Entropy-based characterizations of the observable-dependence of the fluctuation-dissipation temperature

The definition of a nonequilibrium temperature through generalized fluctuation-dissipation relations relies on the independence of the fluctuation-dissipation temperature from the observable considered. We argue that this observable independence is deeply related to the uniformity of the phase-space probability distribution on the hypersurfaces of constant energy. This property is shown explicitly on three different stochastic models, where observable-dependence of the fluctuation-dissipation temperature arises only when the uniformity of the phase-space distribution is broken. The first model is an energy transport model on a ring, with biased local transfer rules. In the second model, defined on a fully connected geometry, energy is exchanged with two heat baths at different temperatures, breaking the uniformity of the phase-space distribution. Finally, in the last model, the system is connected to a zero temperature reservoir, and preserves the uniformity of the phase-space distribution in the relaxation regime, leading to an observable-independent temperature.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure

Density of states for Bose-Einstein condensation in harmonic oscillator potentials

We discuss how it is possible to obtain a reliable approximation for the density of states for a system of particles in an anisotropic harmonic oscillator potential. A direct application of the result to study Bose-Einstein condensation of atomic gases in a potential trap can be given. In contrast to a previous study, our method involves only analytic calculations.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX2e, no figure

Bose-Einstein condensation of finite number of confined particles

The partition function and specific heat of a system consisting of a finite number of bosons confined in an external potential are calculated in canonical ensemble. Using the grand partition function as the generating function of the partition function, an iterative scheme is established for the calculation of the partition function of system with an arbitrary number of particles. The scheme is applied to finite number of bosons confined in isotropic and anisotropic parabolic traps and in rigid boxes. The specific heat as a function of temperature is studied in detail for different number of particles, different degrees of anisotropy, and different spatial dimensions. The cusp in the specific heat is taken as an indication of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC).It is found that the results corresponding to a large number of particles are approached quite rapidly as the number of bosons in the system increases. For large number of particles, results obtained within our iterative scheme are consistent with those of the semiclassical theory of BEC in an external potential based on the grand canonical treatment.Comment: 20 pages in RevTex with 4 Postscript figures. The e-mail addresses of the authors are `[email protected]',and `[email protected]

Randomised controlled trial of prolonged treatment in the remission phase of ANCA-associated vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective randomised trial to compare two different durations of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy for the prevention of relapse in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). METHODS: Patients with AAV were recruited 18-24 months after diagnosis if they were in stable remission after cyclophosphamide/prednisolone-based induction followed by azathioprine/prednisolone maintenance therapy. They were randomised (1:1) to receive continued azathioprine/prednisolone to 48 months from diagnosis (continuation group) or to withdraw azathioprine/prednisolone by 24 months (withdrawal group). The primary endpoint was the relapse risk, from randomisation to 48 months from diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients were randomised and 110 remained to the trial end. At entry, median serum creatinine was 116 μmol/L (range 58-372), 53% were ANCA positive. The percentage of patients presenting with relapse was higher in the withdrawal than in the continuation treatment group (63% vs 22%, p<0.0001, OR 5.96, 95% CI 2.58 to 13.77). ANCA positivity at randomisation was associated with relapse risk (51% vs 29%, p=0.017, OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.16 to 5.68). Renal function, ANCA specificity, vasculitis type and age were not predictive of relapse. Severe adverse events were more frequent in the continuation than withdrawal groups (nine vs three events), but the continuation group had better renal outcome (0 vs 4 cases of end-stage renal disease), with no difference in patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged remission maintenance therapy with azathioprine/prednisolone, beyond 24 months after diagnosis reduces relapse risk out to 48 months and improves renal survival in AAV. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN13739474

Attitudes Toward the Adoption of Remote Patient Monitoring and Artificial Intelligence in Parkinson’s Disease Management:Perspectives of Patients and Neurologists

