21 research outputs found
Emergence of super-Poissonian light from indistinguishable single-photon emitters
The optical interference constitutes a paramount resource in modern physics.
At the scale of individual atoms and photons, it is a diverse concept that
causes different coherent phenomena. We present the experimental
characterization of both coherent and statistical properties of light emitted
from ensembles of trapped ions increasing with a number of contributing
phase-incoherent independent atomic particles ranging from a single to up to
several hundreds. It conclusively demonstrates how super-Poissonian quantum
statistics non-trivially arises purely from the finite number of
indistinguishable single-photon emitters in the limit of a single detection
mode. The achieved new optical emission regime in which these independent atoms
contribute coherently to the super-Poissonian statistics provides a new
perspective on the emergence of optical coherence at the atomic scale and
constitutes a unique toolbox for its generation and control at the most
microscopic level
Planetary vehicle thermal insulation systems Final report
Goldized Mylar or Kapton and other materials for planetary vehicle thermal insulation system
Short-term efficacy of physical interventions in osteoarthritic knee pain. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials.
BACKGROUND: Treatment efficacy of physical agents in osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) pain has been largely unknown, and this systematic review was aimed at assessing their short-term efficacies for pain relief. METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis of efficacy within 1-4 weeks and at follow up at 1-12 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: 36 randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) were identified with 2434 patients where 1391 patients received active treatment. 33 trials satisfied three or more out of five methodological criteria (Jadad scale). The patient sample had a mean age of 65.1 years and mean baseline pain of 62.9 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Within 4 weeks of the commencement of treatment manual acupuncture, static magnets and ultrasound therapies did not offer statistically significant short-term pain relief over placebo. Pulsed electromagnetic fields offered a small reduction in pain of 6.9 mm [95% CI: 2.2 to 11.6] (n = 487). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, including interferential currents), electro-acupuncture (EA) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) offered clinically relevant pain relieving effects of 18.8 mm [95% CI: 9.6 to 28.1] (n = 414), 21.9 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 26.5] (n = 73) and 17.7 mm [95% CI: 8.1 to 27.3] (n = 343) on VAS respectively versus placebo control. In a subgroup analysis of trials with assumed optimal doses, short-term efficacy increased to 22.2 mm [95% CI: 18.1 to 26.3] for TENS, and 24.2 mm [95% CI: 17.3 to 31.3] for LLLT on VAS. Follow-up data up to 12 weeks were sparse, but positive effects seemed to persist for at least 4 weeks after the course of LLLT, EA and TENS treatment was stopped. CONCLUSION: TENS, EA and LLLT administered with optimal doses in an intensive 2-4 week treatment regimen, seem to offer clinically relevant short-term pain relief for OAK