Comment on Z′Z''s and the H1 and ZEUS High Q2Q^2 Anomalies

We investigate the effects of extra neutral gauge bosons on the high $Q^2$ region of the $e^+p \to e^+ X$ cross section at $\sqrt{s}=300$ GeV. We found that the only models with electroweak strength coupling, typical of extended gauge theories, that give a better fit to the H1 and ZEUS high $Q^2$ data than the standard model, are ruled out by existing data from the Tevatron. From general scaling arguments, using the allowed contact interactions, the only allowed models with $Z'$'s would be those with strong couplings although even in this case the statistical evidence is not compelling.Comment: Latex file uses revtex version 3, epsfig, 1 postscript figure is attache

Properties of the Charmed P-wave Mesons

Two broad charmed mesons, the D_0^* and D_1', have recently been observed. We examine the quark model predictions for the D_0^* and D_1' properties and discuss experimental measurements that can shed light on them. We find that these states are well described as the broad, j=1/2 non-strange charmed P-wave mesons. Understanding the D_0^* and D_1' states can provide important insights into the D_{sJ}^*(2317), D_{sJ}(2460) states whose unexpected properties have led to renewed interest in hadron spectroscopy.Comment: 7 pages. Some additional discussion and reference

Tinea capitis due to Trichophyton tonsurans in a Maltese patient

We report a case of tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton tonsurans in a 16-year-old male. This appears to be the first documented case of tinea capitis caused by this dermatophyte in a native Maltese patient.peer-reviewe

A new ichnotaxonomic name for burrows in vertebrate coprolites from the Miocene Chesapeake Group of Maryland, U.S.A

AbstractA new ichnotaxonomic name, Transexcrementum cuniculus, is applied to tubular (cylindrical) tunnelings in coprolites. The type series of T. cuniculus consists of burrowed vertebrate (probably crocodilian) coprolites that originate from the Miocene Chesapeake Group of Maryland, U.S.A. These complex trace fossils exhibit the following combination of characters: burrows not lined nor backfilled; opening and transverse sections sub-circular; diameter supra-millimetric, up to ca. 20 mm, rather constant throughout; inner termination(s) rounded/conical; tunnel morphology straight or gently curved, sometimes branching; internal sculpturing sometimes present in form of short and irregularly oriented scratches and gouges. Clusters of the same kinds of gouges may also mark the outer surface of the coprolite. The tunneling tracemaker likely engaged in coprophagy; however, it is unclear what kind of organisms could have produced these burrows. Judging from the overall rarity of Transexcrementum cuniculus occurrences in the fossil record, the tracemaker responsible for the burrows might also have been rare, or fed on faeces only occasionally

COPROLITES FROM CALVERT CLIFFS: MIOCENE FECAL PELLETS AND BURROWED CROCODILIAN DROPPINGS FROM THE CHESAPEAKE GROUP OF MARYLAND, U.S.A.

New finds of remarkable coprolites (fossilized feces) are here reported from the famous Miocene marine sediments of the Chesapeake Group exposed along Calvert Cliffs (Maryland, U.S.A.).  Although vertebrate coprolites have been described from these deposits, here we provide the first description of tiny invertebrate fecal pellets. Thus far, these fecal pellets have only been found in the upper Miocene (Tortonian) St. Marys Formation. The micro-coprolites represent the coprulid ichnospecies Coprulus oblongus. The fecal pellets are found in small clusters or strings of dozens to masses of many hundreds. Pellets range in size from approximately 0.4 – 2.0 mm wide by 1.0 – 5.0 mm long, and range in color from gray to brownish black. Their length/diameter ratio is always very nearly 2. These coprulids have been found in a variety of Miocene fossils/concretions including a uranoscopid neurocranium, naticid gastropod, bivalve shells, barnacle tests, and in pellet-backfilled sinuous burrows through sediment. Because the fecal pellets are often found in tiny spaces or spaces thought to be inaccessible to shelled invertebrates, the coprulids are attributed to small and soft-bodied polychaetes or other annelids. Some coprolites attributed to crocodilians from the lower-middle Miocene Calvert Formation were tunneled into, presumably the result of coprophagy, by some unknown kind of organism(s). These compound trace fossils are in the form of burrows that excavate the coprolites, the sides of which are sculptured by scratch/gouge marks

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and cortisol levels on admission to intensive care as predictors of outcome

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of glycosylated haemoglobin and cortisol on admission, in critical care patients. Design: Prospective, observational, single centre study. Setting: 14 bedded Intensive care unit of a tertiary-level university hospital. Patients: 124 consecutive emergency medical and surgical patients. Methods: Data collected on admission included patient demographics, medical history, medication, diagnosis, type of nutrition, TISS28 score, serum blood glucose, Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), cortisol, mean arterial blood pressure, and the use of inotropes in the first 24hrs. Daily baseline tests included complete blood count, urea and electrolytes, creatinine, twice weekly liver function tests. The primary outcome measure was intensive care unit mortality. Secondary outcome measures were ITU stay, days of ventilation, peak urea, peak creatinine, lowest platelet count, peak bilirubin, lowest Pa/FiO2, and the number of transfusions. Measurements and results: 124 patients (mean age 56.2 years SD 23.2) were included. Regression analysis was used to identify any potential predictors of outcome: HbA1c levels on admission were not found to be significantly associated with mortality (p=0.51), or any other secondary endpoints listed above. However, subgroup analysis revealed a predictive role of HbA1c with regards to length of ITU stay (p= 0.01) and number of days of ventilation (p=0.007) in those patients with a history of diabetes. Glucose level on admission emerged as an independent marker of mortality (p=0.009). Conclusions: This study suggests that HbA1c may not be a predictor of outcome in the general ITU population but may be of predictive value in diabetic ITU patients. On the other hand, blood glucose levels on admission emerged as a predictor of mortality, whilst no association was found between HbA1c and cortisol levels on admission.peer-reviewe

Constraining Extra Neutral Gauge Bosons with Atomic Parity Violation Measurements

The discovery of a new neutral gauge boson, $Z'$, could provide the first concrete evidence of physics beyond the standard model. We explore how nuclear weak charge measurements in atomic parity violation (APV) experiments can be used to constrain $Z'$ bosons. We use the recent measurement of the $^{133}$Cs nuclear weak charge to estimate lower bounds on the mass of $Z'$ bosons for a number of representative models and to put constraints on the couplings of a newly discovered $Z'$ boson. We also consider how these constraints might be improved by future APV experiments that will measure nuclear weak charges of multiple isotopes. We show how measurements of a single isotope, and combining measurements into ratios and differences, can be used to constrain the couplings of a $Z'$ and discriminate between models. We find that current and future APV experiments could potentially play an important role in unravelling new physics if a $Z'$ were discovered.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, Revised versio

A gar-bitten vertebrate coprolite from the Neogene of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA, and a new ichnospecies of Machichnus Mikuláš et al., 2006

Vertebrate-bitten coprolites are seemingly rare; nonetheless, within the past dozen years, a handful of these composite trace fossils have been found and described. Here, we describe a single crocodile coprolite from the Lower Miocene Calvert Formation in New Kent County, Virginia, USA, showing bite marks. The size and morphology of the coprolite is consistent with a crocodilian origin. Seven parallel, gently curving gouges, of biogenic origin, disrupt the surface of the coprolite. As it is a medium preserving bite marks, this coprolite qualifies as a morderolite. Furthermore, because of the presence of larger/deeper primary, and finer secondary gouges, which we interpreted as individual tooth marks, the identity of the vertebrate that bit the coprolite is most likely gar (Lepisosteidae). Because other comparable coprolites preserving similar sets of primary and secondary gouges are known, this unique trace fossil is given a new ichnotaxonomic name, Machichnus dimorphodon isp. nov. Many more much smaller markings, interpreted as feeding traces by smaller organisms (possibly invertebrates) also ornament the surface of the coprolite

A comparison of transhepatic versus transperitoneal cholecystostomy for acute calculous cholecystitis: a 5-year experience.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a treatment for acute calculous cholecystitis used in patients where surgery is high risk or challenging either to allow for surgical optimisation or as definitive treatment. In this case series we compare the outcomes of a transhepatic versus transperitoneal approach in patients undergoing percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute calculous cholecystitis. A retrospective review of patients from 2014 to 2019 was conducted and included demographics, percutaneous cholecystostomy route, complications and outcome. Fifty-one patients were included. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was placed transhepatically in 15 cases; transperitoneal in 30 cases; 6 cases had undetermined route. The transhepatic cohort had 43.5% fewer readmissions due to biliary sepsis, 32.5% fewer drain-related complications, and were less likely to require further treatment (32.5% reduction) compared to the transperitoneal cohort. In our experience, the transhepatic route is preferred due to fewer complications, fewer readmissions and a reduction in the need for further treatment

Properties of the Strange Axial Mesons in the Relativized Quark Model

We studied properties of the strange axial mesons in the relativized quark model. We calculated the $K_1$ decay constant in the quark model and showed how it can be used to extract the $K_1 (^3P_1) - K_1 (^1P_1)$ mixing angle ($\theta_K$) from the weak decay $\tau \to K_1 \nu_\tau$. The ratio $BR(\tau \to \nu_\tau K_1 (1270))/BR(\tau\to \nu_\tau K_1(1400))$ is the most sensitive measurement and also the most reliable since the largest of the theoretical uncertainties factor out. However the current bounds extracted from the TPC/Two-Gamma collaboration measurements are rather weak: we typically obtain $-30^o \lesssim \theta_K \lesssim 50^o$ at 68\% C.L. We also calculated the strong OZI-allowed decays in the pseudoscalar emission model and the flux-tube breaking model and extracted a $^3P_1 - ^1P_1$ mixing angle of $\theta_K \simeq 45^o$. Our analysis also indicates that the heavy quark limit does not give a good description of the strange mesons.Comment: Revised version to be published in Phys. Rev. D. Minor changes. Latex file uses revtex version 3 and epsfig, 4 postcript figures are attached. The full postcript version with embedded figures is available at ftp://ftp.physics.carleton.ca/pub/theory/godfrey/ocipc9512.ps.