The Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of an Auscultatory Gap in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Introduction. Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is essential to the diagnosis and management of hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to help prevent renal and cardiovascular complications. The presence of an auscultatory gap during manual BP measurement—the temporary disappearance of the Korotkoff sounds during cuff deflation—leads to a potentially important underestimate of systolic BP if undetected. Objectives. Since the presence of an auscultatory gap is frequently associated with increased vascular stiffness, we investigated its presence and correlates in 50 consecutive SSc patients. Methods. For each patient, BP was measured sequentially using three different approaches performed in the same order. Results. Sixteen of 50 patients (32%) had an auscultatory gap which if undetected would have resulted in clinically important underestimates of systolic BP in 4 patients. The presence of an auscultatory gap was statistically associated with the presence of antibodies to RNA polymerase III (P<0.0068) and SSc diagnosis type (P<0.01). Conclusions. Our study demonstrates that auscultatory gaps are relatively common in SSc and correlate with markers for SSc vasculopathy. If undetected auscultatory gaps may result in clinically important underestimation of BP. Thus, electronic oscillometric BP may be preferred in SSc patients

Measuring power consumption in an integrated circuit

A method for determining power consumption of a power domain within an integrated circuit is presented. In a first step, a local power supply impedance profile (Z(f)) of this power domain is determined. Subsequently, a local time-resolved power supply voltage (U(t)) is measured while a well-defined periodic activity is executed in power domain. A set of time-domain measured voltage data (U(t)) is thus accumulated and transformed into the frequency domain to yield a voltage spectrum (U(f)). A current spectrum I(t) is calculated from this voltage profile (U(f)) by using the power supply impedance profile Z(f) of this power domain as I(t)=Ff −1{U(f)/Z(f)}. Finally, a time-resolved power consumption spectrum P(t) is determined from measured voltage spectrum U(t)) and calculated current spectrum (I(t)). This power consumption (P(t)) may be compared with a reference (Pref(t)) to verify whether power consumption within power domain matches expectations

Aircraft Wake Vortex Scenarios Simulation Package - WakeScene

Wake-vortex advisory systems and modifications of ATC procedures that aim at increasing airport capacity without compromising safety have been developed in recent years. Prior to the introduction of such systems the associated risks must be assessed. The WakeScene (Wake Vortex Scenarios Simulation) Package allows to assess the encounter probability behind different wake-vortex generating aircraft during approach and landing. WakeScene consists of modules that model traffic mix, aircraft trajectories, meteorological conditions, wake vortex evolution, and potential hazard area. This manuscript introduces the operating sequence of WakeScene, the employed sub-models and data bases, the simulation environment and evaluation tools together with the so far accomplished validation work. Examples of WakeScene applications and an outlook on further developments of the software package conclude the report

The Role of Dietary Fiber in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Feasibility Study

Short-chain fatty acids are microbial metabolites that have been shown to be key regulators of the gut–joint axis in animal models. In humans, microbial dysbiosis was observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients as well as in those at-risk to develop RA, and is thought to be an environmental trigger for the development of clinical disease. At the same time, diet has a proven impact on maintaining intestinal microbial homeostasis. Given this association, we performed a feasibility study in RA patients using high-fiber dietary supplementation with the objective to restore microbial homeostasis and promote the secretion of beneficial immunomodulatory microbial metabolites. RA patients (n = 36) under routine care received daily high-fiber bars or cereals for 28 days. Clinical assessments and laboratory analysis of immune parameters in blood and stool samples from RA patients were done before and after the high-fiber dietary supplementation. We observed an increase in circulating regulatory T cell numbers, favorable Th1/Th17 ratios, as well as decreased markers of bone erosion in RA patients after 28 days of dietary intervention. Furthermore, patient-related outcomes of RA improved. Based on these results, we conclude that controlled clinical studies of high-fiber dietary interventions could be a viable approach to supplement or complement current pharmacological treatment strategies

Multicenter Qualitative Study Exploring the Patient Experience of Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154886/1/acr24127.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154886/2/acr24127_am.pd

Structure-transport correlation reveals anisotropic charge transport in coupled PbS nanocrystal superlattices

Semiconductive nanocrystals (NCs) can be self-assembled into ordered superlattices (SLs) to create artificial solids with emerging collective properties. Computational studies have predicted that properties such as electronic coupling or charge transport are determined not only by the individual NCs but also by the degree of their organization and structure. However, experimental proof for a correlation between structure and charge transport in NC SLs is still pending. Here, we perform X-ray nano-diffraction and apply Angular X-ray Cross-Correlation Analysis (AXCCA) to characterize the structures of coupled PbS NC SLs, which are directly correlated with the electronic properties of the same SL microdomains. We find strong evidence for the effect of SL crystallinity on charge transport and reveal anisotropic charge transport in highly ordered monocrystalline hexagonal close-packed PbS NC SLs, caused by the dominant effect of shortest interparticle distance. This implies that transport anisotropy should be a general feature of weakly coupled NC SLs.Comment: 49 pages, 20 Figure