Multilevel Analysis of Trachomatous Trichiasis and Corneal Opacity in Nigeria : The Role of Environmental and Climatic Risk Factors on the Distribution of Disease.

Funding: Jennifer L Smith was supported by the International Trachoma Initiative through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Anthony Solomon is a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow (098521). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Solution of hyperbolic bioheat transfer problems by numerical green's functions: the ExGA-linear θ method

This paper presents a time-domain formulation called Explicit Green's approach (ExGA) linear θ method for the solution of the bioheat equation. Starting from the hyperbolic bioheat equation, which includes the parabolic one as a special case, the linear method is incorporated into the standard ExGA time marching scheme. The numerical Green's function is firstly computed in the Laplace transform domain and then back-transformed to the time domain through the Stehfest inversion algorithm. The proposed formulation has the properties of stabilizing the results and suppressing numerical oscillations that appear in the presence of discontinuous solutions as assessed through the analysis of some bioheat transfer problems.

1862-06-12 Bandmember W. Mansur requests a position in a new regiment

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Automated CFD shape optimization of stator blades for the PediaFlow pediatric ventricular assist device

PediaFlow is a miniature mixed-flow ventricular assist device for neonates and toddlers. PediaFlow has a fully magnetically levitated rotor which improves biocompatibility, but the increased length of the rotor creates a long annular passage where fluid energy is lost. Therefore, a set of helical stator blades was proposed immediately after the impeller stage to remove the swirling flow and recover the dynamic head as static pressure. Automated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) shape optimization of the stator blades was performed to maximize pressure recovery at the operating point of 1.5 LPM and 16,000 RPM. Additionally, the effect on hemolysis and thrombogenicity was assessed using numerical modeling. The optimization algorithm favored fewer blades of greater length over a larger number of short blades. The ratio of wrap angle to axial length emerged as a key constraint to ensure the viability of a design. The best design had 2 blades and generated 73 mmHg of pressure recovery in an isolated stage. When re-introduced to the CFD simulation of the complete flow path, the added stator stage increased the pump head by 46% and improved the pump efficiency from 21.9% to 25.7% at the selected operating point. Automated CFD shape optimization combined with in silico evaluation of hemocompatibility can be an effective tool for exploring design choices and informing early development process

Scalar wave equation by the boundary element method: a D-BEM approach with non-homogeneous initial conditions

International audienceThis work is concerned with the development of a D-BEM approach to the solution of 2D scalar wave propagation problems. The time-marching process can be accomplished with the use of the Houbolt method, as usual, or with the use of the Newmark method. Special attention was devoted to the development of a procedure that allows for the computation of the initial conditions contributions. In order to verify the applicability of the Newmark method and also the correctness of the expressions concerned with the computation of the initial conditions contributions, four examples are presented and the D-BEM results are compared with the corresponding analytical solutions

Post discharge medicines use review service for older patients: recruitment issues in a feasibility study

Background The community pharmacy medicines use review (MUR) service in England has been identified as a way of providing support with medication to recently discharged patients; however initial uptake of post-discharge MUR has been low. Objective To identify barriers to recruitment into a randomised controlled feasibility study of a hospital referral system to older patients’ regular community pharmacists. Method Ward pharmacists at Southport District General Hospital identified patients aged over 65 to be approached by a researcher to assess eligibility and discuss involvement in the trial. Participants were randomised to referral for a post discharge MUR with their regular community pharmacist, or to standard discharge care. Reasons for patients not participating were collected. Results Over a 9-month period 337 potential participants were identified by ward pharmacists. Of these, 132 were eligible and 60 were recruited. Barriers to recruitment included competing priorities among ward pharmacists, and national restrictions placed on MURs e.g. housebound patients and those requiring carer support with medication. Lack of expected benefit resulted in a high proportion of patient refusals. Conclusion The current provisions for post discharge MURs exclude many older people from participation, including those possibly in greatest need. Unfamiliarity with the role of the pharmacist in transitional care may have affected patients’ perceived ‘cost-benefit’ of taking part in this study

EKSPLORASI FUNGI MIKORIZA ARBUSKULA (FMA) PADA RIZOSFIR HIJAUAN PAKAN

EXPLORATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL (AM) FUNGI IN FORAGE RHIZOSPHERES. This study aimed to determine the diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in several kinds of hybrid forages Rhizospheres, either in grasses or legumes. Soil samples were taken from three different locations, consisted of: Mapanget (forages type: Leucaena leucocepala, Sorghum varieties numbu, Penicettum purpureum cv. Mott), Tateli (forages type: calothyrsus Calliandra, Gliricidia sepium) and Campus of UNSRAT, Manado (forage type: King grass). The soil samples which taken from forages rhizospheres were sieved using Brundrett method and then centrifuged.  Thereafter, isolation and identification of spore were carried out based on spore morphology character, involves: shape, size, color, hyphae attachment, and ornament. Extraction and identification of spores on six types of rhizosphere were found 34 different types of AMF spores in shape and color. In grass, it was found three types of spores, i.e.: Glomus, Acaulospora, and Sclerocystis, meanwhile in leguminous just one type of spore was found, i.e.: Glomus. The difference of rhizosphere in grass and leguminosae resulted in different types of spores, where Sclerocystis and Acaulospora are found in grasses, on the contrary Sclerocystis and Acaulospora are not found in leguminosae. Based on the number of spores of AMF, it seemed that Glomus types found to have the most number, while Sclerocystis and Acaulospora had the lowest number of spores found. Key words: Exploration, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), Grass, Legume, Spore