Evidence of Low-Temperature Superparamagnetism in Mn3O_{3}O_{4}$ Nanoparticle Ensembles

Please refer to the abstract within the main body of the paper

Sorption kinetic study of selenite and selenate onto a high and low pressure aged iron oxide nanomaterial

The sorption of selenite (SeO32−) and selenate (SeO42−) onto Fe3O4 nanomaterials produced by non microwave-assisted or microwave-assisted synthetic techniques was investigated through use of the batch technique. The phase of both synthetic nanomaterials was determined to be magnetite by X-ray diffraction. The average grain sizes of non microwave-assisted and microwave-assisted synthetic Fe3O4 were determined to be 27 and 25 nm, respectively through use of the Scherrer\u27s equation. Sorption of selenite was pH independent in the pH range of 2-6, while sorption of selenate decreased at pH 5 and 6. The addition of Cl− had no significant effect on selenite or selenate binding, while the addition of NO3− only affected selenate binding to the microwave assisted Fe3O4. A decrease of selenate binding to both synthetic particles was observed after the addition of SO42− while selenite binding was not affected. The addition of PO43− beginning at concentrations of 0.1 ppm had the most prominent effect on the binding of both selenite and selenate. The capacities of binding, determined through the use of Langmuir isotherm, were found to be 1923 and 1428 mg Se/kg of non microwave-assisted Fe3O4 and 2380 and 2369 mg Se/kg of microwave-assisted Fe3O4 for selenite and selenate, respectively

Numerical and experimental transition results evaluation for a morphing wing and aileron system

A new wing-tip concept with morphing upper surface and interchangeable conventional and morphing ailerons was designed, manufactured, bench and wind tunnel tested. The development of this wing tip model was performed in the frame of an international CRIAQ project, and the purpose was to demonstrate the wing upper surface and aileron morphing capabilities in improving the wing tip aerodynamic performances. During numerical optimization with ‘in-house’ genetic algorithm software, and during wind tunnel experimental tests, it was demonstrated that the air flow laminarity over the wing skin was promoted, and the laminar flow was extended with up to 9% of the chord. Drag coefficient reduction of up to 9% was obtained when the morphing aileron was introduced

Folic acid supplementation in postmenopausal women with hot flushes: phase III randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Objective To assess whether folic acid supplementation ameliorates hot flushes. Design Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Setting Nine hospitals in England. Population Postmenopausal women experiencing ≥50 hot flushes weekly. Methods Women (n = 164) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive folic acid 5 mg tablet or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Participants recorded frequency and severity of hot flushes in a Sloan Diary daily and completed Greene Climacteric and Utian Quality of Life (UQoL) Scales at 4-week intervals. Main outcome measures The change in daily Hot Flush Score at week 12 from randomisation based on Sloan Diary Composite Score B calculation. Results Data of 143 (87%) women were available for the primary outcome. The mean change (SD) in Hot Flush Score at week 12 was −6.98 (10.30) and −4.57 (9.46) for folic acid and placebo group, respectively. The difference between groups in the mean change was −2.41 (95% CI −5.68 to 0.87) (P = 0.149) and in the adjusted mean change −2.61 (95% CI −5.72 to 0.49) (P = 0.098). Analysis of secondary outcomes indicated an increased benefit in the folic acid group regarding changes in total and emotional UQoL scores at week 8 when compared with placebo. The difference in the mean change from baseline was 5.22 (95% CI 1.16–9.28) and 1.88 (95% CI 0.23–3.52) for total and emotional score, respectively. Conclusions The study was not able to demonstrate that folic acid had a statistically significant greater benefit in reducing Hot Flush Score over 12 weeks in postmenopausal women when compared with placebo. Tweetable abstract Folic acid may ameliorate hot flushes in postmenopausal women but confirmation is required from a larger study

Mapping the absence : A theological critique of posthumanist influences in marketing and consumer research

In this study, we critically examine the ongoing adoption of various posthumanist influences into the fields of marketing and consumer research from a theological perspective. By conducting a theological-historical assessment, we propose that it is not posthuman notions of human/technology relations, nor their broader context in the emerging non-representational paradigms, that mark radically new disruptions in the continuing restructuring of the disciplines of marketing and consumer research. Instead, we argue that what is taking place is an implicit adherence to a contemporary form of age-old Christian dogma. As a radical conjecture, we thus propose that an identification of certain similarities between Christian dogma and the grounds for various posthumanist frameworks suggest that posthuman thought may well herald the global dissemination of a far more elusive, authoritarian, and hegemonic system than that which posthumanists typically claim to have abandoned. Consequently, we elaborate on implications to developments in marketing thought.Peer reviewe

Folate Augmentation of Treatment – Evaluation for Depression (FolATED): protocol of a randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clinical depression is common, debilitating and treatable; one in four people experience it during their lives. The majority of sufferers are treated in primary care and only half respond well to active treatment. Evidence suggests that folate may be a useful adjunct to antidepressant treatment: 1) patients with depression often have a functional folate deficiency; 2) the severity of such deficiency, indicated by elevated homocysteine, correlates with depression severity, 3) low folate is associated with poor antidepressant response, and 4) folate is required for the synthesis of neurotransmitters implicated in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The primary objective of this trial is to estimate the effect of folate augmentation in new or continuing treatment of depressive disorder in primary and secondary care. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of folate augmentation of antidepressant treatment, investigate how the response to antidepressant treatment depends on genetic polymorphisms relevant to folate metabolism and antidepressant response, and explore whether baseline folate status can predict response to antidepressant treatment.</p> <p>Seven hundred and thirty patients will be recruited from North East Wales, North West Wales and Swansea. Patients with moderate to severe depression will be referred to the trial by their GP or Psychiatrist. If patients consent they will be assessed for eligibility and baseline measures will be undertaken.</p> <p>Blood samples will be taken to exclude patients with folate and B12 deficiency. Some of the blood taken will be used to measure homocysteine levels and for genetic analysis (with additional consent). Eligible participants will be randomised to receive 5 mg of folic acid or placebo. Patients with B12 deficiency or folate deficiency will be given appropriate treatment and will be monitored in the 'comprehensive cohort study'. Assessments will be at screening, randomisation and 3 subsequent follow-ups.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>If folic acid is shown to improve the efficacy of antidepressants, then it will provide a safe, simple and cheap way of improving the treatment of depression in primary and secondary care.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current controlled trials ISRCTN37558856</p

Acquired and congenital disorders of sung performance: A review.

Many believe that the majority of people are unable to carry a tune. Yet, this widespread idea underestimates the singing abilities of the layman. Most occasional singers can sing in tune and in time, provided that they perform at a slow tempo. Here we characterize proficient singing in the general population and identify its neuronal underpinnings by reviewing behavioral and neuroimaging studies. In addition, poor singing resulting from a brain injury or neurogenetic disorder (i.e., tone deafness or congenital amusia) is examined. Different lines of evidence converge in indicating that poor singing is not a monolithic deficit. A variety of poor-singing "phenotypes" are described, with or without concurrent perceptual deficits. In addition, particular attention is paid to the dissociations between specific abilities in poor singers (e.g., production of absolute vs. relative pitch, pitch vs. time accuracy). Such diversity of impairments in poor singers can be traced to different faulty mechanisms within the vocal sensorimotor loop, such as pitch perception and sensorimotor integration