Parallel Excluded Volume Tempering for Polymer Melts

We have developed a technique to accelerate the acquisition of effectively uncorrelated configurations for off-lattice models of dense polymer melts which makes use of both parallel tempering and large scale Monte Carlo moves. The method is based upon simulating a set of systems in parallel, each of which has a slightly different repulsive core potential, such that a thermodynamic path from full excluded volume to an ideal gas of random walks is generated. While each system is run with standard stochastic dynamics, resulting in an NVT ensemble, we implement the parallel tempering through stochastic swaps between the configurations of adjacent potentials, and the large scale Monte Carlo moves through attempted pivot and translation moves which reach a realistic acceptance probability as the limit of the ideal gas of random walks is approached. Compared to pure stochastic dynamics, this results in an increased efficiency even for a system of chains as short as $N = 60$ monomers, however at this chain length the large scale Monte Carlo moves were ineffective. For even longer chains the speedup becomes substantial, as observed from preliminary data for $N = 200$

Global mortality variations in patients with heart failure: results from the International Congestive Heart Failure (INTER-CHF) prospective cohort study

Background Most data on mortality and prognostic factors in patients with heart failure come from North America and Europe, with little information from other regions. Here, in the International Congestive Heart Failure (INTERCHF) study, we aimed to measure mortality at 1 year in patients with heart failure in Africa, China, India, the Middle East, southeast Asia and South America; we also explored demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic variables associated with mortality. Methods We enrolled consecutive patients with heart failure (3695 [66%] clinic outpatients, 2105 [34%] hospital in patients) from 108 centres in six geographical regions. We recorded baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and followed up patients at 6 months and 1 year from enrolment to record symptoms, medications, and outcomes. Time to death was studied with Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic and clinical variables, medications, socioeconomic variables, and region. We used the explained risk statistic to calculate the relative contribution of each level of adjustment to the risk of death. Findings We enrolled 5823 patients within 1 year (with 98% follow-up). Overall mortality was 16·5%: highest in Africa (34%) and India (23%), intermediate in southeast Asia (15%), and lowest in China (7%), South America (9%), and the Middle East (9%). Regional differences persisted after multivariable adjustment. Independent predictors of mortality included cardiac variables (New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV, previous admission for heart failure, and valve disease) and non-cardiac variables (body-mass index, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 46% of mortality risk was explained by multivariable modelling with these variables; however, the remainder was unexplained. Interpretation Marked regional differences in mortality in patients with heart failure persisted after multivariable adjustment for cardiac and non-cardiac factors. Therefore, variations in mortality between regions could be the result of health-care infrastructure, quality and access, or environmental and genetic factors. Further studies in large, global cohorts are needed

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in heart failure in 23,000 patients from 40 countries: Results of the G-CHF Research Program

AIMS: To examine clinical and social correlates of health-related quality of life (HRQL), in patients with heart failure (HF) from high- (HIC), upper middle- (UMIC), lower middle-(LMIC) and low-income (LIC) countries. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2020, we enrolled 23,292 patients with HF (32% inpatients, 61% men) from 40 countries in the Global Congestive Heart Failure Study. We recorded HRQL at baseline using Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-12. In a cross-sectional analysis, we compared age- and sex-adjusted mean KCCQ-12 summary scores (SS: 0-100, higher=better) between patients from different country income levels. We used multivariable linear regression examining correlations (estimated coefficients) of KCCQ-12-SS with sociodemographic-, comorbidity-, treatment- and symptom-covariates. The adjusted model (37 covariates) was informed by univariable findings, clinical importance and backward selection. Mean age was 63 years and 40% were in NYHA class III-IV. Average HRQL was 55±0.5. It was 62.5 (95% CI 62.0-63.1) in HIC, 56.8 (56.1-57.4) in UMIC, 48.6 (48.0-49.3) in LMIC, and 38.5 (37.3-39.7) in LICs (p<0.0001). Strong correlates (estimated coefficient [95% CI]) of KCCQ-12-SS were NYHA class III vs class I/II (-12.1 [-12.8 to -11.4] and class IV vs. class I/II (-16.5 [-17.7 to -15.3]), effort dyspnea (-9.5[-10.2 to -8.8]) and living in LIC vs. HIC (-5.8[-7.1 to -4.4]). Symptoms explained most of the KCCQ-12-SS variability (partial R(2) =0.32 of total adjusted R(2) =0.51), followed by sociodemographic factors (R(2) =0.12). Results were consistent in populations across income levels. CONCLUSION: The most important correlates of HRQL in HF patients relate to HF symptom severity, irrespective of country-income level

Genome of the Komodo dragon reveals adaptations in the cardiovascular and chemosensory systems of monitor lizards.

Monitor lizards are unique among ectothermic reptiles in that they have high aerobic capacity and distinctive cardiovascular physiology resembling that of endothermic mammals. Here, we sequence the genome of the Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis, the largest extant monitor lizard, and generate a high-resolution de novo chromosome-assigned genome assembly for V. komodoensis using a hybrid approach of long-range sequencing and single-molecule optical mapping. Comparing the genome of V. komodoensis with those of related species, we find evidence of positive selection in pathways related to energy metabolism, cardiovascular homoeostasis, and haemostasis. We also show species-specific expansions of a chemoreceptor gene family related to pheromone and kairomone sensing in V. komodoensis and other lizard lineages. Together, these evolutionary signatures of adaptation reveal the genetic underpinnings of the unique Komodo dragon sensory and cardiovascular systems, and suggest that selective pressure altered haemostasis genes to help Komodo dragons evade the anticoagulant effects of their own saliva. The Komodo dragon genome is an important resource for understanding the biology of monitor lizards and reptiles worldwide

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The following sections are included: Introduction The C3MP Methodology and Participation Protocols The C3MP Database and Evaluation C3MP Phase 1: Lessons Learned and Initial Findings Continuing C3MP Efforts and Future Work Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ReferencesThe following sections are included: Introduction The C3MP Methodology and Participation Protocols The C3MP Database and Evaluation C3MP Phase 1: Lessons Learned and Initial Findings Continuing C3MP Efforts and Future Work Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ReferencesNot Availabl

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The following sections are included: Introduction The C3MP Methodology and Participation Protocols The C3MP Database and Evaluation C3MP Phase 1: Lessons Learned and Initial Findings Continuing C3MP Efforts and Future Work Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ReferencesThe following sections are included: Introduction The C3MP Methodology and Participation Protocols The C3MP Database and Evaluation C3MP Phase 1: Lessons Learned and Initial Findings Continuing C3MP Efforts and Future Work Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ReferencesNot Availabl

Strategic R&D Programme on Technologies for Future Experiments - Annual Report 2021

This report summarises the activities and main achievements of the CERN strategic R&D programme on technologies for future experiments during the year 2021