In-plane Theory of Non-Sequential Triple Ionization

We describe first-principles in-plane calculations of non-sequential triple ionization (NSTI) of atoms in a linearly polarized intense laser pulse. In a fully classically correlated description, all three electrons respond dynamically to the nuclear attraction, the pairwise e-e repulsions and the laser force throughout the duration of a 780nm laser pulse. Nonsequential ejection is shown to occur in a multi-electron, possibly multi-cycle and multi-dimensional, rescattering sequence that is coordinated by a number of sharp transverse recollimation impacts.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Non-Sequential Double Ionization is a Completely Classical Photoelectric Effect

We introduce a unified and simplified theory of atomic double ionization. Our results show that at high laser intensities ($I \ge 10^{14}$ watts/cm$^2$) purely classical correlation is strong enough to account for all of the main features observed in experiments to date

Momentum Analysis in Strong-field Double Ionization

We provide a basis for the laser intensity dependence of the momentum distributions of electrons and ions arising from strong-field non-sequential double ionization (NSDI) at intensities in the range $I=1-6.5 \times 10^{14} W/cm^2$. To do this we use a completely classical method introduced previously \cite{ho-etal05}. Our calculated results reproduce the features of experimental observations at different laser intensities and depend on just two distinct categories of electon trajectories.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Energies and wave functions for a soft-core Coulomb potential

For the family of model soft Coulomb potentials represented by V(r) = -\frac{Z}{(r^q+\beta^q)^{\frac{1}{q}}}, with the parameters Z>0, \beta>0, q \ge 1, it is shown analytically that the potentials and eigenvalues, E_{\nu\ell}, are monotonic in each parameter. The potential envelope method is applied to obtain approximate analytic estimates in terms of the known exact spectra for pure power potentials. For the case q =1, the Asymptotic Iteration Method is used to find exact analytic results for the eigenvalues E_{\nu\ell} and corresponding wave functions, expressed in terms of Z and \beta. A proof is presented establishing the general concavity of the scaled electron density near the nucleus resulting from the truncated potentials for all q. Based on an analysis of extensive numerical calculations, it is conjectured that the crossing between the pair of states [(\nu,\ell),(\nu',\ell')], is given by the condition \nu'\geq (\nu+1) and \ell' \geq (\ell+3). The significance of these results for the interaction of an intense laser field with an atom is pointed out. Differences in the observed level-crossing effects between the soft potentials and the hydrogen atom confined inside an impenetrable sphere are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, title change, minor revision

Classical Effects of Laser Pulse Duration on Strong-field Double Ionization

We use classical electron ensembles and the aligned-electron approximation to examine the effect of laser pulse duration on the dynamics of strong-field double ionization. We cover the range of intensities $10^{14}-10^{16} W/cm^2$ for the laser wavelength 780 nm. The classical scenario suggests that the highest rate of recollision occurs early in the pulse and promotes double ionization production in few-cycle pulses. In addition, the purely classical ensemble calculation predicts an exponentially decreasing recollision rate with each subsequent half cycle. We confirm the exponential behavior by trajectory back-analysis

Comparison of cerebellar grey matter alterations in bipolar and cerebellar patients: evidence from Voxel-based analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the patterns of cerebellar alterations associated with bipolar disease with those induced by the presence of cerebellar neurodegenerative pathologies to clarify the potential cerebellar contribution to bipolar affective disturbance. Twenty-nine patients affected by bipolar disorder, 32 subjects affected by cerebellar neurodegenerative pathologies, and 37 age-matched healthy subjects underwent a 3T MRI protocol. A voxel-based morphometry analysis was used to show similarities and differences in cerebellar grey matter (GM) loss between the groups. We found a pattern of GM cerebellar alterations in both bipolar and cerebellar groups that involved the anterior and posterior cerebellar regions (p = 0.05). The direct comparison between bipolar and cerebellar patients demonstrated a significant difference in GM loss in cerebellar neurodegenerative patients in the bilateral anterior and posterior motor cerebellar regions, such as lobules I-IV, V, VI, VIIIa, VIIIb, IX, VIIb and vermis VI, while a pattern of overlapping GM loss was evident in right lobule V, right crus I and bilateral crus II. Our findings showed, for the first time, common and different alteration patterns of specific cerebellar lobules in bipolar and neurodegenerative cerebellar patients, which allows us to hypothesize a cerebellar role in cognitive and mood dysregulation symptoms that characterize bipolar disorde

Theory of mind profile and cerebellar alterations in remitted bipolar disorder 1 and 2: a comparison study

The literature on social cognition abilities in bipolar disorder (BD) is controversial about the occurrence of theory of mind (ToM) alterations. In addition to other cerebral structures, such as the frontal and limbic areas, the processing of socially relevant stimuli has also been attributed to the cerebellum, which has been demonstrated to be involved in the abovementioned disorder. Nevertheless, the cerebellar contribution to ToM deficits in bipolar patients needs to be elucidated further. To this aim, two tests assessing different components of ToM were used to evaluate the ability to appreciate affective and mental states of others in 17 individuals with a diagnosis of BD type 1 (BD1) and 13 with BD type 2 (BD2), both in the euthymic phase, compared to healthy matched controls. Cerebellar grey matter (GM) volumes were extracted and compared between BD1 and controls and BD2 and controls by using voxel-based morphometry. The results showed that BD1 patients were compromised in the cognitive and advanced components of ToM, while the BD2 ToM profile resulted in a more widespread compromise, also involving affective and automatic components. Both overlapping and differing areas of cerebellar GM reduction were found. The two groups of patients presented a pattern of GM reduction in cerebellar portions that are known to be involved in the affective and social domains, such as the vermis and Crus I and Crus II. Interestingly, in both BD1 and BD2, positive correlations were detected between lower ToM scores and decreased volumes in the cerebellum. Overall, BD2 patients showed a more compromised ToM profile and greater cerebellar impairment than BD1 patients. The different pattern of structural abnormalities may account for the different ToM performances evidenced, thus leading to divergent profiles between BD1 and BD2

Effect of Probiotic Administration on Serum Tryptophan Metabolites in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by anomalous functioning of the immuno regulatory, tryptophan-catabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). In T1D, the levels of kynurenine—the first byproduct of tryptophan degradation via IDO1—are significantly lower than in nondiabetic controls, such that defective immune regulation by IDO1 has been recognized as potentially contributing to autoimmunity in T1D. Because tryptophan catabolism—and the production of immune regulatory catabolites—also occurs via the gut microbiota, we measured serum levels of tryptophan, and metabolites thereof, in pediatric, diabetic patients after a 3-month oral course of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Daily administration of the probiotic significantly affected circulating levels of tryptophan as well as the qualitative pattern of metabolite formation in the diabetic patients, while it decreased inflammatory cytokine production by the patients. This study suggests for the first time that a probiotic treatment may affect systemic tryptophan metabolism and restrain proinflammatory profile in pediatric T1D

Український фольклорний анекдот як гуманiтарна цiннiсть та гуманiстичний iдеал: перспективи вивчення

Кирчiв Р.Ф. Етюди до студій над українським народним анекдотом. Львiв: Інститут народознавства НАН України, 2008. 268 c