524 research outputs found

    Frequency shifts of photoassociative spectra of ultracold metastable Helium atoms : a new measurement of the s-wave scattering length

    Full text link
    We observe light-induced frequency shifts in one-color photoassociative spectra of magnetically trapped 4^4He^* atoms in the metastable 23S12^3S_1 state. A pair of ultracold spin-polarized 23S12^3S_1 helium atoms is excited into a molecular bound state in the purely long range 0u+0_u^+ potential connected to the 23S123P02^3S_1 - 2^3P_0 asymptote. The shift arises from the optical coupling of the molecular excited bound state with the scattering states and the bound states of two colliding 23S12^3S_1 atoms. We measure the frequency-shifts for several ro-vibrational levels in the 0u+0^+_u potential and find a linear dependence on the photoassociation laser intensity. Comparison with a theoretical analysis provides a good indication for the s-wave scattering length aa of the quintet (5Σg+^5\Sigma_g^+) potential, a=7.2±0.6a=7.2\pm 0.6 nm, which is significantly lower than most previous results obtained by non-spectroscopic methods.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

    Drug related problems and pharmacist interventions in a geriatric unit employing electronic prescribing

    Get PDF
    Background Computerised physician order entry (CPOE) and the integration of a pharmacist in clinical wards have been shown to prevent drug related problems (DRPs). Objectives The primary objective was to make an inventory of the DRPs and resident pharmacist on-ward interventions (PIs) identified in a geriatric acute care unit using CPOE system. The secondary objective was to evaluate the physicians\u27 acceptance of the proposed interventions. Setting A 26-bed geriatric ward of a 1,300-bed teaching hospital. Method A 6-month descriptive study with prescription analysis and recommendations to physicians by a resident pharmacist during five half days a week. Main outcome measures Patients\u27 characteristics, number of prescribed drugs per patient, nature and frequency of DRPs and PIs, physicians\u27 acceptance and drugs questioned. Results Resident pharmacist reviewed 311 patients and identified 241 DRPs. One hundred and fifty-two patients (49 %) had at least one DRP (mean +/- A SD age 87 +/- A 6 years, mean +/- A SD number of prescribed drugs 10.7 +/- A 3.4). Most frequent DRPs were: untreated indication (n = 58, 24.1 %), dose too high (n = 46, 19.1 %), improper administration (n = 31, 12.9 %) and drug interactions (n = 23, 9.5 %). The rate of physicians\u27 acceptance was 90.0 % (7.5 % refusals, 2.5 % not assessable). DRPs related to CPOE system misuse (n = 35, 14.5 %) appeared as a worrying phenomenon (e.g., errors in selecting dosage or unit, or duplication of therapy). Conclusion A resident pharmacist detected various DRPs. Most PIs were accepted. DRPs related to the misuse of the CPOE system appeared potentially dangerous and need particular attention by healthcare professionals. The description of the DRPs is an essential step for implementation of targeted clinical pharmacy services in order to optimize pharmacists\u27 job time

    The STAR Silicon Strip Detector (SSD)

    Full text link
    The STAR Silicon Strip Detector (SSD) completes the three layers of the Silicon Vertex Tracker (SVT) to make an inner tracking system located inside the Time Projection Chamber (TPC). This additional fourth layer provides two dimensional hit position and energy loss measurements for charged particles, improving the extrapolation of TPC tracks through SVT hits. To match the high multiplicity of central Au+Au collisions at RHIC the double sided silicon strip technology was chosen which makes the SSD a half million channels detector. Dedicated electronics have been designed for both readout and control. Also a novel technique of bonding, the Tape Automated Bonding (TAB), was used to fullfill the large number of bounds to be done. All aspects of the SSD are shortly described here and test performances of produced detection modules as well as simulated results on hit reconstruction are given.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

    Long-Term Impact of Cyclosporin Reduction with MMF Treatment in Chronic Allograft Dysfunction: REFERENECE Study 3-Year Follow Up

    Get PDF
    Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity contributes to chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). In the 2-year, randomized, study, we showed that 50% cyclosporin (CsA) reduction in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment improves kidney function without increasing the risk for graft rejection/loss. To investigate the long-term effect of this regimen, we conducted a follow up study in 70 kidney transplant patients until 5 years after REFERENCE initiation. The improvement of kidney function was confirmed in the MMF group but not in the control group (CsA group). Four graft losses occurred, 2 in each group (graft survival in the MMF group 95.8% and 90.9% in control group). One death occurred in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events or acute graft rejections. A limitation is the weak proportion of patient still remaining within the control group. On the other hand, REFERENCE focuses on the CsA regimen while opinions about the tacrolimus ones are still debated. In conclusion, CsA reduction in the presence of MMF treatment seems to maintain kidney function and is well tolerated in the long term
    corecore