The BKB_K Parameter in the 1/Nc1/N_c Expansion

We calculate the $B_K$ parameter within the framework of the $1/N_c$ expansion. We essentially use the technique presented by Bardeen, Buras and G\'erard but calculate an off-shell Green function in order to disentangle different contributions. We study this Green function in pure Chiral Perturbation Theory (CHPT) first and afterwards in the $1/N_c$ expansion in the presence of an explicit cut-off to determine $B_K$ and the counterterms appearing in CHPT. The high energy part is done using the renormalization group. For the low-energy contributions we use both CHPT and an Extended Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. This model has the right properties to match with the high energy QCD behaviour. We then study explicit chiral symmetry breaking effects by calculating with both massless and degenerate quarks together with the real case. A detailed analysis and comparison with the results found within other approaches is done. Consequences for present lattice calculations of this parameter are then obtained. As final result we get $0.60 < \hat B_K < 0.80$. If $m_s=m_d=0$ we get $0.25 < \hat B^\chi_K < 0.55$.Comment: 44 pages, uses epsf.sty, 9 figures included (8 postscript, 1 LaTeX

Guidelines for stress-test design for non-nuclear critical infrastructures and systems: Applications: STREST Reference Report 5

In the context of the STREST project, an engineering multi-level risk-based methodology to stress test critical non-nuclear infrastructures, named ST@STREST, has been developed. This reference report summarizes ST@STREST framework and its exploratory application to six key representative Critical Infrastructures (CIs) in Europe, exposed to variant hazards, namely: a petrochemical plant in Milazzo, Italy, large dams of the Valais region in Switzerland, hydrocarbon pipelines in Turkey, the Gasunie national gas storage and distribution network in Holland, the port infrastructure of Thessaloniki, Greece and an industrial district in the region of Tuscany, Italy. According to the characteristics of each case study, different stress test levels were applied. The application to the selected CIs is presented following the workflow of ST@STREST, comprised of four phases: Pre-Assessment phase; Assessment phase; Decision phase; and Report phase. First the goals, the method, the time frame, and the appropriate stress test level to apply are defined. Then, the stress test is performed at component and system levels and the outcomes are checked and compared to the acceptance criteria. A stress test grade is assigned and the global outcome is determined by employing a grading system. Finally, critical events and risk mitigation strategies are formulated and reported to stakeholders and authorities.JRC.E.4-Safety and Security of Building

Peripheral Blood Immune Cell Composition After Autologous MSC Infusion in Kidney Transplantation Recipients

Tacrolimus is the backbone of immunosuppressive agents to prevent transplant rejection. Paradoxically, tacrolimus is nephrotoxic, causing irreversible tubulointerstitial damage. Therefore, infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) 6 and 7 weeks post-transplantation was assessed to facilitate withdrawal of tacrolimus in the randomized phase II TRITON trial. Here, we performed detailed analysis of the peripheral blood immune composition using mass cytometry to assess potential effects of MSC therapy on the immune system. We developed two metal-conjugated antibody panels containing 40 antibodies each. PBMC samples from 21 MSC-treated patients and 13 controls, obtained pre-transplant and at 24 and 52 weeks post-transplantation, were analyzed. In the MSC group at 24 weeks, 17 CD4+ T cell clusters were increased of which 14 Th2-like clusters and three Th1/Th2-like clusters, as well as CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs. Additionally, five B cell clusters were increased, representing either class switched memory B cells or proliferating B cells. At 52 weeks, CCR7+CD38+ mature B cells were decreased. Finally, eight Tc1 (effector) memory cytotoxic T cell clusters were increased. Our work provides a comprehensive account of the peripheral blood immune cell composition in kidney transplant recipients after MSC therapy and tacrolimus withdrawal. These results may help improving therapeutic strategies using MSCs with the aim to reduce the use of calcineurin inhibitors. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02057965.</p

The Psychobiology of Authentic and Simulated Dissociative Personality States:The Full Monty

The etiology of dissociative identity disorder (DID) remains a topic of debate. Proponents of the fantasy model and the trauma model of DID have both called for more empirical research. To this end, the current study presents new and extended data analyses of a previously published (H2O)-O-15 positron emission tomography imaging study. This study included 29 subjects: 11 patients with DID and 10 high- and 8 low-fantasy-prone DID-simulating mentally healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent an autobiographical memory script-driven (neutral and trauma related) imagery paradigm in 2 (simulated) dissociative personality states (neutral and trauma related). Psychobiological and psychophysiological data were obtained. Results of the new post-hoc tests on the psychophysiological responses support the trauma model. New results of the brain imaging data did not support the fantasy model. This study extends previously published results by offering important new supporting data for the trauma model of DID.</p

Determinants of Return to Work in Patients with Hand Disorders and Hand Injuries

Introduction Return to work (RTW) in patients with hand disorders and hand injuries is determined by several determinants not directly related to the physical situation. Besides biomedical determinants, work-related and psychosocial determinants may influence RTW as well. This study is conducted to investigate the influence of these potential determinants on RTW in patients with hand disorders and hand injuries. Methods Included 91 patients who were operatively treated for a hand disorder or a hand injury, and who were employed prior to surgery. Patients answered several questionnaires on the aforementioned categories. Potential determinants significantly related to RTW in a univariate analysis were entered in a logistic regression for the total group and the acutely injured patients separately. Results Pain, accident location, job independence and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were univariately associated with RTW. Pain was a determinant for late RTW in the total group and accident location and symptoms of PTSD in the acutely injured group. Conclusion Pain, accident location and symptoms of PTSD were most important in resuming work in hand injured patients or in patients with a hand disorder. These findings may indicate that attention should be paid to the treatment of pain, and to the development of symptoms of PTSD during rehabilitation. It may be necessary to make extra efforts aimed at RTW in patients who sustained their injury on the job

BKB_K and Explicit Chiral Symmetry Breaking

The $B_K$ parameter is discussed in the general context of calculating beyond the factorization approximation for hadronic matrix elements. A variant of the $1/N_c$ method of Bardeen et al. is used. We present calculations within a low energy approach and a calculation within the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model. Matching with the QCD behaviour and dependence on non-zero current quark masses is studied.Comment: 15 pages, 4 postscript figures included, NORDITA-94/44 N,P. Mistake in the numerics discovered which changed some of the conclusions. One figure also change

Cardiovascular Effects of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy With Early Tacrolimus Withdrawal in Renal Transplant Recipients: An Analysis of the Randomized TRITON Study

BackgroundAfter renal transplantation, there is a need of immunosuppressive regimens that effectively prevent allograft rejection while minimizing cardiovascular complications. This substudy of the TRITON trial evaluated the cardiovascular effects of autologous bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in renal transplant recipients.Methods and ResultsRenal transplant recipients were randomized to MSC therapy, infused at weeks 6 and 7 after transplantation, with withdrawal at week 8 of tacrolimus or standard tacrolimus dose. Fifty‐four patients (MSC group=27; control group=27) underwent transthoracic echocardiography at weeks 4 and 24 after transplantation and were included in this substudy. Changes in clinical and echocardiographic variables were compared. The MSC group showed a benefit in blood pressure control, assessed by a significant interaction between changes in diastolic blood pressure and the treatment group (P=0.005), and a higher proportion of patients achieving the predefined blood pressure target of ConclusionsMSC strategy is associated with improved blood pressure control, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, and prevention of progressive diastolic dysfunction at 24 weeks after transplantation.</p

Self-consumption of electricity produced with photovoltaic systems in apartment buildings - Update of the situation in various IEA PVPS countries

Over the last two decades, grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems have increased from a niche market to one of the leading power generation capacity additions annually. In 2019 the total worldwide installed photovoltaic electricity generation capacity exceeded 630 GW. It is forecasted that 1 TW will be reached by 2022. This further development is coupled with the question at what prices solar photovoltaic electricity can be provided and delivered to the customers. The installation of PV systems for self-consumption is already now an interesting option for many people but in general limited to those who have access to a rooftop they own or can use. Enabling residents of multi apartment buildings to commonly use electricity generated by a PV system (collective self-consumption) is a relatively new development and is still facing a lot of administrative and regulatory challenges. This paper provides an overview of existing regulatory schemes in IEA PVPS countries and presents and analysis of two self-consumption case studies.</p

Fact or Factitious? A Psychobiological Study of Authentic and Simulated Dissociative Identity States

BACKGROUND: Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a disputed psychiatric disorder. Research findings and clinical observations suggest that DID involves an authentic mental disorder related to factors such as traumatization and disrupted attachment. A competing view indicates that DID is due to fantasy proneness, suggestibility, suggestion, and role-playing. Here we examine whether dissociative identity state-dependent psychobiological features in DID can be induced in high or low fantasy prone individuals by instructed and motivated role-playing, and suggestion. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: DID patients, high fantasy prone and low fantasy prone controls were studied in two different types of identity states (neutral and trauma-related) in an autobiographical memory script-driven (neutral or trauma-related) imagery paradigm. The controls were instructed to enact the two DID identity states. Twenty-nine subjects participated in the study: 11 patients with DID, 10 high fantasy prone DID simulating controls, and 8 low fantasy prone DID simulating controls. Autonomic and subjective reactions were obtained. Differences in psychophysiological and neural activation patterns were found between the DID patients and both high and low fantasy prone controls. That is, the identity states in DID were not convincingly enacted by DID simulating controls. Thus, important differences regarding regional cerebral bloodflow and psychophysiological responses for different types of identity states in patients with DID were upheld after controlling for DID simulation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The findings are at odds with the idea that differences among different types of dissociative identity states in DID can be explained by high fantasy proneness, motivated role-enactment, and suggestion. They indicate that DID does not have a sociocultural (e.g., iatrogenic) origin