5,033 research outputs found
Equilibrium topology of the intermediate state in type-I superconductors of different shapes
High-resolution magneto-optical technique was used to analyze flux patterns
in the intermediate state of bulk Pb samples of various shapes - cones,
hemispheres and discs. Combined with the measurements of macroscopic
magnetization these results allowed studying the effect of bulk pinning and
geometric barrier on the equilibrium structure of the intermediate state.
Zero-bulk pinning discs and slabs show hysteretic behavior due to geometric
barrier that results in a topological hysteresis -- flux tubes on penetration
and lamellae on flux exit. (Hemi)spheres and cones do not have geometric
barrier and show no hysteresis with flux tubes dominating the intermediate
field region. It is concluded that flux tubes represent the equilibrium
topology of the intermediate state in reversible samples, whereas laminar
structure appears in samples with magnetic hysteresis (either bulk or
geometric). Real-time video is available in
http://www.cmpgroup.ameslab.gov/supermaglab/video/Pb.html
NOTE: the submitted images were severely downsampled due to Arxiv's
limitations of 1 Mb total size
The AdHOC study of older adults’ adherence to medication in 11 countries
BACKGROUND: Compared with the resources expended developing, evaluating
and making clinical decisions about prescribing medication, we know little about
what determines whether people take it. Older adults are prescribed more
medication than any other group. Poor adherence is a common reason for nonresponse
to medication.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate cross-nationally the impact of demographic,
psychiatric (including cognitive), physical health, behavioural and medication factors
on adherence to medication in older adults.
METHODS: Researchers interviewed 3881 people over 65 who receive home
care services using a structured interview at participants’ places of residence in
eleven countries. The main outcome measure was the percentage participants not
adherent to medication.
RESULTS: 12.5% (n= 456) of people reported they were not fully adherent to
medication. Non-adherence was predicted by problem drinking (OR=3.6), not having
a doctor review medication (OR=3.3), dementia (OR=1.4 for every one point
increase in impairment), good physical health (OR=1.2), resisting care (OR=2.1)
being married (OR=2.3) and living in the Czech Republic (OR=4.7) or Germany
(OR=1.4).
CONCLUSION: People, who screen positive for problem drinking and with
dementia, often undiagnosed are less likely to adhere to medication. Therefore
doctors should consider dementia and problem drinking when prescribing for older
adults. Interventions to improve adherence in older adults might be more effective if
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targeted at these groups. It is possible that medication review enhances adherence,
by improving the patient-doctor relationship, or by emphasising the relevance of
medications
The photospheric solar oxygen project: IV. 3D-NLTE investigation of the 777 nm triplet lines
The solar photospheric oxygen abundance is still widely debated. Adopting the
solar chemical composition based on the "low" oxygen abundance, as determined
with the use of three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamical model atmospheres,
results in a well-known mismatch between theoretical solar models and
helioseismic measurements that is so far unresolved. We carry out an
independent redetermination of the solar oxygen abundance by investigating the
center-to-limb variation of the OI IR triplet lines at 777 nm in different sets
of spectra with the help of detailed synthetic line profiles based on 3D
hydrodynamical CO5BOLD model atmospheres and 3D non-LTE line formation
calculations with NLTETD. The idea is to simultaneously derive the oxygen
abundance,A(O), and the scaling factor SH that describes the cross-sections for
inelastic collisions with neutral hydrogen relative the classical Drawin
formula. The best fit of the center-to-limb variation of the triplet lines
achieved with the CO5BOLD 3D solar model is clearly of superior quality
compared to the line profile fits obtained with standard 1D model atmospheres.
Our best estimate of the 3D non-LTE solar oxygen abundance is A(O) = 8.76 +/-
0.02, with the scaling factor SH in the range between 1.2 and 1.8. All 1D
non-LTE models give much lower oxygen abundances, by up to -0.15 dex. This is
mainly a consequence of the assumption of a -independent microturbulence.Comment: 25 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables (Accepted for publication in A&A
The Cost of Increasing Adoption of Beneficial Nutrient-Management Practices
We estimate the cost of offsets tied to reductions in the use of nitrogen on U.S. cornfields under the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act.offsets, nitrogen, corn, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy,
Assessment of the Compositional Influences on the Toughness of TiCr\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e-Base Laves Phase Alloys
Systematic studies of alloys based on TiCr, have been performed in order to improve the toughness of Laves phase intermetallics. The extent to which alloy compositions and annealing treatments influence the toughness was quantified by Vickers indentation. The single-phase Laves behavior was first established by studying stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric TiCr,. Next, alloying effects were investigated with ternary Laves phases based on TiCr2. Different microstructures of two-phase alloys consisting of (Ti,Cr)-bcc+TiCr2, were also examined. Various toughening theories based on vacancies, site-substitutions, crystal structure (C14, C36, or Cl5) stabilization, and the presence of a second phase were evaluated. The most effective factors improving the toughness of TiCr2, were determined, and toughening mechanisms are suggested
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Clinical effectiveness of a manual based coping strategy programme (START, STrAtegies for RelaTives) in promoting the mental health of carers of family members with dementia: pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Objective
To assess whether a manual based coping strategy compared with treatment as usual reduces depression and anxiety symptoms in carers of family members with dementia.
Design
Randomised, parallel group, superiority trial.
Setting
Three mental health community services and one neurological outpatient dementia service in London and Essex, UK.
Participants
260 carers of family members with dementia.
Intervention
A manual based coping intervention comprising eight sessions and delivered by supervised psychology graduates to carers of family members with dementia. The programme consisted of psychoeducation about dementia, carers’ stress, and where to get emotional support; understanding behaviours of the family member being cared for, and behavioural management techniques; changing unhelpful thoughts; promoting acceptance; assertive communication; relaxation; planning for the future; increasing pleasant activities; and maintaining skills learnt. Carers practised these techniques at home, using the manual and relaxation CDs.
Main outcome measures
Affective symptoms (hospital anxiety and depression total score) at four and eight months. Secondary outcomes were depression and anxiety caseness on the hospital anxiety and depression scale; quality of life of both the carer (health status questionnaire, mental health) and the recipient of care (quality of life-Alzheimer’s disease); and potentially abusive behaviour by the carer towards the recipient of care (modified conflict tactics scale).
Results
260 carers were recruited; 173 were randomised to the intervention and 87 to treatment as usual. Mean total scores on the hospital anxiety and depression scale were lower in the intervention group than in the treatment as usual group over the eight month evaluation period: adjusted difference in means −1.80 points (95% confidence interval −3.29 to −0.31; P=0.02) and absolute difference in means −2.0 points. Carers in the intervention group were less likely to have case level depression (odds ratio 0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.76) and there was a non-significant trend towards reduced case level anxiety (0.30, 0.08 to 1.05). Carers’ quality of life was higher in the intervention group (difference in means 4.09, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 7.83) but not for the recipient of care (difference in means 0.59, −0.72 to 1.89). Carers in the intervention group reported less abusive behaviour towards the recipient of care compared with those in the treatment as usual group (odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 1.23), although this was not significant.
Conclusions
A manual based coping strategy was effective in reducing affective symptoms and case level depression in carers of family members with dementia. The carers’ quality of life also improved.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISCTRN70017938
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