Source breakup dynamics in Au + Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV via three-dimensional two-pion source imaging

A three-dimensional correlation function obtained from midrapidity, low p(T), pion pairs in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV is studied. The extracted model-independent source function indicates a long range tail in the directions of the pion pair transverse momentum (out) and the beam (long). A proper breakup time tau(0) ~ 9 fm/c and a mean proper emission duration Delta tau ~ 2 fm/c, leading to sizable emission time differences ({|Delta t(LCM)|} approximately 12 fm/c), are required to allow models to be successfully matched to these tails. The model comparisons also suggest an outside-in "burning" of the emission source reminiscent of many hydrodynamical models.

Age trends in pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix in a cytology screening programme: what should be the target age group for a major thrust of screening in resource-limited settings?

OBJECTIVE

To identify the target age group where screening efforts may be concentrated in order to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in resource-limited countries.

STUDY DESIGN

The results of cyto-screening in a hospital-based screening programme for early detection of cervical cancer were analysed retrospectively. The frequency of epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs) was computed in different age groups.

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

A total of 5.6% ECAs were detected on cyto-screening. The peak age incidence for squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) was in the 30-39 age group while that for malignancies was age >60 years. The mean ages for LSIL, HSIL and cancer were 34.7, 37.7 and 51.8 years respectively. Around 43% LSILs and 48% HSILs presented in the fourth decade. If both fourth and fifth decade are covered by screening we could detect almost two-thirds of SILs.

CONCLUSIONS

A distinct latent period of more than a decade between the onset of SIL and development of frank cancer provides us with ample opportunity to prevent cervical cancer through screening. Our data validate the WHO recommendation of once in a lifetime screening of women in their fourth decade, for low-resource settings. If resources permit, screening can be extended to include women in the fifth decade. This approach would enable us to pick up maximum SILs within the available resources and prevent their progression to cancer.

Comparative molecular field analysis of benzothiazepine derivatives: mitochondrial sodium calcium exchange inhibitors as antidiabetic agents

Mitochondrial sodium calcium exchange inhibitors are novel agents in the treatment of type-II diabetes due to their glucose dependent efficacy. While the compounds of this class are expected to correct hyperglycemia, they do not lower basal blood glucose level, thus avoiding the serious consequences of hypoglycemia. The 3DQSAR analysis of benzothiazepines and their derivatives as mitochondrial sodium calcium exchange inhibitors was performed by comparative molecular field analysis to determine the structural factors required for the activity of these compounds. After performing a leave one out cross validation study, satisfactory results were obtained, with cross-validated q(2) and conventional r(2) values of 0.711 and 0.970, respectively. The results provided the tools for predicting the affinity of the related compounds, and guidance for the designing and synthesis of novel and potent mitochondrial sodium calcium exchange inhibitors as antidiabetic agents.

The evolution of physiotherapy in animal rehabilitation in Durban, Kwazulu Natal

Introduction:Animal physiotherapy is a specialized branchof physiotherapy. As this specialization is not introduced at undergraduatelevel, there is a need to ascertain whether qualified physiotherapists had an interest in this field. The need for post-graduate interest in this subjectwould support a post-graduate programme as there is no academic insti -tutional programme in this field in South Africa.Aim of study:To gain information on the awareness of and interest in animalphysiotherapy from veterinary surgeons and qualified physiotherapists.Methodology: Two questionnaires were constructed, one for veterinarysurgeons and one for physiotherapists. Sixty physiotherapists and 30 veteri-nary surgeons in private practice in Durban, KwaZulu Natal participated in the study. A return of 73% of the question-naires for veterinary surgeons and 65% for physiotherapists was obtained. Data  analysis: Data  for  Physiotherapists  and  veterinary  surgeons  were  grouped  together  for  responses  to  the questionnaire and compared. Results: All physiotherapists and veterinary surgeons involved in the study are aware of animal physiotherapy. 81.5% of the veterinary surgeons administer physiotherapy treatment as part of their overall rehabilitation programmeand 7.41% refer their clients to physiotherapists. All the veterinary surgeons stated that physiotherapy is necessary inthe overall animal rehabilitation. 12.5% of physiotherapists treated animals and all felt under-qualified to treat animals.Conclusion: The study reveals a need for post-graduate specialization in animal physiotherapy and this would promote public awareness of its existence and benefit to animals.

Nutritional characteristics of corn distillers dried grains with solubles as affected by the amounts of grains versus solubles and different processing techniques

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and its components of grains and solubles, the effect on amino acid digestibility of autoclaving DDGS with different proportions of wet grains:solubles, and the effect of several new processing technologies on the nutritional value of DDGS for poultry. In the latter experiments, corn was processed under laboratory conditions to produce ethanol and DDGS by using the conventional dry-grind process and compared with 2 modified dry-grind corn processes. Modified dry-grind corn processes consisted of wet quick germ, quick fiber (QGQF process) and dry degerm defiber (3D process) fractionation of corn to recover the germ and pericarp fiber prior to fermentation. In another process, a commercial DDGS sample was subjected to an Elusieve method to remove fiber and increase the protein content. Freeze-dried solubles were higher in total P but lower in CP than in the grains and DDGS. Digestibilities of several amino acids in the freeze-dried grains and solubles were higher than those for DDGS, particularly for Lys. Autoclaving reduced the digestibility of amino acids in DDGS, and this effect was not influenced by the proportion of grains:solubles. The QGQF and 3D processes increased the protein and reduced the fat and total dietary fiber content in DDGS. Total P was increased by the QGQF process, but was reduced by the 3D process. The Elusieve process increased the protein, amino acids, and fat, and decreased the total dietary fiber content of DDGS from 34.5 to 19.7% on a DM basis. None of the processing technologies had a significant effect on DDGS amino acid digestibility. The results of this study indicated that the nutritional value of DDGS can be influenced greatly by the proportion of grains vs. solubles and by processing technologies.

Correlation between serum lactate dehydrogenase and stem cell mobilization

After observing a correlation between elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and good stem cell collections, retrospective data from 540 donors undergoing 650 stem cell apheresis procedures (87% autologous, 13% allogeneic) were studied to determine the correlation between preapheresis LDH levels and the absolute peripheral blood CD34+ cell count (PBCD34). PBCD34 (1-1611/mul; median 40) correlated modestly with leukocytes (0.5-118.2 x 10(9)/l; median 30.2) (r=0.16; P=0.00005) and poorly with platelets (16-660 x 10(9)/l; median 131) (r=0.02; P=0.69). The correlation between LDH (64-1664 IU/l; median 310) and PBCD34 was very strong (r=0.54; P<10(-48)). In multivariate regression analysis, serum LDH was the only factor correlating significantly with PBCD34. The correlation between serum LDH and PBCD34 was strong on the first day of collection (n=517; r=0.53; P<10(-37)), weakened on the second day (n=74; r=0.37; P=0.0009) and disappeared beyond day 2 (n=59; r=0.09; P=0.49). PBCD34 was significantly higher (median 53 versus median 11; P<0.00001) when LDH was elevated (n=511) compared to when LDH was normal (n=139). The relationship between serum LDH and PBCD34 was strong for autologous (r=0.54) as well as for allogeneic (r=0.41) collections. Our data suggest that it is reasonable to assume good stem cell mobilization and start apheresis if the LDH is elevated.

Feasibility of community neonatal death audits in rural Uttar Pradesh, India

OBJECTIVE

Medical audit is a widely promoted strategy in hospitals, but experience within community settings is scant. Community neonatal death audit is a form of audit, which involves a systematic analysis of the quality of care provided in the home, danger sign recognition and care seeking decision making for neonatal illness. This research was conducted in Uttar Pradesh, India, to investigate the feasibility and cultural acceptability of community neonatal death audits.

STUDY DESIGN

During November-December 2004, we conducted three in-depth interviews with family members of deceased neonates, and six focus group discussions with family and community members. Three approaches were evaluated: in-depth interview with the family before engaging them in an audit with the community; preliminary meeting to build rapport with the family and community before conducting an audit; and audit with the family and community in a single focus group. Approaches were interactive processes, involving the community, to identify avoidable factors in a particular death and discuss solutions.

RESULT

Carried out in a culturally sensitive and non-punitive manner, community neonatal death audit was found to be acceptable and feasible. All approaches provoked formal investigation by community members, and stimulated sharing of views, leading to the self-discovery that community perception was a cumulatively amplified effect of individual perceptions. Presence of an educated/experienced community member or health worker served as a catalyst. No one optimal approach was identified.

CONCLUSION

Community neonatal audit is an acceptable approach that shows promise as an effective intervention for improving neonatal health outcomes.

Development of the bipolar inventory of symptoms scale

OBJECTIVE

Most rating scales for bipolar disorders (BDs) do not encompass the spectrum of symptomatology now established as characterizing the illness. We report the rationale, format, reliability and initial validity studies of the Bipolar Inventory of Symptoms Scale (BISS), a 44-item scale designed to encompass the spectrum of behavioral disturbances in BDs.

METHOD

Structured video interviews of 20 patients representing four bipolar syndromal subtypes were rated by nine raters.

RESULTS

Generally, high inter-rater reliability and internal consistency were established for the depression and mania subscales and the BISS total score. The BISS discriminated across subtypes of bipolar patients with depressed, manic/hypomanic, mixed manic or recovered status.

CONCLUSION

The BISS has adequate reliability, concurrent validity and is capable of discriminating between bipolar subtypes. It also provides a comprehensive scale to assess discrete behavioral components of BD.

Elliptic flow for phi mesons and (anti)deuterons in Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

Differential elliptic flow (v(2)) for phi mesons and (anti)deuterons (d)d is measured for Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV. The v(2) for phi mesons follows the trend of lighter pi+/- and K+/- mesons, suggesting that ordinary hadrons interacting with standard hadronic cross sections are not the primary driver for elliptic flow development. The v(2) values for (d)d suggest that elliptic flow is additive for composite particles. This further validation of the universal scaling of v(2) per constituent quark for baryons and mesons suggests that partonic collectivity dominates the transverse expansion dynamics.

System size and energy dependence of jet-induced hadron pair correlation shapes in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 and 62.4 GeV

We present azimuthal angle correlations of intermediate transverse momentum (1-4 GeV/c) hadrons from dijets in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=62.4 and 200 GeV. The away-side dijet induced azimuthal correlation is broadened, non-Gaussian, and peaked away from Delta phi=pi in central and semicentral collisions in all the systems. The broadening and peak location are found to depend upon the number of participants in the collision, but not on the collision energy or beam nuclei. These results are consistent with sound or shock wave models, but pose challenges to Cherenkov gluon radiation models.

J/psi production versus transverse momentum and rapidity in p+p collisions at square root s=200 GeV

J/psi production in p+p collisions at square root s=200 GeV has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over a rapidity range of -2.2<y<2.2 and a transverse momentum range of 0<pT<9 GeV/c. The size of the present data set allows a detailed measurement of both the pT and the rapidity distributions and is sufficient to constrain production models. The total cross section times the branching ratio is Bll sigma pp J/psi=178+/-3stat+/-53sys+/-18norm nb.

J/psi production versus centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured J/psi production for rapidities -2.2<y<2.2 in Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV. The J/psi invariant yield and nuclear modification factor RAA as a function of centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity are reported. A suppression of J/psi relative to binary collision scaling of proton-proton reaction yields is observed. Models which describe the lower energy J/psi data at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron invoking only J/psi destruction based on the local medium density predict a significantly larger suppression at RHIC and more suppression at midrapidity than at forward rapidity. Both trends are contradicted by our data.