QCD and total cross-sections : photons and hadrons

In this contribution, we discuss a total cross-section model which can be applied to both photon and purely hadronic processes. We find that the model can reproduce photo-production cross-sections, as well as extrapolation of gamma*p processes to gamma p using Vector Meson Dominance models, with minimal modifications from the proton case.

QCD and total cross-sections : photons and hadrons

In this contribution, we discuss a total cross-section model which can be applied to both photon and purely hadronic processes. We find that the model can reproduce photo-production cross-sections, as well as extrapolation of gamma*p processes to gamma p using Vector Meson Dominance models, with minimal modifications from the proton case.

The impact of the metabolic syndrome and parental risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: One-third of patients with type 1 diabetes develop diabetic complications, such as diabetic nephropathy. The diabetic complications are related to a high mortality from cardiovascular disease, impose a great burden on the health care system, and reduce the health-related quality of life of patients. Aims: This thesis assessed, whether parental risk factors identify subjects at a greater risk of developing diabetic complications. Another aim was to evaluate the impact of a parental history of type 2 diabetes on patients with type 1 diabetes. A third aim was to assess the role of the metabolic syndrome in patients with type 1 diabetes, both its presence and its predictive value with respect to complications. Subjects and methods: This study is part of the ongoing nationwide Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study. The study was initiated in 1997, and, thus far, 4,800 adult patients with type 1 diabetes have been recruited. Since 2004, follow-up data have also been collected in parallel to the recruitment of new patients. Studies I to III have a cross-sectional design, whereas Study IV has a prospective design. Information on parents was obtained from the patients with type 1 diabetes by a questionnaire. Results: Clustering of parental hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes (type 1 and type 2) was associated with diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes, as was paternal mortality. A parental history of type 2 diabetes was associated with a later onset of type 1 diabetes, a higher prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and a metabolic profile related to insulin resistance, despite no difference in the distribution of human leukocyte antigen genotypes or the presence of diabetic complications. A maternal history of type 2 diabetes, seemed to contribute to a worse metabolic profile in the patients with type 1 diabetes than a paternal history. The metabolic syndrome was a frequent finding in patients with type 1 diabetes, observed in 38% of males and 40% of females. The prevalence increased with worsening of the glycemic control and more severe renal disease. The metabolic syndrome was associated with a 3.75-fold odds ratio for diabetic nephropathy, and all of the components of the syndrome were independently associated with diabetic nephropathy. The metabolic syndrome, independent of diabetic nephropathy, increased the risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular and diabetes-related mortality over a 5.5-year follow-up. With respect to progression of diabetic nephropathy, the role of the metabolic syndrome was less clear, playing a strong role only in the progression from macroalbuminuria to end-stage renal disease. Conclusions: Familial factors and the metabolic syndrome play an important role in patients with type 1 diabetes. Assessment of these factors is an easily applicable tool in clinical practice to identify patients at a greater risk of developing diabetic complications.

Low-frequency resistance fluctuations in metal films under current stressing at low temperature (T<0.3Tmelting)

In this paper, we report a systematic study of low frequency 1∕fα resistance fluctuation in thin metal films (Ag on Si) at different stages of damage process when the film is subjected to high current stressing. The resistance fluctuation (noise) measurement was carried out in situ using a small ac bias that has been mixed with the dc stressing current. The experiment has been carried out as a function of temperature in the range of 150–350 K. The experiment establishes that the current stressed film, as it undergoes damage due to various migration forces, develops an additional low-frequency noise spectral power that does not have the usual 1∕f spectral shape. The magnitude of extra term has an activated temperature dependence (activation energy of ≈0.1 eV) and has a 1∕f1.5 spectral dependence. The activation energy is the same as seen from the temperature dependence of the lifetime of the film. The extra 1∕f1.5 spectral power changes the spectral shape of the noise power as the damage process progress. The extra term likely arising from diffusion starts in the early stage of the migration process during current stressing and is noticeable much before any change can be detected in simultaneous resistance measurements. The experiment carried out over a large temperature range establish a strong correlation between the evolution of the migration process in a current stressed film and the low-frequency noise component that is not a 1∕f noise.

Impact resistance and evaluation of retained strength on geotextiles

Over the last few decades, geotextiles have progressively been incorporated into geotechnical applications, especially in the field of coastal engineering. Geotextile materials often act as separator and a filter layer between rocks laid above and subgrade beneath. This versatile material has gradually substituted traditional granular materials because of its ease of installation, consistent quality and labour costefficiency. However, geotextiles often suffer damage during installation due to high dynamic bulk loading of rock placement. This can degrade geotextiles' mechanical strength. The properties considered in this paper include the impact resistance and retained strength of geotextiles. In general, the greater the impact energy applied to geotextiles, the greater the potential for damage. Results highlight the inadequacy of using index derived values as an indicator to determine geotextile performance on site because test results shows that geotextiles (staple fibre (SF) and continuous filament (CF)) with better mechanical properties did not outperform lower mechanical strength materials. The toughest CF product with a CBR index value of 9696N shows inferior impact resistance compared to SF product with the least CBR strength (2719N) given the same impact energy of 9.02 kJ. Test results also indicated that the reduction of strength for CF materials were much greater (between 20 and 50%) compared to SF materials (between 0 and 5%) when subjected to the same impact energy of 4.52 kJ.

Inflammatory meditated mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

The majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients present with advanced stage disease, where chemotherapy is usually the most common treatment option. While somewhat effective, patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy will eventually develop resistance. Multiple pathways have been implicated in chemo-resistance, however the critical underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. The aim of this project is to determine the role of inflammatory mediators in cisplatin resistance.