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Sarcopenia represents an established adverse prognostic factor in cancer patients. Consequently, different means to counteract sarcopenia have been proposed to improve cancer treatment. Computed tomography (CT)-based measurements, also labor intensive, are well validated for the analysis of sarcopenia. As inflammation plays a key role in the development of sarcopenia, we here studied the role of the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), consisting of inflammation parameters plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin, to predicting sarcopenia and adipose tissue-related body composition (BC) parameters at baseline and their changes during treatment and to analyze its prognostic role in conjunction with BC parameters.CT measurements of BC parameters were carried out at baseline and week 12 in patients with advanced gastric or esophagogastric junction cancer from the phase III EXPAND trial, undergoing first-line platinum-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy. mGPS was calculated from baseline CRP and albumin plasma levels. Pearson correlation and Cox regression analyses were carried out.mGPS is strongly prognostic for overall survival (OS). Baseline mGPS is significantly correlated with baseline mean muscle attenuation (MA; P0.0001). Baseline mGPS did not predict a decline in muscle or adipose tissue parameters during 12 weeks of treatment and a decline in muscle or adipose tissue parameters was not prognostic for OS. MA lost its prognostic role for OS when mGPS or CRP was entered into the Cox models. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status together with CRP or mGPS remained the sole baseline prognostic factors for OS.Our findings support a model where tumor-mediated inflammatory response represents a strong prognostic factor, which is causally related to sarcopenia, but with no direct causal path from sarcopenia to survival. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of systemic inflammation should be further explored as a promising strategy to improve both sarcopenia and the efficacy and tolerability of cancer treatment.

In this article, we present partial findings from a thematic analysis study that examined integrating emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as clinical frameworks in couple therapy. The purpose of the study is to better understand how therapists integrate EFT and EMDR therapy in their clinical work. Thirteen licensed therapists (n = 13) trained in EFT and EMDR were interviewed about their experiences integrating these two models in their couple therapy practice. The findings included in this article are related to how these models complement each other as well as the clinical benefits associated with their integration. Findings provide preliminary evidence that there are benefits and challenges when integrating both models, although we emphasize complementarity in this article. Limitations and implications for future research on the integration and efficacy of these two models are also discussed.

As Latinx are the largest minority and immigrant population in the United States, therapists are increasingly likely to work with this population. The high rates of psychological distress that Lati...

Infection during pregnancy is common and the developing fetal brain is vulnerable to vertical transmission due to immaturity of the fetal immune system. Infection is a major cause of multiple organ abnormalities, including the neuraxis, due to the neurotropism of the infectious agents. This review sets out to give an overview of fetal infection, review the general principles of the nature and timing of the infectious insult with respect to outcomes, review the neuroimaging of infection by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and review the various pathogens involved, including the two most common, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Toxoplasma, and also other common viral and nonviral infections.

In the last three decades, mindfulness and resilience have received extensive scholarly attention. Research has burgeoned and they have both become “buzz words” in the social sciences and mental health fields. That said, they are often presented as unrelated qualities, skills, or states, and few studies and texts have examined their linkages and/or how they complement each other. Masten’s (2001, 2009) seminal papers and subsequent book (2014) that presented resilience as “ordinary magic” have had large impacts on resilience scholarship, bringing forth that resilience is much more of a common human occurrence and proclivity than previously considered. In this paper, we explore the potential for mindfulness to be a potentially overlooked and ubiquitous protective factor in the development and maintenance of resilience. To achieve this, we propose that mindfulness is fundamental to resilience by investigating linkages between mindfulness and resilience yet to be thoroughly explored in the literature, and discuss how mindfulness is logically connected to resilience. Likewise, we suggest that the complementary interplay between mindfulness and resilience is readily applicable and highly germane, as mindfulness may beget resilience and vice versa.

Industrial companies’ readiness to accept the industry technologies 4.0 is studied and results of industrial companies’ questioning are analyzed in the work. The nonlinear principal component analysis method (NLPCA) is applied as a data processing instrument in understanding the Gifi system taking into account the variegated statistic nature of the questioning indexes.

