Deceleration and Trapping of SrF Molecules

We report on the electrostatic trapping of neutral SrF molecules. The molecules are captured from a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source into the moving traps of a 4.5-m-long traveling-wave Stark decelerator. The SrF molecules in X^{2}Σ^{+}(v=0,N=1) state are brought to rest as the velocity of the moving traps is gradually reduced from 190  m/s to zero. The molecules are held for up to 50 ms in multiple electric traps of the decelerator. The trapped packets have a volume (FWHM) of 1  mm^{3} and a velocity spread of 5(1)  m/s, which corresponds to a temperature of 60(20) mK. Our result demonstrates a factor 3 increase in the molecular mass that has been Stark decelerated and trapped. Heavy molecules (mass>100  amu) offer a highly increased sensitivity to probe physics beyond the standard model. This work significantly extends the species of neutral molecules of which slow beams can be created for collision studies, precision measurement, and trapping experiments.

The relationship between psychological distress and impairment of disease-specific quality-of-life compared between liquid sclerocompression therapy and invasive treatments in patients with superficial venous disease during a one-year follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Superficial venous disease (SVD) is a very common disease and much research has been done towards finding the ideal treatment and discovering the pathophysiology of SVD. Not much is known about the psychological burden of SVD. Current guidelines and scientific publications tend to focus on clinical and physiological aspects of SVD. The aim of this study was to relate the changes in Quality-of-Life (QoL) after SVD treatment to possible changes in psychological distress (PD).

METHODS

A prospective cohort was set up with the assistance of 5 specialized vein clinics in the Netherlands. Inclusion criteria were: 18 years of age or older, fluent in Dutch language, C1 to C6 (CEAP) class intended to be primary treated with either endovenous laser(LA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and phlebectomy(PHL) or sclerocompression therapy alone (SCT). Patients were divided in two groups:1. C1-C3 patients treated by SCT2. C1-C6 patients treated invasively (LA, RFA and PHL)Outcomes were a disease specific QoL questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) and a questionnaire to assess PD (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS)). This study was approved by the local institutional review board, following the principles outlines in the Declaration to Helsinki. This trial was registered in the ISRCTN registry with study ID ISRCTN12085308.

RESULTS

442 patients were included in the study and completed the T0 measurements. Mean age of these patients is 54.4 years (s.d. 12.9, 17-90). Number of females: 349 (79.0%), of males: 93 (21.0%). The mean baseline (T-0) HADS depression (0-3) scale scores is 2.54 (s.d. 0.51, n = 412). The mean one-year difference between T-12 HADS depression (0-3) scale scores and baseline T-0 scores is +0.06. The mean baseline (T-0) HADS anxiety (0-3) scale scores is 2.19 (s.d. 0.5, n = 283). The mean one-year difference between T-12 HADS anxiety (0-3) scale scores and baseline T-0 scores is +0.06. Controlled for baseline scores, gender, age, weight and length(BMI), patients in group 2 (receiving invasive treatment) show significantly higher one-year improvement in the QoL of their psychological state of mind than patients in group 1 (receiving SCT and having C1,2,3) (beta 0.158 p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant improvement in psychological, QoL and clinical scores that we observe after successful invasive treatment compared to no significant improvement after SCT and the lack of psychological distress in patients with "simple" SVD indicates that SCT is mainly performed for cosmetic reasons. One could thus argue that reimbursement of SCT as a stand-alone medical treatment is debatable.

A supersonic laser ablation beam source with narrow velocity spreads

A supersonic beam source for SrF and BaF molecules is constructed by combining the expansion of carrier gas (a mixture of 2% SF₆ and 98% argon) from an Even-Lavie valve with laser ablation of a barium/strontium metal target at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. Molecular beams with a narrow translational velocity spread are produced at relative values of Δv/v = 0.053(11) and 0.054(9) for SrF and BaF, respectively. The relative velocity spread of the beams produced in our source is lower in comparison with the results from other metal fluoride beams produced in supersonic laser ablation sources. The rotational temperature of BaF is measured to be 3.5 K. The source produces 6 × 10⁸ and 10⁷ molecules per steradian per pulse in the X²Σ⁺ (ν = 0, N = 1) state of BaF and SrF molecules, respectively, a state amenable to Stark deceleration and laser cooling.

Detection of varicose vein recurrence by duplex ultrasound: intra- and interobserver reproducibility

In a long-term follow-up study comparing saphenofemoral ligation and stripping with endovenous laser ablation, the groin is examined yearly by duplex ultrasound (DUS) to detect postoperative varicose vein recurrence. Clear criteria are needed for the uniformity of DUS observations. Physicians taking care of the follow-up were evaluated by an intra- and interobserver analysis. DUS films of 22 patients with no recurrence and 22 patients with recurrence of varicose veins were twice interpreted in two sessions. Observations were analysed by a kappa test. Interpretations of DUS by experienced observers show a kappa >7. Improved kappa results were measured over time in our physician in training. In conclusion, the reproducibility of DUS studies performed by the experienced observers of the study is excellent.

Randomised controlled trial comparing sapheno-femoral ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein with endovenous laser ablation (980 nm) using local tumescent anaesthesia: one year results

OBJECTIVES

Comparison of sapheno-femoral ligation and stripping (SFL/S) versus endovenous laser ablation (EVLA, 980-nm) in the treatment of great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency, using local tumescent anaesthesia.

DESIGN

Randomised, single centre trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with GSV incompetence and varicose veins were randomised to either SFL/S or EVLA. At days 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-treatment, patients completed questionnaires on pain and quality of life. Recurrent varicose veins were evaluated by Duplex ultrasound (DUS) performed at 1 and 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

130 legs in 121 patients were treated by SFL/S (n=68) or EVLA (n=62). Significantly more post-treatment pain was noted after EVLA at days 7, 10 and 14 (p<0.01; p<0.01; p=0.01), more hindrance in mobility at days 7 (p<0.01) and 10 (p=0.01), and in self care (p=0.03) and daily activities (p=0.01) at day 7 compared to SFL/S. DUS at 1-year follow-up showed 9% recurrences (5/56) after EVLA and 10% (5/49) after SFL/S.

CONCLUSION

Both SFL/S and EVLA, using local tumescent anaesthesia, were well tolerated, with no difference in short-term recurrence rate. In the second week after EVLA, patients experienced significantly more pain resulting in restricted mobility, self care and daily activity compared to SFL/S.