Fusarium fungaemia in immunocompromised patients

ABSTRACTFusarium spp. cause infections only rarely in immunologically competent hosts, but disseminated infection may occur in severely immunocompromised patients. Symptoms of disseminated infection are persistent fever, despite broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal treatment, associated with skin lesions, most commonly on the extremities, in 60–80% of patients. A mortality rate of 50–75% has been reported for patients with disseminated fusariosis. Despite treatment failures, amphotericin B remains the preferred drug, in part because of lack of alternatives. Voriconazole is a promising new agent, but more clinical experience is required

Aspects of the dynamics of colloidal suspensions: Further results of the mode-coupling theory of structural relaxation

Results of the idealized mode-coupling theory for the structural relaxation in suspensions of hard-sphere colloidal particles are presented and discussed with regard to recent light scattering experiments. The structural relaxation becomes non-diffusive for long times, contrary to the expectation based on the de Gennes narrowing concept. A semi-quantitative connection of the wave vector dependences of the relaxation times and amplitudes of the final $\alpha$-relaxation explains the approximate scaling observed by Segr{\`e} and Pusey [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 77}, 771 (1996)]. Asymptotic expansions lead to a qualitative understanding of density dependences in generalized Stokes-Einstein relations. This relation is also generalized to non-zero frequencies thereby yielding support for a reasoning by Mason and Weitz [Phys. Rev. Lett {\bf 74}, 1250 (1995)]. The dynamics transient to the structural relaxation is discussed with models incorporating short-time diffusion and hydrodynamic interactions for short times.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures; to be published in Phys. Rev.

The HERMES Dual-Radiator Ring Imaging Cerenkov Detector

The construction and use of a dual radiator Ring Imaging Cerenkov(RICH) detector is described. This instrument was developed for the HERMES experiment at DESY which emphasizes measurements of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering. It provides particle identification for pions, kaons, and protons in the momentum range from 2 to 15 GeV, which is essential to these studies. The instrument uses two radiators, C4F10, a heavy fluorocarbon gas, and a wall of silica aerogel tiles. The use of aerogel in a RICH detector has only recently become possible with the development of clear, large homogeneous and hydrophobic aerogel. A lightweight mirror was constructed using a newly perfected technique to make resin-coated carbon-fiber surfaces of optical quality. The photon detector consists of 1934 photomultiplier tubes for each detector half, held in a soft steel matrix to provide shielding against the residual field of the main spectrometer magnet.Comment: 25 pages, 23 figure

A-dependence of nuclear transparency in quasielastic A(e,e'p) at high Q^2

The A-dependence of the quasielastic A(e,e'p) reaction has been studied at SLAC with H-2, C, Fe, and Au nuclei at momentum transfers Q^2 = 1, 3, 5, and 6.8 (GeV/c)^2. We extract the nuclear transparency T(A,Q^2), a measure of the average probability that the struck proton escapes from the nucleus A without interaction. Several calculations predict a significant increase in T with momentum transfer, a phenomenon known as Color Transparency. No significant rise within errors is seen for any of the nuclei studied.Comment: 5 pages incl. 2 figures, Caltech preprint OAP-73

Modeling the Subsurface Structure of Sunspots

While sunspots are easily observed at the solar surface, determining their subsurface structure is not trivial. There are two main hypotheses for the subsurface structure of sunspots: the monolithic model and the cluster model. Local helioseismology is the only means by which we can investigate subphotospheric structure. However, as current linear inversion techniques do not yet allow helioseismology to probe the internal structure with sufficient confidence to distinguish between the monolith and cluster models, the development of physically realistic sunspot models are a priority for helioseismologists. This is because they are not only important indicators of the variety of physical effects that may influence helioseismic inferences in active regions, but they also enable detailed assessments of the validity of helioseismic interpretations through numerical forward modeling. In this paper, we provide a critical review of the existing sunspot models and an overview of numerical methods employed to model wave propagation through model sunspots. We then carry out an helioseismic analysis of the sunspot in Active Region 9787 and address the serious inconsistencies uncovered by \citeauthor{gizonetal2009}~(\citeyear{gizonetal2009,gizonetal2009a}). We find that this sunspot is most probably associated with a shallow, positive wave-speed perturbation (unlike the traditional two-layer model) and that travel-time measurements are consistent with a horizontal outflow in the surrounding moat.Comment: 73 pages, 19 figures, accepted by Solar Physic

Seismology of the Sun : Inference of Thermal, Dynamic and Magnetic Field Structures of the Interior

Recent overwhelming evidences show that the sun strongly influences the Earth's climate and environment. Moreover existence of life on this Earth mainly depends upon the sun's energy. Hence, understanding of physics of the sun, especially the thermal, dynamic and magnetic field structures of its interior, is very important. Recently, from the ground and space based observations, it is discovered that sun oscillates near 5 min periodicity in millions of modes. This discovery heralded a new era in solar physics and a separate branch called helioseismology or seismology of the sun has started. Before the advent of helioseismology, sun's thermal structure of the interior was understood from the evolutionary solution of stellar structure equations that mimicked the present age, mass and radius of the sun. Whereas solution of MHD equations yielded internal dynamics and magnetic field structure of the sun's interior. In this presentation, I review the thermal, dynamic and magnetic field structures of the sun's interior as inferred by the helioseismology.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the meeting "3rd International Conference on Current Developments in Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Nano Physics with Applications", December 14-16, 2011, New Delhi, Indi

