413 research outputs found
New Loop Representations for 2+1 Gravity
Since the gauge group underlying 2+1-dimensional general relativity is
non-compact, certain difficulties arise in the passage from the connection to
the loop representations. It is shown that these problems can be handled by
appropriately choosing the measure that features in the definition of the loop
transform. Thus, ``old-fashioned'' loop representations - based on ordinary
loops - do exist. In the case when the spatial topology is that of a two-torus,
these can be constructed explicitly; {\it all} quantum states can be
represented as functions of (homotopy classes of) loops and the scalar product
and the action of the basic observables can be given directly in terms of
loops.Comment: 28pp, 1 figure (postscript, compressed and uuencoded), TeX,
Pennsylvania State University, CGPG-94/5-
Independent Loop Invariants for 2+1 Gravity
We identify an explicit set of complete and independent Wilson loop
invariants for 2+1 gravity on a three-manifold , with
a compact oriented Riemann surface of arbitrary genus . In the
derivation we make use of a global cross section of the -principal
bundle over Teichm\"uller space given in terms of Fenchel-Nielsen coordinates.Comment: 11pp, 2 figures (postscript, compressed and uu-encoded), TeX,
Pennsylvania State University, CGPG-94/7-
The complete spectrum of the area from recoupling theory in loop quantum gravity
We compute the complete spectrum of the area operator in the loop
representation of quantum gravity, using recoupling theory. This result extends
previous derivations, which did not include the ``degenerate'' sector, and
agrees with the recently computed spectrum of the connection-representation
area operator.Comment: typos corrected in eqn.(21). Latex with IOP and epsf styles, 1 figure
(eps postscript file), 12 pages. To appear in Class. Quantum Gra
Loop Quantum Cosmology I: Kinematics
The framework of quantum symmetry reduction is applied to loop quantum
gravity with respect to transitively acting symmetry groups. This allows to
test loop quantum gravity in a large class of minisuperspaces and to
investigate its features - e.g. the discrete volume spectrum - in certain
cosmological regimes. Contrary to previous studies of quantum cosmology
(minisuperspace quantizations) the symmetry reduction is carried out not at the
classical level but on an auxiliary Hilbert space of the quantum theory before
solving the constraints. Therefore, kinematical properties like volume
quantization survive the symmetry reduction. In this first part the kinematical
framework, i.e. implementation of the quantum symmetry reduction and
quantization of Gauss and diffeomorphism constraints, is presented for Bianchi
class A models as well as locally rotationally symmetric and spatially
isotropic closed and flat models.Comment: 24 page
Neutrino Mass from R-parity Violation in Split Supersymmetry
We investigate how the observed neutrino data can be accommodated by R-parity
violation in Split Supersymmetry. The atmospheric neutrino mass and mixing are
explained by the bilinear parameters inducing the neutrino-neutralino
mixing as in the usual low-energy supersymmetry. Among various one-loop
corrections, only the quark-squark exchanging diagrams involving the order-one
trilinear couplings can generate the solar neutrino mass
and mixing if the scalar mass is not larger than GeV. This scheme
requires an unpleasant hierarchical structure of the couplings, e.g.,
, and . On the other hand, the model has a distinct collider
signature of the lightest neutralino which can decay only to the final states,
and , arising from the bilinear mixing. Thus, the
measurement of the ratio; would provide a clean probe of the small reactor and
large atmospheric neutrino mixing angles as far as the neutralino mass is
larger than 62 GeV.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, version submitted to JHE
Piecewise Rational Manifold Surfaces with Sharp Features
We present a construction of a piecewise rational free-form surface of arbitrary topological genus which may contain sharp features: creases, corners or cusps. The surface is automatically generated from a given closed triangular mesh. Some of the edges are tagged as sharp ones, defining the features on the surface. The surface is C s smooth, for an arbitrary value of s, except for the sharp features defined by the user. Our method is based on the manifold construction and follows the blending approach
