377 research outputs found
Haemodynamic Benefit of Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Requires Left Bundle Branch Block: A Case Report
A 55-year-old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy and rate-dependent left bundle branch block had a cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device implanted. During implantation, the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dP/dtmax) was measured invasively. This case presents a description of the acute negative effect of a left bundle branch block on dP/dtmax, and the different effect of CRT on left ventricular haemodynamic function in the presence and absence of a left bundle branch block
Agricultural diversification as an adaptation strategy
The role of agricultural biodiversity for sustaining ecosystem services crucial for food and agriculture becomes particularly relevant in the face of climate change, and has been widely recognised as a central part of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) since the concept was first launched in 2010. The utilisation of agricultural biodiversity in risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies has continued to attract attention, particularly as a component of micro-level strategies oriented towards diversification of production on farm, and land management measures aiming to improve resilience at landscape scale. Despite ample evidence of the value of agricultural biodiversity (including genetic resources) in climate change adaptation, the scalability of biodiversity-based measures is limited as they are often context specific and may have a lower relative value when compared to other options. Public policies can also play an important role in facilitating or hindering the adoption and spread of measures based on agricultural biodiversity
Strongly Coupled Matter-Field and Non-Analytic Decay Rate of Dipole Molecules in a Waveguide
The decay rate \gam of an excited dipole molecule inside a waveguide is
evaluated for the strongly coupled matter-field case near a cutoff frequency
\ome_c without using perturbation analysis. Due to the singularity in the
density of photon states at the cutoff frequency, we find that \gam depends
non-analytically on the coupling constant as . In contrast
to the ordinary evaluation of \gam which relies on the Fermi golden rule
(itself based on perturbation analysis), \gam has an upper bound and does not
diverge at \ome_c even if we assume perfect conductance in the waveguide
walls. As a result, again in contrast to the statement found in the literature,
the speed of emitted light from the molecule does not vanish at \ome_c and is
proportional to which is on the order of m/s for
typical dipole molecules.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
A rule-based method for predicting the electrical activation of the heart with cardiac resynchronization therapy from non-invasive clinical data
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The Normal College News, October 28, 1909
Objective Currently, consensus is lacking on the relation between closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), which is a known complication in ASD patients. More importantly, studies reporting on the treatment applied for AF in ASD patients are scarce. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the incidence of AF in ASD patients, (2) to study the relation between closure and AF and (3) to evaluate applied treatment strategies. Methods A single-centre retrospective study in 173 patients with an ASD was performed. We analysed the incidence of AF, the relation of AF with closure, method of closure and the treatment success of therapies applied. Results Almost 20% of patients with an ASD developed AF, with a mean age of 59 (±14) years at first presentation of AF during a median clinical follow-up of 43 (29-59) years. Older age (OR 1.072; p<0.001) and a dilated left atrium (OR 3.727; p=0.009) were independently associated with new-onset AF. Closure itself was not independently associated with AF. First applied treatment strategy was rhythm control in 77%. Of the 18 patients treated with antiarrhythmic drugs 50% had at least 1 recurrence of AF. Conclusion No clear relation between closure of the ASD and AF could be assessed. This is the first study describing applied therapy for AF in ASD patients of which medical rhythm control was the most applied strategy with a disappointing efficacy
Factors Influencing Preferences and Adoption of Improved Groundnut Varieties among Farmers in Tanzania
Access and use of seed of improved varieties of groundnut among farmers can improve
farmers’ livelihoods and contribute to the potential of crop production in Tanzania. This paper
analyzes factors underpinning the adoption of improved groundnut varieties among farmers to pave
the way for upscaling quality seed used for increased production and commodity business in farming
communities. A four-stage stratified sampling was used to collect data from 300 groundnut farmers
in seven agro-ecological zones through individual interviews. Secondary data were collected from
the literature and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute at Naliendele centre (TARI–Naliendele).
Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used for data analysis. The empirical results
showed that Johari 1985, Pendo 1998, Naliendele 2009, Mnanje 2009, Mangaka 2009 and Nachi 2015,
are the main six improved groundnut varieties used by farmers, with Pendo 1998 having the highest
adoption rate (17.1%). In the grain market, four varieties, namely Pendo 1998, Mnanje 2009, Nachi
2015 and Johari 1985, were observed to be highly preferred by grain off-takers. Furthermore, among
the adopted improved varieties, Nachi 2015, is observed to be the most consistent high yielding
variety, ranging from 1100 kg/ha to 1500 kg/ha in all agro-ecological zones. A farmer’s decision to
adopt new varieties is affected by age and gender, farmer group membership, availability of improved
seed and seed cost. Overall, male farmers are more likely to adopt improved varieties of groundnut
than female farmers. The implications of these findings are also discussed, in particular in the area of
policy support
Deterministic generation of an on-demand Fock state
We theoretically study the deterministic generation of photon Fock states
on-demand using a protocol based on a Jaynes Cummings quantum random walk which
includes damping. We then show how each of the steps of this protocol can be
implemented in a low temperature solid-state quantum system with a
Nitrogen-Vacancy centre in a nano-diamond coupled to a nearby high-Q optical
cavity. By controlling the coupling duration between the NV and the cavity via
the application of a time dependent Stark shift, and by increasing the decay
rate of the NV via stimulated emission depletion (STED) a Fock state with high
photon number can be generated on-demand. Our setup can be integrated on a chip
and can be accurately controlled.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure
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