Counting defects with the two-point correlator

We study how topological defects manifest themselves in the equal-time two-point field correlator. We consider a scalar field with Z_2 symmetry in 1, 2 and 3 spatial dimensions, allowing for kinks, domain lines and domain walls, respectively. Using numerical lattice simulations, we find that in any number of dimensions, the correlator in momentum space is to a very good approximation the product of two factors, one describing the spatial distribution of the defects and the other describing the defect shape. When the defects are produced by the Kibble mechanism, the former has a universal form as a function of k/n, which we determine numerically. This signature makes it possible to determine the kink density from the field correlator without having to resort to the Gaussian approximation. This is essential when studying field dynamics with methods relying only on correlators (Schwinger-Dyson, 2PI).Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures

The familial hypercholesterolaemia phenotype: Monogenic familial hypercholesterolaemia, polygenic hypercholesterolaemia and other causes

Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a monogenic disorder characterised by high LDL-C concentrations and increased cardiovascular risk. However, in clinically defined FH cohorts worldwide, an FH-causing variant is only found in 40-50% of the cases. The aim of this work was to characterise the genetic cause of the FH phenotype in Portuguese clinical FH patients. Methods and Results Between 1999 and 2017, 731 index patients (311 children and 420 adults) who met the Simon Broome diagnostic criteria had been referred to our laboratory. LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, APOE, LIPA, LDLRAP1, ABCG5/8 genes were analysed by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. The 6-SNP LDL-C genetic risk score (GRS) for polygenic hypercholesterolaemia was validated in the Portuguese population and cases with a GRS over the 25th percentile were considered to have a high likelihood of polygenic hypercholesterolaemia. An FH-causing mutation was found in 39% of patients (94% in LDLR, 5% APOB and 1% PCSK9), while at least 29% have polygenic hypercholesterolaemia and 1% have other lipid disorders. A genetic cause for the FH phenotype was found in 503 patients (69%). All known causes of the FH phenotype should be investigated in FH cohorts to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Accuracy Of Sonography And Hysteroscopy In The Diagnosis Of Premalignant And Malignant Polyps In Postmenopausal Women [acurácia Da Ultrassonografia E Da Histeroscopia No Diagnóstico De Pólipos Endometriais Pré-malignos E Malignos Na Pós-menopausa]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of sonographic endometrial thickness and hysteroscopic characteristics in predicting malignancy in postmenopausal women undergoing surgical resection of endometrial polyps. METHODS: Five hundred twenty-one (521) postmenopausal women undergoing hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps between January 1998 and December 2008 were studied. For each value of sonographic endometrial thickness and polyp size on hysteroscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated in relation to the histologic diagnosis of malignancy. The best values of sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy were determined by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Histologic diagnosis identified the presence of premalignancy or malignancy in 4.1% of cases. Sonographic measurement revealed a greater endometrial thickness in cases of malignant polyps when compared to benign and premalignant polyps. On surgical hysteroscopy, malignant