Preventing Bleeding Complications Of Paracentesis Using Point-Of-Care Ultrasound: An n-of-1 Case Study

Abdominal paracentesis is a common bedside procedure, and the advent of point-of-care ultrasound has provided an opportunity to reduce the associated risks. Multiple society guidelines now recommend both site and vascular marking to avoid potential complications. This case illustrates the importance of vascular marking specifically to avoid damage to adjacent blood vessels

Extremely Sub-wavelength Planar Magnetic Metamaterials

We present highly sub-wavelength magnetic metamaterials designed for operation at radio frequencies (RFs). A dual layer design consisting of independent planar spiral elements enables experimental demonstration of a unit cell size (a) that is ~ 700 times smaller than the resonant wavelength ({\lambda}0). Simulations indicate that utilization of a conductive via to connect spiral layers permits further optimization and we achieve a unit cell that is {\lambda}0/a ~ 2000. Magnetic metamaterials are characterized by a novel time domain method which permits determination of the complex magnetic response. Numerical simulations are performed to support experimental data and we find excellent agreement. These new designs make metamaterial low frequency experimental investigations practical and suggest their use for study of magneto-inductive waves, levitation, and further enable potential RF applications.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Dimension checking tools for spreadsheets

We present the evolution of a reasoning system for inferring dimension information in spreadsheets. The three papers included in this thesis show how the initial system can be used to check the consistency of spreadsheet formulas and thus is able to detect errors in spreadsheets, and the evolution to a system that can check both label and dimension errors. The approach for these systems is based on three static analysis components. First, the spatial structure of the spreadsheet is analyzed to infer the labels for specific cells. Second, those cells that are identified as labels are analyzed to determine dimension information. Once this is completed the system, will look at formulas and, using specific rules, will determine if the dimensions and labels are correct. An important aspect of the rule system defining dimension inference is that it works bi-directionally, that is, not only "downstream" from referenced arguments to the current cell, but also"upstream" in the reverse direction. This flexibility makes the system robust and turns out to be particularly useful in cases when the initial dimension information that can be inferred from headers is incomplete or ambiguous. These systems have been implemented as a add-in for Excel, and this prototype has allowed us to perform several evaluations on the systems. These evaluations show that the systems can be effective in detecting dimension errors, with the initial system detecting errors in 50% of the investigated spreadsheets, and the subsequent systems having similar success. In addition these evaluations show that by adding label checking, the effectiveness and efficiency of the system is improved with many previously undetected errors being found

Psychometric Testing of the Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a global public health issue. Self-care is an essential component of HTN treatment, but no instruments are available with which to measure self-care of HTN. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to test the psychometric properties of the Self-care of Hypertension Inventory (SC-HI). Methods: Using the Self-care of Chronic Illness theory, we developed a 24-item measure of maintenance, monitoring, and management appropriate for persons with chronic HTN, tested it for content validity, and then tested it in a convenience sample of 193 adults. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify measure structure. Cronbach\u27s α and factor determinacy scores and were used to assess reliability. Validity was tested with the Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence Scale and the Decision Making Competency Inventory. Results: Seventy percent of the sample was female; mean age was 56.4 ± 13 years; mean duration of HTN was 11 ± 9 years. Removal of 1 item on alcohol consumption resulted in a unidimensional self-care maintenance factor with acceptable structure and internal consistency (α = .83). A multidimensional self-care management factor included “consultative” and “autonomous” factors (factor determinacy score = 0.75). A unidimensional confidence factor captured confidence in and persistence with each aspect of self-care (α = .83). All the self-care dimensions in the final 23-item instrument were associated with treatment adherence and several with decision making. Conclusion: These findings support the conceptual basis of self-care in patients with HTN as a process of maintenance, monitoring, and management. The SC-HI confidence scale is promising as a measure of self-efficacy in self-care

Experimental Validation of Numerical Simulations for an Acoustic Liner in Grazing Flow

A coordinated experimental and numerical simulation effort is carried out to improve our understanding of the physics of acoustic liners in a grazing flow as well our computational aeroacoustics (CAA) method prediction capability. A numerical simulation code based on advanced CAA methods is developed. In a parallel effort, experiments are performed using the Grazing Flow Impedance Tube at the NASA Langley Research Center. In the experiment, a liner is installed in the upper wall of a rectangular flow duct with a 2 inch by 2.5 inch cross section. Spatial distribution of sound pressure levels and relative phases are measured on the wall opposite the liner in the presence of a Mach 0.3 grazing flow. The computer code is validated by comparing computed results with experimental measurements. Good agreements are found. The numerical simulation code is then used to investigate the physical properties of the acoustic liner. It is shown that an acoustic liner can produce self-noise in the presence of a grazing flow and that a feedback acoustic resonance mechanism is responsible for the generation of this liner self-noise. In addition, the same mechanism also creates additional liner drag. An estimate, based on numerical simulation data, indicates that for a resonant liner with a 10% open area ratio, the drag increase would be about 4% of the turbulent boundary layer drag over a flat wall

An Investigation of Alternative Factor Models of Impulsivity using the UPPS-P

The UPPS-P measures impulsivity as a five-factor construct (lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, positive urgency, negative urgency and sensation seeking). Drawing on a number of theoretical considerations and alternative conceptions of impulsivity, the current study used confirmatory factor analysis (N = 1635) and multiple regression to evaluate and test alternative models comprising three, five, and a hierarchical model containing latent factors. The five factor and hierarchical models were shown to be valid and of near identical fit, whereas the three-factor model fit the data poorly. The current findings suggest that both the five factor and hierarchical models are useful applications of the UPPS-P. Depending on the purpose of future research, both models demonstrate utility in both risk assessment and treatment development. Multiple regression analysis revealed that positive urgency predicted problem gambling, which supports the predictive utility of impulsivity as a five-factor construct. While the latent factors of the hierarchical model are consistent with emerging theory, those using the UPPS-P should not overlook the unique contributions of the five factors. As the current study found meaningful predictive distinctions between positive and negative urgency, utilizing all five factors may increase measurement sensitivity and predictive utility. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC