824 research outputs found
Evolutionary Optimization of State Selective Field Ionization for Quantum Computing
State selective field ionization detection techniques in physics require a
specific progression through a complicated atomic state space to optimize state
selectivity and overall efficiency. For large principle quantum number n, the
theoretical models become computationally intractable and any results are often
rendered irrelevant by small deviations from ideal experimental conditions, for
example external electromagnetic fields. Several different proposals for
quantum information processing rely heavily upon the quality of these
detectors. In this paper, we show a proof of principle that it is possible to
optimize experimental field profiles in situ by running a genetic algorithm to
control aspects of the experiment itself. A simple experiment produced novel
results that are consistent with analyses of existing results.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Small scale energy release driven by supergranular flows on the quiet Sun
In this article we present data and modelling for the quiet Sun that strongly suggest a ubiquitous small-scale atmospheric heating mechanism that is driven solely by converging supergranular flows.
A possible energy source for such events is the power transfer to the plasma via the work done on the magnetic field by photospheric convective flows, which exert drag of the footpoints of magnetic structures. In this paper we present evidence of small scale energy release events driven directly by the hydrodynamic forces that act on the magnetic elements in the photosphere, as a result of supergranular scale flows. We show strong spatial and temporal correlation between quiet Sun soft X-ray emission (from <i>Yohkoh</i> and <i>SOHO</i> MDI-derived flux removal events driven by deduced photospheric flows.
We also present a simple model of heating generated by flux submergence, based on particle acceleration by converging magnetic mirrors.
In the near future, high resolution soft X-ray images from XRT on the <i>Hinode</i> satellite will allow definitive, quantitative verification of our results
Trabecular bone score (TBS) as a new complementary approach for osteoporosis evaluation in clinical practice.
Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a recently-developed analytical tool that performs novel grey-level texture measurements on lumbar spine dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images, and thereby captures information relating to trabecular microarchitecture. In order for TBS to usefully add to bone mineral density (BMD) and clinical risk factors in osteoporosis risk stratification, it must be independently associated with fracture risk, readily obtainable, and ideally, present a risk which is amenable to osteoporosis treatment. This paper summarizes a review of the scientific literature performed by a Working Group of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. Low TBS is consistently associated with an increase in both prevalent and incident fractures that is partly independent of both clinical risk factors and areal BMD (aBMD) at the lumbar spine and proximal femur. More recently, TBS has been shown to have predictive value for fracture independent of fracture probabilities using the FRAX® algorithm. Although TBS changes with osteoporosis treatment, the magnitude is less than that of aBMD of the spine, and it is not clear how change in TBS relates to fracture risk reduction. TBS may also have a role in the assessment of fracture risk in some causes of secondary osteoporosis (e.g., diabetes, hyperparathyroidism and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis). In conclusion, there is a role for TBS in fracture risk assessment in combination with both aBMD and FRAX
Risk Factors for In-hospital Nonhemorrhagic Stroke in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Thrombolysis: Results from GUSTO-I
BACKGROUND: Nonhemorrhagic stroke occurs in 0.1% to 1.3% of patients with
acute myocardial infarction who are treated with thrombolysis, with
substantial associated mortality and morbidity. Little is known about the
risk factors for its occurrence. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied the 247
patients with nonhemorrhagic stroke who were randomly assigned to one of
four thrombolytic regimens within 6 hours of symptom onset in the GUSTO-I
trial. We assessed the univariable and multivariable baseline risk factors
for nonhemorrhagic stroke and created a scoring nomogram from the baseline
multivariable modeling. We used time-dependent Cox modeling to determine
multivariable in-hospital predictors of nonhemorrhagic stroke. Baseline
and in-hospital predictors were then combined to determine the overall
predictors of nonhemorrhagic stroke. Of the 247 patients, 42 (17%) died
and another 98 (40%) were disabled by 30-day follow-up. Older age was the
most important baseline clinical predictor of nonhemorrhagic stroke,
followed by higher heart rate, history of stroke or transient ischemic
attack, diabetes, previous angina, and history of hypertension. These
factors remained statistically significant predictors in the combined
model, along with worse Killip class, coronary angiography, bypass
surgery, and atrial fibrillation/flutter. CONCLUSIONS: Nonhemorrhagic
stroke is a serious event in patients with acute myocardial infarction who
are treated with thrombolytic, antithrombin, and antiplatelet therapy. We
developed a simple nomogram that can predict the risk of nonhemorrhagic
stroke on the basis of baseline clinical characteristics. Prophylactic
anticoagulation may be an important treatment strategy for patients with
high probability for nonhemorrhagic stroke, but further study is needed
The Horizontal Component of Photospheric Plasma Flows During the Emergence of Active Regions on the Sun
The dynamics of horizontal plasma flows during the first hours of the
