1,180 research outputs found
Wide area protection and fault location : review and evaluation of PMU-based methods
Wide area protection (WAP) systems use multiple sources of information to improve trip times and reduce the complexity of protection settings. Therefore, such communications-enhanced schemes have the potential to replace conventional transmission system backup protection. Through review and assessment of the present state-of-the-art relating to WAP systems, this paper demonstrates how multiple synchrophasor data sources, and the associated communications systems, can be leveraged to enable new forms of supervisory protection. Two case studies are presented: a scalable WAP architecture for future decentralised power systems, and the validation a prototype WAP system, using the principle of distributed photonic sensing, highlighting how new tools can provide cost-effective solutions to emerging protection challenges
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: review and new classification criteria for reporting in clinical trials
STUDY QUESTION
What is an objective approach that employs measurable and reproducible physiologic changes as the basis for the classification of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in order to facilitate more accurate reporting of incidence rates within and across clinical trials?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The OHSS flow diagram is an objective approach that will facilitate consistent capture, classification and reporting of OHSS within and across clinical trials.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
OHSS is a potentially life-threatening iatrogenic complication of the early luteal phase and/or early pregnancy after ovulation induction (OI) or ovarian stimulation (OS). The
clinical picture of OHSS (the constellation of symptoms associated with each stage of the disease) is highly variable, hampering its appropriate classification in clinical trials. Although some degree of ovarian hyperstimulation is normal after stimulation, the point at which symptoms transition from those anticipated to those of a disease state is nebulous.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
An OHSS working group, comprised of subject matter experts and clinical researchers who have significantly contributed to the field of fertility, was convened in April and November 2014.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
The OHSS working group was tasked with reaching a consensus on the definition and the classification of OHSS for reporting in clinical trials. The group engaged in targeted discussion regarding the scientific background of OHSS, the criteria proposed for the definition and the rationale for universal adoption. An agreement was reached after discussion with all members.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
One of the following conditions must be met prior to making the diagnosis of OHSS in the context of a clinical trial: (i) the subject has undergone OS (either controlled OS or OI) AND has received a trigger shot for final oocyte maturation (e.g. hCG, GnRH agonist [GnRHa] or kisspeptin) followed by either fresh transfer or segmentation (cryopreservation of embryos) or (ii) the subject has undergone OS or OI AND has a positive pregnancy test. All study patients who develop symptoms of OHSS should undergo a thorough examination. An OHSS flow diagram was designed to be implemented for all subjects with pelvic or abdominal complaints, such as lower abdominal discomfort or distention, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and/or for subjects suspected of having OHSS. The diagnosis of OHSS should be based on the flow diagram.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This classification system is primarily intended to address the needs of the clinical investigator undertaking clinical trials in the field of OS and may not be applicable for the use in clinical practice or with OHSS occurring under natural circumstances.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The proposed OHSS classification system will enable an accurate estimate of the incidence and severity of OHSS within and across clinical trials performed in women with infertility.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
Financial support for the advisory group meetings was provided by Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. P.H. reports unrestricted research grants from MSD, Merck and Ferring, and honoraria for lectures from MSD, Merck and IBSA. S.M.N. reports that he has received fees and grant support from the following companies (in alphabetic order): Beckman Coulter, Besins, EMD Serono, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Finox, MSD and Roche Diagnostics over the previous 5 years. P.D., C.C.C., J.L.F., H.M.F., and P.L. report no relationships that present a potential conflict of interest. B.C.T. reports: grants and honorarium from Merck Serono; unrestricted research grants, travel grants and honorarium, and participation in a company-sponsored speaker's bureau from Merck Sharp & Dohme; grants, travel grants, honoraria and advisory board membership from IBSA; travel grants from Ferring; and advisory board membership from Ovascience. L.B.S. reports current employment with Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, and owns stock in the company. K.G. and B.J.S. report prior employment with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, and own stock in the company. All reported that competing interests are outside the submitted work. No other relationships or activities exist that could appear to have influenced the submitted work
Mean-field results on the Anderson impurity model out of equilibrium
We investigate the mean-field phase diagram of the Anderson impurity model
out of equilibrium. Generalising the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approach to the
non-equilibrium situation we derive and analyse the system of equations
defining the critical surface separating the magnetic regime from the
non-magnetic one. An exact analytic solution for the phase boundary as a
function of the applied voltage is found in the symmetric case. Surprisingly,
we find that as soon as there is an asymmetry, even small, between the
contacts, no finite voltage is able to destroy the magnetic regime which
persists at arbitrary high voltages.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures (eps files); to appear in PRB Brief Report
Mesoscopic Fluctuations in Quantum Dots in the Kondo Regime
Properties of the Kondo effect in quantum dots depend sensitively on the
coupling parameters and so on the realization of the quantum dot -- the Kondo
temperature itself becomes a mesoscopic quantity. Assuming chaotic dynamics in
the dot, we use random matrix theory to calculate the distribution of both the
Kondo temperature and the conductance in the Coulomb blockade regime. We study
two experimentally relevant cases: leads with single channels and leads with
many channels. In the single-channel case, the distribution of the conductance
is very wide as fluctuates on a logarithmic scale. As the number of
channels increases, there is a slow crossover to a self-averaging regime.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Kondo Effect of Quantum Dots in the Quantum Hall Regime
Quantum dots in the quantum Hall regime can have pairs of single Slater
determinant states that are degenerate in energy. We argue that these pairs of
many body states may give rise to a Kondo effect which can be mapped into an
ordinary Kondo effect in a fictitious magnetic field. We report on several
properties of this Kondo effect using scaling and numerical renormalization
group analysis. We suggest an experiment to investigate this Kondo effect.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. B (5 pages, 4 figures); references added;
several changes in tex
Multi-parameter scaling of the Kondo effect in quantum dots with an even number of electrons
We address a recent theoretical discrepancy concerning the Kondo effect in
quantum dots with an even number of electrons where spin-singlet and -triplet
states are nearly degenerate. We show that the discrepancy arises from the fact
that the Kondo scaling involves many parameters, which makes the results depend
on concrete microscopic models. We illustrate this by the scaling calculations
of the Kondo temperature, , as a function of the energy difference between
the singlet and triplet states . decreases with
increasing , showing a crossover from a power law with a universal
exponent to that with a nonuniversal exponent. The crossover depends on the
initial parameters of the model.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Fano Resonances in Electronic Transport through a Single Electron Transistor
We have observed asymmetric Fano resonances in the conductance of a single
electron transistor resulting from interference between a resonant and a
nonresonant path through the system. The resonant component shows all the
features typical of quantum dots, but the origin of the non-resonant path is
unclear. A unique feature of this experimental system, compared to others that
show Fano line shapes, is that changing the voltages on various gates allows
one to alter the interference between the two paths.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Submitted to PR
Kondo effect in multielectron quantum dots at high magnetic fields
We present a general description of low temperature transport through a
quantum dot with any number of electrons at filling factor . We
provide a general description of a novel Kondo effect which is turned on by
application of an appropriate magnetic field. The spin-flip scattering of
carriers by the quantum dot only involves two states of the scatterer which may
have a large spin. This process is described by spin-flip Hubbard operators,
which change the angular momentum, leading to a Kondo Hamiltonian. We obtain
antiferromagnetic exchange couplings depending on tunneling amplitudes and
correlation effects. Since Kondo temperature has an exponential dependence on
exchange couplings, quantitative variations of the parameters in different
regimes have important experimental consequences. In particular, we discuss the
{\it chess board} aspect of the experimental conductance when represented in a
grey scale as a function of both the magnetic field and the gate potential
affecting the quantum dot
Competing mechanisms for singlet-triplet transition in artificial molecules
We study the magnetic field induced singlet/triplet transition for two
electrons in vertically coupled quantum dots by exact diagonalization of the
Coulomb interaction. We identify the different mechanisms occurring in the
transition, involving either in-plane correlations or localization in opposite
dots, depending on the field direction. Therefore, both spin and orbital
degrees of freedom can be manipulated by field strength and direction. The
phase diagram of realistic devices is determined.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. B - Rapid Comm. - 5 pages, 3 figure
Resistance training enhances delayed memory in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A randomised controlled trial
Objectives
High-intensity exercise is a potential therapeutic tool to postpone or prevent the onset of cognitive decline. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the longitudinal effects of structured resistance training on cognitive function in healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two ecologically valid, intense 12-week resistance training programs on cognitive function in late middle-aged adults.
Design
Single-site parallel randomised controlled trial at the Department of Exercise Science strength and conditioning laboratory. Groups allocated by minimisation randomisation.
Methods
Forty-five healthy adults (age range = 41-69 years) were enrolled and randomised into A.) high-load, long rest resistance training (n = 14), or B.) moderate-load, short rest resistance training (n = 15) twice per week for 12 weeks, or a non-exercising control (n = 16). Follow-up within 7 days. Data were collected September 2016-December 2017. Cognitive function assessed using the CogState computerised battery. Assessors were blinded to participant group allocation. Secondary outcomes were maximal muscle strength and body composition.
Results
Forty-four participants were analysed in 2018. Delayed verbal memory performance was improved (p = 0.02) in resistance training groups (g = 0.67-0.79) when compared to the control group, with no differences between training groups. Likewise, increases in maximal muscle strength were observed (p < 0.01) in resistance training groups when compared to the control group, with no differences between training groups. No differences in body composition were observed. There were no adverse events or side-effects of the intervention.
Conclusions
12 weeks of intense resistance training improves delayed verbal memory irrespective of training design (i.e., high-load vs. moderate-load)
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