Das intramurale Hamatom (IMH, Abb. 2a, b) wird neben der Aortendissektion (AD, Abb. 2c) und dem penetrierenden Aortenulkus (PAU, Abb. 2d) zum akuten Aortensyndrom gezahlt. Gemeinsame Klinik ist der akut einsetzende und stechende Schmerz im Bereich von Brustkorb oder Rucken. Das IMH ist fur 6–10% aller AAS verantwortlich [1]. Als Ursache wird ein spontaner Riss in den Vasa vasorum mit nachfolgender Einblutung in die Media angenommen [2]. Die Intima ist initial intakt, kann aber im weiteren Verlauf einreisen [1, 3, 4]. Etwa jeder dritte Patient mit einem IMH entwickelt eine AD [4]. Open image in new window Abb. 2 a Intramurales Wandhamatom, das in der nativen CT-Untersuchung hyperdens zur Darstellung kommt. b Ausgepragte atherosklerotische Wandveranderungen mit spangenformigen Verkalkungen in der Peripherie sowie thrombotischen Wandablagerungen. c Intramurales Wandhamatom, durch die Einblutung in die Media wurden die vorbestehenden Intimaverkalkungen nach lumenwarts verlagert. d Penetrierendes Aortenulkus im Aortenbogen mit etwas umgebendem Hamatom. e Aortendissektion Typ A nach der Stanford-Klassifikation

Grid cells in parahippocampal cortices fire at vertices of a periodic triangular grid that spans the entire recording environment. Such precise neural computations in space have been proposed to emerge from equally precise temporal oscillations within cells or within the local neural circuitry. We found that grid-like firing patterns in the entorhinal cortex vanished when theta oscillations were reduced after intraseptal lidocaine infusions in rats. Other spatially modulated cells in the same cortical region and place cells in the hippocampus retained their spatial firing patterns to a larger extent during these periods without well-organized oscillatory neuronal activity. Precisely timed neural activity within single cells or local networks is thus required for periodic spatial firing but not for single place fields.

We demonstrate the morphological properties of height, diameter and shape controlled N-face GaN nanorods (NRs) by adjusting conventional growth parameters of a standard metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) growth process. Particularly the hydrogen fraction within the carrier gas was shown to be an important shaping tool for the grown nanostructures. Additionally, the aspect ratio of the NRs was successfully tuned by increasing the pitch of the nanoimprint lithography (NIL) pattern, while maintaining the hole-diameter constant. An optimum aspect ratio could be found at pitches between 400 and 800 nm, whereas larger pitches are counter-productive. The major conclusion drawn from our experiments is that the whole amount of growth material available over the masked surface contributes to the growth of the NRs.

XMM–Newton data of Plaskett's star (HD 47129) are used in order to analyse its X-ray spectrum and variability and hence to derive further constraints on the wind interaction in this early-type binary (O6 I + O7.5 I) system. Conventional models fail to provide a consistent fit of the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) and Reflexion Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectra. The lines seen in the RGS spectrum have a temperature of maximum emissivity between 0.18 and 1.4 keV. The EPIC and RGS spectra are best fitted by a non-equilibrium model consisting of a bremsstrahlung continuum at 2.2 ± 0.1 keV and a number of independent emission lines. Our tests also suggest that an overabundance in nitrogen by a factor of ∼6 might be indicated to best represent the RGS spectrum. On the other hand, a short-term variability study of the light curves of the system indicates that the X-ray flux of Plaskett's star did not display any significant variability during our observation. This result holds for all time-scales investigated here (from a few minutes to about one hour). Combining our XMM–Newton data with ROSAT archival observations, we find, however, a significant variability on the orbital time-scale. If this behaviour is indeed phase locked, it suggests a minimum in the X-ray flux when the primary star is in front. This might be attributed to an occultation of the colliding wind region by the body of the primary. Finally, 71 other X-ray sources have been detected in the field around Plaskett's star and most of them have a near-infrared (near-IR) counterpart with colours that are consistent with those of slightly reddened main-sequence objects. Actually, a sizeable fraction of the X-ray sources in the EPIC images could be either foreground or background sources with no direct connection to HD 47129.

Adenoviruses are excellent immunotherapeutic agents with a unique ability to prime and boost immune responses. Recombinant adenoviruses cause immunogenic cancer cell death and subsequent release of tumor antigens for antigen presenting cells, resulting in the priming of potent tumor-specific immunity. This effect may be further enhanced by immune-stimulating transgenes expressed by the virus. We report a case of a 38-year-old female with Stage 3 metastatic micropapillary serous carcinoma of the ovary. She was treated in a Phase I study with a granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF)-expressing oncolytic adenovirus, Ad5/3-D24-GMCSF (ONCOS-102). The treatment resulted in progressive infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes into the tumor and concomitant systemic induction of several tumor-specific CD8+ T-cell populations. The patient was alive at the latest follow up more than 20 months after initiation of the study.

We present a theory of time-resolved Faraday rotation forsemimagnetic quantum well structures in the Voigt configuration.The nonlinear part of the Faraday rotation signal is expressedas probing the carrier spin population requiring an off-resonant probe frequency. Our computed results confirm experimental findings of electron spin precession andindependent electron and hole spin relaxation. Inclusion of thecoherent dynamics of the Mn-spin system in our theory shows that optically created carriers can initiate a long-livingprecession of the Mn-spins, leading to oscillations which areobserved through the linear Faraday rotation.

Three types of clinical laboratory audits-local (clinical trial center), core, and central laboratory audits-are conducted by the Roche Pharma Research Quality Assurance (PRQA) Department. All laboratory audits are designed to determine if the laboratory data are reliable and verifiable, if there are adequate procedures and facilities, and to clarify the status of reference ranges and source document archiving. Audits are conducted on the basis of the good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines and regulations (1,2); national laboratory requirements, for example, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CL1A) regulations (3) or the “Guide de bonne execution des analyses” (GBEA) (4); and, where applicable, international principles of good laboratory practices. The approach of the three audit types together with their common audit findings is described below. It was found that each type of clinical laboratory audit had revealed its own characteristic audit findings. Follow-up actions were implemented both by the clinical laboratory and the sponsor. For example, Roche’s Clinical Research Department is now requiring a precontract audit before most agreements with core/central laboratories as well as follow-up, during-contract audits with preferred central laboratories. Improved quality and greater efficiency were achieved when all partners on the team (clinical research, clinical laboratories, and quality assurance) worked together.

We report on photoluminescence and absorption measurements in type-I hetero n-i-p-i structures. The electron density in the pseudomorphic InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells is tunable between zero and more then 5 · 1012 cm-2. This electrical tuning of the subband filling is achieved by a variable voltage applied between selective n-and p-contacts fabricated by epitaxial shadow mask MBE. One of the advantages of having selective contacts to the n- and p-layers is to get reliable information about the electron density, independent of measured absorption and luminescence spectra. This allows a more rigorous analysis of the data on bandgap renormalization, bandfilling and k∥-conservation. Moreover, the experiments can be performed at low optical power and low carrier temperatures. In the present investigation a bandgap renormalization of -20 meV and a bandfilling induced shift of the absorption edge as large as +50 meV was observed for a sheet electron density of 5 · 1012 cm-2.

We report on electro-optical modulators with high contrast ratio. The on/off ratio of a homogenous GaAs n-i-p-i structure only 3.9μm thick is larger than 6:1, without additional cavity effects for a voltage swing of only 7V. This change of the reflection corresponds to an absorption change of more than 2000 cm-1, averaged over the whole sample thickness. The modulation ratio exceeds 3 within a wavelength range of more than 20nm and remains constant up to an optical power of about 50 mW. The structure is grown with a novel shadow mask regrowth technique, which allows in situ fabrication of excellent selective n- and p-type contacts to doping superlattices with typical dimensions of several μm. In agreement with calculations a 45×45 μm2 device with a 60pF capacitance reveals a 3dB frequency of 40MHz. By further reducing the device dimension to 3×3 μm2 a 3dB frequency of 4GHz is expected.

The scope of this paper is to perform a detailed spectroscopic study of the northern O-type supergiant HD 195592. We use a large sample of high quality spectra in order to investigate its multiplicity, and to probe the line profile variability. Our analysis reveals a clear spectroscopic binary signature in the profile of the He {\sc i} $\lambda$ 6678 line, pointing to a probable O + B system. We report on low amplitude radial velocity variations in every strong absorption line in the blue spectrum of HD 195592. These variations are ruled by two time-scales respectively of 5.063 and about 20 days. The former is firmly established, whilst the latter is poorly constrained. We report also on a very significant line profile variability of the H $\beta$ line, with time scales strongly related to those of the radial velocities. Our results provide significant evidence that HD 195592 is a binary system, with a period that might be the variability time-scale of about 5 days. The second time scale may be the signature of an additional star moving along a wider orbit provided its mass is low enough, even though direct evidence for the presence of a third star is still lacking. Alternatively, the second time-scale may be the signature of a variability intrinsic to the stellar wind of the primary, potentially related to the stellar rotation., Comment: 9 pages, 5 postscript figures, accepted for publication in New Astronomy

