Interplay of 4f-3d Magnetism and Ferroelectricity in DyFeO3

DyFeO3 exhibits a weak ferromagnetism (TNFe ~ 645 K) that disappears below a spin-reorientation (Morin) transition at TSRFe ~ 50 K. It is also known that applied magnetic field induces ferroelectricity at the magnetic ordering temperature of Dy-ions (TNDy ~ 4.5 K). Here, we show that the ferroelectricity exists in the weak ferromagnetic state (TSRFe < T < TN,C) without applying magnetic field, indicating the crucial role of weak ferromagnetism in inducing ferroelectricity. 57Fe M\"ossbauer studies show that hyperfine field (Bhf) deviates from mean field-like behaviour that is observed in the weak ferromagnetic state and decreases below the onset of spin-reorientation transition (80 K), implying that the Bhf above TSR had additional contribution from Dy-ions due to induced magnetization by the weak ferromagnetic moment of Fe-sublattice and below TSR, this contribution decreases due to collinear ordering of Fe-sublattice. These results clearly demonstrate the presence of magnetic interactions between Dy(4f) and Fe(3d) and their correlation with ferroelectricity in the weak ferromagnetic state of DyFeO3.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, published in EP

Field-induced Polar Order at the N\'eel Temperature of Chromium in Rare-earth Orthochromites: Interplay of Rare-earth and Cr Magnetism

We report field-induced switchable polarization (P = 0.2 ~ 0.8 microC/cm2) below the N\'eel temperature of chromium (TN Cr) in weakly ferromagnetic rareearth orthochromites, RCrO3 (R=rareearth) but only when the rareearth ion is magnetic. Intriguingly, the polarization in ErCrO3 (TC ~ 133 K) disappears at a spin reorientation (Morin) transition (TSR ~ 22 K) below which the weak ferromagnetism associated with the Cr sublattice also disappears, demonstrating the crucial role of weak ferromagnetism in inducing the polar order. Further, the polarization (P) is strongly influenced by applied magnetic field, indicating a strong magneto electric effect. We suggest that the polar order occurs in RCrO3, due to the combined effect of poling field that breaks the symmetry and the exchange field on R ion from Cr sublattice stabilizes the polar state. We propose that a similar mechanism could work in the isostructural rareearth orthoferrites, RFeO3 as well.Comment: 31 pages (Manuscript(6 figures)+supplemental information(8 figures)

Sickness certification in primary care - the physician's role.

Sickness certification is a routine task of primary care (PC) physicians which has an impact on patients' health, the health care system and the economy. As sickness certification is poorly studied, we quantified sickness certification and explored qualitatively the sickness certification process by Swiss PC physicians. PC physicians participating in the Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network (SSSN) recorded the frequency and duration of absence from work of each related consultation and certificate during 2005. Patients' age and gender, reason for sick leave, psychosocial cofactors, problems at the workplace, type of employment, type of occupation, duration of absence (weeks) and type of certificate were registered. Physicians' views on the procedure and their suggestions for change were gathered before and after the study by means of a questionnaire containing four open-ended questions. Of the 223 SSSN physicians 73% participated. A total of 24,676 forms issued by 150 physicians were analysed. An average of four certificates was issued per 100 consultations; somewhat fewer by internists than by general practitioners and less in rural areas than urban areas. Psychosocial or work-related factors were mentioned in 20% of the certificates and were more often associated with longer absences from work. These factors were seen as inseparable from the somatic factors. Recommendations for change included the prolongation of self declaration time, a uniform declaration form, availability of an authority to which complex cases can be referred and the use of case management models. Sickness certificates were issued in 4% of GP consultations. This task has been assessed by physicians as part of their function. The certification process should be improved through better coordination and communication between all parties involved: patients, employers, insurers, physicians and politicians

DIFT: Dynamic Iterative Field Transforms for Memory Efficient Optical Flow

Recent advancements in neural network-based optical flow estimation often come with prohibitively high computational and memory requirements, presenting challenges in their model adaptation for mobile and low-power use cases. In this paper, we introduce a lightweight low-latency and memory-efficient model, Dynamic Iterative Field Transforms (DIFT), for optical flow estimation feasible for edge applications such as mobile, XR, micro UAVs, robotics and cameras. DIFT follows an iterative refinement framework leveraging variable resolution of cost volumes for correspondence estimation. We propose a memory efficient solution for cost volume processing to reduce peak memory. Also, we present a novel dynamic coarse-to-fine cost volume processing during various stages of refinement to avoid multiple levels of cost volumes. We demonstrate first real-time cost-volume based optical flow DL architecture on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 HTP efficient mobile AI accelerator with 32 inf/sec and 5.89 EPE (endpoint error) on KITTI with manageable accuracy-performance tradeoffs.Comment: CVPR MAI 2023 Accepted Pape

Perceived barriers to management of chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gradually increasing in developing countries such as Rwanda. Barriers to the management of CKD from nurses' perspectives is not an area that has been well explored. This study aimed to assess the perceived barriers to CKD management from the perspective of nurses working at the referral hospitals in Rwanda.METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional research design. The study setting was selected referral hospitals in Kigali. A convenience sample of 55 nurses was obtained and data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were done using descriptive and inferential statistics in the SPSS application.RESULTS: Respondents identified the most barriers to management of CKD as: limited knowledge of CKD (96%) and its risk factor of glomerulonephritis (93%), limited information of dialysis (98%) and fluid restriction (95%) treatment as well as a lack of further training on nephrology nursing (93%). Shortage of nephrologists and nurses (98%) and a multidisciplinary care team (95%) were resource barriers. Other barriers were limited knowledge of CKD risk factors: hypertension (78%) and HIV/AIDS (80%), limited in-service training (69%), and non-adherence (86%). The experience of respondents was associated with limited knowledge of CKD risk factors: hypertension (P =0.001), diabetes (P=0.001) and HIV/AIDS (P=0.040). The level of nursing obtained by the respondents was associated with a lack of further special training (p=0. 001), limited in-service training (P=0.028) and non-adherence of CKD patients (P=0.017).CONCLUSION: Barriers to CKD management in Rwanda are evident. There is a need for in-service training for nurses in order to improve the proper treatment of the CKD population.&nbsp

Fate of the esophagogastric anastomosis

ObjectiveThe study objective was to evaluate histopathology of the esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy, determine time trends of histologic changes, and identify factors influencing those findings.MethodsA total of 231 patients underwent 468 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies with anastomotic biopsy a median of 3.5 years after esophagectomy. Mean age was 59 ± 12 years, 74% (171) were male, and 96% (222) were white. Seventy-eight percent (179) had esophagectomy for cancer, 13% (30) had chemoradiotherapy, and 13% (30) had prior esophageal surgery. The anastomosis was 20 ± 2.0 cm from the incisors. Anti-reflux medications were used in 59% of patients (276/468) at esophagoscopy. Histopathology was graded as normal (0), consistent with reflux (1), cardia mucosa (2), intestinal metaplasia (3), and dysplasia (4). Repeated-measures nonlinear time-trend analysis and multivariable analyses were used.ResultsGrades 0 and 1 were constant, 5% and 92% at 10 years, respectively. Anti-reflux medication, induction therapy, and higher anastomosis were predictive of less grade 1 histopathology. Grades 2 and 3 increased with time: 12% and 33% at 5 years and 4% and 16% at 10 years, respectively. No variable was predictive of grade 2 or 3 (P > .15) except passage of time. No patient’s condition progressed to dysplasia or cancer.ConclusionsThe esophagogastric anastomosis is subject to gastroesophageal reflux. To minimize histopathologic changes of reflux, the anastomosis should be constructed as high as possible (closer to incisors) and anti-reflux medications prescribed. Surveillance endoscopy, if performed, will document a time-related progression of reflux-related histopathologic changes. However, during surveillance, intestinal metaplasia is uncommon and progression to cancer rare

A prospective study of mental health status in morbidly obese patients.

Aim: To determine if co-morbidities have an effect on mood in a cohort of morbidly obese patients

1-Allyl-3,3-diphenyl­indolin-2-one

In the title compound, C23H19NO, the oxindole residue is essentially planar and is almost perpendicular to the phenyl rings [dihedral angles = 72.1 (6) and 77.6 (6)°]. The mol­ecular packing is stabilized by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯N inter­actions

1-Allyl-3,3-di-p-tolyl­indolin-2-one

In the title compound, C25H23NO, the indoline system is essentially planar. The mol­ecular structure is stabilized by weak intra­molecular C—H⋯N inter­actions and the crystal packing is determined by inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­actions