257,063 research outputs found
A Proposal to Measure the Quasiparticle Poisoning Time of Majorana Bound States
We propose a method of measuring the fermion parity lifetime of Majorana
fermion modes due to quasiparticle poisoning. We model quasiparticle poisoning
by coupling the Majorana modes to electron reservoirs, explicitly breaking
parity conservation in the system. This poisoning broadens and shortens the
resonance peak associated with Majorana modes. In a two lead geometry, the
poisoning decreases the correlation in current noise between the two leads from
the maximal value characteristic of crossed Andreev reflection. The latter
measurement allows for calculation of the poisoning rate even if temperature is
much higher than the resonance width.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Microsecond resolution of quasiparticle tunneling in the single-Cooper-pair-transistor
We present radio-frequency measurements on a single-Cooper-pair-transistor in
which individual quasiparticle poisoning events were observed with microsecond
temporal resolution. Thermal activation of the quasiparticle dynamics is
investigated, and consequently, we are able to determine energetics of the
poisoning and un-poisoning processes. In particular, we are able to assign an
effective quasiparticle temperature to parameterize the poisoning rate.Comment: 4 pages, 4 fig
Epidemiological study of drug intoxication in children
Unintentional drug intoxication is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. In order to study the epidemiological pattern of childhood drug poisoning in Golestan province, all cases diagnosed with poisoning from 1997 to 2002 in the only pediatric hospital in province were recruited. During this period 563 cases of poisoned children were hospitalized in Taleqani hospital, of these 305 cases were due to drug poisoning. Opium was responsible for more than half of the poisoning cases, and 91% of deaths, among drug intoxicated children. Metoclopramide, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants were among the other frequent causes of poisoning. Neurological symptoms were the most prominent symptoms of poisoning and more than 80% of cases showed some neurological symptoms. Mortality rate among the cases was 3.6% and of total of 11 deaths, 10 were poisoned with opium. About 61% of cases were hospitalized between 24-48 hrs. Most of the poisoning cases in young children were unintentional and in many cases, their parents played a critical role in their intoxication. This role specially is crucial in infants and children under one year of age. Parents in Golestan province use opium widely for symptomatic treatment of routine illnesses in their young children and overdose of opium may cause severe intoxication and even death of the child. © 2006 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Global, regional, and national mortality due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, 2000-2021: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
BACKGROUND: Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is a largely preventable cause of death that has received insufficient attention. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive global analysis of the demographic, temporal, and geographical patterns of fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from 2000 to 2021. METHODS: As part of the latest Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD), unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning mortality was quantified using the GBD cause of death ensemble modelling strategy. Vital registration data and covariates with an epidemiological link to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning informed the estimates of death counts and mortality rates for all locations, sexes, ages, and years included in the GBD. Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated by multiplying deaths by remaining standard life expectancy at age of death. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) for unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning deaths due to occupational injuries and high alcohol use were estimated. FINDINGS: In 2021, the global mortality rate due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning was 0·366 per 100 000 (95% uncertainty interval 0·276-0·415), with 28 900 deaths (21 700-32 800) and 1·18 million YLLs (0·886-1·35) across all ages. Nearly 70% of deaths occurred in males (20 100 [15 800-24 000]), and the 50-54-year age group had the largest number of deaths (2210 [1660-2590]). The highest mortality rate was in those aged 85 years or older with 1·96 deaths (1·38-2·32) per 100 000. Eastern Europe had the highest age-standardised mortality rate at 2·12 deaths (1·98-2·30) per 100 000. Globally, there was a 53·5% (46·2-63·7) decrease in the age-standardised mortality rate from 2000 to 2021, although this decline was not uniform across regions. The overall PAFs for occupational injuries and high alcohol use were 13·6% (11·9-16·0) and 3·5% (1·4-6·2), respectively. INTERPRETATION: Improvements in unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning mortality rates have been inconsistent across regions and over time since 2000. Given that unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning is almost entirely preventable, policy-level interventions that lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning events should be prioritised, such as those that increase access to improved heating and cooking devices, reduce carbon monoxide emissions from generators, and mandate use of carbon monoxide alarms. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Restricting paracetamol in the United Kingdom to reduce poisoning: a systematic review
Background Paracetamol poisoning is implicated in about 150-200 poisoning deaths per year in England and Wales. We review previous studies assessing the effectiveness of regulations introduced in 1998 to restrict sales of paracetamol and reduce paracetamol poisoning. Methods We searched the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL, HIMIC, COCH, APC, CENTRAL and DARE. English language publications between 1998 and 2003 were included. Studies were included if they took place in the United Kingdom and assessed changes in any aspect of paracetamol poisoning following the introduction of the 1998 regulations. Results Twelve studies were identified, which examined several different outcomes. Three studies examined admissions to liver transplant units; all reported reductions. Eight studies evaluated severity of paracetamol poisoning; three reported reductions but five did not. Five out of six studies reported reductions in hospital admissions. One study reported reduced mortality in England and Wales after 1 year while another found no difference in Scotland 2 years after the regulations were introduced. Two studies observed a significant reduction in over-the-counter sales. Studies suffered from several limitations including short follow-up periods, no case definition for paracetamol poisoning and lack of comparison groups. Conclusions The limitations of these studies makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions. They do, however, suggest that the 1998 regulations may have been associated with reduced admissions to liver units and liver transplants, reduced hospital attendance due to paracetamol poisoning and reduced sales of paracetamol. Further research is needed to fully evaluate the impact of the 1998 regulations. In the future, formal evaluation of the impact of similar interventions should be an integral part of policy formation
Profile of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the West Province of Iran
Objective: To document the epidemiology and risk factors of acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the west of Iran and specify potentially presentable characteristics. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Imam Khomeini Hospital of Kermanshah, Iran, from July 2006 to March 2008. Methodology: This study was conducted using the records of 143 cases of CO poisoning referred to the only centre for the reference of poisoning cases. Intent, age groups, source of poisoning and clinical presentation were noted and described as frequency. Results: One-hundred forty two cases (99.3%), were accidental and only one case (0.7%) was suicidal. Mortality was (21.7%, n=31). The highest mortality was found in the age groups of 20-30 years and below 10 years. The greatest frequency happened in autumn and winter. The clinical symptoms and manifestations of CO poisoning included headache (35.3%), nausea (25.4%), vomiting (21%), dyspnea (10.3%), and decrease in level of consciousness (8%). Gas water heaters (35%), room heaters (32%), stoves (24%) and other items (9%) were the principal sources of the individuals' exposure to CO. Conclusion: CO poisoning is a serious public health problem in west of Iran (Kermanshah). The number of CO poisoning cases was highest in the colder seasons of the year, whereas the majority of the poisoning cases could be prevented
Parity effect in superconducting aluminum single electron transistors with spatial gap profile controlled by film thickness
We propose a novel method for suppression of quasiparticle poisoning in Al
Coulomb blockade devices. The method is based on creation of a proper energy
gap profile along the device. In contrast to the previously used techniques,
the energy gap is controlled by the film thickness. Our transport measurements
confirm that the quasiparticle poisoning is suppressed and clear 2
periodicity is observed only when the island is made much thinner than the
leads. This result is consistent with the existing model and provides a simple
method to suppress quasiparticle poisoning
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