The Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey. XIII. Physical Properties and Mass Functions of Dense Molecular Cloud Structures

We use the distance probability density function (DPDF) formalism of Ellsworth-Bowers et al. (2013, 2015) to derive physical properties for the collection of 1,710 Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey (BGPS) version 2 sources with well-constrained distance estimates. To account for Malmquist bias, we estimate that the present sample of BGPS sources is 90% complete above 400 $M_\odot$ and 50% complete above 70 $M_\odot$. The mass distributions for the entire sample and astrophysically motivated subsets are generally fitted well by a lognormal function, with approximately power-law distributions at high mass. Power-law behavior emerges more clearly when the sample population is narrowed in heliocentric distance (power-law index $\alpha = 2.0\pm0.1$ for sources nearer than 6.5 kpc and $\alpha = 1.9\pm0.1$ for objects between 2 kpc and 10 kpc). The high-mass power-law indices are generally $1.85 \leq \alpha \leq 2.05$ for various subsamples of sources, intermediate between that of giant molecular clouds and the stellar initial mass function. The fit to the entire sample yields a high-mass power-law $\hat{\alpha} = 1.94_{-0.10}^{+0.34}$. Physical properties of BGPS sources are consistent with large molecular cloud clumps or small molecular clouds, but the fractal nature of the dense interstellar medium makes difficult the mapping of observational categories to the dominant physical processes driving the observed structure. The face-on map of the Galactic disk's mass surface density based on BGPS dense molecular cloud structures reveals the high-mass star-forming regions W43, W49, and W51 as prominent mass concentrations in the first quadrant. Furthermore, we present a 0.25-kpc resolution map of the dense gas mass fraction across the Galactic disk that peaks around 5%.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 32 pages, 21 figure

Nonmotor Symptoms Groups in Parkinson's Disease Patients: Results of a Pilot, Exploratory Study

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) like neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbances or autonomic symptoms are a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). To explore the existence of groups of NMS and to relate them to PD characteristics, 71 idiopathic non-demented PD out-patients were recruited. Sleep was evaluated by the PD Sleep Scale (PDSS). Several neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal and urogenital symptoms were obtained from the NMSQuest. Sialorrhea or dysphagia severity was obtained from the Unified PD Rating Scale activities of daily living section. MADRS depression scale was also administered. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of 5 factors, explaining 70% of variance. The first factor included PDSS measurement of sleep quality, nocturnal restlessness, off-related problems and daytime somnolence; the second factor included nocturia (PDSS) and nocturnal activity; the third one included gastrointestinal and genitourinary symptoms; the forth one included nocturnal psychosis (PDSS), sialorrhea and dysphagia (UPDRS); and the last one included the MADRS score as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms. Sleep disorders correlated with presence of wearing-off, nocturia with age >69 years, and nocturnal psychosis with levodopa equivalent dose or UPDRS II score. Neuropsychiatric symptoms correlated with UPDRS II+III score and non-tricyclic antidepressants. These results support the occurrence of significant NMS grouping in PD patients

Genetic dystonia-ataxia syndromes: clinical spectrum, diagnostic approach and treatment options

Background: Dystonia and ataxia are manifestations of numerous disorders, and indeed, an ever-expanding spectrum of genes causing diseases that encompass dystonia and ataxia are discovered with the advances of genetic techniques. In recent years, a pathophysiological link between both clinical features and the role of the cerebellum in the genesis of dystonia, in some cases, has been proposed. In clinical practice, the genetic diagnosis of dystonia-ataxia syndromes is a major issue for genetic counseling, prognosis and, occasionally, specific treatment. Methods: For this pragmatic and educational review, we conducted a comprehensive and structured literature search in Pubmed, OMIM, and GeneReviews using the key words “dystonia” and “ataxia” to identify those genetic diseases that may combine dystonia with ataxia. Results: There are a plethora of genetic diseases causing dystonia and ataxia. We propose a series of clinico-radiological algorithms to guide their differential diagnosis depending on the age of onset, additional neurological or systemic features, and imaging findings. We suggest a sequential diagnostic approach to dystonia-ataxia syndromes. We briefly highlight the pathophysiological links between dystonia and ataxia and conclude with a review of specific treatment implications. Conclusions: The clinical approach presented in this review is intended to improve the diagnostic success of clinicians when faced with patients with dystonia-ataxia syndromes.Fil: Rossi, Malco. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Balint, Bettina. Institute of Neurology; Reino Unido. John Radcliffe Hospital; Reino Unido. University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Millar Vernetti, Patricio. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Bhatia, Kailash P.. Institute of Neurology; Reino UnidoFil: Merello, Marcelo Jorge. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Movies, ethics and accounting: a teaching experience

This research presents an innovative learning experience undertaken in three groups of a financial accounting course at the University of Valencia (Spain). After watching three accountingrelated movies, students answered a test based on each movie with questions about the ethical and accounting issues described in them and their satisfaction with the learning technique. Nonparametric tests and a multivariate analysis showed that the students who participated in this experience obtained a higher exam mark than those who did not. Our results evidence a significant effect on the final exam mark for more questions only in one of the movies. Our results are valuable because they show that students engage in this methodological approach, which can be helpful for them to improve their exam performance

Genetic dystonia-ataxia syndromes: clinical spectrum, diagnostic approach and treatment options

Background: Dystonia and ataxia are manifestations of numerous disorders, and indeed, an ever-expanding spectrum of genes causing diseases that encompass dystonia and ataxia are discovered with the advances of genetic techniques. In recent years, a pathophysiological link between both clinical features and the role of the cerebellum in the genesis of dystonia, in some cases, has been proposed. In clinical practice, the genetic diagnosis of dystonia-ataxia syndromes is a major issue for genetic counseling, prognosis and, occasionally, specific treatment. Methods: For this pragmatic and educational review, we conducted a comprehensive and structured literature search in Pubmed, OMIM, and GeneReviews using the key words “dystonia” and “ataxia” to identify those genetic diseases that may combine dystonia with ataxia. Results: There are a plethora of genetic diseases causing dystonia and ataxia. We propose a series of clinico-radiological algorithms to guide their differential diagnosis depending on the age of onset, additional neurological or systemic features, and imaging findings. We suggest a sequential diagnostic approach to dystonia-ataxia syndromes. We briefly highlight the pathophysiological links between dystonia and ataxia and conclude with a review of specific treatment implications. Conclusions: The clinical approach presented in this review is intended to improve the diagnostic success of clinicians when faced with patients with dystonia-ataxia syndromes.Fil: Rossi, Malco. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Balint, Bettina. Institute of Neurology; Reino Unido. John Radcliffe Hospital; Reino Unido. University Hospital; AlemaniaFil: Millar Vernetti, Patricio. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Bhatia, Kailash P.. Institute of Neurology; Reino UnidoFil: Merello, Marcelo Jorge. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey IX: Data Release 2 and Outer Galaxy Extension

We present a re-reduction and expansion of the Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey, first presented by Aguirre et al. (2011) and Rosolowsky et al. (2010). The BGPS is a 1.1 mm survey of dust emission in the Northern galactic plane, covering longitudes -10 < \ell < 90 and latitudes |b| < 0.5 with a typical 1-\sigma RMS sensitivity of 30-100 mJy in a 33" beam. Version 2 of the survey includes an additional 20 square degrees of coverage in the 3rd and 4th quadrants and 2 square degrees in the 1st quadrant. The new data release has improved angular recovery, with complete recovery out to 80" and partial recovery to 300", and reduced negative bowls around bright sources resulting from the atmospheric subtraction process. We resolve the factor of 1.5 flux calibration offset between the v1.0 data release and other data sets and determine that there is no offset between v2.0 and other data sets. The v2.0 pointing accuracy is tested against other surveys and demonstrated to be accurate and an improvement over v1.0. We present simulations and tests of the pipeline and its properties, including measurements of the pipeline's angular transfer function. The Bolocat cataloging tool was used to extract a new catalog, which includes 8594 sources, with 591 in the expanded regions. We have demonstrated that the Bolocat 40" and 80" apertures are accurate even in the presence of strong extended background emission. The number of sources is lower than in v1.0, but the amount of flux and area included in identified sources is larger.Comment: 36 pages, 16 figures, accepted to ApJS. Data available from http://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/data/BOLOCAM_GPS

