1,629 research outputs found
Construction of Non-Perturbative, Unitary Particle-Antiparticle Amplitudes for Finite Particle Number Scattering Formalisms
Starting from a unitary, Lorentz invariant two-particle scattering amplitude
, we show how to use an identification and replacement process to construct a
unique, unitary particle-antiparticle amplitude. This process differs from
conventional on-shell Mandelstam s,t,u crossing in that the input and
constructed amplitudes can be off-diagonal and off-energy shell. Further,
amplitudes are constructed using the invariant parameters which are appropriate
to use as driving terms in the multi-particle, multichannel non-perturbative,
cluster decomposable, relativistic scattering equations of the Faddeev-type
integral equations recently presented by Alfred, Kwizera, Lindesay and Noyes.
It is therefore anticipated that when so employed, the resulting multi-channel
solutions will also be unitary. The process preserves the usual
particle-antiparticle symmetries. To illustrate this process, we construct a
J=0 scattering length model chosen for simplicity. We also exhibit a class of
physical models which contain a finite quantum mass parameter and are Lorentz
invariant. These are constructed to reduce in the appropriate limits, and with
the proper choice of value and sign of the interaction parameter, to the
asymptotic solution of the non-relativistic Coulomb problem, including the
forward scattering singularity, the essential singularity in the phase, and the
Bohr bound-state spectrum
Anisotropic Aerogels for Studying Superfluid He
It may be possible to stabilize new superfluid phases of He with
anisotropic silica aerogels. We discuss two methods that introduce anisotropy
in the aerogel on length scales relevant to superfluid He. First,
anisotropy can be induced with uniaxial strain. A second method generates
anisotropy during the growth and drying stages. We have grown cylindrical
98% aerogels with anisotropy indicated by preferential radial shrinkage
after supercritical drying and find that this shrinkage correlates with small
angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The growth-induced anisotropy was found to be
out of phase relative to that induced by strain. This has
implications for the possible stabilization of superfluid phases with specific
symmetry.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Quantum Fluids and Solids (QFS)
conference 200
Magnetoresistance of UPt3
We have performed measurements of the temperature dependence of the
magnetoresistance up to 9 T in bulk single crystals of UPt3 with the magnetic
field along the b axis, the easy magnetization axis. We have confirmed previous
results for transverse magnetoresistance with the current along the c axis, and
report measurements of the longitudinal magnetoresistance with the current
along the b axis. The presence of a linear term in both cases indicates broken
orientational symmetry associated with magnetic order. With the current along
the c axis the linear term appears near 5 K, increasing rapidly with decreasing
temperature. For current along the b axis the linear contribution is negative.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Quantum Fluids and Solids Conference
(QFS 2006
The evolution of inflorescence diversity in the nightshades and heterochrony during meristem maturation
One of the most remarkable manifestations of plant evolution is the diversity for floral branching systems. These "inflorescences" arise from stem cell populations in shoot meristems that mature gradually to reproductive states in response to environmental and endogenous signals. The morphology of the shoot meristem maturation process is conserved across distantly related plants, raising the question of how diverse inflorescence architectures arise from seemingly common maturation programs. In tomato and related nightshades (Solanaceae), inflorescences range from solitary flowers to highly branched structures bearing hundreds of flowers. Since reproductive barriers between even closely related Solanaceae have precluded a genetic dissection, we captured and compared meristem maturation transcriptomes from five domesticated and wild species reflecting the evolutionary continuum of inflorescence complexity. We find these divergent species share hundreds of dynamically expressed genes, enriched for transcription factors. Meristem stages are defined by distinct molecular states and point to modified maturation schedules underlying architectural variation. These modified schedules are marked by a peak of transcriptome expression divergence during the reproductive transition, driven by heterochronic shifts of dynamic genes, including transcriptional regulators with known roles in flowering. Thus, evolutionary diversity in Solanaceae inflorescence complexity is determined by subtle modifications of transcriptional programs during a critical transitional window of meristem maturation, which we propose underlies similar cases of plant architectural variation. More broadly, our findings parallel the recently described transcriptome "inverse hourglass" model for animal embryogenesis, suggesting both plant and animal morphological variation is guided by a mid-development period of transcriptome divergence
Compressed Silica Aerogels for the Study of Superfluid 3He
We have performed Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) on uniaxially strained
aerogels and measured the strain-induced structural anisotropy. We use a model
to connect our SAXS results to anisotropy of the 3He quasiparticle mean free
path in aerogel.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in the proceedings of
the 24th Low Temperature Physics Conferenc
Space-Time Approach to Scattering from Many Body Systems
We present scattering from many body systems in a new light. In place of the
usual van Hove treatment, (applicable to a wide range of scattering processes
using both photons and massive particles) based on plane waves, we calculate
the scattering amplitude as a space-time integral over the scattering sample
for an incident wave characterized by its correlation function which results
from the shaping of the wave field by the apparatus. Instrument resolution
effects - seen as due to the loss of correlation caused by the path differences
in the different arms of the instrument are automatically included and analytic
forms of the resolution function for different instruments are obtained. The
intersection of the moving correlation volumes (those regions where the
correlation functions are significant) associated with the different elements
of the apparatus determines the maximum correlation lengths (times) that can be
observed in a sample, and hence, the momentum (energy) resolution of the
measurement. This geometrical picture of moving correlation volumes derived by
our technique shows how the interaction of the scatterer with the wave field
shaped by the apparatus proceeds in space and time. Matching of the correlation
volumes so as to maximize the intersection region yields a transparent,
graphical method of instrument design. PACS: 03.65.Nk, 3.80 +r, 03.75, 61.12.BComment: Latex document with 6 fig
Globally Anisotropic High Porosity Silica Aerogels
We discuss two methods by which high porosity silica aerogels can be
engineered to exhibit global anisotropy. First, anisotropy can be introduced
with axial strain. In addition, intrinsic anisotropy can result during growth
and drying stages and, suitably controlled, it can be correlated with
preferential radial shrinkage in cylindrical samples. We have performed small
angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to characterize these two types of anisotropy. We
show that global anisotropy originating from either strain or shrinkage leads
to optical birefringence and that optical cross-polarization studies are a
useful characterization of the uniformity of the imposed global anisotropy.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Journal of Non-Crystalline Solid
Tissue Effects in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Short-term Finasteride in Early Prostate Cancer.
BackgroundIn the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, finasteride selectively suppressed low-grade prostate cancer and significantly reduced the incidence of prostate cancer in men treated with finasteride compared with placebo. However, an apparent increase in high-grade disease was also observed among men randomized to finasteride. We aimed to determine why and hypothesized that there is a grade-dependent response to finasteride.MethodsFrom 2007 to 2012, we randomized dynamically by intranet-accessible software 183 men with localized prostate cancer to receive 5mg finasteride or placebo daily in a double-blind study during the 4-6weeks preceding prostatectomy. As the primary end point, the expression of a predefined molecular signature (ERβ, UBE2C, SRD5A2, and VEGF) differentiating high- and low-grade tumors in Gleason grade (GG) 3 areas of finasteride-exposed tumors from those in GG3 areas of placebo-exposed tumors, adjusted for Gleason score (GS) at prostatectomy, was compared. We also determined androgen receptor (AR) levels, Ki-67, and cleaved caspase 3 to evaluate the effects of finasteride on the expression of its downstream target, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively. The expression of these markers was also compared across grades between and within treatment groups. Logistic regression was used to assess the expression of markers.FindingsWe found that the predetermined molecular signature did not distinguish GG3 from GG4 areas in the placebo group. However, AR expression was significantly lower in the GG4 areas of the finasteride group than in those of the placebo group. Within the finasteride group, AR expression was also lower in GG4 than in GG3 areas, but not significantly. Expression of cleaved caspase 3 was significantly increased in both GG3 and GG4 areas in the finasteride group compared to the placebo group, although it was lower in GG4 than in GG3 areas in both groups.InterpretationWe showed that finasteride's effect on apoptosis and AR expression is tumor grade dependent after short-term intervention. This may explain finasteride's selective suppression of low-grade tumors observed in the PCPT
HIV selfscreening distribution preferences and experiences among men who have sex with men in Mpumalanga Province: Informing policy for South Africa
Current research suggests that HIV self-screening (HIVSS) is a feasible and acceptable approach to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, few data are available to shape policy around dissemination and implementation. Gaps in knowledge include preferences for distribution of HIVSS kits, potential social harms and benefits of their use, and how much test users would be willing to pay for the kits. The aim was to inform policy recommendations to optimise distribution of HIVSS kits to MSM in South Africa (SA), where there is a high HIV incidence and unmet testing needs. MSM in the high-HIV-prevalence Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni districts of Mpumalanga Province, SA, were enrolled between October 2015 and May 2017. Participants were provided with their choice of blood or oral fluid HIVSS test kits, receiving 5 kits at enrolment and 4 additional kits at the 3-month follow-up visit. Questionnaires were administered at enrolment, 3 months and 6 months. We analysed participants’ reported social benefits and harms, and their preferences for kit distribution and pricing. Among 127 MSM screened and enrolled, 114 responded to follow-up questionnaires regarding distribution preferences, 49.3% preferred to acquire HIVSS kits at a community-based organisation (CBO) and 42.7% at a clinic, with 8% preferring a pharmacy. Participants with higher education preferred CBO sites for distribution; in other respects preferences were similar by demographic characteristics. Reported social benefits were common, including knowing one’s status, prevention knowledge gained and improved communication with partners. Despite ubiquitous interest in using the kits, the majority of MSM could not afford to purchase test kits. SA guidelines have integrated HIVSS into HIV and testing policy, but little has been published regarding distribution channels of the kits for MSM and other key populations. There is a partnership between the National Department of Health and CBOs that specialise in key population programming to ensure MSM and other populations with unmet testing needs can access affordable test kits. We observed no social harms, and there were multiple social benefits. Consequently, we recommend immediate free or low-cost distribution of HIVSS kits to MSM through community-based initiatives. Future research should continue to assess optimised linkage to care
- …