171 research outputs found
Reversible strain effect on the magnetization of LaCoO3 films
The magnetization of ferromagnetic LaCoO3 films grown epitaxially on
piezoelectric substrates has been found to systematically decrease with the
reduction of tensile strain. The magnetization change induced by the reversible
strain variation reveals an increase of the Co magnetic moment with tensile
strain. The biaxial strain dependence of the Curie temperature is estimated to
be below 4K/% in the as-grown tensile strain state of our films. This is in
agreement with results from statically strained films on various substrates
Trade-offs in managing commercial consumer returns for online apparel retail
Purpose: This paper analyses the application of Lean Six Sigma framework for supporting continuous improvement in logistics services. Both the lean philosophy and the Six Sigma methodology have become two of the most important initiatives for continuous improvement in organizations. The combination of both alternatives - Lean Six Sigma (LSS) - brings significant benefits for companies applying this method and its influence in logistics services can be relevant. Design/methodology/approach: A case study on the logistics services of a large consumer electronics company is performed. In this sector, high quality in logistics services is crucial. Using within-case and cross-case analyses, the paper discusses the implementation of LSS in two internal logistics processes. Findings: The paper identifies important implementation aspects when applying LSS to logistics services, such as continuous improvement structure, strategic analysis, cross-functional teams, and process management. Furthermore, the paper discusses the potential in logistics services of the DMAIC approach and tools like VSM, SIPOC and Process Mapping. Practical implications: The paper analyses two logistics processes where LSS has been applied – a payment process and a request-to-ship process. The analysis of both processes offers relevant information about organizational implementation in a logistics services environment, about process improvement and about the use of LSS tools. Originality/value: Firstly, this paper addresses the gap in literature about LSS and logistics’ activities. Furthermore, the case company, with more than 9.000 employees and distributing its products to more than 100 countries, constitutes a valuable source of information to obtain insights in the implications of implementing LSS in logistics services
Electronic signature of the vacancy ordering in NbO (Nb3O3)
We investigated the electronic structure of the vacancy-ordered 4d-transition
metal monoxide NbO (Nb3O3) using angle-integrated soft- and hard-x-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy as well as ultra-violet angle-resolved photoelectron
spectroscopy. We found that density-functional-based band structure
calculations can describe the spectral features accurately provided that
self-interaction effects are taken into account. In the angle-resolved spectra
we were able to identify the so-called vacancy band that characterizes the
ordering of the vacancies. This together with the band structure results
indicates the important role of the very large inter-Nb-4d hybridization for
the formation of the ordered vacancies and the high thermal stability of the
ordered structure of niobium monoxide
Anesthesia by electro acupuncture in neurosurgery
Given the fact that in neuroanesthesia the choice of anesthetic substances must take into account the effect they have over the cerebral substance, we felt that using as few drugs as possible eliminates their shortcomings, improving the intraoperative conditions as well as the outcome of the surgical intervention. For this purpose, we have used anesthesia through electro acupunctural stimulation associated to hypnosis, drug relaxation under controlled breathing on a group of 12 patients, from which 10 patients had undergone brain surgery and 2 patients had undergone surgery for herniated disc. The outcomes showed the better effect of this method than that of the classical, the patients showing excellent intraoperative hemodynamic stability, relaxed brain, without the need to use depleted substances, rapid awakening with a much better postoperative analgesia
Implementation of Whole-Body MRI (MY-RADS) within the OPTIMUM/MUKnine multi-centre clinical trial for patients with myeloma.
BACKGROUND: Whole-body (WB) MRI, which includes diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T1-w Dixon, permits sensitive detection of marrow disease in addition to qualitative and quantitative measurements of disease and response to treatment of bone marrow. We report on the first study to embed standardised WB-MRI within a prospective, multi-centre myeloma clinical trial (IMAGIMM trial, sub-study of OPTIMUM/MUKnine) to explore the use of WB-MRI to detect minimal residual disease after treatment. METHODS: The standardised MY-RADS WB-MRI protocol was set up on a local 1.5Â T scanner. An imaging manual describing the MR protocol, quality assurance/control procedures and data transfer was produced and provided to sites. For non-identical scanners (different vendor or magnet strength), site visits from our physics team were organised to support protocol optimisation. The site qualification process included review of phantom and volunteer data acquired at each site and a teleconference to brief the multidisciplinary team. Image quality of initial patients at each site was assessed. RESULTS: WB-MRI was successfully set up at 12 UK sites involving 3 vendor systems and two field strengths. Four main protocols (1.5Â T Siemens, 3Â T Siemens, 1.5Â T Philips and 3Â T GE scanners) were generated. Scanner limitations (hardware and software) and scanning time constraint required protocol modifications for 4 sites. Nevertheless, shared methodology and imaging protocols enabled other centres to obtain images suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Standardised WB-MRI protocols can be implemented and supported in prospective multi-centre clinical trials. Trial registration NCT03188172 clinicaltrials.gov; registration date 15th June 2017 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03188172
Phase 1/2a trial of intravenous BAL101553, a novel controller of the spindle assembly checkpoint, in advanced solid tumours
Background:
BAL101553 (lisavanbulin), the lysine prodrug of BAL27862 (avanbulin), exhibits broad anti-proliferative activity in human cancer models refractory to clinically relevant microtubule-targeting agents.
Methods:
This two-part, open-label, phase 1/2a study aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of 2-h infusion of BAL101553 in adults with advanced or recurrent solid tumours. The MTD was determined using a modified accelerated titration design in phase I. Patients received BAL101553 at the MTD and at lower doses in the phase 2a expansion to characterise safety and efficacy and to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D).
Results:
Seventy-three patients received BAL101553 at doses of 15–80 mg/m2 (phase 1, n = 24; phase 2a, n = 49). The MTD was 60 mg/m2; DLTs observed at doses ≥60 mg/m2 were reversible Grade 2–3 gait disturbance with Grade 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy. In phase 2a, asymptomatic myocardial injury was observed at doses ≥45 mg/m2. The RP2D for 2-h intravenous infusion was 30 mg/m2. The overall disease control rate was 26.3% in the efficacy population.
Conclusions:
The RP2D for 2-h infusion of BAL101553 was well tolerated. Dose-limiting neurological and myocardial side effects were consistent with the agent’s vascular-disrupting properties.
Clinical trial registration:
EudraCT: 2010-024237-23
Dinosolve: a protein disulfide bonding prediction server using context-based features to enhance prediction accuracy
Orbital reflectometry
The occupation of d-orbitals controls the magnitude and anisotropy of the
inter-atomic electron transfer in transition metal oxides and hence exerts a
key influence on their chemical bonding and physical properties. Atomic-scale
modulations of the orbital occupation at surfaces and interfaces are believed
to be responsible for massive variations of the magnetic and transport
properties, but could thus far not be probed in a quantitative manner. Here we
show that it is possible to derive quantitative, spatially resolved orbital
polarization profiles from soft x-ray reflectivity data, without resorting to
model calculations. We demonstrate that the method is sensitive enough to
resolve differences of 3 % in the occupation of Ni e_g orbitals in adjacent
atomic layers of a LaNiO3-LaAlO3 superlattice, in good agreement with ab-initio
electronic-structure calculations. The possibility to quantitatively correlate
theory and experiment on the atomic scale opens up many new perspectives for
orbital physics in d-electron materials
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