On a conjecture regarding the upper graph box dimension of bounded subsets of the real line

Let X \subset R be a bounded set; we introduce a formula that calculates the upper graph box dimension of X (i.e.the supremum of the upper box dimension of the graph over all uniformly continuous functions defined on X). We demonstrate the strength of the formula by calculating the upper graph box dimension for some sets and by giving an "one line" proof, alternative to the one given in [1], of the fact that if X has finitely many isolated points then its upper graph box dimension is equal to the upper box dimension plus one. Furthermore we construct a collection of sets X with infinitely many isolated points, having upper box dimension a taking values from zero to one while their graph box dimension takes any value in [max{2a,1},a + 1], answering this way, negatively to a conjecture posed in [1]

Spin-orbit coupling in curved graphene, fullerenes, nanotubes, and nanotube caps

A continuum model for the effective spin orbit interaction in graphene is derived from a tight-binding model which includes the $\pi$ and $\sigma$ bands. We analyze the combined effects of the intra-atomic spin-orbit coupling, curvature, and applied electric field, using perturbation theory. We recover the effective spin-orbit Hamiltonian derived recently from group theoretical arguments by Kane and Mele. We find, for flat graphene, that the intrinsic spin-orbit coupling \Hi \propto \Delta^ 2 and the Rashba coupling due to a perpendicular electric field ${\cal E}$, $\Delta_{\cal E} \propto \Delta$, where $\Delta$ is the intra-atomic spin-orbit coupling constant for carbon. Moreover we show that local curvature of the graphene sheet induces an extra spin-orbit coupling term $\Delta_{\rm curv} \propto \Delta$. For the values of $\cal E$ and curvature profile reported in actual samples of graphene, we find that \Hi < \Delta_{\cal E} \lesssim \Delta_{\rm curv}. The effect of spin-orbit coupling on derived materials of graphene, like fullerenes, nanotubes, and nanotube caps, is also studied. For fullerenes, only \Hi is important. Both for nanotubes and nanotube caps $\Delta_{\rm curv}$ is in the order of a few Kelvins. We reproduce the known appearance of a gap and spin-splitting in the energy spectrum of nanotubes due to the spin-orbit coupling. For nanotube caps, spin-orbit coupling causes spin-splitting of the localized states at the cap, which could allow spin-dependent field-effect emission.Comment: Final version. Published in Physical Review

Rapid and efficient stable gene transfer to mesenchymal stromal cells using a modified foamy virus vector

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine. Stable ex vivo gene transfer to MSCs could improve the outcome and scope of MSC therapy, but current vectors require multiple rounds of transduction, involve genotoxic viral promoters and/or the addition of cytotoxic cationic polymers in order to achieve efficient transduction. We describe a self-inactivating foamy virus vector (FVV), incorporating the simian macaque foamy virus envelope and using physiological promoters, which efficiently transduces murine MSCs (mMSCs) in a single-round. High and sustained expression of the transgene, whether GFP or the lysosomal enzyme, arylsulphatase A (ARSA), was achieved. Defining MSC characteristics (surface marker expression and differentiation potential), as well as long-term engraftment and distribution in the murine brain following intracerebroventricular delivery, are unaffected by FVV transduction. Similarly, greater than 95% of human MSCs (hMSCs) were stably transduced using the same vector, facilitating human application. This work describes the best stable gene transfer vector available for mMSCs and hMSCs

Amiodarone-induced bone marrow granulomas: an unusual cause of reversible pancytopenia

Bone marrow infiltration by granulomas rarely presents with cytopenias and is usually a result of atypical infections, lymphomas, or sarcoidosis. Drugs are also an important but often overlooked causal agent of bone marrow granulomas. Although rare, amiodarone has been associated with bone marrow granuloma formation. This case report describes a 73-year-old male who presented with pancytopenia during a preoperative evaluation. Amiodarone therapy was suspected to be the causal agent after diagnostic evaluation and exclusion of other causes. After cessation of amiodarone, the patient's pancytopenia gradually resolved over a period of several months. Our report illustrates an often overlooked yet important cause of reversible pancytopenia owing to suspected amiodarone-induced bone marrow granuloma formation, and guides clinicians in an expected timeline for blood count improvement after cessation of this drug

Electronic states and Landau levels in graphene stacks

We analyze, within a minimal model that allows analytical calculations, the electronic structure and Landau levels of graphene multi-layers with different stacking orders. We find, among other results, that electrostatic effects can induce a strongly divergent density of states in bi- and tri-layers, reminiscent of one-dimensional systems. The density of states at the surface of semi-infinite stacks, on the other hand, may vanish at low energies, or show a band of surface states, depending on the stacking order

HI Emission and Absorption in the Southern Galactic Plane Survey

We present preliminary results from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS) Test Region and Parkes data. As part of the pilot project for the Southern Galactic Plane Survey, observations of a Test Region (325.5 deg < l < 333.5 deg; -0.5 deg < b < 3.5 deg) were completed in December 1998. Single dish observations of the full survey region (253 deg < l < 358 deg; |b| <1 deg) with the Parkes Radio Telescope were completed in March 2000. We present a sample of SGPS HI data with particular attention to the smallest and largest scale structures seen in absorption and emission, respectively. On the large scale, we detect many prominent HI shells. On the small scale, we note extremely compact, cold clouds seen in HI self-absorption. We explore how these two classes of objects probe opposite ends of the HI spatial power spectrum.Comment: 9 pages, 3 embedded postscript & 4 jpeg figures. Presented at the Astronomical Society of Australia, Hobart, Tasmania, July 4-7 2000. To appear in PASA Vol. 18(1