An Energy Dependent Model for Type I Magnetic Contrast in the Scanning Electron Microscope

The modelling of the magnetic contrast phenomenon in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) is important in understanding the physics of the contrast mechanism and the associated signal detection. In this paper, we report an improved analytical model for Type I magnetic contrast calculations using an approximate form of the Chung and Everhart secondary electron (SE) energy distribution. Previous studies have neglected this factor by assuming a mono-energetic model in order to simplify the calculations. This new model can be used to study different material specimens by appropriate choice of the work function and field-distance integral. The effect of energy filtering on the Type I magnetic contrast and quality factor can also be studied with the improved model by substituting the low and high energy limits of the filtered SE distribution into the closed-form analytical expressions obtained. Results of the above-mentioned effects and the effect of collector aperturing are reported in this paper using the new improved energy dependent model

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Precision medicine and adverse drug reactions related to cardiovascular drugs

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of death. Early intervention, with lifestyle advice alongside appropriate medical therapies, is fundamental to reduce patient mortality among high-risk individuals. For those who live with the daily challenges of cardiovascular disease, pharmacological management aims to relieve symptoms and prevent disease progression. Despite best efforts, prescription drugs are not without their adverse effects, which can cause significant patient morbidity and consequential economic burden for healthcare systems. Patients with cardiovascular diseases are often among the most vulnerable to adverse drug reactions due to multiple co-morbidities and advanced age. Examining a patient’s genome to assess for variants that may alter drug efficacy and susceptibility to adverse reactions underpins pharmacogenomics. This strategy is increasingly being implemented in clinical cardiology to tailor patient therapies. The identification of specific variants associated with adverse drug effects aims to predict those at greatest risk of harm, allowing alternative therapies to be given. This review will explore current guidance available for pharmacogenomic-based prescribing as well as exploring the potential implementation of genetic risk scores to tailor treatment. The benefits of large databases and electronic health records will be discussed to help facilitate the integration of pharmacogenomics into primary care, the heartland of prescribing

An exact universal amplitude ratio for percolation

The universal amplitude ratio $\tilde{R}_{\xi}$ for percolation in two dimensions is determined exactly using results for the dilute A model in regime 1, by way of a relationship with the q-state Potts model for q<4.Comment: 5 pages, LaTeX, submitted to J. Phys. A. One paragraph rewritten to correct error

COVID-19-Associated Cardiovascular Complications

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported to cause cardiovascular complications such as myocardial injury, thromboembolic events, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Multiple mechanisms—some overlapping, notably the role of inflammation and IL-6—potentially underlie these complications. The reported cardiac injury may be a result of direct viral invasion of cardiomyocytes with consequent unopposed effects of angiotensin II, increased metabolic demand, immune activation, or microvascular dysfunction. Thromboembolic events have been widely reported in both the venous and arterial systems that have attracted intense interest in the underlying mechanisms. These could potentially be due to endothelial dysfunction secondary to direct viral invasion or inflammation. Additionally, thromboembolic events may also be a consequence of an attempt by the immune system to contain the infection through immunothrombosis and neutrophil extracellular traps. Cardiac arrhythmias have also been reported with a wide range of implicated contributory factors, ranging from direct viral myocardial injury, as well as other factors, including at-risk individuals with underlying inherited arrhythmia syndromes. Heart failure may also occur as a progression from cardiac injury, precipitation secondary to the initiation or withdrawal of certain drugs, or the accumulation of des-Arg9-bradykinin (DABK) with excessive induction of pro-inflammatory G protein coupled receptor B1 (BK1). The presenting cardiovascular symptoms include chest pain, dyspnoea, and palpitations. There is currently intense interest in vaccine-induced thrombosis and in the treatment of Long COVID since many patients who have survived COVID-19 describe persisting health problems. This review will summarise the proposed physiological mechanisms of COVID-19-associated cardiovascular complications

Adaptation of an internet-based depression prevention intervention for Chinese adolescents: from "CATCH-IT" to "grasp the opportunity"

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A staged approach with vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone followed by bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Bortezomib-based regimens have significant activities in multiple myeloma (MM). In this study, we tested the efficacy of a total therapy with a staged approach where newly diagnosed MM patients received vincristine/adriamycin/dexamethsone (VAD). VAD-sensitive patients (≥75% paraprotein reduction) received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT), whereas less VAD-sensitive patients (<75% paraprotein reduction) received bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone (VTD) for further cytoreduction prior to auto-HSCT. On an intention-to-treat analysis, a progressive increase of complete remission (CR) rates was observed, with cumulative CR rates of 48% after HSCT. Seven patients progressed leading to three fatalities, of which two had central nervous system disease. The 3-year overall survival and event-free survival were 75.1% and 48.3%, respectively. Six patients developed oligoclonal reconstitution with new paraproteins. In the absence of anticoagulant prophylaxis, no patients developed deep vein thrombosis. The staged application of VAD+/–VTD/auto-HSCT resulted in an appreciable response rate and promising survivals. Our approach reduced the use of bortezomib without compromising the ultimate CR rate and is of financial significance for less affluent communities