1/m_b^2 correction to the left-right lepton polarization asymmetry in the decay B -> X_s mu^+ mu^-

Using a known result by Falk et al. for the 1/m_b^2 correction to the dilepton invariant mass spectrum in the decay B \rightarrow X_s \mu^+ \mu^-, we calculate the 1/m_b^2 correction to the left-right muon polarization asymmetry in this decay. Employing an up-to-date range of values for the non-perturbative parameter \lambda_1, we find that the correction is much smaller than it should have been expected from the previous work by Falk et al.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures included. Uses epsf.sty and rotate.sty. To appear in Physical Review D. The complete postscript file is also available from URL ftp://feynman.t30.physik.tu-muenchen.de/pub/preprints/ tum_t31_98_96.ps.g

Global value chains and human development: a class-relational framework

Global Value Chain proponents argue that regional and human development can be achieved through ‘strategic coupling’ with transnational corporations. This argument is misleading for two reasons. First, GVC abstracts firm-firm and firm-state relations from their class-relational basis, obscuring fundamental developmental processes. Second, much GVC analysis promotes linear conceptions of development. This article provides a class-relational framework for GVC analysis. The formation and functioning of GVCs and the developmental effects associated with them are products of histories of evolving and often conflictive, class relations. A study of export horticulture in North East Brazil provides empirical support for these arguments

Two photon decays of heavy vector mesons, B∗→BγγB^{*}\to B\gamma \gamma,D∗→DγγD^{*}\to D\gamma \gamma, and the possible determination of the gB∗(D∗)B(D)πg_{B^{*}(D^{*})B(D)\pi} and gB∗0B0γg_{{B^{*}}^0B^0\gamma} couplings

We study the novel decays $B^{*}\to B\gamma\gamma$ and $D^{*}\to D\gamma \gamma$ using the framework of the Heavy Meson Chiral Lagrangian (HM$\chi$L) to leading order in chiral perturbation theory. The branching ratios of these decays are expressed in terms of the strong $g_{B^{*}(D^{*})B(D)\pi}$ and the electromagnetic $g_{B^{*}(D^*)B(D)\gamma}$ couplings, thus providing a possible tool for their determination. In the charm case, using the experimentally determined ratios $({D^*}^{0,+}\to D\pi)/({D^*}^{0,+}\to D\gamma),$ we are able to express the branching ratio as a function of the strong coupling only. We thus find $1.6\times 10^{-6}<{\rm Br} ({D^{*}}^{0}\to D^0\gamma\gamma)<3.3\times 10^{-5}$ for $0.25<g<1,$ where $g$ is the strong coupling of HM$\chi$L. In the beauty sector, the ${\rm Br}({B^{*}}^{0} \to B^0 \gamma\gamma)$ which we estimate to be in the $10^{-7}-10^{-5}$ range is a function of both $g_{B^{*}B\pi}$ and $g_{B^{*}B\gamma}.$ Its behaviour does not afford an unambiguous determination of these couplings except for the region of high $g$ values like $g>0.6.$ The expected two-photon differential distributions are presented for both ${B^{*}}^{0} \to B^0 \gamma\gamma$ and ${D^{*}}^{0}\to D^0\gamma\gamma,$ for different values of the couplings involved.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, 5 ps-figures (uses subfigure.sty). Accepted by Phys. Rev.

O impacto, sobre estudantes brasileiros, de uma linguagem visual para aprender a aprender conjuntamente

Resumo Um dos temas mais importantes na aprendizagem colaborativa apoiada pelo computador é a autorregulação da aprendizagem sem o apoio de professores. A autorregulação da colaboração pode ser definida como o conjunto dos processos sociais que os alunos usam para coordenar o seu esforço conjunto em uma atividade. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de caso brasileiro que examina o impacto da plataforma computacional Metafora para apoiar a regulação da colaboração entre os estudantes brasileiros. Nosso objetivo é investigar se o uso da linguagem visual Metafora ajuda os alunos a aprenderem a aprender em conjunto (learn to learn togueter – L2L2). L2L2 abrange o desenvolvimento da capacidade de coordenação da colaboração. Para perseguir esse objetivo, são fornecidas evidências de mecanismos de coordenação e as respostas emocionais subjacentes ao uso, pelos alunos, da ferramenta de planejamento Metafora. Os resultados deste estudo de caso demonstram que as interações dos alunos, ao usarem a ferramenta de planejamento Metafora, influenciaram o seu desenvolvimento de L2L2 de maneira natural e envolvente. A ferramenta de planejamento Metafora proporciona aos alunos um ambiente amigável para a regulação dos processos de grupo e tem potencial para modificar os pensamentos dos estudantes com respeito à coordenação de processos colaborativos

Accounting for Equity Considerations in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis : A Systematic Review of Rotavirus Vaccine in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Additional file 3: Appendix C. Full data table of results

Cadophora margaritata sp. nov. and other fungi associated with the longhorn beetles Anoplophora glabripennis and Saperda carcharias in Finland

Symbiosis with microbes is crucial for survival and development of wood-inhabiting longhorn beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Thus, knowledge of the endemic fungal associates of insects would facilitate risk assessment in cases where a new invasive pest occupies the same ecological niche. However, the diversity of fungi associated with insects remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate fungi associated with the native large poplar longhorn beetle (Saperda carcharias) and the recently introduced Asian longhorn beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) infesting hardwood trees in Finland. We studied the cultivable fungal associates obtained from Populus tremula colonised by S. carcharias, and Betula pendula and Salix caprea infested by A. glabripennis, and compared these to the samples collected from intact wood material. This study detected a number of plant pathogenic and saprotrophic fungi, and species with known potential for enzymatic degradation of wood components. Phylogenetic analyses of the most commonly encountered fungi isolated from the longhorn beetles revealed an association with fungi residing in the Cadophora-Mollisia species complex. A commonly encountered fungus was Cadophora spadicis, a recently described fungus associated with wood-decay. In addition, a novel species of Cadophora, for which the name Cadophora margaritata sp. nov. is provided, was isolated from the colonised wood.Peer reviewe

Inequality in the use of maternal and child health services in the Philippines: do pro-poor health policies result in more equitable use of services?

BACKGROUND: The Philippines failed to achieve its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) commitment to reduce maternal deaths by three quarters. This, together with the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforces the need for the country to keep up in improving reach of maternal and child health (MCH) services. Inequitable use of health services is a risk factor for the differences in health outcomes across socio-economic groups. This study aims to explore the extent of inequities in the use of MCH services in the Philippines after pro-poor national health policy reforms. METHODS: This paper uses data from the 2008 and 2013 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in the Philippines. Socio-economic inequality in MCH services use was measured using the concentration index. The concentration index was also decomposed in order to examine the contribution of different factors to the inequalities in the use of MCH services. RESULTS: In absolute figures, women who delivered in facilities increased from 2008 to 2013. Little change was noted for women who received complete antenatal care and caesarean births. Facility deliveries remain pro-rich although a pro-poor shift was noted. Women who received complete antenatal care services also remain concentrated to the rich. Further, there is a highly pro-rich inequality in caesarean deliveries which did not change much from 2008 to 2013. Household income remains as the most important contributor to the resulting inequalities in health services use, followed by maternal education. For complete antenatal care use and deliveries in government facilities, regional differences also showed to have important contribution. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest inequality in the use of MCH services had limited pro-poor improvements. Household income remains to be the major driver of inequities in MCH services use in the Philippines. This is despite the recent national government-led subsidy for the health insurance of the poor. The highly pro-rich caesarean deliveries may also warrant the need for future studies to determine the prevalence of medically unindicated caesarean births among high-income women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable

Disorders of Consciousness

Disorders of Consciousness are a big challenge for the entire process of rehabilitation: assessment, diagnosis, pharmacological, and rehabilitation programs, including conventional treatments and the use of new technologies