COOP Charts in French: translation and preliminary data on instrument properties

This paper describes the procedure used to translate the COOP Charts into French and provides preliminary information on the instrument's acceptability, reliability and validity. The charts were translated in several steps: seven initial translations were combined into a first pilot version, which was then tested for acceptability, clarity and alternate wordings in two convenience samples taken from the general population (n=53). The modified version was then reviewed by a lay panel and another translator and submitted by mail to 209 congress participants to test several construct validity hypotheses through known-groups comparisons. A panel of public health professionals discussed the content validity of the charts. Finally, test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with SF-36 Health Survey scores were examined among 65 patients with end-stage renal disease. The translation process identified a wide variability in translation options for several items. The acceptability of the charts was excellent. The test-retest correlations ranged from 0.60 to 0.87. Content validity appeared to be appropriate, except for the chart on ‘social support', which combines the questions of need and availability of social support. The utility of illustrations was questioned by some respondents: many claimed not to have used the illustrations in selecting their response, while others found them to be not expressive enough. Most preliminary tests of construct validity were consistent with theory. This French translation of the COOP Charts appears to be ready for more extensive testing in the intended target population of ambulatory patient

7-(5-Methyl­sulfanyl-β-d-erythrofuran­osyl)-7H-pyrrolo­[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine monohydrate (MT-tubercidin·H2O)

The title compound, C12H16N4O3S·H2O, which has potential as a possible anti­malarial drug, was studied when small deviations in melting points, for two differently aged preparations, were observed. The unexpected existence of a water mol­ecule of crystallization is considered to be the cause of this variation. The 7H-pyrrolo­[2,3-d]pyrimidine unit is very slightly puckered with a total puckering amplitude of 0.035 (2) Å; its mean plane makes an angle of 88.40 (12)° with the mean plane through the ribofuranosyl unit. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are bound by strong O—H⋯N and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, utilizing all available protons and linking mainly through the water of crystallization

Correlated electron metal properties of the honeycomb ruthenate Na2_2RuO3_3

We report the synthesis and characterisation of polycrystalline Na$_2$RuO$_3$, a layered material in which the Ru$^{4+}$ ($4d^4$ configuration) form a honeycomb lattice. The optimal synthesis condition was found to produce a nearly ordered Na$_2$RuO$_3$ ($C2/c$ phase), as assessed from the refinement of the time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal a large temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism ($\chi_0 \sim 1.42(2)\times10^{-3}$ emu/mol Oe) with no evidence of magnetic ordering down to 1.5 K, and with an absence of dynamic magnetic correlations, as evidenced by neutron scattering spectroscopy. The intrinsic susceptibility ($\chi_0$) together with the Sommerfeld coeficient of $\gamma=11.7(2)$ mJ/Ru mol K$^2$ estimated from heat capacity measurements, gives an enhanced Wilson ratio of $R_W\approx8.9(1)$, suggesting that magnetic correlations may be present in this material. While transport measurements on pressed pellets show nonmetallic behaviour, photoemission spectrocopy indicate a small but finite density of states at the Fermi energy, suggesting that the bulk material is metallic. Except for resistivity measurements, which may have been compromised by near surface and interface effects, all other probes indicate that Na$_2$RuO$_3$ is a moderately correlated electron metal. Our results thus stand in contrast to earlier reports that Na$_2$RuO$_3$ is an antiferromagnetic insulator at low temperatures.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Nicotinamide–2,2,2-trifluoro­ethanol (2/1)

The nicotinamide (NA) mol­ecules of the title compound, 2C6H6N2O·C2H3F3O, form centrosymmetric R 2 2(8) hydrogen-bonded dimers via N—H⋯O contacts. The asymmetric unit contains two mol­ecules of NA and one trifluoroethanol molecule disordered over two sites of equal occupancy. The packing consists of alternating layers of nicotinamide dimers and disordered 2,2,2-trifluoro­ethanol mol­ecules stacking in the c-axis direction. Intra­molecular C—H⋯O and inter­molecular N—H⋯N, O—H⋯N, C—H⋯N, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F inter­actions are present

Optimizing Sales Using Mobile Sales Ticketing Application

A pressure-induced collapse of magnetic ordering in $β−Li_{2}IrO_3$ at $P_m ∼ 1.5–2$ GPa has previously been interpreted as evidence for possible emergence of spin liquid states in this hyperhoneycomb iridate, raising prospects for experimental realizations of the Kitaev model. Based on structural data obtained at room temperature, this magnetic transition is believed to originate in small lattice perturbations that preserve crystal symmetry, and related changes in bond-directional anisotropic exchange interactions. Here we report on the evolution of the crystal structure of $β−Li_{2}IrO_3$ under pressure at low temperatures $(T≤50 K)$ and show that the suppression of magnetism coincides with a change in lattice symmetry involving Ir-Ir dimerization. The critical pressure for dimerization shifts from 4.4(2) GPa at room temperature to $∼1.5–2$ GPa below 50 K. While a direct $Fddd→C2/c$ transition is observed at room temperature, the low temperature transitions involve new as well as coexisting dimerized phases. Further investigation of the Ir ($L3/L_2$) isotropic branching ratio in x-ray absorption spectra indicates that the previously reported departure of the electronic ground state from a $J_{eff} = 1/2$ state is closely related to the onset of dimerized phases. In essence, our results suggest that the predominant mechanism driving the collapse of magnetism in $β−Li_{2}IrO_3$ is the pressure-induced formation of $Ir_2$ dimers in the hyperhoneycomb network. The results further confirm the instability of the $J_{eff} = 1/2$ moments and related noncollinear spiral magnetic ordering against formation of dimers in the low-temperature phase of compressed $β−Li_{2}IrO_3$

Predicting the exposure of diving grey seals to shipping noise.

