Derivative corrections to the Born-Infeld action through beta-function calculations in N=2 boundary superspace

We calculate the beta-functions for an open string sigma-model in the presence of a U(1) background. Passing to N=2 boundary superspace, in which the background is fully characterized by a scalar potential, significantly facilitates the calculation. Performing the calculation through three loops yields the equations of motion up to five derivatives on the fieldstrengths, which upon integration gives the bosonic sector of the effective action for a single D-brane in trivial bulk background fields through four derivatives and to all orders in alpha'. Finally, the present calculation shows that demanding ultra-violet finiteness of the non-linear sigma-model can be reformulated as the requirement that the background is a deformed stable holomorphic U(1) bundle.Comment: 25 pages, numerous figure

Supersymmetric non-linear sigma-models with boundaries revisited

We study two-dimensional supersymmetric non-linear sigma-models with boundaries. We derive the most general family of boundary conditions in the non-supersymmetric case. Next we show that no further conditions arise when passing to the N=1 model. We present a manifest N=1 off-shell formulation. The analysis is greatly simplified compared to previous studies and there is no need to introduce non-local superspaces nor to go (partially) on-shell. Whether or not torsion is present does not modify the discussion. Subsequently, we determine under which conditions a second supersymmetry exists. As for the case without boundaries, two covariantly constant complex structures are needed. However, because of the presence of the boundary, one gets expressed in terms of the other one and the remainder of the geometric data. Finally we recast some of our results in N=2 superspace and discuss applications.Comment: LaTeX, 23 page

Caucasian Ethnicity, but Not Treatment Cessation is Associated with HBsAg Loss Following Nucleos(t)ide Analogue-Induced HBeAg Seroconversion

It is well appreciated that ethnicity influences the natural history and immune responses during a chronic hepatitis B infection. In this study, we explore the effect of ethnicity and treatment cessation on Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in patients with Nucleos(t)ide Analogue (NA)-induced Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. We performed a multi-ethnic, multicentric observational cohort study. The analyzed cohort consisted of 178 mono-infected, predominantly male (75.3%) chronic hepatitis B patients of mixed ethnicity (44.4% Asians, 48.9% Caucasians) with nucleos(t)ide analogue-induced HBeAg seroconversion. Treatment was withdrawn in 105 patients and continued in 73, leading to HBsAg loss in 14 patients off- and 16 patients on-treatment, respectively. Overall, HBsAg loss rates were not affected by treatment cessation (hazard ratio 1.45, p = 0.372), regardless of consolidation treatment duration. Caucasian ethnicity was associated with an increased chance of HBsAg loss (hazard ratio 6.70, p = 0.001), but hepatitis B virus genotype was not (p = 0.812). In conclusion, ethnicity is the most important determinant for HBsAg loss after NA-induced HBeAg seroconversion, with up to six-fold higher HBsAg loss rates in Caucasians compared to Asians, irrespective of treatment cessation and consolidation treatment duration

Total solar irradiance as measured by the SOVAP radiometer onboard PICARD

International audienceFrom the SOlar VAriability PICARD (SOVAP) space-based radiometer, we obtained a new time series of the total solar irradiance (TSI) during Solar Cycle 24. Based on SOVAP data, we obtained that the TSI input at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere at a distance of one astronomical unit from the Sun is 1361.8 ± 2.4 W m-2 (1σ) representative of the 2008 solar minimum period. From 2010 to 2014, the amplitude of the changes has been of the order of ± 0.1%, corresponding to a range of about 2.7 W m-2. To determine the TSI from SOVAP, we present here an improved instrument equation. A parameter was integrated from a theoretical analysis that highlighted the thermo-electrical non-equivalence of the radiometric cavity. From this approach, we obtained values that are lower than those previously provided with the same type of instrument. The results in this paper supersede the previous SOVAP analysis and provide the best SOVAP-based TSI-value estimate and its temporal variation

Neutrophilic Reversible Airways Dysfunction After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

