Synthetic Cannabinoid-Related Deaths in England, 2012-2019.

Aim: To identify drug-related death trends associated with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) reported to the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (NPSAD) from England. Design: Case reports from NPSAD (England) where a SCRA was detected in post-mortem tissue(s) and/or implicated in the death were extracted, analyzed, and compared against non-SCRA-related deaths that occurred over the same time period (2012-2019). Findings: One hundred sixty-five death SCRA-related reports were extracted, with 18 different SCRAs detected. Following the first death in 2012, a subsequent sharp increase in reporting is evident. Acute SCRA use was the underlying cause of death in the majority of cases (75.8%) with cardiorespiratory complications the most frequently cited underlying physiological cause (13.4%). SCRA users were predominantly found dead (68.6%), with a large proportion of those witnessed becoming unresponsive described as suddenly collapsing (81.6%). Psychoactive polydrug use was detected in 90.3% of cases, with alcohol the most commonly co-detected (50.3%), followed by opioids (42.2%), benzodiazepines/Z-drugs (32.1%), stimulants (32.1%, [28.5% cocaine]), and cannabis (24.8%). Compared to all non-SCRA-related NPSAD deaths occurring over the same time period, SCRA-related decedents were more predominantly male (90.3% vs. 72.0%; p<0.01), and lived in more deprived areas (p<0.01). While a comparatively significant proportion of decedents were homeless (19.4% vs. 4.1%), living in a hostel (13.3% vs. 2.3%) or in prison (4.9% vs. 0.2%) at time of death (all p<0.01), the greatest majority of SCRA-related decedents were living in private residential accommodations (57.6%). Conclusions: This is the largest dataset regarding SCRA-related mortalities reported to date. Reporting of SCRA-related deaths in England have increased considerably, with polydrug use a specific concern. Lack of effective deterrents to SCRA use under current UK legislation, compounded by limited knowledge regarding the physiological impacts of SCRA consumption and their interaction with other co-administered substances are contributory factors to the occurrence of SCRA-related mortalities in an increasingly deprived demographic

Growth and characterization of heteroepitaxial La-substituted BaSnO3_3 films on SrTiO3_3 (001) and SmScO3_3 (110) substrates

Heteroepitaxial growth of BaSnO$_3$ (BSO) and Ba$_{1-x}$La$_x$SnO$_3$ (x = 7 %) (LBSO) thin films on different perovskite single crystal (SrTiO$_3$ (001) and SmScO$_3$ (110)) substrates has been achieved by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) under optimized deposition conditions. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the films on either of these substrates are relaxed due to the large mismatch and present a high degree of crystallinity with narrow rocking curves and smooth surface morphology while analytical quantification by proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) confirms the stoichiometric La transfer from a polyphasic target, producing films with La contents above the bulk solubility limit. The films show degenerate semiconducting behavior on both substrates, with the observed room temperature resistivities, Hall mobilities and carrier concentrations of 4.4 $m \Omega cm$, 10.11 $cm^2 V^{-1} s^{-1}$, and 1.38 $\cdot 10^{20} cm^{-3}$ on SmScO$_3$ and 7.8 $m \Omega cm$, 5.8 $cm^2 V^{-1} s^{-1}$, and 1.36 $\cdot 10^{20} cm^{-3}$ on SrTiO$_3$ ruling out any extrinsic contribution from the substrate. The superior electrical properties observed on the SmScO3 substrate are attributed to reduction in dislocation density from the lower lattice mismatch.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, supplementary informations 2 figure

Approximate Quantum Cloning with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Here we describe a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiment that uses a three qubit NMR device to implement the one to two approximate quantum cloning network of Buzek et al.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX4 including 5 postscript figures. Submitted to PR

Steam reforming on transition-metal carbides from density-functional theory

A screening study of the steam reforming reaction (CH_4 + H_2O -> CO + 3H_2) on early transition-metal carbides (TMC's) is performed by means of density-functional theory calculations. The set of considered surfaces includes the alpha-Mo_2C(100) surfaces, the low-index (111) and (100) surfaces of TiC, VC, and delta-MoC, and the oxygenated alpha-Mo_2C(100) and TMC(111) surfaces. It is found that carbides provide a wide spectrum of reactivities towards the steam reforming reaction, from too reactive via suitable to too inert. The reactivity is discussed in terms of the electronic structure of the clean surfaces. Two surfaces, the delta-MoC(100) and the oxygen passivated alpha-Mo_2C(100) surfaces, are identified as promising steam reforming catalysts. These findings suggest that carbides provide a playground for reactivity tuning, comparable to the one for pure metals.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Using mobile phone technology to support young liver transplant recipients moving to adult services: a systematic rapid review

