Pseudo Goldstone Bosons Phenomenology in Minimal Walking Technicolor

We construct the non-linear realized Lagrangian for the Goldstone Bosons associated to the breaking pattern of SU(4) to SO(4). This pattern is expected to occur in any Technicolor extension of the standard model featuring two Dirac fermions transforming according to real representations of the underlying gauge group. We concentrate on the Minimal Walking Technicolor quantum number assignments with respect to the standard model symmetries. We demonstrate that for, any choice of the quantum numbers, consistent with gauge and Witten anomalies the spectrum of the pseudo Goldstone Bosons contains electrically doubly charged states which can be discovered at the Large Hadron Collider.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figure

Smart cities: A literature review and business network approach discussion on the management of organisations

Purpose: The smart city idea refers to new ways of organising city functions and urban life, which are believed to move production and consumption from global to local, manufacturing from competitive to collaborative, and business from a shareholder to a multiple-stakeholder point of view. Most previous research has focussed on the societal level of smart cities, while less seems to be known about the management of business as part of smart cities. The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on the state of the art of management research on smart cities. The following research question is addressed: How has previous research captured the management of organisations in smart cities? Design/methodology/approach: A literature review using the search term “smart city/cities” in research on business, management, and operational management was conducted for the purpose of capturing previous research. Findings were coded based on main ideas, central concepts, and theories, thematic content of the articles related to the main ideas underpinning smart cities (digitalization, urbanisation, and sustainability as antecedents, and local, collaborative and multiple-stakeholder manufacturing as indicators), and units of analysis. Findings: The paper points to how most studies on the management of organisations as part of smart cities focus on sustainability and how digitalisation enables new businesses. Collaborative efforts are emphasised and the theoretical framing is fragmented. Issues related to the organising of business is also not problematised and the business network approach could, as discussed in the paper, provide valuable insights related to the collaborative efforts of organisations and the multiple-stakeholder perspective. Originality/value: The paper is the first to capture and present an overview of previous research on the management of business as part of smart cities. Research on smart cities has focussed on the policy and societal levels, and so far there is a lack of problematisation on how organisations may act, and potentially change their way of acting, should smart cities become a reality

DCO+^+, DCN and N2_2D+^+ reveal three different deuteration regimes in the disk around the Herbig Ae star HD163296

The formation pathways of deuterated species trace different regions of protoplanetary disks and may shed light into their physical structure. We aim to constrain the radial extent of main deuterated species; we are particularly interested in spatially characterizing the high and low temperature pathways for enhancing deuteration of these species. We observed the disk surrounding the Herbig Ae star HD 163296 using ALMA in Band 6 and obtained resolved spectral imaging data of DCO$^+$ ($J$=3-2), DCN ($J$=3-2) and N$_2$D$^+$ ($J$=3-2). We model the radial emission profiles of DCO$^+$, DCN and N$_2$D$^+$, assuming their emission is optically thin, using a parametric model of their abundances and radial excitation temperature estimates. DCO$^+$ can be described by a three-region model, with constant-abundance rings centered at 70 AU, 150 AU and 260 AU. The DCN radial profile peaks at about ~60 AU and N$_2$D$^+$ is seen in a ring at ~160 AU. Simple models of both molecules using constant abundances reproduce the data. Assuming reasonable average excitation temperatures for the whole disk, their disk-averaged column densities (and deuterium fractionation ratios) are 1.6-2.6$\times 10^{12}$ cm$^{-2}$ (0.04-0.07), 2.9-5.2$\times 10^{12}$ cm$^{-2}$ ($\sim$0.02) and 1.6-2.5 $\times 10^{11}$ cm$^{-2}$ (0.34-0.45) for DCO$^+$, DCN and N$_2$D$^+$, respectively. Our simple best-fit models show a correlation between the radial location of the first two rings in DCO$^+$ and the DCN and N$_2$D$^+$ abundance distributions that can be interpreted as the high and low temperature deuteration pathways regimes. The origin of the third DCO$^+$ ring at 260 AU is unknown but may be due to a local decrease of ultraviolet opacity allowing the photodesorption of CO or due to thermal desorption of CO as a consequence of radial drift and settlement of dust grains

Beyond the pseudo-time-dependent approach: chemical models of dense core precursors

Context: Chemical models of dense cloud cores often utilize the so-called pseudo-time-dependent approximation, in which the physical conditions are held fixed and uniform as the chemistry occurs. In this approximation, the initial abundances chosen, which are totally atomic in nature except for molecular hydrogen, are artificial. A more detailed approach to the chemistry of dense cold cores should include the physical evolution during their early stages of formation. Aims: Our major goal is to investigate the initial synthesis of molecular ices and gas-phase molecules as cold molecular gas begins to form behind a shock in the diffuse interstellar medium. The abundances calculated as the conditions evolve can then be utilized as reasonable initial conditions for a theory of the chemistry of dense cores. Methods: Hydrodynamic shock-wave simulations of the early stages of cold core formation are used to determine the time-dependent physical conditions for a gas-grain chemical network. We follow the cold post-shock molecular evolution of ices and gas-phase molecules for a range of visual extinction up to AV ~ 3, which increases with time. At higher extinction, self-gravity becomes important. Results: As the newly condensed gas enters its cool post-shock phase, a large amount of CO is produced in the gas. As the CO forms, water ice is produced on grains, while accretion of CO produces CO ice. The production of CO2 ice from CO occurs via several surface mechanisms, while the production of CH4 ice is slowed by gas-phase conversion of C into CO.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Gastroesophageal Reflux after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is Alleviated by Conversion to Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Conversion operations after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) are sometimes performed because of vomiting and/or acid regurgitation. Primary operation with gastric bypass (GBP) is known to reduce gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Previous studies have not been designed to differentiate between the effects of the altered anatomy and of the ensuing weight loss. No series has reported data on acid reflux before and after conversion from VBG to GBP. METHODS: We invited eight VBG patients with current symptoms of GERD. All had intact staple lines as assessed by barium meal and gastroscopy. Acid reflux was quantified using 48-h Bravo capsule measurements. Conversion operations were performed creating an isolated 15-20-ml pouch; the previously banded part of gastric wall was excised. Gastrojejunostomy was made end to end with a 28-mm circular stapler. The study is based on five patients consenting to early postoperative endoscopy and pH measurement. RESULTS: All patients were women with a mean age of 49.5 years and BMI of 36.3. Time since VBG was 132.1 months. Time from conversion to second measurement was 46.6 days and BMI at that time 32.7. There was no mortality and no serious morbidity. All patients improved clinically and no patient had to go back on proton pump inhibition or antacids. Total time with pH < 4.0 was reduced from 18.4% to 3.3% (p < 0.05). DeMeester score was reduced from 58.1 to 15.9 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of converting VBG-operated patients to GBP results in a near-normalisation of acid reflux parameters and a discontinuation of proton pump inhibitor medication

Spectrally-resolved UV photodesorption of CH4 in pure and layered ices

Context. Methane is among the main components of the ice mantles of insterstellar dust grains, where it is at the start of a rich solid-phase chemical network. Quantification of the photon-induced desorption yield of these frozen molecules and understanding of the underlying processes is necessary to accurately model the observations and the chemical evolution of various regions of the interstellar medium. Aims. This study aims at experimentally determining absolute photodesorption yields for the CH4 molecule as a function of photon energy. The influence of the ice composition is also investigated. By studying the methane desorption from layered CH4:CO ice, indirect desorption processes triggered by the excitation of the CO molecules is monitored and quantified. Methods. Tunable monochromatic VUV light from the DESIRS beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron is used in the 7 - 13.6 eV (177 - 91 nm) range to irradiate pure CH4 or layers of CH4 deposited on top of CO ice samples. The release of species in the gas phase is monitored by quadrupole mass spectrometry and absolute photodesorption yields of intact CH4 are deduced. Results. CH4 photodesorbs for photon energies higher than ~9.1 eV (~136 nm). The photodesorption spectrum follows the absorption spectrum of CH4, which confirms a desorption mechanism mediated by electronic transitions in the ice. When it is deposited on top of CO, CH4 desorbs between 8 and 9 eV with a pattern characteristic of CO absorption, indicating desorption induced by energy transfer from CO molecules. Conclusions. The photodesorption of CH4 from the pure ice in various interstellar environments is around 2.0 x 10^-3 molecules per incident photon. Results on CO-induced indirect desorption of CH4 provide useful insights for the generalization of this process to other molecules co-existing with CO in ice mantles

Lymph node tissue kallikrein-related peptidase 6 mRNA: a progression marker for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: A most important characteristic feature for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) is the presence of lymph node metastasis. Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA levels in lymph nodes has proven powerful for quantification of disseminated tumour cells. Here, we investigate the utility of human tissue kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) mRNA as a progression biomarker to complement CEA mRNA, for improved selection of patients in need of adjuvant therapy and intensified follow-up after surgery. METHODS: Lymph nodes of pTNM stage I-IV CRC-(166 patients/503 lymph nodes) and control (23/108) patients were collected at surgery and analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Lymph node KLK6 positivity was an indicator of poor outcome (hazard ratio 3.7). Risk of recurrence and cancer death increased with KLK6 lymph node levels. Patients with KLK6 lymph node levels above the 90th percentile had a hazard ratio of 6.5 and 76 months shorter average survival time compared to patients with KLK6 negative nodes. The KLK6 positivity in lymph nodes with few tumour cells, that is, low CEA mRNA levels, also indicated poor prognosis (hazard ratio 2.8). CONCLUSION: In CRC patients, lymph node KLK6 positivity indicated presence of aggressive tumour cells associated with poor prognosis and high risk of tumour recurrence. British Journal of Cancer (2012) 107, 150-157. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2012.220 www.bjcancer.com Published online 14 June 2012 (C) 2012 Cancer Research U

