Excitations of the nucleon with dynamical fermions

We measure the spectrum of low-lying nucleon resonances using Bayesian fitting methods. We compare the masses obtained in the quenched approximation to those obtained with two flavours of dynamical fermions at a matched lattice spacing. At the pion masses employed in our simulations, we find that the mass of the first positive-parity nucleon excitation is always greater than that of the parity partner of the nucleon.Comment: Lattice2002(spectrum) 3 pages, 4 figure

Excited nucleon spectrum using a non-perturbatively improved clover fermion action

We discuss the extraction of negative-parity baryon masses from lattice QCD calculations. The mass of the lowest-lying negative-parity $J = 1/2^{-}$ state is computed in quenched lattice QCD using an ${\cal O}(a)$-improved clover fermion action, and a splitting found with the nucleon mass. The calculation is performed on two lattice volumes, and three lattice spacings enabling a study of both finite-volume and finite-lattice-spacing uncertainties. A measurement of the first excited radial excitation of the nucleon finds a mass considerably larger than that of the negative-parity ground state, in accord with other lattice determinations but in disagreement with experiment. Results are also presented for the lightest negative-parity $I=3/2$ state.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, uses espcrc2. Talk presented at Workshop on Lattice Hadron Physics, Colonial Club Resort, Cairns, Australia, July 9-18, 2001. Corrected error in determination of mass of excited, positive-parity nucleon resonanc

An Investigation of the Soft Pion Relation in Quenched Lattice QCD

A lattice determination of the form factor and decay constants for the semileptonic decay of heavy pseudoscalar (PS) mesons at zero recoil is presented from which the soft pion relation is satisfied. Chiral extrapolation of the form factor is performed at constant $q^2$. Pole dominance is used to extrapolate the form factor in heavy quark mass. At the B mass, the form factor at zero recoil lies somewhat below the ratio of decay constants; the relation remains satisfied within error.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Negative-parity Baryon Masses using an O(a)-improved Fermion Action

We present a calculation of the mass of the lowest-lying negative-parity J=1/2- state in quenched QCD. Results are obtained using a non-perturbatively O(a)-improved clover fermion action, and a splitting is found between the mass of the nucleon and its parity partner. The calculation is performed on two lattice volumes and at three lattice spacings, enabling a study of both finite-volume and finite lattice-spacing uncertainties. A comparison is made with results obtained using the unimproved Wilson fermion action.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, revtex Version accepted for publication in Physics Letters B. Some changes to discussion of chiral extrapolations; primary results unchange

Geography of genetic structure in barley wild relative Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum in Jordan

Informed collecting, conservation, monitoring and utilization of genetic diversity requires knowledge of the distribution and structure of the variation occurring in a species. Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum (K. Koch) Thell., a primary wild relative of barley, is an important source of genetic diversity for barley improvement and co-occurs with the domesticate within the center of origin. We studied the current distribution of genetic diversity and population structure in H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum in Jordan and investigated whether it is correlated with either spatial or climatic variation inferred from publically available climate layers commonly used in conservation and ecogeographical studies. The genetic structure of 32 populations collected in 2012 was analyzed with 37 SSRs. Three distinct genetic clusters were identified. Populations were characterized by admixture and high allelic richness, and genetic diversity was concentrated in the northern part of the study area. Genetic structure, spatial location and climate were not correlated. This may point out a limitation in using large scale climatic data layers to predict genetic diversity, especially as it is applied to regional genetic resources collections in H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum

Genetic partitioning of interleukin-6 signalling in mice dissociates Stat3 from Smad3-mediated lung fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease that is unresponsive to current therapies and characterized by excessive collagen deposition and subsequent fibrosis. While inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, are elevated in IPF, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this disease are incompletely understood, although the development of fibrosis is believed to depend on canonical transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling. We examined bleomycin-induced inflammation and fibrosis in mice carrying a mutation in the shared IL-6 family receptor gp130. Using genetic complementation, we directly correlate the extent of IL-6-mediated, excessive Stat3 activity with inflammatory infiltrates in the lung and the severity of fibrosis in corresponding gp130757F mice. The extent of fibrosis was attenuated in B lymphocyte-deficient gp130757F;µMT−/− compound mutant mice, but fibrosis still occurred in their Smad3−/− counterparts consistent with the capacity of excessive Stat3 activity to induce collagen 1α1 gene transcription independently of canonical TGF-β/Smad3 signalling. These findings are of therapeutic relevance, since we confirmed abundant STAT3 activation in fibrotic lungs from IPF patients and showed that genetic reduction of Stat3 protected mice from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

Murine Typhus and Leptospirosis as Causes of Acute Undifferentiated Fever, Indonesia

To investigate rickettsioses and leptospirosis among urban residents of Semarang, Indonesia, we tested the blood of 137 patients with fever. Evidence of Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus, was found in 9 patients. Another 9 patients showed inconclusive serologic results. Thirteen patients received a diagnosis of leptospirosis. No dual infections were detected

Decay Constants of B and D Mesons from Non-pertubatively Improved Lattice QCD

The decay constants of B and D mesons are computed in quenched lattice QCD at two different values of the coupling. The action and operators are ? (a) improved with non-perturbative coefficients where available. The results and systematic errors are discussed in detail. Results for vector decay constants, flavour symmetry breaking ratios of decay constants, the pseudoscalar-vector mass splitting and D meson masses are also presented