Results of inaugural international Down Syndrome Societal Services and Supports survey.

PURPOSE: We previously designed the Down Syndrome Societal Services and Supports Survey (DS-4S) to measure country-specific supports for people with Down syndrome (DS) across multiple life domains (healthcare, education, policy, independence, and community inclusion). We now report and analyze the results. METHODS: We partnered with international DS consortia, who distributed the DS-4S to 154 cumulative members representing over 100 countries. Organizations were included if they had a holistic focus on the lives of people with DS and if at least 50% of their members either have DS or are family members of people with DS. Factor analysis was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: We received survey responses from 55 different organizations in 50 countries who met inclusion criteria. Each country had complete data for at least 4 of the 5 domains. The lowest 5 scores were from countries in Africa and Asia; the highest 5 scores were in Europe and North America. CONCLUSION: The responses to the DS-4S stratified countries within each surveyed domain. The DS-4S can now be used to track countries' progress over time and to determine which countries have best practices that might be replicated. We will publish the results and update them biennially at www.DownSyndromeQualityOfLife.com.

Weak antilocalization in the topological semimetal candidate YbAuSb.

We report a study of the magnetic and magnetotransport properties of YbAuSb single crystals, which were grown using the bismuth flux. The x-ray diffraction data indicate that YbAuSb crystallizes in LiGaGe-type hexagonal structure with space groupP63mc. Our magnetic measurements revealed that YbAuSb is nonmagnetic with a divalent state of ytterbium ion. The temperature-dependent electrical resistivity exhibits a metallic behavior. A cusp-like feature in transverse and longitudinal magnetoresistance is observed at the low field regime. This cusp-like feature is attributed to the weak antilocalization (WAL) effect, which is more prominent at low temperatures. The transverse magnetoconductivity in low-field region follows semiclassical model ~ √B, which is consistent with the presence of WAL phenomena. The WAL effect in transverse and longitudinal magnetoconductance is well explained using the modified Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka and generalized Altshuler-Aronov model, respectively. The Hall resistivity shows a linear field dependence with a positive slope, suggesting hole charge carriers dominate in electrical transport. The calculated carrier density and mobility are in the order of 1020cm-3and 102cm2V-1s-1, respectively.

Synthesis, Optical, Dielectric, SHG, Magnetic and Visible Light Driven Catalytic Studies on Compounds Belonging to the Swedenborgite Structure.

A new compound, InBaZn3GaO7, with swedenborgite structure along with transition metal (TM) substituted variants have also been prepared. The structure contains layers of tetrahedral ions (Zn2+/Ga3+) connected by octahedrally coordinated In3+ ion forming the three-dimensional structure with voids where the Ba2+ ions occupy. The TM substituted compounds form with new colors. The origin of the color was understood based on the ligand-field transitions. The near IR reflectivity studies indicate that the Ni - substituted compounds exhibit good near - IR reflectivity behavior, making them possible candidates for 'cool pigments'. The temperature dependent dielectric studies indicate that the InBaZn3GaO7 compound undergoes a phase transition at ~360 °C. The compounds are active towards second harmonic generation (SHG). Magnetic studies show the compounds, InBaZn2CoFeO7 and InBaZn2CuFeO7 to be anti-ferromagnetic in nature. The copper containing compounds were found to be good catalysts, under visible light, for the oxidation of aromatic alkenes. The many properties observed in the swedenborgite structure-based compounds suggests that the mineral structure offers a fertile ground to investigate newer compounds and properties.