Operator projection method applied to the single-particle Green's function in the Hubbard model

A new non-perturbative framework for many-body correlated systems is formulated by extending the operator projection method (OPM). This method offers a systematic expansion which enables us to project into the low-energy structure after extracting the higher-energy hierarchy. This method also opens a way to systematically take into account the effects of collective excitations. The Mott-Hubbard metal-insulator transition in the Hubbard model is studied by means of this projection beyond the second order by taking into account magnetic and charge fluctuations in the presence of the high-energy Mott-Hubbard structure. At half filling, the Mott-Hubbard gap is correctly eproduced between the separated two bands. Near half filling, a strongly renormalized low-energy single-particle excitations coexisting with the Mott-Hubbard bands are shown to appear. Signifcance of momentum-dependent self-energy in the results is stressed.Comment: 6 pages, final version to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Bacterial flagellar motors and osmoelectric molecular rotation by an axially transmembrane well and turnstile mechanism

AbstractBacterial ion-driven flagellar motors are the smallest known rotatory mechanical devices, natural or artificial, their overall diameter being only about 25 nm or one millionth of an inch. They are unique in the fields of biology and engineering. This paper develops a possible osmoelectric or local electrokinetic mechanism of molecular rotatory motion in bilayer membranes, which may help to explain how bacterial flagellar motors work, and may incidentally encourage new developments in the bioenergetics and biomechanics of enzyme, osmoenzyme and porter action

High rates of clinically relevant incidental findings by total-body CT scanning in trauma patients; results of the REACT-2 trial

To determine whether there is a difference in frequency and clinical relevance of incidental findings detected by total-body computed tomography scanning (TBCT) compared to those by the standard work-up (STWU) with selective computed tomography (CT) scanning. Trauma patients from five trauma centres were randomized between April 2011 and January 2014 to TBCT imaging or STWU consisting of conventional imaging with selective CT scanning. Incidental findings were divided into three categories: 1) major finding, may cause mortality; 2) moderate finding, may cause morbidity; and 3) minor finding, hardly relevant. Generalized estimating equations were applied to assess differences in incidental findings. In total, 1083 patients were enrolled, of which 541 patients (49.9 %) were randomized for TBCT and 542 patients (50.1 %) for STWU. Major findings were detected in 23 patients (4.3 %) in the TBCT group compared to 9 patients (1.7 %) in the STWU group (adjusted rate ratio 2.851; 95%CI 1.337-6.077; p <0.007). Findings of moderate relevance were detected in 120 patients (22.2 %) in the TBCT group compared to 86 patients (15.9 %) in the STWU group (adjusted rate ratio 1.421; 95%CI 1.088-1.854; p <0.010). Compared to selective CT scanning, more patients with clinically relevant incidental findings can be expected by TBCT scanning. aEuro cent Total-body CT scanning in trauma results in 1.5 times more incidental findings. aEuro cent Evaluation by TBCT in trauma results in more patients with incidental findings. aEuro cent In every category of clinical relevance, TBCT detects more incidental findings

Dyson Equation Approach to Many-Body Greens Functions and Self-Consistent RPA, First Application to the Hubbard Model

An approach for particle-hole correlation functions, based on the so-called SCRPA, is developed. This leads to a fully self-consistent RPA-like theory which satisfies the $f$-sum rule and several other theorems. As a first step, a simpler self-consistent approach, the renormalized RPA, is solved numerically in the one-dimensional Hubbard model. The charge and the longitudinal spin susceptibility, the momentum distribution and several ground state properties are calculated and compared with the exact results. Especially at half filling, our approach provides quite promising results and matches the exact behaviour apart from a general prefactor. The strong coupling limit of our approach can be described analytically.Comment: 35 pages, 18 Figures, Feynman diagrams as 10 additional eps-files, revised and enhanced version, accepted in Phys. Rev.

Association of Ischemic Core Imaging Biomarkers With Post-Thrombectomy Clinical Outcomes in the MR CLEAN Registry

