Time evolution of a Gaussian class of quasi-distribution functions under quadratic Hamiltonian.

A Lie algebraic method for propagation of the Wigner quasi-distribution function (QDF) under quadratic Hamiltonian was presented by Zoubi and Ben-Aryeh. We show that the same method can be used in order to propagate a rather general class of QDFs, which we call the "Gaussian class." This class contains as special cases the well-known Wigner, Husimi, Glauber, and Kirkwood-Rihaczek QDFs. We present some examples of the calculation of the time evolution of those functions.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN COMPUTERISED ANALYSIS OF THERMOLUMINESCENCE GLOW CURVES: SOFTWARE CODES, MECHANISMS AND DOSIMETRIC APPLICATIONS.

The computerised deconvolution of thermoluminescence glow curves into component glow peaks is discussed in detail with special emphasis on advances of the subject post 2013. A plethora of computer codes have been developed using models based on first-order kinetics, second-orders kinetics, interactive traps and continuous distributions of activation energies. The glow curves of several materials are displayed and discussed along with new and improved dosimetric applications:precision effects of heating rate, heavy charged particles, mixed field α/ϒ dosimetry, fading and dose-response linearity. Finally recommendations are made for future efforts.

MANIPULATION OF THE DOSE-RESPONSE OF COMPOSITE GLOW PEAK 5 IN THE THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) VIA OPTICAL EXCITATION POST-IRRADIATION: POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVED DOSE-RESPONSE LINEARITY BEYOND 1 Gy.

Many dosimetric applications and especially those involved in clinical dosimetry are hampered by the supralinearity of TLD-100 which begins at a level of dose of 1 Gy. This research investigates the effect of optical excitation following irradiation on the dose-response. It is expected that this will lead to a more linear dose-response, however, irrespective of the hoped-for linearity, the theoretical/kinetic simulations of the effect of optical excitation will further enhance our understanding of the thermoluminescence mechanisms, especially the role of spatially correlated trapping and luminescent centers. In the following, the various stages carried out in these investigations are discussed and preliminary results presented.

Ionisation Chamber for Measurement of Pulsed Photon Radiation Fields.

The use of pulsed photon radiation in medical, industrial and security sectors has vastly increased during the recent years. The length of pulse from different X-ray flash generators that are commonly used as either portable, battery-operated or fixed systems can be as low as a few femtoseconds. However, the majority of radiation protection instruments, especially various active electronic dosemeters, have limitations when operated in pulsed fields. This study presents measurements that were performed using the dose-integration mode of the RI-02 and Ram Ion survey metres, which are based on ventilated ionisation chamber, when exposed to different pulsed X-ray sources. An intercomparison between the results that were obtained with the survey metres and those that were obtained with thermoluminescence dosemeter, reference passive dosemeter, show good agreement (deviation lies within 10%).

Awareness of cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, and its association with attendance at outpatient clinics in acute coronary syndrome patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to assess patients' awareness of cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, and its association with attendance at outpatient clinics in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: All patients of the Lyubertsy Infarct Survival Study-3 registry hospitalized with ACS from November 1, 2013, to July 31, 2015, were included (n = 397). We used medical histories and specifically designed checklists. Awareness was assessed in survived patients (n = 320) for dyslipidemia, diabetes, arterial hypertension, and previous myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into three groups depending on their attendance at outpatient clinics prior to ACS: attendants, partially compliant to attendance, and nonattendants. RESULTS: Our study showed several differences between medical history data received from patients and data obtained from objective examination, which was true for arterial hypertension (p < 0.05) and particularly for dyslipidemia (p < 0.01). The majority of patients were aware of diabetes. All patients knew about previous myocardial infarction. Awareness of arterial hypertension slightly increased with increasing attendance (p > 0.05), whereas awareness of dyslipidemia increased dramatically (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study showed significant differences between medical history data received from patients and data obtained from objective examination for several cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with ACS. Awareness of dyslipidemia was very low. It increased dramatically with increasing attendance. At the same time, there was only a slight increase in awareness of arterial hypertension with increase of attendance.

[Dynamics of the bioelectric activity of the brain in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism treated surgically]. / Dinamika bioélektricheskoi aktivnosti mozga u bol'nykh pervichnym giperparatireozom v sviazi s ego khirurgicheskim lecheniem.

The clinico-electroencephalographic examination over time of 23 patients with primary hyperparathyrosis using the automated assessment of the EEG findings showed that the disease was characterized by unmarked inconclusive changes in the cerebral rhythm, the degree of these changes showing no dependence on the level of blood calcium. Six to seven days after surgery for removing the adenoma of the parathyroid gland, the EEG disorders either increased or remained unaltered; they exhibited no correlation with the post-surgical normo- or hypocalcemia. Stable normalization of the clinico-neurological and EEG parameters was observed at a later post-surgical period, varying from 6 to 12 months.