Methanol ice co-desorption as a mechanism to explain cold methanol in the gas-phase

Context. Methanol is formed via surface reactions on icy dust grains. Methanol is also detected in the gas-phase at temperatures below its thermal desorption temperature and at levels higher than can be explained by pure gas-phase chemistry. The process that controls the transition from solid state to gas-phase methanol in cold environments is not understood. Aims. The goal of this work is to investigate whether thermal CO desorption provides an indirect pathway for methanol to co-desorb at low temperatures. Methods. Mixed CH₃OH:CO/CH₄ ices were heated under ultra-high vacuum conditions and ice contents are traced using RAIRS (reflection absorption IR spectroscopy), while desorbing species were detected mass spectrometrically. An updated gas-grain chemical network was used to test the impact of the results of these experiments. The physical model used is applicable for TW Hya, a protoplanetary disk in which cold gas-phase methanol has recently been detected. Results. Methanol release together with thermal CO desorption is found to be an ineffective process in the experiments, resulting in an upper limit of ≤ 7.3 × 10−7 CH₃OH molecules per CO molecule over all ice mixtures considered. Chemical modelling based on the upper limits shows that co-desorption rates as low as 10−6 CH₃OH molecules per CO molecule are high enough to release substantial amounts of methanol to the gas-phase at and around the location of the CO thermal desorption front in a protoplanetary disk. The impact of thermal co-desorption of CH₃OH with CO as a grain-gas bridge mechanism is compared with that of UV induced photodesorption and chemisorption

The chemistry of C3 & Carbon Chain Molecules in DR21(OH)

(Abridged) We have observed velocity resolved spectra of four ro-vibrational far-infrared transitions of C3 between the vibrational ground state and the low-energy nu2 bending mode at frequencies between 1654--1897 GHz using HIFI on board Herschel, in DR21(OH), a high mass star forming region. Several transitions of CCH and c-C3H2 have also been observed with HIFI and the IRAM 30m telescope. A gas and grain warm-up model was used to identify the primary C3 forming reactions in DR21(OH). We have detected C3 in absorption in four far-infrared transitions, P(4), P(10), Q(2) and Q(4). The continuum sources MM1 and MM2 in DR21(OH) though spatially unresolved, are sufficiently separated in velocity to be identified in the C3 spectra. All C3 transitions are detected from the embedded source MM2 and the surrounding envelope, whereas only Q(4) & P(4) are detected toward the hot core MM1. The abundance of C3 in the envelope and MM2 is \sim6x10^{-10} and \sim3x10^{-9} respectively. For CCH and c-C3H2 we only detect emission from the envelope and MM1. The observed CCH, C3, and c-C3H2 abundances are most consistent with a chemical model with n(H2)\sim5x10^{6} cm^-3 post-warm-up dust temperature, T_max =30 K and a time of \sim0.7-3 Myr. Post warm-up gas phase chemistry of CH4 released from the grain at t\sim 0.2 Myr and lasting for 1 Myr can explain the observed C3 abundance in the envelope of DR21(OH) and no mechanism involving photodestruction of PAH molecules is required. The chemistry in the envelope is similar to the warm carbon chain chemistry (WCCC) found in lukewarm corinos. The observed lower C3 abundance in MM1 as compared to MM2 and the envelope could be indicative of destruction of C3 in the more evolved MM1. The timescale for the chemistry derived for the envelope is consistent with the dynamical timescale of 2 Myr derived for DR21(OH) in other studies.Comment: 11 Pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&

CN in prestellar cores

Determining the structure of and the velocity field in prestellar cores is essential to understanding protostellar evolution.} {We have observed the dense prestellar cores L 1544 and L 183 in the $N = 1 \to 0$ rotational transition of CN and \thcn in order to test whether CN is depleted in the high--density nuclei of these cores.} {We have used the IRAM 30 m telescope to observe along the major and minor axes of these cores. We compare these observations with the 1 mm dust emission, which serves as a proxy for the hydrogen column density.}{We find that while CN\jone is optically thick, the distribution of \thcn\jone intensity follows the dust emission well, implying that the CN abundance does not vary greatly with density. We derive an abundance ratio of \rm [CN]/[\hh]=\dix{-9} in L 183 and 1-3\tdix{-9} in L 1544, which, in the case of L 183, is similar to previous estimates obtained by sampling lower--density regions of the core.}{We conclude that CN is not depleted towards the high--density peaks of these cores and thus behaves like the N-containing molecules \nnhp and \nhhh. CN is, to our knowledge, the first C--containing molecule to exhibit this characteristic.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A Letter