Multi-mesh gear dynamics program evaluation and enhancements

A multiple mesh gear dynamics computer program was continually developed and modified during the last four years. The program can handle epicyclic gear systems as well as single mesh systems with internal, buttress, or helical tooth forms. The following modifications were added under the current funding: variable contact friction, planet cage and ring gear rim flexibility options, user friendly options, dynamic side bands, a speed survey option and the combining of the single and multiple mesh options into one general program. The modified program was evaluated by comparing calculated values to published test data and to test data taken on a Hamilton Standard turboprop reduction gear-box. In general, the correlation between the test data and the analytical data is good

Polaron effective mass from Monte Carlo simulations

A new Monte Carlo algorithm for calculating polaron effective mass is proposed. It is based on the path-integral representation of a partial partition function with fixed total quasi-momentum. Phonon degrees of freedom are integrated out analytically resulting in a single-electron system with retarded self-interaction and open boundary conditions in imaginary time. The effective mass is inversely proportional to the covariance of total energy calculated on an electron trajectory and the square distance between ends of the trajectory. The method has no limitations on values of model parameters and on the size and dimensionality of the system although large statistics is required for stable numerical results. The method is tested on the one-dimensional Holstein model for which simulation results are presented.Comment: 4 pages + 1 figure, RevTeX. Accepted for publication as a Rapid Communication in Phys.Rev.

Feasibility of Implementing Community Partnerships to Provide Diabetes Prevention Services to Youth

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth has increased as a result of the obesity epidemic. Diabetes prevention programming is needed for youth, at risk for T2D, and their families. However, there is a lack of diabetes prevention services for this population. There is evidence for the benefit of lifestyle modification for decreasing diabetes risk, however there are barriers for youth to access these services in a traditional clinical setting. Our Youth Diabetes Prevention Clinic (YDPC) created partnerships within the community to increase access to diabetes prevention services for at risk youth. YDPC personnel approached community organizations who had the expertise and capacity to partner in needed areas. These partnerships allowed for the development and facilitation of a community-based diabetes prevention group. Youth and their families participated in a 12 week diabetes prevention group. We measured attendance and participant satisfaction with the program. Families attended an average of 5.1 sessions from January to October 2016. Participant satisfaction was collected five times. Physical activity was rated as “awesome” or “good” by 88% of the respondents. The nutrition activities were rated as “awesome” or “good” by 97% of respondents. Physicians and families express a desire for diabetes prevention services, however barriers make it difficult for families to fully participate. Creating partnerships within the community allows for increased access to diabetes prevention services for high-risk, underserved families

On the Localization of One-Photon States

Single photon states with arbitrarily fast asymptotic power-law fall-off of energy density and photodetection rate are explicitly constructed. This goes beyond the recently discovered tenth power-law of the Hellwarth-Nouchi photon which itself superseded the long-standing seventh power-law of the Amrein photon.Comment: 7 pages, tex, no figure

Classical Rules in Quantum Games

We consider two aspects of quantum game theory: the extent to which the quantum solution solves the original classical game, and to what extent the new solution can be obtained in a classical model.Comment: The previous title, "Quantum games are no fun (yet)", was too whimsical for Physical Review. This is a comment on most, but not all, papers on quantum game theor

Blood Sugar, Your Pancreas, and Unicorns: The Development of Health Education Materials for Youth With Prediabetes

Background. The obesity epidemic has led to an increase in prediabetes in youth, causing a serious public health concern. Education on diabetes risk and initiation of lifestyle change are the primary treatment modalities. There are few existing age-appropriate health education tools to address diabetes prevention for high-risk youth. Aim. To develop an age-appropriate health education tool(s) to help youth better understand type 2 diabetes risk factors and the reversibility of risk. Method. Health education tool development took place in five phases: exploration, design, analysis, refinement, and process evaluation. Results. The project resulted in (1) booklet designed to increase knowledge of risk, (2) meme generator that mirrors the booklet graphics and allows youth to create their own meme based on their pancreas’ current mood, (3) environmental posters for clinic, and (4) brief self-assessment that acts as a conversation starter for the health educators. Conclusion. Patients reported high likability and satisfaction with the health education tools, with the majority of patients giving the materials an “A” rating. The process evaluation indicated a high level of fidelity and related measures regarding how the health education tools were intended to be used and how they were actually used in the clinic setting

Doing evolution in economic geography

Evolutionary approaches in economic geography face questions about the relationships between their concepts, theories, methods, politics, and policy implications. Amidst the growing but unsettled consensus that evolutionary approaches should employ plural methodologies, the aims here are, first, to identify some of the difficult issues confronting those working with different frameworks. The concerns comprise specifying and connecting research objects, subjects, and levels; handling agency and context; engaging and integrating the quantitative and the qualitative; comparing cases; and, considering politics, policy, and praxis. Second, the purpose is to articulate a distinctive geographical political economy approach, methods, and illustrative examples in addressing these issues. Bringing different views of evolution in economic geography into dialogue and disagreement renders methodological pluralism a means toward improved understanding and explanation rather than an end in itself. Confronting such thorny matters needs to be embedded in our research practices and supported by greater openness; more and better substantiation of our conceptual, theoretical, and empirical claims; enhanced critical reflection; and deeper engagement with politics, policy, and praxis

Integration of Tobacco Treatment Services into Cancer Care at Stanford.

As part of a National Cancer Institute Moonshot P30 Supplement, the Stanford Cancer Center piloted and integrated tobacco treatment into cancer care. This quality improvement (QI) project reports on the process from initial pilot to adoption within 14 clinics. The Head and Neck Oncology Clinic was engaged first in January 2019 as a pilot site given staff receptivity, elevated smoking prevalence, and a high tobacco screening rate (95%) yet low levels of tobacco cessation treatment referrals (<10%) and patient engagement (<1% of smokers treated). To improve referrals and engagement, system changes included an automated "opt-out" referral process and provision of tobacco cessation treatment as a covered benefit with flexible delivery options that included phone and telemedicine. Screening rates increased to 99%, referrals to 100%, 74% of patients were reached by counselors, and 33% of those reached engaged in treatment. Patient-reported abstinence from all tobacco products at 6-month follow-up is 20%. In July 2019, two additional oncology clinics were added. In December 2019, less than one year from initiating the QI pilot, with demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy, the tobacco treatment services were integrated into 14 clinics at Stanford Cancer Center

The bronchodilator response in preschool children: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: The bronchodilator response (BDR) is frequently used to support diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making for children who wheeze. However, there is little evidence-based guidance describing the role of BDR testing in preschool children and it is unclear whether published cut-off values, which are derived from adult data, can be applied to this population. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases (inception-September 2015) for studies reporting response to a bronchodilator in healthy preschool children, response following placebo inhalation, and the diagnostic efficacy of BDR compared with a clinical diagnosis of asthma/recurrent wheezing. FINDINGS: We included 14 studies. Thirteen studies provided BDR data from healthy preschool children. Two studies reported response to placebo in preschool children with asthma/recurrent wheezing. Twelve studies compared BDR measurements from preschool children with asthma/recurrent wheeze to those from healthy children and seven of these studies reported diagnostic efficacy. Significant differences between the BDR measured in healthy preschool children compared with that in children with asthma/recurrent wheeze were demonstrated in some, but not all studies. Techniques such as interrupter resistance, oscillometry, and plethysmography were more consistently successfully completed than spirometry. Between study heterogeneity precluded determination of an optimum technique. INTERPRETATION: There is little evidence to suggest spirometry-based BDR can be used in the clinical assessment of preschool children who wheeze. Further evaluation of simple alternative techniques is required. Future studies should recruit children in whom airways disease is suspected and should evaluate the ability of BDR testing to predict treatment response