The toda equations and congruence in flag manifolds

This thesis is concerned with the 2-dimensional Toda equations and their geometric interpretation in form of r-adapted maps into flag manifolds, r-adapted maps are not only of interest due to their relation with the Toda equations, but also for their adaption to the m-synametric space structure of flag manifolds. This thesis studies the congruence question for r-adapted maps in flag manifolds. The main theorem of this thesis is a congruence theorem for г-holomorphic maps Ψ : S(^2) → G/T of constant curvature, where G can be any compact simple Lie group. It is supplemented by a congruence theorem for general r-holomorphic maps Ψ : S(^2) → G/T if G has rank 2, and a number of congruence theorems for isometric r-primitive Ψ : S(^2) → G/T of constant Kahler angle. The second group of congruence theorems is proved for the rank 2 case, as well as a selection of Lie groups with higher rank: SU(4),SU(5),F(_4),E(_6),E(_6),E(_8),Sp(n)

Radiological aspects of sprained ankle syndrome

This thesis addresses several problems related to sprained ankle syndrome. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the imaging features of sprained ankles, found on new radiological modalities, and to assess the additional diagnostic understanding and treatment planning of helical CT as well as MR imaging compared with conventional radiographic imaging in patients with ankle and hindfoot problems. In addition recommendations for prudent / optimal use of both new modalities are proposed. The objectives of this thesis are: (1.) Review and evaluation of the use of the Brodén view in subtalar joint instability; (2.) Study of MR images after ankle sprains, focused on osteochondral lesions in talar dome and tibia plafond; (3.) To report some MR imaging characteristics in detecting talocalcaneal coalitions; (4.) To investigate the accuracy of dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging in determining the viability of osteochondral lesions in the talar dome after inversion injury; (5) 5. To give an overview of some common sports-related injuries. The outline of the thesis is given hereunder: Chapters 1-4 are introductory; Chapter 1 represents a general introduction. In Chapter 2 a review is given of clinical symptomatology, developmental embryology and anatomy, instability, ligaments, osteochondral plate and articular cartilage. Chapter 3 describes the classification systems of osteochondral lesions with conventional radiography, helical CT and MR imaging. Osteochondral lesions in relation with the talar dome and tibia plafond. The complex vascularisation of the talar dome is described and the nutrition of the articular cartilage. Etiology of bone edema in relation with (repetitive)trauma is reported. Chapter 4 discusses the imaging techniques used after ankle spraining. Conventional radiography, tomography, stress radiology, ultrasound, bone scintigraphy and arthrography. The imaging protocols of helical CT and MR imaging in specific ankle and hindfoot problems are evaluated. Chapters 5-11 pertain to the performed scientific studies. Chapter 5 reports a study of stress radiography and stress examination of the talocrural and subtalar joint on helical CT in 15 patients with unilateral instability. With stress radiography a variable amount of subtalar tilt was demonstrated in all feet. Chapter 6 evaluates the use of the Brodén view in subtalar joint instability. Helical CT didn t show tilting in the subtalar joint, except in the subluxated posteromedial part. Chapter 7 includes the results of posttraumatic osteochondral fractures of the talotibial joint in the relation with the tibia plafond. The high occurrence of kissing contusions is described. Chapter 8 viability of osteochondral fragments is an important parameter for healing. In this study dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging is compared with dynamic bone scintigraphy in OD lesions of the talar dome for evaluating the viability of the OD fragment. Chapter 9 concerns the MR imaging findings around the subtalar joint in 10 patients with talocalcaneal coalitions. A typical pattern of bone marrow hyperintensities in T2-weighted and STIR images is described. Chapter 10 discusses some common traumatic and overuse syndromes of the foot and ankle seen with MR imaging. Chapter 11 contains a general discussion on helical CT as well as MR imaging in patients with ankle and hindfoot problems. Conclusion of the thesis and general directions for proper use of both techniques are given

The role of acute cortisol and DHEAS in predicting acute and chronic PTSD symptoms

