QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories : challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.Peer reviewe

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Interpretation of a probable case of poliomyelitis in the Romano-British social context

NoThis paper provides the results of re-evaluation of a young adult individual from the Romano-British cemetery of 76 Kingsholm, Gloucester with club foot defomity by (Roberts et al 2004). Our reanalysis revealed an extensive bilateral asymmetry involving the lower and upper limb, spine and cranium and a right scoliosis, indicating more than the lower limb was affected. Consideration of the position and shape of the articulated club foot indicated a positional rather than a developmental condition, probably due to unilateral paralysis. Differential diagnosis considered congenital and acquired neuromuscular conditions; we argue that poliomyelitis is the most likely cause. Poliomyelitis is secondary to the infection with poliovirus that can affect the motor neurons from the spinal cord, causing a flaccid paralysis without sensory affection. Because the virus affects individual nerves, the paralysis is muscle-specific causing muscle imbalances and poor posture which can result in deformities and muscle disuse atrophy. Shortening of the leg is the most characteristic sign, however other typical deformations are in the lower limbs are external rotation of the knee, knee hyperestension, ankle and foot deformities (all observed in K131). The evaluation of K131’s entheses and bone structure suggests that, in life, this individual showed physical deformities consisting of a possibly visible atrophy of the left arm and leg, asymmetric gait, clubfoot and slight scoliosis which would have affected not only his appearance but also his ability to move and perform certain tasks. K131’s burial treatment is entirely normative for the period and the wider cemetery context. This could suggest that despite their impairment, this individual was not necessarily marginalised within their social context. However, historical sources account for extensive marginalisation and cruel treatment of the disabled and deformed in this period. So, whilst K131 was buried in a normative manner, it is difficult to reach definitive conclusions regarding how this individual was treated by their contemporaries

Digitised Diseases: Seeing Beyond the Specimen to Understand Disease and Disability in the Past

NoDigitised Diseases is a major web-based 3D resource of chronic disease conditions that manifest change to the human skeleton. The resource was established through funds from Jisc, the University of Bradford and Bradford Visualisation. The multidisciplinary team involving project partners Museum of London Archaeology and the Royal College of Surgeons of England undertook a program of mass digitization of pathological type specimens from world-renowned archaeological, historic and medical collections at the University of Bradford, in London and York. We continue to augment this resource through ingestion of new content. The resource was always envisaged as needing to appeal to a diverse user community, having impact not just among academic and clinical beneficiaries, but also enriching the wider understanding of public health in the past. From the outset, our focus was on making sure that the digitized paleopathological exemplars were represented and understood within a broader clinical context. In essence we wanted to emphasize the impact of living with disease and disability in an era before modern therapies were available and the significance of care provision that would have been required at a societal level, given the longevity of many of these conditions

Error Bred in the Bone

YesThis chapter describes a collaborative project funded by Grants for All, Arts Council England, led by artist Karina Thompson, together with researchers from the Biological Anthropology Research Centre (BARC), School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford. The artworks took digitised historic clinical radiographs and digitised human skeletal pathological data from the landmark Digitised Diseases, and From Cemetery to Clinic digital bioarchaeology resources developed by colleagues from Visualising Heritage as a starting point. In addition to a series of small-scale installations displayed alongside the Biological Anthropology Research Centre teaching collection, large-scale exhibition pieces were displayed as part of national and international exhibitions. Collectively these works draw attention to the potential of digital bioarchaeology, whilst ensuring the importance of humanising the documentation of disease through time.The full text will be available at the end of the publisher's embargo: 6th April 202

Life care planning and long-term care for individuals with brain injury in the UK

INTRODUCTION: This article explores Life Care Planning and the models of the provision of rehabilitation, case management and care for people with brain-injury in the context of the health and social care systems in the UK. BACKGROUND: Life Care Planning for individuals with brain injury is not generally a term recognised or understood in the UK. The authors have worked in the field of rehabilitation, case management and care with this client group for many years and integrated their knowledge of the systems associated with Life Care Planning in the UK. PURPOSE: The article explains the process of assessment and Life Care Planning for individuals with brain injury in the UK. Case management, rehabilitation and care are described, highlighting the positive and negative influences that can affect the provision of these services. Research evidence is given of potential factors that can predict needs for brain-injured clients and their families in a Life Care Plan. CONCLUSION: In the UK, Life Care Planning is only undertaken by Care Experts in a one-off assessment for the litigation process for individuals claiming compensation; and, by those acting as Case Managers with a specialism in brain injury, who review or provide clinical work with clients on a long-term basis

Mine your data: open data, digital strategies and entrepreneurial governance by code

Investment in the release of open data has become increasingly central to the implementation of smart city programs by governments around the world. Though originally arising out of a push towards “open government” and the pursuit of more transparent decision-making by public authorities at multiple scales, open data programs have more recently been adopted by municipal governments to support entrepreneurial goals of enhanced competitive positioning and attracting investment. As urban scholars now subject the smart city project to critical scrutiny for its role in advancing urban entrepreneurialism, this article considers the relevance of the open data agenda as it shapes wider understandings of the smart city. In particular, I address the collection of policy practices, aspirations, stakeholders and entrepreneurs active in framing the opportunities and values of open data for urban governments. Both the momentum of support for open data, along with a recent shift in the rhetorical aspirations of the open data movement away from the values of openness and transparency and towards a more confined focus on value generation, raise important critical questions for urban geographers concerned with the nature of urban governance in an age of big data