Nuclear Ground State Observables and QCD Scaling in a Refined Relativistic Point Coupling Model

We present results obtained in the calculation of nuclear ground state properties in relativistic Hartree approximation using a Lagrangian whose QCD-scaled coupling constants are all natural (dimensionless and of order 1). Our model consists of four-, six-, and eight-fermion point couplings (contact interactions) together with derivative terms representing, respectively, two-, three-, and four-body forces and the finite ranges of the corresponding mesonic interactions. The coupling constants have been determined in a self-consistent procedure that solves the model equations for representative nuclei simultaneously in a generalized nonlinear least-squares adjustment algorithm. The extracted coupling constants allow us to predict ground state properties of a much larger set of even-even nuclei to good accuracy. The fact that the extracted coupling constants are all natural leads to the conclusion that QCD scaling and chiral symmetry apply to finite nuclei.Comment: 44 pages, 13 figures, 9 tables, REVTEX, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Investigating feasibility of 2021 WHO protocol for cervical cancer screening in underscreened populations: PREvention and SCReening Innovation Project Toward Elimination of Cervical Cancer (PRESCRIP-TEC)

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the primary screening test in cervical screening programs. The option of self-sampling for this screening method can potentially increase women's participation. Designing screening programs to implement this method among underscreened populations will require contextualized evidence.Methods: PREvention and SCReening Innovation Project Toward Elimination of Cervical Cancer (PRESCRIP-TEC) will use a multi-method approach to investigate the feasibility of implementing a cervical cancer screening strategy with hrHPV self-testing as the primary screening test in Bangladesh, India, Slovak Republic and Uganda. The primary outcomes of study include uptake and coverage of the screening program and adherence to follow-up. These outcomes will be evaluated through a pre-post quasi-experimental study design. Secondary objectives of the study include the analysis of client-related factors and health system factors related to cervical cancer screening, a validation study of an artificial intelligence decision support system and an economic evaluation of the screening strategy.Discussion: PRESCRIP-TEC aims to provide evidence regarding hrHPV self-testing and the World Health Organization's recommendations for cervical cancer screening in a variety of settings, targeting vulnerable groups. The main quantitative findings of the project related to the impact on uptake and coverage of screening will be complemented by qualitative analyses of various determinants of successful implementation of screening. The study Continued from previous page) will also provide decision-makers with insights into economic aspects of implementing hrHPV self-testing , as well as evaluate the feasibility of using artificial intelligence for task-shifting in visual inspection with acetic acid