Search for the Lepton Flavour Violating Higgs decay H --> tau mu at Hadron Colliders

We study the prospects to detect at hadron colliders the Lepton Flavour Violating Higgs decay H --> tau mu, which can reach substantial branching fractions in several extensions of the SM. Among them, the generic two higgs doublet model can be taken as a representative case where B.R.(H --> tau mu) can reach values of order 10^-1-10^-2. Bounds on the LFV factor kappa_{tau mu} of order 0.8-1.7 can be derived at 95% c.l. at Tevatron Run-2 with 4 fb^-1 for m_H = 110-150 GeV.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, uses RevTeX4. Contribution to Snowmass 200

Bounding the Hubble flow in terms of the w parameter

The last decade has seen increasing efforts to circumscribe and bound the cosmological Hubble flow in terms of model-independent constraints on the cosmological fluid - such as, for instance, the classical energy conditions of general relativity. Quite a bit can certainly be said in this regard, but much more refined bounds can be obtained by placing more precise constraints (either theoretical or observational) on the cosmological fluid. In particular, the use of the w-parameter (w=p/rho) has become increasingly common as a surrogate for trying to say something about the cosmological equation of state. Herein we explore the extent to which a constraint on the w-parameter leads to useful and nontrivial constraints on the Hubble flow, in terms of constraints on density rho(z), Hubble parameter H(z), density parameter Omega(z), cosmological distances d(z), and lookback time T(z). In contrast to other partial results in the literature, we carry out the computations for arbitrary values of the space curvature k in [-1,0,+1], equivalently for arbitrary Omega_0 <= 1.Comment: 15 page

Human and animal integrated influenza surveillance: a novel sampling approach for an additional transmission way in the aquatic bird reservoir.

Background: infectious low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) have been recently detected on feathers of wild ducks. Laboratory trial results suggested that the preen oil gland secretion, covering waterbirds\u2019 feathers, may attract and concentrate virus particles from AIV-contaminated waters to birds\u2019 bodies. We evaluated whether ducks can become infected by the ingestion of preen oil-associated viral particles, experimentally smeared on their plumage. In addition, we compared virologic and serologic results obtained from mallards whose feathers were experimentally infected, with those from wild mallards naturally carrying AIVs on feathers. Methods: we experimentally coated 7 mallards (Anas plathyrynchos) using preen oil mixed with a LPAIV (H10N7 subtype), and housed them for 45 days with a control, uncoated duck. Cloacal, oropharyngeal and feather swabs were collected from all birds and examined for AIV molecular detection and isolation. Blood samples were also taken to detect influenza specific antibodies. In addition, sera from 10 wild mallards, carrying on feathers infectious LPAIV H10N7, were examined. Results: virologic and serologic results indicated that through self- and allopreening all the birds experimentally coated with the preen oil/AIV mix and the control duck ingested viruses covering feathers and became infected. Virus isolation from feathers was up to 32 days post-coating treatment. One out of 8 wild mallards showing antibodies against type A influenza virus was seropositive for H10 subtype too. Conclusions: our experimental and field results show evidences suggesting that uninfected birds carrying viruses on their feathers, including immune ones, might play an active role in spreading AIV infection in nature. For this reason, routine AIV surveillance programs, aimed at detecting intestinal and/or respiratory viruses, should include the collection of samples, such as feather swabs, enabling the detection of viruses sticky to preened birds\u2019 bodies

Surgical treatment of rectal prolapse: experience and late results with 51 patients

