Entropy change at the martensitic transformation in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys Ni_{2+x}Mn_{1-x}Ga

The entropy change $\Delta S$ between the high-temperature cubic phase and the low-temperature tetragonally-based martensitic phase of Ni$_{2+x}$Mn$_{1-x}$Ga ($x = 0 - 0.20$) alloys was studied. The experimental results obtained indicate that $\Delta S$ in the Ni$_{2+x}$Mn$_{1-x}$Ga alloys increases with the Ni excess $x$. The increase of $\Delta S$ is presumably accounted for by an increase of magnetic contribution to the entropy change. It is suggested that the change in modulation of the martensitic phase of Ni$_{2+x}$Mn$_{1-x}$Ga results in discontinuity of the composition dependence of $\Delta S$.Comment: presented at MMM-47, to be published in J. Appl. Phys. (May 15, 2003

On the athermal character of structural phase transitions

The significance of thermal fluctuations on nucleation in structural first-order phase transitions has been examined. The prototype case of martensitic transitions has been experimentally investigated by means of acoustic emission techniques. We propose a model based on the mean first-passage time to account for the experimental observations. Our study provides a unified framework to establish the conditions for isothermal and athermal transitions to be observed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. Let

GENYOi005-A: An induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) line generated from a patient with Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM) carrying a p.Thr196Ala variant

Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM) is a rare platelet disorder caused by mutations in RUNX1. We generated an iPSC line (GENYOi005-A) from a FPDMM patient with a non-previously reported variant p.Thr196Ala. Non-integrative Sendai viruses expressing the Yamanaka reprogramming factors were used to reprogram peripheral blood mononuclear cells from this FPDMM patient. Characterization of GENYOi005-A included genetic analysis of RUNX1 locus, Short Tandem Repeats profiling, alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity, expression of pluripotency-associated factors and differentiation studies in vitro and in vivo. This iPSC line will provide a powerful tool to study developmental alterations of FPDMM patientsThis work was supported by the Ramon y Cajal (RYC-2015-18382) to PJR founded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (CP12/03175 and CPII17/00032) to V.R-M., (PI17/01311) to M.L.L and J.R., (PI17/01966; Fundación Mutua Madrileña AP172142019; Premio Lopez Borrasca SETH 2019; GRS2061/A/19) to J.M.B. and (CPII15/00018 and PI16/01340) to PJR; by the Chair "Doctors Galera-Requena in cancer stem cell research" (CMC-CTS963) to J.A.M. and C.G-L

The association between family and community social capital and health risk behaviours in young people: an integrative review

Background: Health risk behaviours known to result in poorer outcomes in adulthood are generally established in late childhood and adolescence. These ‘risky’ behaviours include smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use and sexual risk taking. While the role of social capital in the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people has been explored, to date, no attempt has been made to consolidate the evidence in the form of a review. Thus, this integrative review was undertaken to identify and synthesise research findings on the role and impact of family and community social capital on health risk behaviours in young people and provide a consolidated evidence base to inform multi-sectorial policy and practice.<p></p> Methods: Key electronic databases were searched (i.e. ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts) for relevant studies and this was complemented by hand searching. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and data was extracted from the included studies. Heterogeneity in study design and the outcomes assessed precluded meta-analysis/meta-synthesis; the results are therefore presented in narrative form.<p></p> Results: Thirty-four papers satisfied the review inclusion criteria; most were cross-sectional surveys. The majority of the studies were conducted in North America (n=25), with three being conducted in the UK. Sample sizes ranged from 61 to 98,340. The synthesised evidence demonstrates that social capital is an important construct for understanding the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people. The different elements of family and community social capital varied in terms of their saliency within each behavioural domain, with positive parent–child relations, parental monitoring, religiosity and school quality being particularly important in reducing risk.<p></p> Conclusions: This review is the first to systematically synthesise research findings about the association between social capital and health risk behaviours in young people. While providing evidence that may inform the development of interventions framed around social capital, the review also highlights key areas where further research is required to provide a fuller account of the nature and role of social capital in influencing the uptake of health risk behaviours.<p></p&gt

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI