Feasibility of extracting a Σ−\Sigma^- admixture probability in the neutron-rich Λ10^{10}_{\Lambda}Li hypernucleus

We examine theoretically production of the neutron-rich $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li hypernucleus by a double-charge exchange ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction on a $^{10}$B target with distorted-wave impulse approximation calculations. The result shows that the magnitude and shape of the calculated spectrum at 1.20 GeV/c by a one-step mechanism $\pi^-p \to K^+ \Sigma^-$ via $\Sigma^-$ doorways caused by a $\Sigma^-p \leftrightarrow \Lambda n$ coupling can explain the recent experimental data, and the $\Sigma^-$ admixture probability in $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li is found to be the order of 10$^{-1}$ %. The ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction provides a capability of extracting properties of wave functions with $\Lambda$-$\Sigma$ coupling effects in neutron-rich nuclei, together with the reaction mechanism.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Planning and Implementation of a Mega Geotechnical Engineering Project in Singapore

Implementation of mega geotechnical engineering projects requires a systematic approach and detailed planning. A mega land reclamation and ground improvement project which consists of various components of geotechnical engineering applications was planned and implemented in the Republic of Singapore from 1990 till 2005, a total period of one and a half decades. Due to the extensive ground improvement required to treat the underlying highly compressible soil, with the presence of highly variable ground profile and ground conditions due to the natural geological process, a detailed ground investigation was necessary. This was furthermore necessary due to the importance of various critical infrastructure planned for future usage in the land reclamation site. Extensive ground investigation was planned based on input from desk study and reconnaissance survey carried out using geophysical method under foreshore conditions. Progressive ground investigation included ground investigation carried out in foreshore area prior to land reclamation, on land prior to ground improvement, during and after ground improvement to assess the degree of improvement. The ground investigation involved large numbers of in-situ tests using numerous methods and collections and testing of undisturbed soil sample for further laboratory testing to drive necessary geotechnical parameters for design purpose or decision making for acceptance of ground improvement works. Due to the nature and speed of the project on-site geotechnical and geotextile laboratories were set up for characterization and quality control. In addition to the improvement of underlying soils, hydraulically filled granular soils were required to be densified by application of deep compaction methods to minimize future immediate settlement and to increase resistance to liquefaction. A large quantity of geotechnical instrumentation were installed and monitored for construction control as well as performance monitoring of ground improvement works. This paper describes the procedure and process of implementation of geotechnical works in the mega Changi East Land Reclamation and Ground Improvement project in Singapore

Association between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: To examine for a possible relationship between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis Methods: Published and unpublished literature from: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, OpenGrey and clinical trial registers. Search to 22nd November 2014. Cohort, case-control, randomised and non-randomised controlled trial papers reporting the prevalence of CVD in osteoarthritis were included. Results: Fifteen studies with 32,278,744 individuals were eligible. Pooled prevalence for overall CVD pathology in people with osteoarthritis was 38.4% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 37.2% to 39.6%). Individuals with osteoarthritis were almost three times as likely to have heart failure (Relative Risk (RR): 2.80; 95% CI: 2.25 to 3.49) or ischaemic heart disease (RR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.69) compared to matched non-osteoarthritis cohorts. No significant difference was detected between the two groups for the risk of experiencing myocardial infarction or stroke. There was a three-fold decrease in the risk of experiencing a transient ischaemic attack in the osteoarthritis cohort compared to the non-osteoarthritis group. Conclusions: Prevalence of CVD in patients with OA is significant. There was an observed increased risk of incident heart failure and ischaemic heart disease in people with OA compared to matched controls. However the relationship between OA and CVD is not straight-forward and there is a need to better understand the potential common pathways linking pathophysiological mechanisms

Should bone mineral content be part of the equation for assessing fracture risk in patients with Cerebral Palsy

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Pre-eclampsia is associated with a twofold increase in diabetes : a systematic review and meta-analysis

CSK and RH are funded by National Institute for Health Research Academic Clinical Fellowships. This study was supported by a grant from the North Staffs Heart Committee.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Refractory Epilepsy: Effects on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Peripheral Blood

Objective: The vagus nerve has important immunological functions that may be relevant for its anticonvulsive action. We postulate that this anticonvulsive action is activated by a shift in the immune system resulting in a reduction of neurotoxic and an increase of neuroprotective tryptophan metabolites. Methods: Eleven patients with refractory epilepsy and 11 controls matched for age and gender were included in this study. The primary outcome measure was a 50% seizure reduction. Other variables were pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, cortisol, and the tryptophan metabolites 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OH-KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), kynurenine, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindol acetic acid (5-HIAA). Blood samples were scheduled during baseline, and in week 28 of add-on treatment. Results: IL-6 levels were higher in the responders than in the control group, and decreased after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), whereas IL-10 was low and increased after VNS. In nonresponders, VNS resulted in an increase of IL-6 plasma levels and in a decrease of IL-10. Cortisol concentrations are higher in the epilepsy group than in the control group. After VNS, these concentrations decreased. The concentrations of the tryptophan metabolites were lower in the epilepsy group than in the control group. The KYNA ratios are defined as the ratio of neuroprotective KYNA versus neurotoxic 3-OH-KYN and KYNA versus neurotoxic kynurenine: these ratios were lower in epilepsy patients than in controls, and they both moderately increased after VNS. Conclusion: The outcome of this preliminary study indicates that VNS causes a rebalancing of the immune system. This results in: (1) a reduction of neurotoxic and an increase of neuroprotective kynurenine metabolites and (2) in the normalization of cortisol levels. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Base

Effect of age on the prognostic value of left ventricular function in patients with acute coronary syndrome:a prospective registry study

Objective: This study aims to study the prognostic impact of LV function on mortality and examine the effect of age on the prognostic value of left ventricular function.  Methods: We examined the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) registry (2006-2010) data with a mean follow up of 2.1 years. LV function was categorized into good (ejection fraction (EF) ≥50%), moderate (EF 30-49%) and poor (EF <30%) categories. Cox-proportional hazards models were constructed to examine the prognostic significance of LV function in different age groups (<65, 65-74, 75-84 and ≥85 years) on all-cause mortality adjusting for baseline variables.  Results: Of 424,848 patients, LV function data available for 123,609. Multiple imputations were used to impute missing values of LV function and the final sample for analyses were drawn from 414,305. After controlling for confounders, 339,887 participants were included in the regression models. For any age group, mortality was higher with worsening degree of LV impairment. Increased age reduced the adverse prognosis associated with reduced LV function (hazard ratios (HRs) of death comparing poor LV function to good LV function were 2.11 95%CI 1.88-2.37 for age <65 years and 1.28 95%CI 1.20-1.36 for age ≥85 years. Older patients had a high mortality risk even in those with good LV function. HRs of mortality for ≥85 compared to <65 years (HR=1.00) within good, moderate and poor ejection fractions groups were 5.89, 4.86 and 3.43, respectively.  Conclusions: In patients with ACS, clinicians should interpret the prognostic value of LV function taking into account patient’s age

Bariatric surgery and its impact on cardiovascular disease and mortality : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPostprin

Long‑term risk of stroke following percutaneous coronary intervention : can we predict the future and can we change it?

Peer reviewedPublisher PD