Quantification of α-particle radiation damage in zircon

Analysis of radiation damage in natural mineral analogs such as zircon is important for the evaluation of the long-term behavior of nuclear waste forms and for geochronology. Here we present results of experiments to determine the partitioning of radiation damage due to the heavy nuclear recoil of uranium and thorium daughters and the α-particles ejected in an α-decay event in zircon. Synthetic polycrystalline zircon ceramics were doped with 10B and irradiated in a slow neutron flux for 1, 10, and 28 days to achieve the reaction 10B + n → 7Li + α (+2.79 MeV), creating an α event without a heavy nuclear recoil. The 7Li atoms produced in the nuclear reaction were directly detected by NMR “spin-counting”, providing a precise measurement of the α-dose applied to each sample. The amount of damage (number fraction and volume fraction) created by each α-event (one α-event being a 7Li + α-particle) has been quantified using radiological nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction data. The number of permanently displaced atoms in the amorphous fraction was determined by 29Si NMR to be 252 ± 24 atoms for the 10B(n,α) event when the heavy recoil is absent, which is broadly in agreement with ballistic Monte Carlo calculations. The unit-cell swelling of the crystalline fraction, determined by X-ray diffraction, is small and anisotropic. The anisotropy is similar to that observed in ancient natural samples and implies an initial anisotropic swelling mechanism rather than an anisotropic recovery mechanism occurring over geological timescales. The small unit-cell volume swelling is only ~6% of the expansion frequently attributed to α-particles associated with an actinide α-decay event. The lattice parameters indicate a volume increase as α function of a dose of 0.21 A3/1018 α-events/g, which is significantly less than the increase of 3.55 A3/1018 α-events/g seen in Pu-doped zircon and 2.18 A3/1018 α-events/g seen in natural zircon. It is concluded that the heavy recoil plays a more important role in unit-cell swelling than previously predicted. The likely mechanism for such an effect is the rapid, and thus defect-rich, recrystallization of material initially displaced by the heavy recoil

Privacy and Dignity in Continence Care Project Phase 2.

This report provides an account of the methods and findings of Phase 2 of the Privacy and Dignity in Continence Care for Older People study funded by the Royal College of Physicians and the British Geriatrics Society. The overall objectives of this two year project were to: • Identify and validate person-centred attributes of dignity in relation to continence; • Develop reflective guidelines for dignified care; • Produce recommendations for best practice

Academic achievement at ages 11 and 16 in children born with congenital anomalies in England: A multi-registry linked cohort study

\ua9 2024 The Authors. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Background: Children born with major congenital anomalies (CAs) have lower academic achievement compared with their peers, but the existing evidence is restricted to a number of specific CAs. Objectives: To investigate academic outcomes at ages 11 and 16 in children with major isolated structural CAs and children with Down or Turner syndromes. Methods: This population-based cohort study linked data on approximately 11,000 school-aged children born with major CAs in 1994–2004 registered by four regional CA registries in England with education data from the National Pupil Database (NPD). The comparison group was a random sample of children without major CAs from the background population recorded in the NPD that were frequency matched (5:1) to children with CAs by birth year, sex and geographical area. Results: Overall, 71.9%, 73.0% and 80.9% of children with isolated structural CAs achieved the expected attainment level at age 11 compared to 78.3%, 80.6% and 86.7% of the comparison group in English language, Mathematics and Science, respectively. Children with nervous system CAs as a whole had the lowest proportion who achieved the expected attainment at age 11. At age 16, 46.9% of children with CAs achieved the expected level compared to 52.5% of their peers. Major CAs were associated with being up to 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8%, 11%) and 12% (95% CI 9%, 14%) less likely to achieve expected levels at ages 11 and 16, respectively, after adjustment for socioeconomic deprivation. Conclusions: Although many children with isolated CAs achieved the expected academic level at ages 11 and 16, they were at higher risk of underachievement compared to their peers. These stark yet cautiously encouraging results are important for counselling parents of children with specific CAs and also highlight the possible need for special education support to reduce potential academic difficulties

Understanding what works, why and in what circumstances in Hospice at Home Services for End of Life Care: applying a realist logic of analysis to a systematically searched literature review

Background: We have undertaken a systematically searched literature review using a realist logic of analysis to help synthesise the diverse range of literature available on hospice at home services. Aim: To find out in the existing literature what features of hospice at home models work best, for whom and under what circumstances. Design: A realist logic of analysis was applied to synthesise the evidence focusing on mechanisms by which an intervention worked (or did not work). An initial programme theory was developed using the National Association for Hospice at Home standards, Normalisation Process Theory and through refinement using stakeholder engagement. Data sources: PubMed, Science Direct, AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, Health Business Elite, HMIC, Medline, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, DARE, Google Scholar, NHS Evidence, NIHR CRN portfolio database, NIHR journal library of funded studies, including searches on websites of relevant professional bodies [August 2014, June 2017, June 2019]. Results: Forty-nine papers were reviewed, of which 34 wereincluded contributing evidence to at least one of eight theory areas: marketing and referral, sustainable funding model, service responsiveness and availability, criteria for service admission, knowledge and skills of care providers, integration and co-ordination, anticipatory care, support directed at carers. Conclusions: Our literature review showed how it was possible to develop a coherent framework and test it against 34 published papers and abstracts. Central to this review was theory building, and as further evidence emerges, our programme theories can be refined and tested against any new empirical evidence

Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study

Tens of thousands of children are sick with multidrugresistant forms of tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but there are limited child-friendly delivery systems for second-line medications. This case study presents the devel opment of a granular dosing spoon pediatric delivery system for para-aminosalicylic acid. This product is the first of its kind for MDR-TB and could serve as a model for the development of other urgently needed pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs

Novel pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis medications: a case study

Tens of thousands of children are sick with multidrugresistant forms of tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but there are limited child-friendly delivery systems for second-line medications. This case study presents the devel opment of a granular dosing spoon pediatric delivery system for para-aminosalicylic acid. This product is the first of its kind for MDR-TB and could serve as a model for the development of other urgently needed pediatric delivery systems for second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs