Atoms in a spin-dependent optical lattice potential as a topological insulator with broken time-reversal symmetry

We investigate fermionic $^{6}$Li $F= 1/2$ atoms in a 2D spin-dependent optical lattice potential (SDOLP) generated by intersecting laser beams with a superposition of polarizations. The effective interaction of a Li atom with the electromagnetic field contains a scalar and vector (called as fictitious magnetic field, ${\bf B}_\mathrm{fic}$) contribution. We calculate the band structure of Li atoms in the SDOLP as a function of the laser intensity and an external magnetic field ${\bf B}_{\mathrm{ext}} = B_{\mathrm{ext}} {\hat {\bf z}}$. We also calculate the Chern numbers of the SDOLP and show that depending on $B_{\mathrm{ext}}$, the system is an ordinary insulator, an Abeliean topological insulator (TI), or a non-Abelian TI. Introducing a blue-detuned laser potential, $V_{\mathrm{BD}}(y) = V_{\mathrm{BD},0}(y) \Theta (|y| - L_y/2)$, results in edges for the SDOL. We calculate the resulting edge states (some of which are topological) and study their density, current density, spin-current density and correlate the edge states with the Chern numbers.Comment: 5 pages, 4 eps figures and Supplementary material

Forbidden transitions in the helium atom

Nonrelativistically forbidden, single-photon transition rates between low lying states of the helium atom are rigorously derived within quantum electrodynamics theory. Equivalence of velocity and length gauges, including relativistic corrections is explicitly demonstrated. Numerical calculations of matrix elements are performed with the use of high precision variational wave functions and compared to former results.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Comparison of temperature measurements in esophagus and urinary bladder in comatose patients after cardiac arrest undergoing mild therapeutic hypothermia

Background: Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) is a recommended method of treatment for comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. However, the proper site of temperature measurement in MTH is still not defined. The aim of this study was to compare temperature measurements in the esophagus and urinary bladder in comatose post-OHCA patients treated with MTH.Methods: This temperature comparison protocol was a part of a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study. The study population included 36 unconscious patients after resuscitation for OHCA. The patient’s core temperature was independently measured every hour during MTH in the urinary bladder and in the esophagus.Results: The mean temperature was lower in the esophagus (differences during induction phase: 1.04 ± 0.92°C, p < 0.0001; stabilization phase: 0.54 ± 0.39°C, p < 0.0001; rewarming phase: 0.40 ± 0.47°C, p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, a strong correlation between both sites was found (R2 = 0.83, p < 0.001). The decrease in temperature observed in the esophagus during the induction phase was faster when compared with the urinary bladder (1.09 ± 0.71°C/h vs. 0.83 ± 0.41°C/h; p = 0.002). As a consequence, time to reach temperature < 34.0°C was longer when temperature was measured in the urinary bladder (the difference between medians of the time 1.0 [0–1.5] h, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Urinary bladder temperature measurements may lag behind temperature changes measured in the esophagus. Monitoring temperature simultaneously in the esophagus and in the urinary bladder is an accessible and reliable combination, although esophageal measurements seem to better reflect the dynamics of temperature changes, thus it seems to be more appropriate for MTH control. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0261193

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts. June 4-7, 2019, Szczyrk, Polan

Prevalence of arrhythmia in adults after fontan operation

Structural, hemodynamic, and morphological cardiac changes following Fontan operation (FO) can contribute to the development of arrhythmias and conduction disorders. Sinus node dysfunction, junction rhythms, tachyarrhythmias, and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are some of the commonly reported arrhythmias. Only a few studies have analyzed this condition in adults after FO. This study aimed to determine the type and prevalence of arrhythmias and conduction disorders among patients who underwent FO and were under the medical surveillance of the John Paul II Hospital in Krakow. Data for the study were obtained from 50 FO patients (mean age 24 ± 5.7 years; 28 men (56%)). The median follow-up time was 4 (2–9) years. Each patient received a physical examination, an echocardiographic assessment, and a 24 h electrocardiogram assessment. Bradyarrhythmia was diagnosed in 22 patients (44%), supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in 14 patients (28%), and VAs in 6 patients (12%). Six patients required pacemaker implantation, and three required radiofrequency catheter ablation (6%). Arrythmias is a widespread clinical problem in adults after FO. It can lead to serious haemodynamic impairment, and therefore requires early diagnosis and effective treatment with the use of modern approaches, including electrotherapy methods