Utility of Artificial Intelligence Plaque Quantification: Results of the DECODE Study.

Background: Artificial Intelligence Plaque Analysis (AI-QCPA, HeartFlow) provides, from a CCTA, quantitative plaque burden information including total plaque and plaque subtype volumes. We sought to evaluate the clinical utility of AI-QCPA in clinical decision making.

Methods: One hundred cases were reviewed by 3 highly experienced practicing cardiologists who are SCCT level 3 CCTA readers.

Deferred Testing in Stable Outpatients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease: A Prespecified Secondary Analysis of the PRECISE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Guidelines recommend deferral of testing for symptomatic people with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and low pretest probability. To our knowledge, no randomized trial has prospectively evaluated such a strategy.

Objective: To assess process of care and health outcomes in people identified as minimal risk for CAD when testing is deferred.

All-optical switching of magnetization in atomically thin CrI.

Control of magnetism has attracted interest in achieving low-power and high-speed applications such as magnetic data storage and spintronic devices. Two-dimensional magnets allow for control of magnetic properties using the electric field, electrostatic doping and strain. In two-dimensional atomically thin magnets, a non-volatile all-optical method would offer the distinct advantage of switching magnetic states without application of an external field.

CrPtTe ( ≤ 0.45): A Family of Air-Stable and Exfoliatable van der Waals Ferromagnets.

The development of thermally robust, air-stable, exfoliatable two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnetic materials with high transition temperatures is of great importance. Here, we establish a family of magnetic alloys, CrPtTe ( ≤ 0.45), that combines the stability of the late transition metal dichalcogenide PtTe with magnetism from Cr.

Dynamics of Two Distinct Exciton Populations in Methyl-Functionalized Germanane.

Methyl-substituted germanane is an emerging material that has been proposed for novel applications in optoelectronics, photoelectrocatalysis, and biosensors. It is a two-dimensional semiconductor with a strong above-gap fluorescence associated with water intercalation. Here, we use time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy to understand the mechanism causing this fluorescence.

Covalent functionalization of two-dimensional group 14 graphane analogues.

The sp3-hybridized group 14 graphane analogues are a unique family of 2D materials in which every atom requires a terminal ligand for stability. Consequently, the optical, electronic, and thermal properties of these materials can be manipulated via covalent chemistry. Herein, we review the methodologies for preparing these materials, and compare their functionalization densities to Si/Ge(111) surfaces and other covalently terminated 2D materials.

Total Force Fitness in units part 1: military demand-resource model.

The military unit is a critical center of gravity in the military's efforts to enhance resilience and the health of the force. The purpose of this article is to augment the military's Total Force Fitness (TFF) guidance with a framework of TFF in units. The framework is based on a Military Demand-Resource model that highlights the dynamic interactions across demands, resources, and outcomes.

Impact of a student-supported pharmacy assessment program on venous thromboembolism prophylaxis rates in hospitalized patients.

Objectives: To determine if the addition of a student-supported venous thromboembolism risk assessment strategy could improve rates of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis at a community teaching hospital.

Methods: After receiving education and training on venous thromboembolism risk assessment, students assessed patients and recommended therapy in a 493-bed community teaching hospital over 5 weeks. Both the quantity and quality of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis were measured and compared to a baseline rate.

Efficacy and safety of an insulin infusion protocol in a surgical ICU.

Background: Hyperglycemia is associated with complications in the surgical intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nurse-driven insulin infusion protocols in lowering blood glucose (BG) in critical illness.

Study Design: All patients in a 24-bed surgical intensive care unit who required i.

Use of clonidine to decrease intestinal fluid losses in patients with high-output short-bowel syndrome.

Background: Some patients who have short bowel syndrome (SBS) have high intestinal outputs, which increases the risk of dehydration and fluid-electrolyte abnormalities and impairs quality of life.

Methods: We evaluated the use of clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, in 2 patients with SBS and high intestinal outputs, who were refractory to conventional therapy with antidiarrheal and antisecretory agents (loperamide, belladonna, opiates, somatostatin, histamine2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors). The first patient (case 1) was a 29-year-old woman who had 175 cm of small bowel anastamosed to 8 cm of descending colon, ending in a colostomy.

The impact of bedside behavior on catheter-related bacteremia in the intensive care unit.

Hypothesis: The success of an educational program in July 1999 that lowered the catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate in our intensive care unit (ICU) 3-fold is correlated with compliance with "best-practice" behaviors.

Design: Before-after trial.

Setting: Surgical ICU in a referral hospital.

Treatment of hypophosphatemia using a protocol based on patient weight and serum phosphorus level in a surgical intensive care unit.

Background: Hypophosphatemia may cause organ derangements in the surgical intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a repletion protocol for hypophosphatemia based on admission weight and phosphorus level.

Study Design: All patients who presented to an 18-bed surgical intensive care unit with a serum phosphorus level of 2.

Inadequate treatment of nosocomial infections is associated with certain empiric antibiotic choices.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of scheduled changes of antibiotic classes, used for the empirical treatment of suspected or documented Gram-negative bacterial infections, on the occurrence of inadequate antimicrobial treatment of nosocomial infections.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Medical (19-bed) and surgical (18-bed) intensive care units in an urban teaching hospital.

A prospective, randomized trial to assess the cost impact of pharmacist-initiated interventions.

Background: Hospital pharmacists make many recommendations that improve patients' quality of care and/or reduce drug costs. While the impact of quality-of-care interventions is difficult to quantify, those limited to cost savings could be assessed in a prospective, randomized fashion.

Objective: To assess the impact of pharmacist-initiated interventions on cost savings.

Microbial contamination potential of sterile disposable plastic syringes.

The contamination potential of sterile disposable plastic syringes was evaluated after subjecting the syringes to both simulated in-use conditions and an intentional microbial challenge. Lots of 20 Luer-lock syringes in 10 or 12-cu cm and 20- or 30-cu cm sizes from three manufacturers were tested. Sampling was conducted using 30-ml vials of sterile aerobic culture media containing 14C-labeled substrates.

Hand Test norms for disruptive black adolescent males.

The Hand Test (Wagner, 1962), 10 cards which portray hands in different positions, was administered individually to each of 51 black adolescent males of low socio-economic status. They had been referred for chronic disruptiveness in the classroom. Interscorer reliability was .