1,996 research outputs found
Electromagnetic Energy, Momentum, and Angular Momentum in an Inhomogeneous Linear Dielectric
In a previous work, Optics Communications 284 (2011) 2460--2465, we
considered a dielectric medium with an anti-reflection coating and a spatially
uniform index of refraction illuminated at normal incidence by a
quasimonochromatic field. Using the continuity equations for the
electromagnetic energy density and the Gordon momentum density, we constructed
a traceless, symmetric energy--momentum tensor for the closed system. In this
work, we relax the condition of a uniform index of refraction and consider a
dielectric medium with a spatially varying index of refraction that is
independent of time, which essentially represents a mechanically rigid
dielectric medium due to external constraints. Using continuity equations for
energy density and for Gordon momentum density, we construct a symmetric
energy--momentum matrix, whose four-divergence is equal to a generalized
Helmholtz force density four-vector. Assuming that the energy-momentum matrix
has tensor transformation properties under a symmetry group of space-time
coordinate transformations, we derive the global conservation laws for the
total energy, momentum, and angular momentum.Comment: added publication informatio
Adjustable microchip ring trap for cold atoms and molecules
We describe the design and function of a circular magnetic waveguide produced
from wires on a microchip for atom interferometry using deBroglie waves. The
guide is a two-dimensional magnetic minimum for trapping weak-field seeking
states of atoms or molecules with a magnetic dipole moment. The design consists
of seven circular wires sharing a common radius. We describe the design, the
time-dependent currents of the wires and show that it is possible to form a
circular waveguide with adjustable height and gradient while minimizing
perturbation resulting from leads or wire crossings. This maximal area geometry
is suited for rotation sensing with atom interferometry via the Sagnac effect
using either cold atoms, molecules and Bose-condensed systems
Decoy oligodeoxynucleotide againstactivator protein-1 reducesneointimal proliferation after coronaryangioplasty in hypercholesterolemic minipigs
AbstractObjectivesWe sought to demonstrate, in an appropriate animal model, that co-medication with a transcription factor-blocking agent limits restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).BackgroundEnhanced synthesis in the vessel wall of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a powerful co-mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells, appears to be one mechanism that promotes restenosis after PTCA. Deformation-induced expression of prepro-ET-1 is governed by the transcription factor, activator protein-1 (AP-1).MethodsAn anti-AP-1 decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (dODN) strategy was devised in which the dODN-containing solution (20 nmol) was administered locally through a Dispatch catheter into the coronary arteries of hypercholesterolemic minipigs at the time of PTCA (AVE-GFX stent).ResultsTreatment with an AP-1 dODN, mimicking the consensus binding site of the transcription factor, significantly reduced neointimal formation in the coronary arteries of hypercholesterolemic minipigs (n = 10 to 12), compared with vehicle-treated coronary arteries, after four weeks of follow-up (neointimal area 2.64 ± 0.33 vs. 4.81 ± 1.04 mm2[mean ± SEM]; p < 0.05). This effect was maintained after eight weeks (neointimal area 2.04 ± 0.22 mm2; n = 3) and correlated with a reduction in both nuclear translocation of AP-1 and ET-1 synthesis in the vessel wall 48 h after PTCA (n = 4). In contrast, an AP-1 mutant dODN, to which the transcription factor does not bind, showed no effect on neointimal formation at either time point (n = 3 to 7). Moreover, a consensus dODN directed against CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), another deformation-sensitive transcription factor, did not significantly affect neointimal formation after four weeks (n = 3).ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the feasibility, efficacy and specificity of the anti-AP-1 dODN approach to the treatment of restenosis, which principally but not exclusively targets deformation-induced ET-1 synthesis in the vessel wall. Provided that these findings can be extrapolated to the situation of patients with coronary artery disease, the observed extent of the inhibitory effect of the AP-1 dODN treatment suggests that this co-medication may greatly reduce the incidence of in-stent restenosis
Atom chips on direct bonded copper substrates
We present the use of direct bonded copper (DBC) for the straightforward
fabrication of high power atom chips. Atom chips using DBC have several
benefits: excellent copper/substrate adhesion, high purity, thick (> 100
microns) copper layers, high substrate thermal conductivity, high aspect ratio
wires, the potential for rapid (< 8 hr) fabrication, and three dimensional atom
chip structures. Two mask options for DBC atom chip fabrication are presented,
as well as two methods for etching wire patterns into the copper layer. The
wire aspect ratio that optimizes the magnetic field gradient as a function of
power dissipation is determined to be 0.84:1 (height:width). The optimal wire
thickness as a function of magnetic trapping height is also determined. A test
chip, able to support 100 A of current for 2 s without failing, is used to
determine the thermal impedance of the DBC. An assembly using two DBC atom
chips to provide magnetic confinement is also shown.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Cardiac troponin I elevation in acute pulmonary embolism is associated with right ventricular dysfunction
AbstractOBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin I to identify patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in pulmonary embolism.BACKGROUNDRight ventricular overload resulting from elevated pulmonary resistance is a common finding in major pulmonary embolism. However, biochemical markers to assess the degree of RV dysfunction have not been evaluated so far.METHODSIn this prospective, double-blind study we included 36 study patients diagnosed as having acute pulmonary embolism.RESULTSAmong the whole study population, 14 patients (39%) had positive troponin I tests. Ten of 16 patients (62.5%) with RV dilatation had increased serum troponin I levels, while only 4 of 14 patients (28.6%) with elevated troponin I values had a normal RV diameter as assessed by echocardiography, indicating that positive troponin I tests were significantly associated with RV dilatation (p = 0.009). Patients with positive troponin I tests had significantly more segmental defects in ventilation/perfusion lung scans than patients with normal serum troponin I (p = 0.0002).CONCLUSIONSOur data demonstrate that more than one-third of patients clinically diagnosed as having pulmonary embolism presented with elevated serum troponin I concentrations. Troponin I tests helped to identify patients with RV dilatation who had significantly more segmental defects in lung scans. Thus, troponin I assays are useful to detect minor myocardial damage in pulmonary embolism
Cervicothoracic Intradural Arachnoid Cyst Misdiagnosed as Motor Neuron Disease
Recognizing syndromes which mimic ALS is crucial both to avoid giving this diagnosis erroneously and since there may be appropriate treatments. We report a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with possible ALS five years ago based on upper and lower motor neuron signs with typical electrophysiology and normal cranial MRI. At reassessment, spinal MRI revealed a cervicothoracic cyst with cord compression that was successfully treated neurosurgically. Histopathology confirmed an arachnoid origin as suspected from MRI. Spinal cysts may mimic ALS and need to be thoroughly excluded by appropriate imaging
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Nitrite oxidation exceeds reduction and fixed nitrogen loss in anoxic Pacific waters
© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Babbin, A. R., Buchwald, C., Morel, F. M. M., Wankel, S. D., & Ward, B. B. Nitrite oxidation exceeds reduction and fixed nitrogen loss in anoxic Pacific waters. Marine Chemistry, 224, (2020): 103814, doi:10.1016/j.marchem.2020.103814.The diversity of nitrogen-based dissimilatory metabolisms in anoxic waters continues to increase with additional studies to the marine oxygen deficient zones (ODZs). Although the microbial oxidation of nitrite (NO2–) has been known for over a century, studies of the pathways and microbes involved have generally proceeded under the assumption that nitrite oxidation to nitrate requires dioxygen (O2). Anaerobic NO2– oxidation until now has been conclusively shown only for anammox bacteria, albeit only as a limited sink for NO2– in their metabolism compared to the NO2– reduced to N2. Here, using direct experimental techniques optimized for replicating in situ anoxic conditions, we show that NO2– oxidation is substantial, widespread, and consistent across the ODZs of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Regardless of the specific oxidant, NO2– oxidation rates are up to an order of magnitude larger than simultaneous N2 production rates for which these zones are known, and cannot be explained by anammox rates alone. Higher rates of NO2– oxidation over reduction in anoxic waters are paradoxical but help to explain how anammox rates can be enhanced over denitrification in shallow anoxic waters (σθ < 26.4) at the edge of the ODZs but not within the ODZ core. Furthermore, nitrite oxidation may be the key to reconciliation of the perceived imbalance of the global fixed nitrogen loss budget.This work was funded by National Science Foundation grants OCE–1029951 to B.B.W, BIO–1402109 to A.R.B., and OCE-1260373 to S.D.W. Additional financial support to A.R.B. was provided by Simons Foundation grant 622065 and the generous contributions of Dr. Bruce L. Heflinger
Risk for Hospital Readmission following Bariatric Surgery
Background and Objectives: Complications resulting in hospital readmission are important concerns for those considering bariatric surgery, yet present understanding of the risk for these events is limited to a small number of patient factors. We sought to identify demographic characteristics, concomitant morbidities, and perioperative factors associated with hospital readmission following bariatric surgery. Methods: We report on a prospective observational study of 24,662 patients undergoing primary RYGB and 26,002 patients undergoing primary AGB at 249 and 317 Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE), respectively, in the United States from January 2007 to August 2009. Data were collected using standardized assessments of demographic factors and comorbidities, as well as longitudinal records of hospital readmissions, complications, and mortality. Results: The readmission rate was 5.8 % for RYGB and 1.2 % for AGB patients 30 days after discharge. The greatest predictors for readmission following RYGB were prolonged length of stay (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95 % confidence interval [CI]
Four Poynting Theorems
The Poynting vector is an invaluable tool for analysing electromagnetic
problems. However, even a rigorous stress-energy tensor approach can still
leave us with the question: is it best defined as \Vec{E} \cross \Vec{H} or
as \Vec{D} \cross \Vec{B}? Typical electromagnetic treatments provide yet
another perspective: they regard \Vec{E} \cross \Vec{B} as the appropriate
definition, because \Vec{E} and \Vec{B} are taken to be the fundamental
electromagnetic fields. The astute reader will even notice the fourth possible
combination of fields: i.e. \Vec{D} \cross \Vec{H}. Faced with this diverse
selection, we have decided to treat each possible flux vector on its merits,
deriving its associated energy continuity equation but applying minimal
restrictions to the allowed host media. We then discuss each form, and how it
represents the response of the medium. Finally, we derive a propagation
equation for each flux vector using a directional fields approach; a useful
result which enables further interpretation of each flux and its interaction
with the medium.Comment: 8 pages. Updated slightly from EJP versio
Influence of topography on tide propagation and amplification in semi-enclosed basins
An idealized model for tide propagation and amplification in semi-enclosed rectangular basins is presented, accounting for depth differences by a combination of longitudinal and lateral topographic steps. The basin geometry is formed by several adjacent compartments of identical width, each having either a uniform depth or two depths separated by a transverse topographic step. The problem is forced by an incoming Kelvin wave at the open end, while allowing waves to radiate outward. The solution in each compartment is written as the superposition of (semi)-analytical wave solutions in an infinite channel, individually satisfying the depth-averaged linear shallow water equations on the f plane, including bottom friction. A collocation technique is employed to satisfy continuity of elevation and flux across the longitudinal topographic steps between the compartments. The model results show that the tidal wave in shallow parts displays slower propagation, enhanced dissipation and amplified amplitudes. This reveals a resonance mechanism, occurring when\ud
the length of the shallow end is roughly an odd multiple of the quarter Kelvin wavelength. Alternatively, for sufficiently wide basins, also Poincaré waves may become resonant. A transverse step implies different wavelengths of the incoming and reflected Kelvin wave, leading to increased amplitudes in shallow regions and a shift of amphidromic points in the direction of the deeper part. Including the shallow parts near the basin’s closed end (thus capturing the Kelvin resonance mechanism) is essential to reproduce semi-diurnal and diurnal\ud
tide observations in the Gulf of California, the Adriatic Sea and the Persian Gulf
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