64 research outputs found
Electronic structure theory: applications and geometrical aspects
No full textThis thesis contains several applications of the first-principles electronic-structure theory with special emphasis in parts of the thesis on the geometrical aspects of the theory. We start by reviewing the basics of the first-principles electronic-structure methods which are then used throughout the thesis. The first application of these methods is on the analysis of the stability and lattice dynamics of alpha- and beta-cristobalite phases of SiO2. We also map the complete low-energy landscape connecting these two structures and give implications on the phase transition in this compound. Next we study a family of Pbnm perovskites that are promising candidates for silicon-compatible high-K dielectrics. We calculate their structure and dielectric response, and compare with experimental results where available. The third application of these methods is to the large isosymmetric reorientation of oxygen octahedra rotation axes in epitaxially strained perovskites. We explain the origin of the peculiar energy landscape topology as a function of epitaxial strain. In the part of the thesis devoted to the geometrical aspects of electronic structure theory, we begin by extending the concept of electronic polarization to a Chern insulators. These insulators are characterized by a non-zero off-diagonal sigma_xy conductivity tensor component, quantized in units of e^2/h. Finally we discuss another geometrical quantity, the Chern-Simons orbital magnetoelectric coupling. We present a first-principles based calculation of this quantity in several compounds, and motivated by recent developments in the theory of topological insulators, we speculate about the existence of “large-theta materials,” in which this kind of coupling could be unusually large.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Sinisa Co
The Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Canakinumab in the Treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Systematic Review of the Literature
No full textFamilial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is the most prevalent genetic autoinflammatory disorder. In most patients, treatment with colchicine can prevent attacks of fever and inflammation. However, 5%-10% of patients are resistant to colchicine treatment, while a similar percentage cannot tolerate colchicine in doses needed to prevent attacks. For these patients, Canakinumab, a full human antibody against IL-1 beta, has been approved recently by the FDA and EMA. In this article, we present a systematic review of the long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Canakinumab in FMF patients who cannot tolerate colchicine or who are resistant to colchicine treatment.van der Hilst, JCH (reprint author), Jessa Hosp, Dept Infect Dis & Immun, Stadsomvaart 11, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
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Pooled fund project work plan for imaging tools for evaluation of gusset plate connections in steel truss bridges
No full textby Christopher Higgins (Ph.D., P.E.), Daniel Gillins (Ph.D., P.L.S.), Michael Scott (Ph.D.), Sinisa Todorovic (Ph.D.), Farid Javadnejad, Shravya Varakantham for Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Section and Federal Highway Administration and the Departments of Transportation of California, Idaho, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.Title from PDF title page (viewed on January 4, 2017)."FHWA-OR-RD-17-01"--Technical report documentation page."PROJECT TPF-5(259)."This archived document is maintained by the Oregon State Library as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes."There were five main objectives in the project: Develop digital photographic methods to capture, correct perspective distortion, and measure connection dimensions. Extract geometric features of the plate and fasteners from processed images for analysis tasks. Implement AASHTO-LRFD connection capacity calculations from the processed images. Develop open-source nonlinear finite element analysis of gusset plates as an alternative analysis approach. Develop[ment] of framework for managing quantitative inspection images"--Page 1.Covers OCLC #967669834 and OCLC #1246190077.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by Transportation Pooled Fund Program, Lead State: Oregon Department of Transportation, Research Section; Federal Highway Administration; The Departments of Transportation of California, Idaho, New York, North Carolina, Texas and WisconsinMode of access: Internet from the Oregon Government Publications Collection.Text in English
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Klasifikacija za povezivanje raznorodnih informacijskih izvora.
No full textThis is an English translation, translated by the author. (The original language of the paper is Croatian.
Globalism and nationalism: which one is bad?
No full textThe author differentiates between globalism, an ideology, and globalisation, a process that affects us all. He compares globalism and nationalism, considering the positive, negative, and similar, aspects of each, using examples from Eastern Europe where a struggle is taking place between the two, interdependent, ideologies. He advocates 'the constant presence of both to avoid the hegemony of either'.This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis.</p
Vitamin D and Forearm Fractures in Children Preliminary Findings: Risk Factors and Correlation between Low-Energy and High-Energy Fractures
No full textBackground: The forearm is the most common fracture site in childhood, accounting for every fourth pediatric fracture. It is well described that vitamin D is involved in the regulation of bone mineralization and skeletal homeostasis by the regulation of calcium absorption. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels on forearm fracture falls in a pediatric population, depending on level of energy impact. Additionally, we also aimed to evaluate the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other tested risk factors for pediatric fractures. Methods: We evaluated 50 eligible children aged 3 to 12 years with a forearm fracture. According to energy impact, patients were grouped into low-energy fractures (LEF) and high-energy fractures (HEF) groups. The general characteristics of the patients included age, gender, sport participation, and fractured bone and its localization. We analyzed 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, magnesium, phosphate, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and body mass index (BMI). Results: There is a significant difference in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels distribution between LEF and HEF (p < 0.001) and PTH levels (p = 0.002). For magnesium levels, calcium levels, phosphate levels, and CRP levels, there were no significant differences in their frequency distribution. For the group of patients with LEF, there is a significantly positive correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels (p = 0.019) and a borderline significantly positive correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and magnesium levels (p = 0.050). For the group of patients with HEF, there was only a significantly positive correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and PTH levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children with LEF were more frequently insufficient in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels but had normal calcium levels, compared to the ones with HEF. These findings suggest that LEF and HEF in children might to a certain degree have different pathophysiological mechanisms
A Review of Current Perspectives on Motoric Insufficiency Rehabilitation following Pediatric Stroke
No full textPediatric stroke (PS) is an injury caused by the occlusion or rupture of a blood vessel in the central nervous system (CNS) of children, before or after birth. Hemiparesis is the most common motoric deficit associated with PS in children. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that PS is a significant challenge for rehabilitation, especially since the consequences may also appear during the child’s growth and development, reducing functional capacity. The plasticity of the child’s CNS is an important predecessor of recovery, but disruption of the neural network, specific to an immature brain, can have harmful and potentially devastating consequences. In this review, we summarize the complexity of the consequences associated with PS and the possibilities and role of modern rehabilitation. An analysis of the current literature reveals that Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, forced-use therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation and robot-assisted therapy have demonstrated at least partial improvements in motor domains related to hemiparesis or hemiplegia caused by PS, but they are supported with different levels of evidence. Due to the lack of randomized controlled studies, the optimal rehabilitation treatment is still debatable, and therefore, most recommendations are primarily based on expert consensuses, opinions and an insufficient level of evidence
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