We present a determination of the ratio of kaon and pion leptonic decay constants in isosymmetric QCD (ISOQCD), fK/fπ, making use of the gauge ensembles produced by the Extended Twisted Mass ...Collaboration with Nf = 2 + 1 + 1 flavors of Wilson-clover twisted-mass quarks, including configurations close to the physical point for all dynamical flavors. The simulations are carried out at three values of the lattice spacing ranging from ∼ 0.068 to ∼ 0.092 fm with linear lattice size up to L ~ 5.5 fm. The scale is set by the particle data group (PDG) value of the pion decay constant, ... , at the ISOQCD pion point, ... , obtaining for the gradient-flow scales the values w 0 = 0.17383 (63) fm, ... and t0/w0 = 0.11969 (62) fm. The data are analyzed within the framework of SU(2) chiral perturbation theory without resorting to the use of renormalized quark masses. At the ISOQCD kaon point ... we get (fK/fπ) ISO QCD = 1.1995 (44), where the error includes both statistical and systematic uncertainties. Implications for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vus| and for the first-row Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity are discussed.(ProQuest: … denotes formulae omitted.)
We examined seasonal growth profiles developed from AVHRR-NDVI for estimating wheat yield at regional and farm scales in Montana for the years 1989-1997. Both regions and farms showed strong ...relationships between wheat yields and integrated NDVI over the entire growing season, and with late-season NDVI parameters. The use of AVHRR-NDVI growth profiles at the regional level provided the strongest yield estimates. At the farm scale, the spatial resolution (1 km 2 ) limited the certainty for accurate portrayal of field locations. However, our models provide a basis for further examination of time-series satellite data.
Between 2005 and 2009, 19 patients underwent surgery with an accidental finding of Meckel´s diverticulum (MD) at the Second Department of Surgery in Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. ...Twelve patients were primarily operated on for acute appendicitis, 3 of them for ileus, 3 patients underwent an elective operation for a gastrointestinal malignity, and in 1 case Meckels diverticulum was found during a complicated cholecystectomy. The average age of the patients was 40.4 years (7 women and 12 men). With regard to the accidental finding in the majority of the cases (18), we proceeded radically with diverticulum resection; in 1 case the diverticulum was left in place.
Meckel´s diverticulum is among the most frequently occurring congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract; in most cases it has an asymptomatic course and its finding is usually accidental during another operation in the abdominal cavity. In such a case it is up to each individual surgeon to consider all the possible risks and complications and decide on an adequate operating procedure according to the abovementioned criteria of authors defining the absolute indication or contraindication for a radical surgical intervention.
The authors describe an unusual case of radial artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with a Brescia-Cimino fistula. Evaluation of a pulsatile mass on the patient's forearm which occurred after ...hemodialysis led to a nondiagnostic fistulogram. Color flow ultrasound was helpful in identifying the nature of the abnormality, which was subsequently confirmed arteriographically. This case illustrates that fistulography is not 100% sensitive and should be supplemented with other imaging modalities when the clinical and fistulographic findings are discordant.
We present a determination of the ratio of kaon and pion leptonic decay
constants in isosymmetric QCD (isoQCD), $f_K / f_\pi$, making use of the gauge
ensembles produced by the Extended Twisted Mass ...Collaboration (ETMC) with $N_f
= 2 + 1 + 1$ flavors of Wilson-clover twisted-mass quarks, including
configurations close to the physical point for all dynamical flavors. The
simulations are carried out at three values of the lattice spacing ranging from
$\sim 0.068$ to $\sim 0.092$ fm with linear lattice size up to $L \sim 5.5$~fm.
The scale is set by the PDG value of the pion decay constant, $f_\pi^{isoQCD} =
130.4~(2)$ MeV, at the isoQCD pion point, $M_\pi^{isoQCD} = 135.0~(2)$ MeV,
obtaining for the gradient-flow (GF) scales the values $w_0 = 0.17383~(63)$ fm,
$\sqrt{t_0} = 0.14436~(61)$ fm and $t_0 / w_0 = 0.11969~(62)$ fm. The data are
analyzed within the framework of SU(2) Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT)
without resorting to the use of renormalized quark masses. At the isoQCD kaon
point $M_K^{isoQCD} = 494.2~(4)$ MeV we get $(f_K / f_\pi)^{isoQCD} =
1.1995~(44)$, where the error includes both statistical and systematic
uncertainties. Implications for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix
element $|V_{us}|$ and for the first-row CKM unitarity are discussed.
We present a determination of the ratio of kaon and pion leptonic decay constants in isosymmetric QCD (isoQCD), \(f_K / f_\pi\), making use of the gauge ensembles produced by the Extended Twisted ...Mass Collaboration (ETMC) with \(N_f = 2 + 1 + 1\) flavors of Wilson-clover twisted-mass quarks, including configurations close to the physical point for all dynamical flavors. The simulations are carried out at three values of the lattice spacing ranging from \(\sim 0.068\) to \(\sim 0.092\) fm with linear lattice size up to \(L \sim 5.5\)~fm. The scale is set by the PDG value of the pion decay constant, \(f_\pi^{isoQCD} = 130.4~(2)\) MeV, at the isoQCD pion point, \(M_\pi^{isoQCD} = 135.0~(2)\) MeV, obtaining for the gradient-flow (GF) scales the values \(w_0 = 0.17383~(63)\) fm, \(\sqrt{t_0} = 0.14436~(61)\) fm and \(t_0 / w_0 = 0.11969~(62)\) fm. The data are analyzed within the framework of SU(2) Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) without resorting to the use of renormalized quark masses. At the isoQCD kaon point \(M_K^{isoQCD} = 494.2~(4)\) MeV we get \((f_K / f_\pi)^{isoQCD} = 1.1995~(44)\), where the error includes both statistical and systematic uncertainties. Implications for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element \(|V_{us}|\) and for the first-row CKM unitarity are discussed.
The Calumet Region was shaped by geologic forces, succession, and interacting biomes converging on a unique natural landscape. Over the past 4500 years, a strand plain has formed to the north of a ...geologic area called Toleston Beach. Sequential and differential primary succession of dune and swale communities in this region allowed species from different biomes to interact freely. In the mid-nineteenth century, commerce and settlement drastically changed the area, and natural areas were fragmented, manipulated, and degraded by cultural intrusions and industrialization. Despite the near obliteration of dune and swale habitat, small fragments of natural land escaped destruction. These native fragments maintained some semblance of the landscape that once covered the region. Currently, these native fragments are threatened by the lingering intrusion of historic contamination and the continuing presence of industry and commerce. Restoration and conservation of these remnants will need to be a process of integrating biological diversity goals into the landscape of the industrialized region through planning and design. We outline here the natural history of the region, the philosophical rationale for conservation, and possible approaches for integrating and maintaining these valuable remnant resources and processes.
Abstract Finite element (FE) model studies have made important contributions to our understanding of functional biomechanics of the lumbar spine. However, if a model is used to answer clinical and ...biomechanical questions over a certain population, their inherently large inter-subject variability has to be considered. Current FE model studies, however, generally account only for a single distinct spinal geometry with one set of material properties. This raises questions concerning their predictive power, their range of results and on their agreement with in vitro and in vivo values. Eight well-established FE models of the lumbar spine (L1-5) of different research centers around the globe were subjected to pure and combined loading modes and compared to in vitro and in vivo measurements for intervertebral rotations, disc pressures and facet joint forces. Under pure moment loading, the predicted L1-5 rotations of almost all models fell within the reported in vitro ranges, and their median values differed on average by only 2° for flexion-extension, 1° for lateral bending and 5° for axial rotation. Predicted median facet joint forces and disc pressures were also in good agreement with published median in vitro values. However, the ranges of predictions were larger and exceeded those reported in vitro , especially for the facet joint forces. For all combined loading modes, except for flexion, predicted median segmental intervertebral rotations and disc pressures were in good agreement with measured in vivo values. In light of high inter-subject variability, the generalization of results of a single model to a population remains a concern. This study demonstrated that the pooled median of individual model results, similar to a probabilistic approach, can be used as an improved predictive tool in order to estimate the response of the lumbar spine.
Weight loss surgery results in significant changes in the anatomy, function, and intraluminal environment of the gastrointestinal tract affecting the gut microbiome. Although bariatric surgery ...results in sustained weight loss, decreased appetite, and hedonic eating, it is unknown whether the surgery-induced alterations in gut microbiota play a role in the observed changes in hedonic eating. We explored the following hypotheses: (1) laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) results in changes in gut microbial composition; (2) alterations in gut microbiota are related to weight loss; (3) alterations in gut microbiome are associated with changes in appetite and hedonic eating.
Eight obese women underwent LSG. Their body mass index, body fat mass, food intake, hunger, hedonic eating scores, and stool samples were obtained at baseline and 1-month postsurgery. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed on stool samples. DESeq2 changes in microbial abundance. Multilevel-sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis was applied to genus-level abundance for discriminative microbial signatures.
LSG resulted in significant reductions in body mass index, food intake, and hedonic eating. A microbial signature composed of five bacterial genera discriminated between pre- and postsurgery status. Several bacterial genera were significantly associated with weight loss (Bilophila, q = 3E-05; Faecalibacterium q = 4E-05), lower appetite (Enterococcus, q = 3E-05), and reduced hedonic eating (Akkermansia, q = .037) after surgery.
In this preliminary analysis, changes in gut microbial abundance discriminated between pre- and postoperative status. Alterations in gut microbiome were significantly associated with weight loss and with reduced hedonic eating after surgery; however, a larger sample is needed to confirm these findings.
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