Segregation of alloying elements to intrinsic and extrinsic stacking faults in γ'-Ni3Al via first principles calculations

First principles calculations are used to investigate the segregation behaviour of Co, Cr, Re, Mo and W to intrinsic and extrinsic stacking faults in c0-Ni3Al. It is shown that the change in stacking fault energy depends on local alloying concentration and is related to subtle changes in the electronic structure of the alloying elements and adjacent nickel atoms. The results are consistent with observed stacking fault segregation in commercial superalloys and in particular the behaviour of Co and Cr.Support for this work was provided by the EPSRC/ Rolls-Royce Strategic Partnership. The calculations were per- formed using the high performance computing facilities at the University of Cambridge and the UK national facility ARCHER. Access to the latter was obtained via the UKCP con- sortium and funded by EPSRC grant EP/K014560/1.This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359646215000743

Case management for patients with chronic systolic heart failure in primary care : the HICMan exploratory randomised controlled trial

Background Chronic (systolic) heart failure (CHF) represents a clinical syndrome with high individual and societal burden of disease. Multifaceted interventions like case management are seen as promising ways of improving patient outcomes, but lack a robust evidence base, especially for primary care. The aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of a new model of CHF case management conducted by doctors' assistants (DAs, equivalent to a nursing role) and supported by general practitioners (GPs). Methods This patient-randomised controlled trial (phase II) included 31 DAs and employing GPs from 29 small office-based practices in Germany. Patients with CHF received either case management (n = 99) consisting of telephone monitoring and home visits or usual care (n = 100) for 12 months. We obtained clinical data, health care utilisation data, and patient-reported data on generic and disease-specific quality of life (QoL, SF-36 and KCCQ), CHF self-care (EHFScBS) and on quality of care (PACIC-5A). To compare between groups at follow-up, we performed analyses of covariance and logistic regression models. Results Baseline measurement showed high guideline adherence to evidence-based pharmacotherapy and good patient self-care: Patients received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (or angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists) in 93.8% and 95%, and betablockers in 72.2% and 84%, and received both in combination in 68% and 80% of cases respectively. EHFScBS scores (SD) were 25.4 (8.4) and 25.0 (7.1). KCCQ overall summary scores (SD) were 65.4 (22.6) and 64.7 (22.7). We found low hospital admission and mortality rates. EHFScBS scores (-3.6 [-5.7;-1.6]) and PACIC and 5A scores (both 0.5, [0.3;0.7/0.8]) improved in favour of CM but QoL scores showed no significant group differences (Physical/Mental SF-36 summary scores/KCCQ-os [95%CI]: -0.3 [-3.0;2.5]/-0.1 [-3.4;3.1]/1.7 [-3.0;6.4]). Conclusions In this sample, with little room for improvement regarding evidence-based pharmacotherapy and CHF self-care, case management showed no improved health outcomes or health care utilisation. However, case management significantly improved performance and key intermediate outcomes. Our study provides evidence for the feasibility of the case management model