A Comparison between Relativistic and Semi-Relativistic Treatment in the Diquark-Quark Model

In the diquark-quark model of the nucleon including scalar and axialvector diquarks we compare solutions of the ladder Bethe-Salpeter equation in the instantaneous Salpeter approximation and in the fully covariant (i.e. four-dimensional) treatment. We obtain that the binding energy is severly underestimated in the Salpeter approximation. For the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon we find that in both approaches the overall shapes of the respective form factors are reasonably similar up to $Q^2 \approx 0.4$ GeV^2. However, the magnetic moments differ substantially as well as results for the pion-nucleon and the axial coupling of the nucleon.Comment: 12 pages,4 figures, 3 tables; minor modifications in text and tables, references added, version to be published in Physics Letters

Nucleon form factors and a nonpointlike diquark

Nucleon form factors are calculated on q^2 in [0,3] GeV^2 using an Ansatz for the nucleon's Fadde'ev amplitude motivated by quark-diquark solutions of the relativistic Fadde'ev equation. Only the scalar diquark is retained, and it and the quark are confined. A good description of the data requires a nonpointlike diquark correlation with an electromagnetic radius of 0.8 r_pi. The composite, nonpointlike nature of the diquark is crucial. It provides for diquark-breakup terms that are of greater importance than the diquark photon absorption contribution.Comment: 5 pages, REVTEX, epsfig, 3 figure

Nucleon Form Factors in a Covariant Diquark-Quark Model

In a model where constituent quarks and diquarks interact through quark exchange the Bethe-Salpeter equation in ladder approximation for the nucleon is solved. Quark and diquark confinement is effectively parametrized by choosing appropriately modified propagators. The coupling to external currents is implemented via nontrivial vertex functions for quarks and diquarks to ensure gauge invariance at the constituent level. Nucleon matrix elements are evaluated in a generalised impulse approximation, and electromagnetic, pionic and axial form factors are calculated.Comment: 33 Pages, 10 figures, modfied elsart.sty include

Lo humano en riesgo: la educación frente a la globalización

Los especialistas ponen al descubierto los principales desafíos político-educativos, teóricos y prácticos del discurso sobre la educación y plantean la necesidad de que esta se abra para dar acceso a la integración de la persona y a la orientación de una sociedad configurada por valores humanos fundamentales, esto es, la búsqueda de una educación en verdad humana en la era de la globalización.ITESO, A.C

Bound q2qˉ2q^2\bar q^2 states in a constituent quark model

We consider the existence of bound systems consisting of two quarks and two antiquarks ($q^2\bar q^2$) within the framework of a constituent quark model. The underlying quark dynamics is described by a linear confinement potential and an effective $q^2\bar q^2$ interaction which has its origin in instanton effects of QCD. We calculate the spectra and examine the internal structure of the states found.Comment: 11 pages, needs epsf.st

Electromagnetic N-Δ\Delta transition form factors in a covariant quark-diquark model

The electromagnetic N-$\Delta$ transition form factors are calculated in the framework of a formally covariant constituent diquark model. As a spin-3/2 particle the $\Delta$ is assumed to be a bound state of a quark and an axial-vector diquark. The wave function is obtained from a diquark-quark Salpeter equation with an instantaneous quark exchange potential. The three transition form factors are calculated for momentum transfers squared from the pseudothreshold $(M_\Delta-M_N)^2$ up to $-2 (GeV/c)^2$. The magnetic form factor is in qualitative agreement with experiment. We find very interesting results for the ratios E2/M1 and C2/M1.Comment: 16 pp, RevTeX, 7 figs, uses eps

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

Mutations at positions 186 and 194 in the HA gene of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus improve replication in cell culture and eggs

Obtaining suitable seed viruses for influenza vaccines poses a challenge for public health authorities and manufacturers. We used reverse genetics to generate vaccine seed-compatible viruses from the 2009 pandemic swine-origin influenza virus. Comparison of viruses recovered with variations in residues 186 and 194 (based on the H3 numbering system) of the viral hemagglutinin showed that these viruses differed with respect to their ability to grow in eggs and cultured cells. Thus, we have demonstrated that molecular cloning of members of a quasispecies can help in selection of seed viruses for vaccine manufacture

A transient homotypic interaction model for the influenza A virus NS1 protein effector domain

Influenza A virus NS1 protein is a multifunctional virulence factor consisting of an RNA binding domain (RBD), a short linker, an effector domain (ED), and a C-terminal 'tail'. Although poorly understood, NS1 multimerization may autoregulate its actions. While RBD dimerization seems functionally conserved, two possible apo ED dimers have been proposed (helix-helix and strand-strand). Here, we analyze all available RBD, ED, and full-length NS1 structures, including four novel crystal structures obtained using EDs from divergent human and avian viruses, as well as two forms of a monomeric ED mutant. The data reveal the helix-helix interface as the only strictly conserved ED homodimeric contact. Furthermore, a mutant NS1 unable to form the helix-helix dimer is compromised in its ability to bind dsRNA efficiently, implying that ED multimerization influences RBD activity. Our bioinformatical work also suggests that the helix-helix interface is variable and transient, thereby allowing two ED monomers to twist relative to one another and possibly separate. In this regard, we found a mAb that recognizes NS1 via a residue completely buried within the ED helix-helix interface, and which may help highlight potential different conformational populations of NS1 (putatively termed 'helix-closed' and 'helix-open') in virus-infected cells. 'Helix-closed' conformations appear to enhance dsRNA binding, and 'helix-open' conformations allow otherwise inaccessible interactions with host factors. Our data support a new model of NS1 regulation in which the RBD remains dimeric throughout infection, while the ED switches between several quaternary states in order to expand its functional space. Such a concept may be applicable to other small multifunctional proteins

Sensorimotor Experience Influences Recovery of Forelimb Abilities but Not Tissue Loss after Focal Cortical Compression in Adult Rats

Sensorimotor activity has been shown to play a key role in functional outcome after extensive brain damage. This study was aimed at assessing the influence of sensorimotor experience through subject-environment interactions on the time course of both lesion and gliosis volumes as well as on the recovery of forelimb sensorimotor abilities following focal cortical injury. The lesion consisted of a cortical compression targeting the forepaw representational area within the primary somatosensory cortex of adult rats. After the cortical lesion, rats were randomly subjected to various postlesion conditions: unilateral C5–C6 dorsal root transection depriving the contralateral cortex from forepaw somatosensory inputs, standard housing or an enriched environment promoting sensorimotor experience and social interactions. Behavioral tests were used to assess forelimb placement during locomotion, forelimb-use asymmetry, and forepaw tactile sensitivity. For each group, the time course of tissue loss was described and the gliosis volume over the first postoperative month was evaluated using an unbiased stereological method. Consistent with previous studies, recovery of behavioral abilities was found to depend on post-injury experience. Indeed, increased sensorimotor activity initiated early in an enriched environment induced a rapid and more complete behavioral recovery compared with standard housing. In contrast, severe deprivation of peripheral sensory inputs led to a delayed and only partial sensorimotor recovery. The dorsal rhizotomy was found to increase the perilesional gliosis in comparison to standard or enriched environments. These findings provide further evidence that early sensory experience has a beneficial influence on the onset and time course of functional recovery after focal brain injury