targeted at primary care practitioners to improve the identification and referral of patients with co-morbid obesity: a realist review protocol

<b>Background </b>Obesity is one of the most significant public health challenges in the developed world. Recent policy has suggested that more can be done in primary care to support adults with obesity. In particular, general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) could improve the identification and referral of adults with obesity to appropriate weight management services. Previous interventions targeted at primary care practitioners in this area have had mixed results, suggesting a more complex interplay between patients, practitioners, and systems. The objectives of this review are (i) to identify the underlying ‘programme theory’ of interventions targeted at primary care practitioners to improve the identification and referral of adults with obesity and (ii) to explore how and why GPs and PNs identify and refer individuals with obesity, particularly in the context of weight-related co-morbidity. This protocol will explain the rationale for using a realist review approach and outline the key steps in this process. <p></p> <b>Methods</b> Realist review is a theory-led approach to knowledge synthesis that provides an explanatory analysis aimed at discerning what works, for whom, in what circumstances, how, and why. In this review, scoping interviews with key stakeholders involved in the planning and delivery of adult weight management services in Scotland helped to inform the identification of formal theories - from psychology, sociology, and implementation science - that will be tested as the review progresses. A comprehensive search strategy is described, including scope for iterative searching. Data analysis is outlined in three stages (describing context-mechanism-outcome configurations, exploring patterns in these configurations, and developing and testing middle-range theories, informed by the formal theories previously identified), culminating in the production of explanatory programme theory that considers individual, interpersonal, and institutional/systems-level components. <p></p> <b>Discussion </b>This is the first realist review that we are aware of looking at interventions targeted at primary care practitioners to improve the weight management of adults with obesity. Engagement with stakeholders at an early stage is a unique feature of realist review. This shapes the scope of the review, identification of candidate theories and dissemination strategies. The findings of this review will inform policy and future interventions. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD4201400939

Understanding Indigenous Health Literacy through Community-Led Engagement

ABSTRACT Context: This is a community engagement model which evolved from a Mixed Methods Participatory Social Justice (MMPSJ) research project. This model evolved from engagement of Elders in co-creating the questions and then through authentic engagement with the participants in all aspects of the research processes including both synthesis and dissemination. Indigenous community members alongside Elders and researchers explored health literacy in an effort to illuminate root causes of the social determinants of health (SDoH) and to build community capacity. Objective: To better understand the connections between health and literacy from a local perspective (living on Treaty Six Territory). Research Questions: In what ways can literacy be considered a social determinant of health from an urban Indigenous community? What literacy issues marginalize the community? How would you like this information shared or disseminated? Design: Mixed methods participatory social justice and community based participatory health research. Participants: There were: 12 participants. Results/Findings: Local, contemporary, Indigenous perspectives were shared in ways that were meaningful to the participants. Conclusions: Appropriate engagement with local community can: inform the social determinants of health in an appreciative way; enhance ethical space; and provide a richer understanding within community-based research. This approach builds capacity in and with community members, health care practitioners, educators and policy makers. This in turn will strengthen relationships across systems. This research was reviewed and approved by the University of Saskatchewan’s Behavioural Research Ethics Board. (Beh ID#733)

A Map of the Inorganic Ternary Metal Nitrides

Exploratory synthesis in novel chemical spaces is the essence of solid-state chemistry. However, uncharted chemical spaces can be difficult to navigate, especially when materials synthesis is challenging. Nitrides represent one such space, where stringent synthesis constraints have limited the exploration of this important class of functional materials. Here, we employ a suite of computational materials discovery and informatics tools to construct a large stability map of the inorganic ternary metal nitrides. Our map clusters the ternary nitrides into chemical families with distinct stability and metastability, and highlights hundreds of promising new ternary nitride spaces for experimental investigation--from which we experimentally realized 7 new Zn- and Mg-based ternary nitrides. By extracting the mixed metallicity, ionicity, and covalency of solid-state bonding from the DFT-computed electron density, we reveal the complex interplay between chemistry, composition, and electronic structure in governing large-scale stability trends in ternary nitride materials

Metal-Organic Frameworks in Germany: from Synthesis to Function

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constructed from a combination of inorganic and organic units to produce materials which display high porosity, among other unique and exciting properties. MOFs have shown promise in many wide-ranging applications, such as catalysis and gas separations. In this review, we highlight MOF research conducted by Germany-based research groups. Specifically, we feature approaches for the synthesis of new MOFs, high-throughput MOF production, advanced characterization methods and examples of advanced functions and properties

LMI approach to mixed performance objective controllers: application to Robust ℋ2 Synthesis

The problem of synthesizing a controller for plants subject to arbitrary, finite energy disturbances and white noise disturbances via Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) is presented. This is achieved by considering white noise disturbances as belonging to a constrained set in ℓ2. In the case of where only white noise disturbances are present, the procedure reduces to standard ℋ2 synthesis. When arbitrary, finite energy disturbances are also present, the procedure may be used to synthesize general mixed performance objective controllers, and for certain cases, Robust ℋ2 controllers

A survey on OFDM-based elastic core optical networking

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a modulation technology that has been widely adopted in many new and emerging broadband wireless and wireline communication systems. Due to its capability to transmit a high-speed data stream using multiple spectral-overlapped lower-speed subcarriers, OFDM technology offers superior advantages of high spectrum efficiency, robustness against inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference, adaptability to server channel conditions, etc. In recent years, there have been intensive studies on optical OFDM (O-OFDM) transmission technologies, and it is considered a promising technology for future ultra-high-speed optical transmission. Based on O-OFDM technology, a novel elastic optical network architecture with immense flexibility and scalability in spectrum allocation and data rate accommodation could be built to support diverse services and the rapid growth of Internet traffic in the future. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey on OFDM-based elastic optical network technologies, including basic principles of OFDM, O-OFDM technologies, the architectures of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks, and related key enabling technologies. The main advantages and issues of OFDM-based elastic core optical networks that are under research are also discussed