412 research outputs found
Functional renormalization group in the broken symmetry phase: momentum dependence and two-parameter scaling of the self-energy
We include spontaneous symmetry breaking into the functional renormalization
group (RG) equations for the irreducible vertices of Ginzburg-Landau theories
by augmenting these equations by a flow equation for the order parameter, which
is determined from the requirement that at each RG step the vertex with one
external leg vanishes identically. Using this strategy, we propose a simple
truncation of the coupled RG flow equations for the vertices in the broken
symmetry phase of the Ising universality class in D dimensions. Our truncation
yields the full momentum dependence of the self-energy Sigma (k) and
interpolates between lowest order perturbation theory at large momenta k and
the critical scaling regime for small k. Close to the critical point, our
method yields the self-energy in the scaling form Sigma (k) = k_c^2 sigma^{-}
(k | xi, k / k_c), where xi is the order parameter correlation length, k_c is
the Ginzburg scale, and sigma^{-} (x, y) is a dimensionless two-parameter
scaling function for the broken symmetry phase which we explicitly calculate
within our truncation.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, puplished versio
High-density Mapping Guided Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation-Two-year clinical outcome of a single center experience
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) as interventional treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) aims to eliminate arrhythmogenic triggers from the PVs. Improved signal detection facilitating a more robust electrical isolation might be associated with a better outcome. This retrospective cohort study compared PVI procedures using a novel high-density mapping system (HDM) with improved signal detection vs. age-and sex-matched PVIs using a conventional 3D mapping system (COM). Endpoints comprised freedom from AF and procedural parameters. In total, 108 patients (mean age 63.9 +/- 11.2 years, 56.5% male, 50.9% paroxysmal AF) were included (n = 54 patients/group). Our analysis revealed that HDM was not superior regarding freedom from AF (mean follow-up of 494.7 +/- 26.2 days), with one- and two-year AF recurrence rates of 38.9%/46.5% (HDM) and 38.9%/42.2% (COM), respectively. HDM was associated with reduction in fluoroscopy times (18.8 +/- 10.6 vs. 29.8 +/- 13.4 min;p < 0.01) and total radiation dose (866.0 +/- 1003.3 vs. 1731.2 +/- 1978.4 cGy;p < 0.01) compared to the COM group. HDM was equivalent but not superior to COM with respect to clinical outcome after PVI and resulted in reduced fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure. These results suggest that HDM-guided PVI is effective and safe for AF ablation. Potential benefits in comparison to conventional mapping systems, e.g. arrhythmia recurrence rates, have to be addressed in randomized trials
Imaging-guided chest biopsies: techniques and clinical results
Background
This article aims to comprehensively describe indications, contraindications, technical aspects, diagnostic accuracy and complications of percutaneous lung biopsy.
Methods
Imaging-guided biopsy currently represents one of the predominant methods for obtaining tissue specimens in patients with lung nodules; in many cases treatment protocols are based on histological information; thus, biopsy is frequently performed, when technically feasible, or in case other techniques (such as bronchoscopy with lavage) are inconclusive.
Results
Although a coaxial system is suitable in any case, two categories of needles can be used: fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core-needle biopsy (CNB), with the latter demonstrated to have a slightly higher overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.
Conclusion
Percutaneous lung biopsy is a safe procedure even though a few complications are possible: pneumothorax, pulmonary haemorrhage and haemoptysis are common complications, while air embolism and seeding are rare, but potentially fatal complications
Damping of phase fluctuations in superfluid Bose gases
Using Popov's hydrodynamic approach we derive an effective Euclidean action
for the long-wavelength phase fluctuations of superfluid Bose gases in D
dimensions. We then use this action to calculate the damping of phase
fluctuations at zero temperature as a function of D. For D >1 and wavevectors |
k | << 2 mc (where m is the mass of the bosons and c is the sound velocity) we
find that the damping in units of the phonon energy E_k = c | k | is to leading
order gamma_k / E_k = A_D (k_0^D / 2 pi rho) (| k | / k_0)^{2 D -2}, where rho
is the boson density and k_0 =2 mc is the inverse healing length. For D -> 1
the numerical coefficient A_D vanishes and the damping is proportional to an
additional power of |k | /k_0; a self-consistent calculation yields in this
case gamma_k / E_k = 1.32 (k_0 / 2 pi rho)^{1/2} |k | / k_0. In one dimension,
we also calculate the entire spectral function of phase fluctuations.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, published versio
Atrial fibrillation genetic risk differentiates cardioembolic stroke from other stroke subtypes
Objective We sought to assess whether genetic risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) can explain cardioembolic stroke risk. Methods We evaluated genetic correlations between a previous genetic study of AF and AF in the presence of cardioembolic stroke using genome-wide genotypes from the Stroke Genetics Network (N = 3,190 AF cases, 3,000 cardioembolic stroke cases, and 28,026 referents). We tested whether a previously validated AF polygenic risk score (PRS) associated with cardioembolic and other stroke subtypes after accounting for AF clinical risk factors. Results We observed a strong correlation between previously reported genetic risk for AF, AF in the presence of stroke, and cardioembolic stroke (Pearson r = 0.77 and 0.76, respectively, across SNPs with p 0.1). Conclusion: s Genetic risk of AF is associated with cardioembolic stroke, independent of clinical risk factors. Studies are warranted to determine whether AF genetic risk can serve as a biomarker for strokes caused by AF
Infrared behavior of interacting bosons at zero temperature
We review the infrared behavior of interacting bosons at zero temperature.
After a brief discussion of the Bogoliubov approximation and the breakdown of
perturbation theory due to infrared divergences, we present two approaches that
are free of infrared divergences -- Popov's hydrodynamic theory and the
non-perturbative renormalization group -- and allow us to obtain the exact
infrared behavior of the correlation functions. We also point out the
connection between the infrared behavior in the superfluid phase and the
critical behavior at the superfluid--Mott-insulator transition in the
Bose-Hubbard model.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Proceedings of the 19th International Laser
Physics Workshop, LPHYS'10 (Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, July 5-9, 2010
Dynamical symmetry breaking in a 2D electron gas with a spectral node
We study a disordered 2D electron gas with a spectral node in a vicinity of
the node. After identifying the fundamental dynamical symmetries of this
system, the spontaneous breaking of the latter by a Grassmann field is studied
within a nonlinear sigma model approach. This allows us to reduce the average
two-particle Green's function to a diffusion propagator with a random diffusion
coefficient. The latter has non-degenerate saddle points and is treated by the
conventional self-consistent Born approximation. This leads to a renormalized
chemical potential and a renormalized diffusion coefficient, where the DC
conductivity increases linearly with the density of quasiparticles. Applied to
the special case of Dirac fermions, our approach provides a comprehensive
description of the minimal conductivity at the Dirac node as well as for the
V-shape conductivity inside the bands.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, extended versio
Heart echinococcus cyst as an incidental finding: early detection might be life-saving
We present a 46-year-old female smoker who was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital due to cough with blood-tinged sputum for the last four days before admission. Using echocardiography and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) heart Echinococcosis was diagnosed. Echinococcosis is a severe health issue in some geographical regions of the world. Hydatid infection of the heart is rare and the clinical presentation is usually insidious but there is always the lethal hazard of cyst perforation. Early diagnosis and an integrated treatment strategy are crucial. The results of surgical treatment of heart echinococcosis are better than the conservative strategy only. Extraction of the cyst combined with chemotherapy peri or post operative aiming to decrease the recurrences, consists the lege artis method of encountering this medical entity. Surgical excision was performed and the patient had an uneventful recovery and follow up at six and twelve months
Primary subcutaneous cyst hydatic disease in proximal thigh: an unusual localisation: a case report
BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare and represents 1% – 5.4% of all cases of echinococcosis. On clinical basis, infection mimics a soft-tissue tumor, and the preoperative radiological diagnosis is very important to avoid biopsy. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary subcutaneous hydatidosis in proximity to vastus lateralis muscle. It was diagnosed according to the computed tomography appearance, clinical and pathological findings. A 43 year old female patient was admitted with a history of pain at proximal thigh for the last 30 days. On physical examination, a mass which was 4 × 5 cm in diameter, painful and erythamatous, was palpated over greater trochanter. Sedimentation rate was 40 mm in the first hour. CT (Computed Tomography) scan demonstrated, a soft tissue mass with central cystic component in the subcutaneous tissue near vastus lateralis muscle. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed a pericystic structure, which consisted of connective tissue and scattered hyaline cells showing a necrotic basophilic structure that resembled a cuticular membrane. Treatment with high dose albendazole was conducted for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that echinococcal disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every cystic mass in every anatomic location, especially when they occur in areas where the disease is endemic
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