A noncommutative Brooks–Jewett Theorem

AbstractIn classical measure theory the Brooks–Jewett Theorem provides a finitely-additive-analogue to the Vitali–Hahn–Saks Theorem. In this paper, it is studied whether the Brooks–Jewett Theorem allows for a noncommutative extension. It will be seen that, in general, a bona-fide extension is not valid. Indeed, it will be shown that a C*-algebra A satisfies the Brooks–Jewett property if, and only if, it is Grothendieck, and every irreducible representation of A is finite-dimensional; and a von Neumann algebra satisfies the Brooks–Jewett property if, and only if, it is topologically equivalent to an abelian algebra

On the auxetic properties of generic rotating rigid triangles

Materials having a negative Poisson’s ratio (auxetic) get fatter rather than thinner when uniaxially stretched. This phenomenon has been often explained through models that describe how particular geometric features in the micro or nanostructure of the material deform when subjected to uniaxial loads. Here, a new model based on scalene rigid triangles rotate relative to each other will be presented and analysed. It is shown that this model can afford a very wide range of Poisson’s ratio values, the sign and magnitude of which depends on the shape of the triangles and the angles between them. This new model has the advantage that it is very generic and may be potentially used to describe the properties in various types of materials, including auxetic foams and their relative surface density. Specific applications of this model, such as a blueprint for a system that can exhibit temperature-dependent Poisson’s ratios, are also discussed.peer-reviewe

Improving Diagnostic Yield of Capsule Endoscopy in Coeliac Disease: Can Flexible Spectral Imaging Colour Enhancement Play a Role?

Introduction: Flexible spectral imaging colour enhancement (FICE) is a form of virtual chromoendoscopy that is incorporated in the capsule reading software and that can be used by reviewers to enhance the delineation of lesions in the small bowel. This has been shown to be useful in the detection of pigmented (ulcers, angioectasias) lesions. However, its application to coeliac disease (CD) images from small bowel capsule endoscopies (SBCEs) has rarely been studied. Methods: This was a European, multicentre study that included 5 expert capsule reviewers who were asked to evaluate a number of normal and abnormal de-identified images from SBCEs of patients with CD to determine whether the use of FICE and blue light can improve the detection of CD-related changes. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of conventional white light in the delineation of CD-related changes were 100%. The next best image modification was FICE 1 with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. There was no difference between conventional white light, FICE and blue light for the identification of CD-related changes. There was a low agreement (Fleiss kappa 0.107; p = 0.147) between expert reviewers in selecting the best image modification that detected CD-related changes. Conclusions: FICE and blue light were not found to be superior to conventional white light in the delineation of macroscopic changes related to CD on SBCEs

Teleradiology usage and user satisfaction with the telemedicine system operated by Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) began a pilot trial of store-and-forward telemedicine in 2010, initially operating separate networks in English, French, and Spanish; these were merged into a single, multilingual platform in 2013. We reviewed the pattern of teleradiology usage on the MSF telemedicine platform in the 4-year period from April 2010. In total, 564 teleradiology cases were submitted from 22 different countries. A total of 1114 files were uploaded with the 564 cases, the majority being of type JPEG (n = 1081, 97%). The median file size was 938 kb (interquartile range, IQR 163-1659). A panel of 14 radiologists was available to report cases, but most (90%) were reported by only 4 radiologists. The median radiologist response time was 6.1 h (IQR 3.0-20). A user satisfaction survey was sent to 29 users in the last 6 months of the study. There was a 28% response rate. Most respondents found the radiologist's advice helpful and all of them stated that the advice assisted in clarification of a diagnosis. Although some MSF sites made substantial use of the system for teleradiology, there is considerable potential for expansion. More promotion of telemedicine may be needed at different levels of the organization to increase engagement of staff

Evaluation of a chest radiograph reading and recording system for tuberculosis in a HIV-positive cohort.

Aim To assess the impact of introducing a chest radiograph reading and recording system (CRRS) with a short training session, on the accuracy and inter-reader variability of tuberculosis (TB) interpretation of chest radiographs (CXRs) by a group of non-expert readers in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive cohort. Materials and methods A set of 139 CXRs was reviewed by a group of eight physicians pre- and post-intervention at two clinics in Shan State, Myanmar, providing HIV/TB diagnosis and treatment services. The results were compared against the consensus of expert radiologists for accuracy. Results Overall accuracy was similar pre- and post-intervention for most physicians with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve difference of 0.02 (95% confidence interval: –0.03, 0.07). The overall agreement among physicians was poor pre- and post-intervention (Fleiss κ=0.35 and κ=0.29 respectively). The assessment of agreement for specific disease patterns associated with active TB in HIV-infected patients showed that for intrinsically subtle findings, the agreement was generally poor but better for the more intrinsically obvious disease patterns: pleural effusion (Cohen’s kappa range = 0.37–0.67) and milliary nodular pattern (Cohen’s kappa range = 0.25–0.52). Conclusion This study demonstrated limited impact of the introduction of a CRRS on CXR accuracy and agreement amongst non-expert readers. The role in which CXRs are used for TB diagnosis in a HIV-positive cohort in similar clinical contexts should be reviewed

Gender-based violence against women in contemporary France: domestic violence and forced marriage policy since the Istanbul Convention

ABSTRACT: In 2014, France ratified the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) and passed the Law for Equality between Women and Men to bring French law into line with it. The Law for Equality between Women and Men situates the fight against violence against women within a broader context of the need to address inequalities between women and men. This is not new at the international level, but it is new to France. When the structural, transformative understandings of violence against women found in international texts are translated into national laws, policy documents and implementation on the ground, they might challenge widespread ideas about gender relations, or they might be diluted in order to achieve consensus. To what extent has French violence against women policy moved into line with UN and Council of Europe initiatives which present violence against women as both a cause and a consequence of gendered power relations? Have internationally accepted concepts of gender and gender-based violence been incorporated into French policy debates and, if so, how? What implications, if any, does all this have for the continued struggle in France and elsewhere to eliminate violence a gainst women? RÉSUMÉ: En 2014, la France a ratifié la Convention du Conseil de l’Europe sur la prévention et la lutte contre la violence à l’égard des femmes et la violence domestique (dite Convention d’Istanbul) et a adopté dans la foulée la loi pour l’égalité réelle entre les femmes et les hommes afin de mettre en conformité la législation française. Cette loi place la lutte contre la violence à l’égard des femmes dans un contexte de lutte contre les inégalités de genre. Si cela est loin d’être une nouveauté à l’échelle internationale, cela l’est en France. Lorsque les conceptions structurelles et transformatrices de la violence à l’égard des femmes présentes dans les textes internationaux sont traduites à l’échelle nationale en lois, documents d’orientation et mesures de mise en œuvre sur le terrain, elles peuvent alors remettre en question des idées largement répandues sur les rapports de genre, ou au contraire être édulcorées afin d’aboutir à un consensus. Dans quelle mesure la politique de la France relative à la violence à l’égard des femmes s’est-elle alignée sur les initiatives de l’ONU et du Conseil de l’Europe qui présentent ce type de violence comme étant à la fois une cause et une conséquence des rapports de force liés au genre? Le genre et la violence fondée sur le genre, qui sont des concepts internationalement reconnus, ont-ils été intégrés dans les débats politiques français, et si oui, de quelle manière? Quelles en sont les implications le cas échéant sur la poursuite, en France et ailleurs, de la lutte pour éliminer la violence à l’égard des femmes

Mechanisms of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound phenotypes in paediatric cerebral malaria remain elusive.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral malaria (CM) results in significant paediatric death and neurodisability in sub-Saharan Africa. Several different alterations to typical Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (TCD) flow velocities and waveforms in CM have been described, but mechanistic contributors to these abnormalities are unknown. If identified, targeted, TCD-guided adjunctive therapy in CM may improve outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of children 6 months to 12 years with CM in Blantyre, Malawi recruited between January 2018 and June 2021. Medical history, physical examination, laboratory analysis, electroencephalogram, and magnetic resonance imaging were undertaken on presentation. Admission TCD results determined phenotypic grouping following a priori definitions. Evaluation of the relationship between haemodynamic, metabolic, or intracranial perturbations that lead to these observed phenotypes in other diseases was undertaken. Neurological outcomes at hospital discharge were evaluated using the Paediatric Cerebral Performance Categorization (PCPC) score. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were enrolled. Seven (4%) had a normal TCD examination, 57 (33%) met criteria for hyperaemia, 50 (29%) for low flow, 14 (8%) for microvascular obstruction, 11 (6%) for vasospasm, and 35 (20%) for isolated posterior circulation high flow. A lower cardiac index (CI) and higher systemic vascular resistive index (SVRI) were present in those with low flow than other groups (p \u3c 0.003), though these values are normal for age (CI 4.4 [3.7,5] l/min/m2, SVRI 1552 [1197,1961] dscm-5m2). Other parameters were largely not significantly different between phenotypes. Overall, 118 children (68%) had a good neurological outcome. Twenty-three (13%) died, and 33 (19%) had neurological deficits. Outcomes were best for participants with hyperaemia and isolated posterior high flow (PCPC 1-2 in 77 and 89% respectively). Participants with low flow had the least likelihood of a good outcome (PCPC 1-2 in 42%) (p \u3c 0.001). Cerebral autoregulation was significantly better in children with good outcome (transient hyperemic response ratio (THRR) 1.12 [1.04,1.2]) compared to a poor outcome (THRR 1.05 [0.98,1.02], p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Common pathophysiological mechanisms leading to TCD phenotypes in non-malarial illness are not causative in children with CM. Alternative mechanistic contributors, including mechanical factors of the cerebrovasculature and biologically active regulators of vascular tone should be explored