1,910 research outputs found
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension: a randomized pilot study.
BackgroundOmega-3 fatty acids prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. Benefits in patients without overt CVD have not been demonstrated, though most studies did not use treatment doses (3.36 g) of omega-3 fatty acids. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts CVD events independent of standard risk factors. However, no therapy has been shown to reduce PWV in a blood pressure-independent manner. We assessed the effects of esterified omega-3 fatty acids on PWV and serum markers of inflammation among patients with hypertension.Design and methodsWe performed a prospective, randomized; double-blinded pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids among 62 patients in an urban, safety net hospital. Patients received 3.36 g of omega-3 fatty acids vs. matched placebo daily for 3-months. The principal outcome measure was change in brachial-ankle PWV. Serum inflammatory markers associated with CVD risk were also assessed.ResultsThe majority (71 %) were of Latino ethnicity. After 3-months, mean change in arterial PWV among omega-3 and placebo groups was -97 cm/s vs. -33 cm/s respectively (p = 0.36 for difference, after multivariate adjustment for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, and serum adiponectin). Non-significant reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to placebo were also observed (p = 0.08, and 0.21, respectively).ConclusionHigh-dose omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce arterial PWV or markers of inflammation among patients within a Latino-predominant population with hypertension.Clinical trial registrationNCT00935766 , registered July 8 2009
Itraconazole Induced Torsade De Pointes in a Patient Receiving Methadone Substitution Therapy
Universal zero-frequency Raman slope in a d-wave superconductor
It is known that for an unconventional superconductor with nodes in the gap,
the in-plane microwave or dc conductivity saturates at low temperatures to a
universal value independent of the impurity concentration. We demonstrate that
a similar feature can be accessed using channel-dependent Raman scattering. It
is found that, for a -wave superconductor, the slope of
low-temperature Raman intensity at zero frequency is universal in the
and channels, but not in the channel. Moreover, as opposed to
the microwave conductivity, universal Raman slopes are sensitive not only to
the existence of a node, but also to different pairing states and should allow
one to distinguish between such pairing states.Comment: 5 page
Critical phenomena in exponential random graphs
The exponential family of random graphs is one of the most promising class of
network models. Dependence between the random edges is defined through certain
finite subgraphs, analogous to the use of potential energy to provide
dependence between particle states in a grand canonical ensemble of statistical
physics. By adjusting the specific values of these subgraph densities, one can
analyze the influence of various local features on the global structure of the
network. Loosely put, a phase transition occurs when a singularity arises in
the limiting free energy density, as it is the generating function for the
limiting expectations of all thermodynamic observables. We derive the full
phase diagram for a large family of 3-parameter exponential random graph models
with attraction and show that they all consist of a first order surface phase
transition bordered by a second order critical curve.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure
A tunable coupling scheme for implementing high-fidelity two-qubit gates
The prospect of computational hardware with quantum advantage relies
critically on the quality of quantum gate operations. Imperfect two-qubit gates
is a major bottleneck for achieving scalable quantum information processors.
Here, we propose a generalizable and extensible scheme for a two-qubit coupler
switch that controls the qubit-qubit coupling by modulating the coupler
frequency. Two-qubit gate operations can be implemented by operating the
coupler in the dispersive regime, which is non-invasive to the qubit states. We
investigate the performance of the scheme by simulating a universal two-qubit
gate on a superconducting quantum circuit, and find that errors from known
parasitic effects are strongly suppressed. The scheme is compatible with
existing high-coherence hardware, thereby promising a higher gate fidelity with
current technologies
On the Bergman representative coordinates
We study the set where the so-called Bergman representative coordinates (or
Bergman functions) form an immersion. We provide an estimate of the size of a
maximal geodesic ball with respect to the Bergman metric, contained in this
set. By concrete examples we show that these estimates are the best possible.Comment: 20 page
Roller Testing to Mimic Damage of the ISS SARJ Ring and Durability Test to Simulate Fifteen Years of SARJ Operation Using the Damaged Surface
The International Space Station's starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) experienced a breakdown of the joint's race ring surface. The starboard SARJ mechanism was cleaned and lubricated with grease. To provide some guidance on the expected behavior of the damaged SARJ ring with continued operations, experiments were conducted using rollers and a vacuum roller test rig. The approach of the experimental work involved three main steps: (1) initiate damage using conditions representative of the SARJ with inadequate lubrication; (2) propagate the damage by operating the test rollers without lubrication; and (3) assess the durability of the roller by testing to simulate the equivalent of 15 years of SARJ operation on the damaged surface assuming adequate grease lubrication. During the rig testing, additional and/or replacement grease was introduced at regular intervals to maintain good lubrication in the rig. The damage to the nitride layer continued even after application of grease. The grease lubrication proved to be effective for limiting the value of the axial force that can be developed. Limiting the axial force on the SARJ mechanism is important since the larger the axial force the more concentrated the load pressure becomes on the blend-radius location on the SARJ roller. After the testing simulating 15 years of SARJ operations, the wear depths were the order of 0.2 mm for the nitrided 15-5 roller and the order of 0.06 mm for the mating 440C roller. Metallographic inspections were done to search for indications of impending fatigue or other fracture indications that might eventually propagate and cause structural failure. There were no indications or features found that could eventually compromise structural integrity
Electronic Raman scattering in YBCO and other superconducting cuprates
Superconductivity induced structures in the electronic Raman spectra of
high-Tc superconductors are computed using the results of ab initio LDA-LMTO
three-dimensional band structure calculations via numerical integrations of the
mass fluctuations, either in the whole 3D Brillouin zone or limiting the
integrations to the Fermi surface. The results of both calculations are rather
similar, the Brillouin zone integration yielding additional weak structures
related to the extended van Hove singularities. Similar calculations have been
performed for the normal state of these high-Tc cuprates. Polarization
configurations have been investigated and the results have been compared to
experimental spectra. The assumption of a simple d_(x^2-y^2)-like gap function
allows us to explain a number of experimental features but is hard to reconcile
with the relative positions of the A1g and B1g peaks.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX (RevTeX), 5 PostScript figures, uses multicol.sty,
submitted to PR
3D integrated superconducting qubits
As the field of superconducting quantum computing advances from the few-qubit
stage to larger-scale processors, qubit addressability and extensibility will
necessitate the use of 3D integration and packaging. While 3D integration is
well-developed for commercial electronics, relatively little work has been
performed to determine its compatibility with high-coherence solid-state
qubits. Of particular concern, qubit coherence times can be suppressed by the
requisite processing steps and close proximity of another chip. In this work,
we use a flip-chip process to bond a chip with superconducting flux qubits to
another chip containing structures for qubit readout and control. We
demonstrate that high qubit coherence (, s) is
maintained in a flip-chip geometry in the presence of galvanic, capacitive, and
inductive coupling between the chips
Heat-kernel coefficients for oblique boundary conditions
We calculate the heat-kernel coefficients, up to , for a U(1) bundle on
the 4-Ball for boundary conditions which are such that the normal derivative of
the field at the boundary is related to a first-order operator in boundary
derivatives acting on the field. The results are used to place restrictions on
the general forms of the coefficients. In the specific case considered, there
can be a breakdown of ellipticity.Comment: 9 pages, JyTeX. One reference added and minor corrections mad
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