The vertex index of a symmetric convex body K ⊂ Rn, vein(K), was introduced in [BL]. Bounds on the vertex index were given in the general case as well as for some basic examples. In this note we improve these bounds and discuss their sharpness. We show that vein(K) ≤ 24n, which is asymptotically sharp. We also show that the estimate n3/2 √ 2πe ovr(K) ≤ vein(K), obtained in [BL] (here ovr(K) den...

BACKGROUND A low eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to arachidonic acid (AA) ratio is a known risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the association between the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to AA ratio and ACS remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between the DHA/AA ratio and ACS by patient characteristics. METHODS We enrolled 1733 patients and evaluated the serum level...

A set is an unordered (unless otherwise specified) collection of elements of the same type, usually expressed using the following notation: {elem1, elem2, elem3, . . .} A tuple is an ordered collection of elements, not necessarily of the same type, expressed using the following notation: (elem1, elem2, elem3, . . .) Most of the times, we don’t give too much attention to the actual elements them...

The simplest interpretation of the global success of the Standard Model is that new physics decouples well above the electroweak scale. Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model offers the possibility of light chargino and the right-handed stop (with masses below MZ), and still maintaining the successful predictions of the Standard Model. The value of Rb can then be enhanced up to ∼ 0.218 ...

We used quantitative genetics techniques to compare the entrepreneurial activity of 870 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and 857 pairs of same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twins from the United Kingdom. We ran model-fitting analyses to estimate the genetic, shared environmental and nonshared environmental effects on the propensity of people to become entrepreneurs. We found relatively high heritabilities for en...

BACKGROUND Cardiac surgery is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular and other complications that translate into increased mortality and healthcare costs. This retrospective study was designed to determine whether the perioperative use of dexmedetomidine could reduce the incidence of complications and mortality after cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 1134 patients who und...

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Hospital discharge is an opportunity for identification of modifiable prognostic factors in the transition to chronic HF. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined the association of discharge heart rate with 30-day and 1-year mortality and hospitalization outcomes in a cohort of 9097 patients with HF discharged ...

OBJECTIVE To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) regarding vaccination of pregnant women during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. METHODS From February to July 2010, a self-administered mail survey was conducted among a random sample of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (the College) members involved in obstetric care. To assess predictor...

An incidence rate ratio (IRR) is a meaningful effect measure in epidemiology if it is adjusted for all important confounders. For evaluation of the impact of adjustment, adjusted IRRs should be compared with crude IRRs. The aim of this methodological study was to present a statistical approach for testing the equality of adjusted and crude IRRs and to derive a confidence interval for the ratio ...