The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

The physics emphases of the PHENIX collaboration and the design and current status of the PHENIX detector are discussed. The plan of the collaboration for making the most effective use of the available luminosity in the first years of RHIC operation is also presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Further details of the PHENIX physics program available at http://www.rhic.bnl.gov/phenix

Heritability estimates for 361 blood metabolites across 40 genome-wide association studies

Metabolomics examines the small molecules involved in cellular metabolism. Approximately 50% of total phenotypic differences in metabolite levels is due to genetic variance, but heritability estimates differ across metabolite classes. We perform a review of all genome-wide association and (exome-) sequencing studies published between November 2008 and October 2018, and identify >800 class-specific metabolite loci associated with metabolite levels. In a twin-family cohort (N = 5117), these metabolite loci are leveraged to simultaneously estimate total heritability (h2 total), and the proportion of heritability captured by known metabolite loci (h2 Metabolite-hits) for 309 lipids and

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

The role of religion in decision-making on antenatal screening of congenital anomalies: A qualitative study amongst Muslim Turkish origin immigrants

Objective: to explore what role religious beliefs of pregnant Muslim women play in their decision-making on antenatal screening, particularly regarding congenital abnormalities and termination, and whether their interpretations of the religious doctrines correspond to the main sources of Islam. Design: qualitative pilot study using in-depth interviews with pregnant Muslim women. Setting: one midwifery practice in a medium-sized city near Amsterdam participated in the study. Participants: 10 pregnant Muslim women of Turkish origin who live in a high density immigrant area and who attended primary midwives for antenatal care were included in the study. Data collection and data analysis: to explore the role of religion in decision-making on antenatal screening tests, a topic list was constructed, including four subjects: being a (practising) Muslim, the view on unborn life, the view on disabled life and the view on termination. To analyse the interviews, open and axial coding based on the Grounded Theory was used and descriptive and analytical themes were identified and interpreted. Findings: all 10 interviewees stated that their faith played a role in their decision-making on antenatal screening, specific to the combined test. They did not consider congenital anomalies as a problem and did not consider termination to be an option in case of a disabled fetus. However, the Islamic jurisprudence considers that termination is allowed if the fetus has serious abnormalities, but only before 19 weeks plus one day of gestation. Key conclusions: religious convictions play a role regarding antenatal screening in pregnant Muslim women of Turkish origin. The interviewees did not consider a termination in case of an affected child. Women were unaware that within Islamic tradition there is the possibility of termination if a fetus has serious anomalies. Incomplete knowledge of religious doctrines may be influencing both decisions of antenatal screening and diagnostic tests uptake and of terminating a pregnancy for fetuses with serious anomalies. Implications for practise: counsellors should be aware of the role of religious beliefs in the decision-making process on antenatal screening tests. © 2013 The Authors

Waarderend proefsleuvenonderzoek en archeologische opgraving

In dit rapport worden de resultaten gepresenteerd van het waarderende proefsleuvenonderzoek en de opgraving die zijn uitgevoerd in de periode van 2 tot en met 24 februari, resp. van 19 april tot en met 18 juni 2004 door Synthegra Archeologie bv. Op grond van de sporen is de hele nederzetting te interpreteren als een enkel erf. Behalve de boerderijplattegrond zijn ook vier kleinere gebouwen (schuren), vier spiekers, vier waterputten, twee greppelsystemen, een hutkom, een tweede rechthoekig spoor, restanten van ingegraven houtskoolmeilers en een aantal grote kuilen blootgelegd. Ze datering ongeveer uit de 10e tot 13e eeuw

Factors affecting the uptake of prenatal screening tests for congenital anomalies; a multicentre prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Two prenatal screening tests for congenital anomalies are offered to all pregnant women in the Netherlands on an opt-in basis: the Combined Test (CT) for Down syndrome at twelve weeks, and the Fetal Anomaly Scan (FAS) at around twenty weeks. The CT is free for women who are 36 or older; the FAS is free for all women. We investigated factors associated with the CT and FAS uptake

A qualitative study on how Muslim women of Moroccan descent approach antenatal anomaly screening

Objective: to extend the knowledge on Muslim women's approach of antenatal anomaly screening. Design: qualitative interview study with pregnant Muslim women from Moroccan origin. Setting: one midwifery practice in a medium-sized city near Amsterdam participated in the study. Participants: twelve pregnant Muslim women who live in a high density immigrant area and who attended primary midwives for antenatal care were included in the study. Data collection and data analyses: we conducted open interviews with pregnant Moroccan Muslim women for the purpose of studying how they made decisions about antenatal anomaly screening. We used a thematic analysis approach. Findings: women experienced the combined test as 'a test' that could identify potentially anomalous infants, and could result in being offered termination of the pregnancy; a fact that resulted in their extensive deliberations and hesitation about the test uptake. Only two women had the combined test. Conversely, women opted for the Fetal Anomaly Scan and saw it as 'only an ultrasound to see the baby'. Above all, women emphasised that whether or not to participate in antenatal anomaly tests was their own, individual decision as ultimately they were accountable for their choices. All women, including nulliparous women, viewed becoming pregnant as the point of becoming a mother - and considered antenatal screening through the lens of motherhood. Key conclusions: motherhood was the lens through which the decision to participate in antenatal anomaly screening was approached. Religious beliefs influenced values on termination and disability and were influential in the deliberations for antenatal testing. Combined test but not Fetal Anomaly Scan was considered to be a antenatal screening test. Implications for practice: counsellors should have knowledge of the different Islamic beliefs about - the latest possible day for - termination and an awareness that Muslim women make their own conscious choices, also beyond Islamic rulings