Measurement of hadron composition in charged jets from pp collisions with the ALICE experiment

We report on the first measurement of the charged hadron composition in charged jets from pp collisions. The ALICE detector at the LHC was used to study charged pion, kaon and (anti-)proton production in jets. The results were extracted from $2 \times 10^8$ minimum bias events at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV. We present the transverse momentum ($p_{\mathrm{T}}$) spectra and reduced momentum spectra ($z^{\mathrm{ch}} \equiv p_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{track}} / p_{\mathrm{T, jet}}^{\mathrm{ch}}$) of $\pi$, K and p in charged jets with $p_{\mathrm{T, jet}}^{\mathrm{ch}}$ between 5 and 20 GeV/$c$. The measurements are compared to Monte Carlo calculations.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings of the Second Annual Conference on Large Hadron Collider Physics (LHCP 2014), June 2-7, 2014, New Yor

Early postoperative interventional ASD-closure for severe atrial right to left shunt in a neonate with common arterial trunk

Although closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD II) with an occluding device in the first year of life is not a routine procedure, it is a feasible treatment, even in neonates. Case reports on the off-label use of Amplatzer devices have been repeatedly published, but there are no reports on using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder (ADO) to close an atrial septal defect in a neonate. We report on a successful catheter closure of an ASD II with ADO in a severely cyanotic neonate, seven days after surgical repair of common arterial trunk. Due to progressive cyanosis and clinical signs of right ventricular failure, which developed after common arterial trunk repair, the neonate underwent cardiac catheterization. Diastolic filling impairment of the right ventricle (right ventricle hypertrophy, pulmonary regurgitation, and residual right ventricle outflow tract obstruction) was thought to be the cause of impaired right ventricle diastolic filling, resulting in the right-to-left shunt at the atrial level. Under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, ADO was delivered through a 5 French sheath into the atrial septal defect. Amplatzer duct occluder closed the defect and proved to be stable in position after disconnection. During the procedure, the child was stable and then transferred to the intensive care unit with significantly improved oxygen saturation. This is the first report on placing a duct occluder in the atrial septal position, which is a novel procedure for-small neonates

Normal Science?

Book review of:  Christian Dayé and Stephan Moebius (Eds). 2015. Soziologiegeschichte. Wege und Ziele (History of Sociology: Ways and Aims). Berlin: Suhrkamp Verlag.575 pp.ISBN 978-3-518-29744-5Price: € 22,7

Strange Encounter of the Third Kind: W. E. B. Du Bois, C. L. R. James and Western Civilisation

In this paper the author takes issue with the notion of the Black Atlantic as discussed by the British scholar Paul Gilroy. While sympathising with the overall perspective it criticises Gilroy's uncritical, almost iconographic, approach to black intellectual celebrities such as W. E. B. Du Bois and C. L. R. James and particularly their discussion of Marxist tropes and communist politics

IVIg dose increase in multifocal motor neuropathy: A prospective six month follow-up

In this prospective, non-randomized 6-month observational study we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) dose increase in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Diagnosis according to AAEM criteria, repetitive IVIg treatment for at least one year, persistent paresis and conduction block, stable symptoms and findings for at least six months were inclusion criteria. Nine patients (7 men) were identified and approved to standardized increase of IVIg dose. Patients were monitored using clinical scores and electrophysiological studies. Dose was increased from a baseline of 0.5 g/kg per month [mean, range: 0.1-1.1], given at variable intervals [4-12 weeks] to 1.2 g/kg per month given over 3 consecutive days planned for 6 cycles. If the patients' motor function did not improve after two cycles they entered step two: Dose was increased to 2 g/kg per month given over 5 consecutive days. The increased dose was maintained for 6 months. Assessments were performed by the same investigator, not involved in the patient's management, at baseline, after 2 and after 6 months. Following dose increase, motor function significantly improved in 6 patients (p = 0.014), 2 patients entered step two, 1 patient withdrew due to absent efficacy. Higher doses of IVIg caused more side effects, however, transient and rarely severe (p = 0.014). IVIg dose increase may improve motor functions in patients with stable MMN on long-term IVIg therapy independent of baseline dose. Improvement of motor function was associated with shorter disease duration (p = 0.008), but not with degree of muscle atrophy (p = 0.483). The treatment strategy to try to find the lowest effective dose and the longest tolerated interval might lead to underdosing in the long-term in many patient

Experimental tests of pseudo-complex General Relativity

Based on previous publications exploring pseudo-complex General Relativity (pc-GR) we present a selection of observable consequences of pc-GR and possible ways to experimentally access them. Whenever possible we compare the results to Einstein's GR and differences are worked out in detail. We propose experimental tests to check the predictions of pc-GR for the orbital frequency of test particles, the gravitational redshift effect and the last stable orbit. We will show that the orbital frequency of test particles at a given radius in pc-GR is in general lower compared to standard GR. Also the effect of frame dragging is modified (weakened) in pc-GR. Concerning the gravitational redshift of a radiation emitting object we find that it is also lower in pc-GR than in standard GR. Eventually the classical concept of a last stable orbit has to be modified in pc-GR.Comment: submitted for publication to the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