The IsoDAR high intensity H2+ transport and injection tests

This technical report reviews the tests performed at the Best Cyclotron Systems, Inc. facility in regards to developing a cost effective ion source, beam line transport system, and acceleration system capable of high H[subscript 2][superscript +] current output for the IsoDAR (Isotope Decay At Rest) experiment. We begin by outlining the requirements for the IsoDAR experiment then provide overviews of the Versatile Ion Source (VIS), Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) system, spiral inflector, and cyclotron. The experimental measurements are then discussed and the results are compared with a thorough set of simulation studies. Of particular importance we note that the VIS proved to be a reliable ion source capable of generating a large amount of H[subscript 2][superscript +] current. The results suggest that with further upgrades, the VIS could potentially be a suitable candidate for IsoDAR. The conclusion outlines the key results from our tests and introduces the forthcoming work this technical report has motivated.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (PHY-1148134)Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Seed Fund)Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Bose Fellowship

Bond Length and Bond Valence Relationships for Chromium Oxides, Chromium Sulfides, Molybdenum Oxides, and Molybdenum Sulfides

Pauling determined an empirical logarithmic dependence of bond order (bond valence), s, to bond length, R, s = exp(R0 – R/ b), where R0 is unit bond length and b is a fitting parameter. Recently, an expression was derived for relating the b fitting parameter to theoretically derived atomic orbital exponents. With a method to calculate b, both R0 and atomic orbital exponents can be experimentally determined through optimized fitting for Cr-O, Cr-S, Mo-O, and Mo-S. In the present study, bond length – valence relationships are found for Cr-O, Cr-S, Mo-O, and Mo-S chemical bonds using published crystallographic data. In addition, atomic orbital exponents were found for chromium and molybdenum: z­­Cr = 1.247 and zMo = 1.381. Finally, bond lengths of unit bond valence, or true single bonds, were found using the bond valence model: Ro(Cr-O) = 1.770 Å, Ro(Cr-S) = 2.159 Å, Ro(Mo-O) = 1.893 Å, and Ro(Mo-S) = 2.264 Å

Higher Expectations: a Systematic Review of Reporting the Science of Propensity Score Modeling in Criminal Justice Studies

Objectives This systematic review examined the reporting practices of propensity score modeling (PSM) in criminology and criminal justice studies. Methods There were 229 articles (with 527 individual sets of PSM analyses) published between 2000 and 2022 in the top 19 ranked criminology and criminal justice journals that were identified for study inclusion. These articles were systematically coded to assess the presence of key PSM reporting elements, including covariates, estimation methods, balancing strategy, matching type, sample size, balance assessment, sensitivity analysis, and post-PSM analyses. Results The use of PSM has increased dramatically over the last two decades. Study findings suggest that while there are many areas where the discipline has improved reporting over the last 22 years, there are still others that are sorely lacking. Our review reveals that only 28.9% of studies reported the propensity score technique used, 21.8% did not report pre- or post-PSM sample information, and 26.6% of all studies examined either did not report a balance assessment or reported using only one assessment which were largely null hypothesis significance testing. Conclusions Our findings provide a baseline assessment of PSM reporting and provide some guidance for conducting, reviewing, and publishing PSM research in criminology and criminal justice journals

Are publicly available internet resources enabling women to make informed fertility preservation decisions before starting cancer treatment: an environmental scan?

Background To identify publicly available internet resources and assess their likelihood to support women making informed decisions about, and between, fertility preservation procedures before starting their cancer treatment. Methods A survey of publically available internet resources utilising an environmental scan method. Inclusion criteria were applied to hits from searches of three data sources (November 2015; repeated June 2017): Google (Chrome) for patient resources; repositories for clinical guidelines and projects; distribution email lists to contact patient decision aid experts. The Data Extraction Sheet applied to eligible resources elicited: resource characteristics; informed and shared decision making components; engagement health services. Results Four thousand eight hundred fifty one records were identified; 24 patient resources and 0 clinical guidelines met scan inclusion criteria. Most resources aimed to inform women with cancer about fertility preservation procedures and infertility treatment options, but not decision making between options. There was a lack of consistency about how health conditions, decision problems and treatment options were described, and resources were difficult to understand. Conclusions Unless developed as part of a patient decision aid project, resources did not include components to support proactively women’s fertility preservation decisions. Current guidelines help people deliver information relevant to treatment options within a single disease pathway; we identified five additional components for patient decision aid checklists to support more effectively people’s treatment decision making across health pathways, linking current with future health problems

Cancer risk in childhood-onset systemic lupus

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess cancer incidence in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: We ascertained cancers within SLE registries at 10 pediatric centers. Subjects were linked to cancer registries for the observational interval, spanning 1974 to 2009. The ratio of observed to expected cancers represents the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) or relative cancer risk in childhood-onset SLE, versus the general population. RESULTS: There were 1020 patients aged <18 at cohort entry. Most (82%) were female and Caucasian; mean age at cohort entry was 12.6 years (standard deviation (SD) = 3.6). Subjects were observed for a total of 7,986 (average 7.8) patient-years. Within this interval, only three invasive cancers were expected. However, 14 invasive cancers occurred with an SIR of 4.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6 to 7.8. Three hematologic cancers were found (two non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, one leukemia), for an SIR of 5.2 (95% CI 1.1 to 15.2). The SIRs stratified by age group and sex, were similar across these strata. There was a trend for highest cancer occurrence 10 to 19 years after SLE diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an increased cancer risk in pediatric onset SLE versus the general population. In absolute terms, this represents relatively few events. Of note, risk may be highest only after patients have transferred to adult care

