Spectral changes during six years of Scorpius X-1 monitoring with BeppoSAX Wide Field Cameras

We analyse a sample of fifty-five observations of Scorpius X-1 available in the BeppoSAX Wide Field Camera public archive and spanning over the six years of BeppoSAX mission life. Spectral changes are initially analysed by inspection of colour-colour and colour-intensity diagrams, we also discuss the shift of the Z tracks in these diagrams. Then we select two long observations for spectral fitting analysis, a secular shift is evident between the tracks in these observations. We finally extract spectra along the tracks and discuss the best fit model, the parameter variations along the track and between tracks, and their link to the accretion rate.Comment: 6 pages, 11 postscrpt figures.To appear in the conference proceedings of `Interacting Binaries: Accretion, Evolution & Outcomes' (Cefalu', July 4-10 2004

The Gribov problem in Noncommutative QED

It is shown that in the noncommutative version of QED (NCQED) Gribov copies induced by the noncommutativity of space-time appear in the Landau gauge. This is a genuine effect of noncommutative geometry which disappears when the noncommutative parameter vanishes.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures. Published. The paper has been shortened and many references have been judged unnecessary or not suitable during the reviewing proces

Hypervirulent antibiotic-resistantClostridium difficilein Europe

Recently, several Clostridium difficile outbreaks due to PCR ribotype 027, associated with increased disease severity and death, have been reported in North America and in several European countries. This strain is toxinA/toxinB-positive, contains the genes for binary toxin and has an 18 bp deletion and a frameshift mutation in the gene tcdC hypothesized to result in a deregulated expression of toxins A and B. These strains are high producers of toxins in vitro compared with other toxinotypes. Moreover, these strains show a high level of resistance to fluoroquinolones, possibly due to the presence of a transition mutation (C to T) in the gyr A, resulting in the amino acid substitution Th82->IIe. A 2 month prospective study was conducted in 38 hospitals in 14 different European countries to get an overview of the phenotypic and genotypic features of C. difficile isolates in 2005. In all, 411 isolates of C. difficile were obtained from diarrhoeic patients with suspected C. difficile -associated diarrhoea (CDAD); the prevalence of the 027 epidemic strain was 6.2%. All 027 strains were positive for binary toxin genes, had an 18 bp deletion in tcdC gene and were resistant to erythromycin and moxifloxacin. Patients infected with an 027 strain were likely to have a more severe disease (OR=2.52, 95% CI 0.92-6.85, p=0.04) and to have been more specifically treated by metronidazole or vancomycin (OR=7.23, CI 0.99-149, p=0.02). Ongoing epidemiological surveillance of CDAD cases with periodic characterization of the strains is needed to detect clustering of cases in time and space and to monitor the emergence of a specific hypervirulent clone. Key words: Clostridium difficile, toxins A and B, hypervirulence, C. difficile-associated diarrhoe

Clostridium difficile erm(B)-containing elements and the burden on the in vitro fitness

In Clostridium difficile, resistance to the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B group of antibiotics generally relies on erm(B) genes. In this study, we investigated elements with a genetic organization different from Tn5398, the mobilizable non-conjugative element identified in C. difficile strain 630. Our results suggested that the elements most frequently found in strains isolated during the European surveillance study in 2005 were related to Tn6194, the conjugative transposon recently detected in different C. difficile types, including PCR-ribotype 027. We characterized a Tn6194-like and a novel element rarely found in clinical isolates. A burden on the in vitro fitness of C. difficile was observed after the acquisition of these elements as well as of Tn5398

Airborne contact dermatitis and asthma in a nail art operator

AbstractNail art (creation and decoration of artificial nails) is a growing fashion trend. Proportionally to its popularity, the number of allergic reactions to the materials used has recently increased. We report the case of a nail art operator who developed occupational allergy to acrylates, manifested with the unusual simultaneous presence of asthma and dermatitis. Cutaneous lesions only affected areas not covered by individual protection devices or clothes, even if such areas were not in direct contact with acrylates, suggesting airborne allergic contact dermatitis. While respiratory problems were solved with the correct use of a mask at the workplace, facial dermatitis proved impossible to avoid or control and, for this reason, the patient had to change her work

A probabilistic view on predictive constructions for Bayesian learning

Given a sequence $X=(X_1,X_2,\ldots)$ of random observations, a Bayesian forecaster aims to predict $X_{n+1}$ based on $(X_1,\ldots,X_n)$ for each $n\ge 0$. To this end, in principle, she only needs to select a collection $\sigma=(\sigma_0,\sigma_1,\ldots)$, called ``strategy" in what follows, where $\sigma_0(\cdot)=P(X_1\in\cdot)$ is the marginal distribution of $X_1$ and $\sigma_n(\cdot)=P(X_{n+1}\in\cdot\mid X_1,\ldots,X_n)$ the $n$-th predictive distribution. Because of the Ionescu-Tulcea theorem, $\sigma$ can be assigned directly, without passing through the usual prior/posterior scheme. One main advantage is that no prior probability is to be selected. In a nutshell, this is the predictive approach to Bayesian learning. A concise review of the latter is provided in this paper. We try to put such an approach in the right framework, to make clear a few misunderstandings, and to provide a unifying view. Some recent results are discussed as well. In addition, some new strategies are introduced and the corresponding distribution of the data sequence $X$ is determined. The strategies concern generalized P\'olya urns, random change points, covariates and stationary sequences

Consistency of safety monitoring using routine national databases: results using a quality of care interpretative model.

Abstract Background In the framework of targeted action for continuous safety monitoring, we aimed to evaluate the consistency of indicators derived from available databases for regular reporting. Methods We used a quality of care interpretative model to select characteristics from five national databases, aggregated and linked by homogeneous groups of providers. The target population included all subjects admitted to public hospitals for acute care in four regions of Italy between 2011 and 2013. The association between structures, processes and safety-related outcomes was investigated using odds ratios from generalized estimating equations logistic regression. Outcome measures included claims of malpractice and five patient safety indicators calculated from discharge abstracts using standardized algorithms. Results Over 3 years, claims of malpractice and sepsis increased, whereas deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism decreased. Hospitals with high vs. low volume of discharges were associated with −16% lower rates of claims, but +12% increased risk of sepsis. Compared with research institutes, university clinics had −17% lower rates of claims and −41% cases of dehiscence, with a +32% increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. Local health care authorities recorded −49% deep vein thrombosis, −26% pulmonary embolism, −40% sepsis and +37% risk of claims. Hospitals submitting cases of safe practices and implementing safety recommendations showed significantly higher rates for most outcome measures. Conclusions Indicators from regular databases can be conveniently used to develop a national safety monitoring system for hospital care. Although deeper analysis is needed, institutions with a higher propensity to implement safe practices and recommendations consistently showed higher rates of adverse events

Methadone versus morphine for postoperative pain in patients undergoing surgery for gynecological cancer: A randomized controlled clinical trial

The aim of this study was to compare methadone and morphine for the management of postoperative