The γ∗γ∗\gamma^*\gamma^* Total Cross Section and the BFKL Pomeron at e+e−e^{+}e^{-} Collider

We present a numerical estimate of the $\gamma^* \gamma^*$ total cross section at LEP and at the designed $e^+e^-$ Next Linear Collider (NLC), based upon the BFKL Pomeron. We find for the linear collider that the event rate is substantial provided electrons scattered under small angles can be detected, and a measurement of this cross section provides an excellent test of the BFKL Pomeron. For LEP, although the number of events is substantially smaller, an initial study of this process is feasible.Comment: 10 pages, latex, 5 figures included using epsfi

Bouwstenen voor een recht van antwoord voor online media in België vanuit een juridisch en empirisch perspectief

Het recht van antwoord maakt het mogelijk voor natuurlijke personen of rechtspersonen om zich te verweren tegen geschreven berichtgeving waarin zij expliciet of impliciet aangewezen worden, of wanneer hun rechtmatige belangen, namelijk aanzien en reputatie, zijn aangetast door een onjuiste bewering tijdens de uitzending van een televisie- of radioprogramma. De huidige wetgeving in België is echter verouderd: online media vallen namelijk niet binnen het toepassingsgebied. Verschillende wetsvoorstellen werden geïntroduceerd, maar geen enkel werd uiteindelijk aangenomen. In dit artikel lichten we het huidige Belgisch en Vlaams juridisch kader toe, putten we inspiratie uit de systemen in onze buur landen, schetsen we een beeld van de huidige praktijk bij de Vlaamse media, en formuleren we aanbevelingen voor het uitwerken van een online recht van antwoord

The Importance of Engaging Policy-makers at the Outset to Guide Research on and Introduction of Vaccines: The Use of Policy-maker Surveys

Face-to-face surveys of policy-makers and other influential leaders are a useful tool to identify, at an early stage, (a) major issues regarding the introduction of a new vaccine, (b) persons and groups in a country who play a major decision-making or influential role in the introduction of vaccines, (c) potential obstacles to the introduction of vaccines, and (d) data-needs of policy-makers to overcome these obstacles. By surveying the opinions and beliefs of those who will make or influence decisions on whether to introduce a new vaccine, these studies can help ensure that research activities respond to the needs of policy-makers in countries endemic for the target diseases. These surveys can also inform vaccine-introduction strategies by identifying financially and politically feasible means of distributing, targeting, and financing the vaccines. This paper describes the methodology used in conducting such surveys and discusses methodological issues. It also presents lessons learnt from two policy-maker surveys carried out in several Asian countries in regard to new-generation vaccines against cholera, typhoid fever, and shigellosis; and future vaccines against dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever

Tevatron-for-LHC Report: Preparations for Discoveries

This is the "TeV4LHC" report of the "Physics Landscapes" Working Group, focused on facilitating the start-up of physics explorations at the LHC by using the experience gained at the Tevatron. We present experimental and theoretical results that can be employed to probe various scenarios for physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 222 pp., additional contribution added, typos/layout correcte

A new evolution equation

We propose a new evolution equation for the gluon density relevant for the region of small $x_B$. It generalizes the GLR equation and allows deeper penetration in dense parton systems than the GLR equation does. This generalization consists of taking shadowing effects more comprehensively into account by including multigluon correlations, and allowing for an arbitrary initial gluon distribution in a hadron. We solve the new equation for fixed $\alpha_s$. We find that the effects of multigluon correlations on the deep-inelastic structure function are small.Comment: 29 papes Latex. 5 figs

The High Burden of Cholera in Children: Comparison of Incidence from Endemic Areas in Asia and Africa

Cholera is an often forgotten disease affecting the world's forgotten people. When a large cholera outbreak occurs, the disease appears briefly on the radar of public attention. Some unfortunate populations around the world suffer recurrent episodes of cholera but their plight goes unnoticed. We established cholera surveillance in impoverished areas in Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (India), and Beira (Mozambique) where the disease is known to occur regularly. The cholera burden was calculated using the site population as the denominator and the number of cholera cases as the numerator. The lowest overall rate was in Jakarta with 0.5 cases per 1000 population per year. The incidence was three times higher in Kolkata (1.6/1000/year) and eight times higher in Beira (4.0/1000/year), adding to the growing impression of the large cholera problem in Africa. In all sites, children are the most affected. Estimates such as these are useful when considering where and among whom interventions against the disease are most needed. Improvement of water supply and sanitation is the best strategy against cholera and other diarrheal diseases but may not be achievable in these impoverished areas in the near future. Other immediate, short- to medium-term strategies such as vaccination against cholera may be useful

Dengue Infection in Children in Ratchaburi, Thailand: A Cohort Study. II. Clinical Manifestations

Dengue infection is one of the most important diseases transmitted to human by mosquito bite. The disease may be mild or severe. This study reveals the occurrence and clinical features of diseases caused by dengue infection in a 3-year follow-up in school-children aged 3–14 years in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand using an active surveillance for the episodes of fever. Children who had fever were laboratory tested for the evidence of dengue infection and recorded for clinical features. It was found that most of dengue infected patients had headache, anorexia, nausea/vomiting, and muscle ache. About half of the patients had clinical symptoms that closely mimic other diseases, especially respiratory tract infection, and were incorrectly diagnosed by pediatricians. Only 11% of the patients had more a severe disease called “dengue hemorrhagic fever.” This severe disease may be predicted by the presence of anorexia, nausea/vomiting, and abdominal pain after the second day of illness. This study provides better understanding in this disease

Product Development Partnerships: Case studies of a new mechanism for health technology innovation

There is a continuing need for new health technologies to address the disease burdens of developing countries. In the last decade Product Development Partnerships (PDP) have emerged that are making important contributions to the development of these technologies. PDPs are a form of public private partnerships that focus on health technology development. PDPs reflect the current phase in the history of health technology development: the Era of Partnerships, in which the public and private sectors have found productive ways to collaborate. Successful innovation depends on addressing six determinants of innovation. We examine four case studies of PDPs and show how they have addressed the six determinants to achieve success

Accelerating Policy Decisions to Adopt Haemophilus influenzae Type b Vaccine: A Global, Multivariable Analysis

Jessica Shearer and colleagues analyze data from 147 countries to identify factors that influence the time taken to introduce routine vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)