Vector Meson Photoproduction with an Effective Lagrangian in the Quark Model

A quark model approach to the photoproduction of vector mesons off nucleons is proposed. Its starting point is an effective Lagrangian of the interaction between the vector meson and the quarks inside the baryon, which generates the non-diffractive s- and u- channel resonance contributions. Additional t-channel $\pi^0$ and $\sigma$ exchanges are included for the $\omega$ and $\rho^0$ production respectively to account for the large diffractive behavior in the small $t$ region as suggested by Friman and Soyeur. The numerical results are presented for the $\omega$ and $\rho$ productions in four isospin channels with the same set of parameters, and they are in good agreement with the available data not only in $\omega$ and $\rho^0$ productions but also in the charged $\rho$ productions where the additional t-channel $\sigma$ exchange does not contribute so that it provides an important test to this approach. The investigation is also extended to the $\phi$ photoproduction, and the initial results show that the non-diffractive behavior of the $\phi$ productions in the large $t$ region can be described by the s- and u- channel contributions with significantly smaller coupling constants, which is consistent with the findings in the similar studies in the QHD framework. The numerical investigation has also shown that polarization observables are essential for identifying so-called "missing resonances".Comment: 36 pages, 10 PS figures, extended version of nucl-th/9711061 and nucl-th/9803021, submitted to PR

Umweltgerechte Prozessführung und Zustandserkennung in Chemieanlagen mit neuronalen Netzen - Teilvorhaben 2: Konzipierung und Erprobung des Zustandserkennungsverfahrens

Im Rahmen des Teilvorhabens wurde ein Online-Monitoring-System für stark exotherme Reaktionen entwickelt, das das Bedienungspersonal bei der optimalen und umweltgerechten Prozessführung von komplexen oder sicherheitstechnisch schwierigen Semibatch-Prozessen in Rührkesselreaktoren (Batch-Reaktoren) unterstützen soll. Das Monitoring-System (MoSys) basiert auf dimensionslosen Stoff- und Wärmebilanzen mit adaptiven Komponenten. MoSys muss zuerst mit den Prozessdaten von normalen und unerwünschten Batch-Verläufen angelernt werden, die im Miniplant unter den Bedingungen des Industrieprozesses durchgeführt wurden. Die Adaption der Bilanzmodelle an die Zielanlage erfolgt durch zweischichtige Perceptron-Netze. Um eine vollständige Maßstabsübertragung zu gewährleisten, sollte MoSys mit Prozessdaten von mindestens einem normalen Batch-Verlauf in der Chemieanlage angepasst und validiert werden. MoSys wurde sowohl für eine homogene exotherme Veresterungsreaktion als auch für einen komplexen heterogenen exothermen Hydrierprozess konzipiert. Experimentelle Tests wurden für die Veresterung in einer Pilotanlage und für die Hydrierung in einer industriellen Chemieanlage durchgeführt. Zur Industrieerprobung wurde MoSys in ein Batch-Informations-Management-System (BIMS) integriert, das auch entwickelt und in das Prozessleitsystem (PLS) einer Mehrzweckanlage im Feinchemie-Werk Radebeul (Degussa AG) implementiert wurde. Dadurch konnten die MoSys-Ausgaben simultan mit wichtigen Prozesssignalen auf den Terminals des PLS visualisiert werden. Zum Beispiel werden der Hydrierungsfortschritt, das vorhergesagte Reaktionsende und die Konzentrationsverläufe des Edukts, Zwischenprodukts und Produkts auf den Terminals der Operatorstationen angezeigt. Wenn unerwünschte Betriebszustände auftreten, wird das Bedienungspersonal frühzeitig alarmiert und Anweisungen für Gegenmaßnahmen, die nur vom Operator ausgeführt werden dürfen, werden auf den Terminals angezeigt. Die Leistungsfähigkeit von MoSys/BIMS konnte während zweier Hydrierungs-Produktionskampagnen nachgewiesen werden

Overview of mathematical approaches used to model bacterial chemotaxis II: bacterial populations

We review the application of mathematical modeling to understanding the behavior of populations of chemotactic bacteria. The application of continuum mathematical models, in particular generalized Keller–Segel models, is discussed along with attempts to incorporate the microscale (individual) behavior on the macroscale, modeling the interaction between different species of bacteria, the interaction of bacteria with their environment, and methods used to obtain experimentally verified parameter values. We allude briefly to the role of modeling pattern formation in understanding collective behavior within bacterial populations. Various aspects of each model are discussed and areas for possible future research are postulated

Improved Culture Medium (TiKa) for Mycobacterium avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) Matches qPCR Sensitivity and Reveals Significant Proportions of Non-viable MAP in Lymphoid Tissue of Vaccinated MAP Challenged Animals.

The quantitative detection of viable pathogen load is an important tool in determining the degree of infection in animals and contamination of foodstuffs. Current conventional culture methods are limited in their ability to determine these levels in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) due to slow growth, clumping and low recoverability issues. The principle goal of this study was to evaluate a novel culturing process (TiKa) with unique ability to stimulate MAP growth from low sample loads and dilutions. We demonstrate it was able to stimulate a mean 29-fold increase in recoverability and an improved sensitivity of up to three logs when compared with conventional culture. Using TiKa culture, MAP clumping was minimal and produced visible colonies in half the time required by standard culture methods. Parallel quantitative evaluation of the TiKa culture approach and qPCR on MAP loads in tissue and gut mucosal samples from a MAP vaccine-challenge study, showed good correlations between colony counts (cfu) and qPCR derived genome equivalents (Geq) over a large range of loads with a 30% greater sensitivity for TiKa culture approach at low loads (two logs). Furthermore, the relative fold changes in Geq and cfu from the TiKa culture approach suggests that non-mucosal tissue loads from MAP infected animals contained a reduced proportion of non-viable MAP (mean 19-fold) which was reduced significantly further (mean 190-fold) in vaccinated "reactor" calves. This study shows TiKa culture equates well with qPCR and provides important evidence that accuracy in estimating viable MAP load using DNA tests alone may vary significantly between samples of mucosal and lymphatic origin

Correct quantum chemistry in a minimal basis from effective Hamiltonians

We describe how to create ab-initio effective Hamiltonians that qualitatively describe correct chemistry even when used with a minimal basis. The Hamiltonians are obtained by folding correlation down from a large parent basis into a small, or minimal, target basis, using the machinery of canonical transformations. We demonstrate the quality of these effective Hamiltonians to correctly capture a wide range of excited states in water, nitrogen, and ethylene, and to describe ground and excited state bond-breaking in nitrogen and the chromium dimer, all in small or minimal basis sets

Opening the black box of energy modelling: Strategies and lessons learned

The global energy system is undergoing a major transition, and in energy planning and decision-making across governments, industry and academia, models play a crucial role. Because of their policy relevance and contested nature, the transparency and open availability of energy models and data are of particular importance. Here we provide a practical how-to guide based on the collective experience of members of the Open Energy Modelling Initiative (Openmod). We discuss key steps to consider when opening code and data, including determining intellectual property ownership, choosing a licence and appropriate modelling languages, distributing code and data, and providing support and building communities. After illustrating these decisions with examples and lessons learned from the community, we conclude that even though individual researchers' choices are important, institutional changes are still also necessary for more openness and transparency in energy research

Bouncing back : the wellbeing of children in international child abduction cases

This report contains the results of a three-part research project conducted in the framework of the project Enhancing the Well-being of Children in Cases of International Child Abduction (eWELL). Part I contains an overview of the results of a quantitative survey conducted among parents who have been in a situation of international parental child abduction. The quantitative survey data collection was financed by the European Commission and was undertaken by the University of Antwerp in collaboration with Centrum IKO, CFPE-Enfant Disparus, Child Focus, the French Central Authority and Missing Children Europe (MCE, the European umbrella organization for missing children). Part II provides an overview of the qualitative interview results conducted with children who were taken by to another country by one parent without the consent of the other. The qualitative data collection was co-financed by the European Commission and undertaken by the University of Antwerp, Centrum IKO, Child Focus, CFPE-Enfant Disparus, and in collaboration with the French Central Authority and Missing Children Europe (MCE, the European umbrella organization for missing children). Part III examines international parental child abduction court rulings, jurisdictions and the application of Art. 13 (2) of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. It discusses age and maturity attainment and assessment; the involvement of intermediaries; the definition of the child’s objections to return and other relevant matters

