A novel technique for zero-fluoroscopy catheter ablation is described using real-time tissue-tip contact force measurements for a 10-year-old boy who had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with a left-sided accessory
pathway.”
“Objective: To investigate the effects of two monetary incentives on response rates to postal questionnaires from primary care physicians (PCPs).
Study Design and Setting: The PCPs were randomized into three arms (n = 550 per arm), namely (1) (sic)5 sent with the questionnaire (cash); (2) entry into a draw on return of completed questionnaire (prize); or (3) no incentive. Effects of incentives on response rates and item nonresponse were examined, as was cost-effectiveness.
Results:
Response rates BMS-345541 cost were significantly higher in the cash (66.1%; 95% confidence interval YM155 [CI]: 61.9, 70.4%) and prize arms (44.8%; 95% CI: 40.1,49.3%) compared with the no-incentive arm (39.9%; 95% CI: 35.4, 44.3%). Adjusted relative risk of response was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.35) and 1.68 (95% CI: 1.48, 1.91) in the prize and cash arms, respectively, compared with the no-incentive group. Costs per completed questionnaire were (sic)9.85, (sic)11.15, and (sic)6.31 for the cash, prize, and no-incentive arms, respectively. Compared with the no-incentive arm, costs per additional questionnaire returned in the cash and prize arms were (sic)14.72 and (sic)37.20, respectively.
Conclusion: Both a modest cash incentive and entry into a prize draw were effective in increasing response
rates. The cash incentive was most effective and the most cost-effective. Where it is important to maximize response, a modest cash incentive may be cost-effective. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: Pb(II) is common in both waste-waters and gas emissions. In developing countries, public health problems have been reported concerning Pb(II) pollution, so that stringent measures are required to deal with it.
MAJOR RESULTS: The adsorption and desorption behaviour of Pb(II) has been investigated on a natural Chinese kaolin. Several factors, including initial concentration, pH, equilibration time, C59 Wnt purchase dosage and temperature correlated positively with Pb(II) adsorption. The Pb(II) adsorption capacity of natural kaolin was 165.117 mg g(-1). A kinetic study shows that Pb(II) adsorption on purified kaolin equilibrates within 35 min. The enthalpy changes of Pb(II) adsorption on purified kaolin were 63.683, 20.488 and 21.371 kJ mol(-1) with entropy changes 262.250, 112.210 and 105.120 J mol(-1) K(-1) for solutions containing 50, 100 and 200 mg L(-1) Pb(II) respectively, indicating an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process. The desorption of Pb(II) from kaolin was difficult with more than 85% Pb(II) removal.