Tripled yield in direct-drive laser fusion through statistical modelling

Focusing laser light onto a very small target can produce the conditions for laboratory-scale nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes. The lack of accurate predictive models, which are essential for the design of high-performance laser-fusion experiments, is a major obstacle to achieving thermonuclear ignition. Here we report a statistical approach that was used to design and quantitatively predict the results of implosions of solid deuterium-tritium targets carried out with the 30-kilojoule OMEGA laser system, leading to tripling of the fusion yield to its highest value so far for direct-drive laser fusion. When scaled to the laser energies of the National Ignition Facility (1.9 megajoules), these targets are predicted to produce a fusion energy output of about 500 kilojoules-several times larger than the fusion yields currently achieved at that facility. This approach could guide the exploration of the vast parameter space of thermonuclear ignition conditions and enhance our understanding of laser-fusion physics.

Postpartum hemorrhage: new insights for definition and diagnosis

The current definition of is inadequate for early recognition of this important cause of maternal death that is responsible for >80,000 deaths worldwide in 2015. A stronger definition of postpartum hemorrhage should include both blood loss and clinical signs of cardiovascular changes after delivery, which would help providers to identify postpartum hemorrhage more promptly and accurately. Along with the amount of blood loss, clinical signs, and specifically the shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) appear to aid in more accurate diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage.

Inflammatory response of disc cells against Propionibacterium acnes depends on the presence of lumbar Modic changes

PURPOSE

Intervertebral disc with Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is suggested to be an etiology of Modic type I changes in the adjacent bone marrow. However it is unknown if disc cells can respond to P. acnes and if bone marrow cells respond to bacterial and disc metabolites draining from infected discs.

METHODS

Human disc cells (n = 10) were co-cultured with 10- and 100-fold excess of P. acnes over disc cells for 3 h and 24 h. Lipopolysaccharide was used as positive control. Expression of IL1, IL6, IL8, and CCL2 by disc cells was quantified by quantitative PCR. Lipase activity was measured in culture supernatants (n = 6). Human vertebral bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNCs) (n = 2) were cultured in conditioned media from disc cell/P. acnes co-cultures and expression of IL1, IL6, IL8, and CCL2 was measured after 24 h.

RESULTS

All disc cells responded to lipopolysaccharide but only 6/10 responded to P. acnes with increased cytokine expression. Cytokine increase was time- but not P. acnes concentration-dependent. Disc cell responsiveness was associated with the presence of lumbar Modic changes in the donor. Lipase activity was increased independent of disc cell responsiveness. BMNCs responded with inflammatory activity only when cultured in supernatants from responsive disc cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Disc cell responsiveness to P. acnes associates with the presence of lumbar Modic changes. Furthermore, bone marrow cells had an inflammatory response to the cocktail of disc cytokines and P. acnes metabolites. These data indicate that low virulent P. acnes infection of the disc is a potential exacerbating factor to Modic changes.

Comparison of gait kinetics in total and unicondylar knee replacement surgery

Introduction The aim of this study was to compare kinetical data from gait analysis of patients who have undergone total and uni-condylar knee replacement. Materials and methods Thirteen patients with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 13 unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA), were included, all performed by the same surgeon more than one year prior. The Vicon gait analysis system was used. Statistical power was calculated using SPSS. Results No significant difference was found in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait and survival years of the knee prosthesis between the two groups. The UKA group was found to have significantly larger moments than the TKA group in knee adduction on the operated side and knee flexion moment on the unoperated side during the loading phase. The maximum and minimum sagittal plane moments of the operated sides in the TKA group were significantly lower than the unoperated side. The difference was most significant at pre-swing. The maximum and minimum moments on the operated sides in the UKA group were significantly lower for the knee flexion and adduction moments when compared with the unoperated side and were most prevalent during the loading phase. Conclusions These results are relevant in terms of prosthesis wear. The TKA knees had smaller magnitude moments than the UKA knees in the sagittal and coronal planes. This could explain the higher revision rates for UKA. In both groups, the non-operated knees had significantly larger moments than the operated knees, which implies that after unilateral knee replacement of either type, the non-operated knee is being put under greater stress.

Assessing post-radiotherapy handover notes from a family physician perspective

Background

Across our province, post-radiotherapy (rt) handover notes are sent to family physicians (fps) after rt. Based on previous fp feedback, we created a revised post-radiotherapy handover note with more information requested by fps. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the revised handover note improved the note as a communication aid.

Methods

Potential common and rare treatment side effects, oncologist contact information, and treatment intent were added to the revised handover note. Both versions were sent alongside a questionnaire to fps. Paired t-tests were carried out to compare satisfaction differences.

Results

There was a response rate of 37% for the questionnaires. Significantly greater clarity in the following categories was observed: responsibility for patient follow-up (mean score improvement of 1.2 on a 7-point Likert scale, p < 0.001), follow-up schedule (1.1, p < 0.001) as well as how and when to contact the oncologist (1.4, p = 0.001). Family physicians were also more content with how the institute transitioned care back to them (1.5, p = 0.012). Overall, fps were generally satisfied with the content of the revised post-rt handover note and noted improvement over the previous version. The frequency of investigations and institute supports initiated such as counselling services were suggested further additions.

Conclusions

The inclusion of potential treatment side effects, oncologist contact information, treatment intent and a well-laid out follow-up schedule were essential information needed by fps for an effective post-rt completion note. With these additions, the revised post-rt handover note showed significant improvement.

IgE promotes type 2 innate lymphoid cells in murine food allergy

BACKGROUND

Mast cells serve an important sentinel function at mucosal barriers and have been implicated as key early inducers of type 2 immune responses in food allergy. The generation of Th2 and IgE following food allergen ingestion is inhibited in the absence of mast cells. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells are also thought to play an important early role in nascent allergic responses.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether IgE-mediated mast cell activation promotes intestinal ILC2 responses following ingestion of food allergens and whether ILC2 amplify food allergy.

