Renormalisation of q-regularised multiple zeta values

We consider a particular one-parameter family of q-analogues of multiple zeta values. The intrinsic q-regularisation permits an extension of these q-multiple zeta values to negative integers. Renormalised multiple zeta values satisfying the quasi-shuffle product are obtained using an Hopf algebraic Birkhoff factorisation together with minimal subtraction.Comment: minor correction

Duality and (q-)multiple zeta values

Following Bachmann's recent work on bi-brackets and multiple Eisenstein series, Zudilin introduced the notion of multiple q-zeta brackets, which provides a q-analog of multiple zeta values possessing both shuffle as well as quasi-shuffle relations. The corresponding products are related in terms of duality. In this work we study Zudilin's duality construction in the context of classical multiple zeta values as well as various q-analogs of multiple zeta values. Regarding the former we identify the derivation relation of order two with a Hoffman-Ohno type relation. Then we describe relations between the Ohno-Okuda-Zudilin q-multiple zeta values and the Schlesinger-Zudilin q-multiple zeta values.Comment: revised version, accepted for publication in Advances in Mathematic

The Hopf algebra of (q)multiple polylogarithms with non-positive arguments

We consider multiple polylogarithms in a single variable at non-positive integers. Defining a connected graded Hopf algebra, we apply Connes' and Kreimer's algebraic Birkhoff decomposition to renormalize multiple polylogarithms at non-positive integer arguments, which satisfy the shuffle relation. The q-analogue of this result is as well presented, and compared to the classical case.Comment: some typos fixed, references update

Medicaid spending burden among beneficiaries with treatment-resistant depression.

AIM: To evaluate Medicaid spending and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). MATERIALS & METHODS: TRD beneficiaries were identified from Medicaid claims databases (January 2010-March 2017) and matched 1:1 with major depressive disorder (MDD) beneficiaries without TRD (non-TRD-MDD) and randomly selected patients without MDD (non-MDD). Differences in HRU and per-patient-per-year costs were reported in incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and cost differences (CDs), respectively. RESULTS: TRD beneficiaries had higher HRU than 1:1 matched non-TRD-MDD (e.g., inpatient visits: IRR = 1.41) and non-MDD beneficiaries (N = 14,710 per cohort; e.g., inpatient visits: IRR = 3.42, p \u3c 0.01). TRD beneficiaries incurred greater costs versus non-TRD-MDD (CD = US$4382) and non-MDD beneficiaries (CD = US$8294; p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: TRD is associated with higher HRU and costs versus non-TRD-MDD and non-MDD. TRD poses a significant burden to Medicaid

The noctilucent cloud (NLC) display during the ECOMA/MASS sounding rocket flights on 3 August 2007: morphology on global to local scales

During the ECOMA/MASS rocket campaign large scale NLC/PMC was observed by satellite, lidar and camera from polar to mid latitudes. We examine the observations from different instruments to investigate the morphology of the cloud. Satellite observations show a planetary wave 2 structure. Lidar observations from Kühlungsborn (54° N), Esrange (68° N) and ALOMAR (69° N) show a highly dynamic NLC layer. Under favorable solar illumination the cloud is also observable by ground-based cameras. The cloud was detected by cameras from Trondheim (63° N), Juliusruh (55° N) and Kühlungsborn. We investigate planetary scale morphology and local scale gravity wave structures, important for the interpretation of the small scale rocket soundings. We compare in detail the lidar observations with the NLC structure observed by the camera in Trondheim. The ALOMAR RMR-lidar observed only a faint NLC during the ECOMA launch window, while the camera in Trondheim showed a strong NLC display in the direction of ALOMAR. Using the high resolution camera observations (t~30 s, Δx\u3c5 \u3ekm) and the wind information from the meteor radar at ALOMAR we investigate the formation and destruction of NLC structures. We observe that the NLC brightness is reduced by a factor of 20–40 within 100 s which can be caused by a temperature about 15 K above the frostpoint temperature. A horizontal temperature gradient of more than 3 K/km is estimated

Neuropathology of COVID-19 (neuro-COVID): clinicopathological update

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is emerging as the greatest public health crisis in the early 21st century. Its causative agent, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an enveloped single-stranded positive-sense ribonucleic acid virus that enters cells via the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor or several other receptors. While COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, other organs including the brain can be involved. In Western clinical studies, relatively mild neurological dysfunction such as anosmia and dysgeusia is frequent (~70-84%) while severe neurologic disorders such as stroke (~1-6%) and meningoencephalitis are less common. It is unclear how much SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes to the incidence of stroke given co-morbidities in the affected patient population. Rarely, clinically-defined cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and acute necrotizing encephalopathy have been reported in COVID-19 patients. Common neuropathological findings in the 184 patients reviewed include microglial activation (42.9%) with microglial nodules in a subset (33.3%), lymphoid inflammation (37.5%), acute hypoxic-ischemic changes (29.9%), astrogliosis (27.7%), acute/subacute brain infarcts (21.2%), spontaneous hemorrhage (15.8%), and microthrombi (15.2%). In our institutional cases, we also note occasional anterior pituitary infarcts. COVID-19 coagulopathy, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress likely contribute to a number of these findings. When present, central nervous system lymphoid inflammation is often minimal to mild, is detected best by immunohistochemistry and, in one study, indistinguishable from control sepsis cases. Some cases evince microglial nodules or neuronophagy, strongly supporting viral meningoencephalitis, with a proclivity for involvement of the medulla oblongata. The virus is detectable by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, or electron microscopy in human cerebrum, cerebellum, cranial nerves, olfactory bulb, as well as in the olfactory epithelium; neurons and endothelium can also be infected. Review of the extant cases has limitations including selection bias and limited clinical information in some cases. Much remains to be learned about the effects of direct viral infection of brain cells and whether SARS-CoV-2 persists long-term contributing to chronic symptomatology

