Meridional Circulation of Dust and Gas in the Circumstellar Disk: Delivery of Solids onto the Circumplanetary Region

We carried out 3D dust+gas radiative hydrodynamic simulations of forming planets. We investigated a parameter grid of Neptune-, Saturn-, Jupiter-, and 5 Jupiter-mass planets at 5.2, 30, 50 AU distance from their star. We found that the meridional circulation \citep{Szulagyi14,FC16} drives a strong vertical flow for the dust as well, hence the dust is not settled in the midplane, even for mm-sized grains. The meridional circulation will deliver dust and gas vertically onto the circumplanetary region, efficiently bridging over the gap. The Hill-sphere accretion rates for the dust are $\sim10^{-8}$ to $10^{-10}$ $\rm{M_{Jup}/yr}$, increasing with planet-mass. For the gas component, the gain is $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-8}$ $\rm{M_{Jup}/yr}$. The difference between the dust and gas accretion rates is smaller with decreasing planetary mass. In the vicinity of the planet, the mm-grains can get trapped easier than the gas, which means the circumplanetary disk might be enriched with solids in comparison to the circumstellar disk. We calculated the local dust-to-gas ratio (DTG) everywhere in the circumstellar disk and identified the altitude above the midplane where the DTG is 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001. The larger the planetary mass, the higher the mm-sized dust is delivered and a larger fraction of the dust disk is lifted by the planet. The stirring of mm-dust is negligible for Neptune-mass planets or below, but significant above Saturn-mass.Comment: ApJ accepte

Implications of Shallower Memory Controller Transaction Queues in Scalable Memory Systems

Scalable memory systems provide scalable bandwidth to the core growth demands in multicores and embedded systems processors. In these systems, as memory controllers (MCs) are scaled, memory traffic per MC is reduced, so transaction queues become shallower. As a consequence, there is an opportunity to explore transaction queue utilization and its impact on energy utilization. In this paper, we propose to evaluate the performance and energy-per-bit impact when reducing transaction queue sizes along with the MCs of these systems. Experimental results show that reducing 50 % on the number of entries, bandwidth and energy-per-bit levels are not affected, whilst reducing aggressively of about 90 %, bandwidth is similarly reduced while causing significantly higher energy-per-bit utilization

Real-world experience with a Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon for the treatment of atherosclerotic infrainguinal arteries: 12-month interim results of the BIOLUX P-III registry first year of enrolment = Experiência real com balão revestido com paclitaxel para o tratamento de artérias infrainguinais ateroscleróticas: resultados após 12 meses do primeiro ano de seleção de pacientes para o registro BIOLUX P-III