Background: Decreased activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress is suspected to be a vulnerability factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies showed inconsistent findings regarding the role of cortisol in predicting PTSD. In addition, no prospective studies have examined the role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), or its sulfate form DHEAS, and the cortisol-to-DHEA(S) ratio in predicting PTSD. In this study, we tested whether acute plasma cortisol, DHEAS and the cortisol-to-DHEAS ratio predicted PTSD symptoms at 6 weeks and 6 months post-trauma. Methods: Blood samples of 397 adult level-1 trauma center patients, taken at the trauma resuscitation room within hours after the injury, were analyzed for cortisol and DHEAS levels. PTSD symptoms were assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months post-trauma with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. Results: Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that lower cortisol predicted PTSD symptoms at both 6 weeks and 6 months, controlling for age, gender, time of blood sampling, injury, trauma history, and admission to intensive care. Higher DHEAS and a smaller cortisol-to-DHEAS ratio predicted PTSD symptoms at 6 weeks, but not after controlling for the same variables, and not at 6 months. Conclusions: Our study provides important new evidence on the crucial role of the HPA-axis in response to trauma by showing that acute cortisol and DHEAS levels predict PTSD symptoms in survivors of recent trauma. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the 12-item Arabic World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) as a screening tool for Syrian refugees

Background The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is a generic measure of functional impairment and disability but to date no studies have reported its applicability in a population of Syrian refugees. Aims The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Arabic version of the WHODAS 2.0 among a population of Syrian refugees in a Jordanian refugee camp setting. The tool was used as part of a screening procedure for a randomised controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a low-intensity psychological intervention. Method A representative sample of Syrian refugees (n = 650) were screened to assess levels of functional impairment and psychological distress. The screening results were used to explore the internal consistency and dimensionality of the WHODAS 2.0. We assessed level of convergence with the validated Kessler 10-item Psychological Distress Scale (K10), which assesses psychological distress. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to explore the construct validity and factor structure of the WHODAS 2.0. Results The mean baseline WHODAS 2.0 score was 20.5 (s.d. = 7.6). The internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha 0.74), with all 12-items appearing to be related to the same construct. The WHODAS 2.0 was positively correlated with the K10 (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). The results of the EFA identified a three-factor solution accounting for 51% of variation, corresponding with factors related to self-activities, external activities and self-care. CFA results indicated good fit of the three-factor solution. Conclusions The results indicated that the WHODAS 2.0 has a three-factor solution and is an acceptable screening tool for use among Syrian refugees

До питання про культурну атрибутацію шару ранньозалізного віку на городищі Теребовля І

У статті на основі досліджень І.Русанової, Р.Миська та М.Ягодинської проведено атрибутацію культурного шару ранньозалізного віку на городищі літописної Теребовлі. Висловлюється припущення, що перші оборонні споруди на городищі Теребовля І «Замкова Гора», вал 3-ій та 4-ий городища збудовані носіями висоцької культури у ІХ-VIII ст. до н.е

The Oxidation Stability, Light Absorbing Power, and Component of Humic Acids from Different Origins, and Their Mutal Relations

Toxin-antitoxin modules are necessary for the mode of action of several antibiotics. One of the most studied toxin-antitoxin modules is the quorum sensing - dependent MazEF system in Escherichia coli. The quorum sensing factor in this system is called the extracellular death factor (EDF), a linear pentapeptide with the sequence NNWNN. In spite of the extensive research on the mazEF system and the involvement of the quorum sensing factor EDF, the effect of EDF itself on bacteria has not yet been studied. In this research, we determined the effect of EDF and variants on cell growth in the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli and the Gram-positive Bacillus globigii. By aligning the zwf gene (from where EDF originates) of different bacterial species, we found 27 new theoretical variants of the peptide. By evaluating growth curves and light microscopy we found that three EDF variants reduced bacterial cell size in B. globigii, but not in E. coli. The D-peptides did not affect cell size, indicating that the effect is stereospecific. Peptides wherein tryptophan was substituted by alanine also did not affect cell size, which indicates that the effect seen is mediated by an intracellular target. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht