A diagnostic to measure time-resolved atom column density and Doppler temperature in atomic vapors produced by laser ablation.

We report on the development of a diagnostic to measure the time-resolved column density and Doppler temperature of atomic vapors produced by laser ablation. The diagnostic is based on the strong frequency dependence of the atomic susceptibility near an electronic transition in the interrogated atomic species. Interference on the face of a fast photodetector between the several frequency components present in a sinusoidally phase-modulated probe beam will produce a time signature uniquely determined by the column density of atoms in the probed atomic state and the Doppler temperature of the atomic vapor. With the extensive, high precision atomic spectroscopy data available in the literature, it is possible to model the vapor and extract the desired parameters through comparison of the model result with the experimental data.

National-Level Schoolwork Pressure, Family Structure, Internet Use, and Obesity as Drivers of Time Trends in Adolescent Psychological Complaints Between 2002 and 2018.

Little is known about societal processes that contribute to changes in adolescent mental health problems. This study aims to fill this gap using data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study between 2002 and 2018 (ncountries = 43, nindividuals = 680,269, Mage = 14.52 (SD = 1.06), 51.04% female), supplemented with other international data. National-level psychological complaints increased more strongly among girls than boys. National-level schoolwork pressure, single-parent households, time spent on internet, and obesity were generally rising. In both boys' and girls' samples, increases in national-level schoolwork pressure, obesity, and time spent on internet use were independently associated with increases national-level psychological complaints. However, national-level obesity and psychological complaints were more strongly related among girls than boys. Results highlight the potential impact of societal-level processes on adolescent mental health problems.

[Vertebrobasilar stroke: recording of care times and factors related to early care]. / Ictus vertebrobasilar: registro de tiempos de asistencia y factores relacionados con la atención precoz.

AIM: To determine the state of the vertebrobasilar stroke care chain in our hospital reference area by evaluating the factors related to stroke code activation and management times. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, analytical and retrospective study, carried out during the period 2017-2018, which includes patients admitted with a diagnosis of stroke confirmed by neuroimaging. Data were collected consecutively during assessment in the emergency department and admission to the stroke unit. Clinical factors, neurological signs and symptoms at the time of admission, detection of large-vessel occlusion and variables related to the care chain were evaluated, namely, basic medical attention, stroke code activation, onset-to-door time and door-to-imaging time. RESULTS: Altogether 954 patients were included in the study, 233 with vertebrobasilar stroke. The onset-to-door and door-to-imaging times registered were significantly higher for posterior circulation stroke. The factors related to a lower delay in onset-to-door time were: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale > 4, dysarthria and loss of strength. A shorter delay in door-to-imaging time was observed for the variables basic attention by medical emergency service, dysarthria, loss of strength and presence of more than one symptom/sign. Predictive variables for stroke code activation were a history of smoking, clinical signs of dysarthria or loss of strength, and the presence of more than one clinical manifestation. CONCLUSIONS: In the pre-hospital phase is is difficult to identify vertebrobasilar stroke, which causes delays in care times. Training in knowledge of the clinical features of vertebrobasilar stroke could allow these times to be optimised.

TITLE: Ictus vertebrobasilar: registro de tiempos de asistencia y factores relacionados con la atención precoz.Objetivo. Conocer el estado de la cadena asistencial del ictus vertebrobasilar en el área de referencia de nuestro centro hospitalario, evaluando los factores relacionados con la activación del código ictus y tiempos de actuación. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, analítico y retrospectivo, realizado durante el período 2017-2018, que incluye a pacientes ingresados con diagnóstico de ictus confirmado por neuroimagen. Se recogieron los datos de manera consecutiva durante su valoración en urgencias e ingreso en la unidad de ictus. Se evaluaron factores clínicos, síntomas y signos neurológicos en el momento del ingreso, detección de oclusión de gran vaso y variables relacionadas con la cadena asistencial: primera asistencia, activación de código ictus, tiempo inicio-puerta y tiempo puerta-imagen. Resultados. Se incluyó a 954 pacientes, 233 con ictus vertebrobasilar. Los tiempos inicio-puerta y puerta-imagen registrados fueron significativamente mayores para el ictus de circulación posterior. Los factores relacionados con menor retraso en el tiempo inicio-puerta fueron: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale > 4, disartria y pérdida de fuerza. Se observó un menor retraso en el tiempo puerta-imagen para las variables: primera asistencia por servicio de emergencias médicas, disartria, pérdida de fuerza y presencia de más de un síntoma/signo. Fueron variables predictoras de activación del código ictus el antecedente de fumador, la clínica de disartria o pérdida de fuerza, y la presencia de más de una manifestación clínica. Conclusiones. Existen dificultades en la fase prehospitalaria para identificar el ictus vertebrobasilar, lo cual origina retrasos en los tiempos de asistencia. La formación en conocimientos sobre la clínica de ictus vertebrobasilar podría permitir la optimización de esos tiempos.

Trends over Time in Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing in the Netherlands, 2005-2017: Links with Perceived Schoolwork Pressure, Parent-Adolescent Communication and Bullying Victimization.

In some Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom and the United States, there is evidence of a dramatic decline in adolescent emotional wellbeing, particularly among girls. It is not clear to what extent this decline can be generalised to other high-income countries. This study examines trends over time (2005-2009-2013-2017) in adolescent wellbeing in the Netherlands, a country where young people have consistently reported one of the highest levels of wellbeing across Europe. It also assesses parallel changes over time in perceived schoolwork pressure, parent-adolescent communication, and bullying victimization. Data were derived from four waves of the nationally representative, cross-sectional Dutch Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (N = 21,901; 49% girls; Mage = 13.78, SD = 1.25). Trends in emotional wellbeing (i.e., emotional symptoms, psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction) were assessed by means of multiple regression analyses with survey year as a predictor, controlling for background variables. Emotional wellbeing slightly declined among adolescent boys and girls between 2009 and 2013. A substantial increase in perceived schoolwork pressure was associated with this decline in emotional wellbeing. Improved parent-adolescent communication and a decline in bullying victimization may explain why emotional wellbeing remained stable between 2013 and 2017, in spite of a further increase in schoolwork pressure. Associations between emotional wellbeing on the one hand and perceived schoolwork pressure, parent-adolescent communication, and bullying victimization on the other were stronger for girls than for boys. Overall, although increasing schoolwork pressure may be one of the drivers of declining emotional wellbeing in adolescents, in the Netherlands this negative trend was buffered by increasing support by parents and peers. Cross-national research into this topic is warranted to examine the extent to which these findings can be generalised to other high-income countries.

Immigration background and adolescent mental health problems: the role of family affluence, adolescent educational level and gender.

PURPOSE: European studies demonstrated that immigrant adolescents are at a higher risk for mental health problems than native adolescents, but little is known about the role of socioeconomic status (SES) and gender in this association. This study examined to what extent differences in the mental health problems of non-western immigrant and native Dutch adolescents were explained by adolescents' family affluence and educational level and differed with the adolescents' family affluence, educational level, and gender. METHODS: Adolescents in a Dutch nationally representative sample of 11-16-year old native Dutch (n = 5283) and non-western immigrants (n = 1054) reported on their family affluence, own educational level, conduct problems, emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems, and hyperactivity-inattention problems. RESULTS: Non-western immigrant adolescents were at a higher risk for conduct problems and peer relationship problems than native Dutch adolescents, but family affluence and educational level explained only a very small proportion of these differences. With two exceptions, differences in the mental health problems of non-western immigrants and natives were highly comparable for different family affluence levels, educational levels, and for boys and girls. Only for natives, a higher family SES was related to less conduct problems. Furthermore, only for non-western immigrants a high family SES related to more hyperactivity-inattention problems. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate that the association between immigration background and adolescent mental health problems is largely independent of SES and gender. Future studies should include other factors to facilitate our understanding of the association between immigration background and adolescent mental health problems.

Revising the self-report strengths and difficulties questionnaire for cross-country comparisons of adolescent mental health problems: the SDQ-R.

AIMS: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has been used in many epidemiological studies to assess adolescent mental health problems, but cross-country comparisons of the self-report SDQ are scarce and so far failed to find a good-fitting, common, invariant measurement model across countries. The present study aims to evaluate and establish a version of the self-report SDQ that allows for a valid cross-country comparison of adolescent self-reported mental health problems. METHODS: Using the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, the measurement model and measurement invariance of the 20 items of the self-report SDQ measuring adolescent mental health problems were evaluated. Nationally representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15-year old adolescents (n = 33 233) from seven countries of different regions in Europe (Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia) were used. RESULTS: In order to establish a good-fitting and common measurement model, the five reverse worded items of the self-report SDQ had to be removed. Using this revised version of the self-report SDQ, the SDQ-R, partial measurement invariance was established, indicating that latent factor means assessing conduct problems, emotional symptoms, peer relationships problems and hyperactivity-inattention problems could be validly compared across the countries in this study. Results showed that adolescents in Greece scored relatively low on almost all problem subscales, whereas adolescents in Poland scored relatively high on almost all problem subscales. Adolescents in the Netherlands reported the most divergent profile of mental health problems with the lowest levels of conduct problems, low levels of emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems, but the highest levels of hyperactivity-inattention problems. CONCLUSIONS: With six factor loadings being non-invariant, partial measurement invariance was established, indicating that the 15-item SDQ-R could be used in our cross-country comparison of adolescent mental health problems. To move the field of internationally comparative research on adolescent mental health forward, studies should test the applicability of the SDQ-R in other countries in- and outside Europe, continue to develop the SDQ-R as a cross-country invariant measure of adolescent mental health, and examine explanations for the found country differences in adolescent mental health problems.

The decline in adolescent substance use across Europe and North America in the early twenty-first century: A result of the digital revolution?

OBJECTIVES: Increases in electronic media communication (EMC) and decreases in face-to-face peer contact in the evening (FTF) have been thought to explain the recent decline in adolescent substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis). This study addresses this hypothesis, by examining associations between (time trends in) EMC, FTF, and substance use in more than 25 mainly European countries. METHODS: Using 2002-2014 data from the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, we ran multilevel logistic regression analyses to investigate the above associations. RESULTS: National declines in substance use were associated with declines in FTF, but not with increases in EMC. At the individual level, both EMC and FTF related positively to substance use. For alcohol and cannabis use, the positive association with EMC was stronger in more recent years. Associations between EMC and substance use varied across countries, but this variation could not be explained by the proportion of young people using EMC within countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggests that the decrease in FTF, but not the increase in EMC, plays a role in the recent decrease in adolescent substance use.

Sweet Syndrome in Pediatrics. A case report. / Síndrome de Sweet en Pediatría. A proposito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Sweet's syndrome is a very rare dermatosis in pediatrics, of unknown pathogenesis, clinically characterized by fever, neutrophilia, raised and painful plaques on the skin of the face, neck, and limbs, and histologically by dermal infiltration of neutrophils. OBJECTIVE: To present a clinical case of Sweet Syndrome in a pediatric patient. CLINICAL CASE: 3-years-old female child, with history of complex chromosomopathy 46XX add(8), with a 7-day history of plaques and blisters on the back and later also on the limbs, associated with high fever, without response to antibiotic treatment pres cribed due to suspicion of bullous impetigo. Physical examination showed multiple erythematous- violaceous plaques, with bullous center on the back, upper and lower limbs, along with plaques and erythematous nodules on the left arm and thigh. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis with neutro philia (absolute neutrophil count 45954/mm3) and elevated CRP (347 mg/L). Biopsy of skin lesions reported histopathological findings compatible with Sweet's Syndrome. Treatment with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day was indicated with good clinical response. After two weeks of treatment, she presented crusty plaques of smaller size, without bullous lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Sweet's syndrome is an uncom mon dermatosis in pediatrics, therefore, a high index of suspicion should be held in the presence of fever associated with persistent skin lesions. While most cases are idiopathic, screening for associated conditions, mainly proliferative disorders, infections, and immunodeficiencies must be performed.

