Interpolating Coherent States for Heisenberg-Weyl and Single-Photon SU(1,1) Algebras

New quantal states which interpolate between the coherent states of the Heisenberg_Weyl and SU(1,1) algebras are introduced. The interpolating states are obtained as the coherent states of a closed and symmetric algebra which interpolates between the two algebras. The overcompleteness of the interpolating coherent states is established. Differential operator representations in suitable spaces of entire functions are given for the generators of the algebra. A nonsymmetric set of operators to realize the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra is provided and the relevant coherent states are studied.Comment: 13 pages nd 5 ps figure

a prospective ‘before/after’ cohort study

Objectives Antibiotic resistance has risen dramatically over the past years. For individual patients, adequate initial antibiotic therapy is essential for clinical outcome. Computer-assisted decision support systems (CDSSs) are advocated to support implementation of rational anti-infective treatment strategies based on guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate long- term effects after implementation of a CDSS. Design This prospective ‘before/after’ cohort study was conducted over four observation periods within 5 years. One preinterventional period (pre) was compared with three postinterventional periods: directly after intensive implementation efforts (post1), 2 years (post2) and 3 years (post3) after implementation. Setting Five anaesthesiological-managed intensive care units (ICU) (one cardiosurgical, one neurosurgical, two interdisciplinary and one intermediate care) at a university hospital. Participants Adult patients with an ICU stay of >48 h were included in the analysis. 1316 patients were included in the analysis for a total of 12 965 ICU days. Intervention Implementation of a CDSS. Outcome measures The primary end point was percentage of days with guideline adherence during ICU treatment. Secondary end points were antibiotic-free days and all-cause mortality compared for patients with low versus high guideline adherence. Main results Adherence to guidelines increased from 61% prior to implementation to 92% in post1, decreased in post2 to 76% and remained significantly higher compared with baseline in post3, with 71% (p=0.178). Additionally, antibiotic-free days increased over study periods. At all time periods, mortality for patients with low guideline adherence was higher with 12.3% versus 8% (p=0.014) and an adjusted OR of 1.56 (95% CI 1.05 to 2.31). Conclusions Implementation of computerised regional adapted guidelines for antibiotic therapy is paralleled with improved adherence. Even without further measures, adherence stayed high for a longer period and was paralleled by reduced antibiotic exposure. Improved guideline adherence was associated with reduced ICU mortality

Melatonin the "light of night" in human biology and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Melatonin "the light of night" is secreted from the pineal gland principally at night. The hormone is involved in sleep regulation, as well as in a number of other cyclical bodily activities and circadian rhythm in humans. Melatonin is exclusively involved in signalling the 'time of day' and 'time of year' (hence considered to help both clock and calendar functions) to all tissues and is thus considered to be the body's chronological pacemaker or 'Zeitgeber'. The last decades melatonin has been used as a therapeutic chemical in a large spectrum of diseases, mainly in sleep disturbances and tumours and may play a role in the biologic regulation of mood, affective disorders, cardiovascular system, reproduction and aging. There are few papers regarding melatonin and its role in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Melatonin may play a role in the pathogenesis of scoliosis (neuroendocrine hypothesis) but at present, the data available cannot clearly support this hypothesis. Uncertainties and doubts still surround the role of melatonin in human physiology and pathophysiology and future research is needed

