101 research outputs found
Conservation-laws-preserving algorithms for spin dynamics simulations
We propose new algorithms for numerical integration of the equations of
motion for classical spin systems with fixed spatial site positions. The
algorithms are derived on the basis of a mid-point scheme in conjunction with
the multiple time staging propagation. Contrary to existing predictor-corrector
and decomposition approaches, the algorithms introduced preserve all the
integrals of motion inherent in the basic equations. As is demonstrated for a
lattice ferromagnet model, the present approach appears to be more efficient
even over the recently developed decomposition method.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure
On the BRST Operator Structure of the N=2 String
The BRST operator cohomology of supergravity coupled to matter is
presented. Descent equations for primary superfields of the matter sector are
derived. We find one copy of the cohomology at ghost number one, two
independent copies at ghost number two, and conjecture that there is a copy at
ghost number three. The string has a twisted superconformal
symmetry generated by the superstress tensor, the BRST supercurrent, the
antighost superfield, and the ghost number supercurrent.Comment: 22 pages, Latex, NSF-ITP-93-17, ITP-SB-93-09, RIP-148-9
The effect of biochar on plant diseases: what should we learn while designing biochar substrates?
The increasing demand for soilless substrates and rising environmental concerns about the use of non-renewable resources such as peat has led to the search for alternative constituents of growing mixtures for containerized plants. In this report we reviewed the works concerning biochar as constituent of growing media, targeting its influence on plant growth and plant disease. Biochar mostly has positive or neutral influences on plant growth compared with peat media when present in concentrations higher than 25% (v:v). However, studies of biochar influence on plant disease reveals that while lower concentrations (≤1%) of biochar often suppressed several diseases, higher concentrations (≥3%) were mostly ineffective or induced plant disease. For use as horticultural peat replacement, it is recommended that biochar feedstocks and concentrations be standardized and the potential effect of biochar on plant disease be considered, so that growers can rely on consistent and reproducible biochars for desired effects
Exploring the association between serum phosphate levels and mortality in patients hospitalized with infectious diseases: a nationwide study
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine associations of serum phosphate levels with mortality, target organ damage and length of hospital stay in adults with infectious diseases hospitalized outside of the intensive care unit.MethodsThis nationwide retrospective cohort study comprised patients admitted with infections, to medical and surgical departments in eight tertiary hospitals during 2001–2020. The main exposure variable was the first serum phosphate levels at admission (up to 1 week). The analysis included multivariable logistic regression models and quantile regression.ResultsOf 126,088 patients (49% males, mean age: 69.3 years), 24,809 (19.7%) had decreased phosphate levels, 92,730 (73.5%) normal phosphate levels, and 8,549 (6.8%) elevated phosphate levels on admission. Overall- and in-hospital mortality rates were highest among those with hyperphosphatemia (74.5 and 16.4%, respectively), followed by those with normophosphatemia (57.0 and 6.6%), and lastly the hypophosphatemia group (48.7 and 5.6%); p < 0.001 for all. After adjusting for confounders, the lowest predicted mortality rate was observed in the normophosphatemia group. In the multivariable model, hyperphosphatemia conferred a higher probability of target organ damage (OR [95% CI]: 2.43 [2.06–2.86]), while moderate hypophosphatemia conferred a lower probability (OR [95% CI]: 0.73 [0.65–0.82]), compared to normal phosphate levels and extreme hypophosphatemia showed a non-significant association (OR [95% CI]: 0.87 [0.57–1.28]). The associations were independent of renal failure. In a multivariable model, hyperphosphatemia was associated with a slight increase of 0.33 days in length of stay compared to normal phosphate levels.ConclusionA J-shaped relation was found between phosphate levels and prognosis in patients hospitalized with infectious diseases, regardless of their renal function
Adherence to monitoring of patients treated with amiodarone: a nationwide study
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the adherence to monitoring guidelines regarding amiodarone treatment.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of data recorded in Clalit Health Services, the largest healthcare organization in Israel. Included were individuals aged >18 years; who were prescribed amiodarone and had a documented purchase of this drug, for a minimum of 200 consecutive days; and who had less than a 100-day gap between two consecutive purchases during 2013–2021. Adherence was assessed to testing for thyroid, liver function, and electrolytes, as determined by the performance of a test every 6 months.ResultsThe study included 24,094 individuals (mean age: 75 years, 53% male). The median follow-up was 2.3 years (total 73,727 person-years). The proportions of patients who performed baseline tests were: 43.4% for thyroid function, 58.3% for electrolytes, 48.6% for liver function, 20.6% for chest X-rays, and 14.9% for electrocardiograms. Adherence rates to semiannual monitoring of thyroid function, liver function, and electrolyte tests were: 70.4%, 79.4%, and 88.3%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, the factors associated with higher adherence were male sex; older age; the presence of thyroid abnormalities, renal failure, and hypertension; and more frequent visits to the primary care physician.ConclusionsIn our country, adherence is low to monitoring risk factors for adverse effects of amiodarone therapy, especially prior to treatment initiation. Patient and primary care physicians should be educated about the importance of monitoring, particularly prior to initiation of amiodarone treatment
Screened Perturbation Theory
A new perturbative scheme is proposed for the evaluation of the free energy
density of field theories at finite temperature. The screened loop expansion
takes into account exactly the phenomenon of screening in thermal propagators.
