On the influence of the cosmological constant on gravitational lensing in small systems

The cosmological constant Lambda affects gravitational lensing phenomena. The contribution of Lambda to the observable angular positions of multiple images and to their amplification and time delay is here computed through a study in the weak deflection limit of the equations of motion in the Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric. Due to Lambda the unresolved images are slightly demagnified, the radius of the Einstein ring decreases and the time delay increases. The effect is however negligible for near lenses. In the case of null cosmological constant, we provide some updated results on lensing by a Schwarzschild black hole.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure; v2: extended discussion on the lens equation, references added, results unchanged, in press on PR

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

USIS-Study 1955-1963 : Europese peilingen van the USA Information Agency

Views on political and cultural matters / attitude towards other countries, to political leaders / attitude towards and knowledge of international policy, war and peace, atomic weapons, disarmament, European integration, the NATO, role of USA, USSR and Western Europe / atomic weapons in Western Europe / patterns of interest regarding life in the USA. Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ occupation/employment/ education/ social class/ politics/ organizational membershi

European Communities Study, 1973

This study can be considered as the start of the Eurobarometer series. It focuses on satisfaction with various aspects of life and society and European unification. Themes: satisfaction with conditions of living, society, democracy / expectations for the future / respect / job values / environment / political attitudes and values / desirable goals for society / cosmopolitan attitudes / information on the EC / awareness of the EC / support for the EC / political problems / goals for EC / support for political unification / political involvement / opinion leadership / left-right self-placement / left-right partisanship index / post - materialist index ( Inglehart ). Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ politics/ religion/ organizational membershi

Reader's Digest Eurodata 1990 : A consumer survey of 17 European countries

Consumer survey on durables, alcoholics, holidays, cosmetics and foods but also questions about the European Community and other European countries. Living conditions now in comparison with 5 years ago / other countries with a better standard of living / durables in main home of respondent, which of them was acquired in the last 3 years / ( non- ) portable audio equipment / ownership or use of transport ( not car ) / facilities at home / ownership of hand gun, rifle, military gun, musical instrument, cordless or mobile telephone, answering machine, exercise machine / type of still camera and use / private and-or company car, make, characteristics and facilities of car / types of alcohol drunk in the last year and frequency / knowledge of European Community, which countries should be member of EC / heard, read or seen anything of the Single European Market ( SEM ) / SEM, EC is a good-bad thing / statements about EC / for-against unification / confidence in church, media, army, education system, trade unions, advertising industry, police, parliament, civil service, local government, social security, EC, European Parliament / values and beliefs: fight against social injustice, driving after drinking, people smacking their children, marry someone with different background, abortion marriage, smoking in public places, not declaring income / work, woman's position, marriage, satisfaction with own life, religion, communism / activities around the house / which languages does respondent speak fluently, which good enough to read a book, language spoken at home / sports, exercise, food in relation to health, vegetarian / consumption of diet drinks / smoking habits / pets at home / buying books ( also by post ), most expensive book, type of book, nr. of books read / frequency of watching television, nr. of newspapers, magazines / detailed information about holidays / use of numerous toiletry articles and cosmetics/ articles for washing and shaving / use of spectacles, contact lenses / various foodstuffs available at home / use of convenance meals, frozen, chilled, ready to heat, take-away / various cleaning items available at home / payment affairs: cheque book, bank account, credit cards, types of insurances, savings / has main wage-earner and-or respondent professional or occupational qualifications / frequency of respondent's visiting his-her mother / detailed information about home / Reader's Digest magazine subscription / questionnaire version / language of interview ( Switzerland and Belgium only ). Background variables: basic characteristics/ residence/ housing situation/ household characteristics/ occupation/employment/ income/capital assets/ education/ consumption of durables/ readership, mass media, and 'cultural' exposur