Decoherence-assisted spectroscopy of a single Mg+ ion.

We describe a high-resolution spectroscopy method in which the detection of single excitation events is enhanced by a complete loss of coherence of a superposition of two ground states. Thereby, transitions of a single isolated atom nearly at rest are recorded efficiently with high signal-to-noise ratios. Spectra display symmetric line shapes without stray-light background from spectroscopy probes.

Quantum walks with nonorthogonal position states.

Quantum walks have by now been realized in a large variety of different physical settings. In some of these, particularly with trapped ions, the walk is implemented in phase space, where the corresponding position states are not orthogonal. We develop a general description of such a quantum walk and show how to map it into a standard one with orthogonal states, thereby making available all the tools developed for the latter.

Single ions trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice.

We report on three-dimensional optical trapping of single ions in a one-dimensional optical lattice formed by two counterpropagating laser beams. We characterize the trapping parameters of the standing-wave using the ion as a sensor stored in a hybrid trap consisting of a radio-frequency (rf), a dc, and the optical potential. When loading ions directly from the rf into the standing-wave trap, we observe a dominant heating rate.

Quantum walk of a trapped ion in phase space.

We implement the proof of principle for the quantum walk of one ion in a linear ion trap. With a single-step fidelity exceeding 0.99, we perform three steps of an asymmetric walk on the line.

[Glucocorticoid therapy in collagen diseases diseases].

Glucocorticoids are irreplaceable for the treatment of connective tissue diseases due to their strong and rapid anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory effects. Its use and their dosage depend on the activity of the disease and organ manifestations. There is no alternative to high doses, often even as intravenous pulse therapy, in life-threatening situations with imminent organ failure.

Fetal echocardiography: retrospective review of clinical experience and an evaluation of indications.

Objective: To assess the indications, use, and yield of fetal echocardiography.

Methods: We reviewed our 8-year experience with fetal echocardiography at a large health maintenance organization in northern California to assess the yield of abnormal findings for each indication and the accuracy of prenatal cardiac diagnosis. The study included 915 fetuses undergoing fetal echocardiography between 18-38 weeks' gestation because of accepted indications.

Health status and timing of onset of prenatal care: is there an association among low-income women?

We examined medical obstetric conditions predating pregnancy and current symptoms as predictors of the timing of the start of prenatal care among low-income women in Snohomish County, Washington. The investigation was a cross-sectional survey with retrospective record review. Subjects were 473 women who sought care through the community health center network, which was the only provider of prenatal care for low-income women in the county at the time of the study.

Asymmetric septal hypertrophy in infants of diabetic mothers. Fetal echocardiography and the impact of maternal diabetic control.

Maternal hyperglycemia may result in fetal hyperinsulinemia and asymmetric septal hypertrophy, macrosomia, and hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers. We monitored glycosylated hemoglobin levels in 61 pregnant diabetic women each trimester as an index of maternal glycemic control and did serial fetal echocardiograms starting at 18 weeks of gestation. At delivery, cord blood C-peptide levels were obtained as an index of fetal hyperinsulinemia.

Fetal atrioventricular valve insufficiency associated with nonimmune hydrops: a two-dimensional echocardiographic and pulsed Doppler ultrasound study.

Of 466 fetuses who underwent cardiac ultrasound examination with cross-sectional and M mode echocardiography and pulsed Doppler ultrasound and in whom we were able to follow the natural history, 12 were found to have atrioventricular valve insufficiency and nonimmune hydrops. Eleven fetuses (all of whom had structural heart disease) died either in utero or during the early postnatal period. In the one surviving hydropic fetus with supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and atrioventricular valve regurgitation but without structural heart disease, all the abnormalities disappeared on treatment with digoxin and verapamil.

Recognition of fetal arrhythmias by echocardiography.

Fetal arrhythmias were detected in 33/198 high risk pregnancies from 21 weeks to term. Using the two-dimensional echocardiographic image of the fetal heart as a guide, the M-mode beam was directed to define the motion of the ventricular and atrial walls and atrioventricular valve or semilunar valves. Atrial contraction was defined either by the atrial wall motion or from the A-point of the atrioventricular valve.

Comparison of M-mode echocardiographic measurement of right ventricular wall thickness obtained by the subcostal and parasternal approach in children.

Right ventricular (RV) wall thickness was measured from M-mode echocardiograms at end-diastole from both the parasternal and subcostal approaches in 50 children of various body surface areas (0.24 to 1.68 m2).

Study of the infradiaphragmatic total anomalous pulmonary venous connection with cross-sectional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

We studied neonates with the infradiaphragmatic form of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage by a combination of cross-sectional echocardiography and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. The diagnosis by ultrasound was made prospectively in all six patients. Three large vascular channels could be observed passing through the diaphragm from the subcostal parasagittal plane.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic determination of aortic and pulmonary artery sizes from infancy to adulthood in normal subjects.

The aorta, right pulmonary artery and pulmonary trunk were measured from the 2-dimensional echocardiogram (2-D echo) of 110 normal subjects aged 1 day to 18 years. The vessel diameters were measured from the parasternal short-axis view, the suprasternal long-axis view and the suprasternal short-axis view. Measurements were made at end-systole and at end-diastole and in both an axial and lateral direction where possible.

Isolated ventricular inversion: two-dimensional echocardiographic findings and a review of the literature.

In a cyanotic newborn infant, the diagnosis of isolated ventricular inversion in situs solitus was made from the two-dimensional echocardiographic examination and later confirmed at cardiac catheterization and surgery. The four-chamber views were especially useful for identifying the normal atrial situs and discordant atrioventricular connections in this infant. The normal relationships of the great arteries to each other (aortic valve rightward, posterior, and inferior to the pulmonary valve; great arteries coiled around each other) and to the ventricles (mitral-aortic fibrous continuity, well-developed subpulmonic conus) were well defined in the subcostal views.