Calorimeter development for the SuperNEMO double beta decay experiment Barabash, A.S.; Basharina-Freshville, A.; Blot, S. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
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SuperNEMO is a double-β decay experiment, which will employ the successful tracker–calorimeter technique used in the recently completed NEMO-3 experiment. SuperNEMO will implement 100 kg of double-β ...decay isotope, reaching a sensitivity to the neutrinoless double-β decay (0νββ) half-life of the order of 1026 yr, corresponding to a Majorana neutrino mass of 50–100 meV. One of the main goals and challenges of the SuperNEMO detector development programme has been to reach a calorimeter energy resolution, ΔE∕E, around 3%∕E(MeV)σ, or 7%∕E(MeV) FWHM (full width at half maximum), using a calorimeter composed of large volume plastic scintillator blocks coupled to photomultiplier tubes. We describe the R&D programme and the final design of the SuperNEMO calorimeter that has met this challenging goal.
Objective: the purpose of this study is to compare Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) to Duplex Ultrasound Arterial Mapping (DUAM) and intraoperative findings to determine the clinical, accuracy of ...MRA for planning lower extremity revascularization procedures. Methods: forty-two patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization procedures had both MRA and DUAM evaluations. These data were analyzed retrospectively and two distinct endpoints were considered. First, we compared the MRA and DUAM findings for aorto-iliac, femoral-popliteal and infra-popliteal segments to intraoperative findings and evaluated the degree to which they agreed. Second, if there was a disagreement between imaging modalities, it was established whether a change in operative procedure would have resulted. Results: MRA and DUAM findings agreed in 26 of 31 cases (83%) of aorto-iliac segments, in 25 of 31 cases (81%) of femoral-popliteal segments, and in 16 of 21 cases (76%) of infra-popliteal segments. In total, DUAM agreed with intraoperative findings in 98% of cases while MRA agreed in 82% (p<.001). Disagreement between intraoperative findings and DUAM lead to an alternate surgical procedure in only one case (2%) while disagreement with MRA lead to a different procedure in 38% of cases (p<.001). Conclusions: these data show that MRA is not yet adequate to replace conventional angiography and is less accurate that DUAM. Further improvements are necessary before MRA can be used as the sole modality for formulation of a pre-operative plan for lower extremity revascularization.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 25, 139–146 (2003)
Protein aggregation is central to aging, disease and biotechnology. While there has been recent progress in defining structural features of cellular protein aggregates, many aspects remain unclear ...due to heterogeneity of aggregates presenting obstacles to characterization. Here we report high‐resolution analysis of cellular inclusion bodies (IBs) of immature human superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutants using NMR quenched amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange (qHDX), FTIR and Congo red binding. The extent of aggregation is correlated with mutant global stability and, notably, the free energy of native dimer dissociation, indicating contributions of native‐like monomer associations to IB formation. This is further manifested by a common pattern of extensive protection against H/D exchange throughout nine mutant SOD1s despite their diverse characteristics. These results reveal multiple aggregation‐prone regions in SOD1 and illuminate how aggregation may occur via an ensemble of pathways.
Measurements of quenched hydrogen–deuterium exchange by NMR, FTIR, and Congo red binding provide a rare, high‐resolution view of the inclusion body (IB) structure at the atomic level. Diverse mutations in superoxide dismutase (SOD1) adopt remarkably similar IB structures comprising an ensemble with some amyloid‐like structure together with extensive native‐like conformations.
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a powerful methodology for improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction while reducing inefficiency and costs. However, most hospitals in low- and ...middle-income countries have little experience with CQI methods. Hospital infection prevention is an ideal model for nascent efforts to improve the quality of hospital care because of its proven efficacy in reducing the occurrence of infections that compromise patient outcomes and increase costs. This article describes the design and implementation of a demonstration project to reduce the incidence of surgical-site infections (SSIs) for hospitals with little experience with quality-improvement methods. The project has a high likelihood of producing measurable reductions in SSI rates and hospital costs related to inefficient use of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis. Moreover, participating staff will gain experience that can be applied to efforts to improve the quality of other aspects of hospital care.
The modern infection control profession emerged in the 1960s in England and the US in response to a pandemic of infections in hospitalized patients from a virulent strain of Staphylococcus aureus. ...The need for better patient care practices to prevent infections in this setting was evident, and the nursing, medical and microbiology professions responded. Both governmental and nongovernmental agencies and professional organizations supported their efforts. During the past 3 decades infection control programs and professionals have multiplied and flourished throughout the world. At first, each country worked primarily within its own borders. In recent years collaboration among countries has increased dramatically, especially as related to education and training, research, and publishing. This article describes two examples of these partnerships. In the US, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC) have joined with the King Fahad National Guard Hospital (KFNGH), a center-of-excellence for infection control in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for educational meetings and infection control certification. The information exchanged and relationships developed through these activities will further efforts of both countries toward meeting infection prevention and control challenges of the future.
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