On the Kodaira dimension of the moduli space of hyperelliptic curves with marked points

It is known that the moduli space $\overline{\mathcal{H}}_{g,n}$ of genus g stable hyperelliptic curves with $n$ marked points is uniruled for $n \geq 4g+5$. In this paper we consider the complementary case and show that $\overline{\mathcal{H}}_{g,n}$ has non-negative Kodaira dimension for $n = 4g+6$ and is of general type for $n \geq 4g+7$. Important parts of our proof are the calculation of the canonical divisor and establishing that the singularities of $\overline{\mathcal{H}}_{g,n}$ do not establish adjunction conditions

Correlation between therapy response assessment using FDG PET/CT and histopathologic tumor regression grade in hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between change in FDG uptake before and after chemotherapy in hepatic metastases of colorectal carcinoma (HCRC) and a histopathologic tumor regression grade (TRG). Methods: In patients with HCRC, PET/CT data prior to hepatic surgery were retrospectively analyzed under an IRB waiver. The maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) was measured before and after chemotherapy. The relative change of FDG activity in the identified lesions was calculated (dSUV). Histopathological specimens of resected metastases were graded on a 5-score TRG scale. A TRG of 1-3 was rated as a responding to therapy, whereas TRG 4-5 were regarded as non-responding lesions. Results: 31 lesions were identified in 23 patients. Mean SUVmax before and after therapy was 6.9±3.7 and 3.5±1.8, respectively. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve revealed a conclusive correlation between TRG and dSUV (AUC 0.773; 95% confidence interval 0.599-0.946) with a cut off at 41% decrease in FDG activity yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 72 and 75%, respectively. Conclusion: A relative change in FDG activity (dSUV) of more than 41% decrease correlated significantly with histopathological tumor regression and might be a prognostic tool for response to chemotherapy in HCR

Wavelet analyses of electromyographic signals derived from lower extremity muscles while walking or running: A systematic review.

Surface electromyography is often used to assess muscle activity and muscle function. A wavelet approach provides information about the intensity of muscle activity and motor unit recruitment strategies at every time point of the gait cycle. The aim was to review papers that employed wavelet analyses to investigate electromyograms of lower extremity muscles during walking and running. Eleven databases were searched up until June 1st 2017. The composition was based on the PICO model and the PRISMA checklist. First author, year, subject characteristics, intervention, outcome measures & variables, results and wavelet specification were extracted. Eighteen studies included the use of wavelets to investigate electromyograms of lower extremity muscles. Three main topics were discussed: 1.) The capability of the method to correctly assign participants to a specific group (recognition rate) varied between 68.4%-100%. 2.) Patients with ankle osteoarthritis or total knee arthroplasty presented a delayed muscle activation in the early stance phase but a prolonged activation in mid stance. 3.) Atrophic muscles did not contain type II muscle fiber components but more energy in their lower frequencies. The simultaneous information of time, frequency and intensity is of high clinical relevance because it offers valuable information about preand reflex activation behavior on different walking and running speeds as well as spectral changes towards high or low frequencies at every time point of the gait cycle

Interprofessional education: a necessity in Alzheimer’s dementia care—a pilot study

Introduction: Interprofessional collaboration is seen as an indispensable prerequisite for high-quality health services and patient care, especially for complex diseases such as dementia. Thus, the current project aimed to extend interprofessional and competency-based education in the field of dementia care to the previously understudied therapy professions of nutrition, speech-language pathology, and physiotherapy. Methods: A three-day workshop was designed to provide specific learning objectives related to patient-centered dementia care, as well as competences for interprofessional collaboration. Teaching and learning approaches included case-based learning in simulated interprofessional case-conferences and peerteaching. A total of 42 students (n  =  20 nutrition therapy and counseling, n  =  8 speech-language pathology, n  =  14 physiotherapy), ranging from first to seventh semester, finished the whole workshop and were considered in data analysis. Changes in self-perceived attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and education were measured by the German version of the UWE-IP. An in-house questionnaire was developed to evaluate knowledge and skills in the field of dementia, dementia management and interprofessional collaboration. Results: Participation in the workshop led to significant improvements in the total scores of the UWE-IP-D and the in-house questionnaire, as well as their respective subscales. Moderate to large effect sizes were achieved. All professions improved significantly in both questionnaires with large effect sizes. Significant differences between professions were found in the UWE-IP-D total score between students of speech-language pathology and physiotherapy in the posttest. Students of nutrition therapy and counseling revealed a significant lower level of self-perceived knowledge and skills in the in-house questionnaire pre- and post-testing. Discussion: The pilot-study confirms the effectiveness of interprofessional education to promote generic and interprofessional dementia care competencies and to develop positive attitudes toward interprofessional learning and collaboration in the therapy professions, thus increasing professional diversity in interprofessional education research. Differences between professions were confounded by heterogenous semester numbers and participation conditions. To achieve a curricular implementation, interprofessional education should be expanded to include a larger group of participants belonging to different professions, start early in the study program, and be evaluated over the long term