Probing Nuclear Matter with Jet Conversions

We discuss the flavor of leading jet partons as a valuable probe of nuclear matter. We point out that the coupling of jets to nuclear matter naturally leads to an alteration of jet chemistry even at high transverse momentum $p_T$. In particular, QCD jets coupling to a chemically equilibrated quark gluon plasma in nuclear collisions, will lead to hadron ratios at high transverse momentum $p_T$ that can differ significantly from their counterparts in $p+p$ collisions. Flavor measurements could complement energy loss as a way to study interactions of hard QCD jets with nuclear matter. Roughly speaking they probe the inverse mean free path $1/\lambda$, while energy loss probes the average squared momentum transfer $\mu^2/\lambda$. We present some estimates for the rate of jet conversions in a consistent Fokker-Planck framework and their impact on future high-$p_T$ identified hadron measurements at RHIC and LHC. We also suggest some novel observables to test flavor effects.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, version to appear in PR

Tracing of Neuronal Connections in the Human Brain by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in vivo

Axon degeneration after disruption of fibre tracts in the mammalian nervous system is accompanied by myelin breakdown which leads to changes in its magnetic resonance properties. In two patients with pure motor strokes due to small ischaemic lesions restricted to the internal capsule, magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a narrow band of pathological signal increase descending band-like into the brain stem and ascending to the precentral gyrus, which corresponded to the well-known path of the pyramidal tract. The findings suggest that in man anterograde and possibly retrograde fibre degeneration can be traced in vivo by conventional magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Critical conditions are the presence of small, strategically located lesions, appropriate choice of imaging plane, and the interval between time of lesion and of imaging. This demonstration may open a new era for functional neuroanatomy of man

Competition, restructuring and firm performance: evidence of an inverted-U relationship from a cross-country survey of firms in transition economies

This paper examines the importance of competition in the growth anddevelopment of firms. We draw on a survey of 3,300 firms in 25transition countries to shed light on the factors that influencerestructuring by firms and their subsequent performance. These datahave three main advantages over those used in previous work. First,they measure directly the degree of competition perceived by each firmin its principal market rather than attempting to infer this from marketdata as measured by statistical agencies. Second, the fact that transitioncountries have market structures inherited from the past avoids some ofthe endogeneity problems associated with measures of competition inmarket economies. Third, the breadth of cross-country variationprovides a method of dealing with the fact that firm-level measures ofthe external environment will not be independent of the firm?s ownperformance. We find evidence of a robust inverted-U effect ofcompetition on performance that is both statistically and economicallysignificant. This paper examines the importance of competition in the growth anddevelopment of firms. We draw on a survey of 3,300 firms in 25transition countries to shed light on the factors that influencerestructuring by firms and their subsequent performance. These datahave three main advantages over those used in previous work. First,they measure directly the degree of competition perceived by each firmin its principal market rather than attempting to infer this from marketdata as measured by statistical agencies. Second, the fact that transitioncountries have market structures inherited from the past avoids some ofthe endogeneity problems associated with measures of competition inmarket economies. Third, the breadth of cross-country variationprovides a method of dealing with the fact that firm-level measures ofthe external environment will not be independent of the firm?s ownperformance. We find evidence of a robust inverted-U effect ofcompetition on performance that is both statistically and economicallysignificant

An Investigation Into Price, Quality and Value, and Their Effects on Sales and Profits

This thesis will focus on the study of promoting price, quality, and value and the effect they have on sales and profits. Research reveals that promotion of products with price alone has varied short and long-term effects. Most managers and marketers are only concerned with the short-term effect price promotion has on increasing sales. Long-term effects of pricing should be considered because of t heir possible harmful effect on sales and profits. Marketers and managers need to better understand how price promotion affects consumers and their buying habits. The purpose of this present study is to investigate how companies have become more interested in increased sales volume with the use of price promotions at the expense o f profits. Specifically, it is hypothesized that marketers need to evaluate consumer\u27s individual buying behavior in terms of pricing and the perception of quality to increase sales and profits. It is important for a marketer to relate both price and quality in the promotion of the product. Product\u27s sales will increase if the product\u27s promotional activities emphasize quality received for the price paid. Results from data analysis reveals that the sales from different products (durable and nondurable ) react differently to the promotion of price or quality. Their is not enough evidence to conclude that the higher the price paid for a product the higher the quality received, and the lower the price paid for a product the lower the quality received. Research does show that this tends to be more true for nondurable goods rather than durable goods

Heavy Quark Production from Jet Conversions in a Quark-Gluon Plasma

Recently, it has been demonstrated that the chemical composition of jets in heavy ion collisions is significantly altered compared to jets in the vacuum. This signal can be used to probe the medium formed in nuclear collisions. In this study we investigate the possibility that fast light quarks and gluons can convert to heavy quarks when passing through a quark gluon plasma. We study the rate of light to heavy jet conversions in a consistent Fokker-Planck framework and investigate their impact on the production of high-$p_T$ charm and bottom quarks at RHIC and LHC.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Choice of peptide and peptide length for the generation of antibodies reactive with the intact protein

AbstractN-terminal peptides of bovine ribonuclease (RNase) of 20, 13 and 7 amino acid residues were isolated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antibodies were raised in mice against these peptides coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA). It was shown that antibodies against the peptides reacted with the intact protein and that the immune response decreased with decreasing size of peptide. In order to obtain a satisfactory reaction with the intact protein, the peptide immunogen should be longer than 7 amino acids.Antipeptide antibodyRibonucleaseSecondary structureImmunizatio

Systematic review: macrophage activation syndrome in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Recently, there have been increasingly frequent reports on the occurrence of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinically, MAS is characterized mainly by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, and elevated circulating ferritin and CD25. Mortality, even if diagnosed rapidly, is high. AIM: To identify all reports on MAS in IBD and to establish data on triggering agents, immunosuppression leading to MAS, and mortality. METHODS: A language unrestricted search on Pubmed and Scopus relating to the past 30 years was carried out by matching the following search-terms: h(a)emophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis OR h(a)emophagocytic lymphohistiocytic syndrome OR macrophage activation syndrome OR opportunistic infections OR cytomegalovirus OR Epstein-Barr virus AND Crohn's disease OR ulcerative colitis OR inflammatory bowel disease(s). RESULTS: Fifty cases were identified with an overall mortality of 30%. Virus-related MAS associated with cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infections represents the main type of MAS, but in isolated cases bacterial infections precipitated the syndrome. In four cases (8%), a lymphoma was present at the time of MAS diagnosis or developed shortly thereafter. Thiopurine monotherapy was given before MAS onset in 56% of the patients, whereas multiple immunosuppression, including biologics, was administered to 24%. CONCLUSIONS: In IBD patients, the syndrome appears to be triggered by infections, but genetic susceptibility may contribute to its development. Since immunosuppressive therapy represents the backbone of therapeutic interventions in IBD, with the risk of new, or the reactivation of latent infections, even more frequent cases of macrophage activation syndrome may be expected