Severity of Visual Field Loss at First Presentation to Glaucoma Clinics in England and Tanzania

Purpose: To compare severity of visual field (VF) loss at first presentation in glaucoma clinics in England and Tanzania. Methods: Large archives of VF records from automated perimetry were used to retrospectively examine vision loss at first presentation in glaucoma clinics in Tanzania (N = 1,502) and England (N = 9,264). Mean deviation (MD) of the worse eye at the first hospital visit was used as an estimate of detectable VF loss severity. Results: In Tanzania, 44.7% {CI95%: 42.2, 47.2} of patients presented with severe VF loss (< −20 dB), versus 4.6% {4.1, 5.0} in England. If we consider late presentation to also include cases of advanced loss (-12.01 dB to -20 dB), then the proportion of patients presenting late was 58.1% {55.6, 60.6} and 14.0% {13.3, 14.7}, respectively. The proportion of late presentations was greater in Tanzania at all ages, but the difference was particularly pronounced among working-age adults, with 50.3% {46.9, 53.7} of 18–65-year-olds presenting with advanced or severe VF loss, versus 10.2% {9.3, 11.3} in England. In both countries, men were more likely to present late than women. Conclusions: Late presentation of glaucoma is a problem in England, and an even greater challenge in Tanzania. Possible solutions are discussed, including increased community eye-care, and a more proactive approach to case finding through the use of disruptive new technologies, such as low-cost, portable diagnostic aids

Characteristics of First-Order Vortex Lattice Melting: Jumps in Entropy and Magnetization

We derive expressions for the jumps in entropy and magnetization characterizing the first-order melting transition of a flux line lattice. In our analysis we account for the temperature dependence of the Landau parameters and make use of the proper shape of the melting line as determined by the relative importance of electromagnetic and Josephson interactions. The results agree well with experiments on anisotropic Y$_1$Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ and layered Bi$_2$Sr$_2$Ca$_1$Cu$_2$O$_8$ materials and reaffirm the validity of the London model.Comment: 4 pages. We have restructured the paper to emphasize that in the London scaling regime (appropriate for YBCO) our results are essentially exact. We have also emphasized that a major controversy over the relevance of the London model to describe VL melting has been settled by this wor

Flow fluctuations and long-range correlations: elliptic flow and beyond

These proceedings consist of a brief overview of the current understanding of collective behavior in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. In particular, recent progress in understanding the implications of event-by-event fluctuations have solved important puzzles in existing data -- the "ridge" and "shoulder" phenomena of long-range two-particle correlations -- and have created an exciting opportunity to tightly constrain theoretical models with many new observables.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings for the 22nd International Conference On Ultra-Relativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions (Quark Matter 2011), Annecy, France, May 23 - 28, 2011; includes Fig. 2 which was omitted from journal submission for lack of spac

The far-infrared energy distributions of Seyfert and starburst galaxies in the Local Universe: ISO photometry of the 12 micron active galaxy sample

New far-infrared photometry with ISOPHOT, onboard the Infrared Space Observatory, is presented for 58 galaxies with homogeneous published data for another 32 galaxies all belonging to the 12 micron galaxy sample. In total 29 Seyfert 1's, 35 Seyfert 2's and 12 starburst galaxies, about half of the 12 micron active galaxy sample, plus 14 normal galaxies for comparison. The ISO and the IRAS data are used to define color-color diagrams and spectral energy distributions (SED). Thermal dust emission at two temperatures (one cold at 15-30K and one warm at 50-70K) can fit the 60-200 micron SED, with a dust emissivity law proportional to the inverse square of the wavelength. Seyfert 1's and Seyfert 2's are indistinguishable longward of 100 micron, while, as already seen by IRAS, the former have flatter SEDs shortward of 60 micron. A mild anti-correlation is found between the [200 - 100] color and the "60 micron excess". We infer that this is due to the fact that galaxies with a strong starburst component, and thus a strong 60 micron flux, have a steeper far-infrared turnover. In non-Seyfert galaxies, increasing the luminosity corresponds to increasing the star formation rate, that enhances the 25 and 60 micron emission. This shifts the peak emission from around 150 micron in the most quiescent spirals to shorter than 60 micron in the strongest starburst galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal AASTeX preprint with 49 pages and 20 figures Also available at http://orion.ifsi.rm.cnr.it/publ.htm

Crossover Scaling in Dendritic Evolution at Low Undercooling

We examine scaling in two-dimensional simulations of dendritic growth at low undercooling, as well as in three-dimensional pivalic acid dendrites grown on NASA's USMP-4 Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment. We report new results on self-similar evolution in both the experiments and simulations. We find that the time dependent scaling of our low undercooling simulations displays a cross-over scaling from a regime different than that characterizing Laplacian growth to steady-state growth

Magazine and reader constructions of 'metrosexuality' and masculinity: a membership categorisation analysis

Since the launch of men's lifestyle magazines in the 1980s, academic literature has predominantly focused on them as a cultural phenomenon arising from entrepreneurial and commercial initiatives and/or as cultural texts that proffer representations of masculinity such as 'new lad' and 'new dad'. This paper steps aside from the focus on culture and, instead, treats magazine content as a discursive space in which gender and sexuality are oriented to, negotiated, and accomplished within and beyond the magazine itself (i.e. through readers' responses). Specifically, membership categorisation analysis is deployed to explore how the relatively new (and perhaps alternative) category for men - 'metrosexual' - is presented and received. Our analysis suggests that masculinity concerns are central in debates about 'metrosexuality', with self-identified 'metrosexuals' invoking heterosexual prowess and self-respect on the one hand, and critics (e.g. selfidentified 'real men') lamenting 'metrosexuality' for its perceived effeminacy and lack of authenticity on the other. Implications for understanding contemporary masculinities are discussed

Prehabilitative versus rehabilitative exercise in prostate cancer patients undergoing prostatectomy

Purpose: The study compared the efficacy of commencing supervised exercise in men with prostate cancer before and after prostatectomy on objective and patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay, and urinary incontinence. Methods: Forty-one men were randomised to a 6-week prehabilitation or rehabilitation exercise programme. Prehabilitation involved resistance and aerobic exercise thrice weekly pre-surgery, while rehabilitation comprised the same commencing 6-weeks post-surgery. Assessments included strength, function (chair rise, stair climb, 400-m, 6-m usual, fast, and backwards walk), body composition, fatigue and quality of life, undertaken at pre-surgery, early post-surgery and late post-surgery phase, with urinary incontinence (24-h pad test) assessed at 2, 6, and 12-weeks post-surgery. Intention-to-treat and sensitivity analyses were undertaken. Results: Of thirty-eight men (48–73 years), 29 completed all assessments with most undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (92.1%). In the pre-surgery phase, prehabilitation improved muscle strength (leg press: 17.2 kg; chest press: 2.9 kg; p ≤ 0.001), 400-m, chair rise, 6-m fast and backward walk tests (p ≤ 0.001–0.028). Strength and function declines in the early post-surgery phase were maintained late post-surgery. Rehabilitation showed declines of these outcomes after surgery with improvement late post-surgery (leg press: 14.6 kg, p \u3c 0.001; chest press: 6.8 kg, p \u3c 0.001; 400-m walk: -12.0 s, p = 0.005), resulting in no difference between groups at 12 weeks. There were no significant differences between groups for patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay or urinary incontinence. Conclusion: Pre-surgical exercise enhanced strength and function, protecting against post-surgery declines. Although exercise post-surgery is beneficial for recouping strength and function, where possible men undergoing prostatectomy are encouraged to exercise pre-surgery. Trial registration: ACTRN12617001115325 registered 31 July 2017

Attitude towards and factors affecting uptake of population based BRCA testing in the Ashkenazi Jewish population: a cohort study

Objective To evaluate factors affecting unselected‐population‐based‐BRCA‐testing in Ashkenazi‐Jews (AJ). Design Cohort‐study set within recruitment to the GCaPPS‐trial (ISRCTN73338115). Setting North‐London AJ‐population. Population or Sample AJ women/men >18‐years, recruited through self‐referral. Methods AJ‐women/men underwent pre‐test counselling for BRCA‐testing through recruitment clinics (clusters). Consenting individuals provided blood‐sample for BRCA‐testing. Socio‐demographic/family‐history/knowledge/psychological well‐being data along‐with benefits/risks/cultural‐influences (18‐item‐questionnaire measuring ‘attitude’) were collected. 4‐item likert‐scales analysed initial ‘interest’ and ‘intention‐to‐test’ pre‐counselling. Uni‐&‐multivariable logistic‐regression‐models evaluated factors affecting uptake/interest/intention‐to undergo BRCA‐testing. Statistical inference was based on cluster robust standard‐errors and joint Wald‐tests for significance. Item‐Response‐Theory and graded‐response‐models modelled responses to 18‐item questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures Interest, intention, uptake, attitude towards BRCA‐testing. Results 935 (women=67%/men=33%; mean‐age=53.8(S.D=15.02) years) individuals underwent pre‐test genetic‐counselling. Pre‐counselling 96% expressed interest but 60% indicated clear intention‐to undergo BRCA‐testing. Subsequently 88% opted for BRCA‐testing. BRCA‐related knowledge (p=0.013) and degree‐level education(p=0.01) were positively and negatively (respectively) associated with intention‐to‐test. Being married/cohabiting had four‐fold higher‐odds for BRCA‐testing uptake (p=0.009). Perceived benefits were associated with higher pre‐counselling odds for interest and intention‐to undergo BRCA‐testing. Reduced uncertainty/reassurance were the most important factors contributing to decision‐making. Increased importance/concern towards risks/limitations (confidentiality/insurance/emotional‐impact/inability to prevent cancer/marriage‐ability/ethnic‐focus/stigmatization) were significantly associated with lower‐odds of uptake‐of BRCA‐testing, and discriminated between acceptors and decliners. Male‐gender/degree‐level‐education (p=0.001) had weaker, while having children had stronger (p=0.005) attitudes towards BRCA‐testing. Conclusions BRCA‐testing in the AJ‐population has high acceptability. Pre‐test counselling increases awareness of disadvantages/limitations of BRCA‐testing, influencing final cost‐benefit perception and decision‐making on undergoing testing. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved