Vortex-loop calculation of the specific heat of superfluid ^{4}He under pressure.

Vortex-loop renormalization is used to compute the specific heat of superfluid ^{4}He near the lambda point at various pressures up to 26 bars. The input parameters are the pressure dependence of T_{λ} and the superfluid density, which determine the nonuniversal parameters of the vortex core energy and core size. The results for the specific heat are found to be in good agreement with experimental data, matching the expected universal pressure dependence to within about 5%. The nonuniversal critical amplitude of the specific heat is found to be in reasonable agreement, a factor of four larger than the experiments. We point out problems with recent Gross-Pitaevskii simulations that claimed the vortex-loop percolation temperature did not match the critical temperature of the superfluid phase transition

Assessing the painful, uninflamed eye in primary care

We acknowledge the important contributions of Professor Amada J Lee, University of Aberdeen, Division of Statistics, for assistance with analysing the data from the patient survey. We thank Kamran Khan, Oliver Chadwick, and Paul Chua, trainee ophthalmologists, NHS Grampian, for providing the clinical images. Contributors: LK contributed to the design of the study, the survey of patients, and writing the paper. JVF contributed to the design of the study and writing the paper. ADD contributed to the design of the study, the survey of the patients, and writing the paper. JVF is guarantor for the paper.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Autoimmunity, Autoinflammation, and Infection in Uveitis

Funding/Support: No funding or grant support. Financial Disclosures: John V. Forrester has received an honorarium for lecturing from Janssen (London, UK). Lucia Kuffova has undertaken consultancy work for Abbvie (London, UK). Andrew D. Dick has undertaken consultancy work for Abbvie (London, UK), Roche (London, UK), and Genentech (London, UK) and has received honoraria from Janssen (London, UK) and Abbvie (London, UK). The authors attest that they meet the current ICMJE criteria for authorship.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Extradition and mental health: the need for multidisciplinary review and research.

More than 1000 people are forcibly removed from the UK each year through the process of extradition, so that they might stand trial or be imprisoned abroad. Over the last 10 years, 115,915 extradition requests were made using one such mechanism, the European Arrest Warrant, resulting in 15,243 arrests and 10,689 surrenders. A somewhat similar system has now been agreed post Brexit. In an increasing number of these cases, mental-health disorders are put forward in opposition to the process. This is allowed under the law. However, a number of questions necessarily arise in the area. Central to these is whether extradition law and practice appropriately and fully take these disorders into account, given the specific context. The importance of this hardly needs to be emphasised. Subjection to the criminal justice process within the UK itself is a challenging prospect for those with a mental-health disorder – indeed for all people. The prospect of facing a criminal trial or incarceration in a foreign country apart from family, support systems and familiar medical and mental-health support networks is daunting indeed

Extradition and mental health in the spotlight: the case of Julian Assange.

Approximately 1000 persons are extradited from the UK every year. While this number may lessen on account of Brexit, it is clear that hundreds of individuals will be forcibly removed from the UK, both nationals and non-nationals, to stand trial or be imprisoned abroad. The UK has a duty to take due cognisance of the mental health of requested persons in coming to decisions to extradite. Whilst Julian Assange’s extradition has been barred on account of his mental health, there is no certainty that that decision will stand. While there is undoubtedly a need for research into the interplay of mental health disorders and extradition, this may be a time for root and branch reconsideration of the law and related practice itself. Cooperation between relevant mental health professionals in various countries is one such area that could be enhanced. This could add weight to assurances given by the requesting state and may increase the likelihood that they are adhered to. Related to this, consequences in the event of non-compliance could be agreed between countries, including the potential return of the individual in certain circumstances. As extradition law and practice stand, these important issues are not addressed

Comparative susceptibility of mosquito populations in North Queensland, Australia to oral infection with dengue virus.

Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-borne virus, with at least 40% of the world's population at risk of infection each year. In Australia, dengue is not endemic, but viremic travelers trigger outbreaks involving hundreds of cases. We compared the susceptibility of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from two geographically isolated populations to two strains of dengue virus serotype 2. We found, interestingly, that mosquitoes from a city with no history of dengue were more susceptible to virus than mosquitoes from an outbreak-prone region, particularly with respect to one dengue strain. These findings suggest recent evolution of population-based differences in vector competence or different historical origins. Future genomic comparisons of these populations could reveal the genetic basis of vector competence and the relative role of selection and stochastic processes in shaping their differences. Lastly, we show the novel finding of a correlation between midgut dengue titer and titer in tissues colonized after dissemination

Weight gain during acute treatment of an initial pulmonary exacerbation is associated with a longer interval to the next exacerbation in adults with cystic fibrosis

Weight gain during treatment for a cystic fibrosis exacerbation http://ow.ly/f1zl30dU9AO

Assange, mental health and assurances in extradition.

Julian Assange is wanted by the United States so it can prosecute him for espionage and hacking. His extradition was barred on mental health grounds. That decision has been overturned. The English High Court has accepted US assurances detailing how he will be treated if transferred. Assange is seeking to appeal to the UK Supreme Court. Mental health-related issues have played a central role in his case to date, and look to continue to do so. The specific timing and effect of assurances are central to the present litigation. The Supreme Court will imminently decide on the next stage in Assange’s fight against extradition

Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing molecules correlate with clinical status in cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces quorum sensing signal molecules that are potential biomarkers for infection. A prospective study of 60 cystic fibrosis patients with chronic P. aeruginosa, who required intravenous antibiotics for pulmonary exacerbations, was undertaken. Clinical measurements and biological samples were obtained at the start and end of the treatment period. Additional data were available for 29 of these patients when they were clinically stable. Cross-sectionally, quorum sensing signal molecules were detectable in the sputum, plasma and urine of 86%, 75% and 83% patients, respectively. They were positively correlated between the three biofluids. Positive correlations were observed for most quorum sensing signal molecules in sputum, plasma and urine, with quantitative measures of pulmonary P. aeruginosa load at the start of a pulmonary exacerbation. Plasma concentrations of 2-nonyl-4-hydroxy-quinoline (NHQ) were significantly higher at the start of a pulmonary exacerbation compared to clinical stability ( p<0.01). Following the administration of systemic antibiotics, plasma 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline ( p=0.02) and NHQ concentrations (p<0.01) decreased significantly. In conclusion, quorum sensing signal molecules are detectable in cystic fibrosis patients with pulmonary P. aeruginosa infection and are positively correlated with quantitative measures of P. aeruginosa. NHQ correlates with clinical status and has potential as a novel biomarker for P. aeruginosa infection