Critical dynamics and tree-like spatiotemporal patterns in exciton-polaritoncondensates

We study nonresonantly pumped exciton-polariton system in the vicinity of the dynamical instability threshold. We find that the system exhibits unique and rich dynamics, which leads to spatiotemporal pattern formation. The patterns have a tree-like structure and are reminiscent of structures that appear in a variety of soft matter systems. Within the approximation of slow and fast time scales, we show that the polariton model exhibits self-replication point in analogy to reaction-diffusion systems

StoRIR: Stochastic Room Impulse Response Generation for Audio Data Augmentation

In this paper we introduce StoRIR - a stochastic room impulse response generation method dedicated to audio data augmentation in machine learning applications. This technique, in contrary to geometrical methods like image-source or ray tracing, does not require prior definition of room geometry, absorption coefficients or microphone and source placement and is dependent solely on the acoustic parameters of the room. The method is intuitive, easy to implement and allows to generate RIRs of very complicated enclosures. We show that StoRIR, when used for audio data augmentation in a speech enhancement task, allows deep learning models to achieve better results on a wide range of metrics than when using the conventional image-source method, effectively improving many of them by more than 5 %. We publish a Python implementation of StoRIR onlineComment: Accepted for INTERSPEECH 202

Quantum Polariton Simulators

Spin-glass graphs are simulated with a novel scheme using exciton-polaritons. Acting as an effective Monte Carlo solver, the ground state is found efficiently. By tuning a parameter, the system either solves XY or Ising problems. Unlike previous proposals, our setup with auxiliary micropillars naturally avoids any bias from amplitute heterogenity. We demonstrate that the simulator is able to find the ground state asymptotically for arbitrary large graphs. These findings show explicitly how polariton simulators could be useful in practice. We furthermore provide strong evidence for the system's ability to harness a quantum speedup

Analytical method for determining quantum well exciton properties in a magnetic field

We develop an analytical approximate method for determining the Bohr radii of Wannier-Mott excitons in thin quantum wells under the influence of magnetic field perpendicular to the quantum well plane. Our hybrid variational-perturbative method allows us to obtain simple closed formulas for exciton binding energies and optical transition rates. We confirm the reliability of our method through exciton-polariton experiments realized in a GaAs/AlAs microcavity with an 8 nm In-x Ga1-xAs quantum well and magnetic field strengths as high as 14 T

Removal of foreign bodies from the airways and esophagus development of the method and equipment over the centuries

The problem of aspiration of foreign bodies was already known in antiquity. The first described death of man was the case of the Greek poet Anakreon, who in 475 BC choked himself with a grape. Initially, the treatment was limited to the pneumonia caused by the presence of a foreign body, then treatment of surgical procedures was attempted. The first documented case of tracheotomy (known as bronchotomy) for removing a foreign body was described in 1717 by Verdue. Unfortunately there was a significant disadvantage of the devices used to remove foreign bodies from the airways and esophagus - lack of a proper light source. At the beginning doctors were using candles, but their light was insufficient to observe anatomical structures. Philipp Bozzini developed the first light source which allowed to view the upper part of the esophagus - He called it a "lichtleiter". However a milestone in the endoscopy was made by the French urologist Antonin Desormeaux. He presented an improved device, which he called the "endoscope". For this reason, he was hailed as "father of endoscopy". Nevertheless scientific and technical progress is still continuing. Doctors have at their disposal more and more modern equipment for the diagnosis and removal of foreign bodies from the airways and esophagus. But even the most perfect endoscope will not replace the doctor's skills combined with assurance of maximum safety during and immediately after the procedure

PROPERTIES OF DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON COATINGS DEPOSITED ON CoCrMo ALLOYS

This paper presents results of the structure analysis and tribological testing of a-C:H type diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings produced by the Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (PACVD) technology on CoCrMo specimens. The DLC coating structure was studied by observing the surface topography using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the SE and STEM modes and a profilometer. Raman spectroscopy provided information on hybridized covalent bonds. The structural analysis involved observing the cross-sections of the coatings using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to determine the concentration and distribution of the constituent elements in the coating. Wear resistance was studied by applying a T-17 pin-on-plate tribological system: a polymeric pin made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a CoCrMo plate with a DLC coating. The testing was conducted under friction conditions using Ringer’s solution as a lubricant. The test results showed that the application of DLC coatings definitely improves the serviceability of a surface

Evaluation and management of pain in geriatric patients who were diagnosed in Emergency Department

Introduction and purpose of the work. Pain is one of the most common causes of medical rescue teams’ callings. Most of the cases are solved at patients’ homes. Some problems presented by geriatric patients are too difficult to be evaluated at home and need to be admitted to hospitals’ emergency departments(ED) for further diagnosis. Geriatric patients are often burdened with multiorgan dysfunctions which can cause pain. This problem in senior population is often overlooked or underestimated Material and method. Survey was conducted among 100 patients after 65 years of age who were admitted to ED because of pain. Location, the intensity of pain before and after application of analgesia, vital signs( heart rate, blood pressure, the number of breaths, temperature), previously administered pain killers and sociodemographic factors were evaluated and noted Results. Women predominated in the study group as well as the patients with posttraumatic pain (mostly fall from the same height). Forty five percent of patients took a painkiller at home. Preliminary average rating of pain numeric scale (NRS) was 7.49 points. Respondents who received painkillers before coming to the ED, felt more severe pain than those who did not take medications (NRS 7.93 vs. 7.41). Thirty minutes after application of analgesic pain intensity averaged 3.74 points. Conclusions. Pain is a common cause among elderly patients who report to ED, despite previously adopted analgesics. It remains underestimated in prehospital care and needs special attention in emergency departments

Mesothelioma - a growing medical problem with heterogeneous course

Mesothelioma is one of the most malignant neoplasms affecting the thin lining of the body's internal organs, known as the mesothelium. The incidence of mesothelioma in recent years has increased. It is assumed that the reason for this situation is the exposure in the past to natural mineral fibers (nickel, beryllium, silica dust), ionizing radiation, some organic compounds and SV40 virus but mostly to asbestos. The time from contact to the first symptoms is about 20-40 years. Probably the peak of morbidity is yet to come. Due to non-specific symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fluid in the pleural cavity, early detection is very difficult. Additionally, we can deal with mesothelioma which starting point is outside the pleural cavity. In such cases, diagnostics is even more difficult, because the only remaining symptom is pain. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to this growing problem