592 research outputs found
Gravitational wave scintillation by a stellar cluster
The diffraction effects on gravitational waves propagating through a stellar
cluster are analyzed in the relevant approximation of Fresnel diffraction
limit. We find that a gravitational wave scintillation effect - similar to the
radio source scintillation effect - comes out naturally, implying that the
gravitational wave intensity changes in a characteristic way as the observer
moves.Comment: 9 pages, in press in IJMP
P 304 Title: Computer analysis of optic nerve head photographs: The difference between real and filtered images
Planck view of the M82 galaxy
Planck data towards the galaxy M82 are analyzed in the 70, 100 and 143 GHz
bands. A substantial north-south and East-West temperature asymmetry is found,
extending up to 1 degree from the galactic center. Being almost
frequency-independent, these temperature asymmetries are indicative of a
Doppler-induced effect regarding the line-of-sight dynamics on the halo scale,
the ejections from the galactic center and, possibly, even the tidal
interaction with M81 galaxy. The temperature asymmetry thus acts as a
model-independent tool to reveal the bulk dynamics in nearby edge-on spiral
galaxies, like the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect for clusters of galaxies.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, in press on A&
Planck revealed bulk motion of Centaurus A lobes
Planck data towards the active galaxy Centaurus A are analyzed in the 70, 100
and 143 GHz bands. We find a temperature asymmetry of the northern radio lobe
with respect to the southern one that clearly extends at least up to 5 degrees
from the Cen A center and diminishes towards the outer regions of the lobes.
That transparent parameter - the temperature asymmetry - thus has to carry a
principal information, i.e. indication on the line-of-sight bulk motion of the
lobes, while the increase of that asymmetry at smaller radii reveals the
differential dynamics of the lobes as expected at ejections from the center.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Letter to the Editor
(in press
Messier 81's Planck view vs its halo mapping
This paper is a follow-up of a previous paper about the M82 galaxy and its
halo based on Planck observations. As in the case of M82, so also for the M81
galaxy a substantial North-South and East-West temperature asymmetry is found,
extending up to galactocentric distances of about . The temperature
asymmetry is almost frequency independent and can be interpreted as a
Doppler-induced effect related to the M81 halo rotation and/or triggered by the
gravitational interaction of the galaxies within the M81 Group. Along with the
analogous study of several nearby edge-on spiral galaxies, the CMB temperature
asymmetry method thus is shown to act as a direct tool to map the galactic
haloes and/or the intergalactic bridges, invisible in other bands or by other
methods.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, in press in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Main
Journa
Planck's confirmation of the M31 disk and halo rotation
Planck's data acquired during the first 15.4 months of observations towards
both the disk and halo of the M31 galaxy are analyzed. We confirm the existence
of a temperature asymmetry, previously detected by using the 7-year WMAP data,
along the direction of the M31 rotation, therefore indicative of a
Doppler-induced effect. The asymmetry extends up to about 10 degrees (about 130
kpc) from the M31 center. We also investigate the recent issue raised in Rubin
and Loeb (2014) about the kinetic Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect from the diffuse hot
gas in the Local Group, predicted to generate a hot spot of a few degrees size
in the CMB maps in the direction of M31, where the free electron optical depth
gets the maximum value. We also consider the issue whether in the opposite
direction with respect to the M31 galaxy the same effect induces a minimum in
temperature in the Planck's maps of the sky. We find that the Planck's data at
100 GHz show an effect even larger than that expected.Comment: 4 pages, 1 table, 2 figures, in press as a Letter in A&
Triangulum galaxy viewed by Planck
We used Planck data to study the M33 galaxy and find a substantial
temperature asymmetry with respect to its minor axis projected onto the sky
plane. This temperature asymmetry correlates well with the HI velocity field at
21 cm, at least within a galactocentric distance of 0.5 degree, and it is found
to extend up to about 3 degrees from the galaxy center. We conclude that the
revealed effect, that is, the temperature asymmetry and its extension, implies
that we detected the differential rotation of the M33 galaxy and of its
extended baryonic halo.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, in press on Astronomy and Astrophysics, main
journa
Phantom model and scoring system to assess ability in ultrasound-guided chest drain positioning
Background: Chest tube positioning is an invasive procedure associated with potentially serious injuries. In the last few years, we have been running a project directed at developing a practical simulator of a surgical procedure taught on our medical training program. The phantom model reconstructs the pleural anatomy, visible by lung ultrasound, used for the assessed performance of the Seldinger technique. The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of this simulation technology for assessing residents in anesthesia and intensive care medicine; specifically, their skill in positioning a US-guided chest tube drain was tested using the simulator device. The second aim of the paper was to evaluate the learning curve of our residents over their 5-year study course and validate the phantom scoring system. Methods: This was a prospective, single-blinded observational study. Participants were recruited from residents in anesthesia and intensive care medicine and divided into two groups: \u2018Novice\u2019 and \u2018Expert,\u2019 based on the course year attended (years 1, 2, and 3 vs. years 4 and 5, respectively). We asked them to position a chest tube drain in a phantom model, guided by ultrasound, to drain a simulated pleural effusion. Each subject performed two tests that simulated pleural effusions of 4 and 2\ua0cm, respectively. Every step of the maneuver was constantly monitored and the performance scored by the investigators. We then performed a Spearman correlation analysis to evaluate the effect of experience level on the performance of the two groups of residents. Results: Thirty-one residents were included in this study: 20 in the Novice group and 11 in the Expert group. The mean performance rating score was 0.75\ua0\ub1\ua04.38 for the Novice Group and 5.91\ua0\ub1\ua03.75 for the Expert group (p\ua0=\ua00.0026). The Spearman correlation analysis examining the relationship between year of residency and performance rating score confirmed a positive correlation (r\ua0=\ua00.58, p\ua0=\ua00.0006). Post-test trend analysis revealed a statistically significant linear trend for skill growth across time, i.e., course year (p\ua0=\ua00.0022). Conclusions: Our simulated procedure using a phantom model of lung anatomy can accurately and reliably be used to assess the skill levels of operators in their ability to drain pleural effusion
Management of Medico-Legal Risks in Digital Health Era: A Scoping Review
Artificial intelligence needs big data to develop reliable predictions. Therefore, storing and processing health data is essential for the new diagnostic and decisional technologies but, at the same time, represents a risk for privacy protection. This scoping review is aimed at underlying the medico-legal and ethical implications of the main artificial intelligence applications to healthcare, also focusing on the issues of the COVID-19 era. Starting from a summary of the United States (US) and European Union (EU) regulatory frameworks, the current medico-legal and ethical challenges are discussed in general terms before focusing on the specific issues regarding informed consent, medical malpractice/cognitive biases, automation and interconnectedness of medical devices, diagnostic algorithms and telemedicine. We aim at underlying that education of physicians on the management of this (new) kind of clinical risks can enhance compliance with regulations and avoid legal risks for the healthcare professionals and institutions
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