Multi-cluster dynamics in Λ13C^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C} and analogy to clustering in 12C^{12}{\rm C}

We investigate structure of $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ and discuss the difference and similarity between the structures of $^{12}{\rm C}$ and $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ by answering the questions if the linear-chain and gaslike cluster states, which are proposed to appear in $^{12}{\rm C}$, survives, or new structure states appear or not. We introduce a microscopic cluster model called, Hyper-Tohsaki-Horiuchi-Schuck-R\"opke (H-THSR) wave function, which is an extended version of the THSR wave function so as to describe $\Lambda$ hypernuclei. We obtained two bound states and two resonance (quasi-bound) states for $J^\pi=0^+$ in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, corresponding to the four $0^+$ states in $^{12}{\rm C}$. However, the inversion of level ordering between the spectra of $^{12}{\rm C}$ and $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, i.e. that the $0_3^+$ and $0_4^+$ states in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ correspond to the $0_4^+$ and $0_3^+$ states in $^{12}{\rm C}$, respectively, is shown to occur. The additional $\Lambda$ particle reduces sizes of the $0_2^+$ and $0_3^+$ states in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ very much, but the shrinkage of the $0_4^+$ state is only a half of the other states. In conclusion, the Hoyle state becomes quite a compact object with ${^{9}_\Lambda{\rm Be}}+\alpha$ configuration in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ and is no more gaslike state composed of the $3\alpha$ clusters. Instead, the $0_4^+$ state in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$, coming from the $^{12}{\rm C}(0_3^+)$ state, appears as a gaslike state composed of $\alpha+\alpha+^{5}_\Lambda{\rm He}$ configuration, i.e. the Hoyle analog state. A linear-chain state in a $\Lambda$ hypernucleus is for the first time predicted to exist as the $0_3^+$ state in $^{13}_\Lambda{\rm C}$ with more shrunk arrangement of the $3\alpha$ clusters along $z$-axis than the $3\alpha$ linear-chain configuration realized in the $^{12}{\rm C}(0_4^+)$ state.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, figures rearranged, accepted for publication in PL

Probing ΞN\Xi N interaction through inversion of spin-doublets in ΞNαα\Xi N \alpha \alpha nuclei

A new way to study the spin-isospin dependence of the $\Xi N$ interaction is explored through the energy levels of $\Xi N\alpha$ and $\Xi N\alpha \alpha$ systems with $\alpha$ being a spectator to attract the $\Xi N$ pair without changing its spin-isospin structure. By using the Gaussian expansion method (GEM) with the state-of-the-art $\Xi N$ potential obtained from lattice QCD calculations, it is found that $\Xi N\alpha \alpha$ has spin-doublet bound states with $J^{\pi}={1^-}$ and $2^-$ in both isospin triplet and singlet channels. The inversion of the $1^-$-$2^-$ spin-doublet between the iso-triplet and the iso-singlet is found to be strongly correlated with the relative strengths of the $\Xi N$ interaction in the $^{11}{\rm S}_0, ^{13}{\rm S}_1,^{31}{\rm S}_0$ and $^{33}{\rm S}_1$ channels. The $(K^-, K^+)$ and $(K^-,K^0)$ reactions on the $^{10}$B target are proposed to produce those bound states.Comment: 5pages, 5figure

