Thick branes with a nonminimally coupled bulk-scalar field

In this paper, we investigate thick branes with a nonminimally coupled background scalar field, whose solution is a single-kink or a double-kink. The effects of the nonminimal coupling constant $\xi$ on the structure of the thick branes and the localization of gravity, fermions, scalars and vectors are discussed. It is shown that each brane will split into two sub-branes as increasing the nonminimal coupling constant $\xi$. By investigating the tensor perturbation equations of gravity and the general covariant Dirac equation of fermions, we find that both the gravity zero mode and left-chiral fermion zero mode are localized at the center of the single-kink branes and localized between the two sub-branes generated by the double-kink, which indicates that the constant $\xi$ does not effect the localization of these zero modes. However, the zero mode of scalars is localized on each sub-brane (for both single-kink and double-kink branes) when $\xi$ is larger than its critical value $\xi_0$. The effects of the nonminimal coupling constant $\xi$ on the resonances of gravity and fermions with finite lifetime on the branes are also discussed.Comment: V2: 33 pages, 17 figures, 3 tables, published versio

Fermion Resonances on a Thick Brane with a Piecewise Warp Factor

In this paper, we mainly investigate the problems of resonances of massive KK fermions on a single scalar constructed thick brane with a piecewise warp factor matching smoothly. The distance between two boundaries and the other parameters are determined by one free parameter through three junction conditions. For the generalized Yukawa coupling $\eta\bar{\Psi}\phi^{k}\Psi$ with odd $k=1,3,5,...$, the mass eigenvalue $m$, width $\Gamma$, lifetime $\tau$, and maximal probability $P_{max}$ of fermion resonances are obtained. Our numerical calculations show that the brane without internal structure also favors the appearance of resonant states for both left- and right-handed fermions. The scalar-fermion coupling and the thickness of the brane influence the resonant behaviors of the massive KK fermions.Comment: V3: 15 pages, 7 figures, published versio

Retinal Microvasculature in Relation to Central Hemodynamics in a Flemish Population

Arterial stiffness and wave reflection predict cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and are associated with renal microvascular disease. We hypothesized that the retinal microvascular traits might be associated with central hemodynamic properties. In 735 randomly recruited Flemish (mean age, 50.3 years; 47.1% women), we derived central pulse pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity by applanation tonometry and calculated forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) pulse waves, using an automated pressure-based wave separation algorithm. We measured central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular equivalent and their ratio, using IVAN software (Vasculomatic ala Nicola, version 1.1). Mean values for pulse wave velocity (n=554), Pf and Pb were 7.50 m/s, 32.0 mm Hg, and 21.5 mm Hg, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, CRAE was 4.62 µm and 1.26 µm smaller (P≤0.034) for a 1-SD increment in central mean arterial pressure (+11.3 mm Hg) and central pulse pressure (+15.2 mm Hg); a 1-SD increment in the augmentation ratio (+7.0%), aortic pulse wave velocity (+1.66 m/s), Pf (+10.0 mm Hg), and Pb (+8.5 mm Hg), was associated with smaller CRAE; the association sizes were -1.91 µm, -1.59 µm, -1.45 µm, and -2.38 µm (P≤0.014), respectively. Associations of arteriole-to-venule diameter ratio with the central hemodynamic traits mirrored those of CRAE. None of the multivariable-adjusted associations of central retinal venular diameter with the central hemodynamic traits reached significance with the exception of central diastolic blood pressure (-1.62 µm; P=0.030). In conclusion, in the general population, higher central pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity, Pf, and Pb were associated with smaller CRAE

The separability of tripartite Gaussian state with amplification and amplitude damping

Tripartite three mode Gaussian state undergoes parametric amplification and amplitude damping as well as thermal noise is studied. In the case of a state totally symmetrically interacting with the environment, the time dependent correlation matrix of the state in evolution is given. The conditions for fully separability and fully entanglement of the final tripartite three mode Gaussian state are worked out.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Enhancement of polar phases in PVDF by forming PVDF/SiC nanowire composite

Different contents of silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires were mixed with Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to facilitate the polar phase crystallization. It was shown that the annealing temperature and SiC content affected on the phase and crystalline structures of PVDF/SiC samples. Furthermore, the addition of SiC nanowire enhanced the transformation of non-polar α phase to polar phases and increased the relative fraction of β phase in PVDF. Due to the nucleating agent mechanism of SiC nanowires, the ion-dipole interaction between the negatively charged surface of SiC nanowires and the positive CH2 groups in PVDF facilitated the formation of polar phases in PVDF

Two-Year Responses of Renal Function to First Occupational Lead Exposure

Introduction Whether in advanced countries lead exposure still contributes to renal impairment is debated, because blood lead (BL) level is declining toward preindustrial levels and because longitudinal studies correlating renal function and BL changes over time are scarce. Methods The Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (SPHERL) evaluated the 2-year renal function responses in 251 workers (mean age, 29.7 years) transiting from environmental to occupational exposure. Main study end point was the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from serum creatinine (eGFRcrt), cystatin C (eGFRcys), or both (eGFRcc). BL level was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (detection limit 0.5 μg/dl). Results In the follow-up, mean baseline BL level of 4.13 μg/dl increased 3.30-fold. In fully adjusted mixed models, additionally accounting for the within-participant clustering of the 1- and 2-year follow-up data, a 3-fold BL level increment was not significantly correlated with changes in eGFR with estimates amounting to −0.86 (95% CI: −2.39 to 0.67), −1.58 (−3.34 to 0.18), and −1.32 (−2.66 to 0.03) ml/min per 1.73 m2 for eGFRcrt, eGFRcys, or eGFRcc, respectively. Baseline BL level and the cumulative lead burden did not materially modify these estimates, but baseline eGFR was a major determinant of eGFR changes showing regression to the mean during follow-up. Responses of serum osmolarity, urinary gravity, or the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) were also unrelated to the BL level increment. The age-related decreases in eGFRcrt, eGFRcys, and eGFRcc were −1.41, −0.96, and −1.10 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively. Conclusion In the current study, the 2-year changes in renal function were unrelated to the increase in BL level. However, given the CIs around the point estimates of the changes in eGFRcc and eGFRcys, a larger study with longer follow-up is being planned

Outcome-Driven Thresholds for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Based on the New ACC/AHA Classification of Hypertension

The new ACC/AHA guideline reclassified office blood pressure (OBP) and proposed thresholds for ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). We derived outcome-driven ABP thresholds corresponding with the new OBP categories. We performed 24-h ABP monitoring in 11,152 participants (48.9% women; mean age 53.0 years) representative of 13 populations. We determined ABP thresholds resulting in multivariable-adjusted 10-year risks similar to those associated with elevated OBP (120/80 mm Hg) and stages 1 and 2 of office hypertension (130/80 and 140/90 mm Hg). Over 13.9 years (median), 2728 (rate per 1000 person-years, 17.9) people died, 1033 (6.8) from cardiovascular disease; furthermore, 1988 (13.8), 893 (6.0) and 795 (5.4) cardiovascular and coronary events and strokes occurred. Using a composite cardiovascular endpoint, systolic/diastolic outcome-driven thresholds indicating elevated 24-h, daytime and nighttime ABP were 117.9/75.2, 121.4/79.6 and 105.3/66.2 mm Hg. For stages 1 and -2 ambulatory hypertension, thresholds were 123.3/75.2 and 128.7/80.7 mm Hg for 24-h ABP, 128.5/79.6 and 135.6/87.1 mm Hg for daytime ABP and 111.7/66.2 and 118.1/72.5 mm Hg for nighttime ABP. ABP thresholds derived from other endpoints were similar. After rounding, approximate thresholds for elevated 24-h, daytime and nighttime ABP were 120/75, 120/80 and 105/65 mm Hg and for stages 1 and 2 ambulatory hypertension 125/75 and 130/80 mm Hg, 130/80 and 135/85 mm Hg, and 110/65 and 120/70 mm Hg. Outcome-driven ABP thresholds corresponding to elevated blood pressure and stages 1 and 2 of hypertension are similar to those proposed by the current ACC/AHA guideline

Prediction of coronary artery disease using urinary proteomics

Aims: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is multifactorial, caused by complex pathophysiology, and contributes to a high burden of mortality worldwide. Urinary proteomic analyses may help to identify predictive biomarkers and provide insights into the pathogenesis of CAD. Methods and results: Urinary proteome was analysed in 965 participants using capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. A proteomic classifier was developed in a discovery cohort with 36 individuals with CAD and 36 matched controls using the support vector machine. The classifier was tested in a validation cohort with 115 individuals who progressed to CAD and 778 controls and compared with two previously developed CAD-associated classifiers, CAD238 and ACSP75. The Framingham and SCORE2 risk scores were available in 737 participants. Bioinformatic analysis was performed based on the CAD-associated peptides. The novel proteomic classifier was comprised of 160 urinary peptides, mainly related to collagen turnover, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. In the validation cohort, the classifier provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–0.87] for the CAD prediction in 8 years, superior to CAD238 (AUC: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66–0.77) and ACSP75 (AUC: 0.53 and 95% CI: 0.47–0.60). On top of CAD238 and ACSP75, the addition of the novel classifier improved the AUC to 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80–0.89). In a multivariable Cox model, a 1-SD increment in the novel classifier was associated with a higher risk of CAD (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.26–1.89, P \u3c 0.0001). The new classifier further improved the risk reclassification of CAD on top of the Framingham or SCORE2 risk scores (net reclassification index: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.25–0.95, P = 0.001; 0.64, 95% CI: 0.28–0.98, P = 0.001, correspondingly). Conclusion: A novel urinary proteomic classifier related to collagen metabolism, lipids, and inflammation showed potential for the risk prediction of CAD. Urinary proteome provides an alternative approach to personalized prevention

Two-year neurocognitive responses to first occupational lead exposure

Objectives Lead exposure causes neurocognitive dysfunction in children, but its association with neurocognition in adults at current occupational exposure levels is uncertain mainly due to the lack of longitudinal studies. In the Study for Promotion of Health in Recycling Lead (NCT02243904), we assessed the two-year responses of neurocognitive function among workers without previous known occupational exposure newly hired at lead recycling plants. Methods Workers completed the digit-symbol test (DST) and Stroop test (ST) at baseline and annual follow-up visits. Blood lead (BL) was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (detection limit 0.5 μg/ dL). Statistical methods included multivariable-adjusted mixed models with participants modelled as random effect. Results DST was administered to 260 participants (11.9% women; 46.9%/45.0% whites/Hispanics; mean age 29.4 years) and ST to 168 participants. Geometric means were 3.97 and 4.13 μg/dL for baseline BL, and 3.30 and 3.44 for the last-follow-up-to-baseline BL ratio in DST and ST cohorts, respectively. In partially adjusted models, a doubling of the BL ratio was associated with a 0.66% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03–1.30%; P=0.040] increase in latency time (DST) and a 0.35% (95% CI ‑1.63–1.63%; P=0.59) decrease in the inference effect (ST). In fully adjusted models, none of the associations of the changes in the DST and ST test results with the blood lead changes reached statistical significance (P≥0.12). Conclusions An over 3-fold increase in blood lead over two years of occupational exposure was not associated with a relevant decline in cognitive performance