The lattice Boltzmann advection-diffusion model revisited

Advection-diffusion processes can be simulated by the Lattice Boltzmann method. Two formulations have been proposed in the literature. We show that they are not fully correct (only first order accurate). A new formulation is proposed, which is shown to produce better results, both from the point of view of the Chapman-Enskog expansion or when comparing simulations with an exact time-dependent solution of the advection-diffusion equatio

A Systems Approach to Healthcare Efficiency Improvement

AbstractHealthcare patient outcomes and healthcare costs, in the context of the healthcare delivery system, is a prominent societal issue for the U.S. Although improvements have been achieved, they are silo-centric, specific to a single area or discipline. It is clear that improvements need to be transferred across the healthcare delivery system in a broader sense. To that end, the ability to measure a change in the system is paramount in determining progress and in what parts of the system are impacted. The research work presented describes a case of how an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system implementation can be measured within a systems or systems engineering context. In the first phase, time motion study has been employed to assess physician workflow. In this manner, data collection, analysis, and inferences elicited can be quickly assessed by subject matter experts for effectiveness. The objective of this collaborative work is that it demonstrates a systems engineering driven application of the improvement of an orthopaedic office that may then be generalized to a broader context. This works employs a phased approach which allows for synchronization between one set of tools or methodologies from one phase that inform and provide insight for the next. Additionally it facilitates an iterative effort as each phase will assess and reassess the key stakeholders and take into account the process/product life cycle thus allowing refinement of the previous phase and its results. The progression from one phase to another provides the means of measuring the progress and impact. The partnership between the Department of Orthopaedics and the Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering at the University of Arizona, provides a real-life setting for testing our hypotheses. All of the features described in this implementation make up a methodological framework that will render implications for engineers, physicians, patients, and policy makers

Two-dimensional model studies of the effect of supersonic aircraft operations on the stratospheric ozone content

For a fleet of 250 aircraft, the change in the ozone column is predicted to be very close to zero; in fact, the ozone overburden may actually increase as a result of show that above 25 to 30 km the ozone abundance decreases via catalytic destruction, but at lower heights it increases, mainly as a result of coupling with odd hydrogen species. Water vapor released in the engine exhaust is predicted to cause ozone decreases; for the hypothetical engines used in the study, the total column ozone changes due to water vapor emission largely offset the predicted ozone increases due to NOx emission. The actual effect of water vapor may be less than calculated because present models do not include thermal feedback. Feedback refers to the cooling effect of additional water vapor that would tend to slow the NOx reactions which destroy ozone

Morphometric analysis of subcortical structures in progressive supranuclear palsy: In vivo evidence of neostriatal and mesencephalic atrophy

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by gait and postural disturbance, gaze palsy, apathy, decreased verbal fluency and dysexecutive symptoms, with some of these clinical features potentially having origins in degeneration of frontostriatal circuits and the mesencephalon. This hypothesis was investigated by manual segmentation of the caudate and putamen on MRI scans, using previously published protocols, in 15 subjects with PSP and 15 healthy age-matched controls. Midbrain atrophy was assessed by measurement of mid-sagittal area of the midbrain and pons. Shape analysis of the caudate and putamen was performed using spherical harmonics (SPHARM-PDM, University of North Carolina). The sagittal pons area/midbrain area ratio (P/M ratio) was significantly higher in the PSP group, consistent with previous findings. Significantly smaller striatal volumes were found in the PSP group - putamina were 10% smaller and caudate volumes were 17% smaller than in controls after controlling for age and intracranial volume. Shape analysis revealed significant shape deflation in PSP in the striatum, compared to controls; with regionally significant change relevant to frontostriatal and corticostriatal circuits in the caudate. Thus, in a clinically diagnosed and biomarker-confirmed cohort with early PSP, we demonstrate that neostriatal volume and shape are significantly reduced in vivo. The findings suggest a neostriatal and mesencephalic structural basis for the clinical features of PSP leading to frontostriatal and mesocortical-striatal circuit disruption. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Direct Visualization of 3-Dimensional Force and Energy Map of a Single Molecular Switch

Mechanical properties of molecules adsorbed on materials surfaces are increasingly vital for the applications of molecular thin films. Here, we conduct a fundamental research to induce conformational change mechanically on a single molecule and quantify the driving force needed for such molecular shape switch via a low temperature (~ 5K) Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) and Qplus Atomic Force Microscope (Q+AFM). Our measurement maps a three-dimensional landscape for mechanical potential and force at single molecule level with high spatial resolution in all three dimensions of a few angstrom (10-10 m). Molecule TBrPP-Co (a cobalt porphyrin) deposited on an atomically clean gold substrate typically has two of its pentagon rings tilted upward and the other two downward. An atomically sharp tip of the STM/Q+AFM, which vibrates with a high frequency (~ 30kHz), is employed to scan the molecule at different heights with 0.1Å increment and meanwhile record tip-molecule interaction strength in the form of tip frequency change. When tip approaches to the threshold distance to the molecule, mechanical force become large enough and cause pentagon rings flip their direction. Due to the sensitive nature of tip-molecule interaction, the rings flipping can be directly visualized by STM, as rings tilting upward exhibit two bright protrusions in contrast to rings downward in image. By processing frequency change, we obtain a three-dimensional mechanical potential and force map for a single molecule with the resolution of angstrom level in all three dimensions. Our preliminary results indicate that an energy barrier of ~400meV needs to be overcome for rings flipping of TBrPP-Co.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gradposters2021_sciences/1015/thumbnail.jp

Imaging and treatment of posttraumatic ankle and hindfoot osteoarthritis

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle and hindfoot is a common and frequently debil-itating disorder. 70% to 90% of ankle osteoarthritis is related to prior trauma that encompasses a spectrum of disorders including fractures and ligamentous injuries that either disrupt the articular surface or result in instability of the joint. In addition to clinical evaluation, imaging plays a sub-stantial role in the treatment planning of posttraumatic ankle and hindfoot osteoarthritis. Imaging evaluation must be tailored to specific clinical scenarios and includes weight bearing radiography that utilizes standard and specialty views, computed tomography which can be performed with a standard or a weight bearing technique, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound evaluation. This review article aims to familiarize the reader with treatment rationale, to provide a brief review of surgical techniques and to illustrate expected imaging appearances of common operative procedures performed in the setting of posttraumatic ankle and hindfoot osteoarthritis, such as joint‐preserving procedures, ankle fusion, subtalar fusion, tibiotalarcalcaneal fusion and ankle arthroplasty. Preoperative findings will be discussed along with the expected postoperative ap-pearance of various procedures in order to improve detection of their complications on imaging and to provide optimal patient care

Malaria epidemiology in central Myanmar: identification of a multi-species asymptomatic reservoir of infection.

BACKGROUND: The spread of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is a global health concern. Myanmar stands at the frontier of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum. Myanmar also has the highest reported malaria burden in Southeast Asia; it is integral in the World Health Organization's plan to eliminate malaria in Southeast Asia, yet few epidemiological data exist for the general population in Myanmar. METHODS: This cross-sectional, probability household survey was conducted in Phyu township, Bago Region (central Myanmar), during the wet season of 2013. Interviewers collected clinical and behavioural data, recorded tympanic temperature and obtained dried blood spots for malaria PCR and serology. Plasmodium falciparum positive samples were tested for genetic mutations in the K13 region that may confer artemisinin resistance. Estimated type-specific malaria PCR prevalence and seroprevalence were calculated, with regression analysis to identify risk factors for seropositivity to P. falciparum. Data were weighted to account for unequal selection probabilities. RESULTS: 1638 participants were sampled (500 households). Weighted PCR prevalence was low (n = 41, 2.5%) and most cases were afebrile (93%). Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species (n = 19. 1.1%) and five (26%) P. falciparum samples harboured K13 mutations. Plasmodium knowlesi was detected in 1.0% (n = 16) and Plasmodium vivax was detected in 0.4% (n = 7). Seroprevalence was 9.4% for P. falciparum and 3.1% for P. vivax. Seroconversion to P. falciparum was 0.003/year in the whole population, but 16-fold higher in men over 23 years old (LR test p = 0.016). DISCUSSION: This is the first population-based seroprevalence study from central Myanmar. Low overall prevalence was discovered. However, these data suggest endemic transmission continues, probably associated with behavioural risk factors amongst working-age men. Genetic mutations associated with P. falciparum artemisinin resistance, the presence of P. knowlesi and discrete demographic risk groups present opportunities and challenges for malaria control. Responses targeted to working-age men, capable of detecting sub-clinical infections, and considering all species will facilitate malaria elimination in this setting

Inhibition of sarcolemmal FAT/CD36 by sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate rapidly corrects metabolism and restores function in the diabetic heart following hypoxia/reoxygenation.

AIMS: The type 2 diabetic heart oxidizes more fat and less glucose, which can impair metabolic flexibility and function. Increased sarcolemmal fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) imports more fatty acid into the diabetic myocardium, feeding increased fatty acid oxidation and elevated lipid deposition. Unlike other metabolic modulators that target mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, we proposed that pharmacologically inhibiting fatty acid uptake, as the primary step in the pathway, would provide an alternative mechanism to rebalance metabolism and prevent lipid accumulation following hypoxic stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hearts from type 2 diabetic and control male Wistar rats were perfused in normoxia, hypoxia and reoxygenation, with the FAT/CD36 inhibitor sulfo-N-succinimidyl oleate (SSO) infused 4 min before hypoxia. SSO infusion into diabetic hearts decreased the fatty acid oxidation rate by 29% and myocardial triglyceride concentration by 48% compared with untreated diabetic hearts, restoring fatty acid metabolism to control levels following hypoxia-reoxygenation. SSO infusion increased the glycolytic rate by 46% in diabetic hearts during hypoxia, increased pyruvate dehydrogenase activity by 53% and decreased lactate efflux rate by 56% compared with untreated diabetic hearts during reoxygenation. In addition, SSO treatment of diabetic hearts increased intermediates within the second span of the Krebs cycle, namely fumarate, oxaloacetate, and the FAD total pool. The cardiac dysfunction in diabetic hearts following decreased oxygen availability was prevented by SSO-infusion prior to the hypoxic stress. Infusing SSO into diabetic hearts increased rate pressure product by 60% during hypoxia and by 32% following reoxygenation, restoring function to control levels. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic hearts have limited metabolic flexibility and cardiac dysfunction when stressed, which can be rapidly rectified by reducing fatty acid uptake with the FAT/CD36 inhibitor, SSO. This novel therapeutic approach not only reduces fat oxidation but also lipotoxicity, by targeting the primary step in the fatty acid metabolism pathway