6,365 research outputs found
Precise measurements of UV atomic lines: Hyperfine structure and isotope shifts in the 398.8 nm line of Yb
We demonstrate a technique for frequency measurements of UV transitions with
sub-MHz precision. The frequency is measured using a ring-cavity resonator
whose length is calibrated against a reference laser locked to the line
of Rb. We have used this to measure the 398.8 nm line of atomic Yb. We report isotope shifts of all the
seven stable isotopes, including the rarest isotope Yb. We have been
able to resolve the overlapping Yb() and Yb
transitions for the first time. We also obtain high-precision measurements of
excited-state hyperfine structure in the odd isotopes, Yb and
Yb. The measurements resolve several discrepancies among earlier
measurements.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Mammographic image restoration using maximum entropy deconvolution
An image restoration approach based on a Bayesian maximum entropy method
(MEM) has been applied to a radiological image deconvolution problem, that of
reduction of geometric blurring in magnification mammography. The aim of the
work is to demonstrate an improvement in image spatial resolution in realistic
noisy radiological images with no associated penalty in terms of reduction in
the signal-to-noise ratio perceived by the observer. Images of the TORMAM
mammographic image quality phantom were recorded using the standard
magnification settings of 1.8 magnification/fine focus and also at 1.8
magnification/broad focus and 3.0 magnification/fine focus; the latter two
arrangements would normally give rise to unacceptable geometric blurring.
Measured point-spread functions were used in conjunction with the MEM image
processing to de-blur these images. The results are presented as comparative
images of phantom test features and as observer scores for the raw and
processed images. Visualization of high resolution features and the total image
scores for the test phantom were improved by the application of the MEM
processing. It is argued that this successful demonstration of image
de-blurring in noisy radiological images offers the possibility of weakening
the link between focal spot size and geometric blurring in radiology, thus
opening up new approaches to system optimization.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figure
A Godel-Friedman cosmology?
Based on the mathematical similarity between the Friedman open metric and
Godel's metric in the case of nearby distances, we investigate a new scenario
for the Universe's evolution, where the present Friedman universe originates
from a primordial Godel universe by a phase transition during which the
cosmological constant vanishes. Using Hubble's constant and the present matter
density as input, we show that the radius and density of the primordial Godel
universe are close, in order of magnitude, to the present values, and that the
time of expansion coincides with the age of the Universe in the standard
Friedman model. In addition, the conservation of angular momentum provides, in
this context, a possible origin for the rotation of galaxies, leading to a
relation between the masses and spins corroborated by observational data.Comment: Extended version, accepted for publication in Physical Review
Tyrosine photophysics during the early stages of β-amyloid aggregation leading to Alzheimer's
We have monitored the formation of toxic β-amyloid oligomers leading to Alzheimer's disease by detecting changes in the fluorescence decay of intrinsic tyrosine. A new approach based on the non-Debye model of fluorescence kinetics resolves the complexity of the underlying photophysics. The gradual disappearance of nonmonotonic fluorescence decay rates, at the early stages of aggregation as larger, tighter-packed oligomers are formed, is interpreted in terms of tyrosine-peptide dielectric relaxation influencing the decay. The results demonstrate the potential for a new type of fluorescence lifetime sensing based on dual excited-state/dielectric relaxation, with application across a broad range of biological molecules. The results also reconcile previously conflicting models of protein intrinsic fluorescence decay based on rotamers or dielectric relaxation by illustrating conditions under which both are manifest
Acupuncture for chronic neck pain: a pilot for a randomised controlled trial
Background: Acupuncture is increasingly being used for many conditions including chronic neck pain. However the evidence remains inconclusive, indicating the need for further well-designed research. The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot randomised controlled parallel arm trial, to establish key features required for the design and implementation of a large-scale trial on acupuncture for chronic neck pain. Methods: Patients whose GPs had diagnosed neck pain were recruited from one general practice, and randomised to receive usual GP care only, or acupuncture ( up to 10 treatments over 3 months) as an adjunctive treatment to usual GP care. The primary outcome measure was the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) at 3 months. The primary analysis was to determine the sample size for the full scale study. Results: Of the 227 patients with neck pain identified from the GP database, 28 (12.3%) consenting patients were eligible to participate in the pilot and 24 (10.5%) were recruited to the trial. Ten patients were randomised to acupuncture, receiving an average of eight treatments from one of four acupuncturists, and 14 were randomised to usual GP care alone. The sample size for the full scale trial was calculated from a clinically meaningful difference of 5% on the NPQ and, from this pilot, an adjusted standard deviation of 15.3%. Assuming 90% power at the 5% significance level, a sample size of 229 would be required in each arm in a large-scale trial when allowing for a loss to follow-up rate of 14%. In order to achieve this sample, one would need to identify patients from databases of GP practices with a total population of 230,000 patients, or approximately 15 GP practices roughly equal in size to the one involved in this study (i.e. 15,694 patients). Conclusion: This pilot study has allowed a number of recommendations to be made to facilitate the design of a large-scale trial, which in turn will help to clarify the existing evidence base on acupuncture for neck pain
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Autosomal Dominant Retinal Dystrophies Caused by a Founder Splice Site Mutation, c.828+3A>T, in PRPH2 and Protein Haplotypes in trans as Modifiers.
PurposeWe determined the phenotypic variation, disease progression, and potential modifiers of autosomal dominant retinal dystrophies caused by a splice site founder mutation, c.828+3A>T, in the PRPH2 gene.MethodsA total of 62 individuals (19 families) harboring the PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation, had phenotype analysis by fundus appearance, electrophysiology, and visual fields. The PRPH2 haplotypes in trans were sequenced for potential modifying variants and generalized estimating equations (GEE) used for statistical analysis.ResultsSeveral distinct phenotypes caused by the PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation were observed and fell into two clinical categories: Group I (N = 44) with mild pattern dystrophies (PD) and Group II (N = 18) with more severe cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and central areolar chorioretinal dystrophy (CACD). The PRPH2 Gln304-Lys310-Asp338 protein haplotype in trans was found in Group I only (29.6% vs. 0%), whereas the Glu304-Lys310-Gly338 haplotype was predominant in Group II (94.4% vs. 70.4%). Generalized estimating equations analysis for PD versus the CRD/CACD/RP phenotypes in individuals over 43 years alone with the PRPH2 haplotypes in trans and age as predictors, adjusted for correlation within families, confirmed a significant effect of haplotype on severity (P = 0.03) with an estimated odds ratio of 7.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.8, 18.4]).ConclusionsThe PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation results in multiple distinct phenotypes likely modified by protein haplotypes in trans; the odds of having the CACD/RP-like phenotype (versus the PD phenotype) are 7.16 times greater with a Glu304-Lys310-Gly338 haplotype in trans. Further functional studies of the modifying haplotypes in trans and PRPH2 splice variants may offer therapeutic targets
Reconstruction of Solar Subsurfaces by Local Helioseismology
Local helioseismology has opened new frontiers in our quest for understanding
of the internal dynamics and dynamo on the Sun. Local helioseismology
reconstructs subsurface structures and flows by extracting coherent signals of
acoustic waves traveling through the interior and carrying information about
subsurface perturbations and flows, from stochastic oscillations observed on
the surface. The initial analysis of the subsurface flow maps reconstructed
from the 5 years of SDO/HMI data by time-distance helioseismology reveals the
great potential for studying and understanding of the dynamics of the quiet Sun
and active regions, and the evolution with the solar cycle. In particular, our
results show that the emergence and evolution of active regions are accompanied
by multi-scale flow patterns, and that the meridional flows display the
North-South asymmetry closely correlating with the magnetic activity. The
latitudinal variations of the meridional circulation speed, which are probably
related to the large-scale converging flows, are mostly confined in shallow
subsurface layers. Therefore, these variations do not necessarily affect the
magnetic flux transport. The North-South asymmetry is also pronounced in the
variations of the differential rotation ("torsional oscillations"). The
calculations of a proxy of the subsurface kinetic helicity density show that
the helicity does not vary during the solar cycle, and that supergranulation is
a likely source of the near-surface helicity.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, in "Cartography of the Sun and the Stars",
Editors: Rozelot, Jean-Pierre, Neiner, Corali
Comparison of ankle and subtalar joint complex range of motion during barefoot walking and walking in Masai Barefoot Technology sandals
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT, Switzerland) produce footwear which they claim simulate walking barefoot on soft undulating ground. This paper reports an investigation into the effect of MBT sandals on the motion of the ankle and subtalar joint complex during walking.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Range of motion data was collected in the sagittal, frontal and transverse plane from the ankle and subtalar joint complex from 32 asymptomatic subjects using the CODA MPX30 motion analysis system during both barefoot walking and walking in the MBT sandal. Shod and un-shod data were compared using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A significantly greater range of motion in the frontal and sagittal planes was recorded when walking in the MBT sandal (p = 0.031, and p = 0.015 respectively). In the transverse plane, no significant difference was found (p = 0.470).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MBT sandals increase the range of motion of the ankle and subtalar joint complex in the frontal and sagittal planes. MBT footwear could therefore have a role to play in the management of musculoskeletal disorders where an increase in frontal and sagittal plane range of motion is desirable.</p
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