bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of different cerebrospinal fluid and white matter fMRI filtering strategies—Quantifying noise removal and neural signal preservation
Authors: Bartoň Marek , Mareček Radek , Krajčovičová Lenka , Slavíček Tomáš , Kašpárek Tomáš , Zemánková Petra , Říha Pavel , Mikl Michal
Published: November 2018

This study examines the impact of using different cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and white matter (WM) nuisance signals for data‐driven filtering of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data as a cleanup method before analyzing intrinsic brain fluctuations. The routinely used temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio metric is inappropriate for assessing fMRI filtering suitability, as it evaluates only the reduction of data variability and does not assess the preservation of signals of interest. We defined a new metric that evaluates the preservation of selected neural signal correlates, and we compared its performance with a recently published signal–noise separation metric. These two methods provided converging evidence of the unfavorable impact of commonly used filtering approaches that exploit higher numbers of principal components from CSF and WM compartments (typically 5 + 5 for CSF and WM, respectively). When using only the principal components as nuisance signals, using a lower number of signals results in a better performance (i.e., 1 + 1 performed best). However, there was evidence that this routinely used approach consisting of 1 + 1 principal components may not be optimal for filtering resting‐state (RS) fMRI data, especially when RETROICOR filtering is applied during the data preprocessing. The evaluation of task data indicated the appropriateness of 1 + 1 principal components, but when RETROICOR was applied, there was a change in the optimal filtering strategy. The suggested change for extracting WM (and also CSF in RETROICOR‐corrected RS data) is using local signals instead of extracting signals from a large mask using principal component analysis.
Low prioritization of latent tuberculosis infection—A systemic barrier to tuberculosis control: A qualitative study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Milinkovic Deborah A. , Birch Stephen , Scott Fran , Newbold K. Bruce , Hopkins Jessica , Saffie Muntasir , Essue Beverley M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in low‐incidence countries is an important global health priority, and Canada has committed to achieve this goal. The elimination of TB in low‐incidence countries requires effective management and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). This study aimed to understand and describe the system‐level barriers to LTBI treatment for immigrant populations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ontario, Canada.

Methods

A qualitative study that used purposive sampling to recruit and interview health system advisors and planners (n = 10), providers (n = 13), and clients of LTBI health services (n = 9). Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis.

Results

Low prioritization of LTBI was an overarching theme that impacted four dimensions of LTBI care: management, service delivery, health literacy, and health care access. These factors explained, in part, inequities in the system that were linked to variations in health care quality and health care access. While some planners and providers at the local level were attempting to prioritize LTBI care, there was no clear pathway for information sharing.

Conclusions

This multiperspective study identified barriers beyond the typical socioeconomic determinants and highlighted important upstream factors that hinder treatment initiation and adherence. Addressing these factors is critical if Canada is to meet the WHO's global call to eradicate TB in all low incidence settings.
Health and the Sustainable Development Goals: Challenges for four Pacific countries
Authors: Hall Nina L. , Matthews Sophie , Hickson Arabella , Hill Peter S.
Published: November 2018

Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) focuses on health and well‐being. To understand the in‐country monitoring challenges for developing countries of reporting against SDG 3, this research sought published data for the four Pacific countries of Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—within a region with well‐documented and significant health challenges. This research found that there are limited recent, comprehensive, and comparable data with identified sources against the SDG 3 outcome indicators at an in‐country level. Without such data, there is a risk of relying on data that may be inaccurate because of aggregation, estimation, and modelling. The results from these data can influence the funding and other resources that could be made available to the Melanesian countries to address health inequities.
Separating climate change and human contributions to variations in streamflow and its components using eight time‐trend methods
Authors: Zhang Ling , Nan Zhuotong , Wang Weizhen , Ren Dong , Zhao Yanbo , Wu Xiaobo
Published: November 2018

Separating impacts of human activities and climate change on hydrology is essential for watershed and ecosystem management. Many previous studies have focused on the impacts on total streamflow, however, with little attentions paid to its components (i.e., baseflow and surface run‐off). This study distinguished the contributions of climate change and human activities to the variations in streamflow, baseflow, and surface run‐off in the upstream area of the Heihe River Basin, a typical inland river basin in northwest China, by using eight different forms of time‐trend methods. The isolated contributions to streamflow variation were also compared with those obtained by two Budyko‐based approaches. Our results showed that the time‐trend methods consistently estimated positive contributions of climate variability and human activities to the increases in streamflow and its components but with obviously varying magnitudes. With regard to streamflow, the time‐trend method double‐mass‐curve–Wei, with a physical basis, produced a reasonable smaller contribution of human activities than climate changes, inconsistent with the Budyko‐based approaches. However, all the other time‐trend methods led to contrary results. The contributions to baseflow variation diverged more significantly than those to streamflow and surface run‐off, ranging from 24% to 92% for human activities and from 8% to 76% for climate variability. In terms of surface run‐off, most of the time‐trend approaches produced smaller contributions of human activities (ranging from 21% to 49%) than climate change. The uncertainties associated with the various time‐trend approaches and the baseflow separation algorithm were revealed and discussed, along with some recommendations for future work.
Gestational Weight Gain and Offspring Bone Mass: Different Associations in Healthy Weight Versus Overweight Women
Authors: Monjardino Teresa , Henriques Ana , Moreira Carla , Rodrigues Teresa , Adubeiro Nuno , Nogueira Luísa , Cooper Cyrus , Santos Ana Cristina , Lucas Raquel
Published: November 2018

