Semileptonic Bs → Kℓν decays provide an alternative b -decay channel to determine the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element | Vub | and to obtain a R -ratio to investigate ...lepton-flavor-universality violations. Results for the CKM matrix element may also shed light on the discrepancies seen between analyses of inclusive or exclusive decays. We calculate the decay form factors using lattice QCD with domain-wall light quarks and a relativistic b -quark. We analyze data at three lattice spacings with unitary pion masses down to 268 MeV. Our numerical results are interpolated/extrapolated to physical quark masses and to the continuum to obtain the vector and scalar form factors f+ ( q2 ) and f0 ( q2 ) with full error budgets at q2 values spanning the range accessible in our simulations. We provide a possible explanation of tensions found between results for the form factor from different lattice collaborations. Model- and truncation-independent z -parametrization fits following a recently proposed Bayesian-inference approach extend our results to the entire allowed kinematic range. Our results can be combined with experimental measurements of Bs → Ds and Bs → K semileptonic decays to determine | Vub | =3.8 ( 6 ) ×10-3 . The error is currently dominated by experiment. We compute differential branching fractions and two types of R ratios, the one commonly used as well as a variant better suited to test lepton-flavor universality.
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), the leading known cause of childhood developmental disability, has long-lasting effects extending throughout the lifespan. It is well documented that children ...prenatally exposed to alcohol have difficulties inhibiting behavior and sustaining attention. Thus, the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), a Go/No-go paradigm, is especially well suited to assess the behavioral and neural functioning characteristics of children with PAE. In this study, we utilized neuropsychological assessment, parent/guardian questionnaires, and magnetoencephalography during SART random and fixed orders to assess characteristics of children 8-12 years old prenatally exposed to alcohol compared to typically developing children. Compared to neurotypical control children, children with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis had significantly decreased performance on neuropsychological measures, had deficiencies in task-based performance, were rated as having increased Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) behaviors and as having lower cognitive functioning by their caretakers, and had decreased peak amplitudes in Broadmann's Area 44 (BA44) during SART. Further, MEG peak amplitude in BA44 was found to be significantly associated with neuropsychological test results, parent/guardian questionnaires, and task-based performance such that decreased amplitude was associated with poorer performance. In exploratory analyses, we also found significant correlations between total cortical volume and MEG peak amplitude indicating that the reduced amplitude is likely related in part to reduced overall brain volume often reported in children with PAE. These findings show that children 8-12 years old with an FASD diagnosis have decreased amplitudes in BA44 during SART random order, and that these deficits are associated with multiple behavioral measures.
We identify a sample of 14 planetary nebulae in the nearby starburst disc galaxy NGC 253, using broad- and narrow-band imaging. A simple model of the stellar and dust layers in the galaxy shows that ...planetary nebula magnitudes are not statistically affected much by extinction. The luminosity function of the planetary nebulae is fitted with models accounting for dust, which leads to a distance to NGC 253 of μ0= 27.62+0.16−0.26 mag (d= 3.34+0.26−0.38 Mpc). This new estimate is found to be in agreement with the few existing distance estimates for this galaxy when they are all set to a common Large Magellanic Cloud distance of 18.50 mag. A weighted average of the most reliable distance estimates yields a distance of μ0= 27.7 ± 0.2 mag (d= 3.5 ± 0.2 Mpc).
Aircraft measurements of the microphysics of a tropical convective anvil (at temperatures ~−60 °C) forming above the Hector storm, over the Tiwi Islands, Northern Australia, have been conducted with ...a view to determining ice crystal aggregation efficiencies from in situ measurements. The observed microphysics have been compared to an explicit bin-microphysical model of the anvil region, which includes crystal growth by vapour diffusion and aggregation and the process of differential sedimentation. It has been found in flights made using straight and level runs perpendicular to the storm that the number of ice crystals initially decreased with distance from the storm as aggregation took place resulting in larger crystals, followed by their loss from the cloud layer due to sedimentation. The net result was that the mass (i.e. Ice Water Content) in the anvil Ci cloud decreased, but also that the average particle size (weighted by number) remained relatively constant along the length of the anvil outflow. Comparisons with the explicit microphysics model showed that the changes in the shapes of the ice crystal spectra as a function of distance from the storm could be explained by the model if the aggregation efficiency was set to values of Eagg~0.5 and higher. This result is supported by recent literature on aggregation efficiencies for complex ice particles and suggests that either the mechanism of particle interlocking is important to the aggregation process, or that other effects are occuring, such as enhancement of ice-aggregation by high electric fields that arise as a consequence of charge separation within the storm. It is noteworthy that this value of the ice crystal aggregation efficiency is much larger than values used in cloud resolving models at these temperatures, which typically use E~0.0016. These results are important to understanding how cold clouds evolve in time and for the treatment of the evolution of tropical Ci in numerical models.
Patients aged ≥60 years with treatment-naive Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have few treatment options and inferior survival due to treatment-related toxicities and comorbidities. This phase 2, nonrandomized, ...open-label study evaluated brentuximab vedotin (BV) monotherapy (results previously reported), BV plus dacarbazine (DTIC), and BV plus bendamustine. Patients had classical HL and were ineligible for or declined frontline chemotherapy. Twenty-two patients received 1.8 mg/kg BV and 375 mg/m2 DTIC for up to 12 cycles, and 20 more patients received 1.8 mg/kg BV plus 90 or 70 mg/m2 bendamustine for up to 6 cycles (dose reduced due to toxicity). Subsequent BV monotherapy was allowed. Approximately 30 patients were to receive BV plus bendamustine; however, the incidence of serious adverse events (65%) and 2 deaths on study led to discontinuation of bendamustine and cessation of enrollment. Most patients had stage III/IV disease, and approximately half had ≥3 comorbidities or were impaired in ≥1 aspect that significantly interfered with quality of life. For BV plus DTIC, the objective response rate (ORR) was 100% and the complete remission (CR) rate was 62%. To date, the median progression-free survival (PFS) is 17.9 months. For BV plus bendamustine, the ORR was 100% and the CR rate was 88%. Neither the median PFS nor overall survival was reached. For elderly patients with HL, BV plus DTIC may be a frontline option based on tolerability and response duration. Despite activity, BV plus bendamustine is not a tolerable regimen in these patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01716806.
•BV plus DTIC is an active and well-tolerated combination for patients aged ≥60 years with HL.•Although highly active at the doses evaluated, BV plus bendamustine has unacceptable toxicity in patients aged ≥60 years with HL.
ABSTRACT
We report on the latest six pulsars discovered through our standard pipeline in the intermediate-latitude region (|b| < 15°) of the Parkes High Time Resolution Universe Survey (HTRU). We ...also present timing solutions for the new discoveries and for 19 further pulsars for which only discovery parameters were previously published. Highlights of the presented sample include the isolated millisecond pulsar J1826−2415, the long-period binary pulsar J1837−0822 in a mildly eccentric 98-d orbit with a >0.27 M⊙ companion, and the nulling pulsar J1638−4233, detected only 10 per cent of the time. Other interesting objects are PSR J1757−1500, exhibiting sporadic mode changes, and PSR J1635−2616 showing one glitch over 6 yr. The new discoveries bring the total count of HTRU intermediate-latitude pulsars to 113, 25 per cent of which are recycled pulsars. This is the highest ratio of recycled over ordinary pulsars discoveries of all recent pulsar surveys in this region of the sky. Among HTRU recycled pulsars, four are isolated objects. Comparing the characteristics of Galactic fully recycled isolated MSPs with those of eclipsing binaries (‘spiders’), from which the former are believed to have formed, we highlight a discrepancy in their spatial distribution. This may reflect a difference in the natal kick, hence, possibly, a different formation path. On the other hand, however, isolated fully recycled MSPs spin periods are, on average, longer than those of spiders, in line with what one would expect, from simple magnetic-dipole spin-down, if the former were indeed evolved from the latter.
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has been described in over 40% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol. We conducted a retrospective ...analysis to determine predictive factors for TLS. In 116 patients, the incidence of TLS was 46% (95% CI: 36-55%). In univariable analysis, female gender, greater number of prior therapies, Rai stages III-IV, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, splenomegaly, del(11q), decreased albumin and increased absolute lymphocyte count, white blood cell count (WBC), β2-microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase were associated (P < 0.05) with TLS. In multivariable analysis, female gender, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, elevated WBC, increased β2-microglobulin, and decreased albumin were associated with TLS (P < 0.05). With respect to patient outcomes, 49 and 44% of patients with and without TLS, respectively, responded to flavopiridol (P = 0.71). In a multivariable analysis, controlling for number of prior therapies, cytogenetics, Rai stage, age and gender, progression-free survival (PFS) was inferior in patients with TLS (P = 0.01). Female patients and patients with elevated β2-microglobulin, increased WBC, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm and decreased albumin were at highest risk and should be monitored for TLS with flavopiridol. TLS does not appear to be predictive of response or improved PFS in patients receiving flavopiridol.
OBJECTIVE: Bipolar spectrum disorders, which include bipolar I, bipolar II, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, frequently go unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated. This report describes ...the validation of a new brief self-report screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorders called the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. METHOD: A total of 198 patients attending five outpatient clinics that primarily treat patients with mood disorders completed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. A research professional, blind to the Mood Disorder Questionnaire results, conducted a telephone research diagnostic interview by means of the bipolar module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. RESULTS: A Mood Disorder Questionnaire screening score of 7 or more items yielded good sensitivity (0.73) and very good specificity (0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a useful screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder in a psychiatric outpatient population.
Ice shelves cover ~1.6 million km
of the Antarctic continental shelf and are sensitive indicators of climate change. With ice-shelf retreat, aphotic marine environments transform into new open-water ...spaces of photo-induced primary production and associated organic matter export to the benthos. Predicting how Antarctic seafloor assemblages may develop following ice-shelf loss requires knowledge of assemblages bordering the ice-shelf margins, which are relatively undocumented. This study investigated seafloor assemblages, by taxa and functional groups, in a coastal polynya adjacent to the Larsen C Ice Shelf front, western Weddell Sea. The study area is rarely accessed, at the frontline of climate change, and located within a CCAMLR-proposed international marine protected area. Four sites, ~1 to 16 km from the ice-shelf front, were explored for megabenthic assemblages, and potential environmental drivers of assemblage structures were assessed. Faunal density increased with distance from the ice shelf, with epifaunal deposit-feeders a surrogate for overall density trends. Faunal richness did not exhibit a significant pattern with distance from the ice shelf and was most variable at sites closest to the ice-shelf front. Faunal assemblages significantly differed in composition among sites, and those nearest to the ice shelf were the most dissimilar; however, ice-shelf proximity did not emerge as a significant driver of assemblage structure. Overall, the study found a biologically-diverse and complex seafloor environment close to an ice-shelf front and provides ecological baselines for monitoring benthic ecosystem responses to environmental change, supporting marine management.
Summary
Objective We aimed to describe the changing incidence of thyroid disease in a population‐based study in Tayside, Scotland (population 390 000) between 1994 and 2001.
Design A retrospective, ...data‐linkage, population‐based study measuring the incidence and prevalence of thyroid disease.
Patients All patients with newly diagnosed, treated and stable thyroid disease in Tayside were identified by electronic linkage of six datasets, including all regional biochemistry data, hospital admissions, deaths and a thyroid follow‐up register.
Results The overall prevalence of thyroid dysfunction has increased from 2·3% to 3·8% (1994–2001). The prevalence of ever having had hyperthyroidism increased from 0·86% to 1·26% in females and 0·17% to 0·24% in males (P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of hyperthyroidism increased from 0·68 to 0·87 per 1000 females/year, representing a 6·3% annual increase (P < 0·0001). The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism increased from 3·12% to 5·14% in females and 0·51% to 0·88% in males (P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of primary hypothyroidism did not change and varied between 3·90 and 4·89 per 1000 females/year over the 8 years. Incidence of hypothyroidism in males increased from 0·65 to 1·01 per 1000 males/year (P = 0·0017). Mean age at diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism declined in females from 1994 to 2001.
Conclusions The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism and previous hyperthyroidism has increased in Tayside, Scotland. This is partly due to an increasing incidence of disease, increased ascertainment and earlier diagnosis of disease. This will result in an increased workload for endocrinologists and general practitioners.
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