Cerium doped yttrium aluminum perovskite scintillator as an absolute ultracold neutron detector.

The upcoming UCNProBe experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory will measure the beta decay rate of free neutrons with different systematic uncertainties than previous beam-based neutron lifetime experiments. We have tested a new 10B-coated Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (YAP:Ce) scintillator and present its properties. The advantages of the YAP:Ce scintillator include its high Fermi potential, which reduces the probability for upscattering of ultracold neutrons (UCN), and its short decay time, which increases sensitivity at high counting rates.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead failure and revision following transcutaneous bicaval valve (TricValve®) implantation.

Introduction: Tricuspid regurgitation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and occurs at a higher rate in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. Percutaneous strategies for managing tricuspid regurgitation are evolving, including the development of bicaval valve implantation which has been successfully used in patients with pacing leads.

Methods And Results: We present the first documented case of lead failure following TricValve® implantation, a dedicated self-expanding system for bicaval valve implantation, and the first successful lead revision procedure in this setting.

Correlation of Fabrication Methods and Enhanced Wear Performance in Nanoporous Anodic Aluminum Oxide with Incorporated Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS) Nanomaterials.

Wear performance is integral to component longevity, minimizing industrial waste and excess energy costs in a wide variety of applications. Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) has many beneficial properties leading to its wide use across industries as a surface treatment for many aluminum components, but the wear properties of the coating could be improved significantly. Here, we used an electrochemical method to incorporate molybdenum disulfide (MoS), a nanomaterial used as a dry lubricant, to modify alloys of aluminum during AAO preparation.

Electrodeposition and analysis of thick bismuth films.

Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, bismuth is an attractive candidate for a wide range of applications such as battery anodes, radiation shielding, and semiconductors, to name a few. This work presents the electrodeposition of mechanically stable and homogenous bismuth films at micron-scale thicknesses. A simple one-step electrodeposition process using either a pulse/reverse or direct current source yielded thick, homogenous, and mechanically stable bismuth films.

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced from red grape pomace: Effect of purification processes on structural, thermal and antioxidant properties.

Red grape pomace was used as a source for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) production, which was then subject to a range of purification processes. The different PHB biopolymers were characterized for chemical structure, crystallinity, thermal properties, colour, release of compounds into different food simulants and antioxidant inhibition, and comparisons were made with a commercially available PHB. An increase in purification steps did not have a significant effect on the high thermal stability of the extracted biopolymer, but it decreased the degree of crystallinity and the presence of amino acids and aromatic compounds.

Efficacy and Safety of Second and Third-Generation Laser Balloon for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Compared to Radiofrequency Ablation: A Matched-Cohort.

Laser balloon (LB) has emerged as an interesting strategy for pulmonary vein isolation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). A third-generation LB has recently been developed, allowing a continuous ablation set. We aimed to compare the results from our center's experience with second and third-generation LBs to a cohort of matched patients who had undergone radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with contact-force catheters.

A Novel Visually Guided Radiofrequency Balloon Ablation Catheter for Pulmonary Vein Isolation: One-Year Outcomes of the Multicenter AF-FICIENT I Trial.

[Figure: see text].

Ultracold neutron properties of the Eljen-299-02D deuterated scintillator.

In this paper, we report studies of the Fermi potential and loss per bounce of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) on a deuterated scintillator (Eljen-299-02D). These UCN properties of the scintillator enable its use in a wide variety of applications in fundamental neutron research.

Intramural Venous Ethanol Infusion for Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias: Outcomes of a Multicenter Experience.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term efficacy and outcomes of retrograde venous ethanol ablation in treating ventricular arrhythmias (VAs).

Background: Retrograde coronary venous ethanol ablation (RCVEA) can be effective for radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-refractory VAs, particularly those arising in the LV summit (LVS).

Methods: Patients with drug and RFA-refractory VAs were considered for RCVEA after RF failure attempts.

Automated rhythm-based control of radiofrequency ablation close to the atrioventricular node: Preclinical, animal, and first-in-human testing.

Background: The risk of heart block during radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia and septal accessory pathways is minimized by rapidly ceasing ablation in response to markers of risk, such as atrioventricular dissociation, fast junctional rhythm, PR interval prolongation, or 2 consecutive atrial or ventricular depolarizations. Currently this is done manually.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to build and test a control system able to monitor cardiac rhythm and automatically terminate ablation energy when required.

Vulpeculin: a novel and abundant lipocalin in the urine of the common brushtail possum, .

Lipocalins are a family of secreted proteins. They are capable of binding small lipophilic compounds and have been extensively studied for their role in chemosignalling in rodent urine. Urine of the common brushtail possum () contains a prominent glycoprotein of 20 kDa, expressed in both sexes.

