Bayshields2580
We analyze the entanglement generation of a system composed of two decoupled rotated graphene layers inside a planar microcavity. By considering the electromagnetic field of the cavity in the vacuum state and using time-dependent perturbation theory it is possible to obtain the range of geometric parameters at which the quantum states of electrons in different layers are entangled. By employing the negativity measure, correlations between layers are obtained for time scales smaller than the light-crossing time of the layers. It is shown that the negativity measure is modulated by the rotation angle between layers, allowing manipulation ofXstates. Finally, an experimental protocol is analyzed in order to detect non-causal effects between layers, by allowing back-voltage switching functions in the two layers with supports that do not overlap in time. By turning off the second-back voltage at a time smaller than the light-crossing time, it is possible to obtain correlations between layers through the independent interaction with virtual photons. The exchange of virtual photons implies that the propagator can be nonzero outside the light cone and this non-causal propagation can create entangled quantum states.Objective.Heart rate asymmetry (HRA) is an approach for quantitatively assessing the uneven distribution of heart rate accelerations and decelerations for sinus rhythm. We aimed to investigate whether automatic regulation led to HRA alternation during passive lower limb training.Approach.Thirty healthy participants were recruited in this study. The protocol included a baseline (Pre-E) and three passive lower limb training trials (E1, E2 and E3) with a randomized order. Several variance-based HRA variables were established. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, i.e. mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, LF (n.u.), HF (n.u.) and VLF (ms2), and HRA variables, i.e. SD1a, SD1d, SD2a, SD2d, SDNNaand SDNNd, were calculated by using 5 min RR time series, as well as the normalized HRA variables, i.e. C1a, C1d, C2a, C2d, Caand Cd.Main results.Our results showed that the performance of HRA was distinguished. The normalized HRA was observed with significant changes in E1, E2 and E3 compared to Pre -E. Moreover, parts of non-normalized HRA variables correlated with HRV parameters, which indicated that HRA might benefit in assessing cardiovascular modulation in passive lower limb training.Significance.In summary, this study suggested that passive training led to significant HRA alternation and the application of HRA gave us the possibility for autonomic assessment.Objective. To evaluate the pre-treatment and post-treatment imaging-based dosimetry of patients treated with 90Y-microspheres, including accurate estimations of dose to tumor, healthy liver and lung. To do so, the Monte Carlo (MC) TOPAS platform is in this work extended towards its utilization in radionuclide therapy.Approach. Five patients treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital were selected for this study. All patients had data for both pre-treatment SPECT-CT imaging using 99mTc-MAA as a surrogate of the 90Y-microspheres treatment and SPECT-CT imaging immediately after the 90Y activity administration. Pre- and post-treatment doses were computed with TOPAS using the SPECT images to localize the source positions and the CT images to account for tissue inhomoegeneities. We compared our results with analytical calculations following the voxel-based MIRD scheme.Main results. TOPAS results largely agreed with the MIRD-based calculations in soft tissue regions the average difference in mean dose to the liver was 0.14 Gy GBq-1(2.6%). However, dose distributions in the lung differed considerably absolute differences in mean doses to the lung ranged from 1.2 to 6.3 Gy GBq-1and relative differences from 153% to 231%. We also found large differences in the intra-hepatic dose distributions between pre- and post-treatment imaging, but only limited differences in the pulmonary dose.Significance. Doses to lung were found to be higher using TOPAS with respect to analytical calculations which may significantly underestimate dose to the lung, suggesting the use of MC methods for 90Y dosimetry. According to our results, pre-treatment imaging may still be representative of dose to lung in these treatments.As the number of older adults increases, so does the pressure on health care systems due to age-related disorders. Attempts to reduce cognitive decline have focused on individual interventions such as exercise or diet, with limited success. This study adopted a different approach by investigating the impact of combined daily activities on memory decline. We used data from the National Institute of Aging's Health and Retirement Study to explore two new questions does combining activities affect memory decline, and if yes, does this impact change across the lifespan? We created a new machine learning model using 33 daily activities and involving 3210 participants. Our results showed that the effect of combined activities on memory decline was stronger than any individual activity's impact. Moreover, this effect increased with age, whereas the importance of historical factors such as education, and baseline memory decreased. The present findings point out the importance of selecting multiple, diverse activities for older adults as they age. These results could have a significant impact on aging health policies promoting new programs such as social prescribing.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has showed variable therapeutic effect on freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD). It is unclear which factors associated with the effect of DBS on FOG in patients with advanced PD. In this study, we investigated the correlation of pre and postoperative factors with the therapeutic effect of globus pallidus interna (GPi) DBS on FOG in PD patients.
We retrospectively analyzed PD patients with FOG (N=20) who underwent GPi DBS surgery. Postoperatively, video-based analysis for FOG severity was performed at the first DBS programming and patients were categorized into two groups according to DBS effect on FOG (11 FOG responders and 9 FOG non-responders) at medication-off state. We analyzed preoperative clinical characteristics, cognitive function, striatal dopamine transporter availability, postoperative DBS programming parameters, lead locations, and volume of tissue activated in functional subregions of GPi. Bootstrap enhanced Elastic-Net logistic regression was used to select pre and postoperative factors associated with the effect of GPi DBS.
Therapeutic effect of GPi DBS on FOG were correlated with the disease duration of PD before DBS surgery, preoperative improvement in FOG severity by levodopa medication, and the distance from active contact of DBS electrode to the prefrontal region of GPi anatomical site.
Our study results suggest that the effect of GPi DBS on FOG is correlated with disease duration, levodopa responsiveness on FOG before DBS surgery and DBS electrode location, providing useful information to predict FOG outcome after GPi DBS in PD patients.
Our study results suggest that the effect of GPi DBS on FOG is correlated with disease duration, levodopa responsiveness on FOG before DBS surgery and DBS electrode location, providing useful information to predict FOG outcome after GPi DBS in PD patients.
Dietary nitrate and nitrite have a notoriously bad reputation because of their proposed association with disease, in particular cancer. However, more recent lines of research have challenged this dogma suggesting that intake of these anions also possess beneficial effects after in vivo conversion to the vital signaling molecule nitric oxide. Such effects include improvement in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic function, which is partly mediated via reduction of oxidative stress. A recent study even indicates that low dose of dietary nitrite extends life span in fruit flies.
In this study, 200 middle-aged Wistar rats of both sexes were supplemented with nitrate or placebo in the drinking water throughout their remaining life and we studied longevity, biochemical markers of disease, vascular reactivity along with careful determination of the cause of death.
Dietary nitrate did not affect life span or the age-dependent changes in markers of oxidative stress, kidney and liver function, or lipid profile. Ex vivo examination of vascular function, however, showed improvements in endothelial function in rats treated with nitrate. Neoplasms were not more common in the nitrate group.
We conclude that chronic treatment with dietary nitrate does not affect life span in rats nor does it increase the incidence of cancer. In contrast, vascular function was improved by nitrate, possibly suggesting an increase in health span.
We conclude that chronic treatment with dietary nitrate does not affect life span in rats nor does it increase the incidence of cancer. In contrast, vascular function was improved by nitrate, possibly suggesting an increase in health span.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown the potential to improve the screening effectiveness among women with dense breasts. The introduction of fast abbreviated protocols (AP) makes MRI more feasible to be used in a general population. We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of AP-MRI in women with dense breasts (heterogeneously/extremely dense) in a population-based screening program.
A previously validated model (SiMRiSc) was applied, with parameters updated for women with dense breasts. Breast density was assumed to decrease with increased age. The base scenarios included six biennial AP-MRI strategies, with biennial mammography from age 50-74 as reference. Fourteen alternative scenarios were performed by varying screening interval (triennial and quadrennial) and by applying a combined strategy of mammography and AP-MRI. A 3% discount rate for both costs and life years gained (LYG) was applied. Model robustness was evaluated using univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.
The six biennial AP-MRI strategies ranged from 132 to 562 LYG per 10,000 women, where more frequent application of AP-MRI was related to higher LYG. The optimal strategy was biennial AP-MRI screening from age 50-65 for only women with extremely dense breasts, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of € 18,201/LYG. At a threshold of € 20,000/LYG, the probability that the optimal strategy was cost-effective was 79%.
Population-based biennial breast cancer screening with AP-MRI from age 50-65 for women with extremely dense breasts might be a cost-effective alternative to mammography, but is not an option for women with heterogeneously dense breasts.
Population-based biennial breast cancer screening with AP-MRI from age 50-65 for women with extremely dense breasts might be a cost-effective alternative to mammography, but is not an option for women with heterogeneously dense breasts.
The growing prevalence of obesity is a concern for midwives. In Canada, the absence of regulatory standards, varying protocols and consultant preferences shape clinical decision making for the midwife and may lead to inconsistent practice. Our aim was to understand the barriers, enablers, and knowledge gaps that influenced experiences of midwives in Ontario, Canada when providing care to clients impacted by obesity.
Mixed methods design using a sequential, explanatory approach. dcemm1 nmr Surveys conducted with midwives were administered using an online platform, followed by semi-structured interviews to understand the perspectives elicited in the survey in greater detail. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis was used for generating codes, categories and themes from the interview data.
144 midwives completed the survey and 20 participated in an interview. The participants described their clinical management when caring for those with obesity which included considerations regarding additional tests/investigations, consultation and transfer of care, and place of birth.