emergence of active region magnetic flux in the solar photosphere have been
analyzed using SOHO/MDI data. Four active regions emerging near the solar limb
have been considered. It has been found that extended regions of Doppler
velocities with different signs are formed in the first hours of the magnetic
flux emergence in the horizontal velocity field. The flows observed are
directly connected with the emerging magnetic flux; they form at the beginning
of the emergence of active regions and are present for a few hours. The Doppler
velocities of flows observed increase gradually and reach their peak values
4-12 hours after the start of the magnetic flux emergence. The peak values of
the mean (inside the +/-500 m/s isolines) and maximum Doppler velocities are
800-970 m/s and 1410-1700 m/s, respectively. The Doppler velocities observed
substantially exceed the separation velocities of the photospheric magnetic
flux outer boundaries. The asymmetry was detected between velocity structures
of leading and following polarities. Doppler velocity structures located in a
region of leading magnetic polarity are more powerful and exist longer than
those in regions of following polarity. The Doppler velocity asymmetry between
the velocity structures of opposite sign reaches its peak values soon after the
emergence begins and then gradually drops within 7-12 hours. The peak values of
asymmetry for the mean and maximal Doppler velocities reach 240-460 m/s and
710-940 m/s, respectively. An interpretation of the observable flow of
photospheric plasma is given.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables. The results of article were presented
at the ESPM-13 (12-16 September 2011, Rhodes, Greece, Abstract Book p. 102,
P.4.12,
http://astro.academyofathens.gr/espm13/documents/ESPM13_abstract_programme_book.pdf
Cost effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator as compared with streptokinase for acute myocardial infarction
BACKGROUND. Patients with acute myocardial infarction who were treated with accelerated tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) (given over a period of 1 1/2 hours rather than the conventional 3 hours, and with two thirds of the dose given in the first 30 minutes) had a 30-day mortality that was 15 percent lower than that of pati
Sustained ventricular arrhythmias among patients with acute coronary syndromes with no ST-segment elevation: incidence, predictors, and outcomes
BACKGROUND: The prognosis of ventricular arrhythmias among patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes is unknown. We studied the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in 4 large randomized trials of such patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We pooled the datasets of the Global Use of Streptokinase and tPA for Occluded Arteries (GUSTO)-IIb, Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable Angina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin Therapy (PURSUIT), Platelet IIb/IIIa Antagonism for the Reduction of Acute Coronary Syndrome Events in a Global Organization Network (PARAGON)-A, and PARAGON-B trials (n=26 416). We identified independent predictors of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) and compared the 30-day and 6-month mortality rates of patients who did (n=552) and did not (n=25 864) develop these arrhythmias during the index hospitalization. Independent predictors of in-hospital VF included prior hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prior myocardial infarction, and ST-segment changes at presentation. Except for hypertension, these variables also independently predicted in-hospital VT. In Cox proportional-hazards modeling, in-hospital VF and VT were independently associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 23.2 [95% CI, 18.1 to 29.8] for VF and HR, 7.6 [95% CI, 5.5 to 10.4] for VT) and 6-month mortality (HR, 14.8 [95% CI, 12.1 to 18.3] for VF and HR, 5.0 [95% CI, 3.8 to 6.5] for VT). These differences remained significant after excluding patients with heart failure or cardiogenic shock and those who died <24 hours after enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the use of effective therapies for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, ventricular arrhythmias in this setting are associated with increased 30-day and 6-month mortality. More effective therapies are needed to improve the survival of patients with these arrhythmias
SUSY GUT Model Building
I discuss an evolution of SUSY GUT model building, starting with the
construction of 4d GUTs, to orbifold GUTs and finally to orbifold GUTs within
the heterotic string. This evolution is an attempt to obtain realistic string
models, perhaps relevant for the LHC. This review is in memory of the sudden
loss of Julius Wess, a leader in the field, who will be sorely missed.Comment: 24 pages, 14 figures, lectures given at PiTP 2008, Institute for
Advanced Study, Princeton, to be published in the European Physical Journal
Svestka's Research: Then and Now
Zdenek Svestka's research work influenced many fields of solar physics,
especially in the area of flare research. In this article I take five of the
areas that particularly interested him and assess them in a "then and now"
style. His insights in each case were quite sound, although of course in the
modern era we have learned things that he could not readily have envisioned.
His own views about his research life have been published recently in this
journal, to which he contributed so much, and his memoir contains much
additional scientific and personal information (Svestka, 2010).Comment: Invited review for "Solar and Stellar Flares," a conference in honour
of Prof. Zden\v{e}k \v{S}vestka, Prague, June 23-27, 2014. This is a
contribution to a Topical Issue in Solar Physics, based on the presentations
at this meeting (Editors Lyndsay Fletcher and Petr Heinzel
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