Síndrome de Sweet en pediatría: a proposito de un caso / Sweet syndrome in pediatrics: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Sweet es una dermatosis muy infrecuente en pediatría, de patogenia desconocida, caracterizado clínicamente por fiebre, neutrofilia, placas solevantadas y dolorosas en piel de cara, cuello y extremidades e histológicamente por infiltración dérmica de neutrófilos. OBJETIVO: Presentación de un caso clínico de Síndrome de Sweet en paciente pediátrico. CASO CLÍNICO: Prees colar femenino de 3 años, portador de cromosomopatía compleja 46XX add(8). Consultó por cuadro clínico de 7 días de evolución caracterizado por placas y ampollas localizadas en dorso y posterior mente en extremidades, asociado a fiebre alta, sin respuesta a tratamiento antibiótico indicado por sospecha de impétigo ampollar. Al examen físico presentaba múltiples placas eritemato-violáceas, con centro ampollar en dorso, extremidades superiores e inferiores, junto a placas y nódulos eritematosos en brazo y muslo izquierdo. En los exámenes de laboratorio destacó leucocitosis con neutrofilia (RAN 45954/mm3) y PCR elevada (347 mg/L). Se realizó biopsia de lesiones cutáneas con hallazgos histopatológicos compatibles con Síndrome de Sweet. Se indicó tratamiento con prednisona 1 mg/ kg/día, con buena respuesta clínica. A las 2 semanas de tratamiento presentaba placas costrosas de menor tamaño, sin lesiones ampollares. CONCLUSIONES: El síndrome de Sweet corresponde a una dermatosis infrecuente en pediatría, por lo que se debe tener un alto índice de sospecha ante la presencia de fiebre asociado a lesiones cutáneas persistentes. Si bien la mayoría de los casos son idiopáticos, se debe realizar el tamizaje de condiciones asociadas, principalmente de trastornos proliferativos, infecciones e inmunodeficiencias.

INTRODUCTION: Sweet's syndrome is a very rare dermatosis in pediatrics, of unknown pathogenesis, clinically characterized by fever, neutrophilia, raised and painful plaques on the skin of the face, neck, and limbs, and histologically by dermal infiltration of neutrophils. OBJECTIVE: To present a clinical case of Sweet Syndrome in a pediatric patient. CLINICAL CASE: 3-years-old female child, with history of complex chromosomopathy 46XX add(8), with a 7-day history of plaques and blisters on the back and later also on the limbs, associated with high fever, without response to antibiotic treatment pres cribed due to suspicion of bullous impetigo. Physical examination showed multiple erythematous- violaceous plaques, with bullous center on the back, upper and lower limbs, along with plaques and erythematous nodules on the left arm and thigh. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis with neutro philia (absolute neutrophil count 45954/mm3) and elevated CRP (347 mg/L). Biopsy of skin lesions reported histopathological findings compatible with Sweet's Syndrome. Treatment with prednisone 1 mg/kg/day was indicated with good clinical response. After two weeks of treatment, she presented crusty plaques of smaller size, without bullous lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Sweet's syndrome is an uncom mon dermatosis in pediatrics, therefore, a high index of suspicion should be held in the presence of fever associated with persistent skin lesions. While most cases are idiopathic, screening for associated conditions, mainly proliferative disorders, infections, and immunodeficiencies must be performed.

[Bleomycin-induced Flagellated dermatitis: A case report]. / Dermatitis flagelada inducida por Bleomicina; A propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Flagellated dermatitis is an infrequent pathology, with characteristic skin lesions, which is developed due to the use of bleomycin. Clinically it occurs as erythematous or hyperpigmented maculae of linear disposition with flagellar pattern, in trunk and/or upper extremities. It presents self-limited evolution, therefore, its treatment varies from expectant management to the use of topical or oral corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a clinical case of flagellated dermatitis secondary to bleomycin in a pediatric patient with history of central nervous system neoplasia. CLINICAL CASE: 8 years, schoolchild, female, with a history of primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumor (sellar and suprasellar) and secondary panhypopituitarism. She receives chemotherapeutic treatment according to the PEB protocol, with use of IV bleomycin during three days. After two days, intermittent pruritus begins, associated with erythematous and pigmented maculae of linear distribution, followed by a flagellated pattern, with isolated signs of excoriation, in the abdominal region and upper back. Topical treatment with mild potency corticosteroids is indicated for ten days, with a satisfactory clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: There should be a high diagnostic suspi cion in pediatric patients with a history of prior administration of the drug and the appearance of characteristic skin lesions, which will allow adequate behavior regarding its management and the continuity of chemotherapy.

Dermatitis flagelada inducida por bleomicina: a propósito de un caso / Bleomycin-induced flagellated dermatitis: a case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Dermatitis Flagelada es una patología infrecuente, con lesiones cutáneas características, que se desarrolla por el uso de Bleomicina. Clínicamente se presenta como maculas eritematosas o hiperpigmentadas de disposición lineal con patrón flagelar, en tronco y/o extremidades superiores. Presenta evolución autolimitada por lo que su tratamiento varía desde conducta expectante hasta uso de corticoides tópicos u orales. OBJETIVO: Presentación de un caso clínico de Dermatitis flagelada secundaria a Bleomicina en paciente pediátrico con antecedentes de neoplasia de sistema nervioso central. CASO CLÍNICO: Escolar de 8 años, sexo femenino, con antecedentes de tumor prima rio de células germinales mixto intracraneal (selar y supraselar) y panhipopituitarismo secundario. Recibe tratamiento quimioterapéutico según protocolo PEB, con uso de Bleomicina EV por 3 días. A los 2 días posteriores, inicia prurito intermitente, asociado a máculas eritematosas y pigmentadas de distribución lineal, siguiendo patrón flagelado, con aislados signos de excoriación, en región abdominal y dorso alto. Se indica tratamiento tópico con corticoides de moderada potencia por 10 días, con respuesta clínica satisfactoria. CONCLUSIONES: Se debe tener una alta sospecha diagnóstica en pacientes pediátricos con historia de administración previa del fármaco y aparición de lesiones cutáneas características, lo que permitirá una conducta adecuada respecto a su manejo y a la continuidad de la quimioterapia.

INTRODUCTION: Flagellated dermatitis is an infrequent pathology, with characteristic skin lesions, which is developed due to the use of bleomycin. Clinically it occurs as erythematous or hyperpigmented maculae of linear disposition with flagellar pattern, in trunk and/or upper extremities. It presents self-limited evolution, therefore, its treatment varies from expectant management to the use of topical or oral corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: Presentation of a clinical case of flagellated dermatitis secondary to bleomycin in a pediatric patient with history of central nervous system neoplasia. CLINICAL CASE: 8 years, schoolchild, female, with a history of primary intracranial mixed germ cell tumor (sellar and suprasellar) and secondary panhypopituitarism. She receives chemotherapeutic treatment according to the PEB protocol, with use of IV bleomycin during three days. After two days, intermittent pruritus begins, associated with erythematous and pigmented maculae of linear distribution, followed by a flagellated pattern, with isolated signs of excoriation, in the abdominal region and upper back. Topical treatment with mild potency corticosteroids is indicated for ten days, with a satisfactory clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: There should be a high diagnostic suspi cion in pediatric patients with a history of prior administration of the drug and the appearance of characteristic skin lesions, which will allow adequate behavior regarding its management and the continuity of chemotherapy.

The Happiest Kids on Earth. Gender Equality and Adolescent Life Satisfaction in Europe and North America.

Cross-national differences in adolescent life satisfaction in Europe and North America are consistent, but remain poorly understood. While previous studies have predominantly focused on the explanatory role of economic factors, such as national wealth and income equality, they revealed weak associations, at most. This study examines whether societal gender equality can explain the observed cross-national variability in adolescent life satisfaction. Based on the assumption that gender equality fosters a supportive social context, for example within families through a more equal involvement of fathers and mothers in child care tasks, adolescent life satisfaction was expected to be higher in more gender-equal countries. To test this hypothesis, national-level data of gender equality (i.e., women's share in political participation, decision making power, economic participation and command over resources) were linked to data from 175,470 adolescents aged 11-16 years old (M age = 13.6, SD = 1.64, 52% girls) from 34 European and North American countries involved in the 2009/10 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Results of linear multilevel regression analyses indicate that adolescents in countries with relatively high levels of gender equality report higher life satisfaction than their peers in countries with lower levels of gender equality. The association between gender equality and adolescent life satisfaction remained significant after controlling for national wealth and income equality. It was equally strong for boys and girls. Moreover, the association between gender equality and life satisfaction was explained by social support in the family, peer and school context. This analysis suggests that gender equality fosters social support among members of a society, which in turn contributes to adolescent life satisfaction. Thus, promoting gender equality is likely to benefit all members of a society; not just by giving equal rights to women and girls, but also by fostering a supportive social climate for all.

Análisis epidemiológico de onicomicosis diagnosticada por laboratorio en pacientes menores de 15 años / Epidemiological analysis of onychomycosis diagnosed by laboratory in patients under 15 years

