Hearing loss and fluctuating hearing levels in X-linked hypophosphataemic osteomalacia

Abstract Background and objective: X-linked hypophosphataemic osteomalacia is the most common of the genetically determined forms of osteomalacia. The occurrence of hearing loss in X-linked hypophosphataemic osteomalacia has been known since 1984. However, observations on the progression of such hearing loss, and suggestions regarding possible therapy, have not previously been published. Methods: Case report of a patient with X-linked hypophosphataemic osteomalacia and hearing loss, with three years' audiological follow up, description of empirical therapy and literature review. Results: The patient presented with fluctuating hearing. An audiogram showed mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss mainly in the low and high frequencies. A temporary improvement of 20-40dB after steroid therapy was observed. Four weeks later, hearing had deteriorated again, mainly in the low frequencies. After one year of fluctuating hearing levels, stabilisation occurred. Conclusions: In X-linked hypophosphataemic osteomalacia, hearing loss occurs predominantly in the low and high frequencies. The hearing loss type and progression pattern point to an endolymphatic hydrops as the pathogenetic mechanism. Steroid therapy may be of some benefi

Where the electroweak phase transition ends

We give a more precise characterisation of the end of the electroweak phase transition in the framework of the effective 3d SU(2)--Higgs lattice model than has been given before. The model has now been simulated at gauge couplings beta_G=12 and 16 for Higgs masses M_H^*=70, 74, 76 and 80 GeV up to lattices 96^3 and the data have been used for reweighting. The breakdown of finite volume scaling of the Lee-Yang zeroes indicates the change from a first order transition to a crossover at lambda_3/g_3^2=0.102(2) in rough agreement with results of Karsch et al (hep-lat/9608087) at \beta_G=9 and smaller lattices. The infinite volume extrapolation of the discontinuity Delta /g_3^2 turns out to be zero at lambda_3/g_3^2=0.107(2) being an upper limit. We comment on the limitations of the second method.Comment: RevTeX, 19 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables; additional MC-data near the endpoint considere

Planilha eletrônica para o cálculo da reflectância em imagens TM e ETM+ LANDSAT.

A reflectância de culturas agrícolas e de outros alvos da superfície terrestre é um parâmetro intrínseco dos objetos sensoriados e, assim, em muitas situações, deve ser utilizada em lugar dos valores de níveis de cinza normalmente encontrados nas imagens de satélite. Para obter a reflectância de alvos de imagens de satélite é necessário eliminar a interferência atmosférica e realizar uma série de cálculos que envolvem parâmetros do sensor e informações da própria imagem. Automatizar esse procedimento tem como vantagens a agilização do processo e a redução dos riscos de erros durante os cálculos. O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar uma planilha eletrônica que simplifica e automatiza a transformação dos números digitais das imagens TM e ETM+ dos satélites Landsat 5 e 7 em valores de reflectância, isto é, um parâmetro intrínseco dos objetos sensoriados e, portanto, com significado físico. O método de correção atmosférica empregado é o da subtração de objeto escuro ou DOS. A planilha eletrônica aqui descrita pode ser encontrada no endereço eletrônico http://www.dsr.inpe.br/Calculo_Reflectancia.xls e pode ser utilizada para calcular valores de reflectância em imagens dos sensores Landsat TM e ETM+

Endpoint of the hot electroweak phase transition

We give the nonperturbative phase diagram of the four-dimensional hot electroweak phase transition. The Monte-Carlo analysis is done on lattices with different lattice spacings ($a$). A systematic extrapolation $a \to 0$ is done. Our results show that the finite temperature SU(2)-Higgs phase transition is of first order for Higgs-boson masses $m_H<66.5 \pm 1.4$ GeV. At this endpoint the phase transition is of second order, whereas above it only a rapid cross-over can be seen. The full four-dimensional result agrees completely with that of the dimensional reduction approximation. This fact is of particular importance, because it indicates that the fermionic sector of the Standard Model can be included perturbatively. We obtain that the Higgs-boson endpoint mass in the Standard Model is $72.4 \pm 1.7$ GeV. Taking into account the LEP Higgs-boson mass lower bound excludes any electroweak phase transition in the Standard Model.Comment: Latex, 7 pages, 4 figure

Three-Dimensional Electronic Structure of type-II Weyl Semimetal WTe2_2

By combining bulk sensitive soft-X-ray angular-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and accurate first-principles calculations we explored the bulk electronic properties of WTe$_2$, a candidate type-II Weyl semimetal featuring a large non-saturating magnetoresistance. Despite the layered geometry suggesting a two-dimensional electronic structure, we find a three-dimensional electronic dispersion. We report an evident band dispersion in the reciprocal direction perpendicular to the layers, implying that electrons can also travel coherently when crossing from one layer to the other. The measured Fermi surface is characterized by two well-separated electron and hole pockets at either side of the $\Gamma$ point, differently from previous more surface sensitive ARPES experiments that additionally found a significant quasiparticle weight at the zone center. Moreover, we observe a significant sensitivity of the bulk electronic structure of WTe$_2$ around the Fermi level to electronic correlations and renormalizations due to self-energy effects, previously neglected in first-principles descriptions

Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Symmetric Stable Distributions -- Empirical Characteristic Function Approach

We consider goodness-of-fit tests of symmetric stable distributions based on weighted integrals of the squared distance between the empirical characteristic function of the standardized data and the characteristic function of the standard symmetric stable distribution with the characteristic exponent $\alpha$ estimated from the data. We treat $\alpha$ as an unknown parameter, but for theoretical simplicity we also consider the case that $\alpha$ is fixed. For estimation of parameters and the standardization of data we use maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and an equivariant integrated squared error estimator (EISE) which minimizes the weighted integral. We derive the asymptotic covariance function of the characteristic function process with parameters estimated by MLE and EISE. For the case of MLE, the eigenvalues of the covariance function are numerically evaluated and asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is obtained using complex integration. Simulation studies show that the asymptotic distribution of the test statistics is very accurate. We also present a formula of the asymptotic covariance function of the characteristic function process with parameters estimated by an efficient estimator for general distributions

Spatial Re-Establishment Dynamics of Local Populations of Vectors of Chagas Disease

Chagas disease is transmitted by blood-sucking bugs (vectors) and presents a severe public health threat in the Americas. Worldwide there are approximately 10 million people infected with Chagas disease, a disease for which there is currently no effective cure. Vector suppression is the main strategy to control the spread of this disease. Unfortunately, the vectors have been resurgent in some areas. It is important to understand the dynamics of reinfestation where it occurs. Here we show how different models fitted to patch-level bug infestation data can elucidate different aspects of re-establishment dynamics. Our results demonstrated a 6-month time lag between detection of a new infestation and dispersal events, seasonality in dispersal rates and effects of previous vector infestation on subsequent vector establishment rates. In addition we provide estimates of dispersal distances and the effect of insecticide spraying on rates of vector re-establishment. While some of our results confirm previous findings, the effects of season and previous infestation on bug establishment challenge our current understanding of T. infestans ecology and highlight important gaps in our knowledge of T. infestans dispersal

Molecular epidemiology of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from horses in Ireland

Clinical isolates (n = 63) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa obtained from various sites in 63 horses were compared using ERIC2 RAPD PCR to determine their genetic relatedness. Resulting banding patterns (n = 24 genotypes) showed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity amongst all isolates examined, indicating a relative non-clonal relationship between isolates from these patients, employing this genotyping technique. This study characterised 63 clinical isolates into 24 distinct genotypes, with the largest cluster (genotype E) accounting for 10/63 (15.9%) of the isolates. ERIC2 RAPD PCR proved to be a highly discriminatory molecular typing tool of P. aeruginosa in isolates recovered from horses. With the adoption of several controls to aid reproducibility, this technique may be useful as an alternative to PFGE, particularly in epidemiological investigations of outbreaks where speed may be a significant parameter. This is the first report of clonal heterogeneity amongst P. aeruginosa from horses and demonstrated that ERIC RAPD PCR is a rapid method for the examination of this species in horses, which may be useful in outbreak analysis

Comparison of Renormalization-Group and Lattice Studies of the Electroweak Phase Transition

We compare the results of renormalization-group and lattice studies for the properties of the electroweak phase transition. This comparison reveals the mechanisms that underlie the phenomenology of the phase transition.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Astrometric confirmation of young low-mass binaries and multiple systems in the Chamaeleon star-forming regions

The star-forming regions in Chamaeleon are one of the nearest (distance ~165 pc) and youngest (age ~2 Myrs) conglomerates of recently formed stars and the ideal target for population studies of star formation. We investigate a total of 16 Cha targets, which have been suggested, but not confirmed as binaries or multiple systems in previous literature. We used the adaptive optics instrument Naos-Conica (NACO) at the Very Large Telescope Unit Telescope 4 of the Paranal Observatory, at 2-5 different epochs, in order to obtain relative and absolute astrometric measurements, as well as differential photometry in the J, H, and K band. On the basis of known proper motions and these observations, we analyse the astrometric results in our "Proper Motion Diagram" (PMD: angular separation / position angle versus time), to eliminate possible (non-moving) background stars, establish co-moving binaries and multiples, and search for curvature as indications for orbital motion. All previously suggested close components are co-moving and no background stars are found. The angular separations range between 0.07 and 9 arcseconds, corresponding to projected distances between the components of 6-845 AU. Thirteen stars are at least binaries and the remaining three (RX J0919.4-7738, RX J0952.7-7933, VW Cha) are confirmed high-order multiple systems with up to four components. In 13 cases, we found significant slopes in the PMDs, which are compatible with orbital motion whose periods range from 60 to 550 years. However, in only four cases there are indications of a curved orbit, the ultimate proof of a gravitational bond. Massive primary components appear to avoid the simultaneous formation of equal-mass secondary components. (abridged)Comment: 33 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, 2nd version: typos and measurement unit added in Table