Invariant Operators in Collinear Effective Theory

We consider processes which produce final state hadrons whose energy is much greater than their mass. In this limit interactions involving collinear fermions and gluons are constrained by a symmetry, and we give a general set of rules for constructing leading and subleading invariant operators. Wilson coefficients C(mu,P) are functions of a label operator P, and do not commute with collinear fields. The symmetry is used to reproduce a two-loop result for factorization in B -> D pi in a simple way.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figs, journal versio

Complex Problem Solving and Organizational Psychology: Of Nomological Networks, Microworlds, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue

The founding fathers of Complex Problem Solving (CPS) research utilized the advent of computer-technology to connect problem solving research to the affordances of everyday life. During the last decades, this tradition has led to a thriving field of CPS research with interesting implications for a number of applied settings. The goal of this thesis is (re-)connecting CPS research to a specific area of application: Organizational Psychology (OP). To this end, the first core paper of the thesis explores the relation of CPS to one of the most important psychological constructs in OP, namely intelligence, thereby complementing the nomological network of the construct (Chapter 2). The second core paper of the thesis is closer aligned with the practical side of utilizing a construct in OP and considers the valid and reliable assessment of CPS with the help of finite state automata (Chapter 3). The third core paper of the thesis builds on this foundation in terms of construct and assessment and explores the connections between CPS and OP in a discussion of researchers and practitioners from both fields (Chapter 4). In summary, the thesis aims at complementing the current state of insights within CPS research in light of an application in OP and the start of an exchange between both domains

Graphical amplitudes from SCET

We discuss the relationship between the graphical amplitudes T, C, P, ... used to parameterize nonleptonic B decay amplitudes, and matrix elements of operators in the soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) at leading order in \Lambda/m_b. Using the SU(3) flavor symmetry of the weak Hamiltonian we derive all-order constraints on the electroweak penguin contributions to the Wilson coefficients of SCET operators.Comment: 7 pages; one additional relation included, minor corrections. version published in Physics Letters

PSMA-Positive Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Incidentally Detected by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT: Correlation with Immunohistology Confirms Neovascular PSMA-Expression

We present an interesting image of an intense PSMA-positive follicular thyroid carci noma incidentally detected by [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in a 76-year-old man with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated PSMA expression in the endothelial cells of tumor tissue. This interesting image should remind colleagues to consider malignant thyroid neoplasia in PSMA-positive thyroid lesions

On the mechanical quality factors of cryogenic test masses from fused silica and crystalline quartz

Current interferometric gravitational wave detectors (IGWDs) are operated at room temperature with test masses made from fused silica. Fused silica shows very low absorption at the laser wavelength of 1064 nm. It is also well suited to realize low thermal noise floors in the detector signal band since it offers low mechanical loss, i. e. high quality factors (Q factors) at room temperature. However, for a further reduction of thermal noise, cooling the test masses to cryogenic temperatures may prove an interesting technique. Here we compare the results of Q factor measurements at cryogenic temperatures of acoustic eigenmodes of test masses from fused silica and its crystalline counterpart. Our results show that the mechanical loss of fused silica increases with lower temperature and reaches a maximum at 30 K for frequencies of slightly above 10 kHz. The losses of crystalline quartz generally show lower values and even fall below the room temperature values of fused silica below 10 K. Our results show that in comparison to fused silica, crystalline quartz has a considerably narrower and lower dissipation peak on cooling and thus has more promise as a test mass material for IGDWs operated at cryogenic temperatures. The origin of the different Q factor versus temperature behavior of the two materials is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Class. Quantum Gra

Complete remission of an early-stage laryngeal cancer under combined pembrolizumab and chemotherapy treatment of a synchronous lung adenocarcinoma

Background: Anti-PD1-Checkpoint inhibition (CI) is an established treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer. A potential beneft from CI in early-stage disease that is usually treated by radiation or surgery has not been investigated so far and is currently not addressed in clinical trials. Case presentation: A 58-year-old man was diagnosed with a cT2 supraglottic laryngeal cancer and a synchronous metastasized adenocarcinoma of the lung. As the patient refused any treatment of his laryngeal cancer, he received combined immune-chemotherapy according to the KEYNOTE-189 protocol. After 4 cycles of pembrolizumab/carboplatin/pemetrexed, the patient showed a complete remission of his laryngeal cancer with a clear shrinkage of the mediastinal and hilar lung cancer metastases. After 21 cycles of maintenance therapy, the lung adenocarcinoma shows a stable disease status with no signs of any residual or recurrent laryngeal cancer. Conclusions: Anti-PD1-CI may be a treatment option also for early-stage HNSCC with excellent functional outcome when established therapies are not available

Subleading shape functions in B -> X_u l \nu and the determination of |Vub|

We calculate the subleading twist contributions to the endpoint of the inclusive lepton energy spectrum in B -> X_u l \nu. We show that the same two subleading twist functions that appear in the decay B -> X_s \gamma govern the subleading effects in this decay. Using these results we find large O(Lambda/mB) corrections to the determination of |Vub| from the endpoint of the charged lepton spectrum. Using a simple model for the relevant subleading shape functions, we estimate the uncertainty in |Vub| from Lambda/mb corrections to be at the ~ 15% level for a lower lepton energy cut of 2.2 GeV.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

Induction of a hardening phenomenon by repeated application of SLS: analysis of lipid changes in the stratum corneum

Adaptation of the skin to repeated influence of exogenous irritants is called the hardening phenomenon. We investigated the stratum corneum lipid composition before and after induction of a hardening phenomenon. Irritant contact dermatitis was induced in 23 non-atopic volunteers by repeated occlusive application of 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) over 3 weeks. At 3, 6 and 9 weeks after irritation, the SLS responses of pre-irritated skin and normal skin were compared. The horny layer lipid composition (ceramides 1–7, cholesterol and free fatty acids) was assessed before irritation and 3, 6 and 9 weeks after irritation. During the first 2 weeks of irritation the transepidermal water loss increased continuously and seemed to decrease during the third week (effect of adaptation). The barrier function of pre-irritated sites was more stable to SLS challenge. Three weeks after irritation, there was a significant increase of ceramide 1 (pv0. 001). The only volunteer without hardening phenomenon showed no increase of ceramide 1. Ceramide 1 seems to play a key role as a protection mechanism against repeated irritation. Key words: hardening phenomenon; irritant contact dermatitis; stratum corneum lipids; ceramides; transepidermal water loss