In the present case report we have described a 46-year-old female patient who underwent a liver transplantation in 1998 for polycystic disease and developed a syndrome of increasing dyspnea, with sputum production and a progressive decline in pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) (decreased from 153% predicted to 87% predicted). Further examination revealed an impressive tree in a bud pattern with diffuse peribronchiolar infiltrates on computed axial tomographic scan of the thorax. Sputum cultures remained negative. Bronchoscopic central airway biopsy specimens showed lymphocytic bronchitis; sputum induction showed 92% neutrophils. This condition was similar to the bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation, although the specific neutrophilic phenotype of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome has recently been renamed as neutrophilic reversible allograft/airway dysfunction, based on a progressive decline in FEV(1), neutrophilic airway inflammation and its response to neomacrolides. Additional azithromycin treatment resulted in complete recovery in our patient, with normalization of FEV(1) and computed axial tomographic scan of the thorax at 3 months after initiation. This case report suggests that neutrophilic reversible allograft airway dysfunction can no longer be diagnosed only after lung transplantation. Moreover, it demonstrates that this condition is not always related to allograft rejection, but rather may be induced by non-immunologic factors, which remain to be further investigated.status: publishe

Spectral Aging Model Applied to Meteosat First Generation Visible Band

The Meteosat satellites have been operational since the early eighties, creating so far a continuous time period of observations of more than 30 years. In order to use this data for climate data records, a consistent calibration is necessary between the consecutive instruments. Studies have shown that the Meteosat First Generation (MFG) satellites (1982–2006) suffer from in-flight degradation which is spectral of nature and is not corrected by the official calibration of EUMETSAT. Continuing on previous published work by the same authors, this paper applies the spectral aging model to a set of clear-sky and cloudy targets, and derives the model parameters for all six MFG satellites (Meteosat-2 to -7). Several problems have been encountered, both due to the instrument and due to geophysical occurrences, and these are discussed and illustrated here in detail. The paper shows how the spectral aging model is an improvement compared to the EUMETSAT calibration method with a stability of 1%–2% for Meteosat-4 to -7, which increases up to 6% for ocean sites using the full MFG time period

Combined liver-thoracic transplantation: single-center experience with introduction of the "Liver-first' principle

Combined liver/thoracic transplantation(cLiThTx) is a complex procedure for end-stage/advanced liver and heart(H)/lung(Lu) disease. To avoid futile use of multiple organs in single recipients, results should be scrutinously analysed. Single-center cLiThTx (04/2000-12/2015) were reviewed for: demographics, indications, surgical technique, complications, rejection, five-year patient survival. Results are reported as median(range). Fourteen consecutive patients underwent cLiThTx: 3 cLiHTx, 10 cLiLuTx, 1 cLiHLuTx. Recipient age was 42years (17-63years). Most frequent indications were cystic fibrosis (n=5), hepatopulmonary fibrosis (n=2), amyloidosis (n=2) and epithelioid hemangio-endothelioma (n=2). Thoracic organs were transplanted first, except in three where LiTx preceded LuTx. In the latter, lungs were preserved by normothermic ex-vivo lung perfusion. Stenting was performed for stenosis of bile-duct (n=4), hepatic artery (n=2) and bronchus (n=2). Abdominal interventions were required for bleeding (n=3), evisceration (n=1) and adhesiolysis (n=1). One liver (cLiLuTx) was lost to hepatic artery thrombosis 3 months posttransplant and successfully re-transplanted. One patient (cLiHTx) died 4 months posttransplant (myocardial infarction). Follow-up was 4years (2months - 16years). One liver and 5 pulmonary rejections occurred, all mild and reversible. Two patients developed bronchiolitis obliterans, one is clinically well 16years posttransplant, the other successfully retransplanted. Estimated five-year patient survival is 90%. CLiThTx is safe with excellent short-/long-term surgical and immunological results. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.status: publishe

Sustained off-treatment viral control is associated with high hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance rates in Caucasian patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue–induced HBeAg seroconversion

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe