An Empirical Approach to Cosmological Galaxy Survey Simulation: Application to SPHEREx Low-Resolution Spectroscopy

Highly accurate models of the galaxy population over cosmological volumes are necessary in order to predict the performance of upcoming cosmological missions. We present a data-driven model of the galaxy population constrained by deep 0.1-8 $\rm \mu m$ imaging and spectroscopic data in the COSMOS survey, with the immediate goal of simulating the spectroscopic redshift performance of the proposed SPHEREx mission. SPHEREx will obtain over the full-sky $R\sim41$ spectrophotometry at moderate spatial resolution ($\sim6"$) over the wavelength range 0.75-4.18 $\rm \mu m$ and $R\sim135$ over the wavelength range 4.18-5 $\rm \mu m$. We show that our simulation accurately reproduces a range of known galaxy properties, encapsulating the full complexity of the galaxy population and enables realistic, full end-to-end simulations to predict mission performance. Finally, we discuss potential applications of the simulation framework to future cosmology missions and give a description of released data products

Optimization of a transcatheter heart valve frame using patient-specific computer simulation

Purpose This study proposes a new framework to optimize the design of a transcatheter aortic valve through patient-specific finite element and fluid dynamics simulation. Methods Two geometrical parameters of the frame, the diameter at ventricular inflow and the height of the first row of cells, were examined using the central composite design. The effect of those parameters on postoperative complications was investigated by response surface methodology, and a Nonlinear Programming by Quadratic Lagrangian algorithm was used in the optimization. Optimal and initial devices were then compared in 12 patients. The comparison was made in terms of device performance [i.e., reduced contact pressure on the atrioventricular conduction system and paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR)]. Results Results suggest that large diameters and high cells favor higher anchoring of the device within the aortic root reducing the contact pressure and favor a better apposition of the device to the aortic root preventing AR. Compared to the initial device, the optimal device resulted in almost threefold lower predicted contact pressure and limited AR in all patients. Conclusions In conclusion, patient-specific modelling and simulation could help to evaluate device performance prior to the actual first-in-human clinical study and, combined with device optimization, could help to develop better devices in a shorter period

Underuse of long-term routine hospital follow-up care in patients with a history of breast cancer?

Background: After primary treatment for breast cancer, patients are recommended to use hospital follow-up care routinely. Long-term data on the utilization of this follow-up care are relatively rare. Methods: Information regarding the utilization of routine hospital follow-up care was retrieved from hospital documents of 662 patients treated for breast cancer. Utilization of hospital follow-up care was defined as the use of follow-up care according to the guidelines in that period of time. Determinants of hospital follow up care were evaluated with multivariate analysis by generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: The median follow-up time was 9.0 (0.3-18.1) years. At fifth and tenth year after diagnosis, 16.1% and 33.5% of the patients had less follow-up visits than recommended in the national guideline, and 33.1% and 40.4% had less frequent mammography than recommended. Less frequent mammography was found in older patients (age > 70; OR: 2.10; 95%CI: 1.62-2.74), patients with comorbidity (OR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.05-1.52) and patients using hormonal therapy (OR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.01-2.25). Conclusions: Most patients with a history of breast cancer use hospital follow-up care according to the guidelines. In older patients, patients with comorbidity and patients receiving hormonal therapy yearly mammography is performed much less than recommended

Long-term psychological distress in breast cancer survivors and their matched controls:A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Breast cancer survivors often experience psychological distress shortly after diagnosis. Long-term psychological effects, however, have not been clearly demonstrated. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study included 350 breast cancer survivors and 350 age-matched and general-practitioner-matched women. The median follow-up was 10 years. Using logistic regression we compared breast cancer survivors with controls on having (severe) symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, as measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In multivariable logistic regression, we adjusted the results for a history of depression or prescription of antidepressants. Results: Larger proportions of breast cancer survivors experienced symptoms of depression (10.6%) compared with controls (4.9%) and symptoms of anxiety (18.6%) compared with controls (16.3%). The odds of symptoms of depression (OR 2.3, 95%CI 1.3-4.2), severe symptoms of depression (OR 3.3, 95%CI 1.1-10.3) and severe symptoms of anxiety (OR 2.1, 95%CI, 1.1-4.0) were significantly higher for breast cancer survivors than for controls, even after adjusting for history of depression or prescription of antidepressants. No significant difference was seen for mild symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of symptoms of depression, including severe symptoms, and severe symptoms of anxiety compared with controls, for up to at least 10 years after diagnosis

CFD-based Analysis & Correlation Development for a Novel Multi-furcating Heat Exchanger for High Temperature, High Pressure Applications

The thermal efficiency of indirectly heated power cycles such as supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) closed Brayton cycles are typically limited by their heat exchangers (HXs), which require high heat transfer effectiveness while operating for tens of thousands of hours under high temperature (\u3e800°C) and pressure (\u3e80 bar) conditions. Previous literature has shown that the use of nature-inspired furcating flow channels represents an exciting opportunity to improve HX thermal-hydraulic performance. In this paper, we analyze the novel multi-furcating HX manifold concept, that was previously shown experimentally to reduce HX volume and mass compared to a baseline oil cooler by 50% and 67%, respectively. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are utilized to analyze thermal-hydraulic performance and fluid flow development. CFD-based correlations of Nusselt number and friction factor are developed for performance prediction of a full, additively manufactured HX. The developed Nusselt number and friction factor correlations predict unit cell thermal-hydraulic performance within ±3% and ±5% for all simulated Reynolds numbers, respectively. The full HX would enable increased thermal efficiency of indirectly heated power cycles to reduce both energy consumption and emissions while also allowing opportunities in advanced aerospace applications

Task-Set Generator for Schedulability Analysis using the TACLeBench benchmark suite

ABSTRACT Current real-time embedded systems evolve towards complex systems using new state of the art technologies such as multi-core processors and virtualization techniques. Both technologies requires new real-time scheduling algorithms. For uniprocessor scheduling, utilization-based evaluation methodologies are common and well-established. For multicore systems and virtualization, evaluating and comparing scheduling techniques using the tasks' parameters is more realistic. Evaluating these different scheduling techniques requires relevant and standardised task sets. Scheduling algorithms can be evaluated on three evaluation levels: 1) by using the mathematical model of the scheduling algorithm, 2) by simulating the scheduling algorithm and 3) by implementing the algorithm on the target platform. Generating task sets is straightforward in case of the first two levels; only the parameters of the tasks are required. Evaluating and comparing scheduling algorithms on the target platform itself, however, requires real executable tasks matching the predefined standardised task sets. Generating those executable tasks is not standardized yet. Therefore, we developed a task-set generator that generates reproducible, standardised task sets that are suitable at all levels. Beside generating the tasks' parameters, it includes an executable generator methodology that generates executables by combining publicly available benchmarks with know execution times. This paper presents and evaluates this task-set generator. The executables approximate the wanted execution time on the hardware platform

Follow-up for breast cancer - the patients' view

Background: International and national guidelines (S3 guideline) for the surveillance of post-treatment breast cancer patients recommend a clinical follow-up including routine history and physical examination and regular mammograms. The practice of a clinical follow-up has been often discussed, but has been proven not to be inferior when compared to an intensified follow-up in randomized trials. Patients and Methods: The present manuscript reports the patients' view on the basis of a survey including 2000 patients with a history of breast cancer. Results: A total of 452 patients (22.6%) answered the questionnaire. The median age was 62 years (range 23-85 years). More than 80% of the patients were disease-free at the time of the survey. The need for surveillance was affirmed by the majority of patients (>95%), and one third stated that there was a need for more technical efforts during follow-up. In contrast to the follow-up guidelines, the results of the present survey indicated that most of the regularly scheduled follow-up visits were expanded using extensive laboratory and imaging procedures. Conclusion: This survey shows that the majority of physicians obviously do not accept the present follow-up guidelines. A new surveillance study investigating the efficacy of an intensified surveillance based on the improved possibilities of modern diagnostics and endocrine, immunotherapeutic, chemotherapeutic and interventional treatment options is warranted

The Relationship of Coronary Artery Calcium and Clinical Coronary Artery Disease with Cognitive Function:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIM: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and cognitive impairment are common in the elderly, with evidence for shared risk factors and pathophysiological processes. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a marker of subclinical CAD, which may allow early detection of individuals prone to cognitive decline. Prior studies on associations of CAC and clinical CAD with cognitive impairment had discrepant results. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association of (sub)clinical CAD with cognitive function, cognitive decline, and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science until February 2019, supplemented with citations tracking. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted information including odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: Forty-six studies, 10 on CAC and 36 on clinical CAD, comprising 1,248,908 participants were included in the systematic review. Studies about associations of (sub)clinical CAD with cognitive function and cognitive decline had heterogeneous methodology and inconsistent findings. Two population-based studies investigated the association between CAC and risk of dementia over 6-12.2 years using different CAC scoring methods. Both found a tendency toward higher risk of dementia as CAC severity increased. Meta-analysis in 15 studies (663,250 individuals) showed an association between CAD and MCI/dementia (pooled OR 1.32, 95%CI 1.17-1.48) with substantial heterogeneity (I2=87.0%, p＜0.001). Pooled HR of CAD for incident MCI/dementia over 3.2-25.5 years in six longitudinal studies (70,060 individuals) was 1.51 (95%CI 1.24-1.85), with low heterogeneity (I2=14.1%, p=0.32). Sensitivity analysis did not detect any study that was of particular influence on the pooled OR or HR. CONCLUSIONS: Limited evidence suggests the CAC score is associated with risk of dementia. In clinical CAD, risk of MCI and dementia is increased by 50%, as supported by stronger evidence