94 research outputs found
Connection Between Wave Functions in the Dirac and Foldy-Wouthuysen Representations
The connection between wave functions in the Dirac and Foldy-Wouthuysen
representations is found. When the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation is exact,
upper spinors in two representations differ only by constant factors, and lower
spinors in the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation are equal to zero.Comment: 7 page
Relationship between exhaled air temperature and exhaled nitric oxide in childhood asthma
Airway inflammation is a characteristic of asthma. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) has been demonstrated to be related to actual levels of airway inflammation in asthmatic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the temperature of exhaled air is related to eNO levels. Temperature of exhaled air and eNO were measured in 52 asthmatic children with a cross-sectional design. A significant relationship was demonstrated between eNO and temperature of peak and plateau exhaled air temperature. The relationship between both the peak and the plateau values and eNO was more evident when it was corrected for environmental temperature. These results suggest a relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and the temperature of exhaled air in asthmatic patients not treated with systemic steroids
iStent as a Solo Procedure for Glaucoma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. It is firmly entrenched in the traditional treatment paradigm to start with pharmacotherapy. However, pharmacotherapy is not benign and has been well documented to have a number of significant challenges. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that targets the outflow pathway with minimal to no scleral dissection has resulted in the need to reconsider the glaucoma treatment paradigm.
PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and quantify the effect on post-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of topical glaucoma medications, in patients receiving the iStent MIGS device as the solo procedure without concurrent cataract surgery.
METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching various databases between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2014. Studies reporting up to a maximum follow-up period of 24 months were retrieved and screened using the EPPI-Reviewer 4 gateway. Percentage reduction in IOP (IOPR%), and mean reduction in topical glaucoma medications after surgery were computed. Meta-analysis was performed using STATA v. 13.0. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated as the effect size for continuous scale outcomes. Heterogeneity was determined using the I2 statistics, Z-value, and χ2 statistics. Fixed-effect and random-effect models were developed based on heterogeneity. Sub-group analysis was performed based on the number of iStents implanted and the follow-up period. The outcome measures were changes in the IOP and number of glaucoma medications.
RESULTS: The search strategy identified 105 records from published literature and 9 records from the grey literature. Five studies with 248 subjects were included for quantitative synthesis. A 22% IOP reduction (IOPR%) from baseline occurred at 18-months after one iStent implant, 30% at 6-months after two iStents implantations, and 40% at 6-months after implantation of three iStents. A mean reduction of 1.2 bottles per patient of topical glaucoma medications occurred at 18-months after one iStent implant, 1.45 bottles per patient at 6-months after two iStents, and one bottle of medication per patient was reduced at 6-months following placement of three iStents implants. Meta-analysis results showed a significant reduction in the IOP after one iStent (SMD = -1.68, 95% CI: [-2.7, -0.61]), two iStents (SMD = -1.88, 95% CI: [-2.2, -1.56]), and three iStents (SMD = -2, 95% CI: [-2.62, -1.38]) implantation. Results showed a significant drop in the topical glaucoma medications after one iStent (SMD = -2.11, CI: [-3.95, -0.27]), two iStent (SMD = -1.88, CI: [-2.20, -1.56]), and three iStents (SMD = -2.00, CI: [-2.62, -1.38]) implantation. The maximum reduction in IOP occurred at 12-months (SMD = -2.21, CI: [-2.53, -1.88]) and a significant reduction in post-operative topical glaucoma medications occurred even after 18-months of iStent implantation (SMD = -0.71, CI: [-1.15, -0.26]).
CONCLUSION: iStent implantation as a solo procedure without concurrent cataract extraction does lower IOP, and reduces the dependency on glaucoma medications. This effect seems to last at least 18 months
Thomas rotation and Thomas precession
Exact and simple calculation of Thomas rotation and Thomas precessions along
a circular world line is presented in an absolute (coordinate-free) formulation
of special relativity. Besides the simplicity of calculations the absolute
treatment of spacetime allows us to gain a deeper insight into the phenomena of
Thomas rotation and Thomas precession.Comment: 20 pages, to appear in Int. J. Theo. Phy
Semiclassical limit for Dirac particles interacting with a gravitational field
The behavior of spin-1/2 particle in a weak static gravitational field is
considered. The Dirac Hamiltonian is diagonalized by the Foldy-Wouthuysen
transformation providing also the simple form for the momentum and spin
polarization operators. The operator equations of momentum and spin motion are
derived for a first time. Their semiclassical limit is analyzed. The dipole
spin-gravity coupling in the previously found (another) Hamiltonian does not
lead to any observable effects. The general agreement between the quantum and
classical analysis is established, contrary to several recent claims. The
expression for gravitational Stern-Gerlach force is derived. The helicity
evolution in the gravitational field and corresponding accelerated frame
coincides, being the manifestation of the equivalence principle.Comment: 8 pages, no figures; version to appear in Physical Review
Equations of Motion of Spinning Relativistic Particle in Electromagnetic and Gravitational Fields
We consider the motion of a spinning relativistic particle in external
electromagnetic and gravitational fields, to first order in the external field,
but to an arbitrary order in spin. The noncovariant spin formalism is crucial
for the correct description of the influence of the spin on the particle
trajectory. We show that the true coordinate of a relativistic spinning
particle is its naive, common coordinate \r. Concrete calculations are
performed up to second order in spin included. A simple derivation is presented
for the gravitational spin-orbit and spin-spin interactions of a relativistic
particle. We discuss the gravimagnetic moment (GM), a specific spin effect in
general relativity. It is shown that for the Kerr black hole the gravimagnetic
ratio, i.e., the coefficient at the GM, equals unity (just as for the charged
Kerr hole the gyromagnetic ratio equals two). The equations of motion obtained
for relativistic spinning particle in external gravitational field differ
essentially from the Papapetrou equations.Comment: 32 pages, latex, Plenary talk at the Fairbank Meeting on the
Lense--Thirring Effect, Rome-Pescara, 29/6-4/7 199
On the relation of Thomas rotation and angular velocity of reference frames
In the extensive literature dealing with the relativistic phenomenon of
Thomas rotation several methods have been developed for calculating the Thomas
rotation angle of a gyroscope along a circular world line. One of the most
appealing concepts, introduced in \cite{rindler}, is to consider a rotating
reference frame co-moving with the gyroscope, and relate the precession of the
gyroscope to the angular velocity of the reference frame. A recent paper
\cite{herrera}, however, applies this principle to three different co-moving
rotating reference frames and arrives at three different Thomas rotation
angles. The reason for this apparent paradox is that the principle of
\cite{rindler} is used for a situation to which it does not apply. In this
paper we rigorously examine the theoretical background and limitations of
applicability of the principle of \cite{rindler}. Along the way we also
establish some general properties of {\it rotating reference frames}, which may
be of independent interest.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure
Equations of Motion of Spinning Relativistic Particle in External Fields
We consider the motion of a spinning relativistic particle in external
electromagnetic and gravitational fields, to first order in the external field,
but to an arbitrary order in spin. The correct account for the spin influence
on the particle trajectory is obtained with the noncovariant description of
spin. Concrete calculations are performed up to second order in spin included.
A simple derivation is presented for the gravitational spin-orbit and spin-spin
interactions of a relativistic particle. We discuss the gravimagnetic moment
(GM), a specific spin effect in general relativity. It is demonstrated that for
the Kerr black hole the gravimagnetic ratio, i.e., the coefficient at the GM,
equals to unity (as well as for the charged Kerr hole the gyromagnetic ratio
equals to two). The equations of motion obtained for relativistic spinning
particle in external gravitational field differ essentially from the Papapetrou
equations.Comment: 22 pages, latex, no figure
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