Beyond the Death of Linear Response: 1/f optimal information transport

Non-ergodic renewal processes have recently been shown by several authors to be insensitive to periodic perturbations, thereby apparently sanctioning the death of linear response, a building block of nonequilibrium statistical physics. We show that it is possible to go beyond the ``death of linear response" and establish a permanent correlation between an external stimulus and the response of a complex network generating non-ergodic renewal processes, by taking as stimulus a similar non-ergodic process. The ideal condition of 1/f-noise corresponds to a singularity that is expected to be relevant in several experimental conditions.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, in press on Phys. Rev. Let

Myocardial infarction after acute ischaemic stroke: incidence, mortality, and risk factors

Objectives: To determine the risk factor profiles associated with post-acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) myocardial infarction (MI) over long-term follow-up. Methods: This observational study includes prospectively identified AIS patients (n=9840) admitted to a UK regional centre between January 2003-December 2016 (median follow-up: 4.72 years). Predictors of post-stroke MI during follow up were examined using logistic and Cox regression models for in-hospital and post-discharge events, respectively. MI incidence was determined using a competing risk non-parametric estimator. The influence of post-stroke MI on mortality was examined using Cox regressions. Results: Mean age (SD) of study participants was 77.3(12.2) years (48% males). Factors associated with in-hospital MI (OR(95%CI)) were increasing blood glucose (1.80(1.17-2.77) per 10mmol/L), total leukocyte count (1.25(1.01-1.54) per 10x109/L), and CRP (1.05(1.02-1.08) per 10mg/L increase). Age (HR(95%CI) =1.03(1.01-1.06)), coronary heart disease (1.59(1.01-2.50)), chronic kidney disease (2.58(1.44-4.63)), and cancers (1.76(1.08-2.89)) were associated with incident MI between discharge and one year follow-up. Age ((1.02(1.00-1.03)), diabetes (1.96(1.38-2.65)), congestive heart failure (2.07(1.44-2.99), coronary heart disease (1.81(1.31-2.50)), hypertension (1.86(1.24-2.79)), and peripheral vascular disease (2.25(1.40-3.63)) were associated with incident MI between 1-5 years after discharge. Diabetes (2.01(1.09-3.72)), hypertension (3.69(1.44-9.45)), and peripheral vascular disease (2.46(1.02-5.98)) were associated with incident MI between 5-10 years after discharge. Cumulative MI incidence over 10 years was 5.4%. MI during all follow-up periods (discharge-1 year, 1-5 years, 5-10 years) was associated with increased risk of death (respective HR(95%CI)=3.26(2.51-4.15), 1.96(1.58-2.42) and 1.92(1.26-2.93)). Conclusions: In conclusion, prognosis is poor in post-stroke MI. We highlight a range of potential areas to focus preventative efforts

The sociology of disability and the struggle for inclusive education

This article charts the emergence of the sociology of disability and examines the areas of contestation. These have involved a series of erasures – of the body from debates on the social model of disability, of the Other from educational policies and practices, and of academics from political discourses and action. The paper considers the contribution of the sociology of disability to inclusive education and examines some of the objections currently being voiced. It ends with some reflections on the possibilities for academics within the sociology of disability to pursue alternative forms of engagement and outlines a series of duties that they might undertake

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

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