Onychomicosis was considered uncommon in children. During recent years an increase in its frequency has been reported in children worldwide. This survey was carried out to estimate the frequency of causal agents of fungal nail infections in children and adolescents (0-15 years of age) during the period 2006-2016 in the Skin Laboratory of Clinical Hospital, University of Chile. It was a descriptive, retrospective analysis of all positive culture of children nails. A total of 1626 culture was analyzed. Cultures were positive in 417 cases (25,6%). Average age of patients with positive culture was 9,37 ages. Of the total positive culture, 42,9% was females and 57,1% was males. Toenails were more affected (90,6%) than finger nails. Trichophyton rubrum (66,9%), was the predominant pathogen isolated followed by Candida spp (26,1%) Trichophyton rubrum + Candida spp (3,8%) Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2,6%) and Trichophyton rubrum + Trichophyton mentagrophytes (0,5%). Fungal fingernail infection by Candida spp. was the most common (66,7%) and Trichophyton rubrum was the most common in toenail (70,6%). We found a decrease of Candida spp. with age. The results of our study show that onycomichosis in children and adolescents is not exceptional and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nail plate disorder in children. (AU)

A comparison of two digital mammography systems: are there any differences?

AIM: To compare the performance of two newly introduced digital mammography technologies (Sectra and Hologic) to the Welsh breast-screening service; specifically, whether there are differences in the number, type, size, and grade of tumour identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of a prospectively collected database of 50,000 consecutive screening episodes from 2012; clients were aged 49-88 years (mean 61.9 years). All studies were double-blind read by two readers. All tumours identified in the two arms of the study were detailed and compared specifically with regards to type (ductal or lobular) size, grade, and whether invasive or non-invasive. Performance was analysed for any statistically significant differences. RESULTS: Twenty-five thousand consecutive women were screened with Hologic (recall rate 5.9% of which 18% were cancer) and 25,000 were screened with Sectra digital mammography (recall rate 4.3% and 22% were cancer). Five hundred tumours were found with no significant difference in invasive cancer detection or between ductal or lobular subtypes. The Hologic system detected 267 tumours; of which 81 (30.33%) were non-invasive (3.24 per 1000), compared to the Sectra system with 233 cancers overall including 36 non-invasive (15.45%, 1.44 per 1000). The difference in non-invasive lesions (mainly ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) detection was significant (p<0.001); 38% of which were high nuclear grade (HNG) using Hologic and 50% HNG lesions using Sectra. There was no significant difference in non-invasive size between the two technologies. The mean glandular dose received using the Sectra system was significantly less (0.7 mGy) compared to the Hologic system (1.6 mGy) for a 50-60 mm breast thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Population breast screening is frequently criticised for identifying lesions irrelevant to long-term outcomes or life expectancy and although the two systems seem comparable in terms of invasive cancer detection, a statistically significant difference in the detection of non-invasive lesions was seen, not reported in previous studies. This is a contentious issue, as identifying more DCIS has the potential to over-diagnose screened women leading to increased morbidity, higher "cancer detection rates", longer cancer waiting times, and reduced patient psychological wellbeing. The Sectra system is able to deliver a similar invasive detection cancer delivering a much lower dose mammogram, which is important in limiting overall population radiation dose. Further study as to whether the differences in tumour detection rates are clinically significant long term are now required.

Review of the 2012 Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in Domestic Ruminants in the United States.

An unusually large number of cases of Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) were observed in United States cattle and white-tailed deer in the summer and fall of 2012. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services area offices were asked to report on foreign animal disease investigations and state diagnostic laboratory submissions which resulted in a diagnosis of EHD based on positive PCR results. EHD was reported in the following species: cattle (129 herds), captive white-tailed deer (65 herds), bison (8 herds), yak (6 herds), elk (1 herd), and sheep (1 flock). A majority of the cases in cattle and bison were found in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. The majority of cases in captive white-tailed deer were found in Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri. The most common clinical sign observed in the cattle and bison herds was oral lesions. The major observation in captive white-tailed deer herds was death. Average within-herd morbidity was 7% in cattle and bison herds, and 46% in captive white-tailed deer herds. The average within-herd mortality in captive white-tailed deer herds was 42%.

Evaluation of a permeable reactive barrier to capture and degrade hydrocarbon contaminants.

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) was installed during 2005/2006 to intercept, capture and degrade a fuel spill at the Main Power House, Casey Station, Antarctica. Here, evaluation of the performance of the PRB is conducted via interpretation of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations, degradation indices and most probable number (MPN) counts of total heterotroph and fuel degrading microbial populations. Results indicate that locations which contained the lowest TPH concentrations also exhibited the highest levels of degradation and numbers of fuel degrading microbes, based on the degradation indices and MPN methods selected. This provides insights to the most appropriate reactive materials for use in PRB's in cold and nutrient-limited environments.

