Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Study of Organic-Inorganic Halide: FAPbIxBr3−x Perovskite Thin Films by Two-Step Method

Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) was used to investigate the role of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solvent in the synthesis of organic-lead-halide perovskite CH(NH2)2PbIxBr3−x [FAPbIxBr3−x] thin films including the effect of I/Br composition ratio by the two-step reaction of an amorphous (a-)PbIxBr2−x layer and FAIxBr1−x solution diluted in IPA. An optical dispersion model was developed to extract the complex refractive index N (=n + ik), optical transition, and film thickness of FAPbIxBr3−x perovskites by SE analysis at different I/Br composition ratio as a function of immersion time in a solution of FAIxBr1−x diluted in IPA. SE combined with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that Br incorporation into films promoted the densification of FAPbIxBr3−x perovskite network along with increased film thickness and volume fraction of void. IPA promoted film crystallization of a-PbIxBr2−x accompanied by the formation of surface roughness, grain boundaries, and voids, followed by enhanced diffusion of FAIxBr1−x into the grain boundaries/voids in the mesoporous crystallized PbIxBr2−x network. These processes contribute synergistically to the growth of the perovskite structure

Higgsino Dark Matter or Not: Role of Disappearing Track Searches at the LHC and Future Colliders

Higgsino in supersymmetric standard models is known to be a promising candidate for dark matter in the Universe. Its phenomenological property is strongly affected by the gaugino fraction in the Higgsino-like state. If this is sizable, in other words, if gaugino masses are less than ${\cal O}(10)$ TeV, we may probe the Higgsino dark matter in future non-accelerator experiments such as dark matter direct searches and measurements of electric dipole moments. On the other hand, if gauginos are much heavier, then it is hard to search for Higgsino in these experiments. In this case, due to a lack of gaugino components, the mass difference between the neutral and charged Higgsinos is uniquely determined by electroweak interactions to be around $350$ MeV, which makes the heavier charged state rather long-lived, with a decay length of about $1$ cm. In this letter, we argue that a charged particle with a flight length of ${\cal O}(1)$ cm can be probed in disappearing-track searches if we require only two hits in the pixel detector. Even in this case, we can reduce background events with the help of the displaced-vertex reconstruction technique. We study the prospects of this search strategy at the LHC and future colliders for the Higgsino dark matter scenario. It is found that an almost pure Higgsino is indeed within the reach of the future $33$ TeV collider experiments. We then discuss that the interplay among collider and non-accelerator experiments plays a crucial role in testing the Higgsino dark matter scenarios. Our strategy for disappearing-track searches can also enlarge the discovery potential of pure wino dark matter as well as other electroweak-charged dark matter candidates.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

How Heavy can Neutralino Dark Matter be?

What is the upper limit of the mass of the neutralino dark matter whose thermal relic is consistent with the observation? If the neutralino dark matter and colored sparticles are extremely degenerated in mass, with a mass difference less than the QCD scale, the dark matter annihilation is significantly increased and enjoys the "second freeze-out" after the QCD phase transition. In this case, the neutralino dark matter with a mass much greater than 100 TeV can realize the correct dark matter abundance. We study the dark matter abundance and its detection in the case of such highly degenerated mass spectrum of the neutralino dark matter and colored supersymmetric particles.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure

A giant subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma arising in the inguinal region

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma is a rare condition that accounts for 1% to 2% of all superficial soft tissue malignancies. Approximately 10% of cases arise in the trunk, although the extremities are the most commonly affected. CASE PRESENTATION: We report herein the case of a 31-year-old man with a subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma, measuring 124 × 105 mm, arising in the left inguinal region. A wide local excision (with a resection margin ≥ 20 mm) was performed. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed a leiomyosarcoma with high cellularity and two mitoses per 10 high-power fields. The patient remains well with no evidence of disease 5 years and 8 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma arising in the inguinal region and also one of the largest tumors reported. The experience of this case and a review of the English-language literature (PubMed, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA) suggest that a resection margin of ≥ 10 mm is recommended when excising this rare tumor

What impact does postgraduate clinical training have on empathy among Japanese trainee dentists?

Background Enhancing empathy in healthcare education is a critical component in the development of a relationship between healthcare professionals and patients that would ensure better patient care; improved patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, patients’ medication self-efficacy, improved treatment outcomes, and reduced patient anxiety. Unfortunately, however, the decline of empathy among students has been frequently reported. It is especially common when the curriculum transitions to a clinical setting. However, some studies have questioned the significance and frequency of this decline. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of postgraduate clinical training on dental trainees’ empathy from cognitive, behavioral, and patients’ perspective. Methods This study included 64 trainee dentists at Okayama University Hospital and 13 simulated patients (SPs). The trainee dentists carried out initial medical interviews with SPs twice, at the beginning and the end of their clinical training. The trainees completed the Japanese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for health professionals just before each medical interview. The SPs evaluated the trainees’ communication using an assessment questionnaire immediately after the medical interviews. The videotaped dialogue from the medical interviews was analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System. Results No significant difference was found in the self-reported empathy score of trainees at the beginning and the end of the clinical training (107.73 [range, 85–134] vs. 108.34 [range, 69–138]; p = 0.643). Considering the results according to gender, male scored 104.06 (range, 88–118) vs. 101.06 (range, 71–122; p = 0.283) and female 109.17 (range, 85–134) vs. 111.20 (range, 69–138; p = 0.170). Similarly, there was no difference in the SPs’ evaluation of trainees’ communication (10.73 vs. 10.38, p = 0.434). Communication behavior in the emotional responsiveness category for trainees in the beginning was significantly higher than that at the end (2.47 vs. 1.14, p = 0.000). Conclusions Overall, a one-year postgraduate dental training program neither reduced nor increased trainee dentists’ empathy levels. Providing regular education support in this area may help trainees foster their empathy

Predictive Value of the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index for Cardiovascular Events in Patients at Cardiovascular Risk

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is an important predictor of cardiovascular events; however, indexes for measuring arterial stiffness have not been widely incorporated into routine clinical practice. This study aimed to determine whether the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), based on the blood pressure-independent stiffness parameter beta and reflecting arterial stiffness from the origin of the ascending aorta, is a good predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease risk factors in a large prospective cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter prospective cohort study, commencing in May 2013, with a 5-year follow-up period, included patients (aged 40-74 years) with cardiovascular disease risks. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Among 2932 included patients, 2001 (68.3%) were men; the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 63 (8) years. During the median follow-up of 4.9 years, 82 participants experienced primary outcomes. The CAVI predicted the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study demonstrated that the CAVI predicted cardiovascular events

Effects of Perioperative Management Training Program on the Awareness of Team Medicine among Trainee Dentists

　質が高く、安心・安全な医療を実現していくために、チーム医療の促進は重要な課題であり、チーム医療を担う医療人の育成が必要とされている。岡山大学病院歯科医師臨床研修では、平成23年度から周術期管理センターを研修の場とする「チーム医療研修プログラム」を開始した。本報告では、研修歯科医のプログラムに対する関心とチーム医療に関する理解に与えた効果をアンケート調査によって検討することを目的とした。対象は平成23年度本学病院研修歯科医44名とし、医師、看護師、薬剤師、理学療法士、管理栄養士など多職種によって行われる周術期管理チーム医療を体験させた。受講前には本プログラムに対する期待度を、受講後には満足度、有意義度について質問し、研修歯科医のプログラムに対する関心度を評価した。また、プログラム受講前後に周術期チーム医療に関する用語や職種について質問し、チーム医療に関する理解度を評価した。90.9%の研修歯科医がプログラムに対して期待し、受講後は88.6%が満足だった、84.1%が有意義だったと回答した。さらに、周術期管理に関する用語について主観的理解度が向上し、チーム医療にかかわる職種についての理解が深まった。歯科医師臨床研修におけるチーム医療教育の方法として、周術期管理チーム医療の現場に実際に関与させるプログラムは、研修歯科医の関心が高く、研修歯科医の周術期管理チーム医療に対する理解を深めることが示唆された