Scandium 45 in meteoritic irons

This report presents the results of determinations of cosmogenic ^Sc and light noble gases in iron meteorites. Sc and REE were simultaneously determined using radiochemical neutron activation method. This method is sensitive enough for detection of as little as lower than 10^gSc/g, compared to the level of cosmic ray effects in irons which are usually in the range of 10^-10^gSc/g. The lowest concentration found in irons was 2×10^gSc/g in the Campo del Cielo and similar contents were observed in the Gibeon, DRP-78008 (and Brenham-metal). Even at these low levels, Sc seems mostly attributable to cosmic ray production. The Sc content in irons is best compared with cosmogenic ^4He. The ratio of Sc to ^4He, approximately 1×10^gSc/1×10^cc ^4He, or an average atomic ratio of 1 : 19±3,was observed independent of shielding. Technical aspects of metal phase separation from ordinary chondrites were studied. In one Peace River metal sample, 0.9 ppbSc was found. This number corresponds to 0.01% of the stone phase in the metal. This level of contamination seems still higher than the cosmogenic level of 0.2 ppbSc expected in the metal phase of this meteorite

The study on the strategies of choosing music schools from the viewpoint of Kansei engineering

This research is to apply the kansei engineering to the study of choosing music schools. The purpose is to help parents select the perceptual characteristics and priorities of environment elements which are suitable for children to learn music. In this study, the combinations of Nagai method (5W1H), AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling) and GRA (Grey Relational Analysis) are used to clarify the development characteristics of music schools, and establish feasible options and assessment models. It is hoped to provide good references for the parents who wish to let their children engaged in music education

A Learning Outcomes Assessment Analysis based on the Mathematical Modeling of RaschGSP Curve, GSM and MSM

This paper presents an educational praxis of classroom assessment in curriculum and learning outcomes of “Introduction to Education”, and constructs assessment tool and analyzes them based on the mathematical modeling, the former with Q Matrix and ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling), the latter mainly with Nagai’s GSP (Grey S-P) Chart, RaschGSP Curve, GSM (Grey Structural Modeling) and MSM (Matrix Based Structure Modeling). It aims: (1) To use and implement numerical value as the code for processing data, (2) To analyze and diagnose based on raw numerical values, (3) To illustrate and explain in visual diagraph analysis. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that applying mathematical logic in educational research, and such tools are not in favor of the quantitative approach, rather claimed unique feature of math logic, in benefit to: (1) Interface qualitative contextual analysis and quantitative numerical characters as the whole, (2) Convert teaching-learning praxis into binary numerical data, (3) Address alternative interdisciplinary educational research

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362