Proportions of the aesthetic African-Caribbean face : idealized ratios, comparison with the golden proportion and perceptions of attractiveness

Abstract Background In the absence of clear guidelines for facial aesthetic surgery, most surgeons rely on expert intuitive judgement when planning aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. One of the most famous theories regarding “ideal” facial proportions is that of the golden proportion. However, there are conflicting opinions as to whether it can be used to assess facial attractiveness. The aim of this investigation was to assess facial ratios of professional black models and to compare the ratios with the golden proportion. Methods Forty photographs of male and female professional black models were collected. Observers were asked to assign a score from 1 to 10 (1 = not very attractive, 10 = very attractive). A total of 287 responses were analysed for grading behaviour according to various demographic factors by two groups of observers. The best graded photographs were compared with the least well-graded photographs to identify any differences in their facial ratios. The models’ facial ratios were calculated and compared with the golden proportion. Results Differences in grading behaviour were observed amongst the two assessment groups. Only one out of the 12 facial ratios was not significantly different from the golden proportion. Conclusions Only one facial ratio was observed to be similar to the golden proportion in professional model facial photographs. No correlation was found between facial ratios in professional black models with the golden proportion. It is proposed that an individualistic treatment for each ratio is a rather better method to guide future practice

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

O cuidado pré-natal em hospital universitário: uma avaliação de processo Prenatal care in an university hospital: evaluating the process

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o processo de atenção pré-natal referente à utilização do cuidado pré-natal do Programa Assistência Pré-natal às Gestantes de Baixo Risco do Hospital Universitário de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil. Compreendeu a seleção de critérios de qualidade que avaliaram a precocidade no ingresso e a adequação do número de consultas de pré-natal, mensuradas conforme o Programa de Humanização do Pré-natal e Nascimento do Ministério da Saúde e Índice de Adequação da Utilização do Cuidado Pré-natal. O estudo demonstrou que 44,5% gestantes iniciaram tardiamente o pré-natal, o que pode sugerir uma oferta limitada de vagas e a busca por melhor qualidade na atenção, demonstrada pela transferência espontânea de gestantes de outros serviços para o programa. As consultas de pré-natal foram garantidas, sendo o número médio &shy; 9,8 consultas por gestante &shy; superior aos parâmetros nacionais recomendados. Os indicadores utilizados e desenvolvidos para a avaliação de processo identificaram que o serviço ainda apresenta obstáculos ao acesso organizacional, necessitando, assim, da definição de estratégias que garantam essa diretriz fundamental do SUS.<br>The objective of this study was to evaluate the prenatal care process referring to the Prenatal Assistance to Low Risk Pregnant Women Program of the University Hospital of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. It was made a selection of quality criteria which evaluate the precocity in the process and the adequacy in the number of consultation during prenatal period, measured by the Humanization Program of Prenatal and Birth of the Health Ministry and the adequacy on the use of the prenatal care. The study showed that 44.5% of pregnant women started late the prenatal care suggest of the low offer and search to better quality care, which is manifested by spontaneous transference of pregnant women to other services to the program. The prenatal consultations were confirmed and the results showed a mean of 9.8 consultations per pregnant woman &shy; higher than the recommended national parameters. The indicators used and developed to the evaluation of process still present some obstacles to the organizational access and need to define strategies which guarantee this fundamental policy of the Brazilian Unified Health System

Cross-validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of body composition in a representative sample of 6- to 13-year-old children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: (1) To cross-validate tetra- (4-BIA) and octopolar (8-BIA) bioelectrical impedance analysis vs dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the assessment of total and appendicular body composition and (2) to evaluate the accuracy of external 4-BIA algorithms for the prediction of total body composition, in a representative sample of Swiss children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A representative sample of 333 Swiss children aged 6-13 years from the Kinder-Sportstudie (KISS) (ISRCTN15360785). Whole-body fat-free mass (FFM) and appendicular lean tissue mass were measured with DXA. Body resistance (R) was measured at 50 kHz with 4-BIA and segmental body resistance at 5, 50, 250 and 500 kHz with 8-BIA. The resistance index (RI) was calculated as height(2)/R. Selection of predictors (gender, age, weight, RI4 and RI8) for BIA algorithms was performed using bootstrapped stepwise linear regression on 1000 samples. We calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI) of regression coefficients and measures of model fit using bootstrap analysis. Limits of agreement were used as measures of interchangeability of BIA with DXA. RESULTS: 8-BIA was more accurate than 4-BIA for the assessment of FFM (root mean square error (RMSE)=0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.98) vs 1.12 kg (1.01-1.24); limits of agreement 1.80 to -1.80 kg vs 2.24 to -2.24 kg). 8-BIA also gave accurate estimates of appendicular body composition, with RMSE &lt; or = 0.10 kg for arms and &lt; or = 0.24 kg for legs. All external 4-BIA algorithms performed poorly with substantial negative proportional bias (r&gt; or = 0.48, P&lt;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a representative sample of young Swiss children (1) 8-BIA was superior to 4-BIA for the prediction of FFM, (2) external 4-BIA algorithms gave biased predictions of FFM and (3) 8-BIA was an accurate predictor of segmental body composition

Common variation in PHACTR1 is associated with susceptibility to cervical artery dissection

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a mural hematoma in a carotid or vertebral artery, is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults although relatively uncommon in the general population (incidence of 2.6/100,000 per year)(1). Minor cervical traumas, infection, migraine and hypertension are putative risk factors(1-3), and inverse associations with obesity and hypercholesterolemia are described(3,4). No confirmed genetic susceptibility factors have been identified using candidate gene approaches(5). We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 1,393 CeAD cases and 14,416 controls. The rs9349379[G] allele (PHACTR(1)) was associated with lower CeAD risk (odds ratio (OR) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69-0.82; P = 4.46 x 10(-10)), with confirmation in independent follow-up samples (659 CeAD cases and 2,648 controls; P = 3.91 x 10(-3); combined P = 1.00 x 10(-11)). The rs9349379[G] allele was previously shown to be associated with lower risk of migraine and increased risk of myocardial infarction(6-9). Deciphering the mechanisms underlying this pleiotropy might provide important information on the biological underpinnings of these disabling conditions