Measurement of event shape distributions and moments in e+e- -> hadrons at 91-209 GeV and a determination of alpha_s

We have studied hadronic events from e+e- annihilation data at centre-of-mass energies from 91 to 209 GeV. We present distributions of event shape observables and their moments at each energy and compare with QCD Monte Carlo models. From the event shape distributions we extract the strong coupling alpha_s and test its evolution with energy scale. The results are consistent with the running of alpha_s expected from QCD. Combining all data, the value of alpha_s(M_Z) is determined to be alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.1191 +- 0.0005 (stat.) +- 0.0010 (expt.) +- 0.0011 (hadr.) +- 0.0044 (theo.). The energy evolution of the moments is also used to determine a value of alpha_s with slightly larger errors: alpha_s(M_Z) = 0.1223 +- 0.0005 (stat.) +- 0.0014 (expt.) +- 0.0016 (hadr.) +0.0054 -0.0036 (theo.).Comment: 63 pages 26 fi

Searches for Gauge-Mediated Supersymmetry Breaking Topologies in e+e- collisions at LEP2

In gauge-mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking (GMSB) models the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is the gravitino and the phenomenology is driven by the nature of the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) which is either the lightest neutralino, the stau or mass degenerate sleptons. Since the NLSP decay length is effectively unconstrained, searches for all possible lifetime and NLSP topologies predicted by GMSB models in e+e- collisions are performed on the data sample collected by OPAL at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV at LEP. Results independent of the NLSP lifetime are presented for all relevant final states including direct NLSP pair-production and, for the first time, also NLSP production via cascade decays of heavier SUSY particles. None of the searches shows evidence for SUSY particle production. Cross-section limits are presented at the 95% confidence level both for direct NLSP production and for cascade decays, providing the most general, almost model independent results. These results are then interpreted in the framework of the minimal GMSB (mGMSB) model, where large areas of the accessible parameter space are excluded. In the mGMSB model, the NLSP masses are constrained to be larger than 53.5 GeV/c^2, 87.4 GeV/c^2 and 91.9 GeV/c^2 in the neutralino, stau and slepton co-NLSP scenarios, respectively. A complete scan on the parameters of the mGMSB model is performed, constraining the universal SUSY mass scale Lambda from the direct SUSY particle searches: Lambda > 40, 27, 21, 17, 15 TeV/c^2 for messenger indices N=1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively, for all NLSP lifetimes.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. To appear in Proceedings of SUSY06, the 14th International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions, UC Irvine, California, 12-17 June 200

Flavour Independent hA Search and Two Higgs Doublet Model Interpretation of Neutral Higgs Boson Searches at LEP

Upper limits on the cross-section of the pair-production process e+e- -> h0A0 assuming 100% decays into hadrons, are derived from a new search for the h0A0 -> hadrons topology, independent of the hadronic flavour of the decay products. Searches for the neutral Higgs bosons h0 and A0, are used to obtain constraints on the Type II Two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM(11)) with no CP violation in the Higgs sector and no additional non Standard Model particles besides the five Higgs bosons. The analysis combines LEP1 and LEP2 data collected with the OPAL detctor up to the highest available centre-of-mass energies. The searches are sensitive to the h0, A0 -> qq, gg,tau+tau- and h0 -> A0A0 decay modes of the Higgs bosons. The 2HDM(II) parameter space is explored in a detailed scan. Large regions of the 2HDM(II) parameter space are excluded at the 95% CL in the (mh, mA), (mh, tanb) and (mA, tanb) planes, using both direct neutral Higgs boson searches and indirect limits derived from Standard Model high precision measurements. The region 1 lesssim mh lesssim 55 GeV and 3 lesssim mA lesssim 63 GeV is excluded at 95% CL independently of the choice of the 2HDM(II) parameters.Comment: 37 pages, 11 figures, Submitted to Eur. Phys. J.

Characterization of topoisomerase II α and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 expression in anal carcinoma

The present study aimed to ascertain the significance of topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) and minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM) 2 expression in anal carcinoma. A total of 75 anal lesions were retrieved from the files of the Department of Pathology of Barretos Cancer Hospital (Barretos, Brazil) in order to verify the human papillomavirus (HPV) statuses of these lesions and characterize the immunohistochemical expression levels of TOP2A and MCM2 in anal carcinoma, as these are important markers for cervical HPV-induced lesions; their expression was also compared with respect to p16 and Ki-67. The vast majority of the cases tested positive for HPV16 (84%); 1 case tested positive for both HPV16 and HPV18. Positive HPV16 status was more frequent in early stages than in advanced stages (P=0.008). Positive immunohistochemical reactivity for MCM2 and TOP2A protein was observed in 71.6 and 100% of cases, respectively. Positive reactivity for p16 was significantly associated (P=0.001) with histological grade, and was more commonly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinomas. HPV16 was strongly associated with positive p16 protein expression (76.6%). However, the high expression of Ki-67 combined with the high expression of p16 was predominantly observed in Stage III-IV cases. MCM2, TOP2A, p16 and Ki-67 exhibited intense positive staining in the anal lesions, indicating that these markers were significantly and constantly expressed in anal carcinoma.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio