A study of cross sections for excitation of pseudostates

Using the electron-hydrogen scattering Temkin-Poet model we investigate the behavior of the cross sections for excitation of all of the states used in the convergent close-coupling (CCC) formalism. In the triplet channel, it is found that the cross section for exciting the positive-energy states is approximately zero near-threshold and remains so until a further energy, equal to the energy of the state, is added to the system. This is consistent with the step-function hypothesis [Bray, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 78} 4721 (1997)] and inconsistent with the expectations of Bencze and Chandler [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59} 3129 (1999)]. Furthermore, we compare the results of the CCC-calculated triplet and singlet single differential cross sections with the recent benchmark results of Baertschy et al. [Phys. Rev. A (to be published)], and find consistent agreement.Comment: Four pages, 5 figure

Improving Surveillance of Hepatitis C Infections Among Patients Receiving Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Background: Despite harm reduction efforts, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among individuals with opioid use disorder tripled between 2010 and 2015 in the US. Shifting disease burden from chronic to acute HCV, could result in $12 billion cumulative Medicaid savings in two years. Patients receiving medication for OUD (mOUD) remain at risk for HCV, but only receive screening upon admission. This project aims to implement a HCV re-screening protocol in a mOUD program, determine protocol sustainability, and secondarily evaluate need for point of care testing. Methods: Patients with a negative screening result upon admission were prompted to opt in/out of re-screening. Participants were offered onsite venipuncture. Patients declining, were asked if they’d reconsider if blood sample were obtained via finger stick. Stakeholders provided feedback regarding sustainability via online surveys. Results: Of the 496 eligible patients, 429[PMV1] (86%) completed the survey with 124 (29%) interested in rescreening, and 52 (41%) completed a venipuncture. Of these, 9 (17%) tested positive for HCV antibody and 7 (14%) had detectable HCV RNA. Of patients declining re-screening, n=185[PMV2] (52%), endorsed amenability to finger stick. Stakeholders (n=24) agreed that rescreening was easy to implement and appropriate to integrate into practice. Conclusions: Provision of less invasive screening modalities may increase rescreening uptake. Introducing opportunities for HCV re-screening leads to earlier detection and subsequent treatment initiation, and increases identification rates overall. Integration of HCV screening services at mOUD treatment programs provides a sustainable approach to HCV surveillance, and has the potential reduce the burden of infectious disease