Epidemiology of invasive fungal diseases among patients with haematological disorders in the Asia-Pacific: a prospective observational study

AbstractWe conducted a 2-year multicentre prospective observational study to determine the epidemiology of and mortality associated with invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) among patients with haematological disorders in Asia. Eleven institutions from 8 countries/regions participated, with 412 subjects (28.2% possible, 38.3% probable and 33.5% proven IFDs) recruited. The epidemiology of IFDs in participating institutions was similar to Western centres, with Aspergillus spp. (65.9%) or Candida spp. (26.7%) causing the majority of probable and proven IFDs. The overall 30-day mortality was 22.1%. Progressive haematological disorder (odds ratio [OR] 5.192), invasive candidiasis (OR 3.679), and chronic renal disease (OR 6.677) were independently associated with mortality

Cut Diagrams for High Energy Scatterings

A new approach is introduced to study QCD amplitudes at high energy and comparatively small momentum transfer. Novel cut diagrams, representing resummation of Feynman diagrams, are used to simplify calculation and to avoid delicate cancellations encountered in the usual approach. Explicit calculation to the 6th order is carried out to demonstrate the advantage of cut diagrams over Feynman diagrams.Comment: uu-encoded file containing a latex manuscript with 14 postscript figure

Inflating in a Better Racetrack

We present a new version of our racetrack inflation scenario which, unlike our original proposal, is based on an explicit compactification of type IIB string theory: the Calabi-Yau manifold P^4_[1,1,1,6,9]. The axion-dilaton and all complex structure moduli are stabilized by fluxes. The remaining 2 Kahler moduli are stabilized by a nonperturbative superpotential, which has been explicitly computed. For this model we identify situations for which a linear combination of the axionic parts of the two Kahler moduli acts as an inflaton. As in our previous scenario, inflation begins at a saddle point of the scalar potential and proceeds as an eternal topological inflation. For a certain range of inflationary parameters, we obtain the COBE-normalized spectrum of metric perturbations and an inflationary scale of M = 3 x 10^{14} GeV. We discuss possible changes of parameters of our model and argue that anthropic considerations favor those parameters that lead to a nearly flat spectrum of inflationary perturbations, which in our case is characterized by the spectral index n_s = 0.95.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures. Brief discussion on the non-gaussianity of this model, one more figure of the field trajectories added as well as other minor changes to the tex

Channel-Coupling Effects in High-Energy Hadron Collisions

The Two-Gluon Model of the Pomeron predicts strongly size-dependent high-energy hadron cross sections. Yet experimental cross sections for radially excited mesons appear surprisingly close in value. The strong coupling of these mesons in hadron collisions also predicted by the model permits a qualitative understanding of this puzzling behavior in terms of eigenmode propagation with a common eigen-$\sigma$. A detailed semiempirical coupled-channel model of the Pomeron is constructed to elucidate this and other features of high-energy hadron cross sections.Comment: 13 pages, latex, no figure

Fractional ownership and underpricing:signals of IPO firm value?

This paper examines whether fractional ownership and underpricing serve as signals of firm value in the Australian new issues market. While international studies have provided emperical support for the signaling hypothesis, there is a paucity of Australian evidence in this area. Instead, empirical tests of hypotheses proposed as explanations of the underpricing phenomenon have featured prominently in the Australian studies. This paper finds evidence of a positive relationship between firm value and fractional ownership. Our results also show that although the positive relationship between fractional ownership and firm value is robust, irrespective of whether market volatily and industry effects have been controlled for, the assumption of linearity of the relationship may not be appropriate. The relationship between underpricing and firm value is, however, ambiguous.</p

Video parsing, indexing and retrieval system

Proceedings of the ACM International Multimedia Conference & Exhibition359-36021

Rhazinilam−leuconolam−leuconoxine alkaloids from leuconotis griffithii

Eight new indole alkaloids (1–8) belonging to the rhazinilam–leuconolam–leuconoxine group, in addition to 52 other alkaloids, were isolated from the stem-bark extract of Leuconotis griffithii, viz., nor-rhazinicine (1), 5,21-dihydrorhazinilam-N-oxide (2), 3,14-dehydroleuconolam (3), and leuconodines A–E (4–8). The structures of these alkaloids were determined using NMR and MS analyses and in some instances confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. Alkaloids 1, 5, and 7 showed only moderate to weak cytotoxicity toward KB cells (IC50 12–18 μg/mL), while 8 showed moderate activity in reversing MDR in vincristine-resistant KB cells

Exploring dentistry students’ knowledge of HIV and attitudes towards saliva screening for HIV

Early detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) allows antiretroviral therapy to commence, improving patient outcomes. Screening for HIV with saliva can be undertaken by dental practitioners. Research has found the procedure to be better accepted by patients than traditional blood testing. However, lack of knowledge and time constraints were identified as barriers to implementation for dental practitioners. This study aimed to explore dental students' knowledge of HIV and their attitudes towards implementing saliva screening for HIV in a dental setting.Convenience sampling was used to recruit four focus groups of six to nine dentistry students from the University of Queensland. Participants also completed a questionnaire prior to the focus group.Thirty-three students participated in the focus groups. Students recognised their knowledge of HIV was limited and 46% (n= 15) reported having treated a HIV-positive patient in the last year. Three key themes emerged from discussions; knowledge and experience of HIV; barriers and enablers; and scope of practice. Students identified stigma, lack of training, cost and time restraints as barriers to implementing saliva screening for HIV. Opinions varied on if screening was within a dental practitioner's scope of practice.While students were open to conducting saliva screening for HIV, they identified prominent barriers limiting its implementation within a dental setting. Education on saliva screening for HIV, patient counselling and referral pathways could be integrated into dentistry curriculums to reduce these barriers. Further investigation is needed into the cost-effectiveness of implementing screening for HIV in a dental setting

A genetic algorithm based process planning system for mould base

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology144-6190-203IJCT