Characterization of Complex Atrial Tachycardia in Patients With Previous Atrial Interventions Using High-Resolution Mapping.

Objectives: This study systematically evaluated mechanisms of atrial tachycardia (AT) by using ultra-high-resolution mapping in a large cohort of patients.

Background: An incomplete understanding of the mechanism of AT is a major determinant of ablation failure.

Methods: Consecutive patients with ≥1 AT (excluding cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent flutter) were included.

A Population-Based Registry of Patients With Inherited Cardiac Conditions and Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest.

Background: The relative proportion of each cardiac inherited disease (CID) causing resuscitated sudden cardiac arrest (RSCA) on a population basis is unknown.

Objectives: This study describes the profile of patients with CIDs presenting with RSCA; their data were collected by the national Cardiac Inherited Diseases Registry New Zealand (CIDRNZ).

Methods: Data were collated from CIDRNZ probands presenting with RSCA (2002 to 2018).

Recent trends in cardiac electrophysiology and catheter ablation in New Zealand.

Background: Catheter ablation has rapidly become an integral part of the management of many arrhythmias.

Aims: To provide a history of clinical cardiac electrophysiology (EP) in New Zealand (NZ) and analysis of recent trends in EP procedures and catheter ablations across NZ, which has not previously been reported.

Methods: EP case type and volume were obtained from the EP databases from each of the four public and four private EP centres in NZ from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018.

An efficient algorithm based on electrograms characteristics to identify ventricular tachycardia isthmus entrance in post-infarct patients.

Aims: Our study assesses the value of electrograms (EGMs) characteristics to identify a ventricular tachycardia (VT) isthmus entrance in patients with post-infarct VT. Post-infarct VTs are mostly due to a re-entrant circuit. A pacemapping (PM) approach is able to localize the VT isthmus during sinus rhythm.

Connecting Communities: The Development of an International Partnership.

Addressing health inequities and the social determinants of health for all people of the world is a primary goal of the World Health Organization. This article describes how a "Connecting Communities educational program" enabled nurse leaders from academic institutions from different sides of the globe to develop a reciprocal relationship of mutual interest around the topics of the nursing role in population health and care delivery. Grant funding resulted in the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and experiences directed toward encouraging the development of nurses as global citizens, with a broader view on what influences health and well-being.

Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms and Implications for Catheter Ablation.

AF is a heterogeneous rhythm disorder that is related to a wide spectrum of etiologies and has broad clinical presentations. Mechanisms underlying AF are complex and remain incompletely understood despite extensive research. They associate interactions between triggers, substrate and modulators including ionic and anatomic remodeling, genetic predisposition and neuro-humoral contributors.

Long-term single-center comparison of ICD lead survival: Evidence for premature Linox lead failure.

Introduction: ICD lead failure is a potential source of significant morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the survival rates of Sprint Quattro, Endotak Reliance, and Linox ICD leads.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort study of all patients with an ICD implanted between January 2007 and December 2012 from the Wellington Hospital region, New Zealand, a tertiary referral center.

Relationship Between Fibrosis Detected on Late Gadolinium-Enhanced Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Re-Entrant Activity Assessed With Electrocardiographic Imaging in Human Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the relationship between fibrosis and re-entrant activity in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: The mechanisms involved in sustaining re-entrant activity during AF are poorly understood.

Methods: Forty-one patients with persistent AF (age 56 ± 12 years; 6 women) were evaluated.

High-density contact and noninvasive mapping of focal atrial tachycardia: Evidence of dual endocardial exits from an epicardial focus.

We report a case of recurrent focal atrial tachycardia (AT) which mechanisms could be resolved by using noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) reconstructing epicardial potentials and rapid high-density endocardial contact mapping (Rhythmia™, Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA). ECGI demonstrated focal activity from the anterior of the left superior pulmonary vein antrum, although Rhythmia™ showed focal activity from the high anterior left atrium with the 2 focus originating from the site where identical to the focus on the ECGI map with slightly delay (by 8 ms). Elimination of the AT by radiofrequency applications for both of the endocardial focuses indicated the dual endocardial exits from an epicardial focus.

Atrial tachycardias: Cause or effect with ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation?

Introduction: It is largely believed that atrial tachycardias (ATs) encountered during ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF) are a byproduct of ablative lesions. We aimed to explore the alternative hypothesis that they may be a priori drivers of AF remaining masked until other AF sources are reduced or eliminated.

Methods And Results: Radiofrequency ablation of fibrillatory drivers mapped by electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI; ECVUE™, Cardioinsight Technologies, Cleveland, OH, USA) terminated PsAF in 198 (73%) out of 270 patients (61 ± 10 years, 9 ± 9 m).