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OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess whether genetic risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) can explain cardioembolic stroke risk. METHODS: We evaluated genetic correlations between a previous genetic study of AF and AF in the presence of cardioembolic stroke using genome-wide genotypes from the Stroke Genetics Network (N = 3,190 AF cases, 3,000 cardioembolic stroke cases, and 28,026 referents). We tested whether a previously validated AF polygenic risk score (PRS) associated with cardioembolic and other stroke subtypes after accounting for AF clinical risk factors. RESULTS: We observed a strong correlation between previously reported genetic risk for AF, AF in the presence of stroke, and cardioembolic stroke (Pearson r = 0.77 and 0.76, respectively, across SNPs with p < 4.4 × 10-4 in the previous AF meta-analysis). An AF PRS, adjusted for clinical AF risk factors, was associated with cardioembolic stroke (odds ratio [OR] per SD = 1.40, p = 1.45 × 10-48), explaining ∼20% of the heritable component of cardioembolic stroke risk. The AF PRS was also associated with stroke of undetermined cause (OR per SD = 1.07, p = 0.004), but no other primary stroke subtypes (all p > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic risk of AF is associated with cardioembolic stroke, independent of clinical risk factors. Studies are warranted to determine whether AF genetic risk can serve as a biomarker for strokes caused by AF.

P -General population, nonsmoking children (aged 5 to 12) and adolescents (aged 13 to 18) with their parents - I -Interventions with children and family members intended to deter tobacco use. Any components to change parenting behaviour, parental or sibling smoking behaviour, or family communication and interaction. - C -Usual practice, or a program of no family intervention - O -Smoking status of children who reported no use of tobacco at baseline.

Background: The value placed on types of evidence within decision-making contexts is highly dependent on individuals, the organizations in which the work and the systems and sectors they operate in. Decision-making processes too are highly contextual. Understanding the values placed on evidence and processes guiding decision-making is crucial to designing strategies to support evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM). This paper describes how evidence is used to inform local government (LG) public health decisions. Methods: The study used mixed methods including a cross-sectional survey and interviews. The Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Tool (EvIDenT) survey was designed to assess three key domains likely to impact on EIDM: access, confidence, and organizational culture. Other elements included the usefulness and influence of sources of evidence (people/groups and resources), skills and barriers, and facilitators to EIDM. Forty-five LGs from Victoria, Australia agreed to participate in the survey and up to four people from each organization were invited to complete the survey (n = 175). To further explore definitions of evidence and generate experiential data on EIDM practice, key informant interviews were conducted with a range of LG employees working in areas relevant to public health. Results: In total, 135 responses were received (75% response rate) and 13 interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed varying levels of access, confidence and organizational culture to support EIDM. Significant relationships were found between domains: confidence, culture and access to research evidence. Some forms of evidence (e.g. community views) appeared to be used more commonly and at the expense of others (e.g. research evidence). Overall, a mixture of evidence (but more internal than external evidence) was influential in public health decision-making in councils. By comparison, a mixture of evidence (but more external than internal evidence) was deemed to

BACKGROUND: The value placed on types of evidence within decision-making contexts is highly dependent on individuals, the organizations in which the work and the systems and sectors they operate in. Decision-making processes too are highly contextual. Understanding the values placed on evidence and processes guiding decision-making is crucial to designing strategies to support evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM). This paper describes how evidence is used to inform local government (LG) public health decisions. METHODS: The study used mixed methods including a cross-sectional survey and interviews. The Evidence-Informed Decision-Making Tool (EvIDenT) survey was designed to assess three key domains likely to impact on EIDM: access, confidence, and organizational culture. Other elements included the usefulness and influence of sources of evidence (people/groups and resources), skills and barriers, and facilitators to EIDM. Forty-five LGs from Victoria, Australia agreed to participate in the survey and up to four people from each organization were invited to complete the survey (n = 175). To further explore definitions of evidence and generate experiential data on EIDM practice, key informant interviews were conducted with a range of LG employees working in areas relevant to public health. RESULTS: In total, 135 responses were received (75% response rate) and 13 interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed varying levels of access, confidence and organizational culture to support EIDM. Significant relationships were found between domains: confidence, culture and access to research evidence. Some forms of evidence (e.g. community views) appeared to be used more commonly and at the expense of others (e.g. research evidence). Overall, a mixture of evidence (but more internal than external evidence) was influential in public health decision-making in councils. By comparison, a mixture of evidence (but more external than internal evidence) was deemed to be useful in pub

