Ultrafast coherent control of a hole spin qubit in a germanium quantum dot

Operation speed and coherence time are two core measures for the viability of a qubit. Strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and relatively weak hyperfine interaction make holes in germanium (Ge) intriguing candidates for spin qubits with rapid, all-electrical coherent control. Here we report ultrafast single-spin manipulation in a hole-based double quantum dot in a germanium hut wire (GHW). Mediated by the strong SOI, a Rabi frequency exceeding 540 MHz is observed at a magnetic field of 100 mT, setting a record for ultrafast spin qubit control in semiconductor systems. We demonstrate that the strong SOI of heavy holes (HHs) in our GHW, characterized by a very short spin-orbit length of 1.5 nm, enables the rapid gate operations we accomplish. Our results demonstrate the potential of ultrafast coherent control of hole spin qubits to meet the requirement of DiVincenzo’s criteria for a scalable quantum information processor.

Assessing SSDoH in Alzheimer's Research: Core Measures and Those in Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

Social and structural determinants of health (SSDoH) are conditions that can impact on Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) outcomes. We will describe theoretical underpinnings of core SSDoH constructs and their measure, empirical evidence for their importance, and their potential for elucidating disease and prevention mechanisms. We focus on a core set of SSDoH measures that are important across a broad range of socially and culturally heterogeneous populations. We outline a rationale for universal implementation of a set of SSDoH measures and juxtapose the approach with alternatives, such as investigator-initiated grants, aimed at collecting SSDoH data. We also speak very briefly about the evidence supporting assessing SSDoH with respect to sex, gender, and sexual orientation and considerations in doing this.

What are weight bias measures measuring? An evaluation of core measures of weight bias and weight bias internalisation

Research exploring weight bias and weight bias internalisation (WBI) is grounded upon several core measures. This study aimed to evaluate whether operationalisations of these measures matched their conceptualisations in the literature. Using a ‘closed card-sorting’ methodology, participants sorted items from the most used measures into pre-defined categories, reflecting weight bias and non-weight bias. Findings indicated a high degree of congruence between WBI conceptualisations and operationalisations, however found less congruence between weight bias conceptualisations and operationalisations, with scale-items largely sorted into non-weight bias domains. Recommendations for scale modifications and developments are presented alongside a new amalgamated weight bias scale (AWBS).

Measuring time clinicians spend using EHRs in the inpatient setting: a national, mixed-methods study

Objective To understand hospitals’ use of EHR audit-log-based measures to address burden associated with inpatient EHR use. Materials and Methods Using mixed methods, we analyzed 2018 American Hospital Association Information Technology Supplement Survey data (n = 2864 hospitals; 64% response rate) to characterize measures used and provided by EHR vendors to track clinician time spent documenting. We interviewed staff from the top 3 EHR vendors that provided these measures. Multivariable analyses identified variation in use of the measures among hospitals with these 3 vendors. Results 53% of hospitals reported using EHR data to track clinician time documenting, compared to 68% of the hospitals using the EHR from the top 3 vendors. Among hospitals with EHRs from these vendors, usage was significantly lower among rural hospitals and independent hospitals (P < .05). Two of these vendors provided measures of time spent doing specific tasks while the third measured an aggregate of auditable activities. Vendors varied in the underlying data used to create measures, measure specification, and data displays. Discussion Tools to track clinicians’ documentation time are becoming more available. The measures provided differ across vendors and disparities in use exist across hospitals. Increasing the specificity of standards underlying the data would support a common set of core measures making these measures more widely available. Conclusion Although half of US hospitals use measures of time spent in the EHR derived from EHR generated data, work remains to make such measures and analyses more broadly available to all hospitals and to increase its utility for national burden measurement.

VALUE CO-CREATION AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN AVIATION INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA

The study examined the relationship between value co-creation and customer satisfaction in Aviation Industry in Nigeria. The theoretical framework covered DART theory that explained how customer satisfaction will be improved using value co-creation. A sample size of 320 was determined from a population of 1600 respondents using Taro Yamane’s sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaire. 320 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the respondents out of which 303 copies were found useful for data analysis. The data were analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient Statistic which was facilitated through the application of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS Version 23.0). The findings showed a significant relationship between value co-creation and customer satisfaction in Aviation Industry in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study concluded that value co-creation affects customer satisfaction in Aviation Industry in Nigeria. Hence, the study recommended that management should place more emphases on increasing customers’ satisfaction through value co-creation. They should build customers’ experience through personal interaction, make strategic involvement of customers and organization in guiding the activities of the business and build an effective engagement platform with the aim to maintain personal touch across all customers to increase customer loyalty and emotive commitment which are core measures of customer satisfaction in Aviation Industry in Nigeria.

Measures of electronic health record use in outpatient settings across vendors

Electronic health record (EHR) log data capture clinical workflows and are a rich source of information to understand variation in practice patterns. Variation in how EHRs are used to document and support care delivery is associated with clinical and operational outcomes, including measures of provider well-being and burnout. Standardized measures that describe EHR use would facilitate generalizability and cross-institution, cross-vendor research. Here, we describe the current state of outpatient EHR use measures offered by various EHR vendors, guided by our prior conceptual work that proposed seven core measures to describe EHR use. We evaluate these measures and other reporting options provided by vendors for maturity and similarity to previously proposed standardized measures. Working toward improved standardization of EHR use measures can enable and accelerate high-impact research on physician burnout and job satisfaction as well as organizational efficiency and patient health.

Relationship between Depression and Disease Activity in United States Veterans with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Methotrexate

Objective Depression is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, exacerbates disease activity, and may decrease response to first-line disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. This study aimed to determine if depression affects disease activity among Veterans with early RA prescribed methotrexate (MTX). Methods Participants included Veterans enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis registry with early RA (onset < 2 years) prescribed MTX. Depression was assessed at enrollment using International Classification of Diseases codes (296.2-296.39, 300.4, 311). Disease activity was measured using the 28 joint count disease activity score (DAS-28) and other core measures of RA disease activity. Propensity score weights were used to adjust depressed (n=48) and non-depressed (n=220) patients on baseline confounders within imputed datasets. Weighted estimating equations were used to assess standardized mean differences in disease activity between depressed and non-depressed patients at six months and one- and two-years follow-up. Results The analytic sample was composed of 268 Veterans with early RA prescribed MTX who were predominantly male (n=239; 89.2%) and older (62.7 years ± 10.6) than general population RA patients. Adjusted estimates indicated that depression was associated with significantly higher DAS-28 at six months (β=0.345; 95% CI: 0.007, 0.682) but not at one- or two-years follow-up. Also, depression was associated with significantly worse pain at six months (β=0.385; 95% CI: 0.040, 0.730) and one-year (β=0.396; 95% CI: 0.042, 0.750) follow-up. Conclusion In early RA, depression is associated with greater short-term disease activity during MTX treatment, as well as more persistent and severe pain.

Clinical Characteristics, Comorbidities, and Prognosis in Patients with Heart Failure with Unknown Ejection Fraction

Background: Heart Failure (HF) is a frequent cause of mortality and recurrent hospitalization. Although HF databases are assembled based on left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, patients without LV ejection fraction determination are not further analyzed. Objective: The purpose of this study is to characterize patient attributes and outcomes in this group-HF with unknown Ejection Fraction (HFunEF). Methods: We queried the electronic medical record from a community-based university practice for patients with a HF diagnosis. We included patients with >60 days follow-up and had interpretable Doppler-echocardiograms. We recorded demographic, Doppler-echocardiographic, and outcome variables (up to 2083 days). Results: There were 820 patients: 269 with HF with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), 364 with HF with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), of which 231 had a LV ejection fraction=40-49% and 133 had a LV ejection fraction<40%, and 187 with HFunEF. As compared to patients with HFunEF, HFpEF patients were younger, had a higher coronary disease and hyperlipidemia prevalence. Patients with HFrEF had more prevalent coronary disease, myocardial infarction, and hyperlipidemia. Patients with HFunEF were more likely to be seen by non-cardiology providers. All-cause mortality (ACM) was greater in HFunEF patients than patients with HFpEF (Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.60 (1.16-2.29), p=0.004). Furthermore, HF readmission rates were lower in HFunEF as compared to HFpEF (HR=0.33 (0.27-0.54), p<0.0001) and HFrEF (HR=0.30 (0.028-0.50), p<0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with HFunEF have greater ACM and lower HF re-admission than other HF phenotypes. Adherence to core measures, including LV ejection fraction assessment, may improve outcomes in this cohort of patients.

Energy Efficiency Package for Tenant Fit-Out: Laboratory Testing and Validation of Energy Savings and Indoor Environmental Quality

Approximately 40% of the total U.S. office floor space of 1.5 billion sq.m (16 billion sq.ft.) is leased space occupied by tenants. Tenant fit-out presents a key opportunity to incorporate energy efficiency within the real estate business cycle. We designed a package of energy efficiency measures tailored to the scope of a tenant fit-out. This tenant fit-out package (TFP) includes advanced lighting and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls as core measures, with ceiling fans, automated shading, and plug load controls as additional optional measures. We conducted laboratory testing of six configurations of the package to evaluate energy savings, indoor environmental quality, and identify installation, commissioning, and operational issues. Combined savings for HVAC, lighting, and plug loads ranged from 33–40%. Lighting savings ranged from 69–83%, and HVAC savings from 20–40%. The laboratory testing also revealed some minor but tractable challenges with installation and commissioning of HVAC controls. Overall, the results demonstrate that significant savings can be realized in existing office buildings by incorporating relatively low-risk, proven measures at the time of a tenant fit-out.