720 research outputs found
Accuracy of inference on the physics of binary evolution from gravitational-wave observations
The properties of the population of merging binary black holes encode some of
the uncertain physics of the evolution of massive stars in binaries. The binary
black hole merger rate and chirp mass distribution are being measured by
ground-based gravitational-wave detectors. We consider isolated binary
evolution and explore how accurately the physical model can be constrained with
such observations by applying the Fisher information matrix to the merging
black hole population simulated with the rapid binary population synthesis code
COMPAS. We investigate variations in four COMPAS parameters: common envelope
efficiency, kick velocity dispersion, and mass loss rates during the luminous
blue variable and Wolf--Rayet stellar evolutionary phases. We find that 1000
observations would constrain these model parameters to a fractional accuracy of
a few percent. Given the empirically determined binary black hole merger rate,
we can expect gravitational-wave observations alone to place strong constraints
on the physics of stellar and binary evolution within a few years.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures; version accepted by Monthly Notices of the Royal
Astronomical Societ
Single spin measurement using spin-orbital entanglement
Single spin measurement represents a major challenge for spin-based quantum
computation. In this article we propose a new method for measuring the spin of
a single electron confined in a quantum dot (QD). Our strategy is based on
entangling (using unitary gates) the spin and orbital degrees of freedom. An
{\em orbital qubit}, defined by a second, empty QD, is used as an ancilla and
is prepared in a known initial state. Measuring the orbital qubit will reveal
the state of the (unknown) initial spin qubit, hence reducing the problem to
the easier task of single charge measurement. Since spin-charge conversion is
done with unit probability, single-shot measurement of an electronic spin can
be, in principle, achieved. We evaluate the robustness of our method against
various sources of error and discuss briefly possible implementations.Comment: RevTeX4, 4 pages, some figs; updated to the published versio
Novel Schizophrenia Risk Gene TCF4 Influences Verbal Learning and Memory Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients
Background: Recently, a role of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene in schizophrenia has been reported in a large genome-wide association study. It has been hypothesized that TCF4 affects normal brain development and TCF4 has been related to different forms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Schizophrenia patients exhibit strong impairments of verbal declarative memory (VDM) functions. Thus, we hypothesized that the disease-associated C allele of the rs9960767 polymorphism of the TCF4 gene led to impaired VDM functioning in schizophrenia patients. Method: The TCF4 variant was genotyped in 401 schizophrenia patients. VDM functioning was measured using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Results: Carriers of the C allele were less impaired in recognition compared to those carrying the AA genotype (13.76 vs. 13.06; p = 0.049). Moreover, a trend toward higher scores in patients with the risk allele was found for delayed recall (10.24 vs. 9.41; p = 0.088). The TCF4 genotype did not influence intelligence or RAVLT immediate recall or total verbal learning. Conclusion: VDM function is influenced by the TCF4 gene in schizophrenia patients. However, the elevated risk for schizophrenia is not conferred by TCF4-mediated VDM impairment. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base
Отказоустойчивый многофазный асинхронный электропривод с несинусоидальными токами
Рассмотрен принцип построения многофазного асинхронного электропривода, позволяющего при неоднократных отказах преобразователя частоты и двигателя обеспечить отказоустойчивое управление, на основе программируемых несинусоидальных токов с восстановлением работоспособности за счет активизации алгоритма восстановления в управляющем микроконтроллере. Приведены результаты моделирования для аварийной ситуации типа "обрыв фазы" для случая трехфазного двигателя с частичным восстановлением работоспособности асинхронного двигателя
Internal capsule size associated with outcome in first-episode schizophrenia
Subtle structural brain abnormalities are an established finding in first-episode psychosis. Nevertheless their relationship to the clinical course of schizophrenia is controversially discussed. In a multicentre study 45 first-episode schizophrenia patients (FE-SZ) underwent standardized MRI scanning and were followed up to 1 year. In 32 FE-SZ volumetric measurement of three regions of interests (ROIs) potentially associated with disease course, hippocampus, lateral ventricle and the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) could be performed. The subgroups of FE-SZ with good (12 patients) and poor outcome (11 patients), defined by a clinically relevant change of the PANSS score, were compared with regard to these volumetric measures. Multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant reduced maximal cross sectional area of the left ALIC in FE-SZ with clinically relevant deterioration compared to those with stable psychopathology. There were no differences in the other selected ROIs between the two subgroups. In conclusion, reduced maximal area of ALIC, which can be interpreted as a disturbance of fronto-thalamic connectivity, is associated with poor outcome during the 1 year course of first-episode schizophrenia
Enhanced spontaneous emission from nanodiamond colour centres on opal photonic crystal
Colour centres in diamond are promising candidates as a platform for quantum
technologies and biomedical imaging based on spins and/or photons. Controlling
the emission properties of colour centres in diamond is a key requirement for
developing efficient single photon sources with high collection efficiency. A
number of groups have produced enhancement in the emission rate over narrow
wavelength ranges by coupling single emitters in nanodiamond crystals to
resonant electromagnetic structures. Here we characterise in detail the
spontaneous emission rates of nitrogen-vacancy centres positioned in various
locations on a structured substrate. We show an average factor of 1.5
enhancement of the total emission rate when nanodiamonds are on an opal
photonic crystal surface, and observe changes in the lifetime distribution. We
present a model to explain these observations and associate the lifetime
properties with dipole orientation and polarization effects.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure
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The cell fate determinant Llgl1 influences HSC fitness and prognosis in AML
A unique characteristic of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is the ability to self-renew. Several genes and signaling pathways control the fine balance between self-renewal and differentiation in HSCs and potentially also in leukemia stem cells. Recently, studies have shed light on developmental molecules and evolutionarily conserved signals as regulators of stem cells in hematopoiesis and leukemia. In this study, we provide evidence that the cell fate determinant Llgl1 (lethal giant larvae homolog 1) plays an important role in regulation of HSCs. Loss of Llgl1 leads to an increase in HSC numbers that show increased repopulation capacity and competitive advantage after transplantation. This advantage increases upon serial transplantation or when stress is applied to HSCs. Llgl1−/− HSCs show increased cycling but neither exhaust nor induce leukemia in recipient mice. Llgl1 inactivation is associated with transcriptional repression of transcription factors such as KLF4 (Krüppel-like factor 4) and EGR1 (early-growth-response 1) that are known inhibitors of HSC self-renewal. Decreased Llgl1 expression in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells is associated with inferior patient survival. Thus, inactivation of Llgl1 enhances HSC self-renewal and fitness and is associated with unfavorable outcome in human AML
Single photon emitters based on Ni/Si related defects in single crystalline diamond
We present investigations on single Ni/Si related color centers produced via
ion implantation into single crystalline type IIa CVD diamond. Testing
different ion dose combinations we show that there is an upper limit for both
the Ni and the Si dose 10^12/cm^2 and 10^10/cm^2 resp.) due to creation of
excess fluorescent background. We demonstrate creation of Ni/Si related centers
showing emission in the spectral range between 767nm and 775nm and narrow
line-widths of 2nm FWHM at room temperature. Measurements of the intensity
auto-correlation functions prove single-photon emission. The investigated color
centers can be coarsely divided into two groups: Drawing from photon statistics
and the degree of polarization in excitation and emission we find that some
color centers behave as two-level, single-dipole systems whereas other centers
exhibit three levels and contributions from two orthogonal dipoles. In
addition, some color centers feature stable and bright emission with saturation
count rates up to 78kcounts/s whereas others show fluctuating count rates and
three-level blinking.Comment: 7 pages, submitted to Applied Physics B, revised versio
Prevalence and correlates of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes: results from the International Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes and Depression (INTERPRET‐DD) study, a collaborative study carried out in 14 countries
Aims
To assess the prevalence and management of depressive disorders in people with Type 2 diabetes in different countries.
Methods
People with diabetes aged 18–65 years and treated in outpatient settings were recruited in 14 countries and underwent a psychiatric interview. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale. Demographic and medical record data were collected.
Results
A total of 2783 people with Type 2 diabetes (45.3% men, mean duration of diabetes 8.8 years) participated. Overall, 10.6% were diagnosed with current major depressive disorder and 17.0% reported moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology (Patient Health Questionnaire scores >9). Multivariable analyses showed that, after controlling for country, current major depressive disorder was significantly associated with gender (women) (PPPPP<0.0001). The proportion of those with either current major depressive disorder or moderate to severe levels of depressive symptomatology who had a diagnosis or any treatment for their depression recorded in their medical records was extremely low and non-existent in many countries (0–29.6%).
Conclusions
Our international study, the largest of this type ever undertaken, shows that people with diabetes frequently have depressive disorders and also significant levels of depressive symptoms. Our findings indicate that the identification and appropriate care for psychological and psychiatric problems is not the norm and suggest a lack of the comprehensive approach to diabetes management that is needed to improve clinical outcomes
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