2,577 research outputs found
Stark deceleration of CaF molecules in strong- and weak-field seeking states
We report the Stark deceleration of CaF molecules in the strong-field seeking
ground state and in a weak-field seeking component of a rotationally-excited
state. We use two types of decelerator, a conventional Stark decelerator for
the weak-field seekers, and an alternating gradient decelerator for the
strong-field seekers, and we compare their relative merits. We also consider
the application of laser cooling to increase the phase-space density of
decelerated molecules.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure
Nonadiabatic transitions in a Stark decelerator
In a Stark decelerator, polar molecules are slowed down and focussed by an
inhomogeneous electric field which switches between two configurations. For the
decelerator to work, it is essential that the molecules follow the changing
electric field adiabatically. When the decelerator switches from one
configuration to the other, the electric field changes in magnitude and
direction, and this can cause molecules to change state. In places where the
field is weak, the rotation of the electric field vector during the switch may
be too rapid for the molecules to maintain their orientation relative to the
field. Molecules that are at these places when the field switches may be lost
from the decelerator as they are transferred into states that are not focussed.
We calculate the probability of nonadiabatic transitions as a function of
position in the periodic decelerator structure and find that for the
decelerated group of molecules the loss is typically small, while for the
un-decelerated group of molecules the loss can be very high. This loss can be
eliminated using a bias field to ensure that the electric field magnitude is
always large enough. We demonstrate our findings by comparing the results of
experiments and simulations for the Stark deceleration of LiH and CaF
molecules. We present a simple method for calculating the transition
probabilities which can easily be applied to other molecules of interest.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, minor revisions following referee suggestion
IVUS detects more coronary calcifications than MSCT; matter of both resolution and cross-sectional assessment?
Vascular Biology and Interventio
The natural history of latent rheumatic heart disease in a 5 year follow-up study: a prospective observational study
BackgroundLatent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occurs in asymptomatic individuals with echocardiographic evidence of RHD and no history of acute rheumatic fever. The natural history of latent RHD is unclear but has important clinical and economic implications about whether these children should receive penicillin prophylaxis or not. We performed a 5-year prospective study of this question.MethodsIn August 2013 through September 2014, we conducted a follow-up study of latent RHD among school pupils using the World Heart Federation (WHF) echocardiographic criteria. Contingency tables were used to assess progression, persistence or regression of latent RHD.ResultsForty two borderline and 13 definite cases of RHD (n 55) were identified, 44 (80%; mean age 13.8 ± 4.0years; 29 (65.9%) female) of whom were available for echocardiographic examination at a median follow-up of 60.8months (interquartile range 51.3-63.5). Over the follow-up period, half the participants (n = 23; 52.3%) improved to normal or better WHF category (regressors), a third (n = 14, 31.8%) remained in the same category (persistors), while seven others (15.9%) progressed from borderline to definite RHD (progressors). In total, 21 subjects (47.7%) reverted to a normal status, nine (20.4%) either improved from definite to borderline or remained in the borderline category, and 14 (31.8%) either remained definite or progressed from borderline to a definite status. Two cases (20%) progressed to symptomatic disease.ConclusionsLatent RHD has a variable natural history that ranges from regression to normal in nearly half of cases, to persistence, progression or development of symptoms in the remainder of subjects
The final two redshifts for radio sources from the equatorial BRL sample
Best, Rottgering and Lehnert (1999, 2000a) defined a new sample of powerful
radio sources from the Molonglo Reference Catalogue, for which redshifts were
compiled or measured for 177 of the 178 objects. For the final object,
MRC1059-010 (3C249), the host galaxy is here identified using near-infrared
imaging, and the redshift is determined from VLT spectroscopy. For one other
object in the sample, MRC0320+053 (4C05.14), the literature redshift has been
questioned: new spectroscopic observations of this object are presented,
deriving a corrected redshift. With these two results, the spectroscopic
completeness of this sample is now 100%.
New redshifts are also presented for PKS0742+10 from the Wall & Peacock 2.7
GHz catalogue, and PKS1336+003 from the Parkes Selected Regions. PKS0742+10
shows a strong neutral hydrogen absorption feature in its Lyman-alpha emission
profile.Comment: 4 pages. LaTeX. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Time Course of Diastolic and Systolic Function Improvement After Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adult Patients With Tetralogy of Fallot
ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to assess right ventricular diastolic and systolic function before and after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in adult patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.BackgroundPulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in adult patients late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot leads to rapid improvement of right ventricular (RV) systolic function.MethodsA total of 16 patients and 8 healthy subjects were included. Median age at initial repair was 4.9 (0.9 to 13.1) years, and mean age at PVR was 28.7 (19.5 to 45.6) years. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and 8 and 22 months after PVR. Right ventricular volumes and function as well as RV in- and outflow patterns were assessed.ResultsThe volume of the early filling of the RV (Evol) increased from 49.8 ± 14.7 ml to 53.8 ± 19.3 ml (not significant) and 62.0 ± 18.9 ml, respectively (p < 0.05), whereas the volume of the atrial contraction (Avol) remained unchanged. Consequently, the Evol/Avol ratio increased from 1.4 ± 0.7 before PVR to 1.6 ± 0.7 at 8 months (not significant) and 2.3 ± 1.2 at 22 months (p < 0.01). The Evol/Avol ratio was not significantly different from the healthy subjects at 22 months, indicating late recovery of diastolic function. Systolic function improved rapidly after PVR; the indexed RV end-systolic volume decreased from 93.7 ± 33.0 ml/m2to 60.9 ± 18.4 ml/m2(p < 0.01) and 54.8 ± 21.0 ml/m2(p < 0.01).ConclusionsIn adult patients late after total repair of Fallot, PVR leads to late improvement of diastolic function. We speculate that the rapid volume unloading after PVR increases systolic performance, whereas improvement in diastolic function requires long-term remodeling
Non-Invasive Visualization of the Cardiac Venous System in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Using 64-Slice Computed Tomography
ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate the value of 64-slice computed tomography (CT) to visualize the cardiac veins and evaluate the relation between variations in venous anatomy and history of infarction.BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an attractive treatment for selected heart failure patients. Knowledge of venous anatomy may help in identifying candidates for successful left ventricular lead implantation.MethodsThe 64-slice CT of 100 individuals (age 61 ± 11 years, 68% men) was studied. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: 28 control patients, 38 patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD), and 34 patients with a history of infarction. Presence of the following coronary sinus (CS) tributaries was evaluated: posterior interventricular vein (PIV), posterior vein of the left ventricle, and left marginal vein (LMV). Vessel diameters were also measured.ResultsCoronary sinus and PIV were identified in all individuals. Posterior vein of the left ventricle was observed in 96% of control patients, 84% of CAD patients, and 82% of infarction patients. In patients with a history of infarction, a LMV was significantly less observed as compared with control patients and CAD patients (27% vs. 71% and 61%, respectively, p < 0.001). None of the patients with lateral infarction and only 22% of patients with anterior infarction had a LMV. Regarding quantitative data, no significant differences were observed between the groups.ConclusionsNon-invasive evaluation of cardiac veins with 64-slice CT is feasible. There is considerable variation in venous anatomy. Patients with a history of infarction were less likely to have a LMV, which may hamper optimal left ventricular lead positioning in CRT implantation
320-row CT: does beat-to-beat motion of the coronary arteries affect image quality?
Vascular Biology and Interventio
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