The Low Energy Behavior of some Models with Dynamical Supersymmetry Breaking

We study supersymmetric SU(5) chiral gauge theories with 2 fields in the 10 representation, $2+N_F$ fields in the $\bar{5}$ representation and $N_F$ fields in the 5 representation, for $N_F=0,1,2$. With a suitable superpotential, supersymmetry is shown to be broken dynamically for each of these values of $N_F$. We analyze the calculable limit for the model with $N_F=0$ in detail, and determine the low energy effective sigma model in this case. For $N_F=1$ we find the quantum moduli space, and for $N_F=2$ we construct the s--confining potential.Comment: 16 page

The effect of functional splinting on mild dysplastic hips after walking onset

BACKGROUND: For treatment of Graf class IIb dysplastic hips at walking onset a treatment concept with abduction splints allowing patterns as walking and crawling under constant abduction control was investigated. However, as the splint still incapacitates child movements the research question remains whether the physiologically progressing maturation of hips can be significantly altered using such abduction splints for walking children. METHODS: Of 106 children showing late hip dysplasia, 68 children treated with the Hoffman-Daimler (HD-splint) abduction splint were compared with 38 children with neglect of the abduction treatment in this retrospective study. Radiographic analyses were performed measuring the development of the age dependent acetabular angle. RESULTS: The regression analysis for splint treatment showed a significant linear regression for both splint treatment and no splint treatment group (r(2 )= 0,31 respectively r(2 )= 0,33). No statistical difference between both treatment groups was apparent. CONCLUSION: Considering the characteristics of this study, there seems to be no strong rationale supporting the use of an abduction device in growing children. As no significant difference between treatment groups is apparent, a future controlled prospective study on splinting effects can be considered ethically allowed

The Higgs Mass as the Discriminator of Electroweak Models

In the Minimal Supersymmetric Model (MSSM) and the Next to Minimal Supersymmetric Model [(M+1)SSM], an upper bound on the lightest higgs mass can be calculated. On the other hand, vacuum stability implies a lower limit on the mass of the higgs boson in the Standard Model (SM). We find that a gap exists for $m_t \stackrel{>}{\sim} 165$ GeV between the SM and both the MSSM and the (M+1)SSM bounds. Thus, if the new top quark mass measurement by CDF remains valid, a first measurement of the higgs mass will serve to exclude either the SM or the MSSM/(M+1)SSM higgs sectors. In addition, we discuss Supersymmetric Grand Unified Theories, other extentions of the SM, the discovery potential of the lightest higgs, and the assumptions on which our conclusions are based.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, VAND-TH-94-1

QT interval prolongation after sertraline overdose: a case report

BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most common antidepressants used in first-world countries and are generally well tolerated. Specifically, less cardiovascular toxicity has been reported in comparison with tricyclic antidepressants. Here we report QT interval prolongation after an overdose of the SSRI sertraline. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy female patient presented with an attempted suicide with overdoses sertraline (2250 mg), diazepam (200 mg), and temazepam (400 mg). Routine laboratory studies were normal and her ECG upon admission showed a normal QT interval. The next day, her ECG showed prolongation of the QT(c )interval up to 525 ms. After discontinuation of sertraline the QT interval normalized. Echocardiography and exercise electrocardiography were normal. After hospitalization, the patient resumed sertraline in the normally recommended dose and QT interval remained within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: It seems that the SSRI sertraline in overdose may cause QT interval prolongation

Higgs Mass Bounds Separate Models of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking

Vacuum stability implies a lower limit on the mass of the higgs boson in the Standard Model (SM). In contrast, an upper limit on the lightest higgs mass can be calculated in supersymmetric (susy) models. The main uncertainty in each limit is the value of the top mass, which may now be fixed by the recent CDF result. We study the possibility that these bounds do not overlap, and find that (i) a mass gap emerges at $m_t\sim 160$ GeV between the SM and the Minimal Susy Standard Model (MSSM); and between the SM and the Minimal plus Singlet Susy Model [(M+1)SSM] if the independent scalar self--coupling of the latter is perturbatively small or if the $\tan\beta$ parameter is large; this gap widens with increasing $m_t$; (ii) there is no overlap between the SM and the MSSM bounds at even smaller values of $m_t$ for the $\tan\beta$ value ($\sim 1$--2) preferred in Supersymmetric Grand Unified Theories. Thus, if the new top mass measurement remains valid, a measurement of the first higgs mass will serve to exclude either the SM or MSSM/(M+1)SSM higgs sectors. In addition, we discuss the upper bound on the lightest higgs mass in susy models with an extended higgs sector, and in models with a strongly interacting higgs sector. Finally, we comment on the discovery potential for the lightest higgses in these models.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, VAND-TH-94-1

Innate recognition of water bodies in echolocating bats

In the course of their lives, most animals must find different specific habitat and microhabitat types for survival and reproduction. Yet, in vertebrates, little is known about the sensory cues that mediate habitat recognition. In free flying bats the echolocation of insect-sized point targets is well understood, whereas how they recognize and classify spatially extended echo targets is currently unknown. In this study, we show how echolocating bats recognize ponds or other water bodies that are crucial for foraging, drinking and orientation. With wild bats of 15 different species (seven genera from three phylogenetically distant, large bat families), we found that bats perceived any extended, echo-acoustically smooth surface to be water, even in the presence of conflicting information from other sensory modalities. In addition, naive juvenile bats that had never before encountered a water body showed spontaneous drinking responses from smooth plates. This provides the first evidence for innate recognition of a habitat cue in a mammal

Femoroacetabular impingement and classification of the cam deformity: the reference interval in normal hips

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Most patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) have a cam deformity, which may be quantified by measuring the alpha angle and anterior offset ratio (AOR). Knowledge of what constitutes a "normal" alpha angle and AOR is limited. We defined the reference intervals of these measurements from normal hips in the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 157 individuals from the general population were reviewed clinically and radiographically. 74 individuals with clinical evidence of hip disease or radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) were excluded, leaving a study group of 83 individuals (mean age 46 (22-69) years, 44 females) with normal hips. The alpha angles and AORs were measured from cross-table lateral radiographs taken in 15 degrees internal rotation. A validation study consisting of a cadaver study and a measurement reliability study was also performed. RESULTS: The mean alpha angle was 48 degrees in men and 47 degrees in women. The mean AOR was 0.19, the same in men and women. Thus, sexes were combined to derive 95% confidence intervals for the population mean alpha angle (46-49 degrees ) and AOR (0.18-0.20). The 95% reference interval for the alpha angle was 32-62 degrees degrees, and for the AOR it was 0.14-0.24. The validation study confirmed that these measurements were resistant to a reasonable degree of variation in positioning and that the repeatability and reproducibility of the measurements was good. INTERPRETATION: These reference intervals indicate that clinically and radiographically normal hips may have alpha angles and AORs that have previously been considered "abnormal". The thresholds provided by this study will aid classification of individuals involved in longitudinal studies of FAI and OA, and may be of use to the practicing clinician in evaluating the young adult with hip pain

Genetic Mapping of QTLs Controlling Fatty Acids Provided Insights into the Genetic Control of Fatty Acid Synthesis Pathway in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut, a high-oil crop with about 50% oil content, is either crushed for oil or used as edible products. Fatty acid composition determines the oil quality which has high relevance to consumer health, flavor, and shelf life of commercial products. In addition to the major fatty acids, oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) accounting for about 80% of peanut oil, the six other fatty acids namely palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), arachidic acid (C20:0), gadoleic acid (C20:1), behenic acid (C22:0), and lignoceric acid (C24:0) are accounted for the rest 20%. To determine the genetic basis and to improve further understanding on effect of FAD2 genes on these fatty acids, two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations namely S-population (high oleic line ‘SunOleic 97R’ × low oleic line ‘NC94022’) and T-population (normal oleic line ‘Tifrunner’ × low oleic line ‘GT-C20’) were developed. Genetic maps with 206 and 378 marker loci for the S- and the T-population, respectively were used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. As a result, a total of 164 main-effect (M-QTLs) and 27 epistatic (E-QTLs) QTLs associated with the minor fatty acids were identified with 0.16% to 40.56% phenotypic variation explained (PVE). Thirty four major QTLs (>10% of PVE) mapped on five linkage groups and 28 clusters containing more than three QTLs were also identified. These results suggest that the major QTLs with large additive effects would play an important role in controlling composition of these minor fatty acids in addition to the oleic and linoleic acids in peanut oil. The interrelationship among these fatty acids should be considered while breeding for improved peanut genotypes with good oil quality and desired fatty acid composition

Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Preferentially Targets Antigen Presenting Cells In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a promising vaccine vector with an excellent safety profile. However, despite extensive pre-clinical and clinical testing, surprisingly little is known about the cellular tropism of MVA, especially in relevant animal species. Here, we performed in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments with recombinant MVA expressing green fluorescent protein (rMVA-GFP). In both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse lung explants, rMVA-GFP predominantly infected antigen presenting cells. Subsequent in vivo experiments performed in mice, ferrets and non-human primates indicated that preferential targeting of dendritic cells and alveolar macrophages was observed after respiratory administration, although subtle differences were observed between the respective animal species. Following intramuscular injection, rMVA-GFP was detected in interdigitating cells between myocytes, but also in myocytes themselves. These data are important in advancing our understanding of the basis for the immunogenicity of MVA-based vaccines and aid rational vaccine design and delivery strategies

Murchison Widefield Array limits on radio emission from Antares neutrino events

We present a search, using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), for electromagnetic (EM) counterparts to two candidate high-energy neutrino events detected by the ANTARES neutrino telescope in 2013 November and 2014 March. These events were selected by ANTARES because they are consistent, within 0°.4, with the locations of galaxies within 20 Mpc of Earth. Using MWA archival data at frequencies between 118 and 182 MHz, taken ~20 days prior to, at the same time as, and up to a year after the neutrino triggers, we look for transient or strongly variable radio sources that are consistent with the neutrino positions. No such counterparts are detected, and we set a 5s upper limit for low-frequency radio emission of ~1037 erg s-1 for progenitors at 20 Mpc. If the neutrino sources are instead not in nearby galaxies, but originate in binary neutron star coalescences, our limits place the progenitors at z 0.2. While it is possible, due to the high background from atmospheric neutrinos, that neither event is astrophysical, the MWA observations are nevertheless among the first to follow up neutrino candidates in the radio, and illustrate the promise of wide-field instruments like MWA for detecting EM counterparts to such events