q→Λq \to \Lambda Fragmentation Function and Nucleon Transversity Distribution in a Diquark Model

Based on a simple quark-diquark model, we propose a set of unpolarized, longitudinally polarized and transversely polarized fragmentation functions for the $\Lambda$ by fitting the unpolarized $\Lambda$ production data in $e^+ e ^-$ annihilation. It is found that the helicity structure of the obtained $\Lambda$ fragmentation functions is supported by the all available experimental data on the longitudinal $\Lambda$ polarization. Within the same framework of the diquark model, the nucleon transversity distributions are presented and consistent descriptions of the available HERMES data on the azimuthal spin asymmetries in pion electroproduction are obtained. Furthermore, the spin transfers to the transversely polarized $\Lambda$ in the charged lepton DIS on a transversely polarized nucleon target are predicted for future experiments.Comment: Talk given in a seminar of U. Santa Mari

Mass Suppression in Octet Baryon Production

There is a striking suppression of the cross section for production of octet baryons in $e^+ e ^-$ annihilation, as the mass of the produced hadron increases. We present a simple parametrization for the fragmentation functions into octet baryons guided by two input models: the SU(3) flavor symmetry part is given by a quark-diquark model, and the baryon mass suppression part is inspired by the string model. We need only eight free parameters to describe the fragmentation functions for all octet baryons. These free parameters are determined by a fit to the experimental data of octet baryon production in $e^+ e ^-$ annihilation. Then we apply the obtained fragmentation functions to predict the cross section of the octet baryon production in charged lepton DIS and find consistency with the available experimental data. Furthermore, baryon production in $pp$ collisions is suggested to be an ideal domain to check the predicted mass suppression.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figure

Lambda Polarization in Polarized Proton-Proton Collisions at RHIC

We discuss Lambda polarization in semi-inclusive proton-proton collisions, with one of the protons longitudinally polarized. The hyperfine interaction responsible for the $\Delta$-$N$ and $\Sigma$-$\Lambda$ mass splittings gives rise to flavor asymmetric fragmentation functions and to sizable polarized non-strange fragmentation functions. We predict large positive Lambda polarization in polarized proton-proton collisions at large rapidities of the produced Lambda, while other models, based on SU(3) flavor symmetric fragmentation functions, predict zero or negative Lambda polarization. The effect of $\Sigma^0$ and $\Sigma^*$ decays is also discussed. Forthcoming experiments at RHIC will be able to differentiate between these predictions.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure

Resonance Production

Recent results on rho(770)^0, K(892)^*0, f_0(980), phi(1020), Delta(1232)^++, and Lambda(1520) production in A+A and p+p collisions at SPS and RHIC energies are presented. These resonances are measured via their hadronic decay channels and used as a sensitive tool to examine the collision dynamics in the hadronic medium through their decay and regeneration. The modification of resonance mass, width, and shape due to phase space and dynamical effects are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, proceedings of the Quark Matter 2004, in Oakland, California, to be published in Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physic

A molecular insight into algal-oomycete warfare : cDNA analysis of Ectocarpus siliculosus infected with the basal oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hybridization in parasites: consequences for adaptive evolution, pathogenesis and public health in a changing world

[No abstract available

Scoring of senescence signalling in multiple human tumour gene expression datasets, identification of a correlation between senescence score and drug toxicity in the NCI60 panel and a pro-inflammatory signature correlating with survival advantage in peritoneal mesothelioma

Background: Cellular senescence is a major barrier to tumour progression, though its role in pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases is poorly understood in vivo. Improved understanding of the degree to which latent senescence signalling persists in tumours might identify intervention strategies to provoke "accelerated senescence" responses as a therapeutic outcome. Senescence involves convergence of multiple pathways and requires ongoing dynamic signalling throughout its establishment and maintenance. Recent discovery of several new markers allows for an expression profiling approach to study specific senescence phenotypes in relevant tissue samples. We adopted a "senescence scoring" methodology based on expression profiles of multiple senescence markers to examine the degree to which signals of damage-associated or secretory senescence persist in various human tumours. Results: We first show that scoring captures differential induction of damage or inflammatory pathways in a series of public datasets involving radiotherapy of colon adenocarcinoma, chemotherapy of breast cancer cells, replicative senescence of mesenchymal stem cells, and progression of melanoma. We extended these results to investigate correlations between senescence score and growth inhibition in response to similar to 1500 compounds in the NCI60 panel. Scoring of our own mesenchymal tumour dataset highlighted differential expression of secretory signalling pathways between distinct subgroups of MPNST, liposarcomas and peritoneal mesothelioma. Furthermore, a proinflammatory signature yielded by hierarchical clustering of secretory markers showed prognostic significance in mesothelioma. Conclusions: We find that "senescence scoring" accurately reports senescence signalling in a variety of situations where senescence would be expected to occur and highlights differential expression of damage associated and secretory senescence pathways in a context-dependent manner