Isentropic Compression Experiments Performed By LLNL On Energetic Material Samples Using The Z Accelerator

Several experiments have been conducted by LLNL researchers using isentropic compression experiments (ICE) on energetic materials as samples from Fiscal Year 2001 (FY01) to Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05). Over this span of time, advancements of the experimental techniques and modeling of the results have evolved to produce improved results. This report documents the experiments that have been performed, provides details of the results generated, and modeling and analysis advances to fully understand the results. Publications on the topics by the various principal investigators (PI's) are detailed in the Appendices for quick reference for the work as it progressed

Clinical implications of serum neurofilament in newly diagnosed MS patients: a longitudinal multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND: We aim to evaluate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), indicating neuroaxonal damage, as a biomarker at diagnosis in a large cohort of early multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. METHODS: In a multicentre prospective longitudinal observational cohort, patients with newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) were recruited between August 2010 and November 2015 in 22 centers. Clinical parameters, MRI, and sNfL levels (measured by single molecule array) were assessed at baseline and up to four-year follow-up. FINDINGS: Of 814 patients, 54.7% (445) were diagnosed with RRMS and 45.3% (369) with CIS when applying 2010 McDonald criteria (RRMS[2010] and CIS[2010]). After reclassification of CIS[2010] patients with existing CSF analysis, according to 2017 criteria, sNfL levels were lower in CIS[2017] than RRMS[2017] patients (9.1 pg/ml, IQR 6.2-13.7 pg/ml, n = 45; 10.8 pg/ml, IQR 7.4-20.1 pg/ml, n = 213; p = 0.036). sNfL levels correlated with number of T2 and Gd+ lesions at baseline and future clinical relapses. Patients receiving disease-modifying therapy (DMT) during the first four years had higher baseline sNfL levels than DMT-naïve patients (11.8 pg/ml, IQR 7.5-20.7 pg/ml, n = 726; 9.7 pg/ml, IQR 6.4-15.3 pg/ml, n = 88). Therapy escalation decisions within this period were reflected by longitudinal changes in sNfL levels. INTERPRETATION: Assessment of sNfL increases diagnostic accuracy, is associated with disease course prognosis and may, particularly when measured longitudinally, facilitate therapeutic decisions

Participation in education among older people

National random sample data on 4254 people in four adult age categories were analyzed with regard to enrollments in different kinds of education settings, enrollment motives, and barriers to enrollment. Further analysis compared participants to nonparticipants. Most adult enrollments were at the college or university level before age 40, in other settings thereafter, and instrumental motives were predominant across the lifespan. Lack of time and interest were major barriers to enrollment among older people, and those enrolled generally had higher prior educational attainments, were younger, and lived in urban or suburban locations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44538/1/10755_2005_Article_BF01080356.pd

Supplementary Material for: Association of Delirium Incidence with Visitation Restrictions due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Acute Cerebrovascular Disease in a Stroke-Unit Setting: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Hospitals around the world introduced considerable visitation restrictions to reduce risk of infection during epidemic spread of SARS-CoV2. Understanding of negative impacts of visitation restrictions on subgroups of patients may help to balance and adjust policies accordingly or introduce further measures to mitigate their impact. We aimed to investigate the association of visitation restrictions with delirium incidence in stroke-unit patients. Methods: In a non-randomized observational design, data from 5,779 stroke-unit cases with transient ischemic attack or stroke (ischemic/hemorrhagic) admitted between January 2017 and November 2021 were compared between three groups depending on visitation policy implemented at time of admission: pandemic-associated absolute visitation restriction (n = 1,087), limited visitation policy (n = 862), and pre-pandemic visitation policy (n = 3,830). Univariate comparison and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association of delirium with visitation restrictions. Results: We observed delirium incidences of 6.3% during pandemic-associated absolute visitation restriction, 5.8% with limited visitation policy, and 5.1% with pre-pandemic visitation policy (p = 0.239). In multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for clinically relevant variables, we found the presence of any pandemic-associated visitation restriction (odds ratio [OR] 1.363, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.066–1.744, p = 0.014) and specifically absolute visitation restriction (OR 1.368, 95% CI: 1.016–1.843, p = 0.039) independently associated with delirium in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Other factors independently associated with delirium were older age, male sex, stroke versus transient ischemic attack, acute infection, history of dementia, and longer duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: Pandemic-associated visitation restrictions and specifically absolute visitation restrictions are associated with a higher incidence of delirium among stroke-unit patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Benefit and harm of visitation restrictions should be carefully weighed and adjustments considered for patients otherwise at increased risk for delirium