Time-dependent transport through a T-coupled quantum dot

We are considering the time-dependent transport through a discrete system, consiting of a quantum dot T-coupled to an infinite tight-binding chain. The periodic driving that is induced on the coupling between the dot and the chain, leads to the emergence of a characteristic multiple Fano resonant profile in the transmission spectrum. We focus on investigating the underlying physical mechanisms that give rise to the quantum resonances. To this end, we use Floquet theory for calculating the transmission spectrum and in addition employ the Geometric Phase Propagator (GPP) approach [Ann. Phys. 375, 351 (2016)] to calculate the transition amplitudes of the time-resolved virtual processes, in terms of which we describe the resonant behavior. This two fold approach, allows us to give a rigorous definition of a quantum resonance in the context of driven systems and explains the emergence of the characteristic Fano profile in the transmission spectrum.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Policy conflict analysis for diffserv quality of service management

Policy-based management provides the ability to (re-)configure differentiated services networks so that desired Quality of Service (QoS) goals are achieved. This requires implementing network provisioning decisions, performing admission control, and adapting bandwidth allocation to emerging traffic demands. A policy-based approach facilitates flexibility and adaptability as policies can be dynamically changed without modifying the underlying implementation. However, inconsistencies may arise in the policy specification. In this paper we provide a comprehensive set of QoS policies for managing Differentiated Services (DiffServ) networks, and classify the possible conflicts that can arise between them. We demonstrate the use of Event Calculus and formal reasoning for the analysis of both static and dynamic conflicts in a semi-automated fashion. In addition, we present a conflict analysis tool that provides network administrators with a user-friendly environment for determining and resolving potential inconsistencies. The tool has been extensively tested with large numbers of policies over a range of conflict types

Energy efficiency parametric design tool in the framework of holistic ship design optimization

Recent International Maritime Organization (IMO) decisions with respect to measures to reduce the emissions from maritime greenhouse gases (GHGs) suggest that the collaboration of all major stakeholders of shipbuilding and ship operations is required to address this complex techno-economical and highly political problem efficiently. This calls eventually for the development of proper design, operational knowledge, and assessment tools for the energy-efficient design and operation of ships, as suggested by the Second IMO GHG Study (2009). This type of coordination of the efforts of many maritime stakeholders, with often conflicting professional interests but ultimately commonly aiming at optimal ship design and operation solutions, has been addressed within a methodology developed in the EU-funded Logistics-Based (LOGBASED) Design Project (2004–2007). Based on the knowledge base developed within this project, a new parametric design software tool (PDT) has been developed by the National Technical University of Athens, Ship Design Laboratory (NTUA-SDL), for implementing an energy efficiency design and management procedure. The PDT is an integral part of an earlier developed holistic ship design optimization approach by NTUA-SDL that addresses the multi-objective ship design optimization problem. It provides Pareto-optimum solutions and a complete mapping of the design space in a comprehensive way for the final assessment and decision by all the involved stakeholders. The application of the tool to the design of a large oil tanker and alternatively to container ships is elaborated in the presented paper

Connecting the Edges: A Universal, Mobile-Centric, and Opportunistic Communications Architecture

The Internet has crossed new frontiers with access to it getting faster and cheaper. Considering that the architectural foundations of today's Internet were laid more than three decades ago, the Internet has done remarkably well until today coping with the growing demand. However, the future Internet architecture is expected to support not only the ever growing number of users and devices, but also a diverse set of new applications and services. Departing from the traditional host-centric access paradigm, where access to a desired content is mapped to its location, an information-centric model enables the association of access to a desired content with the content itself, irrespective of the location where it is being held. UMOBILE tailors the information-centric communication model to meet the requirements of opportunistic communications, integrating those connectivity approaches into a single architecture. By pushing services near the edge of the network, such an architecture can pervasively operate in any networking environment and allows for the development of innovative applications, providing access to data independent of the level of end-to-end connectivity availability

Effect of trimetazidine dihydrochloride therapy on exercise capacity in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A randomized clinical trial

Importance: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes limiting symptoms in patients, mediated partly through inefficient myocardial energy use. There is conflicting evidence for therapy with inhibitors of myocardial fatty acid metabolism in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Objective: To determine the effect of oral therapy with trimetazidine, a direct inhibitor of fatty acid β-oxidation, on exercise capacity in patients with symptomatic nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial at The Heart Hospital, University College London Hospitals, London, United Kingdom was performed between May 31, 2012, and September 8, 2014. The trial included 51 drug-refractory symptomatic (New York Heart Association class ≥2) patients aged 24 to 74 years with a maximum left ventricular outflow tract gradient 50 mm Hg or lower and a peak oxygen consumption during exercise of 80% or less predicted value for age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed from March 1, 2016 through July 4, 2018. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to trimetazidine, 20 mg, 3 times daily (n = 27) or placebo (n = 24) for 3 months. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was peak oxygen consumption during upright bicycle ergometry. Secondary end points were 6-minute walk distance, quality of life (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire), frequency of ventricular ectopic beats, diastolic function, serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level, and troponin T level. Results: Of 49 participants who received trimetazidine (n = 26) or placebo (n = 23) and completed the study, 34 (70%) were male; the mean (SD) age was 50 (13) years. Trimetazidine therapy did not improve exercise capacity, with patients in the trimetazidine group walking 38.4 m (95% CI, 5.13 to 71.70 m) less than patients in the placebo group at 3 months after adjustment for their baseline walking distance measurements. After adjustment for baseline values, peak oxygen consumption was 1.35 mL/kg per minute lower (95% CI, -2.58 to -0.11 mL/kg per minute; P = .03) in the intervention group after 3 months. Conclusions and Relevance: In symptomatic patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, trimetazidine therapy does not improve exercise capacity. Pharmacologic therapy for this disease remains limited. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01696370

Methodology of a novel risk stratification algorithm for patients with multiple myeloma in the relapsed setting

Introduction Risk stratification tools provide valuable information to inform treatment decisions. Existing algorithms for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were based on patients with newly diagnosed disease, and these have not been validated in the relapsed setting or in routine clinical practice. We developed a risk stratification algorithm (RSA) for patients with MM at initiation of second-line (2L) treatment, based on data from the Czech Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies. Methods Predictors of overall survival (OS) at 2L treatment were identified using Cox proportional hazards models and backward selection. Risk scores were obtained by multiplying the hazard ratios for each predictor. The K-adaptive partitioning for survival (KAPS) algorithm defined four groups of stratification based on individual risk scores. Results Performance of the RSA was assessed using Nagelkerke’s R2 test and Harrell’s concordance index through Kaplan–Meier analysis of OS data. Prognostic groups were successfully defined based on real-world data. Use of a multiplicative score based on Cox modeling and KAPS to define cut-off values was effective. Conclusion Through innovative methods of risk assessment and collaboration between physicians and statisticians, the RSA was capable of stratifying patients at 2L treatment by survival expectations. This approach can be used to develop clinical decision-making tools in other disease areas to improve patient management

Acute exposure to diesel affects inflammation and vascular function.

BACKGROUND: Diesel exhaust fumes represent one of the most common toxic pollutants. The prolonged effects of acute exposure to this pollutant on inflammatory status and vascular properties are unknown. METHODS: During a 2-h session, 40 healthy subjects were exposed to diesel exhaust fumes and/or filtered air. Endothelial function was assessed with flow mediated dilation, arterial stiffness with pulse wave velocity and reflected waves with augmentation index. C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, protein C levels and protein S activity were also measured. Standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals (SDNN) was used to assess heart rate variability. Measurements were assessed before exposure and 2 and 24 h after diesel exposure. RESULTS: Compared with filtered air, exposure to diesel exhaust fumes decreased flow mediated dilation and increased pulse wave velocity and augmentation index up to 24 h after the exposure (p < 0.001 for all). Similarly, compared with filtered air, diesel exhaust exposure impaired SDNN during the 24-h study period (p = 0.007). C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were significantly increased after diesel exhaust exposure while protein C levels and protein S activity decreased (p < 0.01 for all). Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes resulted in higher C-reactive protein concentration in smokers compared with non-smokers (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to diesel exhaust fumes has a prolonged adverse impact on endothelial function and vascular wall properties, along with impaired heart rate variability, abnormal fibrinolytic activity and increased markers of inflammation. These findings give insights into the mechanisms underlining the increased cardiovascular risk of subjects regularly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes