532 research outputs found
Axion-photon conversion caused by dielectric interfaces: quantum field calculation
Axion-photon conversion at dielectric interfaces, immersed in a
near-homogeneous magnetic field, is the basis for the dielectric haloscope
method to search for axion dark matter. In analogy to transition radiation,
this process is possible because the photon wave function is modified by the
dielectric layers ("Garibian wave function") and is no longer an eigenstate of
momentum. A conventional first-order perturbative calculation of the transition
probability between a quantized axion state and these distorted photon states
provides the microwave production rate. It agrees with previous results based
on solving the classical Maxwell equations for the combined system of axions
and electromagnetic fields. We argue that in general the average photon
production rate is given by our result, independently of the detailed quantum
state of the axion field. Moreover, our result provides a new perspective on
axion-photon conversion in dielectric haloscopes because the rate is based on
an overlap integral between unperturbed axion and photon wave functions, in
analogy to the usual treatment of microwave-cavity haloscopes.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures; v2: minor changes to match published versio
Revisiting longitudinal plasmon-axion conversion in external magnetic fields
In the presence of an external magnetic field the axion and the photon mix.
In particular, the dispersion relation of a longitudinal plasmon always crosses
the dispersion relation of the axion (for small axion masses), thus leading to
a resonant conversion. Using thermal field theory we concisely derive the axion
emission rate, applying it to astrophysical and laboratory scenarios. For the
Sun, depending on the magnetic field profile plasmon-axion conversion can
dominate over Primakoff production at low energies (eV). This
both provides a new axion source for future helioscopes and, in the event of
discovery, would probe the magnetic field structure of the Sun. In the case of
white dwarfs (WDs), plasmon-axion conversion provides a pure photon coupling
probe of the axion, which may contribute significantly for low-mass WDs.
Finally we rederive and confirm the axion absorption rate of the recently
proposed plasma haloscopes.Comment: Matches published version. 14 pages, 8 figure
Surgical Complications of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Infection in HIV infected children
Aim. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunisation is well established as part of the South African national expanded programme for immunisation (EPI). The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that BCG be given to all asymptomatic infants irrespective of HIV exposure at birth but does not recommend BCG vaccination for children with symptomatic HIV infection. This approach, however, has led to HIV-infected neonates
who are asymptomatic at birth, developing severe vaccinerelated complications. We present a surgical case series, representative of a minority of the cases in circulation, in support of a change to the timing of BCG administration to HIV-exposed neonates. Methods. A case series of 17 HIV-infected patients with surgical complications of BCG vaccination.
Results. Seventeen patients are presented. The first two illustrate disseminated systemic BCG infection, resulting in BCG infection of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and tibia, and
the second with gastrointestinal involvement causing bowel obstruction. The other 15 patients represent a series of severe ulcerating lymphadenitis secondary to BCG.
Conclusion. The risks of BCG in HIV-infected infants are significant. Current recommendations are not satisfactory, and a change in policy is required to prevent the harmful effects of this vaccine in a high-risk group of patients. We believe that there is sufficient need to adequately stratify patients and vaccinate them according to a protocol that takes impaired immunity into consideration. South African Medical Journal Vol. 98 (10) 2008: pp. 801-80
Investigating the DNA-Binding Site for VirB, a Key Transcriptional Regulator of Shigella Virulence Genes, Using an In Vivo Binding Tool
The transcriptional anti-silencing and DNA-binding protein, VirB, is essential for the virulence of Shigella species and, yet, sequences required for VirB-DNA binding are poorly understood. While a 7-8 bp VirB-binding site has been proposed, it was derived from studies at a single VirB-dependent promoter, icsB. Our previous in vivo studies at a different VirB-dependent promoter, icsP, found that the proposed VirB-binding site was insufficient for regulation. Instead, the required site was found to be organized as a near-perfect inverted repeat separated by a single nucleotide spacer. Thus, the proposed 7-8 bp VirB-binding site needed to be re-evaluated. Here, we engineer and validate a molecular tool to capture protein-DNA binding interactions in vivo. Our data show that a sequence organized as a near-perfect inverted repeat is required for VirB-DNA binding interactions in vivo at both the icsB and icsP promoters. Furthermore, the previously proposed VirB-binding site and multiple sites found as a result of its description (i.e., sites located at the virB, virF, spa15, and virA promoters) are not sufficient for VirB to bind in vivo using this tool. The implications of these findings are discussed
Axion detection with phonon-polaritons revisited
In the presence of a background magnetic field, axion dark matter induces an
electric field and can thus excite phonon-polaritons in suitable materials. We
revisit the calculation of the axion-photon conversion power output from such
materials, accounting for finite volume effects, and material losses. Our
calculation shows how phonon-polaritons can be converted to propagating photons
at the material boundary, offering a route to detecting the signal. Using the
dielectric functions of GaAs, AlO, and SiO, a fit to our loss model
leads to a signal of lower magnitude than previous calculations. We demonstrate
how knowledge of resonances in the dielectric function can directly be used to
calculate the sensitivity of any material to axion dark matter. We argue that a
combination of low losses encountered at K temperatures and
near future improvements in detector dark count allow one to probe the QCD
axion in the mass range meV. This provides further impetus to
examine novel materials and further develop detectors in the THz regime. We
also discuss possible tuning methods to scan the axion mass.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, comments welcom
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