Background: Endovascular management of atherosclerotic infrainguinal arteries recently shifted towards drug eluting devices, designed to locally prevent the restenosis process. Numerous clinical studies report an advantage of drug coated balloons over uncoated balloon angioplasty in treating lower extremity peripheral artery disease. However, as coating and balloon platforms are different, each device requires dedicated clinical evaluations. Objective: The aim of the study is to further investigate the safety and effectiveness of a Paclitaxel-Coated Balloon for the treatment of atherosclerotic infrainguinal arteries in a real-world setting. Methods: 203 patients out of a final sample of 882 were enrolled in this prospective multicenter, observational, all-comers registry during the first 12 months. The primary endpoints were major adverse events (defined as procedure or device related death within 30 days post index procedure, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization or major target limb amputation) at 6 months and freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months. Both endpoints were adjudicated by a Clinical Events Committee. Results: Mean patient age was 70.2\ub110.4 years (60.1% male). 47.3% of the patients were diabetic and 67.5% had a history of smoking. Severe claudication was reported in 37.4% and 40% had critical limb ischemia. 257 lesions, including 13.2% in the infrapopliteal territory, were treated with Passeo-18 Lux (mean lesion length 75.1 mm\ub169.4, 20% occlusions, 76.3% calcified). At 6 months, the rate of major adverse events was 5.5% (95%CI 3.1-9.7). Freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months was 93.2% (95%CI 89.1-95.8). All causes mortality was 6.5% (95%CI 3.8-11.0) and overall amputation rate was 4.2% (95%CI 2.1-8.3) at 12 months. Conclusion: In a real-world environment, the BIOLUX P-III registry preliminary results confirm the safety and efficacy of the Paclitaxel-Coated Passeo-18 Lux balloon as a stand-alone treatment option for atherosclerotic infrainguinal arteries.Contexto: O manejo endovascular de art\ue9rias infrainguinais ateroscler\uf3ticas recentemente tem mudado para dispositivos farmacol\uf3gicos, desenhados para impedir localmente o processo de reestenose. Numerosos estudos cl\uednicos descrevem uma vantagem da angioplastia com uso de bal\uf5es farmacol\uf3gicos sobre os bal\uf5es convencionais no tratamento de doen\ue7a arterial perif\ue9rica dos membros inferiores. No entanto, considerando que as plataformas do revestimento farmacol\uf3gico e dos bal\uf5es s\ue3o diferentes, cada dispositivo requer avalia\ue7\uf5es cl\uednicas espec\uedficas. Objetivo: Fazer investiga\ue7\ue3o adicional sobre a seguran\ue7a e efic\ue1cia de um bal\ue3o revestido com paclitaxel para o tratamento de art\ue9rias infrainguinais ateroscler\uf3ticas em um cen\ue1rio de mundo real. M\ue9todos: 203 pacientes de uma amostra final de 882 pacientes foram inclu\ueddos neste registro prospectivo observacional multic\ueantrico de inclus\ue3o sequencial, durante os primeiros 12 meses. Os desfechos prim\ue1rios foram eventos adversos maiores (definidos como morte relacionada ao procedimento ou ao dispositivo em at\ue9 30 dias ap\uf3s o procedimento-\uedndice, necessidade de revasculariza\ue7\ue3o da les\ue3o-alvo ou amputa\ue7\ue3o significativa do membro-alvo) em 6 meses e aus\ueancia de de revasculariza\ue7\ue3o da les\ue3o-alvo em 12 meses. Ambos os desfechos foram adjudicados por um comit\uea de eventos cl\uednicos. Resultados: A idade m\ue9dia foi 70,2\ub110,4 anos (60,1% sexo masculino). 47,3% dos pacientes eram diab\ue9ticos, e 67,5% tinham hist\uf3ria de tabagismo. Claudica\ue7\ue3o severa foi relatada em 37,4%, e 40% apresentava isquemia cr\uedtica de membro. 257 les\uf5es, incluindo 13,2% em territ\uf3rio infrapopl\uedteo, foram tratadas com o bal\ue3o Passeo-18 Lux (comprimento m\ue9dio das les\uf5es 75,1 mm\ub169,4, 20% oclus\uf5es, 76,3% calcificadas). Aos 6 meses, a taxa de eventos adversos maiores foi de 5,5% (95%CI 3,1-9,7). A aus\ueancia de revasculariza\ue7\ue3o da les\ue3o-alvo aos 12 meses foi de 93,2% (95%CI 89,1-95,8). Mortalidade por todas as causas foi de 6,5% (95%CI 3,8-11,0) e a taxa geral de amputa\ue7\ue3o foi de 4,2% (95%CI 2,1-8,3) aos 12 meses. Conclus\ue3o: Em um cen\ue1rio de mundo real, os resultados preliminares do registro BIOLUX P-III confirmam a seguran\ue7a e efic\ue1cia do bal\ue3o revestido com paclitaxel Passeo-18 Lux como op\ue7\ue3o de tratamento \ufanico para art\ue9rias infrainguinais ateroscler\uf3ticas