Simultaneous broadband laser ranging and photonic Doppler velocimetry for dynamic compression experiments.

A diagnostic was developed to simultaneously measure both the distance and velocity of rapidly moving surfaces in dynamic compression experiments, specifically non-planar experiments where integrating the velocity in one direction does not always give the material position accurately. The diagnostic is constructed mainly from fiber-optic telecommunications components. The distance measurement is based on a technique described by Xia and Zhang [Opt. Express 18, 4118 (2010)], which determines the target distance every 20 ns and is independent of the target speed. We have extended the full range of the diagnostic to several centimeters to allow its use in dynamic experiments, and we multiplexed it with a photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV) system so that distance and velocity histories can be measured simultaneously using one fiber-optic probe. The diagnostic was demonstrated on a spinning square cylinder to show how integrating a PDV record can give an incorrect surface position and how the ranging diagnostic described here obtains it directly. The diagnostic was also tested on an explosive experiment where copper fragments and surface ejecta were identified in both the distance and velocity signals. We show how the distance measurements complement the velocity data. Potential applications are discussed.

Thermal transport in shock wave-compressed solids using pulsed laser heating.

A pulsed laser heating method was developed for determining thermal transport properties of solids under shock-wave compression. While the solid is compressed, a laser deposits a known amount of heat onto the sample surface, which is held in the shocked state by a transparent window. The heat from the laser briefly elevates the surface temperature and then diffuses into the interior via one-dimensional heat conduction. The thermal effusivity is determined from the time history of the resulting surface temperature pulse, which is recorded with optical pyrometry. Thermal effusivity is the square root of the product of thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity and is the key thermal transport parameter for relating the surface temperature to the interior temperature of the sample in a dynamic compression experiment. Therefore, this method provides information that is needed to determine the thermodynamic state of the interior of a compressed metal sample from a temperature measurement at the surface. The laser heat method was successfully demonstrated on tin that was shock compressed with explosives to a stress and temperature of ~25 GPa and ~1300 K. In this state, tin was observed to have a thermal effusivity of close to twice its ambient value. The implications on determining the interior shock wave temperature of tin are discussed.

Hydraulic performance of a permeable reactive barrier at Casey Station, Antarctica.

A permeable bio-reactive barrier (PRB) was installed at Casey Station, Antarctica in 2005/06 to intercept, capture and degrade petroleum hydrocarbons from a decade old fuel spill. A funnel and gate configuration was selected and implemented. The reactive gate was split into five separate cells to enable the testing of five different treatment combinations. Although different treatment materials were used in each cell, each treatment combination contained the following reactive zones: a zone for the controlled release of nutrients to enhance degradation, a zone for hydrocarbon capture and enhanced degradation, and a zone to capture excess nutrients. The materials selected for each of these zones had other requirements, these included; not having any adverse impact on the environment, being permeable enough to capture the entire catchment flow, and having sufficient residence time to fully capture migrating hydrocarbons. Over a five year period the performance of the PRB was extensively monitored and evaluated for nutrient concentration, fuel retention and permeability. At the end of the five year test period the material located within the reactive gate was excavated, total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations present on the material determined and particle size analysis conducted. This work found that although maintaining media reactivity is obviously important, the most critical aspect of PRB performance is preserving the permeability of the barrier itself, in this case by maintaining appropriate particle size distribution. This is particularly important when PRBs are installed in regions that are subject to freeze thaw processes that may result in particle disintegration over time.

Reduction in interval cancer rates following the introduction of two-view mammography in the UK breast screening programme.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of two-view mammography at incident (subsequent) screens in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) has led to an increased number of cancers detected at screen. However, the effect of two-view mammography on interval cancer rates has yet to be assessed. METHODS: Routine screening and interval cancer data were collated from all screening programmes in the United Kingdom for women aged 50-64, screened between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2005. Interval cancer rates were compared based on whether two-view mammography was in use at the last routine screen. RESULTS: The reduction in interval cancers following screening using two-view mammography compared with one view was 0.68 per 1,000 women screened. Overall, this suggests the introduction of two-view mammography at incident screen was accompanied by a 15-20% reduction in interval cancer rates in the NHSBSP. CONCLUSION: The introduction of two-view mammography at incident screens is associated with a reduction in incidence of interval cancers. This is consistent with previous publications on a contemporaneous increase in screen-detected cancers. The results provide further evidence of the benefit of the use of two-view mammography at incident screens.