endometrial polyps were also larger. An endometrial thickness of 13 mm showed a sensitivity of 69.6%, specificity of 68.5%, PPV of 9.3%, and NPV of 98% in predicting malignancy in endometrial polyps. Polyp measurement by hysteroscopy showed that for polyps 30 mm in size, the sensitivity was 47.8%, specificity was 66.1%, PPV was 6.1%, and NPV was 96.5% for predicting cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic endometrial thickness showed a higher level of accuracy than hysteroscopic measurement in predicting malignancy in endometrial polyps. Despite this, both techniques showed low accuracy for predicting malignancy in endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women. In suspected cases, histologic evaluation is necessary to exclude malignancy.356243248Anastasiadis, P.G., Koutlaki, N.G., Skaphida, P.G., Galazios, G.C., Tsikouras, P.N., Liberis, V.A., Endometrial polyps: Prevalence, detection, and malignant potential in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (2000) Eur J Gynaecol Oncol., 21 (2), pp. 180-183Clevenger-Hoeft, M., Syrop, C.H., Stovall, D.W., van Voorhis, B.J., Sonohysterography in premenopausal women with and without abnormal bleeding (1999) Obstet Gynecol., 94 (4), pp. 516-520Goldstein, S.R., Zeltser, I., Horan, C.K., Snyder, J.R., Schwartz, L.B., Ultrasonography-based triage for perimenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (1997) Am J Obstet Gynecol., 177 (1), pp. 102-108Nagele, F., O'Connor, H., Davies, A., Badawy, A., Mohamed, H., Magos, A., 2500 outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopies (1996) Obstet Gynecol., 88 (1), pp. 87-92van Bogaert, L.J., Clinicopathologic findings in endometrial polyps (1988) Obstet Gynecol., 71 (5), pp. 771-773Dreisler, E., Stampe Sorensen, S., Ibsen, P.H., Lose, G., Prevalence of endometrial polyps and abnormal uterine bleeding in a Danish population aged 20-74 years (2009) Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol., 33 (1), pp. 102-108Lieng, M., Istre, O., Sandvik, L., Qvigstad, E., Prevalence, 1-year regression rate, and clinical significance of asymptomatic endometrial polyps: Cross-sectional study (2009) J Minim Invasive Gynecol., 16 (4), pp. 465-471Schmidt, T., Breidenbach, M., Nawroth, F., Mallmann, P., Beyer, I.M., Fleisch, M.C., Hysteroscopy for asymptomatic postmenopausal women with sonographically thickened endometrium (2009) Maturitas., 62 (2), pp. 176-178Lee, S.C., Kaunitz, A.M., Sanchez-Ramos, L., Rhatigan, R.M., The oncogenic potential of endometrial polyps: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2010) Obstet Gynecol., 116 (5), pp. 1197-1205Martínez, M.A., Jou, P., Nonell, R., Cardona, M., Alonso, I., Vanrell, J.A., Pólipos endometriales: Riesgo de malignización y correlación clínico-anatómica (2004) Prog Obstet Ginecol., 47 (11), pp. 506-510Antunes Jr., A., Costa-Paiva, L., Arthuso, M., Costa, J.V., Pinto-Neto, A.M., Endometrial polyps in pre-and postmenopausal women: Factors associated with malignancy (2007) Maturitas., 57 (4), pp. 415-421Savelli, L., de Iaco, P., Santini, D., Rosati, F., Ghi, T., Pignotti, E., Histopathologic features and risk factors for benignity, hyperplasia, and cancer in endometrial polyps (2003) Am J Obstet Gynecol., 188 (4), pp. 927-931Lieng, M., Istre, O., Qvigstad, E., Treatment of endometrial polyps: A systematic review (2010) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand., 89 (8), pp. 992-1002Baiocchi, G., Manci, N., Pazzaglia, M., Giannone, L., Burnelli, L., Giannone, E., Malignancy in endometrial polyps: A 12-year experience (2009) Am J Obstet Gynecol., 201 (5), pp. 462. e1-462. e4Rahimi, S., Marani, C., Renzi, C., Natale, M.E., Giovannini, P., Zeloni, R., Endometrial polyps and the risk of atypical