NONSTATISTICAL BEHAVIOR OF COUPLED OPTICAL-SYSTEMS

We study globally coupled chaotic maps modeling an optical system, and find clear evidence of non-statistical behavior: The mean-square deviation (MSD) of the mean field saturates with respect to an increase in the number of elements coupled, after a critical value, and its distribution is clearly non-Gaussian. We also find that the power spectrum of the mean field displays well-defined peaks, indicating a subtle coherence among different elements, even in the "turbulent" phase. This system is a physically realistic model that may be experimentally realizable. It is also a higher-dimensional example (as each individual element is given by a complex map). Its study confirms that the phenomena observed in a wide class of coupled one-dimensional maps are present here as well. This gives more evidence to believe that such nonstatistical behavior is probably generic in globally coupled systems. We also investigate the influence of parametric fluctuations on the MSD.4585469547

A randomized control trial evaluating fluorescent ink versus dark ink tattoos for breast radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this UK study was to evaluate interfraction reproducibility and body image score when using ultraviolet (UV) tattoos (not visible in ambient lighting) for external references during breast/chest wall radiotherapy and compare with conventional dark ink. METHODS: In this non-blinded, single-centre, parallel group, randomized control trial, patients were allocated to receive either conventional dark ink or UV ink tattoos using computer-generated random blocks. Participant assignment was not masked. Systematic (∑) and random (σ) setup errors were determined using electronic portal images. Body image questionnaires were completed at pre-treatment, 1 month and 6 months to determine the impact of tattoo type on body image. The primary end point was to determine that UV tattoo random error (σsetup) was no less accurate than with conventional dark ink tattoos, i.e. <2.8 mm. RESULTS: 46 patients were randomized to receive conventional dark or UV ink tattoos. 45 patients completed treatment (UV: n = 23, dark: n = 22). σsetup for the UV tattoo group was <2.8 mm in the u and v directions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). A larger proportion of patients reported improvement in body image score in the UV tattoo group compared with the dark ink group at 1 month [56% (13/23) vs 14% (3/22), respectively] and 6 months [52% (11/21) vs 38% (8/21), respectively]. CONCLUSION: UV tattoos were associated with interfraction setup reproducibility comparable with conventional dark ink. Patients reported a more favourable change in body image score up to 6 months following treatment. Advances in knowledge: This study is the first to evaluate UV tattoo external references in a randomized control trial

Novel insights into maladaptive behaviours in Prader-Willi syndrome: serendipitous findings from an open trial of vagus nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND: We report striking and unanticipated improvements in maladaptive behaviours in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) during a trial of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) initially designed to investigate effects on the overeating behaviour. PWS is a genetically determined neurodevelopmental disorder associated with mild-moderate intellectual disability (ID) and social and behavioural difficulties, alongside a characteristic and severe hyperphagia. METHODS: Three individuals with PWS underwent surgery to implant the VNS device. VNS was switched on 3 months post-implantation, with an initial 0.25 mA output current incrementally increased to a maximum of 1.5 mA as tolerated by each individual. Participants were followed up monthly. RESULTS: Vagal nerve stimulation in these individuals with PWS, within the stimulation parameters used here, was safe and acceptable. However, changes in eating behaviour were equivocal. Intriguingly, unanticipated, although consistent, beneficial effects were reported by two participants and their carers in maladaptive behaviour, temperament and social functioning. These improvements and associated effects on food-seeking behaviour, but not weight, indicate that VNS may have potential as a novel treatment for such behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that these changes are mediated through afferent and efferent vagal projections and their effects on specific neural networks and functioning of the autonomic nervous system and provide new insights into the mechanisms that underpin what are serious and common problems affecting people with IDs more generally.This study was funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Isaac Newton Trust , and Prader-Willi Association UK. Funding bodies had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing of the report or the decision to submit for publication. We are grateful to the NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Care Research and Care (CLAHRC) East of England for financial support to AJH and HAR and to the Health Foundation for support of AJH. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Taylor & Francis via http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jir.1220

An empirical investigation of dance addiction

Although recreational dancing is associated with increased physical and psychological well-being, little is known about the harmful effects of excessive dancing. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychopathological factors associated with dance addiction. The sample comprised 447 salsa and ballroom dancers (68% female, mean age: 32.8 years) who danced recreationally at least once a week. The Exercise Addiction Inventory (Terry, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2004) was adapted for dance (Dance Addiction Inventory, DAI). Motivation, general mental health (BSI-GSI, and Mental Health Continuum), borderline personality disorder, eating disorder symptoms, and dance motives were also assessed. Five latent classes were explored based on addiction symptoms with 11% of participants belonging to the most problematic class. DAI was positively associated with psychiatric distress, borderline personality and eating disorder symptoms. Hierarchical linear regression model indicated that Intensity (ß=0.22), borderline (ß=0.08), eating disorder (ß=0.11) symptoms, as well as Escapism (ß=0.47) and Mood Enhancement (ß=0.15) (as motivational factors) together explained 42% of DAI scores. Dance addiction as assessed with the Dance Addiction Inventory is associated with indicators of mild psychopathology and therefore warrants further research

The biogas chain and local sustainability: an environmental socioeconomic analysis of energy obtained from urban solid-waste from the Caximba land-fill in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

Urban solid waste-derived renewable energy sources are currently being discussed as strategic choices; however, they have not yet been significantly included in world and/or Brazilian energetic matrixes. Feasibility studies must be carded out on the use of renewable sources and on related socioeconomic and environmental impacts. The research method was exploratory and was aimed at assessing the feasibility of generating energy from the Caximba (Parana, Brazil) sanitary landfill biogas chain, taking its socioeconomic and environmental sustainability into consideration; this landfill contains around 8 million tons of solid waste. The results showed that generating renewable energy was not economically feasible in the technological conditions defined by this case-study due to the plant's low-scale production. However, biogas production could become economically, environmentally and socially feasible if combined with carbon credit trading.1934839

Color Differences Highlight Concomitant Polymorphism of Chalcones

The meta- and para-nitro isomers of (E)-3′-dimethylamino-nitrochalcone (Gm8m and Gm8p) are shown to exhibit concomitant color polymorphism, with Gm8m appearing as yellow (P2_{1}/c) or orange (P1̅) crystals and Gm8p appearing as red (P2_{1}/n) or black (P2_{1}/c) crystals. Each of the polymorphs was characterized optically via UV–vis spectroscopy, and their thermal behavior was characterized via differential scanning calorimetry and low-temperature powder X-ray diffraction. To assess the effect of molecular configuration and crystal packing on the colors of crystals of the different polymorphs, time dependent density functional theory (ωB97x) calculations were carried out on isolated molecules, dimers, stacks, and small clusters cut from the crystal structures of the four polymorphs. The calculated color comes from several excitations and is affected by conformation and most intermolecular contacts within the crystal, with the color differences between polymorphs mainly being due to the differences in the π–π stacking. The visual differences between these related polymorphic systems make them particularly useful for studying polymorph behavior such as phase transitions and concomitant polymorph growth

Gravitational Waves from Gravitational Collapse

Gravitational wave emission from the gravitational collapse of massive stars has been studied for more than three decades. Current state of the art numerical investigations of collapse include those that use progenitors with realistic angular momentum profiles, properly treat microphysics issues, account for general relativity, and examine non--axisymmetric effects in three dimensions. Such simulations predict that gravitational waves from various phenomena associated with gravitational collapse could be detectable with advanced ground--based and future space--based interferometric observatories.Comment: 68 pages including 13 figures; revised version accepted for publication in Living Reviews in Relativity (http://www.livingreviews.org

Magnetic resonance imaging sequence evaluation of an MR Linac system; early clinical experience.

Objectives:To systematically identify the preferred magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences following volunteer imaging on a 1.5 Tesla (T) MR-Linear Accelerator (MR Linac) for future protocol development. Methods:Non-patient volunteers were recruited to a Research and Ethics committee approved prospective MR-only imaging study on a 1.5T MR Linac system. Volunteers attended 1-3 imaging sessions that included a combination of mDixon, T1w, T2w sequences using 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) acquisitions. Each sequence was acquired over 2-7 minutes and reviewed by a panel of 3 observers to evaluate image quality using a visual grading analysis based on a 4-point Likert scale. Sequences were acquired and modified iteratively until deemed fit for purpose (online image matching or re-planning) and all observers agreed they were suitable in 3 volunteers. Results:26 volunteers underwent 31 imaging sessions of six general anatomical regions. Images were acquired in one or two of six general anatomical regions: male pelvis (n = 9), female pelvis (n = 4), chestwall/breast (n = 5), lung/oesophagus (n = 5), abdomen (n = 3) and head and neck (n = 5). Images were acquired using a pre-defined exam-card that on average, included six sequences (range 2-10), with a maximum scan time of approximately one hour. The majority of observers preferred T2-weighted sequences. The thorax teams were the only groups to prefer T1-weighted imaging. Conclusions:An iterative process identified sequence agreement in all anatomical regions. These sequences will now be evaluated in patient volunteers. Advances in knowledge:This manuscript is the first publication sharing the results of the first systematic selection of MRI sequences for use in on-board MRI-guided radiotherapy by end-users (therapeutic radiographers and clinical oncologists) in healthy volunteers

Alzheimer's disease-associated P460L variant of EphA1 dysregulates receptor activity and blood-brain barrier function

INTRODUCTION: Genome-wide association studies link susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) with EphA1. Sequencing identified a non-synonymous substitution P460L as a LOAD risk variant. Other Ephs regulate vascular permeability and immune cell recruitment. We hypothesized that P460L dysregulates EphA1 receptor activity and impacts neuroinflammation. METHODS: EphA1/P460L receptor activity was assayed in isogenic Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells. Soluble EphA1/P460L (sEphA1/sP460L) reverse signaling in brain endothelial cells was assessed by T-cell recruitment and barrier function assays. RESULTS: EphA1 and P460L were expressed in HEK cells, but membrane and soluble P460L were significantly reduced. Ligand engagement induced Y781 phosphorylation of EphA1 but not P460L. sEphA1 primed brain endothelial cells for increased T-cell recruitment; however, sP460L was less effective. sEphA1 decreased the integrity of the brain endothelial barrier, while sP460L had no effect. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that P460L alters EphA1-dependent forward and reverse signaling, which may impact blood-brain barrier function in LOAD. Highlights: EphA1-dependent reverse signaling controls recruitment of T cells by brain endothelial cells. EphA1-dependent reverse signaling remodels brain endothelial cell contacts. LOAD-associated P460L variant of EphA1 shows reduced membrane expression and reduced ligand responses. LOAD-associated P460L variant of EphA1 fails to reverse signal to brain endothelial cells.Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute (NMHRI), Cardiff University and Sir Geraint Evans Cardiovascular Fund, Cardiff University (grant to A.A. and A.J.R.), L.E.T. by UK Dementia Research Institute, Cardiff University, O.R.M. by School of Medicine, Cardiff University, S.S. and C.L.T. by Eli Lilly (grant to J.W. and A.A.), and C.C. by School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol. The Bioflux 200 was funded by the Leukemia Research Appeal for Wales, and iBright 1500 was funded by the Ser Cymru II programme (grant CU209 to V.K. and Manon Pritch, which was partially funded by Cardiff University and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government (Grant CU209 to V.K. and Manon Pritchard)

Pyrolysis using microwave absorbents as reaction bed: An improved approach to transform used frying oil into biofuel product with desirable properties

Used frying oil (UFO), a waste produced in large volume each year worldwide, represents a potential resource for biofuel production rather than a disposal problem for modern society. Pyrolysis technique using microwave heating offers a promising approach for the conversion of UFO into biofuel products with improved properties. In this study, pyrolysis of UFO was performed by contacting with a bed of microwave absorbents heated by microwave radiation. The pyrolysis approach was examined using different materials as the reaction bed, comprising particulate carbon, activated carbon and mesoporous aluminosilicate (MCM-41). The use of particulate and activated carbon as the reaction bed provided a fast heating rate and extensive cracking capacity to pyrolyze the used oil, thus showing favorable features that could lead to short process time and less energy usage. This resulted in a production of a high yield of a biofuel product (up to 73 wt%) in a process taking less than 35 min. The biofuel showed a composition dominated by light C$_{5}$-C$_{20}$ aliphatic hydrocarbons with low amounts of oxygenated compounds (≤11%). In particular, the oil product obtained from activated carbon bed showed a low nitrogen content and was free of carboxylic acid and sulphur. The absence of carboxylic acids with low amounts of oxygenated compounds could reduce the formation of oxygenated by-products that could generate undesirable acidic tar or potentially hazardous sludge in the biofuel during storage. Combined with the detection of a high calorific value (46 MJ/kg) nearly comparable to diesel fuel, the biofuel shows great promise to be upgraded for use as a ‘cleaner’ fuel source with potentially reduced oxygenated by-products plus low or zero emissions of NO$_{x}$ and SO$_{x}$ during the use of the fuel in combustion process. This study also revealed that the use of activated carbon bed results in the highest energy recovery (88–90%) from the used frying oil. Our results demonstrated that the use of a microwave-heated reaction bed of activated carbon shows great potential as an improved and sustainable pyrolysis approach that is energy-efficient and timesaving for the recycling of used frying oil into a biofuel product with desirable properties. This pyrolysis approach provides an alternative to transesterification that avoids the use of solvents and catalysts, and thus could be developed further as a promising route to recycle various types of waste and biomass materials