Weight management strategies during pregnancy reduce child cardiometabolic risk. However, because maternal weight has an overall positive correlation with offspring bone mass, pregnancy weight management could adversely affect child bone health. We aimed to estimate associations between gestational weight gain (GWG) and bone mineralization in the offspring at 7 years of age, and test early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) as an effect modifier. We analyzed prospective data from 2167 mother-child pairs from the Generation XXI birth cohort who underwent whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 7 years of age. GWG was analyzed as a continuous measure and using the Institute of Medicine categories. In the whole sample and for each early pregnancy BMI category (under/normal weight and overweight/obese), relationships between GWG and offspring bone measures (bone mineral content [BMC], bone areal density [aBMD], size-corrected BMC [scBMC], and height) at 7 years were fitted through local polynomial regression and smoothing splines. The magnitude of associations was estimated through linear regression coefficients (95% CIs), crude and adjusted for maternal age, height, educational level, and child gestational age. In under/normal weight mothers, GWG was associated with slightly increased bone measures at 7 years (per 5 kg of GWG, BMC: 0.07 SD [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.12]; aBMD: 0.10 SD [95% CI, 0.05 to 0.15], scBMC: 0.11SD [95% CI, 0.06 to 0.16], and height: 0.05 SD [95% CI, 0.00 to 0.10]), while in overweight/obese mothers no effect of GWG on bone was observed (BMC: 0.02 SD [95% CI, –0.04 to 0.09]; aBMD: 0.02 SD [95% CI, –0.04 to 0.08], scBMC: 0.01 SD [95% CI, –0.06 to 0.08], and height: 0.02 SD [95% CI, –0.04 to 0.08]). Also, no advantageous effect of gaining weight above the Institute of Medicine recommendations was observed in either early pregnancy BMI group. Our results suggest that adherence to Institute of Medicine recommendations for pregnancy weight gain is unlikely to have a negative repercussion on offspring bone health, particularly in women with excess weight in early pregnancy. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Androgen Deprivation Therapy Use Increases the Risk of Heart Failure in Patients With Prostate Cancer: A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Kao Hui‐Han , Kao Li‐Ting , Li I‐Hsun , Pan Ke‐Ting , Shih Jui‐Hu , Chou Yu‐Ching , Wu Sheng‐Tang
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between androgen deprivation therapy and heart failure among prostate cancer patients. This cohort study used the data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. In the full cohort study, we identified 1244 prostate cancer patients who had received androgen deprivation therapy as the study cohort and 1806 prostate cancer patients who did not receive androgen deprivation therapy as the comparison cohort. To eliminate potential bias, we performed a propensity score‐matched cohort study. Each prostate cancer patient was tracked for 1 year from the index date to ascertain whether they were subsequently diagnosed with heart failure. In the full cohort study, incidence rates of heart failure per 100 person‐years within the 1‐year follow‐up period were 4.00 (95%CI, 2.95‐5.30) and 1.89 (95%CI, 1.30‐2.66) for androgen deprivation therapy users and nonusers, respectively. In addition, the multivariable Cox regression indicated that the hazard ratio (HR) of heart failure among androgen deprivation therapy users was 1.72 (95%CI, 1.08‐2.73) compared with those androgen deprivation therapy nonusers. In the propensity score‐matched cohort study, the adjusted HR for heart failure among androgen deprivation therapy users was 1.92 (95%CI, 1.15‐3.18) compared with propensity score‐matched nonusers. In conclusion, this study found that androgen deprivation therapy users had a higher risk of heart failure than nonusers among prostate cancer patients in both the full cohort study and the propensity score‐matched study.
Gender, Microcredit and Poverty Alleviation in a Developing Country: The Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Javed , Mahmood Samia , Scott Jonathan
Published: November 2018

The paper explores the impact of financial exclusion on financial and human poverty amongst women in Pakistan. The findings suggest that persistent financial exclusion, gender discrimination and conservative religious values adversely impact women's empowerment. There is an inverse correlation between the size of microcredit and women's financial poverty, which is not the case for human poverty. Larger families experienced higher rates of poverty reduction than smaller families. The study offers evidence and supports theories on the impact of microcredit upon poverty alleviation. These findings inform policy makers, women entrepreneurs and microfinance institutions. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative characterization of single‐cell adhesion properties by atomic force microscopy using protein‐functionalized microbeads
Authors: Chièze Lionel , Le Cigne Anthony , Meunier Marie , Berquand Alexandre , Dedieu Stéphane , Devy Jérôme , Molinari Michael
Published: November 2018