hyperplasia on biopsies of unremarkable endometrium: A study on 694 patients with benign endometrial polyps (2009) Int J Gynecol Pathol., 28 (6), pp. 522-528Ben-Arie, A., Goldchmit, C., Laviv, Y., Levy, R., Caspi, B., Huszar, M., The malignant potential of endometrial polyps (2004) Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol., 115 (2), pp. 206-210Ferrazzi, E., Zupi, E., Leone, F.P., Savelli, L., Omodei, U., Moscarini, M., How often are endometrial polyps malignant in asymptomatic postmenopausal women? A multicenter study (2009) Am J Obstet Gynecol., 200 (3), pp. 235. e1-235. e6Whiting, P., Rutjes, A.W., Reitsma, J.B., Bossuyt, P.M., Kleijnen, J., The development of QUADAS: A tool for the quality assessment of studies of diagnostic accuracy included in systematic reviews (2003) BMC Med Res Methodol., 3, p. 25Osmers, R., Völksen, M., Schauer, A., Vaginosonography for early detection of endometrial carcinoma? (1990) Lancet., 335 (8705), pp. 1569-1571Seelbach-Göbel, B., Rempen, A., Kristen, P., Vaginal sonography of the endometrium in postmenopause. Initial results of a prospective study (1991) Gynakol Rundsch., 31 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 253-255. , GermanGrimbizis, G.F., Tsolakidis, D., Mikos, T., Anagnostou, E., Asimakopoulos, E., Stamatopoulos, P., A prospective comparison of transvaginal ultrasound, saline infusion sonohysterography, and diagnostic hysteroscopy in the evaluation of endometrial pathology (2010) Fertil Steril., 94 (7), pp. 2720-2725Weigel, M., Friese, K., Strittmatter, H.J., Melchert, F., Ultrasound assessment of the postmenopausal endometrium (1994) Is measuring thickness adequate?] Ultraschall Med., 15 (3), pp. 117-121. , GermanCepni, I., Ocal, P., Erkan, S., Saricali, F.S., Akbas, H., Demirkiran, F., Comparison of transvaginal sonography, saline infusion sonography and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of uterine cavity pathologies (2005) Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol., 45 (1), pp. 30-35Jacobs, I., Gentry-Maharaj, A., Burnell, M., Manchanda, R., Singh, N., Sharma, A., Sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasound screening for endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women: A case-control study within the UKCTOCS cohort (2011) Lancet Oncol., 12 (1), pp. 38-48Wang, J.H., Zhao, J., Lin, J., Opportunities and risk factors for premalignant and malignant transformation of endometrial polyps: Management strategies (2010) J Minim Invasive Gynecol., 17 (1), pp. 53-58Fernández-Parra, J., Rodríguez Oliver, A., López Criado, S., Parrilla Fernández, F., Montoya Ventoso, F., Hysteroscopic evaluation of endometrial polyps (2006) Int J Gynaecol Obstet., 95 (2), pp. 144-148Shushan, A., Revel, A., Rojansky, N., How often are endometrial polyps malignant? (2004) Gynecol Obstet Invest., 58 (4), pp. 212-215Gregoriou, O., Konidaris, S., Vrachnis, N., Bakalianou, K., Salakos, N., Papadias, K., Clinical parameters linked with malignancy in endometrial polyps (2009) Climacteric., 12 (5), pp. 454-458Krampl, E., Bourne, T., Hurlen-Solbakken, H., Istre, O., Transvaginal ultrasonography sonohysterography and operative hysteroscopy for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding (2001) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand., 80 (7), pp. 616-622Salim, S., Won, H., Nesbitt-Hawes, E., Campbell, N., Abbott, J., Diagnosis and management of endometrial polyps: A critical review of the literature (2011) J Minim Invasive Gynecol., 18 (5), pp. 569-581AAGL practice report: Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of endometrial polyps (2012) J Minim Invasive Gynecol., 19 (1), pp. 3-10. , American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopist

Analyticity and criticality results for the eigenvalues of the biharmonic operator

We consider the eigenvalues of the biharmonic operator subject to several homogeneous boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Neumann, Navier, Steklov). We show that simple eigenvalues and elementary symmetric functions of multiple eigenvalues are real analytic, and provide Hadamard-type formulas for the corresponding shape derivatives. After recalling the known results in shape optimization, we prove that balls are always critical domains under volume constraint.Comment: To appear on the proceedings of the conference "Geometric Properties for Parabolic and Elliptic PDE's - 4th Italian-Japanese Workshop" held in Palinuro (Italy), May 25-29, 201

Effect of a concurrent training on risk factors for the accumulation of hepatic fat of obese adolescents

Modelo de estudo: Estudo prospectivo. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um protocolo de treinamento concorrente com duração de 16 semanas sobre fatores de risco para o acúmulo de gordura hepática de jovens obesos. Metodologia: A amostra foi formada por 38 indivíduos obesos de ambos os sexos e com idade entre 12 e 15 anos. A obesidade foi atestada pelo percentual de gordura corporal, o qual foi estimado pela absortometria radiológica de dupla energia (DEXA). Adicionalmente, a quantidade de gordura localizada no tronco (kg) foi estimada também. Antes e após a intervenção, os jovens foram submetidos a exames bioquímicos de sangue(perfil lipídico completo em jejum [mg/dL]) e a ultrassonografia do fígado (tamanho dos lobos direito [LD em cm] e esquerdo [LE em cm]). A Intervenção consistiu de treinamento concorrente (treino resistido [30 minutos] e aeróbio [30 minutos]) com três sessões semanais, totalizando 180 minutos por semana. A análise estatística foi composta pelo teste t de Student para dados pareados, utilizando o software SPSS (17.0), e significância estatística fixada em p<5%. Resultados: Após a intervenção, foram observadas melhoras significantes no percentual de gordura total (PRÉ: 45,1±5,3 e PÓS: 41,7±5,6; p= 0,001) ena região do tronco (PRÉ: 46,5±5,6 e PÓS: 42,9±6,3; p= 0,001). Para o perfil lipídico, houve redução no colesterol total (PRÉ: 164±34 e PÓS: 148±29; p= 0,001), triglicérides (PRÉ: 118±59 e PÓS: 104±53; p=0,002) e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (PRÉ: 100±29 e PÓS: 85±26; p= 0,001), porém, não para as de alta densidade (p= 0,981). Tanto o LE (PRÉ: 8,8±1,4 e PÓS: 7,8±1,3; p= 0,001) como o LD (PRÉ:13,6±1,3 e PÓS: 12,9±1,1; p= 0,001) sofreram diminuição em suas proporções. Conclusão: Em jovens obesos, o treinamento concorrente foi eficiente no combate a alguns fatores de risco ao acúmulo de gordura no fígado, bem como, na redução da gordura em ambos os lobos do órgão.Study Design: Prospective study. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a protocol of concurrent training lasting 16 weeks on risk factors for the accumulation of hepatic fat in obese youth. Methods: 38 obese children and adolescents of both sexes, between 12 and 15 years old. The obesity was attested by the percentage of body fat, which was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Additionally, the amount of fat located in the trunk (kg) was estimated too. Before and after the intervention, the youths underwent biochemical blood tests (fasting complete lipid profile [mg / dL]) and ultrasonography of the liver (right size Wolves [LD cm] and left [LE in cm]). The intervention consisted of concurrent training (strength training [30 minutes] and endurance training [30 minutes]) with three sessions per week, totaling 180 minutes a week, for ten weeks. Statistical analysis was made by the test t of Student for paired data using SPSS software (17.0) and significance statistical fixed at p <5%. Results: After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in the percentage of total fat (PRE: 45.1 ± 5.3 and POST: 41.7 ± 5.6, p = 0.001) and in the trunk region (PRE: 46, 5 ± 5.6 and POST: 42.9 ± 6.3, p = 0.001). For lipid profile, reduction in total cholesterol (PRE: 164 ± 34 and POST: 148 ± 29, p = 0.001), triglycerides (PRE: 118 ± 59 and POST: 104 ± 53, p = 0.002) and lipoproteins density (PRE: 100 ± 29 and POST: 85 ± 26, p = 0.001), but not for high-density (p= 0.981). Both the LE (PRE: 8.8 ± 1.4 and POST: 7.8 ± 1.3, p = 0.001) and LD (PRE: 13.6 ± 1.3 and POST:12.9 ± 1, 1, p = 0.001) experienced a decrease in its proportions. Conclusion: The concurrent trainingwas effective in combating some risk factors to the accumulation of fat in the liver, as well as in reducing fat in both lobes of the organ in young obese

Comparative randomised trial of high and conventional doses of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis mansoni

