Transverse Magnetic Anisotropy in Mn12-acetate: Direct Determination by Inelastic Neutron Scattering

A high resolution inelastic neutron scattering (INS) study of fully deuterated Mn$_{12}$-acetate provides the most accurate spin Hamiltonian parameters for this prototype single molecule magnet so far. The Mn$_{12}$-clusters deviate from axial symmetry, a non-zero rhombic term in the model Hamiltonian leading to excellent agreement with observed positions and intensities of the INS peaks. The following parameter set provides the best agreement with the experimental data: $D=-0.0570(1)$ meV, $B_{4}^0=-2.78(7)\cdot 10^{-6}$ meV, $B_{4}^4=-3.2(6)\cdot 10^{-6}$ meV and $\mid$\textit{E}$\mid =6.8(15)\cdot 10^{-4}$ meV. Crystal dislocations are not the likely cause of the symmetry lowering. Rather, this study lends strong support to a recently proposed model, which is based on the presence of several molecular isomers with distinct spin Hamiltonian parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Investigating Complex Geometrical Features in LPBF-Produced Parts: A Material-Based Comparison Between Different Titanium Alloys

The Ti–6Al–4V (Ti64) alloy is a well-established material to be processed via laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Recently, other α + β titanium alloys are receiving attention, such as Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–6Mo (Ti6246). Their typical industrial fields of application (aerospace, automotive), often require critical design choices, such as low wall thicknesses and hollow channels. Thus, a comparative analysis between these two competitor alloys in terms of processability was conducted in this work. To do so, specific sample designs were developed. The specimens were analyzed in terms of geometrical compliance with the initial design, porosity, and microstructure. A correlation between the width of the specimens and their porosity, micro- structure and hardness was found. Overall, both the alloys proved to be well processable, even for very low wall thickness (300 μm) and channel diameter (1 mm) values. Nevertheless, the Ti6246 alloy seemed to behave better in specific scenarios. For instance, some Ti64 specimens provided delamination. The hollow channels proved to be challenging for both materi- als, mainly due to the high amount of residual powder particles adhered to the upper part of the holes. This works aims at giving a materials perspective on process-related issues, considering the LPBF-induced defectology and microstructural variations in these Ti alloys

Bringing the commercial determinants of health out of the shadows : a review of how the commercial determinants are represented in conceptual frameworks

BACKGROUND: The term 'commercial determinants of health' (CDOH) is increasingly focussing attention upon the role of tobacco, alcohol and food and beverage companies and others-as important drivers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the CDOH do not seem to be clearly represented in the most common social determinants of health (SDOH) frameworks. We review a wide range of existing frameworks of the determinants of health to determine whether and how commercial determinants are incorporated into current SDOH thinking. METHODS: We searched for papers and non-academic reports published in English since 2000 describing influences on population health outcomes. We included documents with a formal conceptual framework or diagram, showing the integration of the different determinants. RESULTS: Forty-eight framework documents were identified. Only one explicitly included the CDOH in a conceptual diagram. Ten papers discussed the commercial determinants in some form in the text only and fourteen described negative impacts of commercial determinants in the text. Twelve discussed positive roles for the private sector in producing harmful commodities. Overall, descriptions of commercial determinants are frequently understated, not made explicit, or simply missing. The role of commercial actors as vectors of NCDs is largely absent or invisible in many of the most influential conceptual diagrams. CONCLUSIONS: Our current public health models may risk framing public health problems and solutions in ways that obscure the role that the private sector, in particular large transnational companies, play in shaping the broader environment and individual behaviours, and thus population health outcomes

The contribution of the environment (especially diet) to breast cancer risk

Environmental factors play an important role in breast carcinogenesis. Opportunities for prevention are limited, however, because most of the known or suspected risk factors are not targets for modification. Dietary factors have generally not emerged as crucial contributors to mammary tumor causation. We still appear to be missing a critical piece of the breast cancer puzzle because we can only explain a moderate proportion of international and national variation in breast cancer rates. Research needs to pursue new avenues, focusing on exposure windows that have not yet been sufficiently explored, such as events between conception and adolescence, and on modifiable risk factors that show large variation within or between populations

Joint Sentinel-1 and SMAP data assimilation to improve soil moisture estimates

SMAP (Soil Moisture Active and Passive) radiometer observations at similar to 40 km resolution are routinely assimilated into the NASA Catchment Land Surface Model to generate the 9 km SMAP Level-4 Soil Moisture product. This study demonstrates that adding high-resolution radar observations from Sentinel-1 to the SMAP assimilation can increase the spatiotemporal accuracy of soil moisture estimates. Radar observations were assimilated either separately from or simultaneously with radiometer observations. Assimilation impact was assessed by comparing 3-hourly, 9 km surface and root-zone soil moisture simulations with in situ measurements from 9 km SMAP core validation sites and sparse networks, from May 2015 to December 2016. The Sentinel-1 assimilation consistently improved surface soil moisture, whereas root-zone impacts were mostly neutral. Relatively larger improvements were obtained from SMAP assimilation. The joint assimilation of SMAP and Sentinel-1 observations performed best, demonstrating the complementary value of radar and radiometer observations