Background: A considerable proportion of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) are dead or severely disabled at 3 months despite successful reperfusion. Ischemic core imaging biomarkers may help to identify patients who are more likely to have a poor outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) despite successful reperfusion. We studied the association of CT perfusion-(CTP), CT angiography-(CTA), and non-contrast CT-(NCCT) based imaging markers with poor outcome in patients who underwent EVT in daily clinical practice. Methods: We included EVT-treated patients (July 2016–November 2017) with an anterior circulation occlusion from the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN) Registry with available baseline CTP, CTA, and NCCT. We used multivariable binary and ordinal logistic regression to analyze the association of CTP ischemic core volume, CTA-Collateral Score (CTA-CS), and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) with poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) 5-6) and likelihood of having a lower score on the mRS at 90 days. Results: In 201 patients, median core volume was 13 (IQR 5-41) mL. Median ASPECTS was 9 (IQR 8-10). Most patients had grade 2 (83/201; 42%) or grade 3 (28/201; 14%) collaterals. CTP ischemic core volume was associated with poor outcome [aOR per 10 mL 1.02 (95%CI 1.01–1.04)] and lower likelihood of having a lower score on the mRS at 90 days [aOR per 10 mL 0.85 (95% CI 0.78–0.93)]. In multivariable analysis, neither CTA-CS nor ASPECTS were significantly associated with poor outcome or the likelihood of having a lower mRS. Conclusion: In our population of patients treated with EVT in daily clinical practice, CTP ischemic core volume is associated with poor outcome and lower likelihood of shift toward better outcome in contrast to either CTA-CS or ASPECTS

Anomalous low doping phase of the Hubbard model

We present results of a systematic Quantum-Monte-Carlo study for the single-band Hubbard model. Thereby we evaluated single-particle spectra (PES & IPES), two-particle spectra (spin & density correlation functions), and the dynamical correlation function of suitably defined diagnostic operators, all as a function of temperature and hole doping. The results allow to identify different physical regimes. Near half-filling we find an anomalous `Hubbard-I phase', where the band structure is, up to some minor modifications, consistent with the Hubbard-I predictions. At lower temperatures, where the spin response becomes sharp, additional dispersionless `bands' emerge due to the dressing of electrons/holes with spin excitatons. We present a simple phenomenological fit which reproduces the band structure of the insulator quantitatively. The Fermi surface volume in the low doping phase, as derived from the single-particle spectral function, is not consistent with the Luttinger theorem, but qualitatively in agreement with the predictions of the Hubbard-I approximation. The anomalous phase extends up to a hole concentration of 15%, i.e. the underdoped region in the phase diagram of high-T_c superconductors. We also investigate the nature of the magnetic ordering transition in the single particle spectra. We show that the transition to an SDW-like band structure is not accomplished by the formation of any resolvable `precursor bands', but rather by a (spectroscopically invisible) band of spin 3/2 quasiparticles. We discuss implications for the `remnant Fermi surface' in insulating cuprate compounds and the shadow bands in the doped materials.Comment: RevTex-file, 20 PRB pages, 16 figures included partially as gif. A full ps-version including ps-figures can be found at http://theorie.physik.uni-wuerzburg.de/~eder/condmat.ps.gz Hardcopies of figures (or the entire manuscript) can also be obtained by e-mail request to: [email protected]

The Hubbard model within the equations of motion approach

The Hubbard model has a special role in Condensed Matter Theory as it is considered as the simplest Hamiltonian model one can write in order to describe anomalous physical properties of some class of real materials. Unfortunately, this model is not exactly solved except for some limits and therefore one should resort to analytical methods, like the Equations of Motion Approach, or to numerical techniques in order to attain a description of its relevant features in the whole range of physical parameters (interaction, filling and temperature). In this manuscript, the Composite Operator Method, which exploits the above mentioned analytical technique, is presented and systematically applied in order to get information about the behavior of all relevant properties of the model (local, thermodynamic, single- and two- particle ones) in comparison with many other analytical techniques, the above cited known limits and numerical simulations. Within this approach, the Hubbard model is shown to be also capable to describe some anomalous behaviors of the cuprate superconductors.Comment: 232 pages, more than 300 figures, more than 500 reference

Observer variability of absolute and relative thrombus density measurements in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Introduction: Thrombus density may be a predictor for acute ischemic stroke treatment success. However, only limited data on observer variability for thrombus density measurements exist. This study assesses the variability and bias of four common thrombus density measurement methods by expert and non-expert observers. Methods: For 132 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, three experts and two trained observers determined thrombus density by placing three standardized regions of interest (ROIs) in the thrombus and corresponding contralateral arterial segment. Subsequently, absolute and relative thrombus densities were determined using either one or three ROIs. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was determined, and Bland–Altman analysis was performed to evaluate interobserver and intermethod agreement. Accuracy of the trained observer was evaluated with a reference expert observer using the same statistical analysis. Results: The highest interobserver agreement was obtained for absolute thrombus measurements using three ROIs (ICCs ranging from 0.54 to 0.91). In general, interobserver agreement was lower for relative measurements, and for using one instead of three ROIs. Interobserver agreement of trained non-experts and experts was similar. Accuracy of the trained observer measurements was comparable to the expert interobserver agreement and was better for absolute measurements and with three ROIs. The agreement between the one ROI and three ROI methods was good. Conclusion: Absolute thrombus density measurement has superior interobserver agreement compared to relative density measurement. Interobserver variation is smaller when multiple ROIs are used. Trained non-expert observers can accurately and reproducibly assess absolute thrombus densities using three ROIs

Penumbral imaging and functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy versus medical therapy: a meta-analysis of individual patient-level data

Background: CT perfusion (CTP) and diffusion or perfusion MRI might assist patient selection for endovascular thrombectomy. We aimed to establish whether imaging assessments of irreversibly injured ischaemic core and potentially salvageable penumbra volumes were associated with functional outcome and whether they interacted with the treatment effect of endovascular thrombectomy on functional outcome. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the HERMES collaboration pooled patient-level data from all randomised controlled trials that compared endovascular thrombectomy (predominantly using stent retrievers) with standard medical therapy in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke, published in PubMed from Jan 1, 2010, to May 31, 2017. The primary endpoint was functional outcome, assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after stroke. Ischaemic core was estimated, before treatment with either endovascular thrombectomy or standard medical therapy, by CTP as relative cerebral blood flow less than 30% of normal brain blood flow or by MRI as an apparent diffusion coefficient less than 620 μm2/s. Critically hypoperfused tissue was estimated as the volume of tissue with a CTP time to maximum longer than 6 s. Mismatch volume (ie, the estimated penumbral volume) was calculated as critically hypoperfused tissue volume minus ischaemic core volume. The association of ischaemic core and penumbral volumes with 90-day mRS score was analysed with multivariable logistic regression (functional independence, defined as mRS score 0–2) and ordinal logistic regression (functional improvement by at least one mRS category) in all patients and in a subset of those with more than 50% endovascular reperfusion, adjusted for baseline prognostic variables. The meta-analysis was prospectively designed by the HERMES executive committee, but not registered. Findings: We identified seven studies with 1764 patients, all of which were included in the meta-analysis. CTP was available and assessable for 591 (34%) patients and diffusion MRI for 309 (18%) patients. Functional independence was worse in patients who had CTP versus those who had diffusion MRI, after adjustment for ischaemic core volume (odds ratio [OR] 0·47 [95% CI 0·30–0·72], p=0·0007), so the imaging modalities were not pooled. Increasing ischaemic core volume was associated with reduced likelihood of functional independence (CTP OR 0·77 [0·69–0·86] per 10 mL, pinteraction=0·29; diffusion MRI OR 0·87 [0·81–0·94] per 10 mL, pinteraction=0·94). Mismatch volume, examined only in the CTP group because of the small numbers of patients who had perfusion MRI, was not associated with either functional independence or functional improvement. In patients with CTP with more than 50% endovascular reperfusion (n=186), age, ischaemic core volume, and imaging-to-reperfusion time were independently associated with functional improvement. Risk of bias between studies was generally low. Interpretation: Estimated ischaemic core volume was independently associated with functional independence and functional improvement but did not modify the treatment benefit of endovascular thrombectomy over standard medical therapy for improved functional outcome. Combining ischaemic core volume with age and expected imaging-to-reperfusion time will improve assessment of prognosis and might inform endovascular thrombectomy treatment decisions. Funding: Medtronic

Postoperative outcomes in oesophagectomy with trainee involvement

BACKGROUND: The complexity of oesophageal surgery and the significant risk of morbidity necessitates that oesophagectomy is predominantly performed by a consultant surgeon, or a senior trainee under their supervision. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of trainee involvement in oesophagectomy on postoperative outcomes in an international multicentre setting. METHODS: Data from the multicentre Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Study Group (OGAA) cohort study were analysed, which comprised prospectively collected data from patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April 2018 and December 2018. Procedures were grouped by the level of trainee involvement, and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare patient outcomes across groups. RESULTS: Of 2232 oesophagectomies from 137 centres in 41 countries, trainees were involved in 29.1 per cent of them (n = 650), performing only the abdominal phase in 230, only the chest and/or neck phases in 130, and all phases in 315 procedures. For procedures with a chest anastomosis, those with trainee involvement had similar 90-day mortality, complication and reoperation rates to consultant-performed oesophagectomies (P = 0.451, P = 0.318, and P = 0.382, respectively), while anastomotic leak rates were significantly lower in the trainee groups (P = 0.030). Procedures with a neck anastomosis had equivalent complication, anastomotic leak, and reoperation rates (P = 0.150, P = 0.430, and P = 0.632, respectively) in trainee-involved versus consultant-performed oesophagectomies, with significantly lower 90-day mortality in the trainee groups (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Trainee involvement was not found to be associated with significantly inferior postoperative outcomes for selected patients undergoing oesophagectomy. The results support continued supervised trainee involvement in oesophageal cancer surgery