Reordering of Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory

Reordering of the chiral perturbation series, proposed recently by Becher and Leutwyler in the framework of SU(2) baryonic ChPT, is applied to the SU(3) case. This results in improved convergence of the chiral expansion of static properties of the lowest lying baryon octet, which in most cases is quite impressive. Finite renormalization of coupling constants and the role it plays in the interpretation of effective field theories is discussed. Some future tests of the viability of the scheme are proposed too.Comment: 9 pages, one reference adde

Salinity as a key factor for strain selection and optimization of Ulva spp. for land based cultivation

The mission of the Mak Pak Scale Up project 2021 present) is to develop a seaweed based food packaging material and to sustainably scale up the production of seaweed, including Ulva spp in a recirculating land based facility supplemented with artificial seawater that requires a selection and optimization of the seaweed of interest The Ulva genus has previously shown high plasticity and capacity to acclimate and develop under broad ranges of environmental conditions, suggesting this may be a promising candidate for production in a RAS with low salinity artificial seawater Selecting an Ulva strain well adapted to such conditions will help reduce the costs of salt and, therefore, optimize production The aim of this study was to determine how salinity can be used and adapted throughout the entire Ulva production to define several key points 1 strain selection 2 nursery and seeding 3 optimized production in adult Ulva and 4 increasing functionality (e g high antioxidant activity) Based on the results of three different experiments, it was possible to conclude how salinity impacts different strains of Ulva (tubular and blade species) from warm temperate environments, during three key moments of their development and with that, conclude which strains would be more suited to be scaled up within the scope of land based production At the same time, the data presented serve as a baseline for further work with Ulva under different cultivation condition

Systematic 1/M Expansion for Spin 3/2 Particles

Starting from a relativistic formulation of the pion-nucleon-delta system, the most general structure of 1/M corrections for a heavy baryon chiral lagrangian including spin 3/2 resonances is given. The heavy components of relativistic nucleons and delta fields are integrated out and their contributions to the next-to-leaing order lagrangians are constructed explicitly. The effective theory obtained admits a systematic expansion in terms of soft momenta, the pion mass $m_\pi$ and the delta-nucleon mass difference $\Delta$. As an application, we consider neutral pion photoproduction at threshold to third order in this small scale expansion.Comment: Revised version of original submissio

Intravitreal S100B Injection Leads to Progressive Glaucoma Like Damage in Retina and Optic Nerve

The glial protein S100B, which belongs to a calcium binding protein family, is up-regulated in neurological diseases, like multiple sclerosis or glaucoma. In previous studies, S100B immunization led to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in an experimental autoimmune glaucoma (EAG) model. Now, the direct degenerative impact of S100B on the retina and optic nerve was evaluated. Therefore, 2 μl of S100B was intravitreally injected in two concentrations (0.2 and 0.5 μg/μl). At day 3, 14 and 21, retinal neurons, such as RGCs, amacrine and bipolar cells, as well as apoptotic mechanisms were analyzed. Furthermore, neurofilaments, myelin fibers and axons of optic nerves were evaluated. In addition, retinal function and immunoglobulin G (IgG) level in the serum were measured. At day 3, RGCs were unaffected in the S100B groups, when compared to the PBS group. Later, at days 14 and 21, the RGC number as well as the β-III tubulin protein level was reduced in the S100B groups. Only at day 14, active apoptotic mechanisms were noted. The number of amacrine cells was first affected at day 21, while the bipolar cell amount remained comparable to the PBS group. Also, the optic nerve neurofilament structure was damaged from day 3 on. At day 14, numerous swollen axons were observed. The intraocular injection of S100B is a new model for a glaucoma like degeneration. Although the application site was the eye, the optic nerve degenerated first, already at day 3. From day 14 on, retinal damage and loss of function was noted. The RGCs in the middle part of the retina were first affected. At day 21, the damage expanded and RGCs had degenerated in all areas of the retina as well as amacrine cells. Furthermore, elevated IgG levels in the serum were measured at day 21, which could be a sign of a late and S100B independet immune response. In summary, S100B had a direct destroying impact on the axons of the optic nerve. The damage of the retinal cell bodies seems to be a consequence of this axon loss

Implementing a benchmarking and feedback concept decreases postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective study including 256 patients

Perioperative pain reduction, particularly during the first two days, is highly important for patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Problems are not only caused by medical issues but by organization and hospital structure. The present study shows how the quality of pain management can be increased by implementing a standardized pain concept and simple, consistent benchmarking. All patients included into the study had undergone total knee arthroplasty. Outcome parameters were analyzed by means of a questionnaire on the first postoperative day. A multidisciplinary team implemented a regular procedure of data analyzes and external benchmarking by participating in a nationwide quality improvement project. At the beginning of the study, our hospital ranked 16(th) in terms of activity-related pain and 9(th) in patient satisfaction among 47 anonymized hospitals participating in the benchmarking project. At the end of the study, we had improved to 1(st) activity-related pain and to 2(nd) in patient satisfaction. Although benchmarking started and finished with the same standardized pain management concept, results were initially pure. Beside pharmacological treatment, interdisciplinary teamwork and benchmarking with direct feedback mechanisms are also very important for decreasing postoperative pain and for increasing patient satisfaction after TKA

Heavy Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory with Light Deltas

We demonstrate how heavy mass methods, previously applied to chiral perturbation theory calculations involving the interactions of nucleons and pions, can be generalized to include interactions with the $\Delta(1232)$ in a systematic formalism which we call the "small scale expansion."Comment: 47 page standard latex file with typos correcte

Digital Shop Floor Management: A Target State

The digitalization of their shop floor management is an important issue for many production companies. In spite of that, neither a methodological approach for its implementation nor a target state have been defined yet. The definition of a target state can help companies to more clearly define their own goals when introducing digital shop floor management and improve the success of implementation projects.This paper describes this target state for industrial companies, showing which additional value digitalization adds to shop floor management. It is based on the Darmstadt model of shop floor management and shows a methodological approach on how a target state can be developed. Based on that, further research potential is presented and next steps to achieve the target state are discussed