A Spectator-Quark-Model for the Photoproduction of Kaons

A simple model for the photoproduction of kaons off protons with a lambda hyperon in the final state is presented. In a quark model, the interaction is modelled by the pair-creation of the (anti-) strange quarks in the final state which recombine with the three quarks of the proton to form the lambda and kaon. The calculated scattering cross sections for photon energies up to E_\gamma = 1.9 \; \mbox{GeV} are compared to experiment. The pair-creation process is found to have a significant contribution to the total cross section.Comment: 16 pages, LaTex, 10 figures included; packed with 'uufiles' utilit

NN Core Interactions and Differential Cross Sections from One Gluon Exchange

We derive nonstrange baryon-baryon scattering amplitudes in the nonrelativistic quark model using the ``quark Born diagram" formalism. This approach describes the scattering as a single interaction, here the one-gluon-exchange (OGE) spin-spin term followed by constituent interchange, with external nonrelativistic baryon wavefunctions attached to the scattering diagrams to incorporate higher-twist wavefunction effects. The short-range repulsive core in the NN interaction has previously been attributed to this spin-spin interaction in the literature; we find that these perturbative constituent-interchange diagrams do indeed predict repulsive interactions in all I,S channels of the nucleon-nucleon system, and we compare our results for the equivalent short-range potentials to the core potentials found by other authors using nonperturbative methods. We also apply our perturbative techniques to the N$\Delta$ and $\Delta\Delta$ systems: Some $\Delta\Delta$ channels are found to have attractive core potentials and may accommodate ``molecular" bound states near threshold. Finally we use our Born formalism to calculate the NN differential cross section, which we compare with experimental results for unpolarised proton-proton elastic scattering. We find that several familiar features of the experimental differential cross section are reproduced by our Born-order result.Comment: 27 pages, figures available from the authors, revtex, CEBAF-TH-93-04, MIT-CTP-2187, ORNL-CCIP-93-0

Titan's cold case files - Outstanding questions after Cassini-Huygens

Abstract The entry of the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft into orbit around Saturn in July 2004 marked the start of a golden era in the exploration of Titan, Saturn's giant moon. During the Prime Mission (2004–2008), ground-breaking discoveries were made by the Cassini orbiter including the equatorial dune fields (flyby T3, 2005), northern lakes and seas (T16, 2006), and the large positive and negative ions (T16 & T18, 2006), to name a few. In 2005 the Huygens probe descended through Titan's atmosphere, taking the first close-up pictures of the surface, including large networks of dendritic channels leading to a dried-up seabed, and also obtaining detailed profiles of temperature and gas composition during the atmospheric descent. The discoveries continued through the Equinox Mission (2008–2010) and Solstice Mission (2010–2017) totaling 127 targeted flybys of Titan in all. Now at the end of the mission, we are able to look back on the high-level scientific questions from the start of the mission, and assess the progress that has been made towards answering these. At the same time, new scientific questions regarding Titan have emerged from the discoveries that have been made. In this paper we review a cross-section of important scientific questions that remain partially or completely unanswered, ranging from Titan's deep interior to the exosphere. Our intention is to help formulate the science goals for the next generation of planetary missions to Titan, and to stimulate new experimental, observational and theoretical investigations in the interim

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries