2,001 research outputs found
Local magnetism of isolated Mo atoms at substitutional and interstitial sites in Yb metal : Experiment and Theory
Using TDPAD experiment and local spin density calculations, we have observed
large 4d moments on isolated Mo atoms at substitutional and octahedral
interstitial lattice sites in Yb metal, showing Curie-Weiss local
susceptibility and Korringa like spin relaxation rate. As a surprising feature,
despite strong hybridization with the Yb neighbours, interstitial Mo atoms show
high moment stability with small Kondo temperature. While, magnetism of Mo, at
substitutional site is consistent with Kondo type antiferromagnetic d-sp
exchange interaction, we suggest that moment stability at the interstitial site
is strongly influenced by ferromagnetic polarization of Yb-4f5d band electrons.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Morphometric analysis of the mandible in the Durban Metropolitan population of South Africa
Background: The identification of an individual from skeletal remains plays a vital role in forensic investigation as it is essential for the identification of the individual’s age, sex, and/or race and further analysis. Skeletal characteristics differ from one population group to another since population-specific osteometric standards exist for sex determination. Since the mandible is the largest, strongest and most durable compact facial bone, it is the best preserved after death. While sexual dimorphism of the mandible is indicated by its shape and size, morphometric analysis is more accurate in the determination of sex from the skull. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric parameters of the mandible in the Durban Metropolitan population.
Materials and methods: Various morphometric parameters of the mandible were measured and assessed in 265 digital panoramic radiographs aged between 16 and 30 years (n = 530). Each parameter recorded was statistically analysed using SPSS to determine if a relationship existed between the parameter, and sex and age.
Results: In this study the morphometric parameters of the male mandibles were greater than that of the females. This concurred with the findings of previous studies. The length of the mandibular ramus on the right and left sides was statistically significant with sex.
Conclusions: This correlated with previous studies, indicating that the length of the mandibular ramus generally has higher sexual dimorphism than any other morphometric mandibular parameter (p = 0.000). However, only the length of the right mandibular body was statistically significant when compared with sex (p = 0.040). The findings of this study may assist forensic investigators, anatomists, anthropologists and maxillo-facial surgeons.
Evaluation of Model Transformation Approaches for Model Refactoring
This paper provides a systematic evaluation framework for comparing
model transformation approaches, based upon the ISO/IEC 9126-1
quality characteristics for software systems. We apply this framework to
compare five transformation approaches (QVT-R, ATL, Kermeta, UMLRSDS
and GrGen.NET) on a complex model refactoring case study: the
amalgamation of apparent attribute clones in a class diagram.
The case study highlights the problems with the specification and design
of the refactoring category of model transformations, and provides
a challenging example by which model transformation languages and approaches
can be compared. We take into account a wide range of evaluation
criteria aspects such as correctness, efficiency, flexibility, interoperability,
reusability and robustness, which have not been comprehensively
covered by other comparative surveys of transformation approaches.
The results show clear distinctions between the capabilities and suitabilities
of different approaches to address the refactoring form of transformation
problem
Upskilling nursing students and nurse practitioners to initiate and manage patients on ART: An outcome evaluation of the UKZN NIMART course
Background. Currently, there is a need in South Africa to implement strategies to upskill nurses in the clinical management of HIV and AIDS, for effective and efficient management of people living with HIV. One such strategy is the nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) course.Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness of the NIMART course in increasing the knowledge of trainees in select clinical competencies, to assess whether perceived knowledge gain varied according to individual-level characteristics of trainees, and to determine trainee perceptions of the value and delivery of the course.Methods. A 5-day training course focusing on various areas of HIV was developed and delivered by experts in the field of HIV to multiple cohorts of fourth-year nursing students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and to post-basic nursing practitioners, over a 5-year period. A single-group pre- and post-quasi-experimental design was used to assess knowledge change and perceptions about the course among 1 369 trainees who had benefitted from the course during the implementation period.Results. Post-workshop test scores were significantly higher than pre-workshop scores (p<0.0001), based on both pooled and cohort-specific data. For pooled analysis, the pre-test median score was 67% (interquartile range (IQR) = 60% - 73%) and the post-test median score was 77% (IQR = 70% - 80%), with p<0.0001. The knowledge gain was the highest in respect of HIV prevention, followed by prevention of mother-to-child transmission, then HIV treatment and lastly, general knowledge of HIV. The vast majority were very satisfied with the content of the training, although 31.3% strongly disagreedthat they were ready to apply the knowledge they had learned in their workplace.Conclusion. The training was generally well received, and improved the knowledge of participants in HIV and its management. However, this outcome represents short-term benefits of the programme, and there is a need for on-the-job mentorship and support in order to maximise on clinical outcomes related to HIV
New limit for the half-life of double beta decay of Zr to the first excited state of Mo
Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay is a phenomenon of fundamental interest in
particle physics. The decay rates of double beta decay transitions to the
excited states can provide input for Nuclear Transition Matrix Element
calculations for the relevant two neutrino double beta decay process. It can be
useful as supplementary information for the calculation of Nuclear Transition
Matrix Element for the neutrinoless double beta decay process. In the present
work, double beta decay of Zr to the excited state of
Mo at 871.1 keV is studied using a low background 230 cm HPGe
detector. No evidence of this decay was found with a 232 g.y exposure of
natural Zirconium. The lower half-life limit obtained for the double beta decay
of to the excited state of is y at 90% C.L., an improvement by a factor of
4 over the existing experimental limit at 90\% C.L. The sensitivity is
estimated to be y at 90% C.L. using
the Feldman-Cousins method.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, Accepted in Eur. Phys. J.
Innovations in the clinical care of mothers and children in South Africa: The contribution of district clinical specialist teams
The contribution of the District Clinical Specialist Teams (DCSTs) to improving maternal and child health outcomes in South Africa, through strengthening the four pillars of clinical governance, is reflected in innovative work presented at a ‘Promising Practices’ symposium and at various conferences. Of the 24 identified DCST innovations, 21% reflected the clinical effectiveness pillar, 17% clinical risk management, 41% staff development, and 21% user-related considerations. In order to ensure scale-up, the submitted best practices/ innovations were reviewed using the World Health Organization quality standards and ExpandNet parameters for likely scalability. Here we describe one case study from each pillar, illustrating the contribution of the innovations to improved patient outcomes. The development and scale-up of innovations needs to be institutionalised and must include effective support and action from the relevant health managers
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