Use of troponins in the classification of myocardial infarction from electronic health records. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Objective: Electronic health record (EHR) data are underutilized for abstracting classification criteria for heart disease. We compared extraction of EHR data on troponin I and T levels with human abstraction. Methods: Using EHR for hospitalizations identified through the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study in four US hospitals, we compared blood levels of troponins I and T extracted from EHR structured data elements with levels obtained through data abstraction by human abstractors to 3 decimal places. Observations were divided randomly 50/50 into training and validation sets. Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models were used to estimate agreement by hospital in first and maximum troponin levels, troponin assessment date, troponin upper limit of normal (ULN), and classification of troponin levels as normal (2× ULN), or missing. Results: Estimated overall agreement in first measured troponin level in the validation data was 88.2% (95% credible interval: 65.0%-97.5%) and 95.5% (91.2-98.2%) for the maximum troponin level observed during hospitalization. The largest variation in probability of agreement was for first troponin measured, which ranged from 66.4% to 95.8% among hospitals. Conclusion: Extraction of maximum troponin values during a hospitalization from EHR structured data is feasible and accurate
Familial hematuria
Hematuria is a common presenting complaint in pediatric nephrology clinics and often has a familial basis. This teaching article provides an overview of causes, diagnosis, and management of the major forms of familial hematuria, Alport syndrome, and thin basement membrane nephropathy
Risk analysis and outcome of mediastinal wound and deep mediastinal wound infections with specific emphasis to omental transposition
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To report our experience, with Deep mediastinal wound infections (DMWI). Emphasis was given to the management of deep infections with omental flaps</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From February 2000 to October 2007, out of 3896 cardiac surgery patients (prospective data collection) 120 pts (3.02%) developed sternal wound infections. There were 104 males & 16 females; (73.7%) CABG, (13.5%) Valves & (9.32%) CABG and Valve.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Superficial sternal wound infection detected in 68 patients (1.75%) and fifty-two patients (1.34%) developed DMWI. The incremental risk factors for development of DMWI were: Diabetes (OR = 3.62, CI = 1.2-10.98), Pre Op Creatinine > 200 μmol/l (OR = 3.33, CI = 1.14-9.7) and Prolong ventilation (OR = 4.16, CI = 1.73-9.98). Overall mortality for the DMWI was 9.3% and the specific mortality of the omental flap group was 8.3%. 19% of the "DMWI group", developed complications: hematoma 6%, partial flap loss 3.0%, wound dehiscence 5.3%. Mean Hospital Stay: 59 ± 21.5 days.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Post cardiac surgery sternal wound complications remain challenging. The role of multidisciplinary approach is fundamental, as is the importance of an aggressive early wound exploration especially for deep sternal infections.</p
First experience with a new negative pressure incision management system on surgical incisions after cardiac surgery in high risk patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sternal wound infection remains a serious potential complication after cardiac surgery. A recent development for preventing wound complications after surgery is the adjunctive treatment of closed incisions with negative pressure wound therapy. Suggested mechanisms of preventive action are improving the local blood flow, removing fluids and components in these fluids, helping keep the incision edges together, protecting the wound from external contamination and promoting incision healing. This work reports on our initial evaluation and clinical experience with the Prevena™Incision Management System, a recently introduced new negative pressure wound therapy system specifically developed for treating closed surgical incisions and helping prevent potential complications. We evaluated the new treatment on sternal surgical incisions in patients with multiple co-morbidities and consequently a high risk for wound complications.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Prevena™incision management system was used in 10 patients with a mean Fowler risk score of 15.1 [Range 8-30]. The negative pressure dressing was applied immediately after surgery and left in place for 5 days with a continuous application of -125 mmHg negative pressure. Wounds and surrounding skin were inspected immediately after removal of the Prevena™ incision management system and at day 30 after surgery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Wounds and surrounding skin showed complete wound healing with the absence of skin lesions due to the negative pressure after removal of the Prevena™ dressing. No device-related complications were observed. No wound complications occurred in this high risk group of patients until at least 30 days after surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Prevena™system appears to be safe, easy to use and may help achieve uncomplicated wound healing in patients at risk of developing wound complications after cardiothoracic surgery.</p
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