The transition from early Of stars to WN type objects is poorly understood. O-type supergiants with emission lines (OIf+) are considered to be intermediate between these two classes. The scope of this paper is to investigate the spectral variability of three Of+ supergiants. We constituted spectral time series of unprecedented quality for our targets (~ 200 spectra in total), essentially in the blue domain, covering time-scales from a few hours up to a few years. Time Variance Spectrum (TVS) and Fourier analyses were performed in order to characterize their spectral variability. We report on a correlated significant line profile variability in the prominent He II \lambda 4686 and H\beta lines most likely related to the strong stellar winds. The variability pattern is similar for the three stars investigated (HD14947, HD15570 and HD16691), and the main differences are more quantitative than qualitative. However, the reported time-scales are somewhat different, and the most striking variability pattern is reported for HD16691. We did not find any clear evidence for binarity, and we focus mainly on an interpretation based on a single star scenario. We show that the behaviour of the three stars investigated in this study present strong similarities, pointing to a putative common scenario, even though a few differences should be noted. Our preferred interpretation scheme is that of Large Scale Corotating Structures modulating the profile of the lines that are produced in the strong stellar wind., Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (author preprint version including 43 pages and 12 figures)

The properties of the early-type binary Cyg OB2 #5 have been debated for many years and spectroscopic and photometric investigations yielded conflicting results. We have attempted to constrain the physical properties of the binary by collecting new optical and X-ray observations. We find that the orbital period of the system slowly changes though we are unable to discriminate between several possible explanations of this trend. The best fit solution of the continuum light curve reveals a contact configuration with the secondary star being significantly brighter and hotter on its leading side facing the primary. The mean temperature of the secondary star turns out to be only slightly lower than that of the primary, whilst the bolometric luminosity ratio is found to be 3.1. The solution of the light curve yields a distance of 925 +/- 25 pc much lower than the usually assumed distance of the Cyg OB2 association. Whilst we confirm the existence of episodes of higher X-ray fluxes, the data reveal no phase-locked modulation with the 6.6 day period of the eclipsing binary nor any clear relation between the X-ray flux and the 6.7 yr radio cycle. The bright region of the secondary star is probably heated by energy transfer in a common envelope in this contact binary system as well as by the collision with the primary's wind. The existence of a common photosphere probably also explains the odd mass-luminosity relation of the stars in this system. Most of the X-ray, non-thermal radio, and possibly gamma-ray emission of Cyg OB2 #5 is likely to arise from the interaction of the combined wind of the eclipsing binary with at least one additional star of this multiple system.

We present here the analysis of an extensive set of high resolution optical spectra of Plaskett's star (HD 47129). We use a disentangling method to separate the individual spectra of each star. We derive a new orbital solution and discuss the spectral classification of both components. A Doppler tomography technique applied to the emission lines H alpha and He II 4686 yields a Doppler map that illustrates the wind interactions in the system. Finally, an atmosphere code is used to determine the different chemical abundances of the system components and the wind parameters. HD 47129 appears to be an O8 III/I + O7.5 III binary system in a post RLOF evolutionary stage, where matter has been transferred from the primary to the secondary star. The He overabundance of the secondary supports this scenario. In addition, the N overabundance and C underabundance of the primary component confirm previous results based on X-ray spectroscopy and indicate that the primary is an evolved massive star. Furthermore, the secondary star has a large rotational velocity that deforms its surface, leading to a non-uniform distribution in effective temperature. This could explain the variations in the equivalent widths of the secondary lines with phase. We suggest that the wind of the secondary star is confined near the equatorial plane because of its high rotational velocity, affecting the ram pressure equilibrium in the wind interaction zone., Comment: Accepted in A & A

