23 research outputs found
Entanglement witnessing and quantum cryptography with non-ideal ferromagnetic detectors
We investigate theoretically the use of non-ideal ferromagnetic contacts as a
mean to detect quantum entanglement of electron spins in transport experiments.
We use a designated entanglement witness and find a minimal spin polarization
of required to demonstrate spin entanglement.
This is significantly less stringent than the ubiquitous tests of Bell's
inequality with . In addition, we discuss the
impact of decoherence and noise on entanglement detection and apply the
presented framework to a simple quantum cryptography protocol. Our results are
directly applicable to a large variety of experiments.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Ocena grubości mięśnia poprzecznego brzucha oraz jakości życia u usprawnianych z powodu konfliktu korzeniowo-dyskowego kręgosłupa lędźwiowo-krzyżowego leczonych operacyjnie metodą resekcji krążka kręgowego
Wstęp: Celem pracy było określenie zależności pomiędzy zmianą grubości mięśnia poprzecznego brzucha (TrA) po przeprowadzonej terapii z elementami reedukacji stabilizacji centralnej, a zmniejszeniem dolegliwości bólowych i jakością życia u chorych po przebytej resekcji krążka międzykręgowego kręgosłupa LS.
Materiałi metody: Grupę badaną stanowiło 30 chorych (17 kobiet i 13 mężczyzn) w wieku 28-87 lat (58 ±15 lat) przebywających na turnusie rehabilitacyjnym. Wszyscy badani przebyli resekcję krążka międzykręgowego na poziomie LS w latach od
2012 do 2016 roku. U wszystkich włączonych do badania dokonano oceny ultrasonograficznej grubości mięśnia TrA, współczynnika aktywacji, procentowej zmiany grubości mięśnia, oceny jakości życia SF-36, oceny komponenty bólowej w skali VAS
oraz do oceny sprawności wykorzystano skalę Barthel. Wszyscy badani zostali skierowani na 3-tygodniową terapię połączoną
z reedukacją kontroli motorycznej uwzględniającą trening mięśni głębokich. Badania wykonano przed i po przeprowadzonej
fizjoterapii w oparciu o autorski program ćwiczeń.
Wyniki i wnioski: Procent zmiany grubości mięśnia TrA w pierwszym badaniu wynosił 15,84 ±0,1 %, natomiast po leczeniu
16,09 ±0,13 %. Między pomiarami nie odnotowano istotnie statystycznie różnic. W ocenie jakości życia pacjenci w pierwszym badaniu uzyskiwali średni wynik 113,23 ±28,07 pkt., natomiast w drugim 85,1 ±27,05 pkt. Różnica między wynikami
była wysoce istotna statystycznie (p<0,001). Ocena komponenty bólowej w skali VAS wynosiła średnio w pierwszym badaniu 4,3 ±0,83 pkt., z kolei po interwencji 2,83 ±1,04 pkt. Różnica w pomiarach była wysoce istotna statystycznie (p<0,001).
Ocena poziomu niepełnosprawności za pomocą skali Barthel ze średnim wynikiem 93,66 ±8,4 pkt. wykonana w badaniu
pierwszym świadczyła o pełnej sprawności badanych osób. Przeprowadzona u chorych operowanych z powodu konfliktu korzeniowo-dyskowego kręgosłupa LS autorska terapia, wpływa korzystnie na zmianę grubości mięśnia TrA zarówno w skurczu
jak i w spoczynku, wpływa również na obniżenie poziomu dolegliwości bólowych i poprawia jakość życia.Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the changes in abdominal transverse muscle thickness (TrA) after therapy that included elements of reeducation of central stabilisation, and pain reduction as well as quality of
patients’ life after intervertebral disc resection of lumbar spine.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 30 patients (17 women and 13 men) aged 28-87 (58 ± 15) participating
in a rehabilitation stay. All subjects underwent intervertebral disc resection (LS level) within the years 2012-2016. All subjects
included in the study underwent ultrasound evaluation of the thickness of the TrA muscle, evaluation of activation ratio, percentage change in muscle thickness, evaluation of the quality of life with SF-36, assessment of pain components on the VAS
scale and level of disability using the Barthel index. All the subjects were referred to a 3-week therapy programme combined
with motor control re-education including deep muscle training. The tests were performed before and after the physiotherapy
on the basis of the original exercise programme.
Results and conclusions: esults and conclusions: The percentage of TrA muscle thickness change in the first exam was 15.84 ±0.1%, and 16.09 ±0.13%
after treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between the measurements. In the assessment of quality of life,
patients in the first exam reached the score of 113.23 ±28.07 points, whereas in the second one - 85.1 ±27.05 points. The difference between the results was statistically significant (p<0.001). Pain components on the VAS scale were assessed at 4.3 ±0.83
points on average in the former exam, and 2.83 ±1.04 points in the latter one. The difference in measurements was statistically
significant (p<0.001). The assessment of the level of disability using the Barthel scale with an average score of 93.66 ±8.4 points,
conducted in the first exam, indicated that the studied persons were characterised by full efficiency. The original therapy, carried
out among subjects operated on due to disc-root conflict of the LS spine, has a positive effect on the thickness of the TrA muscle
both in contraction and at rest, and also reduces the level of pain while improving quality of life
EMPATHY AND BURNOUT SYNDROME IN THE PRACTICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES — PILOT STUDY
INTRODUCTION: The burnout syndrome is a result of stress on the work situation and most often concerns professions requiring emotional and direct contact with another human being. The level of empathy is closely related to the phenomenon of occupational burnout. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of socio-demographic factors of emergency services employees on the level of empathy.
METHOD: In the period January–March 2018, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire — Emphatic Sensitiveness Scale (ESC) and an anonymous author’s questionnaire containing questions regarding sex, age, length of employment, occupation, marital status and number of hours worked per month. The survey was addressed to 81 employees of emergency services: paramedics (n = 17) and firefighters (n = 23). The control group consisted of 16 nurses and 25 people performing non–medical professions.
RESULTS: The average number of hours worked per month by the respondents was 189 ± 49. There were 50 females (62%) and 31 males (38%). The questionnaire showed statistically significant differences in perspective taking domain between the control group composed of people working in non-medical professions (25.6 ± 4.3) and emergency services professionals: firefighter (28.7 ± 3.6) vs. paramedic (29.9 ± 3.5) vs. nurse (31.2 ± 3.0), p < 0.001. It has been shown a statistically significant effect of sex on personal distress domain: male (21.4 ± 4.2) vs. female (24.3 ± 4.7), p = 0.005.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data indicates that: (1) Nurses were characterised by the highest level of empathy amongst the surveyed professional groups; (2) Females were characterised by a higher level of personal distress; (3) Variables such as sex, age, and length of employment did not affect the level of empathy
The significant impact of age on the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy : results from the Polish Laparoscopic Appendectomy multicenter large cohort study
Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency and can occur at any age. Nearly all of the studies comparing outcomes of appendectomy between younger and older patients set cut-off point at 65 years. In this multicenter observational study, we aimed to compare laparoscopic appendectomy for AA in various groups of patients with particular interest in the elderly and very elderly in comparison to younger adults. Our multicenter observational study of 18 surgical units assessed the outcomes of 4618 laparoscopic appendectomies for AA. Patients were divided in 4 groups according to their age: Group 1- 8 days. Logistic regression models comparing perioperative results of each of the 3 oldest groups compared with the youngest one showed significant differences in odds ratios of symptoms lasting >48hours, presence of complicated appendicitis, perioperative morbidity, conversion rate, prolonged LOS (>8 days). The findings of this study confirm that the outcomes of laparoscopic approach to AA in different age groups are not the same regarding outcomes and the clinical picture. Older patients are at high risk both in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period. The differences are visible already at the age of 40 years old. Since delayed diagnosis and postponed surgery result in the development of complicated appendicitis, more effort should be placed in improving treatment patterns for the elderly and their clinical outcome
Risk factors for serious morbidity, prolonged length of stay and hospital readmission after laparoscopic appendectomy : results from Pol-LA (Polish Laparoscopic Appendectomy) multicenter large cohort study
Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for treatment of acute appendicitis has gained acceptance with its considerable benefits over open appendectomy. LA, however, can involve some adverse outcomes: morbidity, prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) and hospital readmission. Identification of predictive factors may help to identify and tailor treatment for patients with higher risk of these adverse events. Our aim was to identify risk factors for serious morbidity, prolonged LOS and hospital readmission after LA. A database compiled information of patients admitted for acute appendicitis from eighteen Polish and German surgical centers. It included factors related to the patient characteristics, peri- and postoperative period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for serious perioperative complications, prolonged LOS, and hospital readmissions in acute appendicitis cases. 4618 laparoscopic appendectomy patients were included. First, although several risk factors for serious perioperative complications (C-D III-V) were found in the univariate analysis, in the multivariate model only the presence of intraoperative adverse events (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.32-12.65, p = 0.014) and complicated appendicitis (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.74-7.61, p = 0.001) was statistically significant. Second, prolonged LOS was associated with the presence of complicated appendicitis (OR 2.8, 95%CI: 1.53-5.12, p = 0.001), postoperative morbidity (OR 5.01, 95% CI: 2.33-10.75, p < 0.001), conversions (OR 6.48, 95% CI: 3.48-12.08, p < 0.001) and reinterventions after primary procedure (OR 8.79, 95% CI: 3.2-24.14, p < 0.001) in the multivariate model. Third, although several risk factors for hospital readmissions were found in univariate analysis, in the multivariate model only the presence of postoperative complications (OR 10.33, 95% CI: 4.27-25.00), reintervention after primary procedure (OR 5.62, 95% CI: 2.17-14.54), and LA performed by resident (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.03-3.70) remained significant. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure associated with low rates of complications, prolonged LOS, and readmissions. Risk factors for these adverse events include complicated appendicitis, postoperative morbidity, conversion, and re-intervention after the primary procedure. Any occurrence of these factors during treatment should alert the healthcare team to identify the patients that require more customized treatment to minimize the risk for adverse outcomes
The rationale and design of the LATTEE registry – the first multicenter project on the Scientific Platform of the “Club 30” of the Polish Cardiac Society
Global variations in diabetes mellitus based on fasting glucose and haemogloblin A1c
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are both used to diagnose
diabetes, but may identify different people as having diabetes. We used data from 117
population-based studies and quantified, in different world regions, the prevalence of
diagnosed diabetes, and whether those who were previously undiagnosed and detected
as having diabetes in survey screening had elevated FPG, HbA1c, or both. We developed
prediction equations for estimating the probability that a person without previously
diagnosed diabetes, and at a specific level of FPG, had elevated HbA1c, and vice versa.
The age-standardised proportion of diabetes that was previously undiagnosed, and
detected in survey screening, ranged from 30% in the high-income western region to 66%
in south Asia. Among those with screen-detected diabetes with either test, the agestandardised
proportion who had elevated levels of both FPG and HbA1c was 29-39%
across regions; the remainder had discordant elevation of FPG or HbA1c. In most low- and
middle-income regions, isolated elevated HbA1c more common than isolated elevated
FPG. In these regions, the use of FPG alone may delay diabetes diagnosis and
underestimate diabetes prevalence. Our prediction equations help allocate finite
resources for measuring HbA1c to reduce the global gap in diabetes diagnosis and
surveillance.peer-reviewe
Electron Spin Relaxation in Carbon Materials
This article focuses on EPR relaxation measurements in various carbon samples, e.g., natural carbons—anthracite, coal, higher anthraxolites, graphite; synthetically obtained carbons—glassy carbons, fullerenes, graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphite monocrystals, HOPG, nanoribbons, diamonds. The short introduction presents the basics of resonant electron spin relaxation techniques, briefly describing the obtained parameters. This review presents gathered results showing the processes leading to electron spin relaxation and typical ranges of electron spin relaxation rates for many different carbon types