Prescription patterns of antidiabetic and cardiovascular preventive medications in community-dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus:a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE To describe trends in antidiabetics drug prescription patterns in community-dwelling older adults with type 2 dia-betes mellitus(T2DM)and to evaluate the use of cardiovascular preventive medications among those diagnosed with atheroscler-otic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD).METHODS This cross-sectional,face-to-face interview study that comprised community-dwelling older adults(≥65 years)dia-gnosed with T2DM.The study questionnaire included the patients’demographics,clinical data,and current medication use.Pati-ents with established ASCVD were further classified into low(i.e.,not receiving evidence-based therapy or only one)and high(i.e.,receiving at least two evidence-based therapies)composite score groups.Bivariate analysis followed by multivariable logistic re-gression analysis were performed to evaluate the demographic/clinical characteristics associated with the use of antidiabetic mo-notherapy/polytherapy and evidence-based pharmacotherapy.RESULTS A total of 500 older adults were enrolled.The mean age of included participants was 73±7 years,310 participants(62%)were males,and 385 participants(77.0%)had established ASCVD.Antidiabetic monotherapy was reported in 251 partici-pants(50.2%),with metformin followed by sulfonylureas being the most commonly prescribed drugs as monotherapy.The results of the multivariable analysis showed that age[odds ratio(OR)=0.89,95%CI:0.85-0.94,P<0.001],obesity(OR=4.18,95%CI:1.63-10.36,P=0.003),hypertension(OR=4.2,95%CI:1.22-7.66,P=0.04),and dyslipidemia(OR=4.1,95%CI:1.28-8.30,P=0.01),were significantly associated with the prescription of cardiovascular preventive medications.CONCLUSIONS Only one in twenty-one participant with T2DM and ASCVD collectively received three guideline-recommen-ded therapies,indicating a deficiency of utilization of cardiovascular preventive drugs.

The New Mixed Generalized Erlang Distribution

In probability theory, the mixture distribution M has a density function for the collection of random variables and weighted by wi ≥ 0 and . These mixed distributions are used in various disciplines and aim to enrich the collection distribution to more parameters. A more general mixture is derived by Kadri and Halat, by proving the existence of such mixture by wi ∈ R, and maintaining . Kadri and Halat provided many examples and applications for such new mixed distributions. In this paper, we introduce a new mixed distribution of the Generalized Erlang distribution, which is derived from the Hypoexponential distribution. We characterize this new distribution by deriving simply closed expressions for the related functions of the probability density function, cumulative distribution function, moment generating function, reliability function, hazard function, and moments.

Cost Optimized Non-Contacting Experimental Modal Analysis Using a Smartphone

The vibrations behavior analysis is an essential step in the mechanical design process.Several methods such as analytical modelling,numerical analysis and experimental measurements can be used for this purpose.However,the numerical or analytical models should be validated through experimental measurements,usually expensive.This paper introduces an inexpensive smartphone as an accurate,non-intrusive vibrations’behavior measurement device.An experimental measurement procedure based on the video processing method is presented.This procedure allows the measurement of the natural frequencies and the mode shapes of a vibrating structure,simply by using a smartphone built-in camera.The experimental results are compared to those obtained using an accurate analytical model,where the natural frequencies error is less than 2.7%and the modal assurance criterion is higher than 0.89.In order to highlight the obtained results,a comparison has been done using a high quality and high frame per second(fps)camera-based measurement of material properties.Since the highest recovered natural frequency and its associated mode shape depend on the frame per second rate of the recorded video,this procedure has great potential in low frequencies problems such as for big structures like buildings and bridges.This validated technique re-introduces the personal smartphone as an accurate inexpensive non-contacting vibration measurement tool.

Zinc carnosine-based modified bismuth quadruple therapy vs standard triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is a worldwide problem with increasing burden on the health sector due to its increasing rate of resistance.The conventional triple therapy(TT)is becoming obsolete with a high failure rate of eradication,necessitating the need for better alternatives or regimens.AIM To investigate H.pylori eradication rate of TT vs modified bismuth quadruple therapy.METHODS Ninety-two patients with dyspepsia symptoms and positive ^(13)C-urea breath test were randomly assigned to two groups.The first group(control group)was treated for 14 d using standard TT protocol:Esomeprazole(40 mg twice daily),amoxicillin(1 g twice daily)and clarithromycin(500 mg twice daily).On the other hand,the second group was prescribed a 10-d course of modified bismuth quadruple therapy fortified with zinc carnosine:TT in addition to bismuth subcitrate(240 mg twice daily)and zinc carnosine(75 mg twice daily).A repeated 13C-urea breath test was done 4 wk after the completion of the eradication therapy.RESULTS Among the 92 subjects,67.4%were males and 32.6%were females.There were no differences in demographic characteristics(age,body mass index,smoking history,previous antibiotics use and ethnicity)between the modified bismuth quadruple therapy group and TT group.The eradication rate was higher[93.5%(43/46)]in the modified bismuth quadruple therapy group compared to 69.6%(32/46)in the standard TT group(P=0.003).Of the tested predictor variables,only nationality,smoking and therapy type were statistically significant.Besides dizziness,which was recorded in modified bismuth quadruple therapy group,there were no significant differences in side effects between the two groups.CONCLUSION Ten days of modified bismuth quadruple therapy fortified with zinc carnosine is superior to 14 d of conventional TT in eradicating H.pylori infection,with no additional significant adverse events.

28-nm UTBB FD-SOI vs. 22-nm Tri-Gate FinFET Review: A Designer Guide—Part I

Nowadays, transistor technology is going toward the fully depleted architecture;the bulk transistors are becoming more complex in manufacturing as the transistor size is becoming smaller to achieve the high performance especially at the node 28 nm. This is the first of two papers that discuss the basic drawbacks of the bulk transistors and explain the two alternative transistors: 28 nm UTBB FD-SOI CMOS and the 22 nm Tri-Gate FinFET. The accompanying paper, Part II, focuses on the comparison between those alternatives and their physical properties, electrical properties, and reliability tests to properly set the preferences when choosing for different mobile media and consumers’ applications.

28-nm UTBB FD-SOI vs. 22-nm Tri-Gate FinFET Review: A Designer Guide—Part II

This is Part II of a two-part paper that explores the 28-nm UTBB FD-SOI CMOS and the 22-nm Tri-Gate FinFET technology as the better alternatives to bulk transistors especially when the transistor’s architecture is going fully depleted and its size is becoming much smaller, 28-nm and above. Reliability tests of those alternatives are first discussed. Then, a comparison is made between the two alternative transistors comparing their physical properties, electrical properties, and their preferences in different applications.

<i>L</i>-Convex Polyominoes: Geometrical Aspects

A polyomino P is called L-convex if for every two cells there exists a monotone path included in P with at most one change of direction. This paper is a theoretical step for the reconstruction of all L-convex polyominoes by using the geometrical paths. First we investigate the geometrical properties of all subclasses of non-directed L-convex polyominoes by giving nine geometries that characterize all non-directed L-convex polyominoes. Finally, we study the subclasses of directed L-convex polyominoes and we give necessary and sufficient conditions for polyominoes to be L-convex.

3-D Modeling of Axial Fans

In this paper we present a full-geometry Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of air flow distribution from an automotive engine cooling fan. To simplify geometric modeling and mesh generation, different solution domains have been considered, the Core model, the Extended-Hub model, and the Multiple Reference Frame (MRF) model. We also consider the effect of blockage on the flow and pressure fields. The Extended-Hub model simplifies meshing without compromising accuracy. Optimal locations of the computational boundary conditions have been determined for the MRF model. The blockage results in significant difference in pressure rise, and the difference increases with increasing flow rates. Results are in good agreement with data obtained from an experimental test facility. Finally, we consider Simplified Fan Models which simplifies geometric modeling and mesh generation and significantly reduce the amount of computer memory used and time needed to carry out the calculations. Different models are compared in regards to efficiency and accuracy. The effect of using data from different planes is considered to optimize performance. The effect of blockage on simplified models is also considered.

Experimental Modal Damping Identification of a Mechanical Structure Using Video Magnification Technique

Vibration can be introduced in all mechanical fields in our life.Engineers try to avoid its negative effect leading in some cases to deformation in the machines.Many researches are dedicated to study the identification of damping especially in multi degree of freedom systems with particular attention to the source of energy dissipation.They focus on developing new tools or methods which may be used in real problems to obtain accurate results about the amount(or value)and the location of energy dissipation in the structure.The aim of this paper is to present an original procedure aims to experimentally determine the modal damping ratio of a mechanical structure.The proposed procedure consists of extracting the Frequency Response Function of the vibrating system using the video magnification method and then calculate the modal damping ratio using the 3-dB method.These experimental measurements are carried out by giving an external force on a cantilever beam,then the modal damping ratios are extracted using motion magnification.The obtained results show a relative error less than 4.2% between the experimental measurements and the analytical calculation for the Frequency Response Function(FRF)curves.The novelty of the paper is to combine the video magnification technique and the 3dB method in a procedure that aims to experimentally measure the modal damping of a mechanical structure.The proposed procedure in this paper represents the damping identification as a simple and easy engineering application.

A Micro-Sized Light-Driven Pico-Second Oscillator

Light carries linear momentum and can therefore exert a radiation force on the objects that it encounters. This established fact enabled optical manipulation of micro/nano-sized objects, as well as macroscopic objects such as solar sails, among many other important applications. While these efforts benefit from the average value of light’s linear momentum, in this article, we propose exploiting the temporal variation of light’s linear momentum to achieve an oscillatory force of microNewton amplitude and picosecond period. We validate our proposal by analytical calculations and time domain simulations of Maxwell’s equations in the case of a high-index quarter-wave slab irradiated by a terahertz plane electromagnetic wave. In particular, we show that for plane wave terahertz light of electric field amplitude 5000 V/m and frequency 4.8 THz, an oscillatory radiation pressure of amplitude 1.8 × 10-4 N/m2 and 0.1 ps period can be achieved.

<i>L</i>-Convex Polyominoes: Discrete Tomographical Aspects

This paper uses the geometrical properties of L-convex polyominoes in order to reconstruct these polyominoes. The main idea is to modify some clauses to the original construction of Chrobak and Dürr in order to control the L-convexity using 2SAT satisfaction problem.

Reconstruction of 2-Convex Polyominoes with Non-Empty Corners

This paper uses the theoretical material developed in a previous study by the authors in order to reconstruct a subclass of 2-convex polyominoes called where the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the polyomino contain each only one cell. The main idea is to control the shape of these polyominoes by using 32 types of geometries. Some modifications are made in the reconstruction algorithm of Chrobak and Dürr for HV-convex polyominoes in order to impose these geometries.

Theoretical Calculation of the Low-Lying Electronic States of the Molecule PbO

The potential energy curves of the lowest 20 electronic states in the representation 2s+1Λ(±) of the molecule PbO have been investigated via ab initio CASSCF and MRCI (single and double excitations with Davidson correction) calculations. The spectroscopic constants such as vibrational harmonic frequency ωe, the internuclear distance at equilibrium Re, the rotational constant Be, and the electronic transition energy Te with respect to the ground state have been calculated along with the permanent dipole moment for the different bound investigated electronic states. By using the canonical functions approach, the eigenvalues Ev, the rotational constant Bv and the abscissas of the turning points Rmin and Rmax have been calculated. The comparison of these values with those available in the literature shows a very good agreement.

Electronic Structure of the Cesium Oxide Molecule CsO

Adiabatic potential energy curves of 12 doublet and quartet lowest spinless electronic states of the molecule CsO have been investigated via ab initio CASSCF and MRCI (doublet and quartet excitations with Davidson correction) calculations. The spectroscopic constants such as vibrational harmonic frequency ωe, the internuclear distance at equilibrium Re, the rotational constant Be, and the electronic transition energy Te of the ground and the excited electronic states have been calculated by fitting the energy values around the equilibrium position to a polynomial in terms of the internuclear distance. The comparison of these values to those available in the literature shows a good agreement.