Pediatric Kawasaki Disease and Adult Human Immunodeficiency Virus Kawasaki-Like Syndrome Are Likely the Same Malady.

Background. Pediatric Kawasaki disease (KD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)+ adult Kawasaki-like syndrome (KLS) are dramatic vasculitides with similar physical findings. Both syndromes include unusual arterial histopathology with immunoglobulin (Ig)A+ plasma cells, and both impressively respond to pooled Ig therapy. Their distinctive presentations, histopathology, and therapeutic response suggest a common etiology. Because blood is in immediate contact with inflamed arteries, we investigated whether KD and KLS share an inflammatory signature in serum.Methods. A custom multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) defined the serum cytokine milieu in 2 adults with KLS during acute and convalescent phases, with asymptomatic HIV+ subjects not taking antiretroviral therapy serving as controls. We then prospectively collected serum and plasma samples from children hospitalized with KD, unrelated febrile illnesses, and noninfectious conditions, analyzing them with a custom multiplex ELISA based on the KLS data.Results. Patients with KLS and KD subjects shared an inflammatory signature including acute-phase reactants reflecting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α biologic activity (soluble TNF receptor I/II) and endothelial/smooth muscle chemokines Ccl1 (Th2), Ccl2 (vascular inflammation), and Cxcl11 (plasma cell recruitment). Ccl1 was specifically elevated in KD versus febrile controls, suggesting a unique relationship between Ccl1 and KD/KLS pathogenesis.Conclusions. This study defines a KD/KLS inflammatory signature mirroring a dysfunctional response likely to a common etiologic agent. The KD/KLS inflammatory signature based on elevated acute-phase reactants and specific endothelial/smooth muscle chemokines was able to identify KD subjects versus febrile controls, and it may serve as a practicable diagnostic test for KD

Commercials, careers and culture: travelling salesmen in Britain 1890s-1930s

Within the lower middle-class, British commercial travellers established a strong fraternal culture before 1914. This article examines their interwar experiences in terms of income, careers, and associational culture. It demonstrates how internal labour markets operated, identifies the ways in which commercial travellers interpreted their role, and explores their social and political attitudes

The polymer phase of the TDAE-C60_{60} organic ferromagnet

The high-pressure Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements were preformed on TDAE-C$_{60}$ single crystals and stability of the polymeric phase was established in the $P - T$ parameter space. At 7 kbar the system undergoes a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition due to the pressure-induced polymerization. The polymeric phase remains stable after the pressure release. The depolymerization of the pressure-induced phase was observed at the temperature of 520 K. Below room temperature, the polymeric phase behaves as a simple Curie-type insulator with one unpaired electron spin per chemical formula. The TDAE$^+$ donor-related unpaired electron spins, formerly ESR-silent, become active above the temperature of 320 K and the Curie-Weiss behavior is re-established.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Electronic Raman scattering in a multiband model for cuprate superconductors

Charge-charge, current-current and Raman correlation functions are derived in a consistent way using the unified response theory. The theory is based on the improved description of the conduction electron coupling to the external electromagnetic fields, distinguishing further the direct and indirect (assisted) scattering on the quasi-static disorder. The two scattering channels are distinguished in terms of the energy and momentum conservation laws. The theory is illustrated on the Emery three-band model for the normal state of the underdoped high-$T_c$ cuprates which includes the incoherent electron scattering on the disorder associated with the quasi-static fluctuations around the static antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering. It is shown, for the first time consistently, that the incoherent indirect processes dominate the low-frequency part of the Raman spectra, while the long-range screening which is dynamic removes the long-range forces in the $A_{1g}$ channel. In the mid-infrared frequency range the coherent AF processes are dominant. In contrast to the nonresonant $B_{1g}$ response, which is large by itself, the resonant interband transitions enhance both the $A_{1g}$ and $B_{1g}$ Raman spectra to comparable values, in good agreement with experimental observation. It is further argued that the AF correlations give rise to the mid-infrared peak in the $B_{1g}$ Raman spectrum, accompanied by a similar peak in the optical conductivity. The doping behavior of these peaks is shown to be correlated with the linear doping dependence of the Hall number, as observed in all underdoped high-$T_c$ compounds.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Pseudo-Goldstone Boson Effects in Top-Antitop Productions at High Energy Hadron Colliders and Testing Technicolor Models

We study the top quark pair production process p+p(anti-p)-->top+antitop in various kinds of technicolor (TC) models at the Fermilab Tevatron Run II and the CERN LHC. The s-channel neutral pseudo-Goldstone bosons (PGB's) contribute dominately to the production amplitudes from its coupling to the gluons through the triangle loops of techniquarks and the top quark. Cross sections in different TC models with s-channel PGB contributions are calculated. It is shown that the PGB effects can be experimentally tested and different TC models under consideration can be distinguished at the LHC. Therefore, the p+p-->top+antitop process at the LHC provides feasible tests of the TC models.Comment: 10 pages in RevTex and 4 PS-files for the figures. Paramemter range is changed, and some references are added. Version for publication in Phys. Rev.

Testing Technicolor Models in Top Quark Pair Production at High Energy Photon Colliders

We study pseudo-Goldstone boson corrections to top quark pair production rates in technicolor models with and without topcolor at the E=0.5 teV and 1.5 TeV photon colliders. We find that, for reasonable ranges of the parameters, the corrections are large enough to be observable, and the corrections in models with topcolor are considerably larger than those in models without topcolor, and they are all significantly larger than the corresponding corrections in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) with tan(beta) of the order of 1. So that the two kinds of technicolor models and the MSSM with tan(beta) of the order of 1 can be experimentally distinguished.Comment: Version for publication in Phys.Rev.D with some references and discussions added and some typos correcte

Evaluation of the COSHH Essentials Model with a Mixture of Organic Chemicals at a Medium-Sized Paint Producer

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials model was evaluated using full-shift exposure measurements of five chemical components in a mixture [acetone, ethylbenzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and xylenes] at a medium-sized plant producing paint materials. Two tasks, batch-making and bucket-washing, were examined. Varying levels of control were already established in both tasks and the average exposures of individual chemicals were considerably lower than the regulatory and advisory 8-h standards. The average exposure fractions using the additive mixture formula were also less than unity (batch-making: 0.25, bucket-washing: 0.56) indicating the mixture of chemicals did not exceed the combined occupational exposure limit (OEL). The paper version of the COSHH Essentials model was used to calculate a predicted exposure range (PER) for each chemical according to different levels of control. The estimated PERs of the tested chemicals for both tasks did not show consistent agreement with exposure measurements when the comparison was made for each control method and this is believed to be because of the considerably different volatilities of the chemicals. Given the combination of health hazard and exposure potential components, the COSHH Essentials model recommended a control approach ‘special advice’ for both tasks, based on the potential reproductive hazard ascribed to toluene. This would not have been the same conclusion if some other chemical had been substituted (for example styrene, which has the same threshold limit value as toluene). Nevertheless, it was special advice, which had led to the combination of hygienic procedures in place at this plant. The probability of the combined exposure fractions exceeding unity was 0.0002 for the batch-making task indicating that the employees performing this task were most likely well protected below the OELs. Although the employees involved in the bucket-washing task had greater potential to exceed the threshold limit value of the mixture (P > 1 = 0.2375), the expected personal exposure after adjusting for the assigned protection factor for the respirators in use would be considerably lower (P > 1 = 0.0161). Thus, our findings suggested that the COSHH essentials model worked reasonably well for the volatile organic chemicals at the plant. However, it was difficult to override the reproductive hazard even though it was meant to be possible in principle. Further, it became apparent that an input of existing controls, which is not possible in the web-based model, may have allowed the model be more widely applicable. The experience of using the web-based COSHH Essentials model generated some suggestions to provide a more user-friendly tool to the model users who do not have expertise in occupational hygiene

Organic Lamb Meat Production in Serbia Based on Autochthonous Zackel Breed: Opportunities and Challenges

The global growing tendency of lamb and mutton meat production has been emphasized. The fastest growing meat production industry on a global level is lamb and mutton meat production. Lamb meat production increase is primarily based on genetic improvement of sheep breeds, reproduction management and disease reduction. The new Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development in Serbia from 2014 to 2024 defines goals and priorities for further development of agriculture. One of priority topics is the promotion of organic production. Organic lamb production is a great opportunity for rural regions development. Botanical composition analyses, as well as plants nutrition value, have shown that natural resources of regions in Serbia have great potentials for organic lamb production. Basic principles of organic production promote well adapted, autochthonous breeds. Various types of Zackel sheep are important genetic resources, evolutionary adapted on specific conditions and extreme climate. The study evaluated the value of various types of Zackel sheep populations in the regions where they are traditionally reared with special emphasis on some traits such as health status and robustness, important for organic production. Disease frequency analysis in different Zackel type populations has shown that gastrointestinal parasitic infections represent the main health problem in sheep farming. The introduction of veterinary medicine standards in organic sheep production is a great challenge. Considering that conventional prevention and medication are forbidden in organic production, veterinary control of parasitic infections is not satisfying. Our investigations are focused on preventive measure and genetic resistance/tolerance to parasitic infections of various types of Zackel sheep as very important for organic lamb production

First measurement of the Hubble Constant from a Dark Standard Siren using the Dark Energy Survey Galaxies and the LIGO/Virgo Binary–Black-hole Merger GW170814

International audienceWe present a multi-messenger measurement of the Hubble constant H 0 using the binary–black-hole merger GW170814 as a standard siren, combined with a photometric redshift catalog from the Dark Energy Survey (DES). The luminosity distance is obtained from the gravitational wave signal detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)/Virgo Collaboration (LVC) on 2017 August 14, and the redshift information is provided by the DES Year 3 data. Black hole mergers such as GW170814 are expected to lack bright electromagnetic emission to uniquely identify their host galaxies and build an object-by-object Hubble diagram. However, they are suitable for a statistical measurement, provided that a galaxy catalog of adequate depth and redshift completion is available. Here we present the first Hubble parameter measurement using a black hole merger. Our analysis results in , which is consistent with both SN Ia and cosmic microwave background measurements of the Hubble constant. The quoted 68% credible region comprises 60% of the uniform prior range [20, 140] km s−1 Mpc−1, and it depends on the assumed prior range. If we take a broader prior of [10, 220] km s−1 Mpc−1, we find (57% of the prior range). Although a weak constraint on the Hubble constant from a single event is expected using the dark siren method, a multifold increase in the LVC event rate is anticipated in the coming years and combinations of many sirens will lead to improved constraints on H 0

Immunoreactive Trypsinogen Levels in Infants Born to Women with Cystic Fibrosis Taking Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor

Background/Objective: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a lethal autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene affecting people of every race and ethnicity in the US. Highly effective modulator therapies (HEMT), such as elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI), correct misfolding and/or improve functioning of the abnormal CFTR protein to lessen disease severity. Most people with CF are diagnosed following abnormal newborn screening (NBS), which involves measuring levels of immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT). There have been case reports of falsely low IRT levels among infants with CF exposed to ETI in utero, but an overall assessment of IRT levels among these infants has not been conducted. We hypothesize that infants born to mothers with CF taking ETI (ETI-exposed) may have lower IRT levels than newborns with CF, CFTR-related metabolic syndrome (CRMS), or CF carriers. Methods: NBS data from infants born between 2020-22 in Indiana with at least one CFTR mutation were collected and compared to infants born to mothers with CF taking ETI followed at Indiana University, regardless of CFTR mutation status. Infants were categorized as: CF, CRMS, Carrier, ETI-exposed, and Unknown (i.e., diagnosis not determined). An ANOVA test was performed on log-transformed data, with p-values adjusted for Dunnett’s to compare IRT levels of infant groups to ETI-exposed group. Results: There were 51 children with CF, 21 with CRMS, 489 CF carriers, and 19 ETI-exposed infants. Compared to other groups, ETI-exposed infants had a lower median IRT value and IQR (p<0.0001). To our knowledge, there are no CF diagnoses among ETI-exposed infants. Conclusion: IRT levels for ETI-exposed infants, who are obligate CF carriers, were lower than for other infants with CF-related diagnoses, raising the likelihood of false normal NBS results. ETI-exposed infants should have CFTR mutation analysis performed to correctly categorize them as CF, CRMS, or CF carriers