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Nous de´crivons deux espe`ces nouvelles du Valanginien de l'offshore d'Abu Dhabi. Il s'agit d'une Cylindroporelle, caracte´rise´e par des verticilles constitue´s de quatre rameaux fertiles (alors que la plupart des repre´sentants du genre en ont au moins six), alternant avec autant de rameaux ste´riles, et d'une Holosporelle, dont les verticilles portent une douzaine de rameaux vesiculife`res chacun.

The flowfield of a CO2-N2 mixing gasdynamic laser is numerically analyzed by using laminar, two-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the appropriate relaxation equations describing the vibrational transfer between the internal modes. These equations result from an averaging through the third dimension in order to take into account the area increase of the laser cavity in this direction. The equation system is solved with an explicit, time-dependent, second-order finite-difference technique. The flowfield in each nozzle where CO2 and N2 are premixed and the main laser cavity are described. The analysis shows the complex structure of the flowfield and the influence of the premixing zone and the diverging section on the small-signal gain coefficients and the evolution of the flow quantities.

A new in vitro test was developed to assess the trypanocidal activity of compounds against axenically grown Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms. Trypanosomes from continuous culture were exposed to series of drug dilutions in a microtiter plate. After an incubation time of 72 h at 37 degrees C, the pH indicator of the medium had changed its colour in non-inhibited cultures due to the production of pyruvate. Inhibited cultures showed less, if any, colour changes. Plates could be read by eye or using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader. Within the pH range of 7.0-7.5, the extinction values of phenol red at 560 nm showed a linear correlation with both the pH of the medium and the pyruvate concentration in the medium. By comparison of the decreases in extinction in test cultures with those in control cultures, IC50 values (drug concentrations causing 50% inhibition) could be determined. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) could be read by eye. The photometric test evaluation was compared with evaluation according to growth inhibition or to incorporation of radiolabelled hypoxanthine. The three methods of evaluation gave similar results.

Different clones and subpopulations of clones of Leishmania infantum were analyzed for their infective potential in vitro. Infectivity for macrophage-like cells (P388D1) and the response to a challenge with normal human serum enabled a clear differentiation between infective and non/low-infective populations. The results were confirmed by determination of parasite burdens in the spleens of infected golden hamsters. Long-term cultivation assays in vitro were used to test the influence of different cultivation conditions on the infectivity of promastigotes. An originally infective clone (LEM 768-A/ST) lost its infectivity during these assays but could regain it after the cultivation conditions had been changed. In addition, an originally non/low-infective clone (LEM 287-D/ST) could be forced to produce highly infective promastigotes. Infective cells were found only among stationary-phase promastigotes, i.e. after the cultures had reached a maximal number of cells per milliliter and the cell volume had clearly decreased.

This paper presents a quarter rate clock/data recovery (CDR) circuit for plesiochronous serial I/O-links. This 2x-oversampled phase-tracking CDR, implemented in 90 nm bulk CMOS technology, covers the whole range of data rates from 5.75 to 44 Gb/s thanks to a data rate selection logic. A bit error rate

Summary Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELCA) of the urinary bladder is reported in a 7-year-old cow that had grazed pasture rich in bracken fern and had suffered from severe intermittent haematuria from 3 to 4 years of age. On necropsy examination there were multiple haemorrhagic foci scattered over the mucosal surface of the urinary bladder. Microscopically there were nests, cords and sheets of neoplastic cells infiltrating the lamina propria and muscularis propria. These had a syncytial appearance with ill-defined cytoplasmic borders, large nuclei and prominent nucleoli. There was a prominent associated inflammatory infiltrate comprising lymphocytes and plasma cells with sparse histiocytes and granulocytes. Immunohistochemically, LELCA cells expressed cytokeratin but not vimentin. The LELCA was focally admixed with a concomitant papillary high-grade carcinoma that also infiltrated the lamina propria. A diffuse carcinoma in situ was also present. Bovine papillomavirus type-2 (BPV-2) DNA was amplified from frozen neoplastic tissue and from selected areas of formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissue obtained by laser capture microdissection. Microbiological culture of a urine sample resulted in isolation of Weeksella virosa , Rhizobium radiobacter and Staphylococcus warneri . Flow cytometric analysis performed on blood mononuclear cells revealed down-regulation of a panel of markers including CD3, CD4, CD8α, CD45, MHC class I and MHC class II (HLA-DRα, HLA-DQ, HLA-DP). This report extends the spectrum of neoplastic urothelial lesions described in cattle and provides further evidence that some features of these tumours are similar to human counterparts.

We report a case of multiple glomus tumors associated with bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) infection in the urinary bladder of a 13-year-old cow suffering from severe chronic enzootic hematuria. Macroscopically, multiple submucosal reddish nodules were seen swelling the vesical mucosa. Histologically, neoplastic proliferation was characterized by the presence of numerous blood vessels. These were lined by normal endothelial cells surrounded by round epithelioid cells with central nuclei, prominent nucleoli, acidophilic cytoplasm, and well-defined cytoplasmic borders. Tumor cells were distributed around open vascular lumina and in perivascular spaces. They were immunohistochemically positive for actin and vimentin and negative for cytokeratins, desmin, and factor VIII-related antigen. On the basis of these findings, this tumor was diagnosed as glomus tumor, a neoplasm not previously reported in cattle and exceedingly rare in animals. BPV-2 DNA was amplified from the formalin-fixed, paraffin-processed tissue specimens obtained by laser capture microdissection. This report widens the spectrum of mesenchymal tumors of the bovine urinary bladder. Finally, the microscopic pattern of tumor described here shares striking morphologic and immunohistochemical similarities with the angiomatous form of glomus tumor known to occur in man.

A highly manageable hydroponic system based on the nutrient film technique was designed to provide accurate regulation of the physicochemical and microbiological environment of roots to investigate the rhizoplane microbial dynamics of rose plants. Bacterial communities adhering to roots were subjected to pH and active free chlorine regulation, to determine up to what point they were established. PCR-SSCP fingerprinting showed that pH was a potentially strong stabilisation factor for root microbial communities. Active free chlorine had no quantitative effect when applied at a concentration of 0.15 mg l-1, but did have a selective effect on well established bacterial communities, which were resistant to this strong physicochemical perturbation. Thus, for the control of soilborne diseases, the established community should be investigated, to determine its prior resistance to inoculation or to manage its physicochemical environment, increasing its robustness and excluding biological perturbation., Un système pratique de culture hydroponique a été conçu à l'aide de films nutritifs pour permettre une régulation précise des paramètres physico-chimiques de racines de rosiers afin d'étudier l'évolution dynamique de la communauté microbienne racinaire. Les racines ont été soumises à des pH et des concentrations de chlore libre actif variés afin de déterminer les valeurs limites d'altération des communautés bactériennes adhérentes. Les empreintes moléculaires obtenues par PCR-SSCP ont montré que le pH est un facteur de stabilisation fort pour les communautés microbiennes racinaires. Le chlore actif libre n'a pas d'effet quantitatif sur la communauté microbienne lorsqu'il est appliqué à une concentration de 0,15 mg l-1, mais il a un effet sélectif sur les communautés bactériennes bien établies, et favorise les populations résistantes à cette forte perturbation physico-chimique. Ainsi, pour le contrôle des maladies issues du sol, les communautés microbiennes racinaires devraient être étudiées afin de déterminer leur résistance aux conditions environnementales appliquées pour augmenter leur robustesse et réduire les perturbations biologiques.

The T(z) phase diagram of the system CuIn1−zFezS2 is obtained from differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction measurements. It is found that the range of solid solution in the terminal chalcopyrite compounds at 200°C is limited to 0 < z < ≈ 0.20 for the CuInS2 α-phase and ≈ 0.94 < z < 1.0 for the CuFeS2 γ-phase. At higher temperatures, the cubic zinc-blende β-phase is found to extend across practically the whole composition range. Samples with 0.2 < z < 0.6, when rapidly quenched from the β field, show a metastable α-chalcopyrite condition, giving a useful extension of the composition range of the α-structure. At high values of z, the form of the diagram is complicated at higher temperatures by the dissociation of CuFeS2 into a zinc-blende phase β′ and pyrite. Aus Differentialthermoanalyse und Rontgenbeugungsmessungen wird das T(z)-Phasendiagramm des Systems CuIn1−zFezS2 erhalten. Es wird gefunden, das der Bereich der festen Losung in den Chalkopyrit-Endverbindungen bei 200°C auf 0 < z < ≈ 0,20 fur die CuInS2-α-Phase und auf ≈ 0,94 < z < 1.0 fur die CuFeS2-γ-Phase begrenzt ist. Es wird gefunden, das sich die kubische Zinkblende-β-Phase bei hoheren Temperaturen praktisch uber den gesamten Zusammensetzungsbereich erstreckt. Bei schnellem Abschrecken vom β-Feld, zeigen Proben mit 0,2 < z < 0.6 einen metastabilen α-Chalkopyritzustand und ergeben eine nutzliche Erweiterung des Zusammensetzungsbereichs der α-Struktur. Bei hohen Werten von z ist die Form des Diagramms bei hoheren Temperaturen infolge der Dissoziation von CuFeS2 in eine Zinkblendenphase β′ und Pyrit komplizierter.

The administration of flurbiprofen, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), to goats infected with trypanosomes resulted in high elevated parasitaemia and suppression of fever. In contrast to goats, rats infected with trypanosomes do not show febrile reactions. Therefore, the role of body temperature was investigated with yeast-induced fever in Trypanosoma evansi and T. brucei infected rats. These investigations did not support the hypothesis that a high body temperature causes a drop in parasitaemia. In goats infected with trypanosomes, it is also unlikely that fever has an inhibitory influence on the parasitaemia. In these animals, rises in parasitaemia could be provoked by doses of flurbiprofen as low as 1 20 of the normal doses and these doses did not or only partly suppressed fever. No effect on parasite growth could be obtained when flurbiprofen was added in concentrations up to 32 μg/ml directly to T. brucei cultures. Moreover, no growth promoting factor(s) could be identified in vitro in serum from flurbiprofen-treated goats.

(Chemical Equation Presented) Anthecularin (1), a minor sesquiterpene lactone with a novel ring system was isolated from Greek Anthemis auriculata (Asteraceae). Its structure was elucidated by means of NMR, HRMS, and X-ray crystallography. Anthecularin showed antitrypanosomal (IC50 = 10.1 μg/mL) and antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 23.3 μg/mL) and inhibited two key enzymes of the plasmodial type II fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, PfFabI and PfFabG (IC50 values = 14 and 28.3 μg/mL, respectively). A probable biogenesis of 1 is also proposed and discussed. © 2007 American Chemical Society.

Buffalo are short-day breeders; at our latitudes, reproductive activity improves during autumn. Although extensive studies have been conducted on the female, seasonal variations were also reported on post-thaw motility and membrane integrity of buffalo sperm (Andrabi 2009 Reprod. Domest. Anim. 44, 552–569). It was reported that cryopreservation induces capacitation-like changes in buffalo spermatozoa, assessed by both chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescent and protein tyrosine phosphorylation assays (Kadirvel et al. 2011 Theriogenology 75, 1630–1639; Elkhawagah et al. 2014 J. Buffalo Sci. 3, 3–11). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of season on cryocapacitation of buffalo semen. At least two ejaculates were collected from 4 bulls during 2 seasons with different daylength: spring (low season) and autumn (peak season). Each ejaculate was diluted at 37°C with BioXcell extender to a final concentration of 30 × 106 spermatozoa per mL. After 4 h at 4°C, straws were frozen in an automated system. Immediately after thawing, sperm motility was evaluated by phase-contrast microscopy and viability, as well as capacitation status, were assessed by CTC fluorescent staining, as reported (Kadirvel et al. 2011 Theriogenology 75, 1630–1639). Briefly, sperm suspensions were first stained with 0.1 µg mL–1 Hoechst 33258 for 2 min. Then, equal volumes of sperm suspension and CTC solution (750 mM CTC, 5 mM cysteine in 130 mM NaCl, and 20 mM Tris-HCl) were mixed at room temperature, and glutaraldehyde (12.5%) was added. Sperm suspensions were mounted on slides and stored at 4°C overnight (in the dark). Each sample was assessed twice under a microscope equipped with phase contrast and epifluorescent optics. At least 100 spermatozoa per slide were evaluated and classified into 3 CTC staining patterns: 1) uniform bright fluorescence over the entire head (uncapacitated spermatozoa, pattern F); 2) fluorescence-free band in the post-acrosomal region (capacitated spermatozoa, pattern B); and 3) dull fluorescence over the entire head, except for a thin punctuate band of fluorescence along the equatorial segment (acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, pattern AR). Data were analysed by chi-square. There were no differences in sperm viability between seasons (78.4 and 76.4%, respectively, in autumn and spring). However, post-thaw motility increased (P

This paper shows how a new generation of inspection system enables us to monitor SOI as requested in the ITRS roadmaps; it shows also the large amount of key information we can collect, giving us important feedback on the SOI process.

Introduction La presence d’heterosides cardiotoxiques dans toutes les parties du laurier rose ( Nerium oleander ) et diverses anecdotes historiques conferent a cet arbrisseau tres repandu sur le pourtour mediterraneen une reputation de toxique redoutable. Dans la pratique clinique quotidienne, la majorite des expositions sont des accidents de l’enfant, benins du fait de la faible dose ingeree, et peu d’intoxications volontaires, potentiellement letales, sont rapportees. Cependant depuis quelques annees, les appels au centre antipoison de Marseille (CAPM) concernant des tentatives de suicides (TS) par cette plante semblent moins rares. Les auteurs ont voulu verifier cette hypothese en analysant les 12 dernieres annees d’activite. Materiel et methode Etude retrospective de tous les dossiers d’exposition humaine au laurier rose pris en charge au CAPM et codes dans la base Sicap entre le 1/1/2002 et le 31/12/2013. Resultats En douze ans, 1333 dossiers d’exposition au laurier rose ont ete denombres, dont 1185 (88,9 %) dans des circonstances accidentelles (836 impliquant des enfants de 10 ans ou moins), et 99 (7,4 %) lors d’une TS (57,6 % de femmes, âge median 40 ans). Mais la rarete des gestes suicidaires qui prevalait jusqu’en 2008 (2 a 4 cas/an, sauf 2003 « insolite », n = 7) a fait place a une tendance solide a la hausse depuis 5 ans (TS passees de 4 % a 11,2 % des expositions au laurier rose entre 2008 et 2013, ou n = 19 cas). Sur la meme periode 2002–2013, la part globale des TS passait a l’inverse de 15,5 % a 9,6 % de tous les cas rapportes au CAPM. Cliniquement, si 25 patients sont restes asymptomatiques, 57 ont presente des signes digestifs, et 29 des troubles cardio-vasculaires (du rythme et tensionnels). Les quelques troubles de la conscience observes etaient le plus souvent lies a des produits associes (23 poly-intoxications, dont 16 avec des medicaments psychotropes et 8 avec de l’alcool). Sauf refus de prise en charge, tous les patients ont ete orientes vers l’hopital a minima pour surveillance. L’anticorps antidigitalique a ete administre 5 fois. Un deces est malgre tout survenu. Discussion–Conclusion Si elles restent peu frequentes en comparaison des autres modes d’autolyse et des expositions accidentelles, il y a une vraie augmentation des TS par ingestion de laurier rose rapportees au CAPM. Une partie de l’explication se trouve sur internet : les seuls termes « suicide laurier rose » renvoient plus de 35 000 reponses, dont de nombreux « modes d’emploi ». Devant ce risque accru, il convient de rappeler pour la prise en charge : la necessite d’une surveillance cardiaque etroite ; la disponibilite et l’efficacite d’un antidote (anticorps antidigitalique a dose plus elevee que son indication initiale, mais sans consensus precis) ; et la facilite en routine d’une confirmation analytique (uniquement qualitative) de l’ingestion, par croisement avec la digoxine du principal heteroside de N. oleander, l’oleandrine (le dosage de celle-ci etant possible mais plus complexe et long).

A total of 58 extracts of different polarity were prepared from various organs of 16 species of Turkish plants and screened for their antitrypanosomal, antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities. No significant activity was observed against Trypanosoma cruzi, whereas many extracts showed appreciable trypanocidal potential against T. brucei rhodesiense, with the CHCl(3)-soluble portion of Phlomis kurdica being the most active (IC(50) 2.7 microg[sol ]mL). Almost all extracts, particularly the CHCl(3) phases, exhibited growth inhibition activity against Leishmania donovani amastigotes. The CHCl(3)-solubles of Putoria calabrica roots (IC(50) 1.9 microg[sol ]mL), Wendlandia ligustroides leaves (IC(50) 2.1 microg[sol ]mL) and Rhododendron luteum leaves (IC(50) 2.3 microg[sol ]mL) displayed the highest leishmanicidal potential. The majority of the extracts also possessed antiplasmodial activity against the multi-drug resistant K1 Plasmodium falciparum strain. The most potent antiplasmodial activity was observed with the CHCl(3) extracts of Phlomis kurdica (IC(50) 1.5 microg[sol ]mL), P. leucophracta (IC(50) 1.6 microg[sol ]mL), Scrophularia cryptophila (IC(50) 1.8 microg[sol ]mL), Morina persica (IC(50) 1.9 microg[sol ]mL) and the aqueous root extract of Asperula nitida subsp. subcapitellata (IC(50) 1.6 microg[sol ]mL). Twenty-one extracts with significant antimalarial activity (IC(50)5 microg[sol ]mL) were also tested for their ability to inhibit the purified enoyl-ACP reductase (FabI), a crucial enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis of P. falciparum. The CHCl(3) extract of Rhododendron ungernii leaves (IC(50) 10 microg[sol ]mL) and the H(2)O-soluble portion of Rhododendron smirnovii leaves (IC(50) 0.4 microg[sol ]mL) strongly inhibited the FabI enzyme. The preliminary data indicate that some (poly)phenolic compounds are responsible for the FabI inhibition potential of these extracts. The presented work reports for the first time the antiprotozoal activity of nine different genera as well as a target specific antimalarial screening for the identification of P. falciparum FabI inhibitors from medicinal plant extracts.

Emission of pi(+/-), K+/-, phi, and Lambda was measured in near-central C + C and Si + Si collisions at 158 AGeV beam energy. Together with earlier data for p + p, S + S, and Pb + Pb, the system-size dependence of relative strangeness production in nucleus-nucleus collisions is obtained. Its fast rise and the saturation observed at about 60 participating nucleons can be understood as the onset of the formation of coherent systems of increasing size.

Electric charge correlations were studied for p+p, C+C, Si+Si, and centrality selected Pb+Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 17.2 GeV with the NA49 large acceptance detector at the CERN SPS. In particular, long-range pseudorapidity correlations of oppositely charged particles were measured using the balance function method. The width of the balance function decreases with increasing system size and centrality of the reactions. This decrease could be related to an increasing delay of hadronization in central Pb+Pb collisions.

A statistical model previously developed for vibration‐dissociation in pure gases is generalized to reacting gas mixtures. Then, as a typical example, the case of air at high temperature is presented and the evolution of the nonequilibrium region behind a strong shock wave is analyzed. The influence of the present model on the interaction of the vibrational excitation and the chemical reactions is particularly examined and compared with previous semi‐empirical models: This leads to the conclusion that, owing to its physical basis and its simplicity of implementation in existing codes, the present model may be considered as a valuable tool in the computation of complex hypersonic flows.

The interaction between vibrational excitation and chemical reactions in high temperature flows is examined through an example of a typical boundary-layer, i.e. the thermal layer generated by a shock wave reflecting at the end-wall of a shock-tube. During the development of this boundary-layer in space and time, particular features are pointed out, like the existence of a freezing zone close to the wall, responsible of dissociation rate constants remaining significant in this zone where the translational temperature is decreasing. The catalytic role of the wall is also examined and its influence is important on the vibrational temperature profiles and therefore on the rate constants themselves.

International audience; Hormonal stimulation of sterlet sturgeon, Acipenser ruthenus, was carried out with carp pituitary extract at 2 and 5 mg kg−1 body weight for males on the one hand, females and hermaphrodites on the other hand. Within our experimental stock, reproductive performances defined by relative number of ovulated females, fertilisation rate, and relative number of good quality semen samples had begun to decline in fish older than 14-16 years. Ovarian cycle have proved to be mostly annual recurring cycles with a 1-year interval (40% to 50%) or 2-year interval (27% to 34%). Spawnable females ranged from 39% to 86% in our experimental period 1994 to 2000. Selection of spawnable females was mainly based on a minimum size of oocytes of 2.5-2.6 mm. For the first time, hermaphrodites have been reported in farmed sterlet sturgeon. Few sequential and simultaneous hermaphrodites have been observed. Most of the time both gametes proved to be functional in either mating. Embryonic survival of self-fertilised eggs ranged from 0% to 70%. Progeny was obtained twice. Out of 102 (1994) to 76 (2000) individuals representing an equilibrated sex ratio, 2 to 4 individuals, respectively, were hermaphrodites. The number of hermaphrodites increased with the age of the fish. Anatomical and physiological aspects are discussed. The modelling of our data demonstrates that fertilisation depends on gamete interaction, of which practical consequences are discussed. Artificial reproduction of hermaphrodite fish was confirmed by genetic analysis. Microsatellite analysis produced a homozygous excess of two alleles, both polymorphic loci.

Results are presented on Omega production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 40 and 158A GeV beam energy. For the first time in heavy ion reactions, rapidity distributions and total yields were measured for the sum Omega(-)+(Omega) over bar (+) at 40A GeV and for Omega(-) and (Omega) over bar (+) separately at 158A GeV. The yields are strongly underpredicted by the string-hadronic UrQMD model but agree better with predictions from hadron gas models.

Cases of leishmaniasis imported into Switzerland were diagnosed by culture and/or Giemsa-stained smears. The cultures proved to be positive in 61 of 64 confirmed cases, whereas only 49% of Giemsa-stained smears were positive. Promastigotes were detected on average after 3.6 +/- 2.2 days. A total of 33 different isolates were characterized by isoenzyme analysis and typed as Leishmania infantum (10 cases, mainly from Europe), L. chagasi (1 case, Central America), L. major (12 cases, mainly from Africa), L. braziliensis (7 cases, South and Central America), and L. tropica (1 case, Near East). Two isolates could not be clearly classified. Correlations between species and origin or between species and type of biopsy were as expected.

We describe a female patient suffering from a benign self-healing febrile disease with strongly positive serology for Trypanosoma brucei. The patient showed a clinical picture with similarities to that of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). HAT due to T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense were ruled out. We performed serologic tests because the patient was worried about HAT after receiving tsetse bites. The possibilities of an infection with human 'apathogenic' trypanosomes such as T. b. brucei, T. congolense or T. vivax are discussed.

System size dependence of multiplicity fluctuations of charged particles produced in nuclear collisions at 158 A GeV was studied in the NA49 CERN experiment. Results indicate a non-monotonic dependence of the scaled variance of the multiplicity distribution with a maximum for semi-peripheral Pb+Pb interactions with number of projectile participants of about 35. This effect is not observed in a string-hadronic model of nuclear collision HIJING., Comment: Presented at "Focus on Multiplicity", 17-19 of June, Bari, Italy

Results are presented on Omega production in central Pb+Pb collisions at 40 and 158A GeV beam energy. For the first time in heavy ion reactions, rapidity distributions and total yields were measured for the sum Omega(-) + Omega(+) at 40A GeV and for Omega(-) and Omega(+) separately at 158A GeV. The yields are strongly underpredicted by the string-hadronic UrQMD model but agree better with predictions from hadron gas models.

Results are presented on event-by-event fluctuations in transverse momentum of charged particles, produced at forward rapidities in p+p, C+C, Si+Si, and Pb+Pb collisions at 158 AGeV. Three different characteristics are discussed: the average transverse momentum of the event, the ΦpT fluctuation measure, and two-particle transverse momentum correlations. In the kinematic region explored, the dynamical fluctuations are found to be small. However, a significant system size dependence of ΦpT is observed, with the largest value measured in peripheral Pb+Pb interactions. The data are compared with predictions of several models.

The transverse mass [Formula Presented] distributions for deuterons and protons are measured in [Formula Presented] reactions near midrapidity and in the range [Formula Presented] for minimum bias collisions at [Formula Presented] and for central collisions at 40 and [Formula Presented] beam energies. The rapidity density [Formula Presented], inverse slope parameter [Formula Presented] and mean transverse mass [Formula Presented] derived from [Formula Presented] distributions as well as the coalescence parameter [Formula Presented] are studied as a function of the incident energy and the collision centrality. The deuteron [Formula Presented] spectra are significantly harder than those of protons, especially in central collisions. The coalescence factor [Formula Presented] shows three systematic trends. First, it decreases strongly with increasing centrality reflecting an enlargement of the deuteron coalescence volume in central [Formula Presented] collisions. Second, it increases with [Formula Presented]. Finally, [Formula Presented] shows an increase with decreasing incident beam energy even within the SPS energy range. The results are discussed and compared to the predictions of models that include the collective expansion of the source created in [Formula Presented] collisions. © 2004 The American Physical Society.

Results are presented on event-by-event electric charge fluctuations in central Pb+Pb collisions at 20A, 30A, 40A, 80A, and 158A GeV. The observed fluctuations are close to those expected for a gas of pions correlated by global charge conservation only. These fluctuations are considerably larger than those calculated for an ideal gas of deconfined quarks and gluons. The present measurements do not necessarily exclude reduced fluctuations from a quark-gluon plasma because these might be masked by contributions from resonance decays.

The measurement of production of Lambda and Antilambda hyperons was taken in central Pb-Pb collisions at 40, 80, and 158A GeV beam energy on a fixed target. For all the three beam energies the transverse mass spectra and rapidity distributions are studied. By integrating the rapidity spectra with extrapolations into unmeasured regions, total multiplicities were obtained. The ratio of the three energies at midrapidity and in full phase space was also studied.

Results of resonance searches in the [Formula presented], [Formula presented], [Formula presented], and [Formula presented] invariant mass spectra in proton-proton collisions at [Formula presented] are presented. Evidence is shown for the existence of a narrow [Formula presented] baryon resonance with mass of [Formula presented] and width below the detector resolution of about [Formula presented]. The significance is estimated to be above [Formula presented]. This state is a candidate for the hypothetical exotic [Formula presented] baryon with [Formula presented], [Formula presented], and a quark content of ([Formula presented]). At the same mass, a peak is observed in the [Formula presented] spectrum which is a candidate for the [Formula presented] member of this isospin quartet with a quark content of ([Formula presented]). The corresponding antibaryon spectra also show enhancements at the same invariant mass. © 2004 The American Physical Society.

ALICE is a general-purpose heavy-ion experiment designed to study the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC. It currently includes more than 900 physicists and senior engineers, from both nuclear and high-energy physics, from about 80 institutions in 28 countries. The experimentwas approved in February 1997. The detailed design of the different detector systems has been laid down in a number of Technical Design Reports issued between mid-1998 and the end of 2001 and construction has started for most detectors. Since the last comprehensive information on detector and physics performance was published in the ALICE Technical Proposal in 1996, the detector as well as simulation, reconstruction and analysis software have undergone significant development. The Physics Performance Report (PPR) will give an updated and comprehensive summary of the current status and performance of the various ALICE subsystems, including updates to the Technical Design Reports, where appropriate, as well as a description of systems which have not been published in a Technical Design Report. The PPR will be published in two volumes. The currentVolume I contains: 1. a short theoretical overview and an extensive reference list concerning the physics topics of interest to ALICE, 2. relevant experimental conditions at the LHC, 3. a short summary and update of the subsystem designs, and 4. a description of the offline framework and Monte Carlo generators. Volume II, which will be published separately, will contain detailed simulations of combined detector performance, event reconstruction, and analysis of a representative sample of relevant physics observables from global event characteristics to hard processes. © 2004 IOP Publishing Ltd.

New results from the energy scan programme of NA49, in particular kaon production at 30 A GeV and φ production at 40 and 80 A GeV are presented. The K+/π+ ratio shows a pronounced maximum at 30 A GeV; the kaon slope parameters are constant at SPS energies. Both findings support the scenario of a phase transition at about 30 A GeV beam energy. The φ/π ratio increases smoothly with beam energy, showing an energy dependence similar to K-/π- . The measured particle yields can be reproduced by a hadron gas model, with chemical freeze-out parameters on a smooth curve in the T-μB plane. The transverse spectra can be understood as resulting from a rapidly expanding, locally equilibrated source. No evidence for an earlier kinetic decoupling of heavy hyperons is found.

Production of Lambda and Antilambda hyperons was measured in central Pb-Pb collisions at 40, 80, and 158A GeV beam energy on a fixed target. Transverse mass spectra and rapidity distributions are given for all three energies. The Lambda/pi ratio at midrapidity and in full phase space shows a pronounced maximum between the highest BNL Alternating Gradient Synchrotron and 40A GeV CERN Super Proton Synchrotron energies, whereas the Lambda/pi ratio exhibits a monotonic increase.

Three derivatives of N -(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,2-naphthoquinone-4-amino ( 1 ), a compound which exhibits significant activity against Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum but with cytotoxicity toward murine L-6 cells, were synthesized with the aim of ameliorating its cytotoxicity. The in vitro antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against T. cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, P. falciparum and murine L-6 cells. The hydroxymethyl ( 2 ) and the oxime ( 3 ) derivatives were active against T. cruzi , with IC 50 values in a range comparable to those of 1 (IC 50 : 0.65 μg/ml) and benznidazole (IC 50 : 0.56 μg/ml) while the carboxymethyloxime ( 4 ) was inactive. Compounds 2 and 3 were cytotoxic toward L-6 cells, with IC 50 values identical to that of 1 (IC 50 : 0.50 μg/ml). The results did not support the suggestion that 2 and 3 may be used as prodrugs of 1 .

Results of resonance searches in the Xi(-)pi(-), Xi(-)pi(+), Xi;(+)pi(-), and Xi;(+)pi(+) invariant mass spectra in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=17.2 GeV are presented. Evidence is shown for the existence of a narrow Xi(-)pi(-) baryon resonance with mass of 1.862+/-0.002 GeV/c(2) and width below the detector resolution of about 0.018 GeV/c(2). The significance is estimated to be above 4.2sigma. This state is a candidate for the hypothetical exotic Xi(--)(3/2) baryon with S=-2, I=3 / 2, and a quark content of (dsdsū). At the same mass, a peak is observed in the Xi(-)pi(+) spectrum which is a candidate for the Xi(0)(3/2) member of this isospin quartet with a quark content of (dsus[-]d). The corresponding antibaryon spectra also show enhancements at the same invariant mass.

New results from the energy scan programme of NA49, in particular kaon production at 30 AGeV and phi production at 40 and 80 AGeV are presented. The K+/pi+ ratio shows a pronounced maximum at 30 AGeV; the kaon slope parameters are constant at SPS energies. Both findings support the scenario of a phase transition at about 30 AGeV beam energy. The phi/pi ratio increases smoothly with beam energy, showing an energy dependence similar to K-/pi-. The measured particle yields can be reproduced by a hadron gas model, with chemical freeze-out parameters on a smooth curve in the T-muB plane. The transverse spectra can be understood as resulting from a rapidly expanding, locally equilibrated source. No evidence for an earlier kinetic decoupling of heavy hyperons is found., Contribution to the proceedings of "Strangeness in Quark Matter 2003" (March 2003, Atlantic Beach NC, USA), to be published in Journal of Physics G. 11 pages, 14 figures

The CERN Control Protocols provide, for a class of similar devices, a unique and standard access procedure from the control system. Behavioral models have been proposed for the different kinds of power converters, and the corresponding functionalities, with their parameters, variables and attributes, have been identified. The resulting data structures have been presented using the ISO ASN.1 metalanguage, which permits universal representation independent of any computer environment. Implementations in the UNIX-based CERN accelerator control systems are under development. A description of the implementation phase as it is presently being developed at CERN in a cluster of 120 power converters is presented. >

The energy dependence of hadron production in central Pb+Pb collisions is presented and discussed. In particular, midrapidity $m_T$-spectra for $\pi^-$, $K^-$, $K^+$, $p$, $\bar{p}$, $d$, $\phi$, $\Lambda$ and $\bar{\Lambda}$ at 40, 80 and 158 $A$GeV are shown. In addition $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ spectra are available at 158 $A$GeV. The spectra allow to determine the thermal freeze-out temperature $T$ and the transverse flow velocity $\beta_T$ at the three energies. We do not observe a significant energy dependence of these parameters; furthermore there is no indication of early thermal freeze-out of $\Xi$ and $\Omega$ at 158 $A$GeV. Rapidity spectra for $\pi^-$, $K^-$, $K^+$ and $\phi$ at 40, 80 and 158 $A$GeV are shown, as well as first results on $\Omega$ rapidity distributions at 158 $A$GeV. The chemical freeze-out parameters $T$ and $\mu_B$ at the three energies are determined from the total yields. The parameters are close to the expected phase boundary in the SPS energy range and above. Using the total yields of kaons and lambdas, the energy dependence of the strangeness to pion ratio is discussed. A maximum in this ratio is found at 40 $A$GeV. This maximum could indicate the formation of deconfined matter at energies above 40 $A$GeV. A search for open charm in a large sample of 158 $A$GeV events is presented. No signal is observed. This result is compared to several model predictions., Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, Presented at Quark Matter 2002, Nantes, France

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged kaons were measured near mid-rapidity in central Pb + Pb collisions at 158 A GeV by the NA49 experiment at the CERN SPS. Source radii were extracted using the Yano-Koonin-Podgoretsky and Bertsch-Pratt parameterizations. The results are compared to published pion and kaon data. The measured m⊥ dependence for kaons and pions is consistent with collective transverse expansion of the source and a freeze-out time of about 9.5 fm. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Rapidity distributions for Λ and Λ hyperons in central Pb-Pb collisions at 40, 80 and 158 A·GeV and for Ks0 mesons at 158 A·GeV are presented. The lambda multiplicities are studied as a function of collision energy together with AGS and RHIC measurements and compared to model predictions. A different energy dependence of the Λ/π and Λ̄/π is observed. The Λ̄/Λ ratio shows a steep increase with collision energy. Evidence for a Λ̄/p̄ ratio greater than 1 is found at 40 A·GeV. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

This NASA funded project is proceeding to develop a Monte Carlo-based computer simulation of the radiation environment in space. With actual funding only initially in place at the end of May 2000, the study is still in the early stage of development. The general tasks have been identified and personnel have been selected. The code to be assembled will be based upon two major existing software packages. The radiation transport simulation will be accomplished by updating the FLUKA Monte Carlo program, and the user interface will employ the ROOT software being developed at CERN. The end-product will be a Monte Carlo-based code which will complement the existing analytic codes such as BRYNTRN/HZETRN presently used by NASA to evaluate the effects of radiation shielding in space. The planned code will possess the ability to evaluate the radiation environment for spacecraft and habitats in Earth orbit, in interplanetary space, on the lunar surface, or on a planetary surface such as Mars. Furthermore, it will be useful in the design and analysis of experiments such as ACCESS (Advanced Cosmic-ray Composition Experiment for Space Station), which is an Office of Space Science payload currently under evaluation for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS). FLUKA will be significantly improved and tailored for use in simulating space radiation in four ways. First, the additional physics not presently within the code that is necessary to simulate the problems of interest, namely the heavy ion inelastic processes, will be incorporated. Second, the internal geometry package will be replaced with one that will substantially increase the calculation speed as well as simplify the data input task. Third, default incident flux packages that include all of the different space radiation sources of interest will be included. Finally, the user interface and internal data structure will be melded together with ROOT, the object-oriented data analysis infrastructure system. Beyond the benefits of 'objectivity', ROOT's incorporation will also provide a graphical user interface with powerful tools for input prior to the calculation, as well as for data analysis and visualization of the results.