We searched for the 6α-condensed state in 24Mg by measuring the C12+12C scattering with the SAKRA Si detector array at Ecm=17.5–25.0 MeV. By using the invariant-mass method for the detected 3α ...particles, the inclusive cross sections for the C12+12C→12C(02+)+X and C12(31−)+X reactions were determined. In addition, the missing-mass spectroscopy was successfully utilized to determine the excitation energy of the residual C12 nucleus and the exclusive cross sections for the C12+12C→12C(02+)+12C(01+), C12(02+)+12C(21+), and C12(02+)+12C(02+) reactions. In both the inclusive C12(02+)+X channel and the exclusive C12(02+)+12C(01+) channel, the cross section peaked at Ecm=19.4 MeV, which correspond to the excitation energy of Ex=33.3 MeV in 24Mg. This 19.4-MeV state is a candidate for the 6α-condensed state because of the agreement of the excitation energy with the theoretical value and its decay property. In the exclusive C12(02+)+12C(02+) channel, a broad state was observed at Ecm=22.5 MeV, which correspond to the excitation energy of Ex=36.4 MeV in 24Mg. From the angular distribution of the differential cross section, the spin and parity of this 22.5-MeV state was assigned to be 4+. In addition, a 2+ state was suggested at the low-energy side of the 22.5-MeV state. Because their excitation energies are higher than the theoretical value of the 6α-condensed state, these states might be excited states of the 6α-condensed state such as the 22+ and 41+ states in C12.
We aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of seasonal suicide patterns among multiple geographically, demographically and socioeconomically diverse populations.
Weekly time-series data of suicide ...counts for 354 communities in 12 countries during 1986-2016 were analysed. Two-stage analysis was performed. In the first stage, a generalised linear model, including cyclic splines, was used to estimate seasonal patterns of suicide for each community. In the second stage, the community-specific seasonal patterns were combined for each country using meta-regression. In addition, the community-specific seasonal patterns were regressed onto community-level socioeconomic, demographic and environmental indicators using meta-regression.
We observed seasonal patterns in suicide, with the counts peaking in spring and declining to a trough in winter in most of the countries. However, the shape of seasonal patterns varied among countries from bimodal to unimodal seasonality. The amplitude of seasonal patterns (i.e. the peak/trough relative risk) also varied from 1.47 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.33-1.62) to 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.1) among 12 countries. The subgroup difference in the seasonal pattern also varied over countries. In some countries, larger amplitude was shown for females and for the elderly population (≥65 years of age) than for males and for younger people, respectively. The subperiod difference also varied; some countries showed increasing seasonality while others showed a decrease or little change. Finally, the amplitude was larger for communities with colder climates, higher proportions of elderly people and lower unemployment rates (p-values < 0.05).
Despite the common features of a spring peak and a winter trough, seasonal suicide patterns were largely heterogeneous in shape, amplitude, subgroup differences and temporal changes among different populations, as influenced by climate, demographic and socioeconomic conditions. Our findings may help elucidate the underlying mechanisms of seasonal suicide patterns and aid in improving the design of population-specific suicide prevention programmes based on these patterns.
Introduction
Every dental provider needs to be educated about medical emergencies to provide safe dental care. Simulation training is available with simulators such as advanced life support manikins ...and robot patients. However, the purchase and development costs of these simulators are high. We have developed a simulation training course on medical emergencies using an inexpensive software application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the educational effectiveness of this course.
Materials and Methods
Fifty‐one dental providers participated in this study from December 2014 to March 2015. Medical simulation software was used to simulate a patient's vital signs. We evaluated participants' ability to diagnose and treat vasovagal syncope or anaphylaxis with an evaluation sheet and conducted a questionnaire before and after the scenario‐based simulation training.
Results
The median evaluation sheet score for vasovagal syncope increased significantly from 7/9 before to 9/9 after simulation training. The median score for anaphylaxis also increased significantly from 8/12 to 12/12 (P < .01). For the item “I can treat vasovagal syncope/anaphylaxis adequately,” the percentage responding “Strongly agree” or “Agree” increased from 14% to 56% for vasovagal syncope and from 6% to 42% for anaphylaxis with simulation training.
Conclusions
This simulation course improved participants' ability to diagnose and treat medical emergencies and improved their confidence. This course can be offered inexpensively using a software application.
Sato Y, Iwamoto J, Honda Y, Amano N. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2013;9:171–176. The Editor and Publisher of Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management wish to retract the published article. Following ...publication of the Expression of Concern, this article has been retracted due to acknowledgement of allegations of scientific misconduct regarding data integrity, inappropriate authorship, duplicate reporting, ethical oversight, and data fabrication. In addition, it has been recognised that numerous other publications from this research group have also been retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”. This retraction relates to this paper
Sato Y, Iwamoto J, Honda Y, Amano N. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2013;9:171-176 The Editor and Publisher of Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management wish to publish an Expression of Concern for the ...published article. Concerns were raised to the Editor regarding the scientific integrity of the articles content. We have contacted the authors requesting they supply information that would confirm the integrity of the data reported in the article but have received no response. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. The authors have been notified about this Expression of Concern. Read the original article
A power enhancement optical cavity is a compelling means of realizing a pulsed laser with a high peak power and high repetition frequency, which is not feasible using a simple amplifier scheme. ...However, a precise feedback system is necessary for maintaining the narrow resonance condition of the optical cavity; this has become a major technical issue in developing such cavities. We have developed a new approach that does not require any active feedback system, by placing the cavity in the outer loop of a laser amplifier. We report on the first demonstration of a mode-locked pulse oscillation using the new system.
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for high-intensity beams in the field of electron beam irradiation. This includes mass production of nuclear medicine examinations using
...99
Mo and high-efficiency production through material modification via material irradiation. Although superconducting cavities can achieve high-current beam acceleration, a compact accelerator is desirable for general-purpose irradiation beams. In this paper, we designed a practical 10 MeV, 50 mA high-current beam irradiator using a new Nb
3
Sn superconducting cavity.
The contamination of paraquat (1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyridylium dichloride) herbicide from the farming area has become a public concern in many countries. This herbicide harms to human health and ...negatively effects the soil fertility. Several methods have been introduced for the remediation of paraquat. In this study, 20 isolates of the paraquat‐tolerant fungi were isolated from the contaminated soil samples in northern Thailand. We found that isolate PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 exhibited the highest degradation activity of paraquat on synthetic liquid medium. About 80 and 68% of paraquat were removed by PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 respectively after 15 days of cultivation. Based on the morphological characteristic and molecular analysis, the fungal isolate PRPY‐2 and PFCM‐1 were identified as Aspergillus tamarii and Cunninghamella sp. respectively. The biosorption of paraquat on these fungal mycelia was also investigated. It was found that only 8–10% of paraquat could be detected on their mycelia, while 24–46% of paraquat was degraded by fungal mycelia. This is the first report on paraquat degrading ability by A. tamarii and Cunninghamella sp. It is demonstrated that these filamentous fungi are promising microorganisms available for remediation of paraquat contaminated environment.
Significance and impact of this study: Paraquat is known as an extremely toxic herbicide to human and animals, resulting of several acute and chronic symptoms. The contamination of paraquat in the environment is concerned and several methods has been introduced for the remediation of this xenobiotic. This study is the first report on the ability of two selected fungal isolates, Aspergillus tamarii PRPY‐2 and Cunninghamella sp. PFCM‐1, in paraquat degradation. They exhibited high biodegradation activity on paraquat and have potential to be applied in an environmental remediation.
Cold atmospheric plasma treatment of microorganisms and living tissues has become a popular topic in modern plasma physics and in medical science. The plasma is capable of bacterial inactivation and ...non-inflammatory tissue modification, which makes it an attractive tool for treatment of skin diseases, open injuries and dental caries. Because of their enhanced plasma chemistry, Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBDs) have been widely investigated for some emerging applications such as biological and chemical decontamination of media at ambient conditions. Despite the high breakdown voltage in air at atmospheric pressure, the average current of DBD discharges is low. Therefore, a DBD can be applied in direct contact with biological objects without causing any damage. In this work a 60
Hz DBD reactor, which generates cold atmospheric plasma inside Petri dishes with bacterial culture, is investigated. Samples of
Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium and
Escherichia coli a Gram-negative bacterium were selected for this study. The bacterial suspensions were evenly spread on agar media planted in Petri dishes. The reactor electrodes were placed outside the Petri dish, thus eliminating the risk of samples microbial contamination. The covered Petri dish with agar medium in it serves as dielectric barrier during the treatment. The plasma processing was conducted at same discharge power (∼
1.0
W) with different exposure time. Sterilization of
E. coli and
S. aureus was achieved for less than 20
min. Plasma induced structural damages of bacteria were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Background
Previously, the mucosal histology in achalasia has only been investigated using superficial biopsy or surgically resected esophageal specimens in end‐stage cases. We investigated the ...histology of the full‐layer mucosa in early and advanced achalasia.
Methods
Endoscopy was performed for the pinstripe pattern (PSP) (an early achalasia indicator) and dilation and thickening of the mucosa (advanced achalasia indicators). A mucosal entry site for peroral endoscopic myotomy was created using cap‐fitted endoscopic mucosal resection to access the full‐layer mucosa and the submucosa.
Key Results
Mucosal histology was compared between 32 patients with achalasia and 15 controls. Histological esophagitis with findings of inflammatory cell infiltration and dilated intercellular spaces was observed more in patients with achalasia than in controls (87.5% vs 13.3%, P<.001; 84.4% vs 46.7%, P=.049). Muscularis mucosae (MM) atrophy and epithelial wave were only observed in achalasia (40.6% vs 0%, P=.005; 28.1% vs 0%, P=.043). Fibrosis was more common in achalasia, but without statistical significance (31.3% vs 20.0%, P=.503). In achalasia with endoscopic dilation and thickening of the mucosa, MM atrophy was observed histologically, and in cases involving endoscopic PSP, the histological epithelial wave was observed.
Conclusions & Inferences
Histological findings of esophagitis were observed endoscopically even in early achalasia. Pinstripe pattern corresponds to the epithelial wave observed histologically in achalasia, whereas endoscopic findings in advanced achalasia correspond to MM atrophy. Appropriate management is necessary during early achalasia to prevent progression to advanced achalasia with more severe histological changes.
The pinstripe pattern on endoscopy corresponds to histological epithelial wave, and endoscopic findings of advanced achalasia are related to histological muscularis mucosae atrophy. Appropriate management is necessary during early achalasia to prevent progression to advanced achalasia with more severe histological changes.
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