A new flat shell finite element for the linear analysis of thin shell structures

In this paper, a new rectangular flat shell element denoted ‘ACM_RSBE5’ is presented. The new element is obtained by superposition of the new strain-based membrane element ‘RSBE5’ and the well-known plate bending element ‘ACM’. The element can be used for the analysis of any type of thin shell structures, even if the geometry is irregular. Comparison with other types of shell elements is performed using a series of standard test problems. A correlation study with an experimentally tested aluminium shell is also conducted. The new shell element proved to have a fast rate of convergence and to provide accurate results

On q-Gaussians and Exchangeability

The q-Gaussians are discussed from the point of view of variance mixtures of normals and exchangeability. For each q< 3, there is a q-Gaussian distribution that maximizes the Tsallis entropy under suitable constraints. This paper shows that q-Gaussian random variables can be represented as variance mixtures of normals. These variance mixtures of normals are the attractors in central limit theorems for sequences of exchangeable random variables; thereby, providing a possible model that has been extensively studied in probability theory. The formulation provided has the additional advantage of yielding process versions which are naturally q-Brownian motions. Explicit mixing distributions for q-Gaussians should facilitate applications to areas such as option pricing. The model might provide insight into the study of superstatistics.Comment: 14 page

Уровень провоспалительных цитокинов внутриматочных смывов при гиперплазиях эндометрия

Проведено вивчення змін рівня прозапальних цитокінів ІЛ -1ß, ІЛ -6 та ФНП-α в маткових змивах у жінок з різними видами гіперплазій ендометрію. Встановлено, що формування гіперплазії ендометрію супроводжується активацією прозапальних цитокінів. Найбільш виражені зміни виявлені при комплексній гіперплазії ендометрію. Запальний процес в урогенітальної системі сприяє більш вираженому зростанню рівня цитокінів в маткових змивах. Оцінка вираженості змін в рівні цитокінів маткових змивів може використовуватися в якості додаткового критерію, що характеризує гіперплазії ендометрію, для оцінки формування запальних змін в ендометрії при його гіперплазії і для оцінки прогнозу перебігу гіперплазій.Levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in uterine lavage fluid of women with different types of endometrial hyperplasia were studied. It is established that the formation of endometrial hyperplasia is associated with activation of proinflammatory cytokines. The most intensive changes were found in complex endometrial hyperplasia. Inflammation in the urogenital system leads to more intensive increase of cytokines level in the uterine washout. Investigation of changes in cytokines levels in uterine lavage fluid can be used as an additional criterion for characteristics of endometrial hyperplasia, to assess the formation of inflammatory changes in the endometrium and for prognosis of hyperplasia

Coexistence and Criticality in Size-Asymmetric Hard-Core Electrolytes

Liquid-vapor coexistence curves and critical parameters for hard-core 1:1 electrolyte models with diameter ratios lambda = sigma_{-}/\sigma_{+}=1 to 5.7 have been studied by fine-discretization Monte Carlo methods. Normalizing via the length scale sigma_{+-}=(sigma_{+} + sigma_{-})/2 relevant for the low densities in question, both Tc* (=kB Tc sigma_{+-}/q^2 and rhoc* (= rhoc sigma _{+-}^{3}) decrease rapidly (from ~ 0.05 to 0.03 and 0.08 to 0.04, respectively) as lambda increases. These trends, which unequivocally contradict current theories, are closely mirrored by results for tightly tethered dipolar dimers (with Tc* lower by ~ 0-11% and rhoc* greater by 37-12%).Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Born radicals? Prevent, positivism, and ‘race-thinking’

In the contemporary Western climate, counter-terrorism discourse dealing with so-called Islamic extremism appears to be obsessed with trying to understand the motives behind what prompts somebody to turn to terrorism. This paper will argue that attempts to locate extremist motives in such a way can be seen to reinforce earlier iterations of positivist criminology and race-thinking. Through a critical examination of the works of criminologist Cesare Lombroso, this paper will tease out the interconnections between his ‘criminal types’ thesis, and the British government’s current Prevent policy that seeks to identify ‘extremist types.’ By developing a rich critique of these positivist approaches, the paper will go on to question how we might think beyond the essentialism, reductivism, and racism/Islamophobia inherent within such frameworks. In this way, the paper raises a series of conceptual implications for criminology and terrorism studies, while at the same time, develops a contribution to critical race and ethnicity studies

MAPT p.V363I mutation: A rare cause of corticobasal degeneration

Objective: Patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS) present with heterogeneous clinical features, including asymmetric parkinsonism, dyspraxia, aphasia, and cognitive impairment; to better understand the genetic etiology of this rare disease, we undertook a genetic analysis of microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT). Methods: We performed a genetic evaluation of MAPT mutations in 826 neurologically healthy controls and 173 cases with CBS using the Illumina NeuroChip genotyping array. Results: We identified 2 patients with CBS heterozygous for a rare mutation in MAPT (p.V363I) that is located in the highly conserved microtubule-binding domain. One patient was pathologically confirmed and demonstrated extensive 4-repeat-tau-positive thread pathology, achromatic neurons, and astrocytic plaques consistent with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Conclusions: We report 2 CBS cases carrying the rare p.V363I MAPT mutation, one of which was pathologically confirmed as CBD. Our findings support the notion that this rare coding change is pathogenic

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8

Background: Transgender healthcare is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. In the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number and visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seeking support and gender-affirming medical treatment in parallel with a significant rise in the scientific literature in this area. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, multidisciplinary, professional association whose mission is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. One of the main functions of WPATH is to promote the highest standards of health care for TGD people through the Standards of Care (SOC). The SOC was initially developed in 1979 and the last version (SOC-7) was published in 2012. In view of the increasing scientific evidence, WPATH commissioned a new version of the Standards of Care, the SOC-8. Aim: The overall goal of SOC-8 is to provide health care professionals (HCPs) with clinical guidance to assist TGD people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. Methods: The SOC-8 is based on the best available science and expert professional consensus in transgender health. International professionals and stakeholders were selected to serve on the SOC-8 committee. Recommendation statements were developed based on data derived from independent systematic literature reviews, where available, background reviews and expert opinions. Grading of recommendations was based on the available evidence supporting interventions, a discussion of risks and harms, as well as the feasibility and acceptability within different contexts and country settings. Results: A total of 18 chapters were developed as part of the SOC-8. They contain recommendations for health care professionals who provide care and treatment for TGD people. Each of the recommendations is followed by explanatory text with relevant references. General areas related to transgender health are covered in the chapters Terminology, Global Applicability, Population Estimates, and Education. The chapters developed for the diverse population of TGD people include Assessment of Adults, Adolescents, Children, Nonbinary, Eunuchs, and Intersex Individuals, and people living in Institutional Environments. Finally, the chapters related to gender-affirming treatment are Hormone Therapy, Surgery and Postoperative Care, Voice and Communication, Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, and Mental Health. Conclusions: The SOC-8 guidelines are intended to be flexible to meet the diverse health care needs of TGD people globally. While adaptable, they offer standards for promoting optimal health care and guidance for the treatment of people experiencing gender incongruence. As in all previous versions of the SOC, the criteria set forth in this document for gender-affirming medical interventions are clinical guidelines; individual health care professionals and programs may modify these in consultation with the TGD person