A method was developed to characterize the adhesion properties of single cells by using protein‐functionalized atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes. The quantification by force spectroscopy of the mean detachment force between cells and a gelatin‐functionalized colloidal tip reveals differences in cell adhesion properties that are not within reach of a traditional bulk technique, the washing assay. In this latter method, experiments yield semiquantitative and average adhesion properties of a large population of cells. They are also limited to stringent conditions and cannot highlight disparities in adhesion in the subset of adherent cells. In contrast, this AFM‐based method allows for a reproducible and quantitative investigation of the adhesive properties of individual cells in common cell culture conditions and allows for the detection of adhesive subpopulations of cells. These characteristics meet the critical requirements of many fields, such as the study of cancer cell migratory abilities.
Potassium distribution in root and non‐root zones of two cotton genotypes and its accumulation in their organs as affected by drought and potassium stress conditions
Authors: Wang Xiao , Mohamed Ibrahim , Ali Maha , Abbas Mohamed H. H. , Shah Ghulam Mustafa , Chen Fang
Published: November 2018

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to compare the differences of soil potassium (K) distribution and absorption between two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes under drought and K‐deficit conditions. Treatments included two levels of water (drought and optimum soil moisture: 25% and 35% volumetric water content) and K fertilizer rates (0 and 0.48 g potash kg−1 soil) applied to two cotton genotypes (namely HEG and LEG). Both the genotypes showed significant differences in total K accumulation without exogenous K addition. After absorption, soil content of the readily available potassium (RAK) decreased rapidly. This promoted the conversion of the mineral K into slowly available potassium (SAK). Drought significantly decreased the cotton growth and K use efficiency, and thereby reduced the effect of K fertilizer. Consequantly, the contents of RAK and SAK were greatly increased. However, K bioavailability was decreased under water stress conditions. Differences in root parameters and soil microorganisms between two cotton genotypes were significantly increased and had marked relations with available soil K contents. This study provides important information for understanding the mechanism of K use efficiency, especially under water and K stress.
A qualitative study of the experiences and perceptions of adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions following a 12‐week Pilates exercise programme
Authors: Gaskell Lynne , Williams Anita E.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of adult patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions following a Pilates exercise programme. A qualitative approach was taken to both data collection and analysis, with alignment to the philosophy of interpretive phenomenology. Participants included 15 women and seven men with a range of chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including nonspecific low back pain, peripheral joint osteoarthritis and a range of postsurgical conditions. The age range was from 36 years to 83 years, and the mean age was 57 years (standard deviation 14.1 years).

Methods

Data were collected via digital recordings of four focus groups in three North‐West of England physiotherapy clinics. The data were transcribed verbatim and then analysed using a thematic framework. Data were verified by a researcher and randomly selected participants, and agreement was achieved between all parties.

Results

The results were organized into five main themes: physical improvements; Pilates promotes an active lifestyle: improved performance at work and hobbies; psychosocial benefits and improved confidence; increased autonomy in managing their own condition; and motivation to continue with exercise.

Conclusion

The study was the first to investigate individual perceptions of the impact of Pilates on the daily lives of people with chronic conditions. The Pilates‐based exercise programme enabled the participants to function better and manage their condition more effectively and independently. Further to previous work, the study revealed psychological and social benefits which increase motivation to adhere to the programme and promote a healthier lifestyle.
Ultrasound imaging of the fetal secondary palate: Methodological description of a two‐dimensional approach and a case series
Authors: Brusilov Michael , Wolman Igal , Ashwal Eran , Malinger Gustavo , Birnbaum Roee
Published: November 2018

Objective

The study aims to describe our two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound approach to visualize the fetal secondary palate and plot its growth curve and to describe and demonstrate its clinical implementation.

Methods

This is a two parts retrospective study. First, we measured the antero‐posterior length of the bony secondary palate, from the soft to hard palate interface (SHPI) line to the alveolar ridge, blindly by two operators during routine scans of low‐risk fetuses, and plot a longitudinal growth curve. In the second part, we describe four cases of prenatal diagnosis of secondary palate cleft.

Results

Sixty‐eight fetuses were included: 14 to 15 weeks (n = 20), 21 to 24 weeks (n = 32), and 29 to 35 weeks (n = 16). The bony secondary palate elongates along gestation from a mean of 5.3 mm (+/−0.46 mm) at 14 to 15 weeks to 15.9 mm (+/−1.7 mm) at 29 to 35 weeks. We found high intraobserver and interobserver correlation between measurements. All four cases diagnosed by this approach were confirmed postnatally.

Conclusions

The SHPI, representing the normally developed secondary bony palate, can be imaged in the fetus by direct 2D ultrasound as early as 14 weeks. A gap within or nonvisualization of the SHPI is highly suggestive for a secondary palate cleft.
Adjunctive Use of Cidofovir and Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Treat Invasive Adenoviral Disease in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Permpalung Nitipong , Mahoney Monica V. , Alonso Carolyn D.
Published: November 2018

Background

Infections with adenoviruses (ADVs) can result in considerable mortality and morbidity in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Standard therapy for ADV infections in transplant recipients is not established. At our institution, intravenous cidofovir and immunoglobulin have been used to treat disseminated or invasive ADV in SOT and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Methods

A retrospective case series of SOT recipients treated with cidofovir and intravenous immunoglobulin was performed.

Results

Five SOT recipients (four renal and one heart transplant) with adenovirus infection were treated successfully with cidofovir and immunoglobulin. Cidofovir was discontinued after the first negative ADV viral load and resolution of clinical symptoms, given the concern for nephrotoxicity in renal transplant recipients. Renal tubular acidosis type 2 and iritis were observed in two patients receiving therapy.

Conclusion

Symptom resolution and a single negative ADV viral load may be indicators for cidofovir discontinuation.
Regulation of cyclic electron flow by chloroplast NADPH‐dependent thioredoxin system
Authors: Nikkanen Lauri , Toivola Jouni , Trotta Andrea , Diaz Manuel Guinea , Tikkanen Mikko , Aro Eva‐Mari , Rintamäki Eevi
Published: November 2018

Linear electron transport in the thylakoid membrane drives photosynthetic NADPH and ATP production, while cyclic electron flow (CEF) around photosystem I only promotes the translocation of protons from stroma to thylakoid lumen. The chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase‐like complex (NDH) participates in one CEF route transferring electrons from ferredoxin back to the plastoquinone pool with concomitant proton pumping to the lumen. CEF has been proposed to balance the ratio of ATP/NADPH production and to control the redox poise particularly in fluctuating light conditions, but the mechanisms regulating the NDH complex remain unknown. We have investigated potential regulation of the CEF pathways by the chloroplast NADPH‐thioredoxin reductase (NTRC) in vivo by using an Arabidopsis knockout line of NTRC as well as lines overexpressing NTRC. Here, we present biochemical and biophysical evidence showing that NTRC stimulates the activity of NDH‐dependent CEF and is involved in the regulation of generation of proton motive force, thylakoid conductivity to protons, and redox balance between the thylakoid electron transfer chain and the stroma during changes in light conditions. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction assays suggest a putative thioredoxin‐target site in close proximity to the ferredoxin‐binding domain of NDH, thus providing a plausible mechanism for redox regulation of the NDH ferredoxin:plastoquinone oxidoreductase activity.
Context and Implications Document for: Mixed methods systematic review on effectiveness and experiences of the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme
Authors: Nye Elizabeth , Melendez‐Torres G. J. , Gardner Frances
Published: November 2018

This guide accompanies the following article: Nye, E., Melendez‐Torres, G.J. & Gardner, F. Mixed methods systematic review on effectiveness and experiences of the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme. Review of Education, https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3145
A novel sth‐order observer for linear system: Application to state and fault estimation of spacecraft control system
Authors: Li Min , Liu Ming , Zhang Yingchun , Cao Xibin
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a fault estimation problem for linear system is considered. A novel sth‐order observer is proposed to cope with this problem. The advantages of the proposed observer are that (i) the observer matching condition is not required to be satisfied in practical systems, (ii) if the sth derivative of fault is unknown and/or unbounded and the (s + 1)th derivative of fault f (t) is naught or bounded, it can simultaneously estimate the state and fault. The sufficient existence condition of the proposed observer is given by a linear matrix inequality. In addition, a feasible method to obtain the design parameters is discussed. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the Beck‐Fiala conjecture for random set systems
Authors: Ezra Esther , Lovett Shachar
Published: November 2018

Motivated by the Beck‐Fiala conjecture, we study discrepancy bounds for random sparse set systems. Concretely, these are set systems (X,Σ), where each element x ∈ X lies in t randomly selected sets of Σ, where t is an integer parameter. We provide new bounds in two regimes of parameters. We show that when |Σ| ≥ |X| the hereditary discrepancy of (X,Σ) is with high probability ; and when |X| ≫ |Σ|t the hereditary discrepancy of (X,Σ) is with high probability O(1). The first bound combines the Lovász Local Lemma with a new argument based on partial matchings; the second follows from an analysis of the lattice spanned by sparse vectors.
Admissible multiarm stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial designs
Authors: Grayling Michael J. , Mander Adrian P. , Wason James M. S.
Published: November 2018

Numerous publications have now addressed the principles of designing, analyzing, and reporting the results of stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trials. In contrast, there is little research available pertaining to the design and analysis of multiarm stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trials, utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple experimental interventions. In this paper, we address this by explaining how the required sample size in these multiarm trials can be ascertained when data are to be analyzed using a linear mixed model. We then go on to describe how the design of such trials can be optimized to balance between minimizing the cost of the trial and minimizing some function of the covariance matrix of the treatment effect estimates. Using a recently commenced trial that will evaluate the effectiveness of sensor monitoring in an occupational therapy rehabilitation program for older persons after hip fracture as an example, we demonstrate that our designs could reduce the number of observations required for a fixed power level by up to 58%. Consequently, when logistical constraints permit the utilization of any one of a range of possible multiarm stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial designs, researchers should consider employing our approach to optimize their trials efficiency.
Practical static analysis of context leaks in Android applications
Authors: Toffalini Flavio , Sun Jun , Ochoa Martín
Published: November 2018

Android native applications, written in Java and distributed in APK format, are widely used in mobile devices. Their specific pattern of use lets the operating system control the creation and destruction of resources, such as activities and services (contexts). Programmers are not supposed to interfere with such life cycle events. Otherwise, contexts might be leaked, ie, they will never be deallocated from memory, or be deallocated late, leading to memory exhaustion and frozen applications. In practice, it is easy to write incorrect code, which hinders garbage collection of contexts and leads to context leakages. In this work, we present a novel static analysis method that finds context leaks in Android code. We apply this analysis to APKs translated into Java bytecode. We provide a formal analysis of our algorithms and suggest further research directions for improving precision by combining different approaches. We discuss the results of a large number of experiments with our analysis, which reveal context leaks in many widely used applications from the Android marketplace. This shows the practical usefulness of our technique and its superiority w.r.t. the well‐known Lint and Infer static analysis tools. We estimate the amount of memory saved by the collection of the leaks found and explain, experimentally, where programmers often go wrong and limitations of our tool. Such lessons could be used for designing of a sound or more powerful static analysis tool. This work can be considered as a practical application of software analysis techniques to solve practical problems.
Are you asking the right business‐related questions as an environmental or sustainability manager?
Authors: Guerin Turlough
Published: November 2018

Environmental and sustainability professionals (or E&SPs) seek funding for projects, programs, and initiatives (PP&Is) in support of their organizations’ sustainable development agendas. It is a rare organization where these PP&Is get support in their own right without a business case. As is often the case, these PP&Is never get to see the light of day, with many of them being perceived by the businesses’ executives as part of an environmental or sustainability “agenda.” In the author's experience, the reason for this is that the E&SPs are usually the sustainability champions for these same organizations, and their focus is not necessarily on ensuring the establishment of the underlying business case or ensuring close alignments of PP&Is to the business. One of the most important skills that these professionals can gain is that of asking a focused line of questions that can uncover the business needs of the organizations they work for and how their own role or proposed PP&Is fit within the business's strategy. This article sets context through the author's experience in infrastructure sustainability construction, and provides a checklist for E&SPs to use as they conceive, develop, discuss, propose, and seek funding for sustainability and environmental PP&Is.
Reconciling B-meson decay anomalies with neutrino masses, dark matter and constraints from flavour violation
Authors: Hati Chandan , Kumar Girish , Orloff Jean , Teixeira Ana M.
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Motivated by an explanation of the

$$ {R}_{K^{\left(*\right)}} $$

R

K

*

anomalies, we propose a Standard Model extension via two scalar SU(2)
L
triplet leptoquarks and three generations of triplet Majorana fermions. The gauge group is reinforced by a Z
2 symmetry, ensuring the stability of the lightest Z
2-odd particle, which is a potentially viable dark matter candidate. Neutrino mass generation occurs radiatively (at the three-loop level), and leads to important constraints on the leptoquark couplings to leptons. We consider very generic textures for the flavour structure of the h
1 leptoquark Yukawa couplings, identifying classes which succeed in saturating the

$$ {R}_{K^{\left(*\right)}} $$

R

K

*

anomalies. We subsequently carry a comprehensive analysis of the model’s contributions to numerous high-intensity observables such as meson oscillations and decays, as well as charged lepton flavour violating processes, which put severe constraints on the flavour structure of these leptoquark extensions. Our findings suggest that the most constraining observables are

$$ {K}^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$

K
+

→

π
+

ν

ν
¯

decays, and charged lepton flavour violating μ − e conversion in nuclei (among others). Nevertheless, for several classes of flavour textures and for wide mass regimes of the new mediators (within collider reach), this Standard Model extension successfully addresses neutrino mass generation, explains the current

$$ {R}_{K^{\left(*\right)}} $$

R

K

*

tensions, and offers a viable dark matter candidate.
Beyond triality: dual quiver gauge theories and little string theories
Authors: Bastian Brice , Hohenegger Stefan , Iqbal Amer , Rey Soo-Jong
Published: November 2018

Abstract

The web of dual gauge theories engineered from a class of toric Calabi-Yau threefolds is explored. In previous work, we have argued for a triality structure by compiling evidence for the fact that every such manifold X

N,M
(for given (N, M)) engineers three a priori different, weakly coupled quiver gauge theories in five dimensions. The strong coupling regime of the latter is in general described by Little String Theories. Furthermore, we also conjectured that the manifold X

N,M
is dual to X

N ′,M ′ if NM = N′M′ and gcd(N, M) = gcd(N′, M′). Combining this result with the triality structure, we currently argue for a large number of dual quiver gauge theories, whose instanton partition functions can be computed explicitly as specific expansions of the topological partition function

$$ {\mathcal{Z}}_{N,M} $$

Z

N
,
M

of X

N,M
. We illustrate this web of dual theories by studying explicit examples in detail. We also undertake first steps in further analysing the extended moduli space of X

N,M
with the goal of finding other dual gauge theories.
Spinor frame formalism for amplitudes and constrained superamplitudes of 10D SYM and 11D supergravity
Authors: Bandos Igor
Published: November 2018

Abstract

We show that 10D spinor helicity formalism can be understood as spinor moving frame approach to supersymmetric particles extended to the description of amplitudes. This allows us to develop the spinor helicity formalism for 11D supergravity and a new constrained superfield formalism for 10D SYM and 11D SUGRA amplitudes. We show how the constrained on-shell superfields, one-particle counterparts of the superamplitudes, can be obtained by quantization of massless superparticle mechanics.

