106 research outputs found
Some Calculable Contributions to Entanglement Entropy
Entanglement entropy appears as a central property of quantum systems in
broad areas of physics. However, its precise value is often sensitive to
unknown microphysics, rendering it incalculable. By considering parametric
dependence on correlation length, we extract finite, calculable contributions
to the entanglement entropy for a scalar field between the interior and
exterior of a spatial domain of arbitrary shape. The leading term is
proportional to the area of the dividing boundary; we also extract finite
subleading contributions for a field defined in the bulk interior of a
waveguide in 3+1 dimensions, including terms proportional to the waveguide's
cross-sectional geometry; its area, perimeter length, and integrated curvature.
We also consider related quantities at criticality and suggest a class of
systems for which these contributions might be measurable.Comment: 4+ pages, 1 figure. v2: Some clarifications and more references;
updated to resemble version published in PR
Melting of persistent double-stranded polymers
Motivated by recent DNA-pulling experiments, we revisit the Poland-Scheraga
model of melting a double-stranded polymer. We include distinct bending
rigidities for both the double-stranded segments, and the single-stranded
segments forming a bubble. There is also bending stiffness at the branch points
between the two segment types. The transfer matrix technique for single
persistent chains is generalized to describe the branching bubbles. Properties
of spherical harmonics are then exploited in truncating and numerically solving
the resulting transfer matrix. This allows efficient computation of phase
diagrams and force-extension curves (isotherms). While the main focus is on
exposition of the transfer matrix technique, we provide general arguments for a
reentrant melting transition in stiff double strands. Our theoretical approach
can also be extended to study polymers with bubbles of any number of strands,
with potential applications to molecules such as collagen.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
Axion Cosmology and the Energy Scale of Inflation
We survey observational constraints on the parameter space of inflation and
axions and map out two allowed windows: the classic window and the inflationary
anthropic window. The cosmology of the latter is particularly interesting;
inflationary axion cosmology predicts the existence of isocurvature
fluctuations in the CMB, with an amplitude that grows with both the energy
scale of inflation and the fraction of dark matter in axions. Statistical
arguments favor a substantial value for the latter, and so current bounds on
isocurvature fluctuations imply tight constraints on inflation. For example, an
axion Peccei-Quinn scale of 10^16 GeV excludes any inflation model with energy
scale > 3.8*10^14 GeV (r > 2*10^(-9)) at 95% confidence, and so implies
negligible gravitational waves from inflation, but suggests appreciable
isocurvature fluctuations.Comment: 10 PRD pages, 4 figs, V3: updated to match published versio
The Effective Field Theory of Cosmological Large Scale Structures
Large scale structure surveys will likely become the next leading
cosmological probe. In our universe, matter perturbations are large on short
distances and small at long scales, i.e. strongly coupled in the UV and weakly
coupled in the IR. To make precise analytical predictions on large scales, we
develop an effective field theory formulated in terms of an IR effective fluid
characterized by several parameters, such as speed of sound and viscosity.
These parameters, determined by the UV physics described by the Boltzmann
equation, are measured from N-body simulations. We find that the speed of sound
of the effective fluid is c_s^2 10^(-6) and that the viscosity contributions
are of the same order. The fluid describes all the relevant physics at long
scales k and permits a manifestly convergent perturbative expansion in the size
of the matter perturbations \delta(k) for all the observables. As an example,
we calculate the correction to the power spectrum at order \delta(k)^4. The
predictions of the effective field theory are found to be in much better
agreement with observation than standard cosmological perturbation theory,
already reaching percent precision at this order up to a relatively short scale
k \sim 0.24 h/Mpc.Comment: v2: typos corrected, JHEP published versio
Effects on the CMB from Compactification Before Inflation
Many theories beyond the Standard Model include extra dimensions, though these have yet to be directly observed. In this work we consider the possibility of a compactification mechanism which both allows extra dimensions and is compatible with current observations. This compactification is predicted to leave a signature on the CMB by altering the amplitude of the low l multipoles, dependent on the amount of inflation. Recently discovered CMB anomalies at low multipoles may be evidence for this. In our model we assume the spacetime is the product of a four-dimensional spacetime and flat extra dimensions. Before the compactification, both the four-dimensional space- time and the extra dimensions can either be expanding or contracting independently. Taking into account physical constraints, we explore the observational consequences and the plausibility of these different models
CMBPol Mission Concept Study: Probing Inflation with CMB Polarization
We summarize the utility of precise cosmic microwave background (CMB)
polarization measurements as probes of the physics of inflation. We focus on
the prospects for using CMB measurements to differentiate various inflationary
mechanisms. In particular, a detection of primordial B-mode polarization would
demonstrate that inflation occurred at a very high energy scale, and that the
inflaton traversed a super-Planckian distance in field space. We explain how
such a detection or constraint would illuminate aspects of physics at the
Planck scale. Moreover, CMB measurements can constrain the scale-dependence and
non-Gaussianity of the primordial fluctuations and limit the possibility of a
significant isocurvature contribution. Each such limit provides crucial
information on the underlying inflationary dynamics. Finally, we quantify these
considerations by presenting forecasts for the sensitivities of a future
satellite experiment to the inflationary parameters.Comment: 107 pages, 14 figures, 17 tables; Inflation Working Group
contribution to the CMBPol Mission Concept Study; v2: typos fixed and
references adde
Allogeneic transplantation provides durable remission in a subset of DLBCL patients relapsing after autologous transplantation
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133605/1/bjh14046.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133605/2/bjh14046_am.pd
Allogeneic Transplantation Provides Durable Remission in a Subset of DLBCL Patients Relapsing after Autologous Transplantation
For diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients progressing after autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT), allogeneic HCT (alloHCT) is often considered, although limited information is available to guide patient selection. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database, we identified 503 patients who underwent alloHCT after disease progression/relapse following a prior autoHCT. The 3-year probabilities of non-relapse mortality, progression/relapse, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 30, 38, 31 and 37% respectively. Factors associated with inferior PFS on multivariate analysis included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) <80, chemoresistance, autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1-year and myeloablative conditioning. Factors associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis included KPS<80, chemoresistance and myeloablative conditioning. Three adverse prognostic factors were used to construct a prognostic model for PFS, including KPS<80 (4 points), autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1-year (2 points) and chemoresistant disease at alloHCT (5 points). This CIBMTR prognostic model classified patients into four groups: low-risk (0 points), intermediate-risk (2-5 points), high-risk (6-9 points) or very high-risk (11 points), predicting 3-year PFS of 40, 32, 11 and 6%, respectively, with 3-year OS probabilities of 43, 39, 19 and 11% respectively. In conclusion, the CIBMTR prognostic model identifies a subgroup of DLBCL patients experiencing long-term survival with alloHCT after a failed prior autoHCT
Fitness, motor competence and body composition as correlates of adolescent neck/shoulder pain: an exploratory cross-sectional study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adolescent neck/shoulder pain (NSP) is a common and sometimes debilitating problem. Several risk factors for this condition have been investigated, but no studies have previously evaluated associations between fitness, motor competence, body composition and adolescent NSP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1608 males and females of mean age 14 years answered questions on their history of NSP (4 measures), and were tested for aerobic fitness, upper and lower limb power, trunk endurance, grip strength, shoulder flexibility, motor competence and anthropometric factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to test for associations between NSP and physical variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were significant gender differences for most physical and pain variables. After multivariate analysis, males had lower odds of NSP if they had reduced back endurance [OR: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.46–0.97)], reduced persistent control [0.42 (0.19–0.95], and increased muscle power [0.33 (0.12–0.94)], and higher odds of NSP if they had a higher basketball throw [2.47 (1.22–5.00)] and jump performance [3.47 (1.55–7.74)]. Females had lower odds for NSP if they had a reduced jump performance [0.61(0.41–0.92)], a better basketball throw [0.60(0.40–0.90)], lower shoulder flexibility [0.54 (0.30–0.98)] and a higher aerobic capacity [0.61 (0.40–0.93)], and higher odds for NSP if they had greater abdominal endurance [1.57(1.07–2.31)] and greater bimanual dexterity [1.77(1.18–2.65)]. Females showed a U shaped relationship between NSP and back endurance [low: 2.12 (1.20–3.74); high 2.12 (1.18–3.83)].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Adolescent NSP was associated with fitness and motor competence, although the associations varied with gender, and their strength was limited.</p
Assessing the efficacy and tolerability of PET-guided BrECADD versus eBEACOPP in advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HD21): a randomised, multicentre, parallel, open-label, phase 3 trial
Background
Intensified systemic chemotherapy has the highest primary cure rate for advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma but this comes with a cost of severe and potentially life long, persisting toxicities. With the new regimen of brentuximab vedotin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dacarbazine, and dexamethasone (BrECADD), we aimed to improve the risk-to-benefit ratio of treatment of advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma guided by PET after two cycles.
Methods
This randomised, multicentre, parallel, open-label, phase 3 trial was done in 233 trial sites across nine countries. Eligible patients were adults (aged ≤60 years) with newly diagnosed, advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (ie, Ann Arbor stage III/IV, stage II with B symptoms, and either one or both risk factors of large mediastinal mass and extranodal lesions). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to four or six cycles (21-day intervals) of escalated doses of etoposide (200 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1–3), doxorubicin (35 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1), and cyclophosphamide (1250 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1), and standard doses of bleomycin (10 mg/m2 intravenously on day 8), vincristine (1·4 mg/m2 intravenously on day 8), procarbazine (100 mg/m2 orally on days 1–7), and prednisone (40 mg/m2 orally on days 1–14; eBEACOPP) or BrECADD, guided by PET after two cycles. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. Hierarchical coprimary objectives were to show (1) improved tolerability defined by treatment-related morbidity and (2) non-inferior efficacy defined by progression-free survival with an absolute non-inferiority margin of 6 percentage points of BrECADD compared with eBEACOPP. An additional test of superiority of progression-free survival was to be done if non-inferiority had been established. Analyses were done by intention to treat; the treatment-related morbidity assessment required documentation of at least one chemotherapy cycle. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02661503).
Findings
Between July 22, 2016, and Aug 27, 2020, 1500 patients were enrolled, of whom 749 were randomly assigned to BrECADD and 751 to eBEACOPP. 1482 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The median age of patients was 31 years (IQR 24–42). 838 (56%) of 1482 patients were male and 644 (44%) were female. Most patients were White (1352 [91%] of 1482). Treatment-related morbidity was significantly lower with BrECADD (312 [42%] of 738 patients) than with eBEACOPP (430 [59%] of 732 patients; relative risk 0·72 [95% CI 0·65–0·80]; p<0·0001). At a median follow-up of 48 months, BrECADD improved progression-free survival with a hazard ratio of 0·66 (0·45–0·97; p=0·035); 4-year progression-free survival estimates were 94·3% (95% CI 92·6–96·1) for BrECADD and 90·9% (88·7–93·1) for eBEACOPP. 4-year overall survival rates were 98·6% (97·7–99·5) and 98·2% (97·2–99·3), respectively.
Interpretation
BrECADD guided by PET after two cycles is better tolerated and more effective than eBEACOPP in first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced-stage, classical Hodgkin lymphoma
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