Objective: Early detection of Parkinson's Disease (PD) progression remains a challenge. As remote patient monitoring solutions (RMS) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies emerge as potential aids for PD management, there's a gap in understanding how end users view these technologies. This research explores patient and neurologist perspectives on AI-assisted RMS. Methods: Qualitative interviews and focus-groups were conducted with 27 persons with PD (PwPD) and six neurologists from Finland and Italy. The discussions covered traditional disease progression detection and the prospects of integrating AI and RMS. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and underwent thematic analysis. Results: The study involved five individual interviews (four Italian participants and one Finnish) and six focus-groups (four Finnish and two Italian) with PwPD. Additionally, six neurologists (three from each country) were interviewed. Both cohorts voiced frustration with current monitoring methods due to their limited real-time detection capabilities. However, there was enthusiasm for AI-assisted RMS, contingent upon its value addition, user-friendliness, and preservation of the doctor-patient bond. While some PwPD had privacy and trust concerns, the anticipated advantages in symptom regulation seemed to outweigh these apprehensions. Discussion: The study reveals a willingness among PwPD and neurologists to integrate RMS and AI into PD management. Widespread adoption requires these technologies to provide tangible clinical benefits, remain user-friendly, and uphold trust within the physician-patient relationship. Conclusion: This study offers insights into the potential drivers and barriers for adopting AI-assisted RMS in PD care. Recognizing these factors is pivotal for the successful integration of these digital health tools in PD management.</p

Attitudes Toward the Adoption of Remote Patient Monitoring and Artificial Intelligence in Parkinson’s Disease Management:Perspectives of Patients and Neurologists

Objective: Early detection of Parkinson's Disease (PD) progression remains a challenge. As remote patient monitoring solutions (RMS) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies emerge as potential aids for PD management, there's a gap in understanding how end users view these technologies. This research explores patient and neurologist perspectives on AI-assisted RMS. Methods: Qualitative interviews and focus-groups were conducted with 27 persons with PD (PwPD) and six neurologists from Finland and Italy. The discussions covered traditional disease progression detection and the prospects of integrating AI and RMS. Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and underwent thematic analysis. Results: The study involved five individual interviews (four Italian participants and one Finnish) and six focus-groups (four Finnish and two Italian) with PwPD. Additionally, six neurologists (three from each country) were interviewed. Both cohorts voiced frustration with current monitoring methods due to their limited real-time detection capabilities. However, there was enthusiasm for AI-assisted RMS, contingent upon its value addition, user-friendliness, and preservation of the doctor-patient bond. While some PwPD had privacy and trust concerns, the anticipated advantages in symptom regulation seemed to outweigh these apprehensions. Discussion: The study reveals a willingness among PwPD and neurologists to integrate RMS and AI into PD management. Widespread adoption requires these technologies to provide tangible clinical benefits, remain user-friendly, and uphold trust within the physician-patient relationship. Conclusion: This study offers insights into the potential drivers and barriers for adopting AI-assisted RMS in PD care. Recognizing these factors is pivotal for the successful integration of these digital health tools in PD management.</p

Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease – a Prospective Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) mediate vascular repair and regeneration. Their number in peripheral blood is related to cardiovascular events in individuals with normal renal function. METHODS: We evaluated the association between functionally active EPCs (cell culture) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in 265 patients with chronic kidney disease stage V receiving hemodialysis therapy. Thereafter, we prospectively assessed cardiovascular events, e.g. myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (including stenting), aorto-coronary bypass, stroke and angiographically verified stenosis of peripheral arteries, and cardiovascular death in this cohort. RESULTS: In our patients EPCs were related only to age (r=0.154; p=0.01). During a median follow-up period of 36 months 109 (41%) patients experienced a cardiovascular event. In a multiple Cox regression analysis, we identified EPCs (p=0.03) and patient age (p=0.01) as the only independent variables associated with incident cardiovascular events. Moreover, a total of 70 patients died during follow-up, 45 of those due to cardiovascular causes. Log rank test confirmed statistical significance for EPCs concerning incident cardiovascular events (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between the number of functionally active EPCs and cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease. Thus, defective vascular repair and regeneration may be responsible, at least in part, for the enormous cardiovascular morbidity in this population

Bose-Einstein condensation of atomic gases in a harmonic oscillator confining potential trap

We present a model which predicts the temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation in atomic alkali gases and find excellent agreement with recent experimental observations. A system of bosons confined by a harmonic oscillator potential is not characterized by a critical temperature in the same way as an identical system which is not confined. We discuss the problem of Bose-Einstein condensation in an isotropic harmonic oscillator potential analytically and numerically for a range of parameters of relevance to the study of low temperature gases of alkali metals.Comment: 11 pages latex with two postscript figure