A case of wound dual infection with Pasteurella dagmatis and Pasteurella Canis resulting from a dog bite - limitations of Vitek-2 system in exact identification of Pasteurella species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Pasteurella </it>species, widely known as indigenous orgganisms in the oral and gastrointestinal floras of many wild and domestic animals, are important pathogens in both animals and humans. Human infections due to <it>Pasteurella </it>species are in most cases associated with infected injuries following animal bites. We encountered a rare case of dual infections caused by different two <it>Pasteurella </it>species occurred in a previously healthy 25-year-old female sustaining injury by a dog-bite.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>Exudates from the open wound of her dog-bite site, together with the saliva of the dog were submitted for bacteriological examination. Predominantly appearing grayish-white smooth colonies with almost the same colonial properties but slightly different glistening grown on chocolate and sheep blood agar plates were characterized morphologically by Gram's stain, biochemically by automated instrument using Vitek 2 system using GN cards together with commercially available kit system, ID-Test HN-20 rapid panels, and genetically by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of the organism using a Taq DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing and a model 3100 DNA sequencer instrument.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The causative isolates from the dog-bite site were finally identified as <it>P</it>. <it>canis </it>and <it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis </it>from the findings of the morphological, cultural, and biochemical properties together with the comparative sequences of the 16S rRNA genes. Both the isolates were highly susceptible to many antibiotics and the patient was successfully treated with the administration of so-called the first generation cephalosporin, cefazolin followed by so-called the third generation cephalosporin, cefcapene pivoxil. The isolate from the dog was subsequently identified as <it>P</it>. <it>canis</it>, the same species as the isolate from the patient.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To the best of our knowledge, this was the second report of a dual infection with <it>Pasteurella </it>species consisting of <it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis </it>and <it>P. canis </it>resulting from a dog-bite, followed by the first report of dual infections due to <it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis </it>and <it>P. multocida </it>in 1988. Our isolate finally identified as <it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis </it>was misidentified as <it>P</it>. <it>pneumotripica by </it>means of the Vitek 2 system. The species name "<it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis" </it>was not included in the database of the system. It is also important for routine clinical microbiology laboratories to know the limitation of the automated Vitek 2 system for the accurate identification of <it>Pasteurella </it>species especially <it>P</it>. <it>dagmatis</it>. It should be emphasized that there still exists much room for improvement in Vitek 2 system. Significant improvement of Vitek 2 system especially in the identification of <it>Pasteurella </it>species is urgently desired.</p

Cabergoline treatment at dry-off facilitated the remodelling and the lactoferrin immunoprotection of the mammary tissue in dairy cows

ObjectivesIn ruminants, the early phase of drying-off is a period of intense mammary gland involution that is due, in part, to dramatic decline prolactin (PRL) release. The speed at which the bovine mammary gland involutes following the abrupt cessation of lactation is also directly related to the risk of new intramammary infections. Thus, strategies to hasten involution following dry-off could have implications in preventing mastitis and optimizing mammary tissue regenerative processes.Materials and methodsTo assess the effect of prolactin inhibition by cabergoline on mammary gland involution, 14 Holstein dairy cows were injected with a single i.m. administration of 5.6 mg cabergoline (n=7) or placebo (n=7) within 4 hours after the last milking before the drying off at the day of drying-off (D0). Mammary secretion samples were collected using a teat-cannula once during lactation (D-6) and at D1, D2, D3, D4, D8 and D14 after the drying-off. The mammary secretion samples were used for lactoferrin and zymography analyses to detect the activity of enzymes such as MMP, matrix metalloproteinases involved in the remodelling of mammary tissue during involution. Mammary epithelial cells (MEC) were also purified from mammary secretions after centrifugation andimmunocytochemical binding in order to evaluate the MEC exfoliation. Mammary biopsy samples were collected one week before drying-off (D-6), at D1 and at D8 and used for lactoferrin immunochemistry and zymography analyses.ResultsThe activity of MMP9 increased after drying-off in mammary secretions (P < 0.001). Cabergoline increased the activity of MMP9 (1.7 fold, P < 0.05) in mammary secretions and MMP-2 in mammary tissue after drying-off (1.4 fold, P ≤ 0.01). MEC concentration progressively increased in mammary secretions after drying-off (P < 0.01). Cabergoline induced an increase in MEC concentration (P =0.04). Lactoferrin content progressively increased in mammary secretions during involution. The rise of lactoferrin content in mammary secretions was significant starting at D4 in the cabergoline treated cows (P ≤0.05) whereas it only happened at D8 in controls (P < 0.05). Overall, cabergoline treatment increased lactoferrin content of mammary secretions (P = 0.10). The total lactoferrin immunostaining in the mammary tissue increased after drying-off (P < 0.05). Compared with during lactation, this increase was observed at D1 and D8, respectively for cabergoline treated cows and control cows (P <0.05).ConclusionsOur results indicate that cabergoline treatment was efficient to enhance the extracellular matrix mammary remodeling, and the MEC exfoliation from the mammary epithelium and also hasten the udder immunoprotection by lactoferrin and therefore facilitates the drying-off

Cabergoline treatment at dry-off accelerated mammary involution as indicated by mammary secretion composition changes in dairy cows

In ruminants, the early phase of drying-off is a period of mammary gland involution that is marked by the cessation of prolactin (PRL) release. The speed at which the bovine mammary gland involutes following the abrupt cessation of lactation is directly related to the risk of new intramammary infections.ObjectivesOur aim was to assess the effect of PRL inhibition by cabergoline on the speed of the mammary gland involution, through analysis of the changes of mammary secretion composition.Materials and methodsFourteen Holstein dairy cows were injected with a single i.m. administration of 5.6 mg cabergoline (n=7) (Velactis ®, Ceva Sante Animale) or placebo (n=7) at the first day of dryingoff (D0). Mammary secretion samples were collected using a teat-cannula once during lactation (D-6) and at D1, D2, D3, D4, D8 and D14 after the drying-off. The mammary secretion samples were used for milk fat, lactose, true protein, alpha-lactalbumin and SCC analysis. Mammary biopsy samples were collected one week before drying-off (D-6), at D1 and at D8 and used for RNA extraction and RT-PCR analyses.ResultsAs expected, SCC progressively increased whereas lactose content decreased in mammary secretions after drying-off (P < 0.001). The increase in SCC was 2.4 fold higher in cabergoline treated cows than in control cows (P < 0.01). The decrease of lactose content in mammary secretions progressively decreased during involution and was associated with paralleled change in GLUT-1 mRNA level coding the main glucose transporter in the udder. These decreases were faster in cabergoline treated cows compared to controls with lower lactose content in cabergoline treated cows already by D1 than in controls (P < 0.05) and significant decrease in GLUT-1 mRNA levels at D1 and D8 respectively for cabergoline and control treatments compared to D-6 (P ≤ 0.05). Cabergoline treatment tended to increase fat content at D3 after drying-off (P < 0.10). No significant effects of cabergoline treatment were observed both in true protein and in alpha-lactalbumin contents in mammary secretions or in alphalactalbumin and kappa-casein mRNA levels in mammary tissues.ConclusionsThe changes in lactose, SCC and fat in mammary secretions and GLUT-1 mRNA level in the udder, indicate that cabergoline treatment was efficient to hasten the mammary gland involution without affecting milk protein synthesis in the mammary tissue. Cabergoline could facilitate dairy management at the time of dry-off

Mass Transfer by Stellar Wind

I review the process of mass transfer in a binary system through a stellar wind, with an emphasis on systems containing a red giant. I show how wind accretion in a binary system is different from the usually assumed Bondi-Hoyle approximation, first as far as the flow's structure is concerned, but most importantly, also for the mass accretion and specific angular momentum loss. This has important implications on the evolution of the orbital parameters. I also discuss the impact of wind accretion, on the chemical pollution and change in spin of the accreting star. The last section deals with observations and covers systems that most likely went through wind mass transfer: barium and related stars, symbiotic stars and central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPN). The most recent observations of cool CSPN progenitors of barium stars, as well as of carbon-rich post-common envelope systems, are providing unique constraints on the mass transfer processes.Comment: Chapter 7, in Ecology of Blue Straggler Stars, H.M.J. Boffin, G. Carraro & G. Beccari (Eds), Astrophysics and Space Science Library, Springe