Inference of historical population-size changes with allele-frequency data

With up to millions of nearly neutral polymorphisms now being routinely sampled in population-genomic surveys, it is possible to estimate the site-frequency spectrum of such sites with high precision. Each frequency class reflects a mixture of potentially unique demographic histories, which can be revealed using theory for the probability distributions of the starting and ending points of branch segments over all possible coalescence trees. Such distributions are completely independent of past population history, which only influences the segment lengths, providing the basis for estimating average population sizes separating tree-wide coalescence events. The history of population-size change experienced by a sample of polymorphisms can then be dissected in a model-flexible fashion, and extension of this theory allows estimation of the mean and full distribution of long-term effective population sizes and ages of alleles of specific frequencies. Here, we outline the basic theory underlying the conceptual approach, develop and test an efficient statistical procedure for parameter estimation, and apply this to multiple population-genomic datasets for the microcrustacean Daphnia pulex

Sebaceous Skin Lesions as Clues to Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer

Cutaneous lesions consonant with Muir–Torre syndrome strongly suggest hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Ponti et al. discuss the importance of combining molecular genetic features of the sebaceous neoplasms, including microsatellite instability and immunohistochemistry, with family history, to determine the likelihood of HNPCC. Proof of diagnosis is identification of one of the mismatch repair germline mutations

EMPOWERCARE: EMPOWERing individuals & communities to manage their own CARE

EMPOWERing individuals and communities to manage their own CARE (EMPOWERCARE) was a 3-year social innovation project involving 13 cross border European partners. EMPOWERCARE developed a holistic community asset approach to respond to current gaps in the care of people in the target group (those aged 65+ and those aged 50+ with at least one chronic condition). It aimed to address challenges facing our societies concerning the care of our ageing populations and when older people are not being involved in decisions concerning their own health and wellbeing. The project ensured that older people are at the forefront of improved technology and better care from within their communities. This sought to improve their situation but also tackle the financial issues of an ageing population and improve social cohesion. The main key messages from the evaluation of the project initiatives were: • Self-efficacy – Across all sites, ‘inactive’ participants at baseline showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy at the end of the initiatives. Qualitative data confirmed end-users’ increased levels of selfconfidence and self-efficacy around taking action in relation to their own health. • Emotional and social wellbeing - When considering all project sites, there was no significant decrease of the level of reported loneliness, overall and by type (emotional and social), for participants who reported feeling lonely at the start of the initiative. For participants from philosophically focused initiatives, who reported being lonely at the start of the initiative, there was a slight decrease in emotional loneliness from baseline, although this change was not statistically significant. Overall, there was no decrease, but for initiatives that were philosophically focused there was a negative trend. Qualitative data evidenced the positive impact initiatives had in tackling end-users’ loneliness. • Digital literacy - When analysing survey responses from all sites, end-users reported internet healthseeking behaviour did change at the end of initiatives. Nonetheless, for the sites focusing more on technology, internet health-seeking behaviour increased from baseline to end of initiative, although the positive change was not statistically significant. Qualitative data from end-users confirms the survey results that those participating in the initiatives felt more digitally literate and confident in using technology for their physical and mental health needs and to keep connected with their social networks. • Internet health-seeking behaviour – There was no significant change in this area for end-users. This could be explained by them receiving help in-person and therefore they felt less need to go online for help with their health. For technology focused initiatives there was still no significant change, but there was a positive trend for technology enthusiasm. Anxiety around technology use remained and the qualitative data relating to this indicated there was room to build on technology skills. • Person centred care - Across all sites, for those that had a baseline of below average person-centredness or lower, mean scores increased from baseline to end of initiatives, and this improvement was statistically significant, indicating that the project initiatives significantly increased workforce person-centeredness. There were also similar significant improvements in the specific areas of this scale of Climate of Safety, Climate of Everydayness, Climate of community and Climate of Comprehensibility, indicating that the project initiatives significantly increased workforce feelings of whether the workplace is a place where the patients are in safe hands, staff use language that the patients can understand, it is easy for patients to talk to the staff and where the patients have someone to talk to if they so wish. Qualitative data reflected these results, talking about the transformation in people’s lives that was possible through being focused on the needs of the individuals and what matters to them. • Workforce technology uptake - Across all sites, survey results from workforce attitudes towards technology did not show any change from baseline to end of initiatives. Similarly, there was no difference between workforce participants in technology-focused and philosophical initiatives. Qualitative data from the workforce showed an understanding of the need to embrace technology in their work and that some of the drive for that need came from the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions. • Job satisfaction and workforce training embeddedness – for job satisfaction there was no significant change, although there was a positive trend for those who started below the top 15%. The context of working through COVID-19 may have had a negative impact on job satisfaction. Across all sites, there were higher average scores on certain areas of efficacy in relation to workforce training in implementing, embedding, and integrating a complex healthcare initiative, such as reflective monitoring and collective action compared to coherence, and cognitive participation findings suggest that overall workforce members showed they are willing to engage in reflexive monitoring and collective action across all sites – so they were willing to self-monitor and take time to think about their behaviour and work together to take action. The qualitative data indicated that embedding training has enabled the workforce to understand the value of taking time, reflecting and connecting, which are some of the key person-centred competencies and attributes you would want to see in a transformed workforce. The Cost Benefit Analysis showed: • Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) evaluation indicate that individuals are willing to pay (WTP) on average €10.31 per month from their own out of pocket expenses to use and obtain the health benefits and wellbeing effects of participating in the EMPOWERCARE initiatives. • WTP is positively influenced by the value individuals place on the technically focused initiatives, willingness to participate in an alternative initiative along with improvements gained in emotional and social loneliness because of the EMPOWERCARE initiatives. • The WTP estimates defined in this evaluation provide significant insights for decision makers and healthcare commissioners on the value that previous participants place on the services provided through the EMPOWERCARE initiatives in local communities. • Insights from the ‘Good Ancestor’ principles in FGD promotes the deliberation of long-term thinking which can lead to the power of change, reshaping decisions to take account of future generations, while promoting and encouraging sustainability in respect for future generations. The evaluation results provide some positive results on the success of the EMPOWERCARE initiatives across the 4 countries. More analysis has been done per site to understand the different aspects of the EMPOWERCARE Strategy, Workforce Transformation Package and Technology Blueprint that made a positive difference to end-users and members of the workforce. This further analysis will provide a more comprehensive picture of the impact of the EMPOWERCARE initiatives, as well as inform the next stages of work

Laser assisted decay spectroscopy at the CRIS beam line at ISOLDE

The new collinear resonant ionization spectroscopy (Cris) experiment at Isolde, Cernuses laser radiation to stepwise excite and ionize an atomic beam for the purpose of ultra-sensitive detection of rare isotopes and hyperfine structure measurements. The technique also offers the ability to purify an ion beam that is contaminated with radioactive isobars, including the ground state of an isotope from its isomer. A new program using the Cristechnique to select only nuclear isomeric states for decay spectroscopy commenced last year. The isomeric ion beam is selected using a resonance within its hyperfine structure and subsequently deflected to a decay spectroscopy station. This consists of a rotating wheel implantation system for alpha and beta decay spectroscopy, and up to three high purity germanium detectors for gamma-ray detection. This paper gives an introduction to the Cristechnique, the current status of the laser assisted decay spectroscopy set-up and recent results from the experiment in November 201

Results of 1/4-Scale Experiments. Vapor Simulant And Liquid Jet A Tests

A quarter-scale engineering model of the center wing tank (CWT) of a 747-100 was constructed. This engineering model replicated the compartmentalization, passageways, and venting to the atmosphere. The model was designed to scale the fluid dynamical and combustion aspects of the explosion, not the structural failure of the beams or spars. The effect of structural failure on combustion was examined by using model beams and spars with deliberately engineered weak connections to the main tank structure. The model was filled with a simulant fuel (a mixture of propane and hydrogen) and ignited with a hot wire. The simulant fuel was chosen on the basis of laboratory testing to model the combustion characteristics (pressure rise and flame speed) of Jet A vapor created by a Jet A liquid layer at 50C at an altitude of 13.8 kft. A series of experiments was carried out in this model in order to: (a) investigate combustion in a CWT geometry; and (b) provide guidance to the TWA 800 crash investigation. The results of the experiments were observed with high-speed film, video, and still cameras, fast and slow pressure sensors, thermocouples, photodetectors, and motion sensors. A special pseudo-schlieren system was used to visualize flame propagation within the tank. This report describes the test program, facility, instrumentation, the first 30 experiments, comparisons between experiments, and performance of the instrumentation; then examines the significance of these results to the TWA 800 crash investigation. The key results of this study are: Flame Motion: The motion of flame was dominated by the effects of turbulence created by jetting through the passageways and vent stringers. A very rapid combustion event (lasting 10 to 20 ms) occurred once the flame traveled outside of the ignition bay and interacted with the turbulent flow. Most of the gas within the tank was burned during this rapid event. Compartments: The combustion time decreased with an increasing number of compartments (bays) within the tank. With six bays, combustion took only 100 to 150 ms to be completed from the time of ignition until the end of the rapid combustion phase. The total combustion event was three to four times shorter with compartments than without. Venting: Venting to the outside of the tank through the model vent stringers had a negligible effect on the combustion progress or on the peak pressure reached at the end of the burn. Ignition Location: Variation of the ignition location produced distinctive pressure loads on the structural components. Liquid Fuel: Lofting of a cold liquid fuel layer was produced by the combustion-induced gas motion. Although this spray of liquid eventually ignited and burned, it did not contribute to the pressure loading. Structural Failure: Structural failure resulted in flame acceleration, decreasing the overall combustion time. TWA 800 Investigation: The pressure loads were sufficiently high, up to 4 bar, and the combustion events were sufficiently short, that the forward portion (spanwise beam 3, front spar) of the CWT structure would fail as a direct consequence of the explosion. A combination of pressure loads was produced in some tests consistent with the TWA 800 wreckage. Replica tests, structural modeling, and sensitivity studies on fuel concentration are needed before any conclusions can be drawn about probable ignition locations. Cargo Bay: Tests with a simplified model of a half-full cargo bay indicated that repeated pressure waves with an amplitude of 1 bar or less are produced when an explosion scenario similar to TWA 800 is tested. Future Testing: Future studies should include replica tests, tests with Jet A vapor and warm liquid Jet A layers, and sensitivity tests to examine ignition location, fuel concentration, and vent area perturbations. Summary: Explosion tests in a 747-100 CWT model reveal that a very complex pattern of combustion occurs due the interaction of the flame and the flow-generated turbulence. A wide range of structural load patterns occur, depending on the location of the ignition source. Some of these load patterns are consistent with damage believed to be associated with the initial explosion event in TWA 800. Sensitivity of the loading to the ignition location indicates that narrowing down the ignition location in TWA 800 may be possible. However, the complexity of the combustion and structural failure processes in the actual center wing tank mandates extremely careful consideration of the uncertainties that enter into this process

Bulk photonic metamaterial with hyperbolic dispersion

In this work, we demonstrate a self-standing bulk three-dimensional metamaterial based on the network of silver nanowires in an alumina membrane. This constitutes an anisotropic effective medium with hyperbolic dispersion, which can be used in sub-diffraction imaging or optical cloaks. Highly anisotropic dielectric constants of the material range from positive to negative, and the transmitted laser beam shifts both toward the normal to the surface, as in regular dielectrics, and off the normal, as in anisotropic dielectrics with the refraction index smaller than one. The designed photonic metamaterial is the thickest reported in the literature, both in terms of its physical size 1cm x 1cm x 51 mm, and the number of vacuum wavelengths, N=61 at l=0.84 mm.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figur

The S2 VLBI Correlator: A Correlator for Space VLBI and Geodetic Signal Processing

We describe the design of a correlator system for ground and space-based VLBI. The correlator contains unique signal processing functions: flexible LO frequency switching for bandwidth synthesis; 1 ms dump intervals, multi-rate digital signal-processing techniques to allow correlation of signals at different sample rates; and a digital filter for very high resolution cross-power spectra. It also includes autocorrelation, tone extraction, pulsar gating, signal-statistics accumulation.Comment: 44 pages, 13 figure

Barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe

The Eurobarometer Survey of the <i>EAPC Task Force on the Development of Palliative Care in Europe</i> is part of a programme of work to produce comprehensive information on the provision of palliative care across Europe. Aim: To identify barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe. Method: A qualitative survey was undertaken amongst boards of national associations, eliciting opinions on opportunities for, and barriers to, palliative care development. By July 2006, 44/52 (85%) European countries had responded to the survey; we report here on the results from 22/25 (88%) countries in Western Europe. Analysis: Data from the Eurobarometer survey were analysed thematically by geographical region and by the degree of development of palliative care in each country. Results: From the data contained within the Eurobarometer, we identified six significant barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe: (i) Lack of palliative care education and training programmes (ii) Lack of awareness and recognition of palliative care (iii) Limited availability of/knowledge about opioid analgesics (iv) Limited funding (v) Lack of coordination amongst services (vi) Uneven palliative care coverage. Conclusion: Findings from the EAPC Eurobarometer survey suggest that barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe may differ substantially from each other in both their scope and context and that some may be considered to be of greater significance than others. A number of common barriers to the development of the discipline do exist and much work still remains to be done in the identified areas. This paper provides a road map of which barriers need to be addressed