A simple, novel method for preparing an effective water oxidation catalyst

A novel oxygen catalyst is prepared via the photodeposition of ruthnium (IV) oxide on a titania photocatalyst derived from a perruthenate precursor

Reorientation in Antiferromagnetic Multilayers: Spin-Flop Transition and Surface Effects

Nanoscale superlattices with uniaxial ferromagnetic layers antiferromagnetically coupled through non-magnetic spacers are recently used as components of magnetoresistive and recording devices. In the last years intensive experimental investigations of these artificial antiferromagnets have revealed a large variety of surface induced reorientational effects and other remarkable phenomena unknown in other magnetic materials. In this paper we review and generalize theoretical results, which enable a consistent description of the complex magnetization processes in antiferromagnetic multilayers, and we explain the responsible physical mechanism. The general structure of phase diagrams for magnetic states in these systems is discussed. In particular, our results resolve the long standing problem of a ``surface spin-flop'' in antiferromagnetic layers. This explains the different appearance of field-driven reorientation transitions in systems like Fe/Cr (001) and (211) superlattices, and in [CoPt]/Ru multilayers with strong perpendicular anisotropy.Comment: Companion paper for talk at Second Seeheim Conference on Magnetism, June 27- July 1, 2004; 8 pages included 7 figure

Proteomic analysis of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis reveals the metabolic insight on consumption of prebiotics and host glycans.

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis is a common member of the intestinal microbiota in breast-fed infants and capable of metabolizing human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). To investigate the bacterial response to different prebiotics, we analyzed both cell wall associated and whole cell proteins in B. infantis. Proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS followed by comparative proteomics to deduce the protein localization within the cell. Enzymes involved in the metabolism of lactose, glucose, galactooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides and HMO were constitutively expressed exhibiting less than two-fold change regardless of the sugar used. In contrast, enzymes in N-Acetylglucosamine and sucrose catabolism were induced by HMO and fructans, respectively. Galactose-metabolizing enzymes phosphoglucomutase, UDP-glucose 4-epimerase and UTP glucose-1-P uridylytransferase were expressed constitutively, while galactokinase and galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, increased their expression three fold when HMO and lactose were used as substrates for cell growth. Cell wall-associated proteomics also revealed ATP-dependent sugar transport systems associated with consumption of different prebiotics. In addition, the expression of 16 glycosyl hydrolases revealed the complete metabolic route for each substrate. Mucin, which possesses O-glycans that are structurally similar to HMO did not induced the expression of transport proteins, hydrolysis or sugar metabolic pathway indicating B. infantis do not utilize these glycoconjugates

Social isolation: A conceptual and measurement proposal

Social isolation is a deprivation of social connectedness. It is a crucial aspect that continues to be named by people as a core impediment for achieving well-being and as a relevant factor for understanding poverty. The notion of social isolation has been discussed within a diversity of theories that have provided rich insights into particular aspects of social isolation. However, there is no agreement on the core components of this social malady or on how to measure it. Although the challenge of conceptualising and measuring social connectedness is daunting, this paper argues that existing research in several fields provides solid ground for a common concept and for the construction of basic internationally comparable indicators that measure specific aspects of social isolation. In particular, this paper aims to contribute to the debate on social connectedness and its measurement in three ways: (1) presenting a working definition that, while doing justice to the rich insights advanced by different theories, stresses relational features in the life experience of people; (2) emphasising the relevance of isolation for poverty analysis; and (3) proposing some indicators to measure social connectedness that could be feasibly incorporated into a multi-topic household survey

The D.B. Weldon Library\u27s Instruction Portfolio: A Grassroots, Team-Based Approach

In an effort to address ever-shifting staffing levels and evolving service demands, staff in the Research & Instructional Services department of The D.B. Weldon Library at Western University developed and implemented a new and strategic approach to structuring their work. The ‘Portfolio Model’ provides a framework for organizing the primary functions of the department - collections, instruction and reference - while at the same time preserving liaison at its core. Through a close examination of this grassroots effort and in particular, the achievements realized and challenges faced by the team of librarians and library assistants who together comprise the ‘Instruction Portfolio’, this poster presentation provides insight into one academic library’s strategic approach to the development and delivery of instructional services at a time when resources are scarce and accountability more crucial than ever for all Ontario college and university libraries

Shame, Humiliation and Social Isolation: Missing Dimensions of Poverty and Suffering Analysis