Bright light therapy versus physical exercise to prevent co-morbid depression and obesity in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: The risk for major depression and obesity is increased in adolescents and adults with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and adolescent ADHD predicts adult depression and obesity. Non-pharmacological interventions to treat and prevent these co-morbidities are urgently needed. Bright light therapy (BLT) improves day– night rhythm and is an emerging therapy for major depression. Exercise intervention (EI) reduces obesity and improves depressive symptoms. To date, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been performed to establish feasibility and efficacy of these interventions targeting the prevention of co-morbid depression and obesity in ADHD. We hypothesize that the two manualized interventions in combination with mobile health-based monitoring and reinforcement will result in less depressive symptoms and obesity compared to treatment as usual in adolescents and young adults with ADHD. Methods: This trial is a prospective, pilot phase-IIa, parallel-group RCT with three arms (two add-on treatment groups [BLT, EI] and one treatment as usual [TAU] control group). The primary outcome variable is change in the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology total score (observer-blinded assessment) between baseline and ten weeks of intervention. This variable is analyzed with a mixed model for repeated measures approach investigating the treatment effect with respect to all three groups. A total of 330 participants with ADHD, aged 14 – < 30 years, will be screened at the four study centers. To establish effect sizes, the sample size was planned at the liberal significance level of α = 0.10 (two-sided) and the power of 1-β = 80% in order to find medium effects. Secondary outcomes measures including change in obesity, ADHD symptoms, general psychopathology, health-related quality of life, neurocognitive function, chronotype, and physical fitness are explored after the end of the intervention and at the 12-week follow-up. This is the first pilot RCT on the use of BLT and EI in combination with mobile health-based monitoring and reinforcement targeting the prevention of co-morbid depression and obesity in adolescents and young adults with ADHD. If at least medium effects can be established with regard to the prevention of depressive symptoms and obesity, a larger scale confirmatory phase-III trial may be warranted.The trial is funded by the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020 (Project no. 667302). Funding period: January 2016–December 2020. This funding source had no role in the design of this study and will not have any role during its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data, or decision to submit results. Some local funds additionally contributed to carry out this study, especially for the preparation of the interventions: FBO research activity is by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness – MINECO (RYC-2011-09011) and by the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)

Vibration distribution over support system of machine tools under ball-rod hardening of wheelpair assemblies

Introduction. Acoustic field in the allowable zone of the equipment operators, and, in particular, under ball-rod hardening of wheelpairs, is generated by the simultaneous emission of sound energy from two sources. The first one is the acoustic subsystem of “hardenable workpiece - reinforcer”. The second source includes all elements of the supporting machine system, in particular, spindle head housings, foundation slab, etc. When measuring sound pressure levels, it is practically impossible to detect the contribution from each separate source, therefore it is needed to carry out experimental studies on the distribution of vibrations throughout the entire machine carrier system both at idle speed and under the process implementation. Materials and Methods. Measurements of the vibration levels were carried out under certain technological operations. Roll surface machining was performed on a wheel-turning lathe on which ball-rod reinforcers were installed instead of cutting tools. Hard-facing of the landing surfaces of the wheelpair axles was carried out on a purpose-designed axle turning lathe on which the ball-rod reinforcers were installed in place of the cutters. Hard-facing of the wheel landing surface was carried out on a boring-and-turning lathe. In all these cases, octave vibration levels were measured at idle and under hardening. Comparison of the vibration spectra and noise spectra makes it possible to determine implicitly the contribution of the machine carrier system elements to the sound field at the operators' workplaces. Research Results. The research objectives, the results of which are given, consisted in studying the regularities in the distribution of vibration levels throughout the elements of the bearing systems of the ball-rod hardening equipment for wheelpairs. A qualitative assessment of the contribution of each source (hardenable part, reinforcer, and elements of the supporting system) can be performed on the basis of comparing the noise and vibration spectra. Measurements were carried out on three types of machines: special wheel-turning lathe on which the rolling surface is hardened; purpose-designed axle turning lathe on which the landing surface of the wheelpair axle is strengthened; and boring-and-turning lathe on which the wheel opening is reinforced. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of vibration measurements show that the intensity of sound emission of the machine carrier system elements does not cause excess over the sanitary norms of noise. Thus, the development of a noise-vibration protection system can be limited to the “hardenable workpiece - reinforcer” subsystem

Optimization of the flat stock cutting process by hydroabrasive jet

This article focuses on the key results of hydroabrasive flat stock cutting research. The forming process is described and its theoretical investigation is presented. The theoretical dependence for the roughness determination of the surface cut is set. Experimental results of the process investigation confirming their theoretical adequacy are put forward. The next steps of process optimization within the framework of modern production are allocated

Optimization of the flat stock cutting process by hydroabrasive jet

This article focuses on the key results of hydroabrasive flat stock cutting research. The forming process is described and its theoretical investigation is presented. The theoretical dependence for the roughness determination of the surface cut is set. Experimental results of the process investigation confirming their theoretical adequacy are put forward. The next steps of process optimization within the framework of modern production are allocated