Parkinson’s disease sleep scale, sleep logs, and actigraphy in the evaluation of sleep in parkinsonian patients

The aim of this study was to compare the results of the day-to-day self-evaluation of sleep quality by sleep logs with Parkinson’s disease sleep scale (PDSS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Actigraphy was used as an independent analysis of nighttime activity interfering with sleep. A total of 71 idiopathic PD patients and 21 age- and sex-matched normal individuals lacking any type of sleep disturbance were recruited. Sleep was evaluated by PDSS, 7-d sleep log and actigraphy. Sleep logs and PDSS showed reduced sleep quality and daytime somnolence scores in moderate/severe PD patients as compared to healthy controls. Significant correlations were found between sleep quality in sleep logs and all domains of PDSS sleep quality, except for the presence of nocturia, which correlated with nocturnal activity. PD severity and depression were the only predictors of reduced sleep quality. The retrospective and day-to-day sleep self-evaluations were coincident. Reduced sleep quality was related to increased PD severity and depression scores

Cost-effectiveness of alternative methods of surgical repair of inguinal hernia

Objectives: To assess the relative cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic methods of inguinal hernia repair compared with open flat mesh and open non-mesh repair. Methods: Data on the effectiveness of these alternatives came from three systematic reviews comparing: (i) laparoscopic methods with open flat mesh or non-mesh methods; (ii) open flat mesh with open non-mesh repair; and (iii) methods that used synthetic mesh to repair the hernia defect with those that did not. Data on costs were obtained from the authors of economic evaluations previously conducted alongside trials included in the reviews. A Markov model was used to model cost-effectiveness for a five-year period after the initial operation. The outcomes of the model were presented using a balance sheet approach and as cost per hernia recurrence avoided and cost per extra day at usual activities. Results: Open flat mesh was the most cost-effective method of preventing recurrences. Laparoscopic repair provided a shorter period of convalescence and less long-term pain compared with open flat mesh but was more costly. The mean incremental cost per additional day back at usual activities compared with open flat mesh was €38 and €80 for totally extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal repair, respectively. Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair is not cost-effective compared with open flat mesh repair in terms of cost per recurrence avoided. Decisions about the use of laparoscopic repair depend on whether the benefits (reduced pain and earlier return to usual activities) outweigh the extra costs and intraoperative risks. On the evidence presented here, these extra costs are unlikely to be offset by the short-term benefits of laparoscopic repair.Luke Vale, Adrian Grant, Kirsty McCormack, Neil W. Scott and the EU Hernia Trialists Collaboratio

A framework for the evaluation of educational development programs in higher education in Chile

[EN] This paper outlines the experience of evaluating the impact of educational development in Chilean higher education drawing on the example of the Universidad Católica de Temuco. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of a implementing a robust and flexible evaluation and impact framework to identify the effectiveness of education development programs. The rationale and processes that informed the development of the evaluation and impact framework are described and then illustrated with one example, the Faculty Learning Communities (FLC) program. The example shows how the overall framework is contextualised in a specific program, drawing on indicators and outcomes to demonstrate its flexibility and robustness. The rich evidence gathered has been used to inform the educational developers on the effectiveness of their work, and the faculty participants on their knowledge and practice. Just as importantly, it has informed the institution about the impact of the programs and student engagement. The evaluation framework provides a Chilean example informed by international best practice.http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Moya, B.; Turra, H.; Chalmers, D. (2018). A framework for the evaluation of educational development programs in higher education in Chile. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 365-372. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.7997OCS36537

Cost effective assay choice for rare disease study designs

High throughput assays tend to be expensive per subject. Often studies are limited not so much by the number of subjects available as by assay costs, making assay choice a critical issue. We have developed a framework for assay choice that maximises the number of true disease causing mechanisms ‘seen’, given limited resources. Although straightforward, some of the ramifications of our methodology run counter to received wisdom on study design. We illustrate our methodology with examples, and have built a website allowing calculation of quantities of interest to those designing rare disease studies.published_or_final_versio