Nutritional behavior of cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race: a field study report

Background Information about behavior of energy intake in ultra-endurance cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race is scarce. The nutritional strategy during such an event is an important factor which athletes should plan carefully before the race. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the nutritional intake of ultra-endurance cyclists during a 24-hour team relay race with the current nutritional guidelines for endurance events. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship among the nutritional and performance variables. Methods Using a observational design, nutritional intake of eight males (mean ± SD: 36.7 ± 4.7 years; 71.6 ± 4.9 kg; 174.6 ± 7.3 cm; BMI 23.5 ± 0.5 kg/m2) participating in a 24-hour team relay cycling race was assessed. All food and fluid intake by athletes were weighed and recorded. Additionally, distance and speed performed by each rider were also recorded. Furthermore, before to the race, all subjects carried out an incremental exercise test to determine two heart rate-VO2 regression equations which were used to estimate the energy expenditure. Results The mean ingestion of macronutrients during the event was 943 ± 245 g (13.1 ± 4.0 g/kg) of carbohydrates, 174 ± 146 g (2.4 ± 1.9 g/kg) of proteins and 107 ± 56 g (1.5 ± 0.7 g/kg) of lipids, respectively. This amount of nutrients reported an average nutrient intake of 22.8 ± 8.9 MJ which were significantly lower compared with energy expenditure 42.9 ± 6.8 MJ (P = 0.012). Average fluid consumption corresponded to 10497 ± 2654 mL. Mean caffeine ingestion was 142 ± 76 mg. Additionally, there was no relationship between the main nutritional variables (i.e. energy intake, carbohydrates, proteins, fluids and caffeine ingestion) and the main performance variables (i.e. distance and speed). Conclusions A 24-hour hours cycling competition in a team relay format elicited high energy demands which were not compensated by energy intake of the athletes despite that dietary consumption of macronutrients did not differ to the nutritional guidelines for longer events

2D-fluoroscopic navigated percutaneous screw fixation of pelvic ring injuries - a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Screw fixation of pelvic ring fractures is a common, but demanding procedure and navigation techniques were introduced to increase the precision of screw placement. The purpose of this case series was the evaluation of screw misplacement rate and functional outcome of percutaneous screw fixation of pelvic ring disruptions using a 2D navigation system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between August 2004 and December 2007, 44 of 442 patients with pelvic injuries were included for closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of disrupted pelvic ring lesions using an optoelectronic 2D-fluoroscopic based navigation system. Operating and fluoroscopy time were measured, as well as peri- and postoperative complications documented. Screw position was assessed by postoperative CT scans. Quality of live was evaluated by SF 36-questionnaire in 40 of 44 patients at mean follow up 15.5 ± 1.2 month.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>56 iliosacral- and 29 ramus pubic-screws were inserted (mean operation time per screw 62 ± 4 minutes, mean fluoroscopy time per screw 123 ± 12 seconds). In post-operative CT-scans the screw position was assessed and graded as follows: I. secure positioning, completely in the cancellous bone (80%); II. secure positioning, but contacting cortical bone structures (14%); III. malplaced positioning, penetrating the cortical bone (6%). The malplacements predominantly occurred in bilateral overlapping screw fixation. No wound infection or iatrogenic neurovascular damage were observed. Four re-operations were performed, two of them due to implant-misplacement and two of them due to implant-failure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>2D-fluoroscopic navigation is a safe tool providing high accuracy of percutaneous screw placement for pelvic ring fractures, but in cases of a bilateral iliosacral screw fixation an increased risk for screw misplacement was observed. If additional ramus pubic screw fixations are performed, the retrograde inserted screws have to pass the iliopubic eminence to prevent an axial screw loosening.</p

Personality factors in exercise addiction: a pilot study exploring the role of narcissism, extraversion, and agreeableness

Despite the increased evidence and acceptance of exercise being classed as a behavioral addiction, there is limited research examining personality characteristics within exercise addicts. The purpose of this study was to examine three personality traits (narcissism, extraversion, and agreeableness) and to examine their role in exercise addiction. The sample comprised 114 voluntary participants (74 females and 40 males) who completed the (i) Exercise Addiction Inventory, (ii) Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and (iii) Ten-Item Personality Inventory, as well as demographic questions and questions concerning their engagement and intensity levels of exercise. Results indicated a low incidence of individuals who were classed as at risk of exercise addiction (7%), but a high incidence of symptomatic individuals (75%). Results suggested that extraversion and narcissism may be underlying factors in exercise addiction with no effect for agreeableness. Exercise engagement and intensity were also related to exercise addiction. Further research examining the relationship between personality types and exercise addiction may be useful in identifying individuals at risk for developing exercise addiction