Curvaton and quantum gravity effect on the tensor-to-scalar ratio of the chaotic inflation

The expected tensor-to-scalar ratio estimate of the upcoming CMB mission probe measurements may establish a lower value of the ratio than the currently obtained value. It can be described in terms of a single field chaotic inflation model along with the curvaton or quantum gravity or their combined effect. Consequently, the role of quantum gravity or curvaton in the dynamics of the early universe may not be ruled out. The curvaton scenario and quantum gravity effect can be tested experimentally. The upcoming CMB missions can validate the curvaton scenario and quantum gravity experimentally.

Abstract 15116: The Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony in Patients With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Backgrounds: The mechanical dyssynchrony has been commonly observed in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, and several cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging techniques were used to evaluate the mechanical dyssynchrony. Standard deviation of time-to-peak (T2Psd) and uniformity ratio estimate (URE) indices are two widely used parameters to reflect the incoordinate movement of the left ventricle. However, the prognostic value of mechanical dyssynchrony in DCM patients is not clear. Methods and Results: We prospectively enrolled 402 DCM patients undergoing CMR imaging between Jun 2012 to Sep 2018. Mechanical dyssynchrony was measured as T2Psd and URE indices by CMR deformable registration algorithm (DRA) analysis. The primary endpoint was defined as all-cause mortality and heart transplantation, and the secondary endpoint was a combination of primary endpoint, aborted sudden cardiac death, and heart failure readmission. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the association between variables and outcome. Survival curves were obtained by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and compared by log-rank test. During a median follow-up of 25.1 months (IQR: 16.2-41.6), there were 57 patients reached primary endpoints, and secondary endpoints occurred in 132 patients. Circumferential uniformity ratio estimate (CURE) at basal, mid and apical level, radial uniformity ratio estimate (RURE)at mid and apical level and longitudinal uniformity ratio estimate (LURE) were significantly worse in patients with primary endpoint compared to patients without primary endpoint. While no significant differences were observed regarding the T2Psd value between patients with and without primary endpoints. In multivariate analysis, CURE at apical level was independently associated with primary endpoints (HR 0.214, P=0.005) and secondary endpoints (HR 0.402, P=0.018). Furthermore, among patients with LVEF <35% or presence of LGE, those with decreased CURE at apical level (<0.917) showed a significantly higher rate of adverse outcome. Conclusion: The CURE at apical level is an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events in DCM patients. Compared with T2Psd, URE index is a better predictor of adverse events.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Acceptability among Nurses: A Theory Based Conceptualization

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B is the most common occupational disease in health care providers. It can be followed by several complications. The aim of this study was to determine the cognitive determinants of hepatitis B (HB) vaccination Acceptability among nurses based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 nurses in educational hospitals of Kermanshah city, during 2016. Samples were randomly selected with the proportional to size among different educational hospitals in Kermanshah. A structured questionnaire was applied for collecting data and data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by using bivariate correlations and logistic regression statistical tests. RESULTS The mean age of the respondents was 30.5 years [SD: 6.62]. About, 58.5% of the participants reported to have completed (three times) vaccination of HB. Female nurses were more likely to be fully vaccinated against HB than male nurses, with adjusted odds ratio estimate of 2.507 [95% CI: 1.523-4.125] and those who had family or friends with a history of HB with odds ratio estimate of 3.706 [95% CI: 1.317-10.425], making these the most influential predictive determinants for full uptake (three time) of HB vaccination. Among the HBM variables: perceived threat with odds ratio estimate of 1.264 [95% CI: 1.160-1.376], perceived self-efficacy with odds ratio estimate of 1.179 [95% CI: 1.020-1.363], and cues to action with odds ratio estimate of 1.335 [95% CI: 1.015-1.756], were the more influential predictors of full uptake (three time) of HB vaccination. CONCLUSION To development uptake vaccination programs promotion in addition to focusing on male nurses, using the results of the predictive constructs include; perceived threat perceived self-efficacy suggested. Based on our result, it seems that development and implementation of health promotion programs to increase threat about side effect of HB and self-efficacy regarding HB vaccination uptake may be usefulness of the findings to promotion of vaccination of HB.

Eigenvalue Ratios of Non-Negatively Curved Graphs

We derive an optimal eigenvalue ratio estimate for finite weighted graphs satisfying the curvature-dimension inequalityCD(0, ∞). This estimate is independent of the size of the graph and provides a general method to obtain higher-order spectral estimates. The operation of taking Cartesian products is shown to be an efficient way for constructing new weighted graphs satisfyingCD(0, ∞). We also discuss a higher-order Cheeger constant-ratio estimate and related topics about expanders.

Moving Beyond the Hazard Ratio in Quantifying the Between-Group Difference in Survival Analysis

In a longitudinal clinical study to compare two groups, the primary end point is often the time to a specific event (eg, disease progression, death). The hazard ratio estimate is routinely used to empirically quantify the between-group difference under the assumption that the ratio of the two hazard functions is approximately constant over time. When this assumption is plausible, such a ratio estimate may capture the relative difference between two survival curves. However, the clinical meaning of such a ratio estimate is difficult, if not impossible, to interpret when the underlying proportional hazards assumption is violated (ie, the hazard ratio is not constant over time). Although this issue has been studied extensively and various alternatives to the hazard ratio estimator have been discussed in the statistical literature, such crucial information does not seem to have reached the broader community of health science researchers. In this article, we summarize several critical concerns regarding this conventional practice and discuss various well-known alternatives for quantifying the underlying differences between groups with respect to a time-to-event end point. The data from three recent cancer clinical trials, which reflect a variety of scenarios, are used throughout to illustrate our discussions. When there is not sufficient information about the profile of the between-group difference at the design stage of the study, we encourage practitioners to consider a prespecified, clinically meaningful, model-free measure for quantifying the difference and to use robust estimation procedures to draw primary inferences.