Quantum Smoluchowski equation: Escape from a metastable state

We develop a quantum Smoluchowski equation in terms of a true probability distribution function to describe quantum Brownian motion in configuration space in large friction limit at arbitrary temperature and derive the rate of barrier crossing and tunneling within an unified scheme. The present treatment is independent of path integral formalism and is based on canonical quantization procedure.Comment: 10 pages, To appear in the Proceedings of Statphys - Kolkata I

Cervical cancer screening in rural Madagascar : feasibility, coverage and incidence

Objectives. - To assess the implementation of a cervical cancer screening strategy in rural Madagascar. Materials and methods. - A mobile unit, equipped with a cold-coagulator, visited every six months the main health care centers in the Atsinanana area between 2013 and 2015. Cervical cancer screening was based on visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). The lesions suggestive of intraepithelial neoplasia and limited to the cervix were coagulated on the same day. Non-eligible patients for immediate treatment were referred for appropriate investigations. We assessed the feasibility and the coverage of the screening strategy and estimated the incidence of cervical cancer in the targeted population. Results. - One thousand five hundred and sixty-nine (18%) of 8959 women aged between 25 and 65 years old were screened. Three hundred and fifty-seven (23%) were VIA positive and 322 (21%) were eligible for immediate treatment. No serious adverse effects were observed among patients treated on the same day. Among the 35 patients not eligible for immediate treatment and referred to the hospital, 16 (46%) were lost to follow up. Conclusion. - When a cervical cancer screening by HPV or cytology is not possible, VIA remains a feasible and acceptable option in a disadvantaged environment. The effectiveness of this approach is still limited by the problems of access to care for patients who are not eligible for immediate treatment

Preparation, characterization, and analysis of anti-corrosion subsea coatings

Within this work, a two-component anti-corrosive epoxy primer formulation, Sigmacover™ 280, and its resulting films were prepared and evaluated. The optimum coating time following formulation was extended by adding an appropriate amount of solvent as a controlled thinner. The draw down coating method was identified to be a reproducible and a robust paint film deposition process. Gravimetric analysis, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and through-dry testing were used in the characterization of the curing and drying behavior of each applied primer film. The shortest time for achieving a through-dry state occurred with thinner films cured at the higher temperature, as seen in the film curing/drying. The minimum covercoating time and full cure time of the paint films, cured under the different conditions, were evaluated by means of its dryness, hardness, and curing state studies/characterization