Temperature dependence of spin-orbit torques across the magnetic compensation point in a ferrimagnetic TbCo alloy film

The temperature dependence of spin-orbit torques (SOTs) and spin-dependent transport parameters is measured in bilayer Ta/TbCo ferrimagnetic alloy films with bulk perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. We find that the dampinglike (DL)-SOT effective field diverges as temperature is swept through the magnetic compensation temperature (T[subscript M]), where the net magnetization vanishes due to the opposing contributions from the Tb and Co sublattices. We show that DL-SOT scales with the inverse of the saturation magnetization (M[subscript s]), whereas the spin-torque efficiency is independent of the temperature-dependent M [subscript s]. Our findings provide insight into spin transport mechanisms in ferrimagnets and highlight low-M [subscript s] rare-earth/transition-metal alloys as promising candidates for SOT device applications.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF-ECCS-1408172

Opportunities and conditions to learn (OCL): A conceptual framework

“Opportunity to learn” has evolved into an umbrella phrase for describing a large range of settings, resources, structures, and processes. The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework that can accommodate a wide range of opportunities to learn, not just those provided by teachers in classrooms. An inclusive framework can bring together diverse studies about opportunity to learn, increasing synergies and uncovering interconnections, and making more visible marginalized forms of learning. It can also be used as a framework for holding governments, education authorities, and policy makers accountable for providing equitable opportunities and conditions to learn. This article presents a three-dimensional conceptual framework of opportunities and conditions to learn (OCL) that captures (a) notions of what opportunities exist and where those opportunities exist and opportunities offered by whom, as well as (b) a spate of conditions that can shape those opportunities

Planned Reduction in Electrical Energy Use in Nashville - Davidson County, Tennessee: A Preliminary Assessment

An assessment was carried out of the impacts of the various alternative strategies designed to reduce the rate of electrical energy use in the Nashville-Davidson County area, in the light of a potential crisis in supply. Seven strategies were identified among the major categories of voluntary reduction, price regulation, and mandatory reduction. Thirty-three sub-sectors were identified among residential, commercial and industrial users, and the consequences of imposing the strategies were assessed using a cross-impact matrix. The value of the methodology as an aid to public policy formulation lies in its possible extension to allow direct participation of various affected publics

Tm3Fe5O12/Pt Heterostructures with Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy for Spintronic Applications

With recent developments in the field of spintronics, ferromagnetic insulator (FMI) thin films have emerged as an important component of spintronic devices. Ferrimagnetic yttrium iron garnet in particular is an excellent insulator with low Gilbert damping and a Curie temperature well above room temperature, and has been incorporated into heterostructures that exhibit a plethora of spintronic phenomena including spin pumping, spin Seebeck, and proximity effects. However, it has been a challenge to develop high quality sub-10 nm thickness FMI garnet films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and PMA garnet/heavy metal heterostructures to facilitate advances in spin-current and anomalous Hall phenomena. Here, robust PMA in ultrathin thulium iron garnet (TmIG) films of high structural quality down to a thickness of 5.6 nm are demonstrated, which retain a saturation magnetization close to bulk. It is shown that TmIG/Pt bilayers exhibit a large spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) and SMR-driven anomalous Hall effect, which indicates efficient spin transmission across the TmIG/Pt interface. These measurements are used to quantify the interfacial spin mixing conductance in TmIG/Pt and the temperature-dependent PMA of the TmIG thin film

A randomised controlled trial to compare a range of commercial or primary care led weight reduction programmes with a minimal intervention control for weight loss in obesity: the Lighten Up trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Developed countries are facing a huge rise in the prevalence of obesity and its associated chronic medical problems. In the UK Primary Care Trusts are charged with addressing this in the populations they serve, but evidence about the most effective ways of delivering services is not available. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a range of weight loss programmes for obese patients in primary care and to determine the characteristics of patients who respond to an invitation to a free weight management programme.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Lighten Up is a randomised controlled trial comparing a range of 12-week commercial and NHS weight reduction programmes with a comparator group who are provided with 12 vouchers enabling free entrance to a local leisure centre. The weight reduction programmes are: (i) Weight Watchers, (ii) Slimming World, (iii) Rosemary Conley, (iv) a group-based dietetics-led programme (Size Down), (v) general practice one-to-one counselling, (vi) pharmacy-led one-to-one counselling, (vii) choice of any of the 6 programmes. People with obesity or overweight with a co-morbid disorder are invited to take part by a letter from their general practitioner. The sample size is 740 participants.</p> <p>The primary outcome is weight loss at programme-end (3 months). Secondary outcomes are weight-loss at one year, self-reported physical activity at 3 and 12 months follow-up and percentage weight-loss at 3 months and one year.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This trial will provide evidence about the effectiveness of a range of different weight management programmes in a primary care population.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN25072883</p

Developed in collaboration with and endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA), and the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC). Endorsed by the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), the Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS), and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS).

AbstractIn view of the increasing complexity of both cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and patients in the current era, practice guidelines, by necessity, have become increasingly specific. This document is an expert consensus statement that has been developed to update and further delineate indications and management of CIEDs in pediatric patients, defined as ≤21 years of age, and is intended to focus primarily on the indications for CIEDs in the setting of specific disease categories. The document also highlights variations between previously published adult and pediatric CIED recommendations and provides rationale for underlying important differences. The document addresses some of the deterrents to CIED access in low- and middle-income countries and strategies to circumvent them. The document sections were divided up and drafted by the writing committee members according to their expertise. The recommendations represent the consensus opinion of the entire writing committee, graded by class of recommendation and level of evidence. Several questions addressed in this document either do not lend themselves to clinical trials or are rare disease entities, and in these instances recommendations are based on consensus expert opinion. Furthermore, specific recommendations, even when supported by substantial data, do not replace the need for clinical judgment and patient-specific decision-making. The recommendations were opened for public comment to Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) members and underwent external review by the scientific and clinical document committee of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the science advisory and coordinating committee of the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC). The document received endorsement by all the collaborators and the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), the Indian Heart Rhythm Society (IHRS), and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS). This document is expected to provide support for clinicians and patients to allow for appropriate CIED use, appropriate CIED management, and appropriate CIED follow-up in pediatric patients

Low serum albumin and the acute phase response predict low serum selenium in HIV-1 infected women

BACKGROUND: Low serum selenium has been associated with lower CD4 counts and greater mortality among HIV-1-seropositive individuals, but most studies have not controlled for serum albumin and the presence of an acute phase response. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate relationships between serum selenium concentrations and CD4 count, plasma viral load, serum albumin, and acute phase response markers among 400 HIV-1-seropositive women. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, lower CD4 count, higher plasma viral load, lower albumin, and the presence of an acute phase response were each significantly associated with lower serum selenium concentrations. In multivariate analyses including all four of these covariates, only albumin remained significantly associated with serum selenium. For each 0.1 g/dl increase in serum albumin, serum selenium increased by 0.8 μg/l (p < 0.001). Women with an acute phase response also had lower serum selenium (by 5.6 μg/l, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Serum selenium was independently associated with serum albumin, but not with CD4 count or plasma viral load, in HIV-1-seropositive women. Our findings suggest that associations between lower serum selenium, lower CD4 count, and higher plasma viral load may be related to the frequent occurrence of low serum albumin and the acute phase response among individuals with more advanced HIV-1 infection