Frequency and patterns of early recanalization after vasectomy

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of early post-vasectomy recanalization is limited to histopathological studies. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and to describe semen analysis patterns of early recanalization after vasectomy. METHODS: Charts displaying serial post-vasectomy semen analyses were created using the semen analysis results from 826 and 389 men participating in a randomized trial of fascial interposition (FI) and an observational study of cautery, respectively. In the FI trial, participants were randomly allocated to vas occlusion by ligation and excision with or without FI. In the cautery study, sites used their usual cautery occlusion technique, two with and two without FI. Presumed early recanalization was based on the assessment of individual semen analysis charts by three independent reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: Presumed early recanalization was characterized by a very low sperm concentration within two weeks after vasectomy followed by return to large numbers of sperm over the next few weeks. The overall proportion of men with presumed early recanalization was 13% (95% CI 12%–15%). The risk was highest with ligation and excision without FI (25%) and lowest for thermal cautery with FI (0%). The highest proportion of presumed early recanalization was observed among men classified as vasectomy failures. CONCLUSION: Early recanalization, occurring within the first weeks after vasectomy, is more common than generally recognized. Its frequency depends on the occlusion technique performed

Prone Positioning can be Safely Performed in Critically Ill Infants and Children

Objective: To describe the effects of prone positioning on airway management, mechanical ventilation, enteral nutrition, pain and sedation management, and staff utilization in infants and children with acute lung injury. Design: Secondary analysis of data collected in a multiple-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial of supine vs. prone positioning. Setting: Seven pediatric intensive care units located in the United States. Patients: One hundred and two pediatric patients (51 prone and 51 supine) with acute lung injury. Interventions: Patients randomized to the supine group remained supine. Patients randomized to the prone group were positioned prone per protocol during the acute phase of their illness for a maximum of 7 days. Both groups were managed using ventilator and sedation protocols and nutrition and skin care guidelines. Measurements and Main Results: Airway management and mechanical ventilatory variables before and after repositioning, enteral nutrition management, pain and sedation management, staff utilization, and adverse event data were collected for up to 28 days after enrollment. There were a total of 202 supine-prone-supine cycles. There were no differences in the incidence of endotracheal tube leak between the two groups (p = .30). Per protocol, 95% of patients remained connected to the ventilator during repositioning. The inadvertent extubation rate was 0.85 for the prone group and 1.03 for the supine group per 100 ventilator days (p = 1.00). There were no significant differences in the initiation of trophic (p = .24), advancing (p = .82), or full enteral feeds (p = .80) between the prone and supine groups; in the average pain (p = .81) and sedation (p = .18) scores during the acute phase; and in the amount of comfort medications received between the two groups (p = .91). There were no critical events during a turn procedure. While prone, two patients experienced an obstructed endotracheal tube. One patient, supported on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, experienced persistent hypercapnea when prone and was withdrawn from the study. The occurrence of pressure ulcers was similar between the two groups (p = .71). Compared with the supine group, more staff (p ≤ .001) and more time were necessary to reposition patients in the prone group. Conclusions: Our data show that prone positioning can be safely performed in critically ill pediatric patients and that these patients can be safely managed while in the prone position for prolonged periods of time

Integrated time-lapse geoelectrical imaging of wetland hydrological processes

Wetlands provide crucial habitats, are critical in the global carbon cycle, and act as key biogeochemical and hydrological buffers. The effectiveness of these services is mainly controlled by hydrological processes, which can be highly variable both spatially and temporally due to structural complexity and seasonality. Spatial analysis of 2D geoelectrical monitoring data integrated into the interpretation of conventional hydrological data has been implemented to provide a detailed understanding of hydrological processes in a riparian wetland. This study shows that a combination of processes can define the resistivity signature of the shallow subsurface, highlighting the seasonality of these processes and its corresponding effect on biogeochemical processesthe wetland hydrology. Groundwater exchange between peat and the underlying river terrace deposits, spatially and temporally defined by geoelectrical imaging and verified by point sensor data, highlighted the groundwater dependent nature of the wetland. A 30 % increase in peat resistivity was shown to be caused by a nearly entire exchange of the saturating groundwater. For the first time, we showed that automated interpretation of geoelectrical data can be used to quantify shrink-swell of expandable soils, affecting hydrological parameters, such as, porosity, water storage capacity, and permeability. This study shows that an integrated interpretation of hydrological and geophysical data can significantly improve the understanding of wetland hydrological processes. Potentially, this approach can provide the basis for the evaluation of ecosystem services and may aid in the optimization of wetland management strategies

Effects of ecosystem protection on scallop populations within a community-led temperate marine reserve

This study investigated the effects of a newly established, fully protected marine reserve on benthic habitats and two commercially valuable species of scallop in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, United Kingdom. Annual dive surveys from 2010 to 2013 showed the abundance of juvenile scallops to be significantly greater within the marine reserve than outside. Generalised linear models revealed this trend to be significantly related to the greater presence of macroalgae and hydroids growing within the boundaries of the reserve. These results suggest that structurally complex habitats growing within the reserve have substantially increased spat settlement and/or survival. The density of adult king scallops declined threefold with increasing distance from the boundaries of the reserve, indicating possible evidence of spillover or reduced fishing effort directly outside and around the marine reserve. However, there was no difference in the mean density of adult scallops between the reserve and outside. Finally, the mean age, size, and reproductive and exploitable biomass of king scallops were all significantly greater within the reserve. In contrast to king scallops, the population dynamics of queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) fluctuated randomly over the survey period and showed little difference between the reserve and outside. Overall, this study is consistent with the hypothesis that marine reserves can encourage the recovery of seafloor habitats, which, in turn, can benefit populations of commercially exploited species, emphasising the importance of marine reserves in the ecosystem-based management of fisheries