The efficacy of oral praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis has been considered low by most public health institutions. In this paper, we compared the efficacy of two dosages of praziquantel (80 mg/kg vs. 50 mg/kg) in patients with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni. Two hundred eighty-eight patients with schistosomiasis from a community in Brazil were randomly divided into two groups: 145 patients (Group 1) received 80 mg/kg body weight of oral praziquantel divided in two equal doses with 1 h interval and 143 patients (Group 2) received 50 mg/kg body weight of oral praziquantel. To keep the study masked, patients in Group 2 received placebo 1 h after the first dose. All patients were subjected to clinical and ultrasonographic examination. Cure assessment was performed by repeating two stool examinations, by a quantitative method, at 30, 90 and 180 days after treatment. The morbidity of schistosomiasis was low, with a few cases of light periportal thickening and 16 cases of mild splenomegaly. The cure rates were 89.7% for Group 1 and 83.9% for Group 2. There was no difference in the efficacy of both therapeutic dosages of praziquantel assayed. The adverse reactions were more frequent with higher dosage

A Grand Canonical Ensemble Approach to the Thermodynamic Properties of the Nucleon in the Quark-Gluon Coupling Model

In this paper, we put forward a way to study the nucleon's thermodynamic properties such as its temperature, entropy and so on, without inputting any free parameters by human hand, even the nucleon's mass and radius. First we use the Lagrangian density of the quark gluon coupling fields to deduce the Dirac Equation of the quarks confined in the gluon fields. By boundary conditions we solve the wave functions and energy eigenvalues of the quarks, and thus get energy-momentum tensor, nucleon mass, and density of states. Then we utilize a hybrid grand canonical ensemble, to generate the temperature and chemical potentials of quarks, antiquarks of three flovars by the four conservation laws of the energy and the valence quark numbers, after which, all other thermodynamic properties are known. The only seemed free paremeter, the nucleon radius is finally determined by the grand potential minimal principle.Comment: 5 pages, LaTe

Catalase vs Peroxidase Activity of a Manganese(II) Compound: Identification of a Mn(III)-(μ-O)2-Mn(IV) Reaction Intermediate by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Herein, we report reactivity studies of the mononuclear water-soluble complex [Mn(II)(HPClNOL)(η1-NO3)(η2-NO3)] 1, where HPClNOL ) 1-(bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-amino)-3-chloropropan-2-ol, toward peroxides (H2O2 and tertbutylhydroperoxide). Both the catalase (in aqueous solution) and peroxidase (in CH3CN) activities of 1 were evaluated using a range of techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy, volumetry (kinetic studies), pH monitoring during H2O2 disproportionation, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode [ESI(+)-MS], and gas chromatography (GC). Electrochemical studies showed that 1 can be oxidized to Mn(III) and Mn(IV). The catalase-like activity of 1 was evaluated with and without pH control. The results show that the pH decreases when the reaction is performed in unbuffered media. Furthermore, the activity of 1 is greater in buffered than in unbuffered media, demonstrating that pH influences the activity of 1 toward H2O2. For the reaction of 1 with H2O2, EPR and ESI(+)-MS have led to the identification of the intermediate [Mn(III)Mn(IV)(μ- O)2(PClNOL)2]+. The peroxidase activity of 1 was also evaluated by monitoring cyclohexane oxidation, using H2O2 or tert-butylhydroperoxide as the terminal oxidants. Low yields (<7%) were obtained for H2O2, probably because it competes with 1 for the catalase-like activity. In contrast, using tert-butylhydroperoxide, up to 29% of cyclohexane conversion was obtained. A mechanistic model for the catalase activity of 1 that incorporates the observed lag phase in O2 production, the pH variation, and the formation of a Mn(III)-(μ-O)2-Mn(IV) intermediate is proposed

Performance of the LHCb muon system

The performance of the LHCb Muon system and its stability across the full 2010 data taking with LHC running at ps = 7 TeV energy is studied. The optimization of the detector setting and the time calibration performed with the first collisions delivered by LHC is described. Particle rates, measured for the wide range of luminosities and beam operation conditions experienced during the run, are compared with the values expected from simulation. The space and time alignment of the detectors, chamber efficiency, time resolution and cluster size are evaluated. The detector performance is found to be as expected from specifications or better. Notably the overall efficiency is well above the design requirementsComment: JINST_015P_1112 201