Hydrodynamic and Ballistic Transport over Large Length Scales in GaAs/AlGaAs.

We study hydrodynamic and ballistic transport regimes through nonlocal resistance measurements and high-resolution kinetic simulations in a mesoscopic structure on a high-mobility two-dimensional electron system in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. We evince the existence of collective transport phenomena in both regimes and demonstrate that negative nonlocal resistances and current vortices are not exclusive to only the hydrodynamic regime. The combined experiments and simulations highlight the importance of device design, measurement schemes, and one-to-one modeling of experimental devices to demarcate various transport regimes.

Effectiveness of various communication strategies for improving childhood pneumonia case management: a community based behavioral open labeled trial in rural Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Community acquired pneumonia is responsible for 16% of under 5 mortality in India, probably due to delayed recognition and qualified care seeking. Therefore these deaths could possibly be averted by creating community awareness and promoting care seeking from qualified physicians in the government system. The objective of study was to assess the effectiveness of facility-based and village-based behavior change communication interventions delivered to community using validated information, education and communication materials, along with infrastructural strengthening of health facilities, for change in care seeking from government system for community acquired pneumonia in rural Lucknow, India. METHOD: Community based open labeled behavioral trial in 2 by 2 factorial design was conducted in eight rural blocks of Lucknow, northern India. Trained community health workers conducted Pneumonia Awareness Sessions once a month for the care givers of children using validated information, education and communication materials either at the villages or at government health facilities. Prior infrastructural strengthening of public health facilities was done to provide optimal care to cases. Pre packed pneumonia drug kits were provided which had amoxicillin, paracetamol and an instruction card on their use as well as pictorial representation of danger signs of pneumonia. RESULTS: Study lasted from October 2015 to September 2018. Adherence to conduct of facility-based intervention was 93.0% (279/300) and to village-based intervention was 73.4% (7638/10410). In village-based intervention there was 79.3% (p < 0.0001) increase from a baseline of 3.3% (14/420) and facility-based intervention 68.9% (p = 0.02) increase from a baseline of 5.35% (21/392) in cases of possible pneumonia treated at government health facilities. CONCLUSION: Conduct of structured pneumonia awareness session using validated information, education and communication material at village level with infrastructural strengthening resulted in improved qualified care seeking from government facilities for community acquired pneumonia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: AEARCTR-0003137, retrospectively registered on 10/July/2018.

To assess the effectiveness of various communication strategies for improving childhood pneumonia case management: study protocol of a community based behavioral open labeled trial in rural Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide including India. Many of these deaths can be averted by creating awareness in community about early symptoms of CAP and by ensuring availability of round the clock, quality health care. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of an innovative package of orienting doctors and community health workers about community perceptions on CAP barriers to qualified health care seeking, plus infrastructural strengthening by (i) providing "Pneumonia Drug Kit" (PDK) (ii) establishing "Pneumonia Management Corner" (PMC) at additional primary health center (PHCs) and (iii) "Pneumonia Management Unit" (PMU) at Community health center (CHCs) along with one of 4 different behavior change communication interventions: 1. Organizing Childhood Pneumonia Awareness Sessions (PAS) for caregivers of children < 5 years of age during a routine immunization day at PHCs and CHCs by Auxillary Nurse Midwives (ANM) 2. Organizing PAS on Village Health and Nutrition Day only once a month in villages by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) 3. Combination of both Interventions 1 & 2 4. Usual Care as measured by number of clinical pneumonia cases-treated by ANM/doctors with PDK or treated at either PMC or PMU. METHODS: Prospective community based open labeled behavioral trial (2 by 2 factorial design) conducted in 8 rural blocks of Lucknow district. Community survey will be done by multistage cluster sampling to collect information on changes in types of health care providers' service utilization for ARI/CAP pre and post intervention. DISCUSSION: CAP is one of the leading killers of childhood deaths worldwide. Studies have reported that recognition of pneumonia and its danger signs is poor among caregivers. The proposed study will assess effectiveness of various communication strategies for improving childhood pneumonia case management interventions at mother/community level, health worker and health center level. The project will generate demand and improve supply of quality of care of CAP and thus result in reduced mortality in Lucknow district. Since the work will be done in partnership with government, it can be scaled up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered retrospectively in the AEARCT Registry and the registration number is: AEARCTR-0003137 .

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy in children with chronic liver disease: Prevalence, pathogenesis and magnetic resonance-based diagnosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Data on minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in children is scarce. We aimed to study MHE in children with chronic liver disease (CLD) and to validate non-invasive objective tests which can assist in its diagnosis. METHODS: We evaluated 67 children with CLD (38 boys; age 13 [7-18] years) and 37 healthy children to determine the prevalence of MHE. We also assessed the correlation of MHE with changes in brain metabolites by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived metrics, blood ammonia and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]). In addition, the accuracy of MR-based investigations for diagnosis of MHE in comparison to neuropsychological tests was analysed. RESULTS: Thirty-four (50.7%) children with CLD had MHE on neuropsychological tests. MHE patients had higher BA (30.5 [6-74] vs. 14 [6-66]µmol/L; p=0.02), IL-6 (8.3 [4.7-28.7] vs. 7.6 [4.7-20.7]pg/ml; p=0.4) and TNF-α (17.8 [7.8-65.5] vs. 12.8 [7.5-35]pg/ml; p=0.06) than No-MHE. 1HMRS showed higher glutamine (2.6 [2.1-3.3] vs. 2.4 [2.0-3.1]; p=0.02), and lower choline (0.20 [0.14-0.25] vs. 0.22 [0.17-0.28]; p=0.1) and myo-inositol (0.25 [0.14-0.41] vs. 0.29 [0.21-0.66]; p=0.2) in MHE patients than those without MHE. Mean diffusivity (MD) on DTI was significantly higher in 6/11 brain areas in patients with MHE vs. no MHE. Brain glutamine had a significant positive correlation with blood ammonia, IL-6, TNF-α and MD of various brain regions. Neuropsychological tests showed a negative correlation with blood ammonia, IL6, TNF-α, glutamine and MD. Frontal white matter MD had a sensitivity and specificity of 73.5% and 100% for diagnosing MHE. CONCLUSIONS: In children with CLD, 50% have MHE. There is a significant positive correlation between markers of hyperammonemia, inflammation and brain edema and these correlate negatively with neuropsychological tests. MD on DTI is a reliable tool for diagnosing MHE. LAY SUMMARY: Fifty percent of children with chronic liver disease develop minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and perform poorly on neuropsychological testing. These children have raised blood ammonia, inflammatory cytokines and mild cerebral edema on diffusion tensor imaging as compared to children without MHE. The higher the ammonia, inflammatory cytokines and cerebral edema levels the poorer the performance on neuropsychological assessment. The estimation of mean diffusivity on diffusion tensor imaging is an objective and reliable method for diagnosing MHE.

Cytokines, MMP-2, and MMP-9 levels in patients with a solitary cysticercus granuloma.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with neurocysticercosis, perilesional inflammatory activity is thought to be responsible for seizures. This study was designed to evaluate the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cytokines as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in patients with a solitary cysticercus granuloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 47 patients suffering from seizures in whom a solitary cysticercus granuloma was detected on a computed tomography (CT) scan. The study also included 47 control subjects. Their serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analysed for cytokines and MMP levels. A follow-up CT was performed after 6 months. RESULTS: The median levels of cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly elevated, both in the serum and CSF of patients having an intracerebral solitary cysticercus granuloma, in comparison to that of controls. The follow-up CT revealed that in 27 patients, the lesions were calcified and in 5 patients, there was complete resolution of the lesions. In 15 patients, the lesions remained unchanged. Higher baseline CSF MMP-2 and TNF-α level were seen in patients with persisting lesions. Higher serum baseline MMP-2, IL-6 and a low CSF IL-10 level were seen in patients with complete resolution of the granuloma. A high baseline IL-1ß level was associated with a calcified lesion. Fourteen patients had recurrence of seizures. A high baseline serum TNF-α level was independently associated with seizure recurrence (P = 0.021, OR = 1.041, CI = 1.006 to 1.078). CONCLUSION: In patients with a solitary cysticercus granuloma, cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the CSF and serum are elevated. Different patterns of immunological changes were observed in patients following resolution or calcification of the lesion.

Diffusion tensor tractography and neuropsychological assessment in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Structural imaging of the brain does not demonstrate any changes in a vast majority of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, even in advanced stages. In this study, we aimed to assess and correlate the functional integrity of the brain fiber tracts using diffusion tensor tractography with neuropsychological examination in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: The study was conducted at two tertiary care centers. Thirty-two patients with vitamin B12 deficiency were enrolled and subjected to diffusion tensor tractography, as an extension of diffusion tensor imaging, and neuropsychological assessment. Tests of significance were done to detect changes, pre- and post-vitamin B12 supplementation in the diffusivity parameters (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity) and the neuropsychological test scores. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were observed in the diffusivity parameters and the neuropsychological test scores between the controls and the patients with vitamin B12deficiency in the pre- and post-treatment phases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) parameters in the light of clinical neuropsychological assessment in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. Utilization of DTT parameters may antedate structural changes and may quantify the neurocognitive deficits.

Diagnosis of mental disorders using machine learning: Literature review and bibliometric mapping from 2012 to 2023.

Background: Mental disorders (MDs) are becoming a leading burden in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). As per the World Health Organization's 2022 assessment report, there was a steep increase of 25 % in MDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early diagnosis of MDs can significantly improve treatment outcome and save disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). In recent times, the application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL)) has shown promising results in the diagnosis of MDs, and the field has witnessed a huge research output in the form of research publications. Therefore, a bibliometric mapping along with a review of recent advancements is required. Methods: This study presents a bibliometric analysis and review of the research, published over the last 10 years. Literature searches were conducted in the Scopus database for the period from January 1, 2012, to June 9, 2023. The data was filtered and screened to include only relevant and reliable publications. A total of 2811 journal articles were found. The data was exported to a comma-separated value (CSV) format for further analysis. Furthermore, a review of 40 selected studies was performed. Results: The popularity of ML techniques in diagnosing MDs has been growing, with an annual research growth rate of 17.05 %. The Journal of Affective Disorders published the most documents (n = 97), while Wang Y. (n = 64) has published the most articles. Lotka's law is observed, with a minority of authors contributing the majority of publications. The top affiliating institutes are the West China Hospital of Sichuan University followed by the University of California, with China and the US dominating the top 10 institutes. While China has more publications, papers affiliated with the US receive more citations. Depression and schizophrenia are the primary focuses of ML and deep learning (DL) in mental disease detection. Co-occurrence network analysis reveals that ML is associated with depression, schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. Popular algorithms include support vector machine (SVM) classifier, decision tree classifier, and random forest classifier. Furthermore, DL is linked to neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, fMRI, and EEG, as well as bipolar disorder. Current research trends encompass DL, LSTM, generalized anxiety disorder, feature fusion, and convolutional neural networks.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a 52-year-old patient with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries: A case report.

Porcelain aorta, characterized by extensive calcification of the aortic wall is often associated with coronary calcification. It can pose an increased risk of thromboembolic complications during interventional and surgical procedures. We present a case of a 52-year-old female, a chronic smoker with dyslipidemia with complaints of exertional chest pain for past 6 months. She was diagnosed as a case of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with multivessel CAD, with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries based on abnormal ECG, elevated troponin and coronary angiography findings. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was the treatment modality chosen considering the risk of thromboembolism with aortic manipulation during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Repeat ECG after the procedure showed resolution of ST segment depression. Her hospital stay was uneventful. She was discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy, statin and metoprolol. One-week follow-up revealed normal ECG and blood reports, with further outpatient department visits scheduled every 3 months. Porcelain aorta and coronary calcification is a challenging case for cardiologists. PTCA if done meticulously could be preferable to coronary-artery by-pass grafting (CABG) in such patients. Despite the risks like aortic rupture and thromboembolic complications, PTCA in a case of multivessel CAD with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries could be a life-saving procedure.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronaries (MINOCA) following rabies postexposure prophylaxis: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: This case underscores the importance of considering myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in patients experiencing acute chest pain following rabies vaccination, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and further research into the association between MINOCA and Rabies vaccination. Abstract: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable deadly viral disease prevalent in Asia and Africa that causes thousands of deaths annually. Rabies pre (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is highly effective in annulling rabies-associated deaths. The adverse reactions following rabies vaccination are typically mild. Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a rare condition, and its association with rabies vaccination is unprecedented. We present a case of a 43-year-old male with MINOCA following Rabies PEP. A 43-year-old male, nonsmoker and nonalcoholic, presented to the ER with complaints of acute onset left sided chest pain following the completion of the third dose of intradermal rabies vaccine, whose clinical features, ECG changes and lab reports were suggestive of acute presentation of inferior wall MI. Coronary angiography was performed, which however revealed normal coronaries with only slow flow being noted in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Echocardiography later showed a normal study with no other relevant diagnosis unveiled on further investigations. Hence a diagnosis of vaccine-induced MINOCA was made. Treatment included antiplatelet therapy, statins, and beta-blockers. MINOCA following rabies vaccination is an unprecedented finding. The clear etiology behind this couldn't be ascertained. The patient's treatment was conventional, emphasizing the need for further research and clinical trials in MINOCA diagnosis and management. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider MINOCA in patients with acute chest pain post-rabies vaccination. Further research is essential to unravel the association between MINOCA and rabies vaccination, paving the way for optimal management strategies.

Use of Statin and Target Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol attainment among post-ST elevation myocardial infarction patients in Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: and objective: Lipid-lowering is an important intervention to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the secondary prevention of STEMI. There is no study to analyze the use of statin and LDL-C treatment target attainment among STEMI patients in Nepal. This study aims to assess the use of statin and LDL-C treatment target attainment among STEMI patients. METHODS: It was a prospective observational single-center study conducted at the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal outpatient department. An outpatient department-based survey was conducted among STEMI patients who have lipid profile levels at the time of admission for STEMI and after 4-13 weeks of the index event. Lipid profile levels, diagnosis, and risk factors were collected during the outpatient follow-up. RESULTS: Our study included 280 post-STEMI patients; the mean age was 57.5±11.7 years with the majority being male. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.7 ± 0.1 weeks. Rosuvastatin was the preferred statin with 82.1%. The most common dose of statin used was Rosuvastatin 20mg (70%), followed by Atorvastatin 40mg (12.5%). LDL-C levels of <1.4mmol/l were achieved in 44.6% of cases and LDL levels of <1.8mmol/l in 71.8% of cases. In 36.8% of the study population, there was a greater than 50% decline in LDL-C levels. Diabetic patients (55.1% and 83.1%) only have the significant achievement of LDL goal of both <1.4mmol/l and <1.8mmol/l respectively, when compared to those without diabetes (44.9% and 16.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the post-STEMI patients were treated with high doses of statins and achieved the target LDL-C levels.

Coronary atherosclerosis among symptomatic patients with zero coronary artery calcium score in computed tomography coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic coronary angiography has been recognized as a reliable imaging modality with excellent negative predictive value and a good negative likelihood ratio to exclude coronary artery disease in stable, symptomatic patients with intermediate or high risk. 1) Coronary calcium scoring has been extensively shown to be an invaluable tool to exclude the presence of coronary artery disease in low-risk patients. 2) Our aim was to identify the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis in computed tomographic coronary angiography in stable symptomatic patients with a zero Coronary Calcium score. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three (383) consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 years fulfilling the criteria were enrolled as of January 1, 2021; 165 (43.1%) were male and 218 (56.9%) were female, with a mean age of 57.8 ± 4.9 years and a zero coronary artery calcium score. Two hundred and twenty-six (226) (59.0%) were hypertensive, followed by 125 (32.6%) who were smokers, and 117 (30.5%) who were diabetic. The frequency of atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries was 34 (8.9%), with 16 (47.1%) being male and 18 (52.9%) being female. The mean age of patients with atherosclerosis was 54.9 ± 3.3 years; among them, 13 (38.2%) were between the ages of 45 and 54, and 10 (29.4%) were between the ages of 55 and 64. Nineteen (19) (55.9%) were hypertensive, followed by 10 (29.4%) with dyslipidemia. Twenty-three (23) (67.6%) had non-obstructive plaque, and 11 (32.3%) had obstructive plaque. In the subgroup of patients with non-obstructive plaque, 13 (56.5%) were hypertensive, 8 (34.8%) were diabetic, and 16 (69.6%) had single vessel disease, while among patients with obstructive plaque, 6 (54.5%) were hypertensive, 5 (45.5%) were smokers, and all of them had single vessel disease. The most affected artery was the left anterior descending artery. CONCLUSION: As the frequency of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with a zero coronary calcium score is relatively high, computed tomographic coronary angiography is indicated in stable, symptomatic patients with a lower likelihood of coronary artery disease.

Flow reversals in turbulent convection via vortex reconnections.

We employ detailed numerical simulations to probe the mechanism of flow reversals in two-dimensional turbulent convection. We show that the reversals occur via a vortex reconnection of two attracting corner rolls having the same sign of vorticity, thus leading to major restructuring of the flow. Large fluctuations in heat transport are observed during the reversal due to the flow reconfiguration. The flow configurations during the reversals have been analyzed quantitatively using large-scale modes. Using these tools, we also show why flow reversals occur for a restricted range of Rayleigh and Prandtl numbers.