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Expiratory events, such as coughs, are often pulsatile in nature and result in vortical flow structures that transport respiratory particles. In this work, direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent pulsatile jets, coupled with Lagrangian particle tracking of micron-sized droplets, is performed to investigate the role of secondary and tertiary expulsions on particle dispersion and penetration. Fully developed turbulence obtained from DNS of a turbulent pipe flow is provided at the jet orifice. The volumetric flow rate at the orifice is modulated in time according to a damped sine wave, thereby allowing for control of the number of pulses, duration, and peak amplitude. Thermodynamic effects, such as evaporation and buoyancy, are neglected in order to isolate the role of pulsatility on particle dispersion. The resulting vortex structures are analyzed for single-, two-, and three-pulse jets. The evolution of the particle cloud is then compared to existing single-pulse models. Particle dispersion and penetration of the entire cloud are found to be hindered by increased pulsatility. However, the penetration of particles emanating from a secondary or tertiary expulsion is enhanced due to acceleration downstream by vortex structures.

Katherine S Monroe, Lindsey Amerson, William Bundy, Yulanda Greene, Gregory Jarvis, Jennifer Stever, Gaurav P Patel Department of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USACorrespondence: Gaurav P Patel, Department of Anesthesiology, Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, Emory University School of Medicine, 57 Executive Park South, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA, Email gppatel@emory.eduBackground: The Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) profession is gaining popularity, and as such, the number of applicants and the number of AA programs are also increasing. There is no published data on what makes a good AA student – multiple studies exist in this regard for anesthesiology residents and medical students. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) have shown to have some correlation with student success in other health professions. There is no data to suggest that they can indicate potential success or academic problems during AA school. As such, this study evaluated the impact of these standardized test scores and student success in both the preclinical and clinical curricula at the Emory AA program.Methods: A retrospective analysis of MCAT scores and GRE scores was performed. 2-tailed Pearson coefficients were calculated to see if there was a relationship between higher MCAT and GRE scores and performance in our program.Results: 2- tailed Pearson coefficients showed a moderately strong correlation between MCAT scores and our AA program’s science curriculum. There was a weak correlation as well between GRE scores here. The correlation dropped slightly for the MCAT and performance during our clinical curriculum, and a similar drop was noted for the GRE.Discussion: Our study shows that the MCAT appears to more strongly correlated with better performance in both the science curriculum of our program and also with our clinical program. The study likely implies that the MCAT appears to be a better gauge as to how a student will do in an AA program in comparison to the GRE. Further studies are needed to understand how to appropriately admit students who will successfully complete the rigorous AA program curriculum both at Emory and beyond.Keywords: admission metrics, certified anesthesiologist assistant, anesthesia care team, student success, standardized test scores

Katherine S Monroe, William Bundy, Yulanda Greene, Gregory Jarvis, Jennifer Stever, Gaurav P Patel Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USACorrespondence: Gaurav P Patel, Emory University, 57 Executive Park South, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA, Email gppatel@emory.eduPurpose: The Anesthesiologist Assistant career is gaining significant popularity in the health professions in the United States. Given that this medical occupation is relatively young, there is limited information regarding student success in this demanding graduate-level program. Assessing if pre-admission metrics influence how students perform during the curriculum is essential to recruiting the appropriate candidates. Grade point averages have been shown to correlate with student success in medical education programs for both medical students and physician assistant students, but there is currently no information regarding anesthesiologist assistant students.Methods: Pre-matriculation science and cumulative grade point averages were accessed in a deidentified manner for Emory University Anesthesiologist Assistant Students, and 2-tailed Pearson coefficients were calculated to see if there was a correlation with performance during the science/didactic curriculum of our program and with the clinical curriculum of the program.Results: The 2-tailed Pearson coefficients showed a moderately strong positive correlation between pre-admission science and cumulative grade point averages and performance during the science curriculum of the Emory program (r=0.522). Data also suggested a moderate correlation with grade point averages at graduation from our program (r=0.484). Similar results were found with cumulative grade point averages as well.Conclusion: Given the limited information, we have regarding pre-admission metrics and performance in an Anesthesiologist Assistant program, our study shows that pre-admission science scores and grades in general in undergraduate studies does in fact mimic the information found from studies of other health profession students. Further studies are needed to elucidate how to choose the most appropriate candidates for admission to anesthesiologist assistant programs.Keywords: admission metrics, certified anesthesiologist assistant, anesthesia care team, student success

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust scientific literature into the global spotlight this year, as information about the virus, how to keep safe, and how to get vaccinated has been continually updated at a rapid pace. Much of this information is being conveyed through infographics. This has resulted in an abundance of easy-to-grasp information for sighted people with no learning disabilities, but this positive impact has not been extended to people with visual or learning disabilities. In effect, these infographics often serve to further marginalize individuals with disabilities. Consistent methods for writing descriptions of images should be developed and implemented by first looking at how information moves from working memory to long-term memory, and then examining how cognitive fatigue can inhibit understanding of complex images and scientific information vital to individuals with disabilities. Considering how best to describe scientific images with concise alternative text and in plain language will have clear and immediate benefits for the health and well-being of those with print-related disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let me enter the biographical mode, very briefly, to tell what I can remember about my first acquaintance with James Dickey. After four years in the military, I returned from [...]