Origin of the giant magnetic moments of Fe impurities on and in Cs films

To explore the origin of the observed giant magnetic moments ($\sim 7 \mu_B$) of Fe impurities on the surface and in the bulk of Cs films, we have performed the relativistic LSDA + U calculations using the linearized muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) band method. We have found that Fe impurities in Cs behave differently from those in noble metals or in Pd. Whereas the induced spin polarization of Cs atoms is negligible, the Fe ion itself is found to be the source of the giant magnetic moment. The 3d electrons of Fe in Cs are localized as the 4f electrons in rare-earth ions so that the orbital magnetic moment becomes as large as the spin magnetic moment. The calculated total magnetic moment of $M = 6.43 \mu_B$, which comes mainly from Fe ion, is close to the experimentally observed value.Comment: 4 pages including 3 figures and 1 table. Submitted to PR

Razvojni prospekti bankarstva u novim i budućim zemljama članicama EU

Bank consolidation has substantially decreased the number of banks in European banking, which has had important implications for the banking sectors structure in all EU member countries. The consolidation processes have had a tremendous impact on the developments in banking sectors of new EU member countries, where major structural changes have been initiated mostly by new entrant banks from the old EU member countries. The future banking development in new EU member countries will very likely follow some main patterns known from the old EU members. Rather speculative conjectures, which are based on a comparison with banking sectors in other EU member countries indicate, that the total-asset-to-GDP ratio in new member countries should further improve in the future. The banking sector growth will be based mostly on the growth of the credit to non-banking sector, while banks are not expected anymore to use non-bank deposits as a predominant way of funding. Instead potentials for alternative funding possibilities should be activated. Although the non-bank financial intermediaries in new EU members represent a serious competition to banks, their relative underdevelopment prevents them from impacting the developments in banking sectors as known from old EU member countries.Konsolidacija banaka znatno je smanjila broj banaka u europskom bankarstvu, što ima značajne implikacije na bankarski sektor u svim zemljama članicama EU. Konsolidacija banaka imala je veliki utjecaj na razvoj bankarskog sektora svih novih zemalja članica, gdje su najveće strukturalne promjene inicirane stvaranjem novih banaka uz sudioništvo starih članica EU. Budući bankarski razvoj u novim zemljama članicama EU vjerojatno će se temeljiti na onom starih članica. Više spekulativna nagađanja, koja se temelje na usporedbi s bankarskim sektorima u drugim zemljama članicama, pokazuju da će se odnos kapitala prema BDP u novim zemljama članicama povećavati u budućnosti. Rast bankarskog sektora temeljit će se većim dijelom na rastu zajmova nebankarskim sektorima, a od banaka se očekuje da više ne rabe nebankarske depozite kao glavni oblik financiranja. Umjesto toga, trebaju se aktivirati mogućnosti za alternativnim financiranjem. Nebankarski financijski posrednici u novim zemljama članicama EU bankama predstavljaju ozbiljnu konkurenciju, međutim, njihova relativna nerazvijenost sprečava ih da utječu na razvoj u bankarskom sektoru kao što je to bio slučaj u starim zemljama članicama EU

Better preparation and training determine home care workers’ self-efficacy in contributing to heart failure self-carebetter preparation

Objective Identify determinants of home care workers’ (HCW) self-efficacy in contributing to heart failure (HF) self-care. Methods Secondary analysis of a survey (n = 328) examining characteristics of HCWs caring for adults with HF in New York. Self-efficacy assessed using Caregiver Self-Efficacy in Contributing to Self-Care Scale. Standardized scores range 0–100; ≥ 70 points indicate adequate self-efficacy. Characteristics determined by self-efficacy (low vs. adequate). Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (PR [95% CI]) were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression with robust standard errors. Results Home care workers with adequate self-efficacy had at least some prior HF training (55% vs. 17%, p < .001) and greater job satisfaction (90% vs. 77%, p = .003). Significant determinants for adequate self-efficacy were employment length (1.02 [1.00–1.03], p = .027), preparation for caregiving (3.10 [2.42–3.96], p < .001), and HF training (1.48 [1.20–1.84], p < .001). Conclusion Home care agencies and policy-makers can target caregiving preparation and HF training to improve HCWs’ confidence in caring for adult HF patients

Smart Fan

Modern box fans offer a simple solution to cooling an area. However, the simplicity that makes these fans appealing also limits their potential. A smart box fan that preserves its original simplicity while providing enhanced technological features such as smartphone connectivity and variable speed selection should lead to ease of use, improved performance, and increased customer satisfaction. To this end, a regular box fan will be instrumented and technology-enhanced, thus “smart fan.” The standard AC motor will be replaced with a DC motor for finer speed selection over the allowable range. The smart fan will offer three categories of operation: manual control, scheduled operation, and temperature-sensitive automation. Manual control operates the smart fan similarly to a standard box fan. Scheduled operation specifies the operation of the fan for any time. Temperature-sensitive automation will offer two modes. The first is a single-source mode that operates using a local temperature sensor. The second is a dual-source mode–intended for use in a window–that uses the temperature sensor and a weather API. Both modes operate by mapping speeds to a range of temperatures. The smart fan will allow users to run it when they want, how they want

Self-care research: How to grow the evidence base?

Background and objective: The number of studies in the area of self-care is growing and international researchers are increasingly developing self-care interventions to improve outcomes of individual patients and communities. However, growth of the evidence is still slow due to challenges with designing and testing self-care interventions. In this article we address major methodological challenges with regard to the definition of self-care, use of theory, and research design, intended to provide guidance to researchers in this field.Method: During the inaugural conference of the International Center for Self-Care Research held in Rome, Italy in June 2019 we identified important issues in existing self-care research. Discussion and literature review lead to eight recommendation for future self-care research.Results: In preparation, begin with a theoretically sound definition of self-care. In planning the intervention, build on and extend previous studies. Use theory to develop self-care interventions and consider translational models to guide development, evaluation and implementation of complex self-care interventions. Employ a study design that fits the current phase and objectives of the research and measure self-care and related factors carefully. In reporting, describe the sample and setting sufficiently so that others can draw conclusions about generalizability and applicability to their practice and patient population. In interpretation, describe how the intervention is assumed to work (causal assumptions) and its key components.Conclusion: Our review of existing self-care research clearly illustrates that the recommendations we provide are needed if we are to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care. Embracing a core set of principles will allow us to build on each other's work.Tweetable abstract: A core set of methodological principles is needed to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Palliative Care in Heart Failure: Rationale, Evidence, and Future Priorities

Patients with heart failure (HF) and their families experience stress and suffering from a variety of sources over the course of the HF experience. Palliative care is an interdisciplinary service and an overall approach to care that improves quality of life and alleviates suffering for those living with serious illness, regardless of prognosis. In this review, we synthesize the evidence from randomized clinical trials of palliative care interventions in HF. While the evidence base for palliative care in HF is promising, it is still in its infancy and requires additional high-quality, methodologically sound studies to clearly elucidate the role of palliative care for patients and families living with the burdens of HF. Yet, an increase in attention to primary palliative care (e.g., basic physical and emotional symptom management, advance care planning), provided by primary care and cardiology clinicians, may be a vehicle to address unmet palliative needs earlier and throughout the illness course