There is high spatial overlap between grey seals and shipping traffic, and the functional hearing range of grey seals indicates sensitivity to underwater noise emitted by ships. However, there is still very little data regarding the exposure of grey seals to shipping noise, constraining effective policy decisions. Particularly, there are few predictions that consider the at-sea movement of seals. Consequently, this study aimed to predict the exposure of adult grey seals and pups to shipping noise along a three-dimensional movement track, and assess the influence of shipping characteristics on sound exposure levels. Using ship location data, a ship source model, and the acoustic propagation model, RAMSurf, this study estimated weighted 24-h sound exposure levels (10-1000 Hz) (SELw). Median predicted 24-h SELw was 128 and 142 dB re 1 μPa2s for the pups and adults, respectively. The predicted exposure of seals to shipping noise did not exceed best evidence thresholds for temporary threshold shift. Exposure was mediated by the number of ships, ship source level, the distance between seals and ships, and the at-sea behaviour of the seals. The results can inform regulatory planning related to anthropogenic pressures on seal populations

Processing of aluminum-graphite particulate metal matrix composites by advanced shear technology

Copyright @ 2009 ASM International. This paper was published in Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance 18(9) and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.To extend the possibilities of using aluminum/graphite composites as structural materials, a novel process is developed. The conventional methods often produce agglomerated structures exhibiting lower strength and ductility. To overcome the cohesive force of the agglomerates, a melt conditioned high-pressure die casting (MC-HPDC) process innovatively adapts the well-established, high-shear dispersive mixing action of a twin screw mechanism. The distribution of particles and properties of composites are quantitatively evaluated. The adopted rheo process significantly improved the distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix with a strong interfacial bond between the two. A good combination of improved ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and tensile elongation (e) is obtained compared with composites produced by conventional processes.EPSR

Are non-responders in a quitline evaluation more likely to be smokers?

BACKGROUND: In evaluation of smoking cessation programs including surveys and clinical trials the tradition has been to treat non-responders as smokers. The aim of this paper is to assess smoking behaviour of non-responders in an evaluation of the Swedish national tobacco cessation quitline a nation-wide, free of charge service. METHODS: A telephone interview survey with a sample of people not participating in the original follow-up. The study population comprised callers to the Swedish quitline who had consented to participate in a 12 month follow-up but had failed to respond. A sample of 84 (18% of all non-responders) was included. The main outcome measures were self-reported smoking behaviour at the time of the interview and at the time of the routine follow-up. Also, reasons for not responding to the original follow-up questionnaire were assessed. For statistical comparison between groups we used Fischer's exact test, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) on proportions and OR. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent reported to have been smoke-free at the time they received the original questionnaire compared with 31% of responders in the original study population. The two most common reasons stated for not having returned the original questionnaire was claiming that they had returned it (35%) and that they had not received the questionnaire (20%). Non-responders were somewhat younger and were to a higher degree smoke-free when they first called the quitline. CONCLUSION: Treating non-responders as smokers in smoking cessation research may underestimate the true effect of cessation treatment

Knowledge transfer & exchange through social networks: building foundations for a community of practice within tobacco control

BACKGROUND: Health services and population health innovations advance when knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) occurs among researchers, practitioners, policy-makers and consumers using high-quality evidence. However, few KTE models have been evaluated in practice. Communities of practice (CoP) – voluntary, self-organizing, and focused groups of individuals and organizations – may provide one option. This paper outlines an approach to lay the foundation for a CoP within the area of Web-assisted tobacco interventions (WATI). The objectives of the study were to provide a data-driven foundation to inform decisions about organizing a CoP within the geographically diverse, multi-disciplinary WATI group using evaluation and social network methodologies. METHODS: A single-group design was employed using a survey of expectations, knowledge, and interpersonal WATI-related relationships administered prior to a meeting of the WATI group followed by a 3-week post-meeting Web survey to assess short-term impact on learning and networking outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 27 WATI attendees (85%) from diverse disciplinary and practice backgrounds completed the baseline survey, with 21 (91%) of those participants completing the three-week follow-up. Participants had modest expectations of the meeting at baseline. A social network map produced from the data illustrated a centralized, yet sparse network comprising of interdisciplinary teams with little trans-sectoral collaboration. Three-week follow-up survey results showed that participants had made new network connections and had actively engaged in KTE activities with WATI members outside their original network. CONCLUSION: Data illustrating both the shape and size of the WATI network as well as member's interests and commitment to KTE, when shared and used to frame action steps, can positively influence the motivation to collaborate and create communities of practice. Guiding KTE planning through blending data and theory can create more informed transdisciplinary and trans-sectoral collaboration environments