Patients with physical debility undergoing subacute physical rehabilitation following an acute hospital admission demonstrated improvement in cognitive functional task independence

Background: Hospitalised older adults often experience a decline in physical functioning and mobility in the lead up to (or during) an acute hospital admission. During acute illness and hospitalisation, older adults may also experience a decline or fluctuation in their cognitive functioning. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with or without reduced cognitive functioning on admission to subacute inpatient rehabilitation have considerable potential to improve their physical functioning and quality of life.

Improvement of mango tree architecture

This paper discusses the role of mango canopy architecture in mango productivity and orchard management and considers potential increases on production of high density orchards through improved canopy architecture. Lower tree height, reduced vigour and smaller more open canopies are recognised as important aspects of high density orchards. However, vigour management, light relations, flowering and crop load of high density orchards needs to be better understood if we are to developed sustainable highly productive canopy training and pruning systems that are easy to maintain at high planting densities.

Improvement in the voltage grading (axial and radial) of the generator column of a Van de Graaf generator by the use of a resistor chain

It is well known that the use of a series of resistors, connected between the equipotential rings of a Van de Graaff generator, improves the axial voltage grading of the generator. The work reported in this paper shows how the resistor chain also improves the radial voltage gradient. The electrolytic field mapping technique was adopted in the present work.

Field Reduction Electrodes for the Possible Improvement in the Pollution Flashover Performance of Porcelain Insulators

In this paper an attempt is made to study accurately, the field distribution for various types of porcelain/ceramic insulators used forhigh voltage transmission. The surface charge Simulation method is employed for the field computation. Novel field reduction electrodes are developed to reduce the maximum field around the pin region. In order to experimentally scrutinize the performance of discs with field reduction electrodes, special artificial pollution test facility was built and utilized. The experimental results show better improvement in the pollution flashover performance of string insulators.

Trial of the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool: Building organisational performance in Australian general practice and primary health care

Objective: To nationally trial the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool (PC-PIT), an organisational performance improvement tool previously co-created with Australian primary care practices to increase their focus on relevant quality improvement (QI) activities. Design: The study was conducted from March to December 2015 with volunteer general practices from a range of Australian primary care settings. We used a mixed-methods approach in two parts. Part 1 involved staff in Australian primary care practices assessing how they perceived their practice met (or did not meet) each of the 13 PC-PIT elements of high-performing practices, using a 1–5 Likert scale. In Part 2, two external raters conducted an independent practice visit to independently and objectively assess the subjective practice assessment from Part 1 against objective indicators for the 13 elements, using the same 1–5 Likert scale. Concordance between the raters was determined by comparing their ratings. In-depth interviews conducted during the independent practice visits explored practice managers’ experiences and perceived support and resource needs to undertake organisational improvement in practice. Results: Data were available for 34 general practices participating in Part 1. For Part 2, independent practice visits and the inter-rater comparison were conducted for a purposeful sample of 19 of the 34 practices. Overall concordance between the two raters for each of the assessed elements was excellent. Three practice types across a continuum of higher- to lower-scoring practices were identified, with each using the PC-PIT in a unique way. During the in-depth interviews, practice managers identified benefits of having additional QI tools that relate to the PC-PIT elements. Conclusions: The PC-PIT is an organisational performance tool that is acceptable, valid and relevant to our range of partners and the end users (general practices). Work is continuing with our partners and end users to embed the PC-PIT in existing organisational improvement programs.

Pt2+ Dispersed in Ce0.83Ti0.15O2-delta: Significant Improvement in PROX Activity by Ti Substitution in CeO2 in Hydrogen Rich Stream

Pt2+ ion dispersed in CeO2, Ce1-xTixO2-delta and TiO2 have been tested for preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide (PROX) in hydrogen rich stream. It is found that Pt2+ substituted CeO2 and Ce(1-x)TixO(2-delta) in the form of solid solution Ce0.98Pt0.02O2-delta and Ce0.83Ti0.15Pt0.02O2-delta are highly CO selective low temperature PROX catalysts in hydrogen rich stream. Just 15% of Ti substitution in CeO2 improves the overall PROX activity.

Improvement in solar air collector performance with vaned diffuser

Modifications made in a solar air collector inlet duct to achieve uniform velocity of air in the absorber duct are described. Measurements of temperature and pressure at various points in the duct gave information on the distribution of air in the absorber duct. A thermal performance test conducted on the collector with a vaned diffuser showed some significant improvement compared with a diffuser without vanes.

Solubility and physical stability improvement of natiral xanthine derivatives

Use of natural xanthine derivates in medicine is complicated with their physical properties. Theobromine is poorly soluble while theophylline is highly sensitive to hydration. The aim of this study was to improve bioavailability of xanthines by co-crystallization, theophylline was also cocrystallized with carboxylic acids (capric, citric, glutaric, malenic, malonic, oxalic, stearic, succinic) and HPMC. Co-crystallization was performed by slow evaporation and ball milling. Physical stability was checked by wet granulation and water sorption methods, solubility was measured by intrinsic tablet dissolution. Theobromine formed co-crystal with other xanthines and theophylline interacted with all acids except stearic and HPMC, the latter showed alternative interactions based on hydrogen bonding. Hydration resistance was good in theophylline:succinic acid co-crystal and excellent in complexes containing capric, stearic acids and HPMC. Theophylline:HPMC showed improved solubility. The reported approach can promote use of xanthines and can be recommended for other compounds with similar problems.