Dynamically tuned interferometers for the observation of gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries

We propose a new method of operating laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors when observing chirps of gravitational radiation from coalescing compact binary stars. This technique consists of the use of narrow-band dual recycling to increase the signal but with the tuning frequency of the detector arranged to follow the frequency of a chirp. We consider the response of such an instrument to chirps, including the effect of inevitable errors in tracking. Different possible tuning strategies are discussed. Both the final signal-to-noise ratio and timing accuracy are evaluated and are shown to be significantly improved by the use of dynamic tuning. This should allow an accurate and reliable measurement of Hubble's constant.

Wideband dual sphere detector of gravitational waves

We present the concept of a sensitive and broadband resonant mass gravitational wave detector. A massive sphere is suspended inside a second hollow one. Short, high-finesse Fabry-Perot optical cavities read out the differential displacements of the two spheres as their quadrupole modes are excited. At cryogenic temperatures, one approaches the standard quantum limit for broadband operation with reasonable choices for the cavity finesses and the intracavity light power. A molybdenum detector, of overall size of 2 m, would reach spectral strain sensitivities of 2x10-23Hz-1/2 between 1000 and 3000 Hz.

Dual Diagnosis Program Works Best for Minorities, Data Download, Iowa Department of Corrections, September 2011

The Iowa Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning recently released a report summarizing its evaluation of the Dual Diagnosis Offender Program (DDOP) administered by the First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.

Pratique du scanner en Suisse: fréquence et évolution temporelle [CT utilisation in Switzerland: frequency and secular trends]

PURPOSE: This study analyzes CT examinations in Switzerland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using different sources (administrative data on the equipment, a 1998 nationwide inquiry into practices, and data provided by the Swiss University Hospitals of Basel, Zurich, and Lausanne), we determined the frequency of CT examinations (hospitals and private radiologists) in 1998 according to different descriptive variables and studied the progression in CT use over time. RESULTS: CT scanners increased by 7% between 1998 and 2004. The average annual number of CT examinations in 1998 was 46.3/1000 population, 3.4% of all radiological examinations in Switzerland in 1997-1998. The most frequent examination was CT of the skull (24%), while private radiology institutes perform more CTs of the spine. More CT examinations were performed for men than for women (sex ratio M/F=1.17). The average annual increase in CT in Swiss hospitals varied from 8% for Basel to 18% for Lausanne. Finally, the proportion of pediatric examinations was 5%; their numbers appear to be stabilizing. CONCLUSION: There is a significant increase in CT examinations. It is hoped that our study will heighten awareness among doctors of CT examinations in order to optimize their use.

Body composition using bio-impedance analysis in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Corcordance with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and comparison with healthy controls

Introduction: Growth is a central process in paediatrics. Weight and height evaluation are therefore routine exams for every child but in some situation, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a wider evaluation of nutritional status needs to be performed. Objectives: To assess the accuracy of bio-impedance analysis (BIA) compared to the gold standard dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in estimating percentage body fat (fat mass; FM) and lean body mass (fat free mass; FFM) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To compare FM and FFM levels between patients with IBD and healthy controls. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy controls (12 females; mean age: 12.7 ± 1.9 years) and 21 patients (11 females; 14.3 ± 1.3 years) were recruited from August 2011 to October 2012 at our institution. BIA was performed in all children and DEXA in patients only. Concordance between BIA and DEXA was assessed using Lin's concordance correlation and the Bland-Altman method. Between-group comparisons were made using analysis of variance adjusting for age. Results: BIA-derived FM% showed a good concordance with DEXA-derived values, while BIA-derived FFM% tended to be slightly higher than DEXA-derived values (table). No differences were found between patients and controls regarding body mass index (mean ± SD: 19.3 ± 3.3 vs. 20.1 ± 2.8 kg/m2, respectively; age-adjusted P = 0.08) and FM% (boys: 25.3 ± 10.2 vs. 22.6 ± 7.1%, for patients and controls, respectively; P = 0.20; girls: 28.2 ± 5.7 vs. 26.4 ± 7.7%; P = 0.91). Also, no differences were found regarding FFM% in boys (74.9 ± 10.2 vs. 77.4 ± 7.1%; P = 0.22) and girls (71.8 ± 5.6 vs. 73.5 ± 7.7%; P = 0.85). Conclusion: BIA adequately assesses body composition (FM%) in children with IBD and could advantageously replace DEXA, which is more expensive and less available. No differences in body composition were found between children with IBD and healthy controls.

BK virus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: frequency, risk factors, and association with postengraftment hemorrhagic cystitis.

Blood samples from 132 consecutive hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients were obtained and tested weekly for BK virus DNA by use of quantitative real-time PCR. Forty-four patients (33%) developed BK viremia at a median of 41 days (range, 9-91 days) after transplantation. Patients with hemorrhagic cystitis that occurred after platelet engraftment had higher levels of viremia than did patients without hemorrhagic cystitis (median, 9.7x10(3) vs. 0 copies/mL; P=.008) and patients with hemorrhagic cystitis that occurred before platelet engraftment (median, 9.7x10(3) vs. 0 copies/mL; P=.0006). BK viremia also was strongly associated with postengraftment hemorrhagic cystitis in a time-dependent analysis (P=.004).

Microfabricated dual sprayer for on-line mass tagging of phosphopeptides.

Phosphopeptides tagging reactions by dinuclear zinc(II) complexes (1,3-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-propan-2-olato dizinc(II)3+, called tag) were performed with a dual-channel microsprayer in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The reaction is first studied ex situ and analyzed with a commercial electrospray source. In situ reactions (i.e., inside the Taylor cone) were achieved with a dual-channel microsprayer both with the tag synthesized chemically before the experiments and with the tag electrogenerated by in situ oxidation of a zinc electrode, also used to apply the electrospray current. The device consists of a polyimide microchip with two microchannels (20 microm x 50 microm x 1 cm) etched on each side of the structure and connecting only at the tip of the microchip. We demonstrate here that mixing two solutions with different physicochemical properties inside the Taylor cone can be used to selectively tag target molecules.

Shift in cytotype frequency and niche space in the invasive plant Centaurea maculosa.

Polyploidy is often assumed to increase the spread and thus the success of alien plant species, but few empirical studies exist. We tested this hypothesis with Centaurea maculosa Lam., a species native to Europe and introduced into North America approximately 120 years ago where it became highly invasive. We analyzed the ploidy level of more than 2000 plants from 93 native and 48 invasive C. maculosa populations and found a pronounced shift in the relative frequency of diploid and tetraploid cytotypes. In Europe diploid populations occur in higher frequencies than tetraploids and only four populations had both cytotypes, while in North America diploid plants were found in only one mixed population and thus tetraploids clearly dominated. Our results showed a pronounced shift in the climatic niche between tetraploid populations in the native and introduced range toward drier climate in North America and a similar albeit smaller shift between diploids and tetraploids in the native range. The field data indicate that diploids have a predominately monocarpic life cycle, while tetraploids are often polycarpic. Additionally, the polycarpic life-form seems to be more prevalent among tetraploids in the introduced range than among tetraploids in the native range. Our study suggests that both ploidy types of C. maculosa were introduced into North America, but tetraploids became the dominant cytotype with invasion. We suggest that the invasive success of C. maculosa is partly due to preadaptation of the tetraploid cytotype in Europe to drier climate and possibly further adaptation to these conditions in the introduced range. The potential for earlier and longer seed production associated with the polycarpic life cycle constitutes an additional factor that may have led to the dominance of tetraploids over diploids in the introduced range.

Automatic selection of tidal volume, respiratory frequency and minute ventilation in intubated ICU patients as start up procedure for closed-loop controlled ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: Before a patient can be connected to a mechanical ventilator, the controls of the apparatus need to be set up appropriately. Today, this is done by the intensive care professional. With the advent of closed loop controlled mechanical ventilation, methods will be needed to select appropriate start up settings automatically. The objective of our study was to test such a computerized method which could eventually be used as a start-up procedure (first 5-10 minutes of ventilation) for closed-loop controlled ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective Study. SETTINGS: ICU's in two adult and one children's hospital. PATIENTS: 25 critically ill adult patients (age > or = 15 y) and 17 critically ill children selected at random were studied. INTERVENTIONS: To stimulate 'initial connection', the patients were disconnected from their ventilator and transiently connected to a modified Hamilton AMADEUS ventilator for maximally one minute. During that time they were ventilated with a fixed and standardized breath pattern (Test Breaths) based on pressure controlled synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (PCSIMV). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Measurements of airway flow, airway pressure and instantaneous CO2 concentration using a mainstream CO2 analyzer were made at the mouth during application of the Test-Breaths. Test-Breaths were analyzed in terms of tidal volume, expiratory time constant and series dead space. Using this data an initial ventilation pattern consisting of respiratory frequency and tidal volume was calculated. This ventilation pattern was compared to the one measured prior to the onset of the study using a two-tailed paired t-test. Additionally, it was compared to a conventional method for setting up ventilators. The computer-proposed ventilation pattern did not differ significantly from the actual pattern (p > 0.05), while the conventional method did. However the scatter was large and in 6 cases deviations in the minute ventilation of more than 50% were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of standardized Test Breaths allows automatic determination of an initial ventilation pattern for intubated ICU patients. While this pattern does not seem to be superior to the one chosen by the conventional method, it is derived fully automatically and without need for manual patient data entry such as weight or height. This makes the method potentially useful as a start up procedure for closed-loop controlled ventilation.

A theoretical and practical study on linear reforms of dual taxes

[cat] En aquest treball extenem les reformes lineals introduïdes per Pfähler (1984) al cas d’impostos duals. Estudiem l’efecte relatiu que els retalls lineals duals d’un impost dual tenen sobre la distribució de la desigualtat -es pot fer un estudi simètric per al cas d’augments d’impostos-. Tambe introduïm mesures del grau de progressivitat d’impostos duals i mostrem que estan connectades amb el criteri de dominació de Lorenz. Addicionalment, estudiem l’elasticitat de la càrrega fiscal de cadascuna de les reformes proposades. Finalment, gràcies a un model de microsimulació i una gran base de dades que conté informació sobre l’IRPF espanyol de l’any 2004, 1) comparem l’efecte que diferents reformes tindrien sobre l’impost dual espanyol i 2) estudiem quina redistribució de la riquesa va suposar la reforma dual de l’IRPF (Llei ’35/2006’) respecte l’anterior impost.

Neck pounding during sinus rhythm: a new clinical manifestation of dual atrioventricular nodal pathways

Objective To determine the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of patients with paroxysmal palpitations and neck pounding during sinus rhythm. Methods Clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological characteristics of six patients with paroxysmal palpitations and neck pounding during sinus rhythm were studied in basal conditions and when symptomatic. Response to treatment was observed. Results Baseline ECGs were normal (four patients) or had first degree atrioventricular block with intermittent PR shortening. During symptoms, narrow QRS rhythms were seen without visible P waves (three patients) or with P waves partially hidden in the QRS complex (three patients). Dual atrioventricular nodal pathways were found in all five patients who had electrophysiological studies. In these patients the slow pathway conduction time was long enough (mean (SD), 425 (121)¿ms) for ventricular activation after slow pathway conduction during sinus rhythm to coincide with the next atrial depolarisation, causing neck pounding during exercise (four patients) or at rest (two patients). Tachycardia was not induced in any patient. Medical treatment aggravated symptoms in three patients. A pacemaker was successfully used in two. Conclusions Neck pounding during sinus rhythm is a clinical manifestation of dual atrioventricular nodal pathways. Medical treatment may aggravate symptoms but a pacemaker may offer definitive relief.

Bioavailability of repeated oral administration of MDL 100,240, a dual inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: MDL 100,240 (pyrido[2,1-a] [2]benzazepine-4-carboxylic acid,7-[[2-(acetylthio)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropyl]amino]-1,2,3,4,6,7,8, 12b-octahydro-6-oxo, [4S-[4alpha,7alpha(R(*)),12bbeta]]-) is a molecule possessing an inhibiting ability on both angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase, the enzyme responsible for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) degradation. Such a dual mechanism of action presents a potential clinical interest for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the bioavailability of MDL 100,240 and its accumulation over repeated oral administration, using ACE inhibition as a surrogate for plasma drug level and determining its profile after oral and i.v. administration. METHODS: First, in an open, one-period, single-dose study, the ACE inhibition profile was characterised following a 12.5 mg MDL 100,240 i.v. infusion. Second, in a three-group, parallel, randomised, double-blind study, each group of four subjects received q.d., over 8 days, 2.5, 10 or 20 mg of MDL 100,240 orally. The ACE inhibition profile was determined on day 1 and day 8. Trough plasma ACE was measured on days 2, 3 and 4. The recovery of ACE activity was monitored up to 72 h after the last dose of MDL 100,240. RESULTS: ACE inhibition profile was similar on day 1 and day 8, and trough inhibition remained unchanged after the 8 days of treatment with 10 mg or 20 mg. Following repeated 2.5-mg ingestion, trough inhibition increased from 33% to 44% after the eighth dose. The oral bioavailability of MDL 100,240 was estimated at 85%, not statistically different from 100%. The accumulation ratio at steady state was estimated at 112%. Expressing the accumulation ratio in terms of half-life, a t(1/2) of 0.31 days or 7. 5 h was estimated. CONCLUSION: MDL 100,240 (oral solution) has a good bioavailability, as estimated by ACE inhibition, and no drug accumulation seems to occur over 8 days with the 10-mg and 20-mg doses, but a slight rise in the trough level is observed with the 2. 5-mg dose.