BACKGROUND: Knowledge translation strategies are an approach to increase the use of evidence within policy and practice decision-making contexts. In clinical and health service contexts, knowledge translation strategies have focused on individual behavior change, however the multi-system context of public health requires a multi-level, multi-strategy approach. This paper describes the design of and implementation plan for a knowledge translation intervention for public health decision making in local government. METHODS: Four preliminary research studies contributed findings to the design of the intervention: a systematic review of knowledge translation intervention effectiveness research, a scoping study of knowledge translation perspectives and relevant theory literature, a survey of the local government public health workforce, and a study of the use of evidence-informed decision-making for public health in local government. A logic model was then developed to represent the putative pathways between intervention inputs, processes, and outcomes operating between individual-, organizational-, and system-level strategies. This formed the basis of the intervention plan. RESULTS: The systematic and scoping reviews identified that effective and promising strategies to increase access to research evidence require an integrated intervention of skill development, access to a knowledge broker, resources and tools for evidence-informed decision making, and networking for information sharing. Interviews and survey analysis suggested that the intervention needs to operate at individual and organizational levels, comprising workforce development, access to evidence, and regular contact with a knowledge broker to increase access to intervention evidence; develop skills in appraisal and integration of evidence; strengthen networks; and explore organizational factors to build organizational cultures receptive to embedding evidence in practice. The logic model incorporated these i

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity is the most prevalent and, arguably, politically complex child health problem internationally. Governments, communities and industry have important roles to play, and are increasingly expected to deliver an evidence-informed system-wide prevention program. However, efforts are impeded by a lack of organisational access to and use of research evidence. This study aims to identify feasible, acceptable and ideally, effective knowledge translation (KT) strategies to increase evidence-informed decision-making in local governments, within the context of childhood obesity prevention as a national policy priority. METHODS/DESIGN: This paper describes the methods for KT4LG, a cluster randomised controlled trial which is exploratory in nature, given the limited evidence base and methodological advances. KT4LG aims to examine a program of KT strategies to increase the use of research evidence in informing public health decisions in local governments. KT4LG will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The intervention program comprises a facilitated program of evidence awareness, access to tailored research evidence, critical appraisal skills development, networking and evidence summaries and will be compared to provision of evidence summaries alone in the control program. 28 local governments were randomised to intervention or control, using computer generated numbers, stratified by budget tertile (high, medium or low). Questionnaires will be used to measure impact, costs, and outcomes, and key informant interviews will be used to examine processes, feasibility, and experiences. Policy tracer studies will be included to examine impact of intervention on policies within relevant government policy documents. DISCUSSION: Knowledge translation intervention studies with a focus on public health and prevention are very few in number. Thus, this study will provide essential data on the experience of program imple

The selection and processing of hydraulic fracturing sand for use as proppants in the oil industry are discussed, with particular reference to the American Petroleum Institute specifications. Suitable mineral deposits should have a high quartz content with low contents of contaminant minerals. Processing flowsheets typically include wet and dry stages. Wet processing is used to remove clay slimes, break up any agglomerates and for preliminary sizing; it involves washing, attrition scrubbing, desliming and the use of cyclones and hydraulic classifiers. Dry processing is used to size the sand and remove any magnetic contaminants; it involves dry screening and magnetic separation., The selection and processing of hydraulic fracturing sand for use as proppants in the oil industry are discussed, with particular reference to the American Petroleum Institute specifications. Suitable mineral deposits should have a high quartz content with low contents of contaminant minerals. Processing flowsheets typically include wet and dry stages. Wet processing is used to remove clay slimes, break up any agglomerates and for preliminary sizing; it involves washing, attrition scrubbing, desliming and the use of cyclones and hydraulic classifiers. Dry processing is used to size the sand and remove any magnetic contaminants; it involves dry screening and magnetic separation.

The selection is discussed of magnetic separation methods for the processing of mineral sands, and the benefits and disadvantages are considered of wet high-intensity electromagnetic magnetic separators (WHIMS), wet low-intensity drum separators (LIMS), dry high-intensity induced-roll magnetic separators (IRM), dry low-intensity drum-type separators or scalper magnets, dry high-intensity rare-earth drum separators (RED) and dry high-intensity rare-earth roll separators (RER). Typical flowsheets are presented for the processing of ilmenite and chromite. Case studies are described to illustrate the optimum process for an ilmenite ore (RED), ilmenite tailings recovery (WHIMS), separation of chromite (scalper/RED) and chromite sands processing (RER)., The selection is discussed of magnetic separation methods for the processing of mineral sands, and the benefits and disadvantages are considered of wet high-intensity electromagnetic magnetic separators (WHIMS), wet low-intensity drum separators (LIMS), dry high-intensity induced-roll magnetic separators (IRM), dry low-intensity drum-type separators or scalper magnets, dry high-intensity rare-earth drum separators (RED) and dry high-intensity rare-earth roll separators (RER). Typical flowsheets are presented for the processing of ilmenite and chromite. Case studies are described to illustrate the optimum process for an ilmenite ore (RED), ilmenite tailings recovery (WHIMS), separation of chromite (scalper/RED) and chromite sands processing (RER).

The triboelectrostatic separation process is described and its use for the processing of quartz/feldspar mixtures discussed. Reasonable separation requires that the minerals must be heated to 100 degrees C to ensure a dry surface and allow accelerated movement of the electrons. In some cases activation of the mixture with fumed HF can accelerate the process. The hot quartz/feldspar mixture enters a continuous activation chamber and the HF mixed with the incoming feed. The quartz acquires a negative charge through triboelectrification contact with the feldspars, which take on a net positive charge. The mixture is then fed to a triboelectrostatic separator where the quartz is attracted to the positive electrode and the feldspar to the negative electrode. Laboratory case studies are described for the separation of mixtures containing 40% quartz and 60% potassium feldspar and 45% quartz and 55% potassium feldspar., The triboelectrostatic separation process is described and its use for the processing of quartz/feldspar mixtures discussed. Reasonable separation requires that the minerals must be heated to 100 degrees C to ensure a dry surface and allow accelerated movement of the electrons. In some cases activation of the mixture with fumed HF can accelerate the process. The hot quartz/feldspar mixture enters a continuous activation chamber and the HF mixed with the incoming feed. The quartz acquires a negative charge through triboelectrification contact with the feldspars, which take on a net positive charge. The mixture is then fed to a triboelectrostatic separator where the quartz is attracted to the positive electrode and the feldspar to the negative electrode. Laboratory case studies are described for the separation of mixtures containing 40% quartz and 60% potassium feldspar and 45% quartz and 55% potassium feldspar.

The design and operation are described of the SLon, a wet, high-gradient magnetic separator in which a combination of magnetic force, pulsating fluid and gravity is used to process fine, weakly magnetic minerals. The equipment was originally designed to overcome matrix plugging and entrapment problems associated with traditional wet high-intensity magnetic separators through the use of a pulsating mechanism, vertical ring configuration and filamentary matrix elements. Application case studies are presented for the rejection of monazite from zircon magnet tails, ilmenite processing for effective flotation and the processing of fluorspar flotation concentrate., The design and operation are described of the SLon, a wet, high-gradient magnetic separator in which a combination of magnetic force, pulsating fluid and gravity is used to process fine, weakly magnetic minerals. The equipment was originally designed to overcome matrix plugging and entrapment problems associated with traditional wet high-intensity magnetic separators through the use of a pulsating mechanism, vertical ring configuration and filamentary matrix elements. Application case studies are presented for the rejection of monazite from zircon magnet tails, ilmenite processing for effective flotation and the processing of fluorspar flotation concentrate.

A review is presented of developments in hydraulic classifier technology and case studies are described of the application of Outokumpu's Floatex Density Separator for size classification in a glass sand plant, particle size and density classification in mineral sands processing and the upgrading of a heavy mineral concentrate. The selection of a classifier for a particular application is discussed in relation to the need to characterise the material to be processed, including mineralogical analysis, sink/float evaluation and size analysis., A review is presented of developments in hydraulic classifier technology and case studies are described of the application of Outokumpu's Floatex Density Separator for size classification in a glass sand plant, particle size and density classification in mineral sands processing and the upgrading of a heavy mineral concentrate. The selection of a classifier for a particular application is discussed in relation to the need to characterise the material to be processed, including mineralogical analysis, sink/float evaluation and size analysis.

The disadvantages of traditional rare-earth roll separators are discussed. The high magnetic strength employed results in the attraction of dust to the magnets, which can affect the belts and the separator performance; belt wear issues can lead to high maintenance costs and there is a requirement to treat finer minerals such as ilmenite. Details are given of the high-efficiency magnetic separators that have been developed by Outotec, which incorporate a feeder system that feeds directly to the magnetic roll rather than being located on the belt, so that tribocharging or static build-up of fine non-magnetic particles is minimised and they are prevented from sticking to the belt. The system includes an adjustable transition chute located at the roll feeder and at each transitionsstage. The equipment is designed to retain fine particle products within the machine, cantilevered cassettes allowing for rapid belt changes. The results are presented of tests which were carried out using zircon and ilmenite samples and silica samples with different particle sizes., The disadvantages of traditional rare-earth roll separators are discussed. The high magnetic strength employed results in the attraction of dust to the magnets, which can affect the belts and the separator performance; belt wear issues can lead to high maintenance costs and there is a requirement to treat finer minerals such as ilmenite. Details are given of the high-efficiency magnetic separators that have been developed by Outotec, which incorporate a feeder system that feeds directly to the magnetic roll rather than being located on the belt, so that tribocharging or static build-up of fine non-magnetic particles is minimised and they are prevented from sticking to the belt. The system includes an adjustable transition chute located at the roll feeder and at each transitionsstage. The equipment is designed to retain fine particle products within the machine, cantilevered cassettes allowing for rapid belt changes. The results are presented of tests which were carried out using zircon and ilmenite samples and silica samples with different particle sizes.