Comparison of the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in HIV-Positive and AIDS Patients in Khorramabad City in 2006-2007

Abstract: Background & Aims: Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in human. Parasites are one of the most important causes of infectious diseases in patients with AIDS. The prevalence of these parasites varies based on the condition of host’s immune system and the stage of disease (HIV/AIDS). To compare the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites a cross-sectional study was carried out on 306 HIV positive and AIDS patients in Khorramabad city. Methods: After selecting the samples by census and availability sampling methods, planned questionnaires were completed and three stool samples were collected from patients. Then direct smear, formalin-ether concentration techniques and modified acid fast (Kinione) and modified trichorome staining methods were carried out on all samples during 2006-2007. Moreover the relationship between different variables and infection by intestinal parasites were examined. For description and statistical analysis t-test and Chi-square test were used. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in HIV-positive and AIDS patients was 19.6% and 50% respectively. There was a significant relationship between HIV /AIDS and species of intestinal parasites (P< 0.001). Conclusion: Higher prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients with AIDS compared to HIV-positive individuals indicates higher immune system deficiency and more susceptibility to intestinal parasitic infections (specially opportunistic parasites) and reflects the necessity of prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment programs for these patients. Keywords: Intestinal parasites, HIV, AIDS, Khorramaba

Direct Search for Low Mass Dark Matter Particles with CCDs

A direct dark matter search is performed using fully-depleted high-resistivity CCD detectors . Due to their low electronic readout noise (RMS ~ 7 eV) these devices operate with a very low detection threshold of 40 eV, making the search for dark matter particles with low masses (~ 5 GeV) possible. The results of an engineering run performed in a shallow underground site are presented, demonstrating the potential of this technology in the low mass region

Dark Matter attempts for CoGeNT and DAMA

Recently, the CoGeNT collaboration presented a positive signal for an annual modulation in their data set. In light of the long standing annual modulation signal in DAMA/LIBRA, we analyze the compatibility of both of these signal within the hypothesis of dark matter (DM) scattering on nuclei, taking into account existing experimental constraints. We consider the cases of elastic and inelastic scattering with either spin-dependent or spin-independent coupling to nucleons. We allow for isospin violating interactions as well as for light mediators. We find that there is some tension between the size of the modulation signal and the time-integrated event excess in CoGeNT, making it difficult to explain both simultaneously. Moreover, within the wide range of DM interaction models considered, we do not find a simultaneous explanation of CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA compatible with constraints from other experiments. However, in certain cases part of the data can be made consistent. For example, the modulation signal from CoGeNT becomes consistent with the total rate and with limits from other DM searches at 90% CL (but not with the DAMA/LIBRA signal) if DM scattering is inelastic spin-independent with just the right couplings to protons and neutrons to reduce the scattering rate on xenon. Conversely the DAMA/LIBRA signal (but not CoGeNT) can be explained by spin-dependent inelastic DM scattering.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

The ZEPLIN II dark matter detector: data acquisition system and data reduction

ZEPLIN-II is a two-phase (liquid/gas) xenon dark matter detector searching for WIMP-nucleon interactions. In this paper we describe the data acquisition system used to record the data from ZEPLIN-II and the reduction procedures which parameterise the data for subsequent analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

The ZEPLIN II dark matter detector: data acquisition system and data reduction

ZEPLIN-II is a two-phase (liquid/gas) xenon dark matter detector searching for WIMP-nucleon interactions. In this paper we describe the data acquisition system used to record the data from ZEPLIN-II and the reduction procedures which parameterise the data for subsequent analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

Direct Dark Matter Search using CCDs

There is currently vast evidence for Dark Matter (DM) from astronomical observations. However, in spite of tremendous efforts by large experimental groups, there is no confirmed direct detection of the dark matter in our galaxy. Recent experimental results and theoretical developments suggest the possibility of a DM particle with mass below 10 GeV, such a particle would escape most of the direct searches due to the large thresholds for the detection of nuclear recoils typically used. In this work we study the possibility of a new Dark Matter search with an unprecedented low threshold for the detection of nuclear recoils using high-resistivity CCD detectors (hr-CCD). Due to their extremely low readout noise and the relatively large active mass, these detectors present a unique opportunity in this field.Comment: paper presented at the Taup2009 Conferenc