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In this work we demonstrate how to automate parts of the infectious disease-control policy-making process via performing inference in existing epidemiological models. The kind of inference tasks undertaken include computing the posterior distribution over controllable, via direct policy-making choices, simulation model parameters that give rise to acceptable disease progression outcomes. Among other things, we illustrate the use of a probabilistic programming language that automates inference in existing simulators. Neither the full capabilities of this tool for automating inference nor its utility for planning is widely disseminated at the current time. Timely gains in understanding about how such simulation-based models and inference automation tools applied in support of policy-making could lead to less economically damaging policy prescriptions, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction:Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. The association of socioeconomic status with CAD is supported by numerous epidemiological studies. Whether such factors also impact the number of diseased coronary vessels and its severity is not well established.Materials and Methods:We conducted a prospective multicentre, multi-ethnic, cross sectional observational study of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) at 5 hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Baseline demographics, socioeconomic, and clinical variables were collected for all patients. Significant CAD was defined as ≥70% luminal stenosis in a major epicardial vessel. Left main disease (LMD) was defined as ≥50% stenosis in the left main coronary artery. Multi-vessel disease (MVD) was defined as having >1 significant CAD.Results:Of 1,068 patients (age 59 ± 13, female 28%, diabetes 56%, hypertension 60%, history of CAD 43%), 792 (74%) were from urban and remainder (26%) from rural communities. Patients from rural centres were older (61 ± 12vs58 ± 13), and more likely to have a history of diabetes (63vs54%), hypertension (74vs55%), dyslipidaemia (78vs59%), CAD (50vs41%) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (27vs21%). The two groups differed significantly in terms of income level, employment status and indication for angiography. After adjusting for baseline differences, patients living in a rural area were more likely to have significant CAD (adjusted OR 2.40 [1.47, 3.97]), MVD (adjusted OR 1.76 [1.18, 2.63]) and LMD (adjusted OR 1.71 [1.04, 2.82]). Higher income was also associated with a higher risk for significant CAD (adjusted OR 6.97 [2.30, 21.09]) and MVD (adjusted OR 2.49 [1.11, 5.56]), while unemployment was associated with a higher risk of significant CAD (adjusted OR 2.21, [1.27, 3.85]).Conclusion:Communal and socioeconomic factors are associated with higher odds of significant CAD and MVD in the group of patients referred for CAG. The underpinnings of these associations (e.g.pathophysiologic factors, access to care, and system-wide determinants of quality) require further study.

Recent studies on heterostructures of ultrathin ferromagnets sandwiched between a heavy metal layer and an oxide have highlighted the importance of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and broken inversion symmetry in domain wall (DW) motion. Specifically, chiral DWs are stabilized in these systems due to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI). SOC can also lead to enhanced current induced DW motion, with the Spin Hall effect (SHE) suggested as the dominant mechanism for this observation. The efficiency of SHE driven DW motion depends on the internal magnetic structure of the DW, which could be controlled using externally applied longitudinal in-plane fields. In this work, micromagnetic simulations and collective coordinate models are used to study current-driven DW motion under longitudinal in-plane fields in perpendicularly magnetized samples with strong DMI. Several extended collective coordinate models are developed to reproduce the micromagnetic results. While these extended models show improvements over traditional models of this kind, there are still discrepancies between them and micromagnetic simulations which require further work.

Manipulation of magnetic domain walls in nanostructures can be used to improve the capabilities of the next generation of memory and sensing devices. Materials of interest for such devices include heterostructures of ultrathin ferromagnets sandwiched between a heavy metal and an oxide, where spin-orbit coupling and broken inversion symmetry give rise to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), stabilizing chiral domain walls. The efficiency of the motion of these chiral domain walls may be controlled using in-plane magnetic fields. This property has been used both for measurement of DMI strength, and for improved performance in applications. While micromagnetic simulations are able to accurately predict domain wall motion under in-plane fields in these materials, collective coordinate models such as the q-phi and q-phi-chi models fail to reproduce the micromagnetic results. In this theoretical work, we present a set of extended collective coordinate models including canting in the domains, which better reproduce micromagnetic results, and improve our understanding of the effect of in-plane fields on magnetic domain walls. These models are used in conjunction with micromagnetic simulations to develop simpler descriptions of DW motion under specific conditions. Our new models and results help in the development of future domain wall based devices based on perpendicularly magnetized materials., Comisión Europea (P7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN 608031) Gobierno de España (MAT2014-52477-C5-4-P, MAT2017-87072-C4-1-P) Junta de Castilla y Leon (SA090U16, SA282U14)

We study bubble domain wall dynamics using micromagnetic simulations in perpendicularly magnetized ultra-thin films with disorder and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Disorder is incorporated into the material as grains with randomly distributed sizes and varying exchange constant at the edges. As expected, magnetic bubbles expand asymmetrically along the axis of the in-plane field under the simultaneous application of out-of-plane and in-plane fields. Remarkably, the shape of the bubble has a ripple-like part which causes a kink-like (steep decrease) feature in the velocity versus in-plane field curve. We show that these ripples originate due to the nucleation and interaction of vertical Bloch lines. Furthermore, we show that the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction field is not constant but rather depends on the in-plane field. We also extend the collective coordinate model for domain wall motion to a magnetic bubble and compare it with the results of micromagnetic simulations., Comment: To be published on J. Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

Space applications have evolved to play a significant role in disaster relief by providing services including remote sensing imagery for mitigation and disaster damage assessments; satellite communication to provide access to medical services; positioning, navigation, and timing services; and data sharing. Common issues identified in past disaster response and relief efforts include lack of communication, delayed ordering of actions (eg, evacuations), and low levels of preparedness by authorities during and after disasters. We briefly summarize the Space for Health (S4H) Team Project, which was prepared during the Space Studies Program 2014 within the International Space University. The S4H Project aimed to improve the way space assets and experiences are used in support of public health during disaster relief efforts. We recommend an integrated solution based on nano-satellites or a balloon communication system, mobile self-contained relief units, portable medical scanning devices, and micro-unmanned vehicles that could revolutionize disaster relief and disrupt different markets. The recommended new system of coordination and communication using space assets to support public health during disaster relief efforts is feasible. Nevertheless, further actions should be taken by governments and organizations in collaboration with the private sector to design, test, and implement this system. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:319-328)

The main analytical model for describing the motion of magnetic domain walls is the 1-D model formulated based on the profile of a Bloch wall. This model qualitatively describes the motion of magnetic domain wall in nanowires, while it may fail to match experimental and numerical results quantitatively. In recent years, the 1-D model has been further generalized by the introduction of terms such as spin transfer torques and spin orbit torques. It has also been used to describe the motion of different domain walls, including vortex walls. It seems that in many such attempts, formalisms are not followed accurately and the main assumptions of the model (such as the Bloch wall profile used in developing the model) are underestimated. In this paper, we first derive an analytical model to describe the motion of a tilting Bloch wall in perpendicularly magnetized materials using four collective coordinates. We then compare the energy landscape predicted by this model to that of micromagnetic simulations, highlighting the possibility of using such comparisons to develop corrections for the 1-D model.

AIM To assess the association of inter-ethnic vs intra-ethnic marriage with severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in men undergoing angiography. METHODS We conducted a prospective multicenter, multi-ethnic, cross sectional observational study at five hospitals in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in which we used logistic regression analysis with and without adjustment for baseline differences. RESULTS Data were collected for 1068 enrolled patients undergoing coronary angiography for clinical indications during the period of April 1st, 2013 to March 30th, 2014. Ethnicities of spouses were available only for male patients. Of those enrolled, 687 were married men and constituted the cohort for the present analysis. Intra-ethnic marriages were reported in 70% and inter-ethnic marriages in 30%. After adjusting for baseline differences, inter-ethnic marriage was associated with lower odds of having significant CAD [adjusted odds ratio 0.52 (95%CI: 0.33, 0.81)] or multi-vessel disease (MVD) [adjusted odds ratio 0.57 (95%CI: 0.37, 0.86)]. The adjusted association with left main disease showed a similar trend, but was not statistically significant [adjusted odds ratio 0.74 (95%CI: 0.41, 1.32)]. The association between inter-ethnic marriage and the presence of significant CAD and MVD was not modified by number of concurrent wives (P interaction > 0.05 for both). CONCLUSION Among married men undergoing coronary angiography, inter-ethnic, as compared to intra-ethnic, marriage is associated with lower odds of significant CAD and MVD.

One of the main threats facing the future of space exploration and utilization is a reduction in safety and sustainable use of space. The increasing number of space debris and their potential impact with space systems is a major threat for space missions. A disaster in space can lead to a reduced public support for space missions and stop continued space exploration. In recognition of the importance of this topic, the Space Generation Advisory Council started a project group in 2009 to focus on the area of Space Safety and Sustainability, with the aim of reflecting the view of the young generation in this area. This paper summarizes some of the activities and findings of the aforementioned project group in its fifth anniversary. It also provides an overview of new projects being initiated within the project group for the year 2015.

Globally, we rely on the use of space assets to support public health. Tele-medicine in remote areas, pandemic monitoring, and remote sensing and satellite communication for disaster relief are just some examples of how space has helped improve public health services. The Space4Health (S4H) team, consisting of 30 individuals from 14 nations with diverse professional backgrounds, convened in Montreal in July 2014 with the task of studying the use of space assets and activities in support of public health goals as part of the requirements for the International Space University's Space Studies Program [1]. After reviewing the different interactions between public health and space, the S4H team chose to focus on the means in which space resources can be used to support public health during and immediately after a natural disaster. To provide a novel view on the topic, this paper focuses on new concepts and innovations that have the potential to disrupt the market and their possible use in facilitating the operation and coordination of disaster relief efforts.