An extensible framework for multicore response time analysis

In this paper, we introduce a multicore response time analysis (MRTA) framework, which decouples response time analysis from a reliance on context independent WCET values. Instead, the analysis formulates response times directly from the demands placed on different hardware resources. The MRTA framework is extensible to different multicore architectures, with a variety of arbitration policies for the common interconnects, and different types and arrangements of local memory. We instantiate the framework for single level local data and instruction memories (cache or scratchpads), for a variety of memory bus arbitration policies, including: Round-Robin, FIFO, Fixed-Priority, Processor-Priority, and TDMA, and account for DRAM refreshes. The MRTA framework provides a general approach to timing verification for multicore systems that is parametric in the hardware configuration and so can be used at the architectural design stage to compare the guaranteed levels of real-time performance that can be obtained with different hardware configurations. We use the framework in this way to evaluate the performance of multicore systems with a variety of different architectural components and policies. These results are then used to compose a predictable architecture, which is compared against a reference architecture designed for good average-case behaviour. This comparison shows that the predictable architecture has substantially better guaranteed real-time performance, with the precision of the analysis verified using cycle-accurate simulation

Health behaviour modelling for prenatal diagnosis in Australia: a geodemographic framework for health service utilisation and policy development

BACKGROUND: Despite the wide availability of prenatal screening and diagnosis, a number of studies have reported no decrease in the rate of babies born with Down syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate the geodemographic characteristics of women who have prenatal diagnosis in Victoria, Australia, by applying a novel consumer behaviour modelling technique in the analysis of health data. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of data on all prenatal diagnostic tests, births (1998 and 2002) and births of babies with Down syndrome (1998 to 2002) was undertaken using a Geographic Information System and socioeconomic lifestyle segmentation classifications. RESULTS: Most metropolitan women in Victoria have average or above State average levels of uptake of prenatal diagnosis. Inner city women residing in high socioeconomic lifestyle segments who have high rates of prenatal diagnosis spend 20% more on specialist physician's fees when compared to those whose rates are average. Rates of prenatal diagnosis are generally low amongst women in rural Victoria, with the lowest rates observed in farming districts. Reasons for this are likely to be a combination of lack of access to services (remoteness) and individual opportunity (lack of transportation, low levels of support and income). However, there are additional reasons for low uptake rates in farming areas that could not be explained by the behaviour modelling. These may relate to women's attitudes and choices. CONCLUSION: A lack of statewide geodemographic consistency in uptake of prenatal diagnosis implies that there is a need to target health professionals and pregnant women in specific areas to ensure there is increased equity of access to services and that all pregnant women can make informed choices that are best for them. Equally as important is appropriate health service provision for families of children with Down syndrome. Our findings show that these potential interventions are particularly relevant in rural areas. Classifying data to lifestyle segments allowed for practical comparisons of the geodemographic characteristics of women having prenatal diagnosis in Australia at a population level. This methodology may in future be a feasible and cost-effective tool for service planners and policy developers

Glenohumeral joint injection: a comparative study of ultrasound and fluoroscopically guided techniques before MR arthrography

To assess the variability in accuracy of contrast media introduction, leakage, required time and patient discomfort in four different centres, each using a different image-guided glenohumeral injection technique. Each centre included 25 consecutive patients. The ultrasound-guided anterior (USa) and posterior approach (USp), fluoroscopic-guided anterior (FLa) and posterior (FLp) approach were used. Number of injection attempts, effect of contrast leakage on diagnostic quality, and total room, radiologist and procedure times were measured. Pain was documented with a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Access to the joint was achieved in all patients. A successful first attempt significantly occurred more often with US (94%) than with fluoroscopic guidance (72%). Leakage of contrast medium did not cause interpretative difficulties. With US guidance mean room, procedure and radiologist times were significantly shorter (p < 0.001). The USa approach was rated with the lowest pre- and post-injection VAS scores. The four image-guided injection techniques are successful in injection of contrast material into the glenohumeral joint. US-guided injections and especially the anterior approach are significantly less time consuming, more successful on the first attempt, cause less patient discomfort and obviate the need for radiation and iodine contrast

Characterization of Novel Antimalarial Compound ACT-451840: Preclinical Assessment of Activity and Dose-Efficacy Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Artemisinin resistance observed in Southeast Asia threatens the continued use of artemisinin-based combination therapy in endemic countries. Additionally, the diversity of chemical mode of action in the global portfolio of marketed antimalarials is extremely limited. Addressing the urgent need for the development of new antimalarials, a chemical class of potent antimalarial compounds with a novel mode of action was recently identified. Herein, the preclinical characterization of one of these compounds, ACT-451840, conducted in partnership with academic and industrial groups is presented. METHOD AND FINDINGS: The properties of ACT-451840 are described, including its spectrum of activities against multiple life cycle stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (asexual and sexual) and Plasmodium vivax (asexual) as well as oral in vivo efficacies in two murine malaria models that permit infection with the human and the rodent parasites P. falciparum and Plasmodium berghei, respectively. In vitro, ACT-451840 showed a 50% inhibition concentration of 0.4 nM (standard deviation [SD]: ± 0.0 nM) against the drug-sensitive P. falciparum NF54 strain. The 90% effective doses in the in vivo efficacy models were 3.7 mg/kg against P. falciparum (95% confidence interval: 3.3-4.9 mg/kg) and 13 mg/kg against P. berghei (95% confidence interval: 11-16 mg/kg). ACT-451840 potently prevented male gamete formation from the gametocyte stage with a 50% inhibition concentration of 5.89 nM (SD: ± 1.80 nM) and dose-dependently blocked oocyst development in the mosquito with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 30 nM (range: 23-39). The compound's preclinical safety profile is presented and is in line with the published results of the first-in-man study in healthy male participants, in whom ACT-451840 was well tolerated. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling was applied using efficacy in the murine models (defined either as antimalarial activity or as survival) in relation to area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC), maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax), and time above a threshold concentration. The determination of the dose-efficacy relationship of ACT-451840 under curative conditions in rodent malaria models allowed prediction of the human efficacious exposure. CONCLUSION: The dual activity of ACT-451840 against asexual and sexual stages of P. falciparum and the activity on P. vivax have the potential to meet the specific profile of a target compound that could replace the fast-acting artemisinin component and harbor additional gametocytocidal activity and, thereby, transmission-blocking properties. The fast parasite reduction ratio (PRR) and gametocytocidal effect of ACT-451840 were recently also confirmed in a clinical proof-of-concept (POC) study

Endovascular Stent Treatment for Symptomatic Benign Iliofemoral Venous Occlusive Disease: Long-Term Results 1987–2009

Venous stenting has been shown to effectively treat iliofemoral venous obstruction with good short- and mid-term results. The aim of this study was to investigate long-term clinical outcome and stent patency. Twenty patients were treated with venous stenting for benign disease at our institution between 1987 and 2005. Fifteen of 20 patients (15 female, mean age at time of stent implantation 38 years [range 18–66]) returned for a clinical visit, a plain X-ray of the stent, and a Duplex ultrasound. Four patients were lost to follow-up, and one patient died 277 months after stent placement although a good clinical result was documented 267 months after stent placement. Mean follow-up after stent placement was 167.8 months (13.9 years) (range 71 (6 years) to 267 months [22 years]). No patient needed an additional venous intervention after stent implantation. No significant difference between the circumference of the thigh on the stented side (mean 55.1 cm [range 47.0–70.0]) compared with the contralateral thigh (mean 54.9 cm [range 47.0–70.0]) (p = 0.684) was seen. There was a nonsignificant trend toward higher flow velocities within the stent (mean 30.8 cm/s [range 10.0–48.0]) and the corresponding vein segment on the contralateral side (mean 25.2 cm/s [range 12.0–47.0]) (p = 0.065). Stent integrity was confirmed in 14 of 15 cases. Only one stent showed a fracture, as documented on x-ray, without any impairment of flow. Venous stenting using Wallstents showed excellent long-term clinical outcome and primary patency rate