The approach is tested in the N-component scalar field theory at 2-loop level
and also at 3-loop in the large N limit. The perturbative series generated by
the screened loop expansion shows much better numerical convergence than
previous expansions generated in powers of the quartic coupling.Comment: 10 pages, LaTex, 2 figure
Case Report Use of Early Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy in Fat Embolism Syndrome to Prevent Right Heart Failure
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a life-threatening condition in which multiorgan dysfunction manifests 48-72 hours after long bone or pelvis fractures. Right ventricular (RV) failure, especially in the setting of pulmonary hypertension, is a frequent feature of FES. We report our experience treating 2 young, previously healthy trauma patients who developed severe hypoxemia in the setting of FES. Neither patient had evidence of RV dysfunction on echocardiogram. The patients were treated with inhaled nitric oxide (NO), and their oxygenation significantly improved over the subsequent few days. Neither patient developed any cardiovascular compromise. Patients with FES that have severe hypoxemia and evidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are likely at risk for developing RV failure. We recommend that these patients with FES and severe refractory hypoxemia should be treated with inhaled NO therapy prior to the onset of RV dysfunction
Field-Theoretic Simulations of Polyelectrolyte Complexation
We briefly discuss our recent field-theoretic study of polyelectrolyte
complexation, which occurs in solutions of two oppositely charged
polyelectrolytes. Charged systems require theoretical methods beyond the
mean-field (or self-consistent field) approximation; indeed, mean-field theory
is qualitatively incorrect for such polyelectrolyte solutions. Both analytical
(one-loop) and numerical (complex Langevin) methods to account for charge
correlations are discussed. In particular, the first application of
field-theoretic simulations to polyelectrolyte systems is reported. The
polyelectrolyte charge-charge correlation length and a phase diagram are
provided; effects of charge redistribution are qualitatively explored.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 3 equations, LaTeX; accepted to Journal of
Polymer Science B: Polymer Physics; v2: a revised and expanded version, 6
paragraphs of text and about 20 references adde
Time separation as a hidden variable to the Copenhagen school of quantum mechanics
The Bohr radius is a space-like separation between the proton and electron in
the hydrogen atom. According to the Copenhagen school of quantum mechanics, the
proton is sitting in the absolute Lorentz frame. If this hydrogen atom is
observed from a different Lorentz frame, there is a time-like separation
linearly mixed with the Bohr radius. Indeed, the time-separation is one of the
essential variables in high-energy hadronic physics where the hadron is a bound
state of the quarks, while thoroughly hidden in the present form of quantum
mechanics. It will be concluded that this variable is hidden in Feynman's rest
of the universe. It is noted first that Feynman's Lorentz-invariant
differential equation for the bound-state quarks has a set of solutions which
describe all essential features of hadronic physics. These solutions explicitly
depend on the time separation between the quarks. This set also forms the
mathematical basis for two-mode squeezed states in quantum optics, where both
photons are observable, but one of them can be treated a variable hidden in the
rest of the universe. The physics of this two-mode state can then be translated
into the time-separation variable in the quark model. As in the case of the
un-observed photon, the hidden time-separation variable manifests itself as an
increase in entropy and uncertainty.Comment: LaTex 10 pages with 5 figure. Invited paper presented at the
Conference on Advances in Quantum Theory (Vaxjo, Sweden, June 2010), to be
published in one of the AIP Conference Proceedings serie
Human Resource Flexibility as a Mediating Variable Between High Performance Work Systems and Performance
Much of the human resource management literature has demonstrated the impact of high performance
work systems (HPWS) on organizational performance. A new generation of studies is
emerging in this literature that recommends the inclusion of mediating variables between HPWS
and organizational performance. The increasing rate of dynamism in competitive environments
suggests that measures of employee adaptability should be included as a mechanism that may
explain the relevance of HPWS to firm competitiveness. On a sample of 226 Spanish firms, the
study’s results confirm that HPWS influences performance through its impact on the firm’s
human resource (HR) flexibility
- …