Spectral fluctuations of tridiagonal random matrices from the beta-Hermite ensemble

A time series delta(n), the fluctuation of the nth unfolded eigenvalue was recently characterized for the classical Gaussian ensembles of NxN random matrices (GOE, GUE, GSE). It is investigated here for the beta-Hermite ensemble as a function of beta (zero or positive) by Monte Carlo simulations. The fluctuation of delta(n) and the autocorrelation function vary logarithmically with n for any beta>0 (1<<n<<N). The simple logarithmic behavior reported for the higher-order moments of delta(n) for the GOE (beta=1) and the GUE (beta=2) is valid for any positive beta and is accounted for by Gaussian distributions whose variances depend linearly on ln(n). The 1/f noise previously demonstrated for delta(n) series of the three Gaussian ensembles, is characterized by wavelet analysis both as a function of beta and of N. When beta decreases from 1 to 0, for a given and large enough N, the evolution from a 1/f noise at beta=1 to a 1/f^2 noise at beta=0 is heterogeneous with a ~1/f^2 noise at the finest scales and a ~1/f noise at the coarsest ones. The range of scales in which a ~1/f^2 noise predominates grows progressively when beta decreases. Asymptotically, a 1/f^2 noise is found for beta=0 while a 1/f noise is the rule for beta positive.Comment: 35 pages, 10 figures, corresponding author: G. Le Cae

X-ray crystallographic structure of 3-(Propan-2-ylidene) benzofuran-2(3H)-one

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The safety, acceptability, and success rates of amniocentesis in the context of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and threatened preterm labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of death of children under the age of five years worldwide. Globally there has been no change in the preterm birth rate between 2010 and 2020, when rates were calculated to be 9.8% and 9.9% of all livebirths, respectively. The analysis of amniotic fluid has been advocated by many to identify the mechanisms driving threatened preterm labor. Amniocentesis is largely considered to be safe, but care provider concerns about complications in the setting of threatened preterm labor (tPTL) exist. This systematic review will critically review the data regarding safety and outcomes of amniocentesis in cases of PPROM and tPTL and help in the counseling and clinical decision-making of patients and care providers alike. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). All English language, peer-reviewed human studies where amniocentesis was used to sample the amniotic fluid of patients presenting with tPTL or PPROM and published between January 1990 and March 2022 were included. Data on the uptake rates, success rates, and safety profile associated with amniocentesis in this context of tPTL or PPROM were analyzed as part of the systematic review. Included studies compromised of randomized control trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Conference abstracts and abstracts with no full text were excluded. RESULTS: 10,215 studies were returned after searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases using free text and Medical Subject Headings (MESH). 399 studies were assessed for eligibility with 15 studies being included in the final review. The main reason for exclusion from the review was an absence of safety data. Four studies gave information on uptake rates of amniocentesis in cases of PPROM and tPTL, with a range of 55% in an observational study to >99% in centers offering it as part of routine care. Eleven studies detailed success rates of amniocentesis, with all centers reporting >90% success rates. However, in some centers, a “successful” amniocentesis was deemed to be a retrieval of >0.5 ml. Three studies reported risks associated with amniocentesis. There were four reported complications (all transitory) in a series of 1119 cases (0.35%). DISCUSSION: This systematic review found that amniocentesis in cases of PPROM or threatened preterm labor is a safe and feasible procedure. These data should give care providers confidence to counsel patients appropriately

Organometallic nucleoside analogues: effect of hydroxyalkyl linker length on cancer cell line toxicity

A new series of chiral ferrocene derivatives containing both a hydroxyalkyl group and a thyminyl group on one cyclopentadienyl ring have been synthesised to probe structure–activity relationships in cancer cell line cytotoxicities. The stereoisomers of enantiomeric pairs of these so-called ferronucleosides have been studied and characterised by a combination of chiral analytical HPLC and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Biological activity studies revealed that changing the length of the hydroxyalkyl group had marked effects on IC50 values, with compounds having shorter arms that more closely resemble endogenous nucleosides exhibiting lower cytotoxicities. The lipophilicities and electrochemical properties of this compound series have been studied to rationalise these trends and indicate future directions of study

Using botanic gardens and arboreta to help identify urban trees for the future

Societal Impact StatementDiversification of urban forests is essential to enhance their resilience to future biotic threats as well as those posed by a changing climate. Arboreta and botanic gardens host a wide range of plant material that can be evaluated to inform tree selection policy. This study demonstrates that plant functional traits, such as the water potential at leaf turgor loss, can be highly instructive when developing evidence-based recommendations for urban environments. However, if botanic collections are to fulfil a critical role in understanding plant response to environment, they should not be managed solely as visitor attractions but must have scientific objectives at the forefront of management policy.SummaryArboreta and botanic gardens host a multitude of species that can be utilized in research focused on improving diversity within urban forests. Higher tree species diversity will enhance the resilience of urban forests to abiotic and biotic threats and help deliver strategies that foster sustainable communities. Consequently, this study aims to demonstrate the value of botanic collections as a resource for research into tree species selection for more resilient urban landscapes. As water stress is a major constraint for trees in urban environments, understanding the drought tolerance of species is essential for urban tree selection. This study evaluates a key functional trait relating to drought tolerance. Using vapor pressure osmometry, the water potential at leaf turgor loss was evaluated for 96 species using plant material from seven botanic collections in North America and Europe. Leaf turgor loss contrasted widely in the temperate deciduous trees evaluated and, in summer, ranged from -1.7 MPa to -3.9 MPa. Significant differences in drought tolerance were also apparent across genera and closely related cultivars. Osmotic adjustment was shown to be a major physiological factor driving leaf turgor loss. A meta-analysis also demonstrated that leaf turgor loss was closely related to a drought-tolerance scale based on observations of tree performance under drought. Arboreta and botanic collections can play a vital role in the evaluation of plant material for urban environments, provided they are curated with scientific objectives at the forefront of management policy and are not managed purely as visitor attractions

Design management: changing roles of the professions

This paper sets out to explore how recent changes in procurement in construction have affected the roles that professions play in the design process. It discusses how professions that traditionally took the role of design manager now find themselves participating within previously unforeseen contexts, working in multidisciplinary teams led by contractors and with changed responsibilities at the design stage. Supply chain members who were not previously involved during the early project phases are being engaged at the earliest phases of the project life cycle and even taking leadership roles while designers sometimes work as supply chain partners. A study of design in construction and other sectors shows that in dealing with design management issues it is critical to deepen appreciation for the unique characteristics of design and the design process. The paper argues that contractors and designers taking on design management roles in a dynamic industry seeking to explore best practice and innovative approaches to procurement and in the delivery of projects need to acquire new skills, management education and develop the necessary qualities

Anticoagulation in pediatric cancer–associated venous thromboembolism:a subgroup analysis of EINSTEIN-Jr

Anticoagulant treatment of pediatric cancer–associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been prospectively evaluated. Management of anticoagulation for cancer-associated VTE is often challenged by drug interactions and treatment interruptions. A total of 56 of the 500 children (11.2%) with VTE who participated in the recent EINSTEIN-Jr randomized study had cancer (hematologic malignancy, 64.3%, solid malignant tumor, 35.7%). Children were allocated to either therapeutic-dose bodyweight-adjusted oral rivaroxaban (n=40) or standard anticoagulation with heparins, with or without vitamin K antagonists (n=16) and received a median of 30 concomitant medications. Based on sparse blood sampling at steady-state, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of rivaroxaban were derived using population PK modeling. During the 3 months of treatment, no recurrent VTE or major bleeding occurred (95% confidence interval, 0.0%-6.4%), and 3-month repeat imaging showed complete or partial vein recanalization in 20 and 24 of 52 evaluable children (38.5% and 46.2%, respectively). Anticoagulant treatment was interrupted 70 times in 26 (46.4%) children because of thrombocytopenia, invasive procedures, or adverse events, for a mean individual period of 5.8 days. Anticoagulant therapy was resumed in therapeutic doses and was not associated with thrombotic or bleeding complications. Rivaroxaban exposures were within the adult exposure range and similar to those observed in children with VTE who did not have cancer-associated VTE. Rivaroxaban and standard anticoagulants appeared safe and efficacious and were associated with reduced clot burden in most children with cancer-associated VTE, including those who had anticoagulant treatment interruptions. Rivaroxaban exposures were within the adult exposure range despite significant polypharmacy use. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02234843