Complete Wetting of Gluons and Gluinos

Complete wetting is a universal phenomenon associated with interfaces separating coexisting phases. For example, in the pure gluon theory, at $T_c$ an interface separating two distinct high-temperature deconfined phases splits into two confined-deconfined interfaces with a complete wetting layer of confined phase between them. In supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, distinct confined phases may coexist with a Coulomb phase at zero temperature. In that case, the Coulomb phase may completely wet a confined-confined interface. Finally, at the high-temperature phase transition of gluons and gluinos, confined-confined interfaces are completely wet by the deconfined phase, and similarly, deconfined-deconfined interfaces are completely wet by the confined phase. For these various cases, we determine the interface profiles and the corresponding complete wetting critical exponents. The exponents depend on the range of the interface interactions and agree with those of corresponding condensed matter systems.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

QCD strings ending on domain walls --- a complete wetting phenomenon in SUSY QCD

In the context of M-theory, Witten has argued that an intriguing phenomenon occurs, namely that QCD strings can end on domain walls. We present a simpler explanation of this effect using effective field theory to describe the behavior of the Polyakov loop and the gluino condensate in N = 1 supersymmetric QCD. We describe how domain walls separating distinct confined phases appear in this effective theory and how these interfaces are completely wet by a film of deconfined phase at the high-temperature phase transition. This gives the Polyakov loop a non-zero expectation value on the domain wall. Consequently, a static test quark which is close to the interface has a finite free energy and the string emanating from it can end on the wall.Comment: LATTICE98(hightemp), 3 pages, 2 figure

The confined-deconfined interface tension, wetting, and the spectrum of the transfer matrix

The reduced tension $\sigma_{cd}$ of the interface between the confined and the deconfined phase of $SU(3)$ pure gauge theory is determined from numerical simulations of the first transfer matrix eigenvalues. At $T_c = 1/L_t$ we find $\sigma_{cd} = 0.139(4) T_c^2$ for $L_t = 2$. The interfaces show universal behavior because the deconfined-deconfined interfaces are completely wet by the confined phase. The critical exponents of complete wetting follow from the analytic interface solutions of a $\Z(3)$-symmetric $\Phi^4$ model in three dimensions. We find numerical evidence that the confined-deconfined interface is rough.Comment: Talk presented at the International Conference on Lattice Field Theory, Lattice 92, to be published in the proceedings, 4 pages, 4 figures, figures 2,3,4 appended as postscript files, figure 1 not available as a postscript file but identical with figure 2 of Nucl. Phys. B372 (1992) 703, special style file espcrc2.sty required (available from hep-lat), BUTP-92/4

Emergence of SCC mec Type IV as the Most Common Type of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a University Hospital

Abstract : Background: : The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has dramatically changed over the last decade by the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Recent studies indicate that these strains have already spread to hospitals. To evaluate if SCCmec type IV and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are unambiguous markers of CA-MRSA, we analyzed 77 sporadic MRSA strains isolated, in our low MRSA incidence university hospital, from inpatients between 2000 and 2004. Methods: : MRSA strains were analyzed by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mmecec (SCCmec) typing, PCR for PVL genes and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). MRSA was classified in HA-MRSA or CA-MRSA according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using microbroth dilution method following CLSI recommendations. Results: : Among 77 sporadic single-patient strains, SCCmec types I-IV and four subtypes were identified. Type IV/IVA was most common (42.9%).The distribution of SCCmec types changed over the years. Type IV/IVA strains increased from 33.3% in 2000 to 57.9% in 2004. Type IV strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 81.8%, and in 9.1% to tobramycin while type IVA strains were 100% resistant to both antimicrobials. In contrast, non-type IV/IVA strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin in 86.4%, and in 75.0% to tobramycin. Only one strain was PVL positive and harbored SCCmec type III variant. By PFGE analysis, the 33 SCCmec type IV/IVA strains comprised 12 distinct genotypes. 36.4% of 11 CA-MRSA and 43.9% of 66 HA-MRSA harbored SCCmec type IV/IVA. Conclusion: : Type IV/IVA has become the most common SCCmec type in inpatients of our university hospital. The SCCmec type IV/IVA is present in both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA limiting its use as a marker for CA-MRS

Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus in Renal Allograft Recipients: A Matched-Pair Control Study

The incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus was evaluated retrospectively in 901 consecutive renal transplant recipients. Thirty-two (3.6%) patients developed diabetes mellitus requiring drug therapy. 18 of 32 became hyperglycaemic within 3 months of transplantation. Post-transplant diabetes mellitus occurred in 24 of 628 (3.8%) patients treated with conventional therapy consisting in azathioprine and prednisone, and in 8 of 273 (2.9%) patients receiving cyclosporin A (CsA) in addition (triple therapy). To identify predisposing factors 32 nondiabetic patients matched for age, sex, number of graft, immunosuppressive protocol, and graft function at onset of diabetes were used as case controls. Thirteen of 32 patients with diabetes mellitus and 5 of 32 control patients had abnormal glucose tolerance pretransplant (P<0.025). HLA-B8 was significantly more frequent in patients with post-transplant diabetes mellitus than in control patients (9 of 29 vs 2 of 31, (P<0.02). Twelve (38%) patients became diabetic during or immediately after anti-rejection therapy with intravenous pulse prednisone. Four diabetic patients experienced chronic pancreatitis pre-transplant. Family history of diabetes mellitus, bodyweight, number of rejection episodes, and immunosuppressive drug doses were similar in both groups. Actuarial patient and graft survival was not significantly different in diabetic patients and controls, although 10-year data tended to be better in controls. Thus, post-transplant diabetes mellitus was not a frequent complication in patients sometimes predisposed by an impaired glucose tolerance pre-transplant and was triggered by pulse prednisone therapy in 38

Quark Confinement in C-periodic Cylinders at Temperatures above T_c

Due to the Gauss law, a single quark cannot exist in a periodic volume, while it can exist with C-periodic boundary conditions. In a C-periodic cylinder of cross section A = L_x L_y and length L_z >> L_x, L_y containing deconfined gluons, regions of different high temperature Z(3) phases are aligned along the z-direction, separated by deconfined- deconfined interfaces. In this geometry, the free energy of a single static quark diverges in proportion to L_z. Hence, paradoxically, the quark is confined, although the temperature T is larger than T_c. At T around T_c, the confined phase coexists with the three deconfined phases. The deconfined-deconfined interfaces can be completely or incompletely wet by the confined phase. The free energy of a quark behaves differently in these two cases. In contrast to claims in the literature, our results imply that deconfined-deconfined interfaces are not Euclidean artifacts, but have observable consequences in a system of hot gluons.Comment: 8 pages, Latex, no figure

Erhöhte Trockenstresstoleranz von Kleegras nach reduzierter Bodenbearbeitung

Grass-clover leys are an integral part of organic rotations. We performed an experiment with reduced tillage (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) using mouldboard ploughing in a rotation in Frick (Switzerland) on a heavy soil and 1000 mm mean annual precipitation. The grass-clover mixture was sawn in autumn 2005 after uniform seed bed preparation with a rotary hoe in both tillage systems without ploughing. After emergence most of the clover seedlings collapsed in the CT plots due to draught, while they survived in the RT plots. This led to a much higher share of clover in the mixture under RT. Grass-clover yields were 29 and 23% higher in RT than in CT plots in the first and second year of cultivation in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Grass grown in RT plots was higher in nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) content than in CT plots; clover contained solely more P in RT plots. Over all grass-clover had better growing conditions in RT compared to CT plots in our experiment, reflecting after-effects of the differentiated tillage schemes applied for the preceding arable crops. It is suggested that reduced tillage has a high potential to improve water stress tolerance of cropping systems

IS THE END-TIDAL PARTIAL PRESSURE OF ISOFLURANE A GOOD PREDICTOR OF ITS ARTERIAL PARTIAL PRESSURE?

End-tidal partial pressure of isoflurane (PE′iso) may be used as a measure of anaesthetic depth. During uptake, an arterial partial pressure (Paiso) which is considerably less than PE′iso(Paiso/PE′iso<<1) leads to underestimation of depth of anaesthesia and, during elimination, PE′iso/Paiso<<1 will lead to an overestimation of anaesthetic depth. We measured Paiso/PE′iso during a 60-min uptake period of 1% isoflurane and PE′iso/Paiso during the subsequent 60-min elimination period in 26 patients (age 13-88 yr, ASA I-III) undergoing various surgical procedures. After 15 min of isoflurane uptake, Paiso/PE′iso of 26 patients was mean 0.78 (SD 0.10) and this increased only marginally at 60 min (0.79 (0.09)), whereas during elimination, PE′iso/Paiso was in the range 0.79 (0.14)-0.83 (0.11). Predictability of Paiso in a given patient is hindered by the high SD of Paiso/PE′iso and PE′iso/Paiso, but it may be improved by taking into account age, ASA physical status category, vital capacity, inspired minus end-tidal isoflurane partial pressure and arterial minus end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure during uptake; and obesity, end-tidal isoflurane partial pressure and arterial minus end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure during elimination. However, even with multiple regression analysis (to account for the various possible variables), clinically useful prediction of Paiso/PE′iso and PE′iso/Paiso in a particular patient is not possible (residual SD 0.084 and 0.113, respectively

Highly effective regimen for decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a standardized regimen for decolonization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers and to identify factors influencing decolonization treatment failure. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study from January 2002 to April 2007, with a mean follow-up period of 36 months. SETTING: University hospital with 750 beds and 27,000 admissions/year. PATIENTS: Of 94 consecutive hospitalized patients with MRSA colonization or infection, 32 were excluded because of spontaneous loss of MRSA, contraindications, death, or refusal to participate. In 62 patients, decolonization treatment was completed. At least 6 body sites were screened for MRSA (including by use of rectal swabs) before the start of treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Standardized decolonization treatment consisted of mupirocin nasal ointment, chlorhexidine mouth rinse, and full-body wash with chlorhexidine soap for 5 days. Intestinal and urinary-tract colonization were treated with oral vancomycin and cotrimoxazole, respectively. Vaginal colonization was treated with povidone-iodine or, alternatively, with chlorhexidine ovula or octenidine solution. Other antibiotics were added to the regimen if treatment failed. Successful decolonization was considered to have been achieved if results were negative for 3 consecutive sets of cultures of more than 6 screening sites. RESULTS: The mean age (+/- standard deviation [SD]) age of the 62 patients was 66.2 +/- 19 years. The most frequent locations of MRSA colonization were the nose (42 patients [68%]), the throat (33 [53%]), perianal area (33 [53%]), rectum (36 [58%]), and inguinal area (30 [49%]). Decolonization was completed in 87% of patients after a mean (+/-SD) of 2.1 +/- 1.8 decolonization cycles (range, 1-10 cycles). Sixty-five percent of patients ultimately required peroral antibiotic treatment (vancomycin, 52%; cotrimoxazole, 27%; rifampin and fusidic acid, 18%). Decolonization was successful in 54 (87%) of the patie in the intent-to-treat analysis and in 51 (98%) of 52 patients in the on-treatment analysis. CONCLUSION: This standardized regimen for MRSA decolonization was highly effective in patients who completed the full decolonization treatment course