Chiral transition in a magnetic field and at finite baryon density

We consider the quark-meson model with two quark flavors in a constant external magnetic field $B$ at finite temperature $T$ and finite baryon chemical potential $\mu_B$. We calculate the full renormalized effective potential to one-loop order in perturbation theory. We study the system in the large-$N_c$ limit, where we treat the bosonic modes at tree level. It is shown that the system exhibits dynamical chiral symmetry breaking, i. e. that an arbitrarily weak magnetic field breaks chiral symmetry dynamically, in agreement with earlier calculations using the NJL model. We study the influence on the phase transition of the fermionic vacuum fluctuations. For strong magnetic fields, $|qB|\sim5m_{\pi}^2$ and in the chiral limit, the transition is first order in the entire $\mu_B-T$ plane if vacuum fluctuations are not included and second order if they are included. At the physical point, the transition is a crossover for $\mu_B=0$ with and without vacuum fluctuations.Comment: 11 pages. 5figs. V2: fixed a few typos and added refs. Submitted to PRD. V3: Added refs and substantial revision of tex

WHO Takes Action to Promote the Health of Refugees and Migrants

Migration is a defining issue of our time, with 1 billion migrants globally, of whom 258 million have crossed borders. Climate change and political instability propel ever-greater displacement, with major detriments to health. Policies that fail to prevent human trafficking or guarantee essential services undermine Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the global pledge to “leave no one behind.” The World Health Assembly should robustly implement WHO’s Global Action Plan (GAP) on the Health of Refugees and Migrants.ugees and Migrants

Formal Analysis of Linear Control Systems using Theorem Proving

Control systems are an integral part of almost every engineering and physical system and thus their accurate analysis is of utmost importance. Traditionally, control systems are analyzed using paper-and-pencil proof and computer simulation methods, however, both of these methods cannot provide accurate analysis due to their inherent limitations. Model checking has been widely used to analyze control systems but the continuous nature of their environment and physical components cannot be truly captured by a state-transition system in this technique. To overcome these limitations, we propose to use higher-order-logic theorem proving for analyzing linear control systems based on a formalized theory of the Laplace transform method. For this purpose, we have formalized the foundations of linear control system analysis in higher-order logic so that a linear control system can be readily modeled and analyzed. The paper presents a new formalization of the Laplace transform and the formal verification of its properties that are frequently used in the transfer function based analysis to judge the frequency response, gain margin and phase margin, and stability of a linear control system. We also formalize the active realizations of various controllers, like Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID), Proportional-Integral (PI), Proportional-Derivative (PD), and various active and passive compensators, like lead, lag and lag-lead. For illustration, we present a formal analysis of an unmanned free-swimming submersible vehicle using the HOL Light theorem prover.Comment: International Conference on Formal Engineering Method

Petrophysical Investigation of the Khurmala Formation in Taq Taq Oil Field, Zagros Folded Belt

The Tertiary rocks of Khurmala Formation in the Taq Taq oil field have been studied using wireline log analysis, drilling cutting descriptions with integration of mud logging report, and test results for understanding reservoir potentiality and fluid distribution. The formation comprised dolostone and dolomitic limestone with an intercalation of clay layers between the recognized beds. The formation has variable thickness throughout the field, 99.8 m from the northeastern limb and 109 m in the southeastern plunge. The calculated shale volume in the studied interval shows a high rate of the clay contents which in some points the gamma ray has 100% of shale. The corrected log-derived bulk porosity subdivided the Khurmala Formation into 5 porosity units from the top to the bottom including (Kh-1, Kh-2, Kh-3, Kh-4, and Kh-5). The first (Kh-1), third (Kh-3), and fifth (Kh-5) porosity units have the average porosity ≥0.10 (10%) that can be considered as good reservoir unit in terms of porosity, whereas the shale contents reduced the reservoir quality of these units. However, well hydrocarbon entrapment through interconnected fractures and fault in the other Tertiary reservoir was recorded in Taq Taq field , but the weak connectivity of the pores in the Khurmala Formation caused this rock interval remains as water bearing zone

For Students, by Students: a Peer-Led Entrepreneurship Course for Medical Students

Recognising the growing importance of clinical leadership and entrepreneurship to implement innovative healthcare solutions, final year UK medical students developed a near-peer elective module for first- and second-year students. To date, five cohorts have completed the module and developed skills in the fields of medical technology, quality improvement, and leadership

EFFECT OF LEVETIRACETAM ON HEALING OF EXCISION AND BURN WOUND MODELS IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: Levetiracetam (LEV) at lower doses (50 and 100 μg/ml) has demonstrated antioxidant effect as per literature evidence. Hence, the aim of current study was to evaluate the action of LEV on wound healing with regard to its antioxidant properties. Methods: A total of 30 adult rats of both the sexes weighing 150–250 g were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each. Excision and burn models were used. The five groups are as follows: Group 1: Normal saline, Group 2: Povidone-iodine, Group 3: Silver sulfadiazine, Group 4: LEV 50 mg/kg, and Group 5: LEV 100 mg/kg. Group 2 served as a standard control for excision wound model and Group 3 as a standard for burn wound model. LEV was given orally and all other drugs were given topically. The rate of wound contracture and period of epithelization were calculated from the initial wound size for all rats. Results: In both the models, the rats treated with standard drug (povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine) and LEV showed faster rates of wound contraction, period of epithelization, and better antioxidant effect as compared to the control and the difference seen was statistically significant (p<0.001). However, the rats treated with povidone-iodine/silver sulfadiazine showed faster rates of wound contraction and period of epithelization as compared to the rats treated with LEV and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study show that oral application of LEV enhanced the wound strength and accelerated healing of incision and burn wounds in rats. Further clinical trials can be done to prove the effect of LEV as an agent for wound healing

BOLLOCKS!! Designing pervasive games that play with the social rules of built environments

We propose that pervasive games designed with mechanics that are specifically in opposition with, or disruptive of, social rules of the environment in which they are played, have unique potential to provide interesting, provocative experiences for players. We explore this concept through the design and evaluation of an experimental game prototype, Shhh!, inspired by the juvenile game Bollocks, and implemented on Android mobile devices, which challenges players to make loud noises in libraries. Six participants played the game before engaging in semi-structured interviews, explored through inductive thematic analysis. Results suggest that the game provoked in players a heightened awareness of social rules, as well as a complex social dilemma of whether or not to act. We conclude by presenting a model for designing games that play with the social, as well as physical, rules of the environments in which they are set

Simultaneous X-ray Video-Fluoroscopy and Pulsed Ultrasound Velocimetry Analyses of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing of Boluses with Different Rheological Properties

The Ultrasound Velocity Profiling (UVP) technique allows real-time, non-invasive flow mapping of a fluid along a 1D-measuring line. This study explores the possibility of using the UVP technique and X-ray video-fluoroscopy (XVF) to elucidate the deglutition process with the focus on bolus rheology. By positioning the UVP probe so that the pulsed ultrasonic beam passes behind the air-filled trachea, the bolus flow in the pharynx can be measured. Healthy subjects in a clinical study swallowed fluids with different rheological properties: Newtonian (constant shear viscosity and non-elastic); Boger (constant shear viscosity and elastic); and shear thinning (shear rate-dependent shear viscosity and elastic). The results from both the UVP and XVF reveal higher velocities for the shear thinning fluid, followed by the Boger and the Newtonian fluids, demonstrating that the UVP method has equivalent sensitivities for detecting the velocities of fluids with different rheological properties. The velocity of the contraction wave that clears the pharynx was measured in the UVP and found to be independent of bolus rheology. The results show that UVP not only assesses accurately the fluid velocity in a bolus flow, but it can also monitor the structural changes that take place in response to a bolus flow, with the added advantage of being a completely non-invasive technique that does not require the introduction of contrast media

Assessment of Electromagnetic Absorption towards Human Head Using Specific Absorption Rate

This paper presents a compact square slot patch antenna characterstics for wireless body area network (WBANs) applications.The assessment of the effects of electromagnetic energy (EM) on the human head is necessary because the sensitivity of human head to high radiation level. Although, structuring of low EM antennas is a major problem in the improvement of portable device and reducing the size of of the antenna is a major concern. However, performance of antenna reduces when antenna operates near human body which is lossy and complex in nature. The proposed antenna operates at 5.8GHz of the ISM Band for WBAN applications. The antenna has been designed and simulated with two different types of multilayer human head phantoms to characterize the antenna near the human head.The multilayer head phantom is constructed by five layers tissues head model using CST Microwave studio. Therefore, antenna with spherical phantom has the highest SAR value 0.206 W/Kg, while antenna with cubical phantom contributed the lowest SAR value of 0.166 for 10 g tissue at 5.8 GHz frequency exposed, whereas, the antenna with cubical phantom and spherical phantom have gain of 6.46 dBi and 6.2 dBi GHz respectively. It was observed that antenna performance significantly increased. The presented prototype has a potential to work for ISM applications