Coarse-Grained Picture for Controlling Quantum Chaos

We propose a coarse-grained picture to analyze control problems for quantum chaos systems. Using optimal control theory, we first show that almost perfect control is achieved for random matrix systems and a quantum kicked rotor. Second, under the assumption that the controlled dynamics is well described by a Rabi-type oscillaion between unperturbed states, we derive an analytic expression for the optimal field. Finally we numerically confirm that the analytic field can steer an initial state to a target state in random matrix systems.Comment: REVTeX4 with graphicx package, 11 pages, 10 figures; replaced fig.1(a) and 2(a

Analytic Approach for Controlling Realistic Quantum Chaotic Systems

An analytic approach for controlling quantum states, which was originally applied to fully random matrix systems [T. Takami and H. Fujisaki, Phys. Rev. E 75, 036219 (2007)], is extended to deal with more realistic quantum systems with a banded random matrix (BRM). The validity of the new analytic field is confirmed by directly solving the Schroedinger equation with a BRM interaction. We find a threshold of the width of the BRM for the quantum control to be successful.Comment: 4 pages with 4 PostScript figures, to appear in the Proceedings of ICCMSE 2007 in a section of Symposium 8 "Quantum Control and Light-Matter Interactions: Recent Computational and Theoretical Results

Total Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

We have developed endoscopic thyroidectomy procedures using anterior chest and axillary approaches. Both of our procedures differ significantly from the usual thyroidectomy, which involves lifting both the platysma and the sternohyoid muscle. Because only the platysma is lifted during our procedures, a CO2 insufflation pressure of less than 4 mmHg is sufficient. While the sternohyoid muscle is transected to obtain greater exposure of the thyroid gland in minimally invasive procedures in the neck, we do not divide it so as to prevent adhesions to the platysma, unless the nodule is large. As we accumulated experience with these procedures in 58 patients, typical operation time decreased to less than 120 minutes for the anterior approach and to less than 150 minutes for the axillary approach. Large follicular tumours can be extracted using the axillary approach, with all of its cosmetic advantages, whereas the anterior chest approach is advocated for removal of bilateral multinodular goitres and parathyroid lesions. Both approaches result in minimal postoperative hypoaesthesia, paraesthesia, and discomfort during swallowing. We conclude that endoscopic neck surgery is the procedure of choice in carefully selected patients with thyroid disease

Importance of physicians’ attire: factors influencing the impression it makes on patients, a cross-sectional study

Ca(2+)/CaM serine/threonine kinase II (CaMKII) is a central molecule in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and memory. A vital feature of CaMKII in plasticity is its ability to switch to a calcium (Ca(2+)) independent constitutively active state after autophosphorylation at threonine 287 (T287). A second pair of sites, T306 T307 in the calmodulin (CaM) binding region once autophosphorylated, prevent subsequent CaM binding and inactivates the kinase during synaptic plasticity and memory. Recently a synaptic molecule called Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) has been shown to control both sets of CaMKII autophosphorylation events and hence is well poised to be a key regulator of memory. We show deletion of full length CASK or just its CaMK-like and L27 domains disrupts middle-term memory (MTM) and long-term memory (LTM), with CASK function in the α′/β′ subset of mushroom body neurons being required for memory. Likewise directly changing the levels of CaMKII autophosphorylation in these neurons removed MTM and LTM. The requirement of CASK and CaMKII autophosphorylation was not developmental as their manipulation just in the adult α′/β′ neurons was sufficient to remove memory. Overexpression of CASK or CaMKII in the α′/β′ neurons also occluded MTM and LTM. Overexpression of either Drosophila or human CASK in the α′/β′ neurons of the CASK mutant completely rescued memory, confirming that CASK signaling in α′/β′ neurons is necessary and sufficient for Drosophila memory formation and that the neuronal function of CASK is conserved between Drosophila and human. At the cellular level CaMKII overexpression in the α′/β′ neurons increased activity dependent Ca(2+) responses while reduction of CaMKII decreased it. Likewise reducing CASK or directly expressing a phosphomimetic CaMKII T287D transgene in the α′/β′ similarly decreased Ca(2+) signaling. Our results are consistent with CASK regulating CaMKII autophosphorylation in a pathway required for memory formation that involves activity dependent changes in Ca(2+) signaling in the α′/β′ neurons

Electromechanical Dynamics Simulations of Superconducting LSM Rocket Launcher System in Attractive-Mode

Further feasibility study on a superconducting linear synchronous motor (LSM) rocket launcher system is presented on the basis of dynamic simulations of electric power, efficiency and power factor as well as the ascending motions of the launcher and rocket. The advantages of attractive-mode operation are found from comparison with repulsive-mode operation. It is made clear that the LSM rocket launcher system, of which the long-stator is divided optimally into 60 sections according to launcher speeds, can obtain high efficiency and power factor

Feasibility study of superconducting LSM rocket launcher system

A feasibility study is presented concerning an application of a superconducting linear synchronous motor (LSM) to a large-scale rocket launcher, whose acceleration guide tube of LSM armature windings is constructed 1,500 meters under the ground. The rocket is released from the linear launcher just after it gets to a peak speed of about 900 kilometers per hour, and it flies out of the guide tube to obtain the speed of 700 kilometers per hour at the height of 100 meters above ground. The linear launcher is brought to a stop at the ground surface for a very short time of 5 seconds by a quick control of deceleration. Very large current variations in the single-layer windings of the LSM armature, which are produced at the higher speed region of 600 to 900 kilometers per hour, are controlled successfully by adopting the double-layer windings. The proposed control method makes the rocket launcher ascend stably in the superconducting LSM system, controlling the Coriolis force

Salvage Surgery for Symptomatic Recurrence of Retro-Odontoid Pseudotumor after a C1 Laminectomy

We provide the first report of successful salvage surgery for a post-C1 laminectomy symptomatic recurrence of a retro-odontoid pseudotumor (ROP) that caused myelopathy. The 72-year-old Japanese woman presented with an ROP causing symptomatic cervical myelopathy. With ultrasonography support, we performed the enucleation of the ROP via a transdural approach and fusion surgery for the recurrence of the mass. At the final observation 2-year post-surgery, MRI demonstrated the mass’s regression and spinal cord decompression, and the patient’s symptoms had improved. Our strategy is an effective option for a symptomatic recurrence of ROP