An isogeometric analysis for elliptic homogenization problems

A novel and efficient approach which is based on the framework of isogeometric analysis for elliptic homogenization problems is proposed. These problems possess highly oscillating coefficients leading to extremely high computational expenses while using traditional finite element methods. The isogeometric analysis heterogeneous multiscale method (IGA-HMM) investigated in this paper is regarded as an alternative approach to the standard Finite Element Heterogeneous Multiscale Method (FE-HMM) which is currently an effective framework to solve these problems. The method utilizes non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) in both macro and micro levels instead of standard Lagrange basis. Beside the ability to describe exactly the geometry, it tremendously facilitates high-order macroscopic/microscopic discretizations thanks to the flexibility of refinement and degree elevation with an arbitrary continuity level provided by NURBS basis functions. A priori error estimates of the discretization error coming from macro and micro meshes and optimal micro refinement strategies for macro/micro NURBS basis functions of arbitrary orders are derived. Numerical results show the excellent performance of the proposed method

Teledentistry: An Innovative Workforce Model for Dental Hygienists

Objective/Aims: This review of literature seeks to explore teledentistry as an alternative dental hygiene workforce model that places a dental hygienist in the role of the mid-level practitioner as part of a digitally-connected oral healthcare team. It will also emphasize the innovative methods of teledentistry giving better health care delivery to diverse populations. Methods: The review of literature analyzed the conclusions and discussions of primary and secondary scholarly articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and CINAHL. Specific key terms included teledentistry, telehealth, teleconsultation, dental hygiene, dentistry, workforce model, health care delivery. Articles included in this review were published within the five last years. Results: Multiple scholarly articles were compiled together to emphasize the importance of technology-centered dental health care for patients who were unable to travel long distances to retrieve the care they were seeking, Key limitations the research often indicated include geographic, socioeconomic barriers or distance. Conclusion: The teledentistry-assisted model presents one way to answer the call to expand overall access to oral healthcare. The comparison of articles supported the efficiency and cost-effectiveness method of teledentistry in comparison to face to face consultations. Teledentistry is especially beneficial to addressing the access to care issue particularly populations in rural areas and even penitentiary institutions.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/denh_student/1025/thumbnail.jp

Complexation of DNA with positive spheres: phase diagram of charge inversion and reentrant condensation

The phase diagram of a water solution of DNA and oppositely charged spherical macroions is studied. DNA winds around spheres to form beads-on-a-string complexes resembling the chromatin 10 nm fiber. At small enough concentration of spheres these "artificial chromatin" complexes are negative, while at large enough concentrations of spheres the charge of DNA is inverted by the adsorbed spheres. Charges of complexes stabilize their solutions. In the plane of concentrations of DNA and spheres the phases with positive and negative complexes are separated by another phase, which contains the condensate of neutral DNA-spheres complexes. Thus when the concentration of spheres grows, DNA-spheres complexes experience condensation and resolubilization (or reentrant condensation). Phenomenological theory of the phase diagram of reentrant condensation and charge inversion is suggested. Parameters of this theory are calculated by microscopic theory. It is shown that an important part of the effect of a monovalent salt on the phase diagram can be described by the nontrivial renormalization of the effective linear charge density of DNA wound around a sphere, due to the Onsager-Manning condensation. We argue that our phenomenological phase diagram or reentrant condensation is generic to a large class of strongly asymmetric electrolytes. Possible implication of these results for the natural chromatin are discussed.Comment: Many corrections to text. SUbmitted to J. Chem. Phy