While people living in poverty talk about isolation, shame, and humiliation as being key aspects of their lived experiences of suffering, until recently, there has been no international data on these aspects – making them “missing dimensions” within poverty analysis and within research into suffering. Drawing upon international fieldwork and datasets from Chile and Chad, this chapter examines the relevance of social isolation, shame and humiliation in contexts of poverty, to research on suffering. The chapter suggests that the use of particular indicators of shame, humiliation, and social isolation can better recognize distributions of suffering. It can also help identify individuals and sub-groups within those living in multidimensional poverty – or of the general population at large – that are affected by concrete and particularly hurtful situations. Consequently, they can help to identify levels of suffering which are higher within a specific population. We argue that these types of indicators could form the basis of more refined measures that help generate more concise data on suffering

Terminology used to describe health care teams: an integrative review of the literature

Purpose: Health systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of aging populations and increasing numbers of clients with complex health conditions. Faced with multiple health system challenges, governments are advocating for team-based approaches to health care. Key descriptors used to describe health care teams include "interprofessional," "multiprofessional," "interdisciplinary," and "multidisciplinary." Until now there has been no review of the use of terminology relating to health care teams. The purpose of this integrative review is to provide a descriptive analysis of terminology used to describe health care teams. Methods: An integrative review of the literature was conducted because it allows for the inclusion of literature related to studies using diverse methodologies. The authors searched the literature using the terms interprofessional, multiprofessional, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary combined with “health teams” and “health care teams.” Refining strategies included a requirement that journal articles define the term used to describe health care teams and include a list of health care team members. The literature selection process resulted in the inclusion of 17 journal articles in this review. Results: Multidisciplinary is more frequently used than other terminology to describe health care teams. The findings in this review relate to frequency of terminology usage, justifications for use of specific terminology, commonalities and patterns related to country of origin of research studies and health care areas, ways in which terminology is used, structure of team membership, and perspectives of definitions used. Conclusion: Stakeholders across the health care continuum share responsibility for developing and consistently using terminology that is both common and meaningful. Notwithstanding some congruence in terminology usage, this review highlights inconsistencies in the literature and suggests that broad debate among policy makers, clinicians, educators, researchers, and consumers is still required to reach useful consensus

Outsiders in the experts' world: a grounded theory study of consumers and the social world of health care

This article presents findings from a grounded theory study, which investigated interactions between health professionals and consumers. The authors used Corbin and Strauss's evolved version of grounded theory, which is underpinned by symbolic interactionism. The study sample included 23 consumers and nine health professionals. Data collection methods included demographic questionnaires, interviews, consumer diaries, digital storytelling, observations, and field notes. Data analysis was conducted using essential grounded theory methods. The resultant grounded theory consists of five categories: (a) Unexpected entrance, (b) Learning a new role, (c) Establishing a presence, (d) Confronting the dichotomy of "us and them," and (e) Tailored care. Findings suggest that despite consumers and health professionals' roles, consumers are outsiders in the social world of health care. Progress toward empowered consumers who are in control of their health and health care is slow and care that is truly consumer-centered is still the exception not the rule

Software Issues and Performance of a Parallel Model for Stock Option Pricing

The finance industry is beginning to adopt parallel computing for numerical computation, and will soon be in a position to use parallel supercomputers. This paper examines software issues and performance of a stock option pricing model running on the Connection Machine-2 and DECmpp-12000. Pricing models incorporating stochastic volatility with American call (early exercise) are computationally intensive and require substantial communication. Three parallel versions of a stock option pricing model were developed which varied in data distribution, load balancing, and communication. The performance of this set of increasingly refined models ranged over no improvement, 10 times, and 100 times faster than a sequential model. A straightforward approach to this problem involves use of two-dimensional dynamic arrays. When asymmetric arrays are mapped on the DECmpp-12000, distribution of data to physical processors is inefficient and performance suffers. The regular communication patterns in the model can also be expressed in one dimensional arrays, improving data distribution. Performance of this version is similar on both parallel machines. Combining one dimensional parallel and sequential arrays achieves efficient data distribution, reduces interprocessor communication, and further improves performance (100 times faster than a sequential workstation model). The performance improvements possible on parallel supercomputers presents new opportunities for pricing entire portfolios, performing large scale model and market comparisons and using optimization techniques to improve model price estimates

Mental Health Services for the Deaf: A Focus Group Study in New York’s Capital Region

Improved functioning is typical when deaf mental health consumers are removed from inaccessible programming and placed in accessible environments. Observed gains have long-provided convincing evidence that social interaction (in sign language) is essential to recovery from mental illness. Still, many deaf people reside in psychiatric settings alongside others with whom they cannot communicate. A focus group was convened to investigate services in New York\u27s Capital Region. Identified barriers included lack of deaf clinicians, scarcity of qualified mental health interpreters, and funding restrictions. Grass-root efforts are needed to advocate for increased accessibility and a fuller range of treatment options for deaf consumers