Neonatal outcomes following early fetal growth restriction: a subgroup analysis of the EVERREST study

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risks of mortality, morbidity and postnatal characteristics associated with extreme preterm fetal growth restriction (EP-FGR). DESIGN: The EVERREST (Do e s v ascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy saf e ly imp r ove outcome in seve r e e arly-onset fetal growth re st riction?) prospective multicentre study of women diagnosed with EP-FGR (singleton, estimated fetal weight (EFW) <3rd percentile, <600 g, 20+0-26+6 weeks of gestation). The UK subgroup of EP-FGR infants (<36 weeks) were sex-matched and gestation-matched to appropriate for age (AGA) infants born in University College London Hospital (1:2 design, EFW 25th-75th percentile). SETTING: Four tertiary perinatal units (UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden). MAIN OUTCOMES: Antenatal and postnatal mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). RESULTS: Of 135 mothers recruited with EP-FGR, 42 had a stillbirth or termination of pregnancy (31%) and 93 had live births (69%). Postnatal genetic abnormalities were identified in 7/93 (8%) live births. Mean gestational age at birth was 31.4 weeks (SD 4.6). 54 UK-born preterm EP-FGR infants (<36 weeks) were matched to AGA controls. EP-FGR was associated with increased BPD (43% vs 26%, OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 9.4, p=0.01), surgical NEC (6% vs 0%, p=0.036) and ROP treatment (11% vs 0%, p=0.001). Mortality was probably higher among FGR infants (9% vs 2%, OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 25.8, p=0.054). FGR infants more frequently received invasive ventilation (65% vs 50%, OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.1, p=0.03), took longer to achieve full feeds and had longer neonatal stays (median difference 6.1 days, 95% CI 3.8 to 8.9 and 19 days, 95% CI 9 to 30 days, respectively, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality following diagnosis of EP-FGR is high. Survivors experience increased neonatal morbidity compared with AGA preterm infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02097667

Evaluating Evidence for Association of Human Bladder Cancer with Drinking-Water Chlorination Disinfection By-Products

Exposure to chlorination disinfection by-products (CxDBPs) is prevalent in populations using chlorination-based methods to disinfect public water supplies. Multifaceted research has been directed for decades to identify, characterize, and understand the toxicology of these compounds, control and minimize their formation, and conduct epidemiologic studies related to exposure. Urinary bladder cancer has been the health risk most consistently associated with CxDBPs in epidemiologic studies. An international workshop was held to (1) discuss the qualitative strengths and limitations that inform the association between bladder cancer and CxDBPs in the context of possible causation, (2) identify knowledge gaps for this topic in relation to chlorine/chloramine-based disinfection practice(s) in the United States, and (3) assess the evidence for informing risk management. Epidemiological evidence linking exposures to CxDBPs in drinking water to human bladder cancer risk provides insight into causality. However, because of imprecise, inaccurate, or incomplete estimation of CxDBPs levels in epidemiologic studies, translation from hazard identification directly to risk management and regulatory policy for CxDBPs can be challenging. Quantitative risk estimates derived from toxicological risk assessment for CxDBPs currently cannot be reconciled with those from epidemiologic studies, notwithstanding the complexities involved, making regulatory interpretation difficult. Evidence presented here has both strengths and limitations that require additional studies to resolve and improve the understanding of exposure response relationships. Replication of epidemiologic findings in independent populations with further elaboration of exposure assessment is needed to strengthen the knowledge base needed to better inform effective regulatory approaches

A first-in-human clinical study of a new SP-B and SP-C enriched synthetic surfactant (CHF5633) in preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome

Objective CHF5633 (Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, Italy) is the first fully synthetic surfactant enriched by peptide analogues of two human surfactant proteins. We planned to assess safety and tolerability of CHF5633 and explore preliminary efficacy. Design Multicentre cohort study. Patients Forty infants from 27+0 to 33+6 weeks gestation with respiratory distress syndrome requiring fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≥0.35 were treated with a single dose of CHF5633 within 48 hours after birth. The first 20 received 100 mg/kg and the second 20 received 200 mg/kg. Outcome measures Adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were monitored with complications of prematurity considered AEs if occurring after dosing. Systemic absorption and immunogenicity were assessed. Efficacy was assessed by change in FiO2 after dosing and need for poractant-alfa rescue. Results Rapid and sustained improvements in FiO2 were observed in 39 (98%) infants. One responded neither to CHF5633 nor two poractant-alfa doses. A total of 79 AEs were experienced by 19 infants in the 100 mg/kg cohort and 53 AEs by 20 infants in the 200 mg/kg cohort. Most AEs were expected complications of prematurity. Two unrelated serious AEs occurred in the second cohort. One infant died of necrotising enterocolitis and another developed viral bronchiolitis after discharge. The single ADR was an episode of transient endotracheal tube obstruction following a 200 mg/kg dose. Neither systemic absorption, nor antibody development to either peptide was detected. Conclusions Both CHF5633 doses were well tolerated and showed promising clinical efficacy profile. These encouraging data provide a basis for ongoing randomised controlled trials