High-energy nuclear collisions create a quark-gluon plasma, whose initial condition and subsequent expansion vary from event to event, impacting the distribution of the eventwise average transverse momentum [P([p_{T}])]. Disentangling the contributions from fluctuations in the nuclear overlap size (geometrical component) and other sources at a fixed size (intrinsic component) remains a challenge. This problem is addressed by measuring the mean, variance, and skewness of P([p_{T}]) in ^{208}Pb+^{208}Pb and ^{129}Xe+^{129}Xe collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Inhalers are widely used for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is little knowledge about the extent to which an inhaler is used and when it is disposed of, despite the implications for an individual's health (when used beyond the recommended number of doses (overused)), and medicine wastage, healthcare costs and the environment (when discarded with remaining doses (underused)). To explore inhaler use, we assessed the number of doses remaining in pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) returned via a Chiesi Inhaler Recycling scheme.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) is an advanced CT technique which has been shown to improve accuracy in distinguishing between intracranial hemorrhage and calcification, which is often challenging on conventional CT and therefore may warrant repeat imaging in the emergency department (ED) to document stability and exclude enlarging intracranial hemorrhage. We hypothesized that implementation of a DECT head protocol with fully automated post processing in the ED would decrease the need for repeat imaging and therefore reduce overall ED length of stay (LOS).
Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective study comparing ED length of stay over a one-year period before (7/1/2016-6/30/2017) and after (7/1/2018-6/30/2019) implementing a DECT head protocol, for patients scanned for headache, trauma or fall, who were found to have indeterminate intracranial hyperdensities on conventional images, and were subsequently discharged home from the ER (excluding patients who were admitted, taken to the OR, or left against medical advice).
Humanity has long battled mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit-a struggle intensified by climate change and globalization, which have expanded mosquito ranges and the spread of associated diseases. Additionally, widespread insecticide resistance has reduced the efficacy of current control methods, necessitating new solutions. Nootkatone, a natural compound found in grapefruit, shows promise as both a mosquito repellent and an insecticide.
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