Freeware solutions for spectropolarimetric data reduction

Most of the solar physicists use very expensive software for data reduction and visualization. We present hereafter a reliable freeware solution based on the Python language. This is made possible by the association of the latter with a small set of additional libraries developed in the scientific community. It provides then a very powerful and economical alternative to other interactive data languages. Although it can also be used for any kind of post-processing of data, we demonstrate the capabities of such a set of freeware tools using THeMIS observations of the second solar spectrum.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures (to appear in the Procs. of Solar Polarization Workshop #5, eds. Berdyugina, Nagendra and Ramelli

BTZ black hole from Poisson-Lie T-dualizable sigma models with spectators

The non-Abelian T-dualization of the BTZ black hole is discussed in detail by using the Poisson-Lie T-duality in the presence of spectators. We explicitly construct a dual pair of sigma models related by Poisson-Lie symmetry. The original model is built on a $2+1$-dimensional manifold ${\cal M} \approx O \times \bf G$, where $\bf G$ as a two-dimensional real non-Abelian Lie group acts freely on ${\cal M}$, while $O$ is the orbit of $\bf G$ in ${\cal M}$. The findings of our study show that the original model indeed is canonically equivalent to the $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$ Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) model for a given value of the background parameters. Moreover, by a convenient coordinate transformation we show that this model describes a string propagating in a spacetime with the BTZ black hole metric in such a way that a new family of the solutions to low energy string theory with the BTZ black hole vacuum metric, constant dilaton field and a new torsion potential is found. The dual model is built on a $2+1$-dimensional target manifold $\tilde {\cal M}$ with two-dimensional real Abelian Lie group ${\tilde {\bf G}}$ acting freely on it. We further show that the dual model yields a three-dimensional charged black string for which the mass $M$ and axion charge $Q$ per unit length are calculated. After that, the structure and asymptotic nature of the dual space-time including the horizon and singularity are determined.Comment: 20 page

Pulmonary tuberculosis and some underlying conditions in Golestan Province of Iran, during 2001-2005

Context: Pulmonary tuberculosis has been a major health problem in Golestan province of Iran. Aims: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the frequency of coexisting medical conditions and their effects on some epidemiologic factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Setting and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Demographic information, time of admission in the hospital and coexisting medical conditions (diabetes, chronic renal failure/hemodyalysis, corticosteroids consumption and malignancies) were extracted from the patient's file. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables. Results: Two hundred forty three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during 5 years were studied. Out of all, 162 cases (66.7%) did not have any co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus was found to be the most prevalent condition (23.05%) followed by chronic renal failure, corticosteroid consumption and malignancy ranking second, third and forth in the list (5.8%, 2.5% and 2 respectively). The mean age of the patients was 50.15±19 years old. In the group without co morbidities, male/ female ratio was 1.41/1, but co morbidity with diabetes was significantly more prevalent in females (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest screening of tuberculosis in patients with chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus in our area. Also for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes screening should be considered essential

Inferring the three-dimensional distribution of dust in the Galaxy with a non-parametric method: Preparing for Gaia

We present a non-parametric model for inferring the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of dust density in the Milky Way. Our approach uses the extinction measured towards stars at different locations in the Galaxy at approximately known distances. Each extinction measurement is proportional to the integrated dust density along its line-of-sight. Making simple assumptions about the spatial correlation of the dust density, we can infer the most probable 3D distribution of dust across the entire observed region, including along sight lines which were not observed. This is possible because our model employs a Gaussian Process to connect all lines-of-sight. We demonstrate the capability of our model to capture detailed dust density variations using mock data as well as simulated data from the Gaia Universe Model Snapshot. We then apply our method to a sample of giant stars observed by APOGEE and Kepler to construct a 3D dust map over a small region of the Galaxy. Due to our smoothness constraint and its isotropy, we provide one of the first maps which does not show the "fingers of god" effect.Comment: Minor changes applied. Final version accepted for publication in A&A. 15 pages, 17 figure

Actinomycosis may be presented in unusual organs: A report of two cases

Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous suppurative disease characterized by direct extension to the contagious tissue with the formation of multiple drainage sinus tracts through which tiny colonies of organisms called sulfur granules are discharged. Here, we report 2 cases of actinomycosis from Iran. One of them had actinomycosis on the hand and the other on the foot. Samples of tissue biopsy showed sulfur granules associated with colonies of actinomyces, thus confirming the diagnosis in both cases. The response to curettage and penicillin therapy was satisfactory in our patients. The chronic and indolent course of actinomycosis resembles tuberculosis, fungal infection and malignancy. So, increasing awareness among the clinicians and clinical microbiologists will help in the early diagnosis of the disease and in the initiation of early and proper treatment

The role of 99mTc-Ubiquicidin (UBI) and 99mTc-IgG scintigraphies in diagnosis of acute appendicitis: A preliminary result

Introduction: Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. In spite of the relatively high rate of negative appendectomy, as a result of miss diagnosis, uncertainty of diagnosis still continues to challenge physicians. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate the role of 99mTc-Ubiquicidin (UBI) scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and to compare 99mTc-UBI scintigraphy with 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy. Methods: Twelve patients with right lower quadrant pain and suspicious of acute appendicitis were referred to the nuclear medicine imaging center. Radionuclide imaging was performed with 99mTc-UBI in 8 and 99mTc-IgG in 4 patients. Ultrasonography, Alvarado scoring and histopathological examinations were also performed as additional diagnostic tests. Results: Reports from 99mTc-IgG and 99mTc-UBI scintigraphies of all patients were negative. Conclusion: This study may conclude that 99mTc-IgG scintigraphy and 99mTc-UBI scintigraphy in the detection of appendicitis do not have adequate efficacy. However, in order to better evaluate 99mTc-IgG and 99mTc-UBI scintigraphy, a comprehensive study on a large number of patients with clinical suspicious of acute appendicitis would be more helpful