Event-by-Event Fluctuations of Particle Ratios in Heavy-Ion Collisions

We study event-by-event dynamical fluctuations of various particle ratios at different energies. We assume that particle production in final state is due to chemical equilibrium processes. We compare results from resonance gas model with available experimental data. At SPS energies, the model can very well reproduce the experimentally measured fluctuations. We make predictions for dynamical fluctuations of strangeness and non-strangeness particle ratios. We found that the energy-dependence is non-monotonic. Furthermore, we found that fluctuations strongly depend on particle ratios.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure, 1 tabl

Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry in the Large Hadron Collider

The matter-antimatter asymmetry is one of the greatest challenges in the modern physics. The universe including this paper and even the reader him(her)self seems to be built up of ordinary matter only. Theoretically, the well-known Sakharov's conditions remain the solid framework explaining the circumstances that matter became dominant against the antimatter while the universe cools down and/or expands. On the other hand, the standard model for elementary particles apparently prevents at least two conditions out of them. In this work, we introduce a systematic study of the antiparticle-to-particle ratios measured in various $NN$ and $AA$ collisions over the last three decades. It is obvious that the available experimental facilities turn to be able to perform nuclear collisions, in which the matter-antimatter asymmetry raises from $\sim 0$ at AGS to $\sim 100$ at LHC. Assuming that the final state of hadronization in the nuclear collisions takes place along the freezeout line, which is defined by a constant entropy density, various antiparticle-to-particle ratios are studied in framework of the hadron resonance gas (HRG) model. Implementing modified phase space and distribution function in the grand-canonical ensemble and taking into account the experimental acceptance, the ratios of antiparticle-to-particle over the whole range of center-of-mass-energies are very well reproduced by the HRG model. Furthermore, the antiproton-to-proton ratios measured by ALICE in $pp$ collisions is also very well described by the HRG model. It is likely to conclude that the LHC heavy-ion program will produce the same particle ratios as the $pp$ program implying the dynamics and evolution of the system would not depend on the initial conditions. The ratios of bosons and baryons get very close to unity indicating that the matter-antimatter asymmetry nearly vanishes at LHC.Comment: 9 pages, 5 eps-figures, revtex4-styl

The Effects of Quantum Entropy on the Bag Constant

The effects of quantum entropy on the bag constant are studied at low temperatures and small chemical potentials. The inclusion of the quantum entropy of the quarks in the equation of state provides the hadronic bag with an additional heat which causes a decrease in the effective latent heat inside the bag. We have considered two types of baryonic bags, $\Delta$ and $\Omega^-$. In both cases we have found that the bag constant without the quantum entropy almost does not change with the temperature and the quark chemical potential. The contribution from the quantum entropy to the equation of state clearly decreases the value of the bag constant.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures (two parts each

Effects of quantum gravity on the inflationary parameters and thermodynamics of the early universe

The effects of generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) on the inflationary dynamics and the thermodynamics of the early universe are studied. Using the GUP approach, the tensorial and scalar density fluctuations in the inflation era are evaluated and compared with the standard case. We find a good agreement with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data. Assuming that a quantum gas of scalar particles is confined within a thin layer near the apparent horizon of the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe which satisfies the boundary condition, the number and entropy densities and the free energy arising form the quantum states are calculated using the GUP approach. A qualitative estimation for effects of the quantum gravity on all these thermodynamic quantities is introduced.Comment: 15 graghes, 7 figures with 17 eps graph

Saline infusion sonohysterography for uterine cavity evaluation in women with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) with hysteroscopy, as a gold standard diagnostic method, in detecting endometrial pathology in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Al-Azhar University hospital, Assiut, Egypt. Fifty patients were recruited from the gynecological outpatient clinic complaining of abnormal uterine bleeding. They were evaluated by SIS and compared with hysteroscopic examination for each.Results: The mean age of patients was 45.56±3.48 years. All the intracavitary lesions; endometrial polyps, submucous fibroids and hyperplastic endometrium were equally detected by both methods. Diagnostic accuracy of SIS in comparison with hysteroscopy was 76% with sensitivity 80%, specificity 72%.Conclusions: SIS is a reliable and accurate method for evaluation of the uterine cavity. It can be a good alternative technique for the evaluation of uterine cavity abnormalities where hysteroscopy is not available

In vitro and in vivo biological assessment of dual drug-loaded coaxial nanofibers for the treatment of corneal abrasion

The treatment of corneal abrasion currently involves the topical administration of antibiotics, with moxifloxacin HCl (0.5% w/v) eye drops being one of the most widely used treatments. Our previous work (Tawfik et al., 2020) involved the development of coaxial poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers loaded with the antibiotic moxifloxacin HCl and the anti-scarring agent pirfenidone in the core (PVP) and shell (PLGA) respectively, with a view to the system comprising an ocular insert for the combination therapy of corneal abrasion. In this study, we examine the antimicrobial, anti-scarring and pharmacokinetic properties of the fibers alongside consideration of their toxicity and propensity for irritation. Minimum inhibitory concentration and zone of inhibition studies against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were performed, while fibroblast cell viability and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a biomarker for scar formation) were measured using MTT and Western Blot assays, respectively. Pharmacokinetic studies and efficacy against infection were performed using a rabbit model, while ocular irritancy was assessed using the Draize test. The studies demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity of the moxifloxacin HCl was preserved following encapsulation into the nanofibers, while the downregulation of α-SMA was demonstrated using concentrations below the IC20 values (concentration required to decrease corneal fibroblast viability by no more than 20%). The pharmacokinetic study showed retention and sustained release of the moxifloxacin HCl over a 24-hour period, in contrast to equivalent eye drops which required four times daily dosing. Evidence of low level (according to the MMTS scale) irritation was detected for the nanofiber systems. Overall, the study has demonstrated that the dual drug-loaded nanofiber system shows potential for once daily dosing as an ocular insert for the treatment of corneal abrasion

Is there still any Tc mystery in lattice QCD? Results with physical masses in the continuum limit III

The present paper concludes our investigations on the QCD cross-over transition temperatures with 2+1 staggered flavours and one-link stout improvement. We extend our previous two studies [Phys. Lett. B643 (2006) 46, JHEP 0906:088 (2009)] by choosing even finer lattices ($N_t$=16) and we work again with physical quark masses. The new results on this broad cross-over are in complete agreement with our earlier ones. We compare our findings with the published results of the hotQCD collaboration. All these results are confronted with the predictions of the Hadron Resonance Gas model and Chiral Perturbation Theory for temperatures below the transition region. Our results can be reproduced by using the physical spectrum in these analytic calculations. The findings of the hotQCD collaboration can be recovered by using a distorted spectrum which takes into account lattice discretization artifacts and heavier than physical quark masses. This analysis provides a simple explanation for the observed discrepancy in the transition temperatures between our and the hotQCD collaborations.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures and 3 table

The use of HPV-DNA testing combined with Pap smear in detection of pre-invasive disease of the cervix

Background: Cancer cervix constitutes a major health problem worldwide. It is one of the most common female malignancy in both incidence and mortality. Cancer cervix has many risk factors, the most important one is persistent infection with one of HPV high risk types. Its morbidity and mortality can be reduced by frequent screening and early diagnosis. So that, several studies have been conducted in recent years in order to find better tests for screening for pre-invasive disease of the cervix and so early intervention and better prognosis. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of Pap test and HPV DNA test as screening tests for pre-invasive disease of the cervix.Methods: 100 females from those attending Alexandria University gynaecologic clinic for causes rather than cancer cervix were subjected to Pap smear and cervical swab for HPV-DNA testing at the same setting. Cases of HSIL or positive HPV were subjected to VIA test, colposcopy and cervical punch biopsy was taken if aceto-whitening of the cervix or any other abnormality was found. Cases with ASCUS or LSIL were re-smeared after 3-6 months, if persistent or progressive pathology, colposcopy and punch biopsy from acetowhite areas were taken.Results: 21 cases (21%) were HPV positive and 66 cases (66%) were positive for intraepithelial lesions (37% ASCUS, 18% LSIL and 11% HSIL) with re-smearing there were 3 persistent ASCUS cases (8.1%) and 5 LSIL cases (27.78%). Colposcopy done, and biopsies were taken from 10 HSIL cases (90.1%), 5 LSIL (27.8%), 3 ASCUS (8.1%) and 10 HPV positive cases (62.5%). With significant relationship between colposcopic findings and HPV-DNA positivity and abnormal cytology. Biopsies were 18; 14 were CIN I and 4 were CIN II.Conclusions: HPV-DNA positivity has positive association with HSIL. Pap smear is an easy cheap method for screening. HPV-DNA test is less sensitive than cytology as a method for screening

Histological and Electron Microscopic Study of the Postulated Protective Role of Green Tea Against DEHP Liver Toxicity in Mice

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate [DEHP] is a plasticizer (softener) used to increase the flexibility of polyvinyl chloride (plastic). Animal studies following acute and chronic exposure of DEHP show several toxic changes in many organs including the liver. There have been no studies of compound specific techniques for reducing DEHP body burden. A study of the impact of dietary modifications (increased intake of antioxidants, zinc and glutathione precursors, and decreased dietary fat) on the effects of exposure to DEHP might be useful. Antioxidants effect of green tea was confirmed in many studies as a substance that protects the body from free radicals against degenerative changes by minimizing the amount of damage. This study was performed to evaluate the postulated protective effect of green tea against DEHP Liver toxicity in the mice on histological and ultra structural level. Results showed no significant differences in the mean of hepatocytes affection regarding necrosis or hydropic degeneration between 2nd, 3rd & 4th groups. Marked increase in amount of collagen fibers between hepatocytes and marked depleted glycogen contents in many hepatocytes were detected in 2nd, 3rd & 4th groups. Ulrastructral changes of the hepatocytes showed degenerated membranous organelles, destructed nuclear membrane and cytoplasmic necrosis in 2nd, 3rd & 4th groups. Many fat globules detected in the 3rd group were diminished in the 4th one. In conclusion, in-significant difference in hepatocytes affection existed between green tea control group, DEHP group & green tea/DEHP group. It is concluded that green tea has no antioxidant role against DEHP liver degeneration, in contrast it may have an oxidant role; further studies are needed