Background: The process and preparation of moving from child to adult services (transition) is a challenging period of time for young people and represents significant changes in care and support systems. The proliferation of mobile phone applications for health purposes suggests that it is an area for further investigation. Objective: The review explores the potential to use mobile phone technology to help support young liver transplant recipients moving to adult services. It represents the first review conducted in this specialism and considers a new model of support for young liver patients. Methods: A systematic rapid review of the published peer-reviewed literature. Results: Two searches were conducted: Search 1: the use of technology to support transition to adult services (6 studies) and Search 2: how best to support liver transplant recipients during transition (6 studies). Discussion: Research shows that to achieve positive transition young people need information about their condition and transition. The process needs to be guided by transition readiness, rather than the young persons’ age. Although parents and support networks should be in place and are valued, transition should build upon self-management and independence. Results suggest that there appears to be scope to use mobile phone technology to support transition. This is the first time a review has explored the types of issues or concerns facing liver transplant patients and how these can be addressed through mobile phone technology

The experiences of young liver patients transferring from children's to adult services and their support needs for a successful transition

Background: The period of transition from pediatric to adult services represents a time when young people need support, information, and appropriate care in order to successfully move. It is a period that is associated with nonadherence and disengagement with care. Objective: To explore the experiences of young liver transplant recipients transitioning to adult services and determine what they require in order to achieve a successful move. The research also explored the possibility of using a mobile phone application (app) as a tool to support transition. Design: Qualitative approach using novel arts-based focus groups and one-to-one interviews. Participants: Twenty-one young people aged 16 to 25 years, 16 health-care professionals involved in their care, and 7 young people as follow-up. Participants used services provided by the 3 liver centers in England (Leeds, Birmingham, and London). Results: Data highlighted the variability of transition pathways in England for young people moving from child to adult health services. The results showed that they required clear information regarding transition processes including specific medical information and that there was a shortfall in such information. Support was required in the form of a designated transition coordinator or similar specialist who could act as a point of reference and guidance throughout the process. Transitions needed to be individualized and based upon transition readiness rather than age, although the research showed that age cut-offs were still used. Conclusion: Young people welcomed apps to provide information, reminders, contacts, and connections. Future research should explore the efficacy of such apps

The experiences of young liver patients transferring from children's to adult services and their support needs for a successful transition

Background: The period of transition from pediatric to adult services represents a time when young people need support, information, and appropriate care in order to successfully move. It is a period that is associated with nonadherence and disengagement with care. Objective: To explore the experiences of young liver transplant recipients transitioning to adult services and determine what they require in order to achieve a successful move. The research also explored the possibility of using a mobile phone application (app) as a tool to support transition. Design: Qualitative approach using novel arts-based focus groups and one-to-one interviews. Participants: Twenty-one young people aged 16 to 25 years, 16 health-care professionals involved in their care, and 7 young people as follow-up. Participants used services provided by the 3 liver centers in England (Leeds, Birmingham, and London). Results: Data highlighted the variability of transition pathways in England for young people moving from child to adult health services. The results showed that they required clear information regarding transition processes including specific medical information and that there was a shortfall in such information. Support was required in the form of a designated transition coordinator or similar specialist who could act as a point of reference and guidance throughout the process. Transitions needed to be individualized and based upon transition readiness rather than age, although the research showed that age cut-offs were still used. Conclusion: Young people welcomed apps to provide information, reminders, contacts, and connections. Future research should explore the efficacy of such apps

Energy Efficiency/ Renewable Energy Impact in the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Preliminary Report: Integrated Nox Emisions Savings From EE/RE Programs Statewide

The Energy Systems Laboratory (Laboratory), at the Texas Engineering Experiment Station of the Texas A&M University System, in fulfillment of its responsibilities under Texas Health and Safety Code Ann. § 388.003 (e), submits this annual report, Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EE/RE) Impact in the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (Preliminary Report) to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This preliminary report shows the NOx emissions reductions from the energy-efficiency programs from multiple Texas State Agencies working under Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 7 in a uniform format to allow the TCEQ to consider the combined savings for Texas’ State Implementation Plan (SIP) planning purposes. This required that the analysis should include the integrated savings estimation from all projects projected through 2020 for both the annual and Ozone Season Day (OSD)1 NOx reductions. The year of 2008 was used for the baseline year to estimate the emissions. The NOx emissions reductions from all these programs were calculated using estimated emissions factors for 2010 from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) eGRID database, which had been specially prepared for this purpose

Crystal structure, electronic, and magnetic properties of the bilayered rhodium oxide Sr3Rh2O7

The bilayered rhodium oxide Sr3Rh2O7 was synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature heating techniques. The single-phase polycrystalline sample of Sr3Rh2O7 was characterized by measurements of magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, specific heat, and thermopower. The structural characteristics were investigated by powder neutron diffraction study. The rhodium oxide Sr3Rh2O7 [Bbcb, a = 5.4744(8) A, b = 5.4716(9) A, c = 20.875(2) A] is isostructural to the metamagnetic metal Sr3Ru2O7, with five 4d electrons per Rh, which is electronically equivalent to the hypothetic bilayered ruthenium oxide, where one electron per Ru is doped into the Ru-327 unit. The present data show the rhodium oxide Sr3Rh2O7 to be metallic with enhanced paramagnetism, similar to Sr3Ru2O7. However, neither manifest contributions from spin fluctuations nor any traces of a metamagnetic transition were found within the studied range from 2 K to 390 K below 70 kOe.Comment: To be published in PR