The line profile variability and photometric variability of the O9.5 Vp star HD93521 are examined in order to establish the properties of the non-radial pulsations in this star. Fourier techniques are used to characterize the modulations of the He I 5876, 6678 and H-alpha lines in several spectroscopic time series and to search for variations in a photometric time series. Our spectroscopic data confirm the existence of two periods of 1.75 and 2.89 hr. The line profiles, especially those affected by emission wings, exhibit also modulations on longer time scales, but these are epoch-dependent and change from line to line. Unlike previous claims, we find no unambiguous signature of the rotational period in our data, nor of a third pulsation period (corresponding to a frequency of 2.66 day$^{-1}$). HD 93521 very likely exhibits non-radial pulsations with periods of 1.75 and 2.89 hr with $l \simeq 8 \pm 1$ and $l \simeq 4 \pm 1$ respectively. No significant signal is found in the first harmonics of these two periods. The 2.89 hr mode is seen at all epochs and in all lines investigated, while the visibility of the 1.75 hr mode is clearly epoch dependent. Whilst light variations are detected, their connection to these periodicities is not straightforward., 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Five term neonates diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia were treated with 1 g/kg/day intravenous gamma-globulin. Clinical and laboratory evidence of thrombocytopenia resolved completely in 4 of the 5 patients after a single dose. Only 1 patient received a second dose of the drug. This treatment protocol requires less gamma-globulin than other protocols to safely reduce length of hospitalization.

We present a spectroscopic analysis of four massive binary systems that are known or are good candidates to display the Struve-Sahade effect (defined as the apparent strengthening of the secondary spectrum of the binary when the star is approaching, and the corresponding weakening of the lines when it is receding). We use high resolution optical spectra to determine new orbital solutions and spectral types of HD 165052, HD 100213, HD 159176 and DH Cep. As good knowledge of the fundamental parameters of the considered systems is necessary to examine the Struve-Sahade effect. We then study equivalent width variations in the lines of both components of these binaries during their orbital cycle. In the case of these four systems, variations appear in the equivalent widths of some lines during the orbital cycle, but the definition given above can any longer be valid, since it is now clear that the effect modifies the primary spectrum as much as the secondary spectrum. Furthermore, the lines affected, and the way in which they are affected, depend on the considered system. For at least two of them (HD 100213 and HD 159176) these variations probably reflect the ellipsoidal variable nature of the system., 12 pages, 20 figures, in press A&A

We present the results of a long-term high-resolution spectroscopy campaign on the O-type stars in NGC 6231. We revise the spectral classification and multiplicity of these objects and we constrain the fundamental properties of the O-star population. Almost three quarters of the O-type stars in the cluster are members of a binary system. The minimum binary fraction is 0.63, with half the O-type binaries having an orbital period of the order of a few days. The eccentricities of all the short-period binaries are revised downward, and henceforth match a normal period-eccentricity distribution. The mass-ratio distribution shows a large preference for O+OB binaries, ruling out the possibility that, in NGC 6231, the companion of an O-type star is randomly drawn from a standard IMF. Obtained from a complete and homogeneous population of O-type stars, our conclusions provide interesting observational constraints to be confronted with the formation and early-evolution theories of O stars., 16 pages, 14 figures. Accepted by MNRAS

Along with advances in LED manufacturing technology software tools for device modelling have become available to support LED design work. Yet there is still a variety of fundamental problems in LED technology which are beyond the capabilities of standardized design methods. In this paper we discuss the suitability of modelling approaches for various issues in industrial LED design and development, the applicability and limitations of physical models and computation methods, the significance of the results, and the requirements for present and future tools.

Objective: To test the effect on pregnancy outcome of a policy of very early commencement of postdate surveillance testing, and induction of labor at 42 weeks. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 2776 consecutive cephalic deliveries at 38–42 weeks of gestation. Management of the postdate pregnancies included twice-weekly antenatal testing beginning at 40 completed weeks and elective induction of labor at 42 completed weeks. Pregnancy outcome parameters were compared between the groups delivered at 38–40 weeks and at 41–42 weeks. Results: There were 2138 pregnancies delivered at 38–40 weeks and 638 at 41–42 weeks. The latter group had a statistically significant increase in the rate of cesarean section, mainly accounted for by an increased rate of fetal distress and failure to progress in labor. Similarly the rate of instrumental vaginal delivery, meconium in labor and macrosomia had a statistically significantly higher incidence in the postdate group. These differences in outcome were already apparent at 41 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Despite early initiation of fetal surveillance, starting at 40 completed weeks, postdate pregnancies are associated with an increased rate of emergency cesarean section, macrosomia and meconium in labor.