High-pressure/high-temperature synthesis of transition metal oxide perovskites

Perovskite and related Ruddlesden-Popper type transition metal oxides synthesised at high pressures and temperatures during the last decade are reviewed. More than 60 such new materials have been reported since 1995. Important developments have included perovskites with complex cation orderings on A and B sites, multiferroic bismuth-based perovskites, and new manganites showing colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) and charge ordering properties

A Functional Algorithm for Weight Loss and Obesity Practice: Guide for Clinical Decision-Making for Treating Women

ABSTRACT Background Overweight and obesity have significant impact and consequences on women leading to reduced quality of life, comorbid conditions and premature mortality. Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and the time to properly treat overweight and obesity. Algorithms have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and save time. Objectives To develop an algorithm for weight loss assessment and treatment to aid in the clinical decision-making process while improving the quality of care for overweight and obese clients in an efficient manner that can be replicated. Methods After an extensive literature review to identify best-practice guidelines for weight loss a retrospective chart review was performed at two women’s health clinics located in St. Louis County over a five-month period. For three consecutive appointments 50 patient charts were audited and compared to current evidence-based practice guidelines. Any gaps between the office practice and the guidelines were identified. A weight loss algorithm was then developed incorporating clinical assessment methods, lab work, anthropometric measurements and appropriate referrals. Results Fifty patient’s charts spanning from 10/2014-01/2017 were examined and compared to evidence-based clinical guidelines for weight loss. The comparison revealed gaps between evidence based research and practice related to lack of time, not wanting to add additional work for the staff/ healthcare providers, and forgetting to include various assessments and referrals. To improve the assessment practice while saving valuable clinical time, an algorithm was recommended as a template to use in the electronic health records (EHR) along with a hard-copy paper form. Additional measurements were added to the women’s health clinic computer system for neck and waist circumference by their IT staff, and a packet was developed containing assessment questionnaires for patients to either complete prior to coming to the initial appointment or fill out while in the waiting room. This weight loss algorithm was then presented to the participating clinician for implementation for a future pilot study

RELIABILITY OF TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR THE STANDARD MIDTHIGH ISOMETRIC PULL

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of two new alternative portable methods for measuring maximal isometric force measures while performing the standard mid-thigh pull. One method, the bar grip method, required the use of the trunk and upper extremity muscles, while the second method, the pelvic belt method, did not. Both methods demonstrated good test-retest reliability via randomized repeated measures over 24-36 hours. Interestingly, the pelvic belt method generally demonstrated average maximal forces up to 65% higher than the bar method. There was a good relationship between both methods. These new alternative methods could provide strength coaches an option for a more efficient, cost-effective, portable means for the mid-thigh pull test

Bayesian Analysis for Food-Safety Risk Assessment: Evaluation of Dose-Response Functions within WinBUGS

Bayesian methods are becoming increasingly popular in the field of food-safety risk assessment. Risk assessment models often require the integration of a dose-response function over the distribution of all possible doses of a pathogen ingested with a specific food. This requires the evaluation of an integral for every sample for a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis of a model. While many statistical software packages have functions that allow for the evaluation of the integral, this functionality is lacking in WinBUGS. A probabilistic model, that incorporates a novel numerical integration technique, is presented to facilitate the use of WinBUGS for food-safety risk assessments. The numerical integration technique is described in the context of a typical food-saftey risk assesment, some theoretical results are given, and a snippet of WinBUGS code is provided

Interpersonal violence in peacetime Malawi.

Background: The contribution of interpersonal violence (IPV) to trauma burden varies greatly by region. The high rates of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa are thought to relate in part to the high rates of collective violence. Malawi, a country with no history of internal collective violence, provides an excellent setting to evaluate whether collective violence drives the high rates of IPV in this region. Methods: This is a retrospective review of a prospective trauma registry from 2009 through 2016 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Adult (\u3e16 years) victims of IPV were compared with non-intentional trauma victims. Log binomial regression determined factors associated with increased risk of mortality for victims of IPV. Results: Of 72 488 trauma patients, 25 008 (34.5%) suffered IPV. Victims of IPV were more often male (80.2% vs. 74.8%; p Discussion: Even in a sub-Saharan country that never experienced internal collective violence, IPV injury rates are high. Public health efforts to measure and address alcohol use, and studies to determine the role of mob justice, poverty, and intimate partner violence in IPV, in Malawi are needed. Level of evidence: Level III