Stochastic and Semi-Classical Approaches to the Quantum Virial Expansion

Many-body quantum systems provide an interesting playground for experimentalists and theorists alike. In particular, ultracold atomic gases provide not only a realm of study for which experiments have a high degree of control but also provides theorists with intriguing, yet challenging systems that may be accessed computationally. It is for these reasons that it is here where the majority of our work will focus. We discuss the necessary physics, thermodynamics, and computational methods for carrying out this work, and present several methods for computing coefficients of the quantum virial expansion across dimensions for Fermi gases with zero-range interactions. The techniques discussed are non-perturbative and involve stochastic methods as well as a semi-classical lattice approximation. Through these algorithms, we have computed the interaction dependence (both attractive and repulsive where applicable) of the virial coefficients to a relatively high order as compared to current literature in one, two, and three spatial dimensions. Through one of said methods, we are able to provide a prediction for the radius of convergence of the virial expansion in one spatial dimension.Doctor of Philosoph

Prospective Home-use Study on Non-invasive Neuromodulation Therapy for Essential Tremor.

Highlights: This prospective study is one of the largest clinical trials in essential tremor to date. Study findings suggest that individualized non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction and improves quality of life for many essential tremor patients. Background: Two previous randomized, controlled, single-session trials demonstrated efficacy of non-invasive neuromodulation therapy targeting the median and radial nerves for reducing hand tremor. This current study evaluated efficacy and safety of the therapy over three months of repeated home use. Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, post-clearance, single-arm study with 263 patients enrolled across 26 sites. Patients were instructed to use the therapy twice daily for three months. Pre-specified co-primary endpoints were improvements on clinician-rated Tremor Research Group Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS) and patient-rated Bain & Findley Activities of Daily Living (BF-ADL) dominant hand scores. Other endpoints included improvement in the tremor power detected by an accelerometer on the therapeutic device, Clinical and Patient Global Impression scores (CGI-I, PGI-I), and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor (QUEST) survey. Results: 205 patients completed the study. The co-primary endpoints were met (p≪0.0001), with 62% (TETRAS) and 68% (BF-ADL) of \u27severe\u27 or \u27moderate\u27 patients improving to \u27mild\u27 or \u27slight\u27. Clinicians (CGI-I) reported improvement in 68% of patients, 60% (PGI-I) of patients reported improvement, and QUEST improved (p = 0.0019). Wrist-worn accelerometer recordings before and after 21,806 therapy sessions showed that 92% of patients improved, and 54% of patients experienced ≥50% improvement in tremor power. Device-related adverse events (e.g., wrist discomfort, skin irritation, pain) occurred in 18% of patients. No device-related serious adverse events were reported. Discussion: This study suggests that non-invasive neuromodulation therapy used repeatedly at home over three months results in safe and effective hand tremor reduction in many essential tremor patients

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Particle Projection Using a Complex Langevin Method

Using complex stochastic quantization, we implement a particle-number projection technique on the partition function of spin-1/2 fermions at finite temperature on the lattice. We discuss the method, its application towards obtaining the thermal properties of finite Fermi systems in three spatial dimensions, and results for the first five virial coefficients of one-dimensional, attractively interacting fermions

Particle Projection Using a Complex Langevin Method

Using complex stochastic quantization, we implement a particle-number projection technique on the partition function of spin-1/2 fermions at finite temperature on the lattice. We discuss the method, its application towards obtaining the thermal properties of finite Fermi systems in three spatial dimensions, and results for the first five virial coefficients of one-dimensional, attractively interacting fermions

Particle Projection Using a Complex Langevin Method

Using complex stochastic quantization, we implement a particle-number projection technique on the partition function of spin-1/2 fermions at finite temperature on the lattice. We discuss the method, its application towards obtaining the thermal properties of finite Fermi systems in three spatial dimensions, and results for the first five virial coefficients of one-dimensional, attractively interacting fermions.Comment: Proceedings of Lattice2017, Granada, Spai

Cortical Phosphorylated Alpha-Synuclein Levels Correlate With Brain Wave Spectra in Parkinson\u27s Disease

Introduction: Quantitative EEG features have been identified as surrogates and predictors of cognitive decline/dementia, a common feature of progressive PD. The biochemical correlates for altered quantitative EEG features are unknown. Our primary objective was to test the hypothesis that quantitative EEG measures correlate with cortical levels of phosphorylated α-synuclein, a modified form of the synaptic protein α-synuclein, in PD cases, in contrast to other pathology-associated proteins. A secondary objective was to explore the same correlations among cellular fractions of these proteins. Methods: We used posterior cingulate cortex autopsy tissue from 44 PD subjects with various degrees of cognitive decline, who had undergone EEG. In this brain region, which is a major hub of the default mode network, biochemical measurements for levels of phosphorylated α-synuclein, unmodified α-synuclein, amyloid beta peptide, phosphorylated tau, and key synaptic proteins were analyzed and data correlated with spectral EEG measures. Results: Findings revealed significant correlations between background rhythm peak frequency and all bandpower values (highest in delta bandpower) with total phosphorylated α-synuclein, but not any correlation with total α-synuclein, phosphorylated tau protein, amyloid beta peptide, or synaptic proteins. Certain fractions of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 showed correlation with some quantitative EEG measures. Conclusions: These data show an association between increased phosphorylation of α-synuclein and the abnormal EEG signatures of cognitive decline. Results suggest that quantitative EEG may provide an in vivo approximation of phosphorylated α-synuclein in PD cortex. This adds to previous evidence that quantitative EEG measures can be considered valid biomarkers of PD cognitive decline

Converging mediators from immune and trophic pathways to identify Parkinson disease dementia

OBJECTIVE: To identify a panel of peripheral inflammatory/immune mediators that could discriminate Parkinson disease with dementia (PDD) from Parkinson disease (PD) without dementia. METHODS: Plasma samples from 52 patients with PD and 22 patients with PDD were prepared from freshly collected blood following an institutional review board-approved protocol. A total of 160 proteins were measured using a multiplex antibody array. Plasma α-synuclein levels were analyzed by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The main objective of the statistical analyses was to identify PDD discriminants using the plasma protein profile alone or in combination with age. RESULTS: The PD and PDD groups differed significantly in cognitive measurements (Mini-Mental State Examination, Auditory Verbal Learning Test-A7, and Clinical Dementia Rating) and age. The age-adjusted levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA were significantly different between disease groups. The levels of plasma α-synuclein significantly correlated with 26 proteins; among them, PDGF-BB, TARC, PDGF-AA, and epidermal growth factor were the highest. Linear discriminant analysis with leave-one-out cross-validation identified a 14-protein panel with age as discriminants of PDD (96% sensitivity, 89% specificity, area under the curve = 0.9615). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that multiple proteins that are mediators of growth/trophic and immune response-related pathways had discriminatory power for identifying PDD in patients with PD. Validation of this discovery-based study in longitudinal population-based studies is warranted. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that a 14-protein panel plasma assay combined with age has a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 89% for PDD

Comparison of neuropathology in Parkinson\u27s disease subjects with and without deep brain stimulation

Background: The aim of this postmortem study was to compare, in Parkinson\u27s disease subjects with and without bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS), the loss of pigmented neurons within the substantia nigra and pathological alpha-synuclein density within the SN and other brain regions. Methods: PD subjects were identified from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders database (STN-DBS = 11, non-DBS = 156). Pigmented neuron loss scores within the substantia nigra as well as alpha-synuclein density scores within the substantia nigra and 9 other brain regions were compared, the latter individually and in summary as the Lewy body brain load score. Results: DBS subjects had higher alpha-synuclein density scores within the substantia nigra, olfactory bulb, and locus ceruleus, as well as higher total Lewy body brain load scores when compared with non-DBS subjects. No differences in substantia nigra pigmented neuron loss scores were found. Conclusions: STN-DBS subjects tend to have higher alpha-synuclein density scores, but do not have a differential loss of substantia nigra pigmented neurons. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Octanoic Acid Suppresses Harmaline-Induced Tremor in Mouse Model of Essential Tremor

Recent work exploring the use of high-molecular weight alcohols to treat essential tremor (ET) has identified octanoic acid as a potential novel tremor-suppressing agent. We used an established harmaline-based mouse model of ET to compare tremor suppression by 1-octanol and octanoic acid. The dose-related effect on digitized motion power within the tremor bandwidth as a fraction of overall motion power was analyzed. Both 1-octanol and octanoic acid provided significant reductions in harmaline tremor. An 8-carbon alkyl alcohol and carboxylic acid each suppress tremor in a pre-clinical mouse model of ET. Further studies are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of such agents in humans with ET. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13311-012-0121-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users