We make some stages towards the calculation of amplitudes of 10D SYM and 11D SUGRA in this framework. In particular we have found supersymmetric Ward identities for constrained amplitudes and an especially convenient gauge, fixed on the spinor frame variables corresponding to scattered particles, which promises to be an extremely useful tool for further development of our approach.

We also discuss a candidate for generalization of the BCFW recurrent relations for the constrained tree superamplitudes, indicate and discuss a problem of dependence of the expressions obtained with it on a deformation vector, which is not fixed uniquely in higher dimensional D > 4 cases.
Duality and an exact Landau-Ginzburg potential for quasi-bosonic Chern-Simons-Matter theories
Authors: Dey Anshuman , Halder Indranil , Jain Sachin , Janagal Lavneet , Minwalla Shiraz , Prabhakar Naveen
Published: November 2018

Abstract

It has been conjectured that Chern-Simons (CS) gauged ‘regular’ bosons in the fundamental representation are ‘level-rank’ dual to CS gauged critical fermions also in the fundamental representation. Generic relevant deformations of these conformal field theories lead to one of two distinct massive phases. In previous work, the large N thermal free energy for the bosonic theory in the unHiggsed phase has been demonstrated to match the corresponding fermionic results under duality. In this note we evaluate the large N thermal free energy of the bosonic theory in the Higgsed phase and demonstrate that our results, again, perfectly match the predictions of duality. Our computation is performed in a unitary gauge by integrating out the physical excitations of the theory — i.e. W bosons — at all orders in the ’t Hooft coupling. Our results allow us to construct an exact quantum effective potential for

$$ \overline{\phi}\phi $$

ϕ
¯

ϕ

, the lightest gauge invariant scalar operator in the theory. In the zero temperature limit this exact Landau-Ginzburg potential is non-analytic at

$$ \overline{\phi}\phi $$

ϕ
¯

ϕ

= 0. The extrema of this effective potential at positive

$$ \overline{\phi}\phi $$

ϕ
¯

ϕ

solve the gap equations in the Higgsed phase while the extrema at negative

$$ \overline{\phi}\phi $$

ϕ
¯

ϕ

solve the gap equations in the unHiggsed phase. Our effective potential is bounded from below only for a certain range of x
6 (the parameter that governs sextic interactions of ϕ). This observation suggests that the regular boson theory has a stable vacuum only when x
6 lies in this range.
Moduli space singularities for 3d$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ circular quiver gauge theories
Authors: Rogers Jamie , Tatar Radu
Published: November 2018

Abstract

The singularity structure of the Coulomb and Higgs branches of good 3d

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

circular quiver gauge theories (CQGTs) with unitary gauge groups is studied. The central method employed is the Kraft-Procesi transition. CQGTs are described as a generalisation of a class of linear quivers. This class degenerates into the familiar class T

ρ

σ

(SU(N)) in the linear case, however the circular case does not have the degeneracy and so the class of CQGTs contains many more theories and much more structure. We describe a collection of good, unitary, CQGTs from which the entire class can be found using Kraft-Procesi transitions. The singularity structure of a general member of this collection is fully determined, encompassing the singularity structure of a generic CQGT. Higher-level Hasse diagrams are introduced in order to write the results compactly. In higher-level Hasse diagrams, single nodes represent lattices of nilpotent orbit Hasse diagrams and edges represent traversing structure between lattices. The results generalise the case of linear quiver moduli spaces which are known to be nilpotent varieties of

$$ \mathfrak{s}{\mathfrak{l}}_n $$

s

l
n

.
Stationary solutions from the large D membrane paradigm
Authors: Mandlik Mangesh , Thakur Somyadip
Published: November 2018

Abstract

It has recently been shown that the dynamics of black holes in large number of dimensions D can be recast as the dynamics of a probe membrane propagating in the background spacetime which solves Einstein equations without matter. The equations of motion of this membrane are simply the statement of conservation of the stress tensor and charge current defined on this membrane. In this paper we obtain the effective equations of motion for stationary membranes in any empty background both in presence and absence of charge. It turns out that the thermodynamic quantities associated with the stationary membranes that satisfy these effective equations also satisfy the first law of black hole thermodynamics. These stationary membrane equations have some interesting solutions such as charged rotating black holes in flat and AdS backgrounds as well as black ring solutions in large D.
Running of fermion observables in non-supersymmetric SO(10) models
Authors: Ohlsson Tommy , Pernow Marcus
Published: November 2018

Abstract

We investigate the complete renormalization group running of fermion observables in two different realistic non-supersymmetric models based on the gauge group SO(10) with intermediate symmetry breaking for both normal and inverted neutrino mass orderings. Contrary to results of previous works, we find that the model with the more minimal Yukawa sector of the Lagrangian fails to reproduce the measured values of observables at the electroweak scale, whereas the model with the more extended Yukawa sector can do so if the neutrino masses have normal ordering. The difficulty in finding acceptable fits to measured data is a result of the added complexity from the effect of an intermediate symmetry breaking as well as tension in the value of the leptonic mixing angle

$$ {\theta}_{{}^{23}}^{\ell } $$

θ

23

ℓ

.
Assessment of Capacity to Meet Lancet Commission on Global Surgery Indicators in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Anderson Jamie E. , Ndajiwo Aliyu Baba , Nuhu Susuti Aaron , Lawal Olubunmi Aiyedun , Amedu Joseph O. , Ameh Emmanuel A.
Published: November 2018

Background

This is a baseline assessment of surgical capacity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in preparation for the creation of a National Surgical, Obstetric, Anesthesia, and Nursing Plan.

Methods

In October 2017, all 10 of the 11 secondary hospitals in FCT that provide surgical and/or obstetric care were surveyed using a modified World Health Organization Hospital Assessment Tool and a qualitative semi‐structured hospital interview tool of the medical Director (MdD). This project received approval from the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health and the FCT Department of Health and Human Services.

Results

The number of inpatient beds ranged from 35 to 140, and the number of admissions ranged from 1200 to 6400 patients per year. The mean number of surgeries performed in 2016 by these hospitals was 783 (range 235–1601). Cesarean section was the most common surgical procedure at each hospital. Only five hospitals regularly performed laparotomies. Only three hospitals regularly performed fixation of open fractures. Of 152 surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia providers, all hospitals had at least one consultant obstetrician, but only four hospitals had a general surgeon and three hospitals had a consultant anesthesiologist. Deficient physical space for inpatient admissions was the most common concern of MdDs.

Conclusions

The FCT reaches the target for 2‐h access, with 80% of patients (on average) reaching the hospital within 2 h. However, SAO provider density, surgical volume, and tracking of the perioperative mortality rate were low. Data were lacking to comment on protection against impoverishing and catastrophic expenditures.
Correction to: Hypophosphatemia as a Predictor of Organ‐Specific Complications Following Gastrointestinal Surgery: Analysis of 8034 Patients
Authors: Sadot Eran , Zheng Jian , Srouji Rami , Strong Vivian E. , Gönen Mithat , Balachandran Vinod P. , D’Angelica Michael I. , Allen Peter J. , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Kingham T. Peter , Fong Yuman , Weiser Martin R. , Jarnagin William R.
Published: November 2018

In the original version of this article, Martin R. Weiser’s last name was spelled incorrectly. It is correct as reflected here. The original article has been updated.
Extensionality for fusions and pluralities
Authors: Smid Jeroen
Published: November 2018

One of the more persistent debates in mereology is whether distinct wholes can have the same parts. Extensional mereologists hold that if there is no part that makes the difference, then there is nothing to distinguish the wholes, so sameness of parts implies identity. Non-extensionalists, however, do think there are cases where distinct wholes share all their parts. This paper argues that the kind of argument non-extensionalists employ can also be levelled against a widely accepted extensionality principle of plural logic. Non-extensionalists thus face a dilemma: either give up the argument for non-extensional mereology, or deny both the extensionality principle of mereology and the analogous principle for plural logic.
Small Esophageal Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis—Should We Treat Them?
Authors: Reiberger Thomas , Bucsics Theresa , Paternostro Rafael , Pfisterer Nikolaus , Riedl Florian , Mandorfer Mattias
Published: November 2018

Purpose of Review

The natural history and classification systems of small varices (≤ 5 mm in diameter) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension are summarized. Studies that assessed the course of and therapeutic intervention for small varices are discussed.

Recent Findings

Current non-invasive methods show suboptimal sensitivity to detect small varices in patients with cirrhosis. Next to etiological therapy, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)-guided non-selective betablocker or carvedilol treatment has shown to impact on natural history of small varices.

The main therapeutic focus in cirrhotic patients with small varices is the cure of the underlying etiology. The optimal management of small varices should include measurement of HVPG. A pharmacological decrease in HVPG by non-selective betablocker therapy of ≥ 10% reduces the risk of progression to large varices, first variceal bleeding, and hepatic decompensation. If HVPG is not available, we would recommend carvedilol 12.5 mg q.d. for treatment of small varices in compensated patients without severe ascites. Only if small esophageal varices (EV) are not treated or in hemodynamic non-responders, follow-up endoscopies should be performed in 1–2 years of intervals considering the activity of liver disease or if hepatic decompensation occurs.
Controversy and human agency in ‘portrait masks’ from the studio of André Sanou
Authors: Homann Lisa
Published: November 2018

This article examines artist André Sanou's individual agency in the invention and popularity of ‘portrait masks’ in and around Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Rather than depicting abstract qualities of unseen natural forces, common among masks in this region, Sanou created the first portrait mask headpiece in a stylized but highly naturalistic manner, using a photograph as reference. It clearly depicted a specific human being, redefining the mask as a portrait of the deceased whom it honoured. Sanou's act gave rise to a wildly popular mask genre. However, portrait masks have aroused debate about the (im)propriety of naturalistic representation in masquerade. I argue that the features that make André Sanou's portrait mask genre so popular – celebrating specific individuals who are visually identifiable by their physiognomic likeness – are the same ones that make the genre controversial. The controversy illustrates the messy business of reconciling creative differences with societal values that individual artists, patrons, organizers, performers and audience members who serve as gatekeepers of cultural institutions maintain and at times negotiate. As the portrait mask genre demonstrates, masquerade is not necessarily a steadfast, uncompromising institution. Individuals can unsettle or disrupt accepted mask practice, even as they broaden its scope and invigorate audiences.
Reliability and validity of a Mediterranean diet and culinary index (MediCul) tool in an older population with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Radd-Vagenas Sue , Fiatarone Singh Maria A. , Inskip Michael , Mavros Yorgi , Gates Nicola , Wilson Guy C. , Jain Nidhi , Meiklejohn Jacinda , Brodaty Henry , Wen Wei , Singh Nalin , Baune Bernhard T. , Suo Chao , Baker Michael K. , Foroughi Nasim , Sachdev Perminder S. , Valenzuela Michael , Flood Victoria M.
Published: November 2018

Dementia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality without pharmacologic prevention or cure. Mounting evidence suggests that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern may slow cognitive decline, and is important to characterise in at-risk cohorts. Thus, we determined the reliability and validity of the Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Index (MediCul), a new tool, among community-dwelling individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of sixty-eight participants (66 % female) aged 75·9 (sd 6·6) years, from the Study of Mental and Resistance Training study MCI cohort, completed the fifty-item MediCul at two time points, followed by a 3-d food record (FR). MediCul test–retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman plots and κ agreement within seventeen dietary element categories. Validity was assessed against the FR using the Bland–Altman method and nutrient trends across MediCul score tertiles. The mean MediCul score was 54·6/100·0, with few participants reaching thresholds for key Mediterranean foods. MediCul had very good test–retest reliability (ICC=0·93, 95 % CI 0·884, 0·954, P<0·0001) with fair-to-almost-perfect agreement for classifying elements within the same category. Validity was moderate with no systematic bias between methods of measurement, according to the regression coefficient (y=−2·30+0·17x) (95 % CI −0·027, 0·358; P=0·091). MediCul over-estimated the mean FR score by 6 %, with limits of agreement being under- and over-estimated by 11 and 23 %, respectively. Nutrient trends were significantly associated with increased MediCul scoring, consistent with a Mediterranean pattern. MediCul provides reliable and moderately valid information about Mediterranean diet adherence among older individuals with MCI, with potential application in future studies assessing relationships between diet and cognitive function.
Mediterranean diet and its components in relation to all-cause mortality: meta-analysis
Authors: Eleftheriou Dimitra , Benetou Vassiliki , Trichopoulou Antonia , La Vecchia Carlo , Bamia Christina
Published: November 2018

The beneficial association of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with longevity has been consistently demonstrated, but the associations of MedDiet components have not been accordingly evaluated. We performed an updated meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies published up to 31 December 2017, to quantify the association of adherence to MedDiet, expressed as an index/score (MDS) and of its components with all-cause mortality. We estimated summary relative risks (SRR) and 95 % CI using random effects models. On the basis of thirty studies (225 600 deaths), SRR for the study-specific highest/lowest and per 1sd MDS increment were 0·79 (95 % CI 0·77, 0·81, Ι2=42 %, P-heterogeneity 0·02) and 0·92 (95 % CI 0·90, 0·94, Ι2 56 %, P-heterogeneity <0·01), respectively. Inversely, statistically significant associations were evident in stratified analyses by country, MDS range and publication year, with some evidence for heterogeneity across countries overall (P-heterogeneity 0·011), as well as across European countries (P=0·018). Regarding MDS components, relatively stronger and statistically significant inverse associations were highlighted for moderate/none-excessive alcohol consumption (0·86, 95 % CI 0·77, 0·97) and for above/below-the-median consumptions of fruit (0·88, 95 % CI 0·83, 0·94) and vegetables (0·94, 95 % CI 0·89, 0·98), whereas a positive association was apparent for above/below-the-median intake of meat (1·07, 95 % CI 1·01, 1·13). Our meta-analyses confirm the inverse association of MedDiet with mortality and highlight the dietary components that influence mostly this association. Our results are important for better understanding the role of MedDiet in health and proposing dietary changes to effectively increase adherence to this healthy dietary pattern.