Metal-to-glass ratio and the Magneto-Impedance of glass-covered CoFeBSi microwires at high frequencies

High frequency [1-500 MHz] measurements of the Magneto-Impedance (MI) of glass-covered Co$_{69.4}$Fe$_{3.7}$B$_{15.9}$Si$_{11}$ microwires are carried out with various metal-to-wire diameter ratios. A twin-peak, anhysteretic behaviour is observed as a function of magnetic field. A maximum in $\Delta Z/Z$ appears at different values of the frequency $f$, 125, 140 and 85 MHz with the corresponding diameter ratio $p$ = 0.80, 0.55 and 0.32. We describe the measurement technique and interpret our results with a thermodynamic model that leads to a clearer view of the effects of $p$ on the maximum value of MI and the anisotropy field.Comment: 5 pages and 6 figure

A Novel Broadband Measurement Method for the Magnetoimpedance of Ribbons and Thin Films

A novel broad-band measurement method of the MI in thin films and ribbons is presented. It is based on the automated measurement of the reflection coefficient of a cell loaded with the sample. Illustrative results obtained with a permalloy multilayer thin film are presented and discussed.Comment: Paper submitted to International Conference on Magnetism (Rome 2003

Giant magnetoimpedance in Vitrovac amorphous ribbons over [0.3-400 MHz] frequency range

Giant magneto impedance (GMI) effect for as-cast Vitrovac$^{\textrm{\scriptsize\textregistered}}$ amorphous ribbons (Vacuumschmelze, Germany) in two configurations (parallel and normal to the ribbon axis) is studied over the frequency range [0.3-400 MHz] and under static magnetic fields -160 Oe $< H_{dc} <$+160 Oe. A variety of peak features and GMI ratio values, falling within a small field range, are observed and discussed.Comment: Paper submitted to International Conference on Magnetism 2003 (ICM Rome 2003

Association between obesity and miscarriage among women of reproductive age in Nepal

Background: Obesity is a major health problem in low and middle income countries (LMICs) and is associated with miscarriage. This study aims to examine the association between obesity and miscarriage among reproductive age women (15–49 years) in Nepal. Methods: The combined 19160 cross-sectional pregnancy data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) for the years 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 was utilized. Miscarriage was defined as a spontaneous loss of pregnancy that occurred before the foetus reached 7 months of gestational age. Logistic regression analyses that adjusted for clustering, stratification and sampling weights were used to examine the association between obesity and miscarriage among women of reproductive age. Results: The odds of miscarriage were 1.45 times higher (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45; 95%Cl: 1.06, 1.98, P = 0.021) among women with obesity. Women who did not use contraception, younger (15–19 years), and older women (35 years or more) were significantly more likely to have miscarriage. Women who smoked tobacco reported higher odds of miscarriage than women who did not smoke tobacco (AOR = 1.27; 95%Cl: 1.07,1.50, P = 0.006). Stratification of maternal smoking status by maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), after adjusting for contraception, mother age and year of survey revealed that tobacco smoking and obesity are associated with miscarriage (AOR = 1.46; 95%Cl: 1.05,2.04, P = 0.025). Conclusions: Findings from this study show that obesity and tobacco smoking are associated with miscarriage. Smoking cessation, pregnancy planning and counselling on healthy weight for women of reproductive age in Nepal may help promote healthy behaviours and decrease the likelihood of miscarriage

Practical reflections on combining workshops and mentorships to build capacity in demand and use of evidence in government organisations

Decision makers’ capacity to use evidence is a key component of evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) at a policy level. This paper describes a unique combination of EIDM workshops and mentoring to build decision makers’ capacity to use evidence. It reflects how the deliberate design of sequential workshop and mentoring capacity-building activities enhanced programme effects and reports on the design features that we believe have most contributed to the observed effects. We have found that this combined approach is most effective when it is underpinned by a relationship-building theory of change and remains flexible and responsive to delivering on the needs of participants, and when it is delivered in a timely manner by partners who have been carefully paired with participants based on required expertise