METHODS

Two different mouse models of food allergy, one using intraperitoneally ovalbumin (OVA)-primed BALB/c animals and the other using enterally peanut-sensitized inherently atopic IL4raF709 mice, were applied to test the contributions of IgE antibodies and mast cells to ILC2 responses. The effect of ILC2 on mast cell activation and on anaphylaxis was tested.

RESULTS

ILC2 responses were significantly impaired in both models of food allergy in Igh7^-/- mice harbouring a targeted deletion of the gene encoding IgE. A similar reduction in food allergen-induced ILC2 was observed in mast cell-deficient Il4raF709 Kit^W-sh mice, and this was partially corrected by reconstituting these animals using cultured bone marrow mast cells. Mast cells activated ILC2 for IL-13 production in an IL-4Rα-dependent manner. Activated ILC2 amplified systemic anaphylaxis by increasing target tissue sensitivity to mast cell mediators.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These findings support an important role for IgE-activated mast cells in driving intestinal ILC2 expansion in food allergy and reveal that ILC2, in turn, can enhance responsiveness to the mediators of anaphylaxis produced by mast cells. Strategies designed to inhibit IgE signalling or mast cell activation are likely to inhibit both type 2 immunity and immediate hypersensitivity in food allergy.

Scottish survey of learning disability psychiatrists

Aims and Method

A survey was undertaken to determine the working arrangements of learning disability psychiatrists in Scotland. A questionnaire was sent to each of the 15 NHS providers of learning disabilities services in Scotland. Results were converted to the equivalent of whole time equivalent (WTE) consultant.

Results

The results showed a wide range in the level of psychiatric staffing throughout services. The median consultant learning disability psychiatrist in Scotland covers a catchment population of 160 000 and works with 0.65 WTE non-consultant career-grade psychiatrists and 0.68 WTE training-grade psychiatrists. They are responsible for a median of 3.7 assessment and treatment beds, no rehabilitation beds, no day hospital places, 23 long-stay beds, 0.6 respite beds and 0.7 forensic beds. At the time of the survey, 15.6% of consultant posts were vacant.

Clinical Implications

Service provision appears to be variable across Scotland. The implications of this may warrant closer scrutiny.

THE MAYAK WORKER DOSIMETRY SYSTEM (MWDS-2013) FOR INTERNALLY DEPOSITED PLUTONIUM: AN OVERVIEW

The Mayak Worker Dosimetry System (MWDS-2013) is a system for interpreting measurement data from Mayak workers from both internal and external sources. This paper is concerned with the calculation of annual organ doses for Mayak workers exposed to plutonium aerosols, where the measurement data consists mainly of activity of plutonium in urine samples. The system utilises the latest biokinetic and dosimetric models, and unlike its predecessors, takes explicit account of uncertainties in both the measurement data and model parameters. The aim of this paper is to describe the complete MWDS-2013 system (including model parameter values and their uncertainties) and the methodology used (including all the relevant equations) and the assumptions made. Where necessary, Supplementary papers which justify specific assumptions are cited.

Health promotion through sport: international sport federations’ priorities, actions and opportunities

Objective

To identify areas of priority and activity for international sportsfederations (IFs) with respect to athlete health and safety, and global health. Results serve to direct the work of the Association of Summer Olympic IF Medical and Scientific Consultative Group, the International Olympic Committee and to influence IFs’ planning and priorities.

Methods

The 28 IFs participating in the Summer Olympic Games (2016) were asked to rank the relative importance of 11 health-related topics and to report their activities or research initiatives on 27 identified topics using an electronic survey. A comparison with a similar survey (2012) was made.

Results

The response rate was 100%. In general, the ‘fight against doping’ had the highest priority followed by ‘image as a safe sport’. The topics with the lowest importance ratings were ‘increasing the number of elite athletes’, and ‘health of the general population’. Despite ranking ‘health of your athletes,’ as a top priority, IFs are not addressing all aspects of athlete health. In comparison with 2012, there was a significant decrease in priority for IFs is ‘health of the general population’.

Conclusion

Despite the widespread knowledge of the importance of the promotion of physical activity (sport) on global health, the decreasing priority and programming of the IFs on physical activity promotion is concerning. Although IFs have prioritised the protection of the health of elite athletes, there are gaps in programming demonstrating that IFs are missing important areas of athlete health. Improving recreational athlete health programming could also benefit population health as well as improve IF fan base and sport participation.

Becoming a better swimmer: structural complexity enhances agility in a captive-reared fish

To test whether swimming skills can be improved by exposure to structurally complex environments, juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were reared in either physically enriched or plain tanks for 2 months and were then screened to test their ability to swim along a channel while avoiding obstructions. The results show that even a relatively short exposure period to enrichment improves O. mykiss swimming agility.

[Diagnosis of auditory processing disorders in children]

Despite normal hearing thresholds in pure tone audiometry, 0.5-1 % of children have difficulty understanding what they hear. An auditory processing disorder (APD) can be assumed, which should be clarified and treated. Based on a selective literature search in the PubMed and Scopus databases using the term "auditory processing disorder", several consensus papers are discussed. Numerous studies on APD have revealed partially contradicting results, thus fueling critical discussion regarding validity and reliability-of specific audiometric APD methods and the APD construct in particular. In order to correctly advise parents and, where necessary, treat affected children, otorhinolaryngologists, phoniatrists, and pediatric audiologists must understand the psychometric properties of applied tests and have knowledge of current discussion. Diagnosis is generally a multistep interdisciplinary process.