Deposition and spectral performance of an inhomogeneous broadband wide-angular antireflective coating

The gradient index coatings and optical filters based on them are a challenge for fabrication. In a round-robin experiment basically the same hybrid antireflection coating for the visible spectral region has been deposited with three different techniques: electron beam evaporation, ion beam sputtering and radio frequency magnetron-sputtering. Spectral performances of such one-side and both-side coated samples have been compared with corresponding theoretical spectra of the designed profile. Also, reproducibility of each process is checked

Assessment of daily profiles of ADHD and ODD symptoms, and symptomatology related to ADHD medication, by parent and teacher ratings

DAYAS is a new two-part rating scale that assesses: (1) ADHD and ODD symptoms (externalising symptom ratings) and (2) symptomatology potentially related to ADHD medication (potentially medication-related symptoms) in real-world settings at different time periods throughout a normal school day. Data from a proof-of-concept study and two observational trials (Medikinet® retard [methylphenidate] and the Equasym XL® [methylphenidate] OBSEER study) evaluated: (1) validity of weekly externalising symptom ratings using DAYAS, in place of daily ratings; (2) reliability and internal consistency of DAYAS ratings for externalising symptoms and potentially medication-related symptoms; and (3) convergent and divergent validity of the externalising symptom ratings with existing validated scales. From the proof-of-concept study, daily scores by period of day and during the whole day correlated strongly with equivalent weekly scores (r = 0.83–0.92). Internal consistency of externalising symptom rating scales calculated from pooled data were acceptable or good by period of day (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.68–0.90) and very high for whole day scores (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88–0.95). Internal consistency of the rating scale for potentially medication-related symptoms was also good for both teacher and parent ratings. From OBSEER data, correlations between FBB-ADHD total symptom scores and ratings on both parent and teacher versions of DAYAS were high (r = 0.73 and r = 0.84, respectively). Correlations between DAYAS and SDQ were highest for the SDQ subscales hyperactivity and conduct problems and substantially lower for pro-social behaviour, peers and emotional problems. The DAYAS rating scale had good internal consistency, and DAYAS scores correlated well with existing validated scales and the SDQ subscales hyperactivity and conduct problems. Weekly DAYAS scores (whole day and by period of day) could be considered a suitable replacement for daily assessment scores

The polarization observables T, P, and H and their impact on γp→pπ0\gamma p \to p\pi^0 multipoles

Data on the polarization observables T, P, and H for the reaction $\gamma p\to p\pi^0$ are reported. Compared to earlier data from other experiments, our data are more precise and extend the covered range in energy and angle substantially. The results were extracted from azimuthal asymmetries measured using a transversely polarized target and linearly polarized photons. The data were taken at the Bonn electron stretcher accelerator ELSA with the CBELSA/TAPS detector. Within the Bonn-Gatchina partial wave analysis, the new polarization data lead to a significant narrowing of the error band for the multipoles for neutral-pion photoproduction

Creating number states in the micromaser using feedback

We use the quantum theory of feedback developed by Wiseman and Milburn [Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 548 (1993)] and Wiseman [Phys. Rev. A 49, 2133 (1994)] to investigate the photon-number noise properties of the micromaser with direct detection feedback. We find that the feedback can significantly reduce the amount of noise in the photon number. Under the right conditions the feedback locks the systems onto a number state. As opposed to other schemes in the past [P. Meystre, Opt. Lett. 12, 669 (1987); J. Krause, M. O. Scully, and H. Walther, Phys. Rev. A 36, 4547 (1987)], we can fix the number states to which the system evolves. We also simulate the micromaser using the quantum-trajectories method and show that these results agree with the quantum theory of feedback. We show that the noise of quantum island states [P. Bogar, J. A. Bergou, and M. Hillary, Phys. Rev. A 50, 754 (1994)] can be significantly reduced by the feedback

Bandwidth Constrained Multi-interface Networks

International audienceIn heterogeneous networks, devices can communicate by means of multiple wired or wireless interfaces. By switching among interfaces or by combining the available interfaces, each device might establish several connections. A connection is established when the devices at its endpoints share at least one active interface. Each interface is assumed to require an activation cost, and provides a communication bandwidth. In this paper, we consider the problem of activating the cheapest set of interfaces among a network G = (V,E) in order to guarantee a minimum bandwidth B of communication between two specified nodes. Nodes V represent the devices, edges E represent the connections that can be established. In practical cases, a bounded number k of different interfaces among all the devices can be considered. Despite this assumption, the problem turns out to be NP-hard even for small values of k and Δ, where Δ is the maximum degree of the network. In particular, the problem is NP-hard for any fixed k ≥ 2 and Δ ≥ 3, while it is polynomially solvable when k = 1, or Δ ≤ 2 and k = O(1). Moreover, we show that the problem is not approximable within ηlogB or Ω(loglog|V|) for any fixed k ≥ 3, Δ ≥ 3, and for a certain constant η, unless P=NP. We then provide an approximation algorithm with ratio guarantee of b max , where b max is the maximum communication bandwidth allowed among all the available interfaces. Finally, we focus on particular cases by providing complexity results and polynomial algorithms for Δ ≤ 2

An observational study of once-daily modified-release methylphenidate in ADHD: effectiveness on symptoms and impairment, and safety

ADHD affects over 5% of children worldwide. It is typically treated with stimulant medications, and methylphenidate (MPH) is the most commonly prescribed. This study investigated the effectiveness, on symptoms and impairment, and safety of Equasym XL®, a combination of 30% immediate-release and 70% modified-release MPH, in the treatment of ADHD in daily clinical practice. This open-label, observational, post-marketing surveillance study was conducted in 169 centres in Germany. Eligible patients, aged 6–17 years, were diagnosed with ADHD and about to begin treatment with Equasym XL®. Effectiveness was assessed by physicians using the clinical global impression (CGI) severity and improvement scales; teachers and parents completed questionnaires evaluating ADHD symptoms and behavioural problems (DAYAS, FBB-ADHD and SDQ-P). Assessments were carried out at baseline, after 1–3 and 6–12 weeks of treatment. Of 852 enrolled patients, 822 were evaluable; 25.30% were treatment naïve, 69.84% had previously received different MPH formulations, and 4.87% had received other medications. ADHD symptoms improved from baseline to last visit for the majority of patients for all outcome measures. According to physician ratings of core ADHD symptoms, 75.73% of patients showed improvements on the CGI-Improvement scale, 17.77% had no change, and 6.50% worsened. In teacher and parent ratings, the effectiveness of Equasym XL® was rated better than prior therapy at all measured time points across the day, particularly late morning (teachers) and early afternoon (parents). Equasym XL® was generally well tolerated; only 3.16% of patients permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse events. Equasym XL® is effective and well tolerated in daily clinical practice