[EEG dynamics in patients with renal failure during treatment with hemodialysis and following kidney transplantation]. / Dinamika EEG u bol'nykh s pochechnoi nedostatochnost'iu pri lechenii gemodializom i posle transplantatsii pochki.

The authors conducted an EEG study of 28 patients with chronic renal insufficiency, 20 of whom were on a programme hemodyalysis and 8 were studied at different periods following kidney transplantation. Background registrations detected mild and moderate changes of the bioelectric brain activity, mainly with disorders of alpha-rhythm. Only in 1/3 of the patients there were moderate slow forms of activity of paroxysmal signs. A worsening of the EEG indices after hemodialysis, seen in 11 of the 20 patients was expressed in abundant polymorphic slow activity or paroxysmal hilateral synchronous discharges of a large amplitude and was combined with an appearance of neurological disorders. In a successful kidney transplantation there was a distinct normalization of the EEG picture, whereas in a rejection of the transplant there were signs of expressed anomalies of brain electrogenesis.

[Changes in depression, anxiety, and vital exhaustion in patients after ICD implantation. Comparison of clinical subgroups]. / Veränderungen bei Depression, Angst und vitaler Erschöpfung bei Patienten nach einer ICD-Implantation. Vergleich klinischer Subgruppen.

BACKGROUND: The psychological strain of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is infrequently explored in prospective studies, which have until now generally focused on the dimensions anxiety and depression. Furthermore, vital exhaustion (VE; ICD10 F 48.0) is known as a very good predictor for negative outcome in patients with coronary heart disease. The influence of VE on patients with an ICD is presented and analyzed in a prospective study. METHODS: A total of 249 patients with an ICD completed a set of questionnaires (HADS, EQ-5D, VE) at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The patients with high levels of depression, anxiety, and VE after ICD implantation did not show spontaneous remission after 1 year. DISCUSSION: As expected, the implanatation of an ICD is associated with high acceptance and increased life quality in about 3/4 of patients. However, there is a subgroup of patients (20-30%) who have difficulties and the measured dimensions remain at elevated levels after implantation, thus, indicating that these patients probably need competent psychological help.

[An outpatient education program for patients and partners after implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD)]. / Ein ambulantes Schulungsprogramm für Betroffene und Partner nach Erstimplantation eines implantierten Kardioverter/Defibrillators (ICD).

BACKGROUND: The implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is commonly followed by a physical and psychological process of adaptation to the new situation. Psychological support is often not provided and patients are left alone with questions and their needs. Because of the emerging sense of support group programs have proven to be apt for clearing up questions and addressing personal concerns. In the present study a psychoeducational program is presented and evaluated in detail. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 308 patients with ICDs as well as their partners participated in a 2 day psychoeducational program. Of the patients 100 as well as their partners were asked to complete questionnaires concerning anxiety and depression (HADS) as well as their satisfaction with the program. The program consists of five modules: a warm up and getting to know each other; medical and technical information concerning the ICD, psychoeducation concerning the topics anxiety and avoidance, relaxation and an experience report of a patient who has had an ICD for many years. RESULTS: The evaluation results of 72 participants are present. All patients would definitively recommend participation in the program to other patients with an ICD without restrictions. The satisfaction with the five different modules of the intervention was very high. The depression as well as the anxious symptomatology in the HADS decreased significantly in the 1 year follow-up but did not exceed the cut-off point of 8. The anxiety and depression symptoms of the partners decreased significantly and exceeded the cut-off point of 8 in the follow-up.

Effect of cyanophage infection on CO2 photoassimilation in Plectonema boryanum.

Cyanophage infection effects a rapid and complete cessation of CO(2) photoassimilation in Plectonema cells. From the amount of infected cells lysed, it was established that this phenomenon cannot be ascribed to lysis of the host cells either from within or from without. The possibility that the effect is due to nitrogen starvation, induced secondarily by cyanophage multiplication, was ruled out when it was found that nitrogen supplementation did not influence the inhibition. It is suggested that the arrest of CO(2) photoassimilation is an integral part of the cyanophage infection cycle in P. boryanum. This idea is supported by the nondependence of the cyanophage-induced inhibition on the input multiplicity, by the light requirement for the inhibition, and by the fact that infected Plectonema cells with inhibited CO(2) photo-assimilation support normal multiplication of the cyanophage. The pattern of light requirement for this viral inhibition further supports this suggestion.