Work and efficiency fluctuations in a quantum Otto cycle with idle levels.

We study the performance of a quantum Otto heat engine with two spins coupled by a Heisenberg interaction, taking into account not only the mean values of work and efficiency but also their fluctuations. We first show that, for this system, the output work and its fluctuations are directly related to the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility of the system at equilibrium with either heat bath. We analyze the regions where the work extraction can be done with low relative fluctuation for a given range of temperatures, while still achieving an efficiency higher than that of a single spin system heat engine.

()-2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-3,4-dihydro--naphthalen-1-one single crystal: Synthesis, growth, crystal structure, spectral characterization, biological evaluation and binding interactions with SARS-CoV-2 main protease.

A new α-Tetralone based chalcone compound, (2E)-2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one () has been synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction of α-Tetralone () with 4-Ethoxybenzaldehyde () in basic medium. Then it was allowed to grow through slow evaporation solution growth technique. The molecular structure of grown has been systematically characterized by SCXRD, FT-IR, H NMR and C NMR spectroscopic studies.

Optical computing of quantum revivals.

Interference is the mechanism through which waves can be structured into the most fascinating patterns. While for sensing, imaging, trapping, or in fundamental investigations, structured waves play nowadays an important role and are becoming the subject of many interesting studies. Using a coherent optical field as a probe, we show how to structure light into distributions presenting collapse and revival structures in its wavefront.

Nonadiabatic coupled-qubit Otto cycle with bidirectional operation and efficiency gains.

We study a quantum Otto cycle that uses a 2-qubit working substance whose Hamiltonian does not commute with itself at different times during unitary strokes. We investigate how the cycle responds to the loss of quantum adiabaticity when these strokes are operated with a finite duration. We find that qualitative features such as the possibility of counter-rotating cycles operating as heat engines, or a cycle efficiency that can increase with a decrease in the temperature difference between the baths, are resilient even to highly nonadiabatic strokes.

An Exploratory Study Using Electronic Medical Records to Assess the Feasibility of Establishing Cohorts of Patients with Genetic Causes of Parkinson's Disease.

Background: More efficient screening methods are needed to improve the ability to identify and follow genetic cohorts in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective: To explore the use of the electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify participants with PD.

Methods: Using an algorithm previously developed in collaboration with Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS), approximately 5,200 participants with PD were identified, more than 3,200 were screened, and 837 participants were enrolled and genotyped for leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and beta-glucocerebrosidase (GBA) variants.

Measurement-based quantum heat engine in a multilevel system.

We compare quantum Otto engines based on two different cycle models: a two-bath model, with a standard heat source and sink, and a measurement-based protocol, where the role of heat source is played by a quantum measurement. We furthermore study these cycles using two different "working substances": a single qutrit (spin-1 particle) or a pair of qubits (spin-1/2 particles) interacting via the XXZ Heisenberg interaction. Although both cycle models have the same efficiency when applied on a single-qubit working substance, we find that both can reach higher efficiencies using these more complex working substances by exploiting the existence of "idle" levels, i.

Efficiency gain and bidirectional operation of quantum engines with decoupled internal levels.

We present a mechanism for efficiency increase in quantum heat engines containing internal energy levels that do not couple to the external work sink. The gain is achieved by using these levels to channel heat in a direction opposite to the one dictated by the second law. No quantum coherence, quantum correlations or ergotropy are required.

(2)-2-(3,4-Di-meth-oxy-benzyl-idene)-3,4-di-hydro-naphthalen-1(2)-one.

In the title chalcone derivative, CHO, the cyclo-hexa-none ring adopts a distorted half-chair conformation and the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 52.20 (15)°. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into (12) [001] chains.

Care and management of a double burden of chronic diseases: Experiences of patients and perceptions of their healthcare providers.

Aim: The increasing burden of comorbid HIV infection and hypertension necessitates a focus on healthcare services providing care for chronic multi-morbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceptions and experiences of 1) people living with HIV infection and comorbid hypertension, and 2) their healthcare providers, related to their diagnoses and interactions with chronic healthcare services in South Africa.

Methods: This study comprised quantitative and qualitative arms with a multi-layered approach.

Findings from Community-Based Screenings for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in at Risk Communities in Cape Town, South Africa: A Pilot Study.

Completed and ongoing implementation activities globally advocate for community-based approaches to improve strategies for type 2 diabetes prevention. However, little is known about such strategies in the African region where there are higher relative increases in diabetes prevalence. We reported findings from the first 8-month pilot phase of the South African diabetes prevention program.

Development of a Tool to Increase Physical Activity among People at Risk for Diabetes in Low-Resourced Communities in Cape Town.

Targeted lifestyle interventions, including physical activity (PA), have been proven to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. South Africa's unique context, complex environment and varied cultures and ethnicities require tailored interventions. Our objective was to develop a context-appropriate tool for the South African Diabetes Prevention Programme's PA lifestyle component in order to enable people at risk of developing diabetes to adopt PA.

Evaluation of Salmon () and Rainbow Trout () pin bones using textural analysis and micro X-ray computational tomography.

Industrially, common problems arise with the deboning pin bone process, where Atlantic Salmon () and Rainbow Trout () fillets, , are subjected to a pulling process to remove the pin bones from the fillet. This study measured the length of pin bones from two species of fish and two different industrial graded weights, and then used a texture analyser and µCT X-ray to measure the pulling force, break point and volume of the pin bones of both species of fish. Results showed that salmon pin bones required significantly higher pulling force to remove pin bones from the fish fillet when compared with Trout pin bones.

Discovery and Clinical Evaluation of MK-8150, A Novel Nitric Oxide Donor With a Unique Mechanism of Nitric Oxide Release.

Background: Nitric oxide donors are widely used to treat cardiovascular disease, but their major limitation is the development of tolerance, a multifactorial process to which the in vivo release of nitric oxide is thought to contribute. Here we describe the preclinical and clinical results of a translational drug development effort to create a next-generation nitric oxide donor with improved pharmacokinetic properties and a unique mechanism of nitric oxide release through CYP3A4 metabolism that was designed to circumvent the development of tolerance.

Methods And Results: Single- and multiple-dose studies in telemetered dogs showed that MK-8150 induced robust blood-pressure lowering that was sustained over 14 days.

Comparison of hearing thresholds obtained with Baha preoperative assessment tools and those obtained with the osseointegrated implant.

We conducted a study of the Baha bone-anchored hearing aid system to quantify the difference between (1) hearing thresholds obtained through preoperative testing methods with the Baha sound processor attached to three different bone-conduction testing devices and (2) thresholds obtained postoperatively with the sound processor attached to a surgically placed osseointegrated titanium implant. Twenty-three patients underwent free-field testing in four situations: with the Baha sound processor attached to (1) the Baha Testband (transcutaneous transmission), (2) the Baha Softband (transcutaneous transmission), (3) a test rod (bone conduction via the teeth), and (4) the osseointegrated implant (percutaneous transmission). The main outcome measure was the result of a comparison of the thresholds obtained with the three preoperative test methods and those obtained with the osseointegrated implant.

A food-based dietary strategy lowers blood pressure in a low socio-economic setting: a randomised study in South Africa.

Objective: To assess the impact of a food-based intervention on blood pressure (BP) in free-living South African men and women aged 50-75 years, with drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Methods: A double-blind controlled trial was undertaken in eighty drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertensive subjects randomised to an intervention (n 40) or control (n 40) arm. The intervention was 8-week provision of six food items with a modified cation content (salt replacement (SOLO ), bread, margarine, stock cubes, soup mix and a flavour enhancer) and 500 ml of maas (fermented milk)/d.

A telephone audit in parallel with the UK national tonsillectomy audit to investigate re-admission as a measure of secondary haemorrhage rate.

Objectives: An audit to run in parallel with the remaining 5 months (at the time of conception) of the national tonsillectomy audit to examine the accuracy of re-admission following bleeding as a measure of secondary haemorrhage rate.

Methods: A retrospective, case series audit of all patients undergoing tonsillectomy between 29th April and 1st October 2004 at Frimley Park Hospital a UK District General Hospital. One hundred and twenty-nine patients (adults and children) undergoing tonsillectomy were contacted by telephone 2 weeks after surgery.

Development and validation of a short questionnaire to assess sodium intake.

Objectives: To develop and validate a short food-frequency questionnaire to assess habitual dietary salt intake in South Africans and to allow classification of individuals according to intakes above or below the maximum recommended intake of 6 g salt day-1.

Design: Cross-sectional validation study in 324 conveniently sampled men and women.

Methods: Repeated 24-hour urinary Na values and 24-hour dietary recalls were obtained on three occasions.

Ethnic differences in intake and excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in South Africans.

Objectives: To determine any differences in the urinary excretion and dietary intake of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium intake in three South African ethnic groups, and to assess whether the blood pressure-cation association varies according to ethnic status.

Design: A cross-sectional study of 325 black, white and mixed-ancestry men and women, conveniently sampled in Cape Town. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected on three separate occasions for assessment of urinary electrolytes, and three 24-h dietary recalls for the corresponding urine collection times were administered by two trained fieldworkers.

The effect of consultant-led interactive pre-clinic case note review on follow-up rates of an otology outpatient clinic.

The effect of pre-clinic consultant-led interactive case note discussion on the follow-up rate of an otology outpatient clinic was assessed. The clinic was divided into two groups. In one group, all cases were delegated by the consultant at the beginning of clinic without discussion.

Diet and blood pressure in South Africa: Intake of foods containing sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in three ethnic groups.

Objectives: We investigated whether habitual intakes of sodium (Na), potassium, magnesium, and calcium differ across South African ethnic groups, assessed the proportion of Na intake, which is discretionary, and identified which food sources were the major contributors to Na intake.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 325 black, white, and mixed ancestry hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Three repeated 24-h urine samples were collected for assessment of urinary Na, and three corresponding 24-h dietary recalls were administered by trained fieldworkers.

Light-shift-induced quantum gates for ions in thermal motion.

An effective interaction between trapped ions in thermal motion can be generated by illuminating them simultaneously with a single laser resonant with the ionic carrier frequency. The ac Stark shift induces simultaneous "virtual" two-phonon transitions via several motional modes. Within a certain laser intensity range these transitions can interfere constructively, resulting in a relatively fast, heating-resistant two-qubit logic gate.

Insertion of ventilation tubes: does the site matter?

Several factors are known to affect the length of time a ventilation tube remains in the tympanic membrane. These include the design of ventilation tube, the insertion technique and the presence of intercurrent infection. In addition there are theoretical reasons to suggest that a ventilation tube placed superiorly should remain longer than one placed inferiorly.

Parotid duct stenosis: interventional radiology to the rescue.

Recurrent parotid sialadenitis due to isolated parotid duct stenosis is an uncommon condition and poses a difficult management problem. Conventional surgical practice carries with it a potentially high morbidity for what is a benign condition. We present three cases where parotid duct stenosis has been treated by balloon dilatation and propose that this is a safe, quick and repeatable method for dealing with this problem.

Rhabdomyoma of the larynx: a rare cause of stridor.

Rhabdomyomas of the larynx are rare tumours. In the literature to date 18 cases have been reported. They usually present with slowly progressive symptoms typical of their benign nature.