The "best" surgical technique for the management of complete rectal prolapse remains unknown. Due to its low incidence, it is very difficult to achieve a representative number of cases, and there are no large prospective randomized trials to attest to the superiority of one operation over another. PURPOSE: Analyze the results of surgical treatment of complete rectal prolapse during 1980 and 2002. METHOD: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients underwent surgical treatment during this period. The mean age was 56.7 years, with 39 females. Besides the prolapse itself, 33 patients complained of mucous discharge, 31 of fecal incontinence, 14 of constipation, 17 of rectal bleeding, and 3 of urinary incontinence. Abdominal operations were performed in 36 (71%) cases. Presacral rectopexy was the most common abdominal procedure (29 cases) followed by presacral rectopexy associated with sigmoidectomy (5 cases). The most common perineal procedure was perineal rectosigmoidectomy associated with levatorplasty (12 cases). Intraoperative bleeding from the presacral space developed in 2 cases, and a rectovaginal fistula occurred in another patient after a perineal rectosigmoidectomy. There were 2 recurrences after a mean follow-up of 49 months, which were treated by reoperation. CONCLUSION: Abdominal and perineal procedures can be used to manage complete rectal prolapse with safety and good long-term results. Age, associated medical conditions, and symptoms of fecal incontinence or constipation are the main features that one should bear in mind in order to choose the best surgical approach.A técnica cirúrgica mais apropriada para a correção da procidência retal permanece motivo de controvérsia. Por se tratar de afecção pouco freqüente, há dificuldade de avaliação de número adequado de pacientes em estudos randomizados e existe pouca evidência para comprovar a superioridade de alguma das técnicas. OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados de eficácia e segurança do tratamento cirúrgico da procidência retal em pacientes operados entre 1980 e 2002. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo. RESULTADOS: Cinqüenta e um pacientes foram operados. A idade média foi de 56,7 anos e 39 eram mulheres. Além do prolapso, 33 pacientes queixavam-se de eliminação de muco, 31 tinham incontinência anal, 14 apresentavam constipação, 17 com sangramento retal e 3 incontinência urinária. Operações abdominais foram realizadas em 36 (71%) casos, sendo a retopexia sem prótese a operação mais realizada (29 casos) seguida pela retossigmoidectomia com retopexia (5 casos). A operação perineal mais realizada foi a retossigmoidectomia com plastia dos elevadores (12 casos). O sangramento sacral foi a única complicação intra-operatória e ocorreu em dois casos. Como complicação pós-operatória, houve um caso de fístula retovaginal após operação de retossigmoidectomia perineal. Após seguimento médio de 49 meses, observamos recidiva da procidência em 2 casos. CONCLUSÕES: Operações abdominais e perineais podem ser utilizadas com segurança e eficácia no tratamento cirúrgico da procidência do reto. A idade, a presença de afecções associadas, comorbidades e os sintomas de constipação e incontinência são as principais variáveis envolvidas na escolha da operação. As operações de retopexia abdominal e retossigmoidectomia perineal estão associadas a bons resultados

Production of the neutral toppion at the e gamma colliders

In the framework of topcolor-assisted technicolor(TC2) model, we study a neutral toppion production process $e^{-}\gamma\to e^{-}\Pi^{0}_{t}$ in this paper. Our results show that the production cross section of $e^{-}\gamma\to e^{-}\Pi^{0}_{t}$ can reach the level of several tens fb, and over $10^{3}$ neutral toppion events can be produced in the planned $e^+e^-$ linear colliders each year. Therefore, such a toppion production process provides us a unique chance to detect toppion events and test the TC2 model. On the other hand, the cross section of $e^{-}\gamma\to e^{-}\Pi^{0}_{t}$ is about one order of magnitude larger than those of some similar processes in SM and MSSM(i.e., $e^{-}\gamma\to e^{-}H$ in SM and $e^{-}\gamma\to e^{-}H^{0}(A^0,h^0)$ in MSSM). So, we can easily distinguish the neutral toppion from other neutral Higgs bosons in SM and MSSM.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, The paper has been accepted by Phys.Rev.

Serologic evidence of occupational exposure to avian influenza viruses at the wildfowl/poultry/human interface

Ecological interactions between wild aquatic birds and outdoor-housed poultry can enhance spillover events of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) from wild reservoirs to domestic birds, thus increasing the related zoonotic risk to occupationally exposed workers. To assess serological evidence of AIV infection in workers operating in Northern Italy at the wildfowl/poultry interface or directly exposed to wildfowl, serum samples were collected between April 2005 and November 2006 from 57 bird-exposed workers (BEWs) and from 7 unexposed controls (Cs), planning three sample collec-tions from each individual. Concurrently, AIV surveillance of 3587 reared birds identified 4 AIVs belonging to H10N7, H4N6 and H2N2 subtypes while serological analysis by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay showed recent infections caused by H1, H2, H4, H6, H10, H11, H12, and H13 subtypes. Human sera were analyzed for specific antibodies against AIVs belonging to antigenic subtypes from H1 to H14 by using HI and virus microneutralization (MN) assays as a screening and a confirmatory test, respectively. Overall, antibodies specific to AIV-H3, AIV-H6, AIV-H8, and AIV-H9 were found in three poultry workers (PWs) and seropositivity to AIV-11, AIV-H13—still detectable in October 2017—in one wildlife professional (WP). Furthermore, seropositivity to AIV-H2, accounting for previous exposure to the “extinct” H2N2 human influenza viruses, was found in both BEWs and Cs groups. These data further emphasize the occupational risk posed by zoonotic AIV strains and show the possible occurrence of long-lived antibody-based immunity following AIV infections in humans