Background “Take the Volume Pledge” proposes restricting pancreatectomies to hospitals that perform ≥20 per year. Our purpose was to identify those factors that characterize patients at risk for loss ...of access to pancreatic cancer care with enforcement of volume standards. Methods Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database from Florida, we identified patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic malignancy from 2007–2011. American Hospital Association and United States Census Bureau data were linked to patient-level data. High-volume hospitals were defined as performing ≥20 pancreatic resections per year. Univariable and multivariable statistics compared patient characteristics and utilization of high-volume hospitals. Classification and Regression Tree modeling was used to predict patients at risk for losing access to care. Results Our study included 1,663 patients. Five high-volume hospitals were identified, and they treated 1,056 (63.5%) patients. Patients residing far from high-volume hospitals, in areas with the highest population density, non-Caucasian ethnicity, and greater income had decreased odds of obtaining care at high-volume hospitals. Using these factors, we developed a Classification and Regression Tree–based predictive tool to identify these patients. Conclusion Implementation of “Take the Volume Pledge” is an important step toward improving pancreatectomy outcomes; however, policymakers must consider the potential impact on limiting access and possible health disparities that may arise.
We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search at the Soudan Underground Laboratory (CDMS II) featuring the full complement of 30 detectors. A blind analysis of data taken between October ...2006 and July 2007 sets an upper limit on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon spin-independent cross section of 6.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} (4.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} when combined with previous CDMS II data) at the 90% confidence level for a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c;{2}. This achieves the best sensitivity for dark matter WIMPs with masses above 44 GeV/c;{2}, and significantly restricts the parameter space for some favored supersymmetric models.
Low-threshold analysis of CDMS shallow-site data Akerib, D. S.; Attisha, M. J.; Baudis, L. ...
Physical review. D, Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology,
12/2010, Letnik:
82, Številka:
12
Journal Article
We report new results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Two towers, each consisting of six detectors, were operated for 74.5 live days, giving ...spectrum-weighted exposures of 34 (12) kg d for the Ge (Si) targets after cuts, averaged over recoil energies 10-100 keV for a weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) mass of 60 GeV/c2. A blind analysis was conducted, incorporating improved techniques for rejecting surface events. No WIMP signal exceeding expected backgrounds was observed. When combined with our previous results from Soudan, the 90% C.L. upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section is 1.6 x 10(-43) cm2 from Ge and 3 x 10(-42) cm2 from Si, for a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c2. The combined limit from Ge (Si) is a factor of 2.5 (10) lower than our previous results and constrains predictions of supersymmetric models.
The SuperCDMS proposal for dark matter detection Akerib, D.S.; Attisha, M.J.; Bailey, C.N. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
04/2006, Letnik:
559, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Presently the CDMS-II collaboration's Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) search at the Soudan Underground Laboratory sets the most stringent exclusion limits of any WIMP cold dark matter ...direct-detection experiment. To extend our reach further, to WIMP-nucleon cross-sections in the range
10
-
46
-
10
-
44
cm
2
, we propose SuperCDMS, which would take advantage of a very deep site. One promising site is the recently approved SNOLab facility in Canada. In this paper we will present our overall program and focus on phase A of SuperCDMS.
We report the first results from a search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) in the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Four Ge and two Si ...detectors were operated for 52.6 live days, providing 19.4 kg d of Ge net exposure after cuts for recoil energies between 10 and 100 keV. A blind analysis was performed using only calibration data to define the energy threshold and selection criteria for nuclear-recoil candidates. Using the standard dark-matter halo and nuclear-physics WIMP model, these data set the world's lowest exclusion limits on the coherent WIMP-nucleon scalar cross section for all WIMP masses above 15 GeV/c2, ruling out a significant range of neutralino supersymmetric models. The minimum of this limit curve at the 90% C.L. is 4 x 10(-43) cm2 at a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c2.
Concern over childhood obesity has generated a decade-long reformation of school nutrition policies. Food is available in school in 3 venues: federally sponsored school meal programs; items sold in ...competition to school meals, such as a la carte, vending machines, and school stores; and foods available in myriad informal settings, including packed meals and snacks, bake sales, fundraisers, sports booster sales, in-class parties, or other school celebrations. High-energy, low-nutrient beverages, in particular, contribute substantial calories, but little nutrient content, to a student's diet. In 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that sweetened drinks be replaced in school by water, white and flavored milks, or 100% fruit and vegetable beverages. Since then, school nutrition has undergone a significant transformation. Federal, state, and local regulations and policies, along with alternative products developed by industry, have helped decrease the availability of nutrient-poor foods and beverages in school. However, regular access to foods of high energy and low quality remains a school issue, much of it attributable to students, parents, and staff. Pediatricians, aligning with experts on child nutrition, are in a position to offer a perspective promoting nutrient-rich foods within calorie guidelines to improve those foods brought into or sold in schools. A positive emphasis on nutritional value, variety, appropriate portion, and encouragement for a steady improvement in quality will be a more effective approach for improving nutrition and health than simply advocating for the elimination of added sugars.
The pediatric health care provider has a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of children and adolescents in all settings, including early intervention (EI), preschool, and school ...environments. It is estimated that 15% of children in the United States have a disability. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act entitles every affected child in the United States from infancy to young adulthood to a free appropriate public education through EI and special education services. These services bolster development and learning of children with various disabilities. This clinical report provides the pediatric health care provider with a summary of key components of the most recent version of this law. Guidance is also provided to ensure that every child in need receives the EI and special education services to which he or she is entitled.
Study of the dead layer in germanium for the CDMS detectors Mandic, V; Mirabolfathi, N; Meunier, P ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
03/2004, Letnik:
520, Številka:
1-3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We present new measurements on a Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) detector with electron, neutron, and gamma sources. The measurements have been performed to investigate the dead layer of one of ...the CDMS Z-dependent Ionization Phonon germanium detectors. The dead layer has been studied at both charge electrodes and at different electric field intensities. We also present a method to remove the dependence of athermal phonon measurements on event position.
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