A spectral gap theorem in simple Lie groups

We establish the spectral gap property for dense subgroups generated by algebraic elements in any compact simple Lie group, generalizing earlier results of Bourgain and Gamburd for unitary groups.Comment: 20 page

Meeting the challenges of micronutrient deficiencies in emergency-affected populations

Micronutrient deficiencies occur frequently in refugee and displaced populations. These deficiency diseases include, in addition to the most common Fe and vitamin A deficiencies, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), pellagra (niacin and/or tryptophan deficiency) and beriberi (thiamin deficiency), which are not seen frequently in non-emergency-affected populations. The main causes of the outbreaks have been inadequate food rations given to populations dependent on food aid. There is no universal solution to the problem of micronutrient deficiencies, and not all interventions to prevent the deficiency diseases are feasible in every emergency setting. The preferred way of preventing these micronutrient deficiencies would be by securing dietary diversification through the provision of vegetables, fruit and pulses, which may not be a feasible strategy, especially in the initial phase of a relief operation. The one basic emergency strategy has been to include a fortified blended cereal in the ration of all food-aid-dependent populations (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees/World Food Programme, 1997). In situations where the emergency-affected population has access to markets, recommendations have been to increase the general ration to encourage the sale and/or barter of a portion of the ration in exchange for locally-available fruit and vegetables (World Health Organization, 1999a, b, 2000). Promotion of home gardens as well as promotion of local trading are recommended longer-term options aiming at the self-sufficiency of emergency-affected households. The provision of fortified blended foods in the general ration has successfully prevented and controlled micronutrient deficiencies in various emergency settings. However, the strategy of relying only on fortified blended foods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies should be reviewed in the light of recurring evidence that provision of adequate supplies of these foods is often problematic. Donor policies on the bartering or exchange of food aid should also be clarified. Furthermore, the establishment of micronutrient surveillance systems, including standardized micronutrient deficiency diagnostic criteria, are vital for the control of micronutrient deficiency disease

Vortices in small superconducting disks

We study the Ginzburg-Landau equations in order to describe a two-dimensional superconductor in a bounded domain. Using the properties of a particular integrability point ($\kappa = 1/ \sqrt2$) of these nonlinear equations which allows vortex solutions, we obtain a closed expression for the energy of the superconductor. The presence of the boundary provides a selection mechanism for the number of vortices. A perturbation analysis around $\kappa = 1/ \sqrt2$ enables us to include the effects of the vortex interactions and to describe quantitatively the magnetization curves recently measured on small superconducting disks. We also calculate the optimal vortex configuration and obtain an expression for the confining potential away from the London limit.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in Physica C (Superconductivity

Influenza vaccine coverage for healthcare workers in geriatric settings in France

Background and aims: Because of a relative lack of efficiency of influenza vaccine in the elderly population, influenza outbreaks in geriatric healthcare settings are probable, despite high influenza vaccination rates in patients. Nosocomial influenza outbreaks, more probably related to healthcare workers, have also been reported. Therefore, vaccination of healthcare workers is considered to be an important preventive policy, to decrease the in- hospital influenza burden during the viral circulation period. Methods: This multicenter study measured influenza vaccine coverage of Health Care Worker in 102 geriatric healthcare settings (acute care, rehabilitation care, long- term care) by a first questionnaire. A second questionnaire assessed main factors associated with vaccine acceptance. Results: 102 geriatric healthcare settings (20%) answered the first questionnaire. Vaccine coverage for physicians (n=187), nurses (n=631) and nurse assistants (n=1487) were 48.4%, 30.5% and 27.9%, respectively. Vaccination rates were correlated between occupational categories according to healthcare settings. Vaccination rates were significantly lower in acute care settings compared with rehabilitation and long- term care settings. Local recommendations was reported for 29.9%, but was not correlated with vaccine coverage. The second questionnaire showed that lack of motivation and knowledge, and organizational problems were the three main reasons for reluctance to be vaccinated. Conclusions: In French geriatric settings, influenza vaccine coverage of healthcare workers is low and highly variable, according to the type of healthcare setting. A group effect was found between occupational categories. However, the reasons for non- acceptance need further evaluation to improve HCW influenza vaccine coverag

Correction to: Durability of treatment effects of the sleep position trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA

The article “Durability of treatment effects of the Sleep Position Trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial”, written by Maurits H. T. de Ruiter, Linda B. L. Benoist, Nico de Vries, and Jan de Lange, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal SpringerLink on 15 September 2017 without open access. With the authors’ decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on October 2017 to © The Author(s) 2017 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made

Durability of treatment effects of the Sleep Position Trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA

__Purpose:__ The Sleep Position Trainer (SPT) is a new option for treating patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea (POSA). This study investigated long-term efficacy, adherence, and quality of life during use of the SPT device compared with oral appliance therapy (OAT) in patients with POSA. __Methods:__ This prospective, multicenter trial randomized patients with mild to moderate POSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 5–30/h) to SPT or OAT. Polysomnography was performed at baseline and after 3 and 12 months’ follow-up. The primary endpoint was OSA severity; adherence, quality of life, and adverse events were also assessed. __Results:__ Ninety-nine patients were randomized and 58 completed the study (29 in each group). Median AHI in the SPT group decreased from 13.2/h at baseline to 7.1/h after 12 months; corresponding values in the OAT group were 13.4/h and 5.0/h, with no significant between-group difference. Improvements throughout the study were maintained at 12 months. Long-term median adherence was also similar in the two treatment groups; the proportion of patients who used their device for ≥ 4 h for 5 days in a week was 100% in the SPT group and 97.0% in the OAT group. __Conclusions:__ The efficacy of SPT therapy was maintained over 12 months and was comparable to that of OAT in patients with mild to moderate POSA. Adherence was relatively high, and similar in the two groups. Trial registration: _www.clinicaltrials.gov(NCT02045576).