Equivalence Between Vector Meson Dominance and Unitarised Chiral Perturbation Theory

It is explicitly shown that either the approximate solution of the integral equation for the inverse of the pion form facto,r or the result of the Pad$\text{\'e}$ approximant method of resumming the one loop Chiral Perturbation Theory (CPTH) are equivalent to the standard vector meson dominance (VMD) models, using the vector meson coupling to two pseudoscalars given by the KSRF relation. Inconsistencies between the one loop CPTH and its unitarised version (or the VMD model) are pointed out. The situation is better for the CPTH calculation of the scalar form factor and the related S-wave $\pi \pi$ scattering. The branching ratios of $\tau \to \pi^+ \pi^0 \nu$, $\tau \to K \pi \nu$, $\tau \to K^+ \eta \nu$ and \tau \to K^+ \bar{K^0} \nu\) using only two inputs as the \(\rho\) and \(K^*\) masses, or the two corresponding rms radii, agree with the experimental data. Using the same number of parameters, the corresponding one loop CPTH calculation cannot explain the \tau$ data

Influence of magnetic field on properties of electrodeposited FeCo layer

Effect of magnetic field on the electrodeposition of FeCo layers has been investigated with respect to the orientation of the magnetic field to surface electrode e.g magnetic field is parallel and perpendicular to electrode. Electrochemical behaviours, morphology, composition, structure and magnetic properties were investigated using cyclic voltammogram (CV), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Results show that morphology and structure of the deposited layers are not effected by external magnetic field. Meanwhile, the Fe content of the layer decreases by following sequence CFe(B=0)CFe(B//)CFe(^), resulting in the following sequence of coerciviy HC(B=0) HC (B//) HC (^). These results were explained based on the magnetohydronamic (MHD) effect caused by the Lorentz force () when magnetic field is superimposed

Studying the thermo-gas-dynamic process in a muzzle brake compensator

To reduce the recoil and improve the stability of small arms, a muzzle brake compensator is attached to the muzzle of the barrel. This device uses the kinetic energy of the powder gas escaping from the bore after the bullet is fired. In this paper, the authors present the determination of the thermo-gas-dynamic model of the operation of a muzzle brake compensator and an example of calculating this type of muzzle device for the AK assault rifle using 7.62x39 mm ammunition. The results of the calculation allowed for obtaining the parameters of the powder gas flow in the process of flowing out of the muzzle device, as well as the change in the momentum of the powder gas's impact on the muzzle device. The model proposed in the article provides the basis for a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of using the muzzle device in stabilizing infantry weapons when firing

The institutional experience of the implementing 4DCT in NSCLC radiotherapy planning

Background: The study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dose distribution of four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) simulation. Materials and methods: The gross tumor volume (GTV) and clinical target volume (CTV) were contoured in all 10 respiratory phases of 4DCT in 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Both 3D and 4D treatment plans were made individually for each patient using the planning volume (PTV). The PTV3D was taken from a single CTV plus the recommended margin, and the PTV4D was taken from the 4D internal target volume, including all 10 CTVs plus the setup margins. Results The mean PTV was 460 ± 179 (69–820) cm3 for 3DCT and 401 ± 167 (127–854) cm3 for 4DCT (p = 0.0018). The dose distribution (DD) of organs at risk, especially the lungs, was lower for the 4DCT simulation. The V5%, V10%, and V20% of the total lung dose for 4DCT were significantly lower for the 3DCT. However, lung V30% the heart, esophagus, and spinal cord were not significantly different. In addition, the conformity index and the dose heterogeneity index of the PTV were not significantly different. The normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of the lung and heart was significantly lower for 4DCT than for 3DCT. Conclusions: The 4DCT simulation gives better results on the NTCP. The organs at risk, especially the lungs, receive a significantly lower DD compared with the 3DCT. The conformity index (CI), heterogeneity index (HI) and the DD to the heart, spinal cord, and esophagus were not significantly different between the two techniques

J/\Psi \to \phi \pi \pi (K \bar{K}) decays, chiral dynamcis and OZI violation

We have studied the invariant mass distributions of the \pi\pi and K \bar{K} systems for invariant masses up to 1.2 GeV from the J/\Psi \to \phi \pi\pi(K\bar{K}) decays. The approach exploits the connection between these processes and the \pi\pi and K\bar{K} strange and non-strange scalar form factors by considering the \phi meson as a spectator. The calculated scalar form factors are then matched with the ones from next-to-leading order chiral perturbation theory, including the calculation of the the K\bar{K} scalar form factors. Final state interactions in the J/\Psi \to \phi \pi\pi (K\bar{K}) processes are taken into account as rescattering effects in the system of the two pseudoscalar mesons. A very good agreement with the experimental data from DM2 and MARK-III is achieved. Furthermore, making use of SU(3) symmetry, the S-wave contribution to the \pi^+\pi^- event distribution in the J/\Psi \to \omega \pi^+\pi^- reaction is also given and the data up to energies of about 0.7 GeV are reproduced. These decays of the J/\Psi to a vector and a pair of pseudoscalars turn out to be very sensitive to OZI violating physics which we parametrize in terms of a direct OZI violation parameter and the chiral perturbation theory low energy constants L_4^r and L_6^r. These constants all come out very different from zero, lending further credit to the statement that the OZI rule is not operative in the scalar 0^{++} channel.Comment: revtex, 21 pages, 10 figures, extended discussion of the model in section 2 and some minor corrections, version accepted for publication in Nucl. Phys.

Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Non-typhoidal Salmonella Collected From Pork Retail Outlets and Slaughterhouses in Vietnam Using Whole Genome Sequencing.

Non-typhoidal salmonella (TS) remains a significant health burden worldwide. In Vietnam, pork accounts for 70% of the total meat consumed, and contamination with Salmonella is high. High levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have emerged among porcine NTS and of particular concern is the emergence of colistin resistance, a "last defense" antibioic against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility of 69 NTS isolates collected from the pork retail outlets and slaughterhouses in Vietnam during 2014 a nd 2018/19. Phenotypic testing and whole genome sequencing was used to assess the serotype and AMR gene profiles of the 69 NTS isolates. Seventeen different serotypes were identified, of which S. enterica subsp enterica serotype Typhimurium was the most common followed by S. ser. Rissen, S. ser. London, S. ser. Anatum, and S. ser. Derby. Phenotype AMR was common with 41 (59.4%) isolates deemed MDR. MDR strains were most common in slaughterhouses (83%) and supermarkets (75%) and lowest in traditional markets (38%) and convenience stores (40%). Colistin resistance was identified in 18 strains (15 resistant, three intermediate) with mcr-1 identified in seven isolates (S. ser. Meleagridis, S. Rissen, S. Derby) and mcr-3 in two isolates (S. Typhimurium). This includes the first mcr positive S. Meleagridis to our knowledge. Surprisingly, boutique stores had high levels (60%) of MDR isolates including 5/20 isolates with mcr-1. This study demonstrates that pork from modern retail stores classed as supermarkets or boutique (with pork claiming to be high quality, traceable, environmentally friendly marketed toward higher income consumers) still contained NTS with high levels of AMR

Bethe-Salpeter Approach for Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory

The Bethe-Salpeter equation restores exact elastic unitarity in the $s-$ channel by summing up an infinite set of chiral loops. We use this equation to show how a chiral expansion can be undertaken in the two particle irreducible amplitude and the propagators accomplishing exact elastic unitarity at any step. Renormalizability of the amplitudes can be achieved by allowing for an infinite set of counter-terms as it is the case in ordinary Chiral Perturbation Theory. Crossing constraints can be imposed on the parameters to a given order. Within this framework, we calculate the leading and next-to-leading contributions to the elastic $\pi \pi$ scattering amplitudes, for all isospin channels, and to the vector and scalar pion form factors in several renormalization schemes. A satisfactory description of amplitudes and form factors is obtained. In this latter case, Watson's theorem is automatically satisfied. From such studies we obtain a quite accurate determination of some of the ChPT $SU(2)-$low energy parameters ({\bar l}_1 - {\bar l}_2 = -6.1\er{0.1}{0.3} and ${\bar l}_6= 19.14 \pm 0.19$). We also compare the two loop piece of our amplitudes to recent two--loop calculations.Comment: 63 pages, 9 figures. Some discussions on off-shell ambiguities and convergence of the expansion adde

Reduction in Plasmodium falciparum Pfk13 and pfg377 allele diversity through time in southern Vietnam

Background: Plasmodium falciparum has acquired resistance to artemisinin in Southeast Asia, with mutations in the P. falciparum Kelch-13 (Pfk13) gene associated with the resistance phenotype. The widespread use of Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT)s in Southeast Asia has led to the selection and spread of parasites carrying mutations in Pfk13. We characterised the allele diversity of Pfk13 and pfg377, an artemisinin-resistance neutral polymorphic gene, in parasite DNA extracted human blood from in southern Vietnam in 2003, 2012, 2015 and 2018.Method: This study was conducted in Bu Gia Map commune, Binh Phuoc province, Vietnam, from May 2018 to January 2019. Twenty-four samples from 2018 to 2019, 30 from 2003, 24 from 2012 and 32 from 2015 were analysed. Malaria-infected human blood was collected by finger-prick and used for molecular analysis. A nested-PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was used for Plasmodium species identification, followed by amplification and nucleotide sequencing of Pfk13 and region 3 of pfg377. Archived blood samples collected in the same region in 2012 and 2015 were also analysed as above for comparison.Results: The genetic diversity of Pfk13 and pfg377 was lower in 2018–2019 compared to 2012 and 2015. The number of distinct Pfk13 mutants decreased from three in 2012 and 2015, P553L, V568G and C580Y, to one, C580Y in 2018–2019. In 2018–2019, the frequency of C580Y mutant strains was 71% (17/24 isolates). All samples were wild type in 2003. In 2012 and 2015, there were single-strain infections as well as co-infections with two mutant strains or with mutant and wild strains, whereas there were no co-infections in 2018. pfg377 allele diversity decreased from five alleles in 2012 to two alleles in 2018–2019.Conclusion: The genetic diversity of P. falciparum was reduced at the two genetic loci surveyed in this study, Pfk13 and pfg377. In the case of the former gene, we observed an increase in the prevalence of parasites carrying the C580Y gene, known to confer reduced susceptibility to ACTs. The reduction in the diversity of pfg377 may be linked to the clonal expansion of parasite strains carrying the C580Y mutation, leading to an overall reduction in parasite genetic diversity across the population

COVID-19 Social Science and Public Engagement Action Research in Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal (SPEAR): Protocol for a mixed methods study exploring the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and vulnerable communities

Background: When the novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – started to spread globally, there was a call for social and behavioral scientists to conduct research to explore the wider socio-cultural contexts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to understand vulnerabilities, as well as to increase engagement within communities to facilitate adoption of public health measures. In this manuscript, we describe the protocol for a study conducted in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. In the study, we explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting individuals and their communities. We focus on the wider health and economic impacts of COVID-19, in particular emerging and increased burden on mental health, as well as new or deepened vulnerabilities in the communities. The introduction of vaccines has added another layer of complexity and highlights differences in acceptance and inequalities around access.  Methods: We use mixed methods, combining survey methods and social media surveillance to gain a picture of the general situation within each country, with in-depth qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of issues, coupled with a synergistic engagement component. We also include an exploration of the role of social media in revealing or driving perceptions of the pandemic more broadly. Participants include health workers and members of communities from 13 sites across the three countries. Data collection is spread across two phases. Phase 1 is concerned with exploring lived experiences, impacts on working lives and livelihoods, mental health and coping strategies. Phase 2 is concerned with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, factors that increase and reduce acceptance, and factors that influence access. Conclusions: We will disseminate findings in multiple ways including short reports and policy briefs, articles in peer-reviewed journals, and digital diaries will be edited into short films and uploaded onto social media sites.</ns3:p