Three-body Baryonic anti-B -->Lambda anti-p pi Decays and Such

We study decay rates and spectra of anti-B --> Lambda anti-p pi, Sigma0 anti-p pi, Sigma- anti-n pi, Xi0 anti-Sigma+ pi, Xi- anti-Sigma0 pi and Xi- anti-Lambda pi modes under a factorization approach. The baryon pairs are produced through vector, axial vector, scalar and pseudoscalar operators. Previous predictions, including ours, are an order of magnitude too small compared to experiment. By incorporating QCD counting rules and studying the asymptotic behavior, we find an earlier relation between the pseudoscalar and axial vector form factors to be too restrictive. Instead, the pseudoscalar and scalar form factors are related asymptotically. Following this approach, the measured Lambda anti-p pi rate (~4.0x10^{-6}) and spectrum can be understood, and Lambda should be dominantly left-hand polarized, while we expect Br(Sigma0 anti-p pi)~1.6x10^{-6}. These results and other predictions can be checked soon.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures; use updated Belle results, add Lambda polarization stud

Supersymmetric Model Contributions to Bd0B^0_d--Bˉd0\bar B^0_d Mixing and B→ππ,ργB\to\pi\pi,\rho\gamma Decays

Recent results from Belle and BaBar Collaborations hint at a small $\sin2\phi_1$, while the measured $B\to\pi\pi$ rate also seems to be on the low side. Supersymmetric (SUSY) models with down squark mixings can account for the deficits in both cases. By studying the origin of SUSY contributions that could impact on $B^0_d$--$\bar B^0_d$ mixing and $B\to\pi\pi$ decay, we find that the former would most likely arise from left-left or right-right squark mixings, while the latter would come from left-right squark mixings. These two processes in general are not much correlated in the Minimum Supersymmetric Standard Model. If the smallness of $B\to\pi\pi$ is due to SUSY models, one would likely have large $B\to\rho\gamma$ from chiral enhancement, and the rate could be within present experimental reach. Even if $B\to\rho\gamma$ is not greatly enhanced, it could have large mixing dependent CP violation.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Version to appear in Eur. Phys. J.

Indication for Large Rescatterings in Charmless Rare B Decays

The current wealth of charmless B decay data may suggest the presence of final state rescattering. In a factorized amplitude approach, better fits are found by incorporating two SU(3) rescattering phase differences, giving delta ~ 65 degree and sigma ~ 90 - 100 degree. Fitting with unitarity phase phi_3 as a fit parameter gives phi_3 ~ 96 degree, the CP asymmetries A_{pi pi}, S_{pi pi} agree better with BaBar, and the sigma phase is slightly lower. Keeping phi_3 = 60 degree fixed in fit gives S_{pi pi} ~-0.9, which agrees better with Belle. With the sizable delta, sigma rescattering phases as fitted, many direct CP asymmetries flip sign, and B0 --> pi0 pi0, K- K+ rates are of order 10^{-6}, which can be tested soon.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, updated, references adde

Hydraulic Effects of Drill-String Tool Joint and Rotation on Annular Flow Profile and Frictional Pressure Loss Using ANSYS-CFX

In oil and gas well drilling, inaccurate estimation of drilling parameters can affect the predictions of annular flow profile and frictional pressure loss along the wellbore which can result in hole problems, such as hole erosion due to high annular fluid velocity, and inadequate drill cuttings transport, well control issues such as kick or lost circulation. Drill-string tool joints alter the annular geometry, when coupled with drill-string rotation, they affect the annular flow profile and frictional pressure loss by causing turbulence, fluid acceleration/deceleration or changing the drilling mud apparent viscosity. As the oil and gas industry moves towards deeper wells, drilling operation uses more drill-string tool joints, the additional frictional pressure loss can be significant, up to 30% of the total frictional pressure loss. Therefore, there is a need to better understand the effects of drill-string tool joint and pipe rotation on annular flow profile and frictional pressure loss. The objective of this study was to analyse individually and collectively the hydraulic effects of drill-string tool joints and rotation on annular flow profile and frictional pressure loss. The scope and methodology of this research involved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach, with ANSYS-CFX (in ANSYS 15) as the analysis system, where a CFD model with an optimum mesh size was created and validated against previous experimental data, where frictional pressure loss values were compared

Further studies on the immunopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis

Various aspects of the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis have been elucidated such as the role of certain allergens, antigen presenting cells, allergen-specific T lymphocytes, IgE and mast cells. However, gaps in our understanding still remain, such as the role of antigen-specific IgG and cytokine subsets. Canine atopic dermatitis is commonly treated using allergen-specific immunotherapy, but the mechanisms of its action are still incompletely understood. The studies in this thesis investigate further some aspects of the immunopathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis and the changes that occur during allergen-specific immunotherapy.To investigate IgG responses to D.farinae antigens, a semi-quantitative, Western blot, digital image analysis system was developed and validated. Both healthy and atopic dogs mounted D. /armae-specific total IgG, IgGl and IgG4 responses to separated antigens. D. farinae-specific IgG2 and IgG3 responses were difficult to detect. The profile of IgG binding was similar in the two groups, both in terms of the number of bands recognised and their molecular weights. The most commonly recognised band in both groups was a 98 kDa antigen, most likely to be the major allergen Der f 15. These results indicate that D. farinae antigens are recognised by the canine immune system regardless of whether or not a dog is atopic. They also demonstrate that antibody class switching to IgE in atopic dogs does not appear to inhibit IgG production. The IgG antibody response does not appear to be protective against the development of clinical atopic disease, but whether or not it plays any role in the pathogenesis of the disease remains to be determined.In atopic dogs undergoing allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) against D. farinae with alum-precipitated vaccines, there was no significant increase in D. farinae-specific total IgG, IgGl or IgG4, even in dogs showing apparent clinical improvements. In contrast, ASIT using aqueous vaccines resulted in significant increases in D. farinae-specific IgG responses. These results suggest that aqueous ASIT may elicit the production of IgG blocking antibodies in atopic dogs, an effect not detected using alum-precipitated vaccines.To investigate the cytokine milieu in dogs with atopic dermatitis, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of mRNA transcripts of the Thl cytokine IFN-y, the Th2 cytokine IL-4, the Treg cytokine TGF-|3 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) as a measure of the innate immune response. The housekeeping gene for 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) was chosen as internal control to normalise variations in the amount of starting material between samples and between individuals. The expression of TGF-p and iNOS were lower in lesional skin compared to non-lesional skin in atopic dogs, whilst IFN-y was expressed in a significantly higher level in lesional skin compared to healthy controls. IL-4 expression did not differ between the groups. These cytokine profiles show distinct differences to those reported using non real-time, semi-quantitative RT-PCR. These differences may reflect the various methodological approaches used and illustrate the limitations inherent in such techniques for the quantification of cytokine expression

Character education program : an evaluation description

In today \u27s world, all children face great uncertainties in a complex and sometimes troubled society. These traits are not always readily apparent and easy to grasp or learn. Today, schools face the challenge of providing youth with the self-esteem, stamina, and support they need to survive, be successful, and develop into strong, competent, caring, and responsible citizens. To meet the challenge schools have either developed or adopted character education programs. This paper focused on three elements common to most character education programs: (]) the school program must include parent and community outreach, planning and structure, school climate, curriculum, and assessment; (2) programs on teaching six aspects of character: caring, civic virtue and citizenship, justice and fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness; and (3) all character education programs would not be an add-on but would be integrated into the school \u27s existing culture and curriculum. The strengths and weaknesses of some common character education programs and provided along with recommendation and implications for educators and other professionals

An exploratory case study of students\u27 perceptions of online graduate education

The purpose of this study was to investigate graduate students\u27 perceptions of online education. Online learning has grown tremendously over the past several years and has made learning and teaching opportunities more available to many people throughout the world. As an increased number of higher education institutions use online education as a means of delivering courses and programs, educational researchers have been working tirelessly to uncover and delineate the factors that facilitate and enhance success in online learning. One major factor that researchers (e.g., Pérez Cereijo, 2006) have established as a predictor of success is students\u27 perceptions of online learning. Hence, understanding how learners perceive the online learning environment could assist course designers in developing effective online learning experiences. A qualitative, in-depth exploratory case study approach, with limited quantitative data, was used to investigate a group of graduate students\u27 perceptions of an online learning environment of a specific course, the factors which motivate them, and their sense of community in this environment. Data was collected using an online survey, personal interviews, online course interaction observations, and e-mail follow-up questions designed to address the research questions. Results showed evidence that most participants were satisfied with their online experience, and that they were self-regulated and self-motivated learners. The findings also indicated that the lack of social connection may decrease participants\u27 levels of satisfaction of their online learning experience, impact their desire to ask for help from other class members, and lead to a weak sense of being connected in a learning community. The findings also showed that the common concerns in this online learning environment were a sense of social connection and using technology to enhance connection in online learning. Based on the results of the study, the researcher provides the online instructional designers and instructors with some recommendations to engage online learners in active learning communities