105 research outputs found
Strong-field terahertz-optical mixing in excitons
Driving a double-quantum-well excitonic intersubband resonance with a
terahertz (THz) electric field of frequency \omega_{THz} generated terahertz
optical sidebands \omega=\omega_{THz}+\omega_{NIR} on a weak NIR probe. At high
THz intensities, the intersubband dipole energy which coupled two excitons was
comparable to the THz photon energy. In this strong-field regime the sideband
intensity displayed a non-monotonic dependence on the THz field strength. The
oscillating refractive index which gives rise to the sidebands may be
understood by the formation of Floquet states, which oscillate with the same
periodicity as the driving THz field.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure
On the Influence of Pulse Shapes on Ionization Probability
We investigate analytical expressions for the upper and lower bounds for the
ionization probability through ultra-intense shortly pulsed laser radiation. We
take several different pulse shapes into account, including in particular those
with a smooth adiabatic turn-on and turn-off. For all situations for which our
bounds are applicable we do not find any evidence for bound-state
stabilization.Comment: 21 pages LateX, 10 figure
Spitzer Observations of Bok Globule B335: Isolated Star Formation Efficiency and Cloud Structure
We present infrared and millimeter observations of Barnard 335, the
prototypical isolated Bok globule with an embedded protostar. Using Spitzer
data we measure the source luminosity accurately; we also constrain the density
profile of the innermost globule material near the protostar using the
observation of an 8.0 um shadow. HHT observations of 12CO 2 --> 1 confirm the
detection of a flattened molecular core with diameter ~10000 AU and the same
orientation as the circumstellar disk (~100 to 200 AU in diameter). This
structure is probably the same as that generating the 8.0 um shadow and is
expected from theoretical simulations of collapsing embedded protostars. We
estimate the mass of the protostar to be only ~5% of the mass of the parent
globule.Comment: 15 pages, 17 figures, emulateapj format, accepted for publication in
Ap
(Sub)mm Interferometry Applications in Star Formation Research
This contribution gives an overview about various applications of (sub)mm
interferometry in star formation research. The topics covered are molecular
outflows, accretion disks, fragmentation and chemical properties of low- and
high-mass star-forming regions. A short outlook on the capabilities of ALMA is
given as well.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, in proceedings to "2nd European School on Jets
from Young Star: High Angular Resolution Observations". A high-resolution
version of the paper can be found at
http://www.mpia.de/homes/beuther/papers.htm
Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015 : A modelling study
Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier LtdBackground The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, which can become a reality with the recent launch of direct acting antiviral therapies. Reliable disease burden estimates are required for national strategies. This analysis estimates the global prevalence of viraemic HCV at the end of 2015, an update of—and expansion on—the 2014 analysis, which reported 80 million (95% CI 64–103) viraemic infections in 2013. Methods We developed country-level disease burden models following a systematic review of HCV prevalence (number of studies, n=6754) and genotype (n=11 342) studies published after 2013. A Delphi process was used to gain country expert consensus and validate inputs. Published estimates alone were used for countries where expert panel meetings could not be scheduled. Global prevalence was estimated using regional averages for countries without data. Findings Models were built for 100 countries, 59 of which were approved by country experts, with the remaining 41 estimated using published data alone. The remaining countries had insufficient data to create a model. The global prevalence of viraemic HCV is estimated to be 1·0% (95% uncertainty interval 0·8–1·1) in 2015, corresponding to 71·1 million (62·5–79·4) viraemic infections. Genotypes 1 and 3 were the most common cause of infections (44% and 25%, respectively). Interpretation The global estimate of viraemic infections is lower than previous estimates, largely due to more recent (lower) prevalence estimates in Africa. Additionally, increased mortality due to liver-related causes and an ageing population may have contributed to a reduction in infections. Funding John C Martin Foundation.publishersversionPeer reviewe
Ramucirumab plus docetaxel versus placebo plus docetaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based therapy (RANGE): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial
Few treatments with a distinct mechanism of action are available for patients with platinum-refractory advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with docetaxel plus either ramucirumab-a human IgG1 VEGFR-2 antagonist-or placebo in this patient population
Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries
Abstract
Background
Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres.
Methods
This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries.
Results
In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia.
Conclusion
This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries
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