Sympathetic cooling and detection of molecular ions in a Penning trap

Published versio

Clinical feasibility of (neo)adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy in older patients: analysis of >4,500 patients from four German randomized breast cancer trials

Introduction Despite the fact that people older than 65 years of age have the highest incidence of developing breast cancer, these patients are excluded from clinical trials in most cases. Furthermore, most physicians tend towards therapy regimens without the use of dose-dense, highly active taxane-based treatments because of a lack of data regarding toxicities of these compounds in older patients. Methods Pooled side-effect data were analyzed from four prospective, randomized clinical trials in which patients of different age groups (60 years, between 60 and 64 years, and 64 years) with primary breast cancer received taxane-based chemotherapy. Results Dose delays, dose reductions, hospitalization, and therapy discontinuation increased with age. Hematologic toxicities and some nonhematologic toxicities were generally more common in older patients. Leucopenia increased from 55.3% in patients aged 60 years to 65.5% in patients aged 64 years (P<0.001), and neutropenia increased from 46.9% to 57.4% (P<0.001). There was no difference, however, in clinically more relevant febrile neutropenia between the different age groups. Thrombopenia shows a similar age-dependent increase, whereas there is no difference between the age groups concerning anemia. Hot flushes and elevated liver enzymes decreased with increasing age. Conclusions The present pooled analysis of a substantial cohort of older primary breast cancer patients demonstrates that taxane-containing (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible in older patients and that toxicity can be reduced by sequential therapy regimens

Exotic ρ±ρ0\rho^\pm\rho^0 state photoproduction

It is shown that the list of unusual mesons planned for a careful study in photoproduction can be extended by the exotic states $X^\pm(1600)$ with $I^G(J ^{PC})=2^+(2^{++})$ which should be looked for in the $\rho^\pm\rho^0$ decay channels in the reactions $\gamma N\to\rho^\pm\rho^0N$ and $\gamma N\to\rho^\pm \rho^0\Delta$. The full classification of the $\rho^\pm\rho^0$ states by their quantum numbers is presented. A simple model for the spin structure of the $\gamma p\to f_2(1270)p$, $\gamma p\to a^0_2(1320)p$, and $\gamma N\to X^\pm (N, \Delta)$ reaction amplitudes is formulated and the tentative estimates of the corresponding cross sections at the incident photon energy $E_\gamma\approx 6$ GeV are obtained: $\sigma(\gamma p\to f_2(1270)p)\approx0.12$ $\mu$b, $\sigma(\gamma p\to a^0_2(1320)p)\approx0.25$ $\mu$b, $\sigma(\gamma N\to X^\pm N\to\rho^\pm\rho^0N)\approx0.018$ $\mu$b, and $\sigma(\gamma p\to X^-\Delta^{++ }\to\rho^-\rho^0\Delta^{++})\approx0.031$ $\mu$b. The problem of the $X^\pm$ signal extraction from the natural background due to the other $\pi^\pm\pi^0 \pi^+\pi^-$ production channels is discussed. In particular the estimates are presented for the $\gamma p\to h_1(1170)\pi^+n$, $\gamma p\to\rho'^{+}n\to \pi^+\pi^0\pi^+\pi^-n$, and $\gamma p\to\omega\rho^0p$ reaction cross sections. Our main conclusion is that the search for the exotic $X^\pm(2^+(2^{++}))$ states is quite feasible at JEFLAB facility. The expected yield of the $\gamma N\to X^\pm N\to\rho^\pm\rho^0N$ events in a 30-day run at the 100% detection efficiency approximates $2.8\times10^6$ events.Comment: 19 pages, revtex, 1 figure in postscipt, some comments and references added, a few minor typos corrected, to be published in Phys. Rev.