Magnetically Stabilized Nematic Order I: Three-Dimensional Bipartite Optical Lattices

We study magnetically stabilized nematic order for spin-one bosons in optical lattices. We show that the Zeeman field-driven quantum transitions between non-nematic Mott states and quantum spin nematic states in the weak hopping limit are in the universality class of the ferromagnetic XXZ (S=1/2) spin model. We further discuss these transitions as condensation of interacting magnons. The development of O(2) nematic order when external fields are applied corresponds to condensation of magnons, which breaks a U(1) symmetry. Microscopically, this results from a coherent superposition of two non-nematic states at each individual site. Nematic order and spin wave excitations around critical points are studied and critical behaviors are obtained in a dilute gas approximation. We also find that spin singlet states are unstable with respect to quadratic Zeeman effects and Ising nematic order appears in the presence of any finite quadratic Zeeman coupling. All discussions are carried out for states in three dimensional bipartite lattices.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure

Comment on Young-Hyman et al. Psychosocial care for people with diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 2016;39:2126–2140

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The longitudinal association between glycaemic control and health-related quality of life following insulin therapy optimisation in type 2 diabetes patients. A prospective observational study in secondary care

Purpose To test whether improvement in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) as a marker of glycaemic control, following intensifying insulin therapy, is associated with improvements in HRQoL. Methods Dutch sub-optimally controlled (HbA(1c) > 7%) type 2 diabetes patients (N = 447, mean age 59 +/- 11) initiated insulin glargine therapy. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months, and included HbA1c and measures of HRQoL: diabetes symptom distress (Diabetes Symptom Checklist-revised; DSC-r), fear of hypoglycaemia (Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey; HFS-w) and emotional well-being (WHO-5 wellbeing index). Results HbA(1c) decreased from 8.8 +/- 1.4% to 8.0 +/- 1.2% and 7.7 +/- 1.3% at 3 and 6 months follow-up, respectively (P <0.001), DSC-r score improved from 17.7 +/- 14.7 to 14.3 +/- 13.3 and 13.6 +/- 13.3 (P <0.001). HFS-w score did not significantly change. WHO-5 score increased from 56 +/- 23 to 62 +/- 23 and 65 +/- 22 P <0.001). A modest, significant association was found between HbA(1c) and WHO-5 score (B = -1.8, 95% CI: -2.7 to -0.8) and HbA1c and DSC-r score (B = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.4 to 1.6). No such association was found for HFS-w score. Conclusions An association between improvement in HbA(1c) by means of optimising insulin therapy and improvement in HRQoL in type 2 diabetes patients has been observed. A weak, yet significant longitudinal association was found between improved HbA(1c) and emotional well-being and diabetes symptom distres

Theory of vortex-lattice melting in a one-dimensional optical lattice

We investigate quantum and temperature fluctuations of a vortex lattice in a one-dimensional optical lattice. We discuss in particular the Bloch bands of the Tkachenko modes and calculate the correlation function of the vortex positions along the direction of the optical lattice. Because of the small number of particles in the pancake Bose-Einstein condensates at every site of the optical lattice, finite-size effects become very important. Moreover, the fluctuations in the vortex positions are inhomogeneous due to the inhomogeneous density. As a result, the melting of the lattice occurs from the outside inwards. However, tunneling between neighboring pancakes substantially reduces the inhomogeneity as well as the size of the fluctuations. On the other hand, nonzero temperatures increase the size of the fluctuations dramatically. We calculate the crossover temperature from quantum melting to classical melting. We also investigate melting in the presence of a quartic radial potential, where a liquid can form in the center instead of at the outer edge of the pancake Bose-Einstein condensates.Comment: 17 pages, 17 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. A, references update

Management of chronic cardiometabolic conditions and mental health during COVID-19

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, China December 2019 and quickly became a global pandemic. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions may show more severe manifestations and poorer outcomes associated with COVID-19. The most prevalent underlying diseases in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [1]. Comorbidities are often also associated with depression, which can worsen outcomes [2]. Early detection is vital, and it is important that those with underlying health conditions have access to appropriate health care support at home, particularly in light of the concerns of the impact of social isolation relating to the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being

A phase II study of paclitaxel in heavily pretreated patients with small-cell lung cancer.

The purpose of the study was to delineate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel (Taxol, Bristol Myers Squibb) in the treatment of drug resistant small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients with SCLC relapsing within 3 months of cytotoxic therapy received paclitaxel 175 mg m(-2) intravenously over 3 h every 3 weeks. The dose of paclitaxel was adjusted to the toxicity encountered in the previous cycle. Of 24 patients entered into the study, 24 and 21 were assessable for response and toxicity respectively. There were two early deaths and two toxic deaths. No complete and seven partial responses (29%) (95%CI 12-51%) were observed and five patients had disease stabilization. The median survival (n = 21) was 100 days. Life-threatening toxicity occurred in four patients; in others (non)-haematological toxicity was manageable. Paclitaxel is active in drug-resistant SCLC. Further investigation in combination with other active agents in this poor prognosis group is appropriate

Validation of the Chinese Version of the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID-C) Scale

OBJECTIVE To examine the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID-C) scale.\ud \ud RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The reliability and validity of the PAID-C were evaluated in a convenience sample of 205 outpatients with type 2 diabetes. Confirmatory factor analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and Spearman's correlations facilitated the psychometric evaluation.\ud \ud RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a one-factor structure of the PAID-C (χ2/df ratio = 1.894, goodness-of-fit index = 0.901, comparative fit index = 0.905, root mean square error of approximation = 0.066). The PAID-C was associated with A1C (rs = 0.15; P < 0.05) and diabetes self-care behaviors in general diet (rs = −0.17; P < 0.05) and exercise (rs = −0.17; P < 0.05). The 4-week test-retest reliability demonstrated satisfactory stability (rs = 0.83; P < 0.01).\ud \ud CONCLUSIONS The PAID-C is a reliable and valid measure to determine diabetes-related emotional distress in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes

Web-Based Depression Treatment for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE - Comorbid depression is common in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, adversely affecting quality of life, diabetes outcomes, and mortality. Depression can be effectively treated with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). The Internet is a new and attractive method for delivering CBT intervention on a large scale at relatively low costs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Web-based CBT for depression treatment in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, with minimal guidance. RESEARCH DESIGN ANDMETHODS - A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Netherlands in 255 adult diabetic patients with elevated depressive symptoms. Primary outcomes were depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes were diabetes-specific emotional distress and glycemic control. Assessments were at baseline, after treatment, and at the 1-month follow-up. RESULTS - The Web-based CBT was effective in reducing depressive symptoms by intention-to-treat analyses (P = 0.04, d = 0.29; clinical improvement 41% vs. 24% P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS - Web-based CBT depression treatment is effective in reducing depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In addition, the intervention reduces diabetes-specific emotional distress in depressed patients. © 2011 by the American Diabetes Association