UNIAXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, DRY UNIT WEIGHT AND FRACTURE PATTERNS OF ULTRABASIC ROCKS IN OTHRYS MOUNTAIN (CENTRAL GREECE): CORRELATIONS AND EVALUATION

Στη παρούσα δημοσίευση μελετούνται τα υπερβασικά πετρώματα από την περιοχή της Όθρυος (Στερεά Ελλάδα). Η γεωλογική δομή και η τεκτονική της εξεταζόμενης περιοχής περιγράφοντα συνοπτικά. Οι αντοχές σε ανεμπόδιστη μονοαξονική θλίψη και τα φαινόμενα βάρη υπολογίζονται και οι γωνίες θραύσης μετρούνται. Τα αποτελέσματα αξιολογούνται στατιστικά και παρουσιάζονται εμπειρικές σχέσεις μεταξύ της αντοχής σε μονοαξονική θλίψη και του φαινόμενου βάρους. Εξαιτίας του χαμηλού συντελεστή συσχέτισης στους Σερπεντινιωμένους Περιδοτίτες, αποφασίσαμε οι Σερπεντινιωμένοι Περιδοτίτες και οι Σερπεντινίτες να εξεταστούν μαζί. Ο νέος συντελεστής συσχέτισης είναι πολύ μεγαλύτερος από τον προηγούμενο Επιπλέον, στην παρούσα δημοσίευση φαίνεται πως η πλειοψηφία των υπερβασικών πετρωμάτων θραύεται σε μια μόνο γωνία (φ°), η οποία κυμαίνεται κυρίως μεταξύ 75° και 90°, ενώ γίνεται και συσχετισμός των γωνιών θραύσης με την τεκτονική. Οι όποιες αποκλίσεις παρατηρήθηκαν αποδίδονται στην πετρογραφική ποικιλία, στη δομική πολυπλοκότητα, στον προτιμητέο προσανατολισμό του ολιβίνη και του ορθοπυρόξενου και στην εσωτερικά αποτυπωμένη τεκτονική παραμόρφωση.Ultrabasic rocks, taken from the Othrys mt. (Central Greece), are studied in this paper. The structural geology and tectonics of the study area are described. Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and dry unit weight (γ) values are calculated and fracture angles are measured. The results are statistically assessed and empirical relationships (exponential equations) between UCS and γ are presented for the ultrabasic roch, divided in Peridotites, Serpentinised Peridotites and Serpentinites. Due to the low correlation coefficient of the Serpentinised Peridotites, it was decided that the Serpentinised Peridotites and Serpentinites should be examined together. The correlation coefficient of the combined category is much better than the separate ones. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates that the majority of the ultrabasic rocks tested were breaking at one angle (φ°), which mainly fluctuated between 75° and 90°. The fracture angles correlate with previously recognised geological (mainly tectonic) structures. The observed deviations are due to pétrographie variety, structural complexity, preferred orientation of olivine and orthopyroxene and internal imprinted tectonic deformation

Influence of hepatitis G virus infection on liver disease

The influence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on disease activity in hepatitis C related and unrelated liver disease was investigated in 254 individuals using an EIA polymerase chain reaction assay for HGV. One hundred patients had chronic hepatitis C, 26 primary biliary cirrhosis, and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In addition, 51 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and 47 anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive blood donors were screened. Hepatitis G virus was detected in 18% of patients with chronic hepatitis C, 13% of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, 11 % of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, 10% of anti-HCV-positive blood donors, and 2% of HBsAg-positive blood donors. Virus load and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels did not differ significantly in patients with HCV alone versus patients coinfected with HCV and HGV. However, mild liver fibrosis correlated with HGV coinfection. Hepatitis G virus did not influence ALT levels or liver damage in liver disease unrelated to viral infectio

Period polynomials, derivatives of L-functions, and zeros of polynomials

Period polynomials have long been fruitful tools for the study of values of L-functions in the context of major outstanding conjectures. In this paper, we survey some facets of this study from the perspective of Eichler cohomology. We discuss ways to incorporate non-cuspidal modular forms and values of derivatives of L-functions into the same framework. We further review investigations of the location of zeros of the period polynomial as well as of its analogue for L-derivatives

Tourism stakeholder exclusion and conflict in a small island

Research in the Isle of Man, British Isles, reveals limited and dysfunctional collaboration between stakeholders, and in particular between public and private sector actors. Power and influence over tourism decision making is generally felt to be restricted to a small and opaque network. Moreover, different levels of interest in and support for tourism further divide stakeholders. Various negative consequences are shown to arise from this absence of collaboration, including a lack of shared vision or future strategy for local tourism, and high levels of mutual mistrust between stakeholders. Resulting conflict, wasted resources, lost enthusiasm and lack of strategic direction appear to undermine the current and future management of island tourism. Emphasised by research is the importance of stakeholder collaboration to sustainable tourism management and underlying factors which may enhance or undermine. Focus on dysfunctional collaboration and the small island setting makes a unique contribution to the existing literature

Abstract

BackgroundThe current study sought to investigate the impact of tumor size and total number of LN examined (TNLE) on the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) among patients with duodenal neuroendocrine tumor (dNET).MethodsPatients who underwent curative resection for dNETs between 1997â 2016 were identified from 8 highâ volume US centers. Risk factors associated with overall survival and LNM were identified and the optimal cutâ off of TNLE relative to LNM was determined.ResultsAmong 162 patients who underwent resection of dNETs, median patient age was 59 (interquartile range [IQR], 51â 68) years and median tumor size was 1.2â cm (IQR, 0.7â 2.0â cm); a total of 101 (62.3%) patients underwent a concomitant LND at the time of surgery. Utilization of lymphadenectomy (LND) increased relative to tumor size (â ¤1â cm:52.2% vs 1â 2â cm:61.4% vs >2â cm:93.8%; Pâ 2â cm:80.0%; Pâ <â .05). TNLEâ â ¥â 8 had the highest discriminatory power relative to the incidence of LNM (area under the curveâ =â 0.676). On multivariable analysis, while LNM was not associated with prognosis (hazard ratio [HR]â =â 0.9; 95% confidence intervals [95%CI], 0.4â 2.3), G2/G3 tumor grade was (HRâ =â 1.5; 95%CI, 1.0â 2.1).ConclusionsWhile the incidence of LNM directly correlated with tumor size, patients with dNETsâ â ¤â 1â cm had a 40% incidence of LNM. Regional lymphadenectomy of a least 8 LN was needed to stage patients accurately.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153174/1/jso25753.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153174/2/jso25753_am.pd

Therapeutic index of lymphadenectomy among patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A multi‐institutional analysis

BackgroundThe benefit derived from lymph node dissection (LND) in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) based on clinicopathological characteristics remains unclear.MethodsPatients undergoing surgery for pNET between 1997 and 2016 were identified using a multi‐institutional dataset. The therapeutic index of LND relative to patient characteristics was calculated.ResultsAmong 647 patients, the median number of lymph nodes (LNs) evaluated was 10 (interquartile range: 4‐16) and approximately one quarter of patients had lymph node metastasis (LNM) (N = 159, 24.6%). Among patients with LNM, 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was 56.0%, reflecting a therapeutic index value of 13.8. The therapeutic index was highest among patients with a moderately/poorly‐differentiated pNET (21.5), Ki‐67 ≥ 3% (20.1), tumor size ≥2.0 cm (20.0), and tumor location at the head of the pancreas (20.0). Patients with ≥8 LNs evaluated had a higher therapeutic index than patients who had 1 to 7 LNs evaluated (≥8: 17.9 vs 1‐7: 7.5; difference of index: 11.4).ConclusionLND was mostly beneficial among patients with pNETs >2 cm, Ki‐67 ≥ 3%, and lesions located at the pancreatic head as identification of LNM was most common among individuals with these tumor characteristics. Evaluation of ≥8 LNs was associated with a higher likelihood of identifying LNM as well as a higher therapeutic index, and therefore this number of LNs should be considered the goal.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151957/1/jso25689_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151957/2/jso25689.pd

Plurality in the Measurement of Social Media Use and Mental Health: An Exploratory Study Among Adolescents and Young Adults

On a daily basis, individuals between 12 and 25 years of age engage with their mobile devices for many hours. Social Media Use (SMU) has important implications for the social life of younger individuals in particular. However, measuring SMU and its effects often poses challenges to researchers. In this exploratory study, we focus on some of these challenges, by addressing how plurality in the measurement and age-specific characteristics of SMU can influence its relationship with measures of subjective mental health (MH). We conducted a survey among a nationally representative sample of Dutch adolescents and young adults (N=3,669). Using these data, we show that measures of SMU show little similarity with each other, and that age-group differences underlie SMU. Similar to the small associations previously shown in social media-effects research, we also find some evidence that greater SMU associates to drops and to increases in MH. Albeit nuanced, associations between SMU and MH were found to be characterized by both linear and quadratic functions. These findings bear implications for the level of association between different measures of SMU and its theorized relationship with other dependent variables of interest in media-effects research

Electrocautery causes more ischemic peritoneal tissue damage than ultrasonic dissection

Contains fulltext : 96869.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Minimizing peritoneal tissue injury during abdominal surgery has the benefit of reducing postoperative inflammatory response, pain, and adhesion formation. Ultrasonic dissection seems to reduce tissue damage. This study aimed to compare electrocautery and ultrasonic dissection in terms of peritoneal tissue ischemia measured by microdialysis. METHODS: In this study, 18 Wistar rats underwent a median laparotomy and had a peritoneal microdialysis catheter implanted in the left lateral sidewall. The animals were randomly assigned to receive two standard peritoneal incisions parallel to the catheter by either ultrasonic dissection or electrocautery. After the operation, samples of microdialysis dialysate were taken every 2 h until 72 h postoperatively for measurements of pyruvate, lactate, glucose, and glycerol, and ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The mean lactate-pyruvate ratio (LPR), lactate-glucose ratio (LGR), and glycerol concentration were significantly higher in the electrocautery group than in the ultrasonic dissection group until respectively 34, 48, and 48 h after surgery. The mean areas under the curve (AUC) of LPR, LGR, and glycerol concentration also were higher in the electrocautery group than in the ultrasonic dissection group (4,387 vs. 1,639, P=0.011; 59 vs. 21, P=0.008; 7,438 vs. 4,169, P=0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Electrosurgery causes more ischemic peritoneal tissue damage than ultrasonic dissection.01 juni 201

Impact of Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography on Heart Team Treatment Decision-Making in Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the SYNTAX III REVOLUTION Trial

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a reliable tool for the functional assessment of coronary stenoses. FFR computed tomography (CT) derived (FFRCT) has shown to be accurate, but its clinical usefulness in patients with complex coronary artery disease remains to be investigated. The present study sought to determine the impact of FFRCT on heart team's treatment decision-making and selection of vessels for revascularization in patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease. Methods: The trial was an international, multicenter study randomizing 2 heart teams to make a treatment decision between percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass grafting using either coronary computed tomography angiography or conventional angiography. The heart teams received the FFRCT and had to make a treatment decision and planning integrating the functional component of the stenoses. Each heart team calculated the anatomic SYNTAX score, the noninvasive functional SYNTAX score and subsequently integrated the clinical information to compute the SYNTAX score III providing a treatment recommendation, that is, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, or equipoise coronary artery bypass grafting-percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of patients in whom FFRCT changed the treatment decision and planning. Results: Overall, 223 patients were included. Coronary computed tomography angiography assessment was feasible in 99% of the patients and FFRCT analysis in 88%. FFRCT was available for 1030 lesions (mean FFRCT value 0.64\ub113). A treatment recommendation of coronary artery bypass grafting was made in 24% of the patients with coronary computed tomography angiography with FFRCT. The addition of FFRCT changed the treatment decision in 7% of the patients and modified selection of vessels for revascularization in 12%. With conventional angiography as reference, FFRCT assessment resulted in reclassification of 14% of patients from intermediate and high to low SYNTAX score tertile. Conclusions: In patients with 3-vessel coronary artery disease, a noninvasive physiology assessment using FFRCT changed heart team's treatment decision-making and procedural planning in one-fifth of the patients

Indications and outcomes of enucleation versus formal pancreatectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Background: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP) are common procedures for patients with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET). Nevertheless, certain patients may benefit from a pancreas-preserving resection such as enucleation (EN). The aim of this study was to define the indications and differences in long-term outcomes among patients undergoing EN and PD/DP. Methods: Patients undergoing resection of a pNET between 1992 and 2016 were identified. Indications and outcomes were evaluated, and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to compare long-term outcomes between patients who underwent EN versus PD/DP. Results: Among 1034 patients, 143 (13.8%) underwent EN, 304 (29.4%) PD, and 587 (56.8%) DP. Indications for EN were small size (1.5 cm, IQR:1.0–1.9), functional tumors (58.0%) that were mainly insulinomas (51.7%). After PSM (n = 109 per group), incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) grade B/C was higher after EN (24.5%) compared with PD/DP (14.0%) (p = 0.049). Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was comparable among patients who underwent EN (47 months, 95% CI:23–71) versus PD/DP (37 months, 95% CI: 33–47, p = 0.480). Conclusion: Comparable long-term outcomes were noted among patients who underwent EN versus PD/DP for pNET. The incidence of clinically significant POPF was higher after EN