MC generator TAUOLA: implementation of Resonance Chiral Theory for two and three meson modes. Comparison with experiment

We present a partial upgrade of the Monte Carlo event generator TAUOLA with the two and three hadron decay modes using the theoretical models based on Resonance Chiral Theory. These modes account for 88% of total hadronic width of the tau meson. First results of the model parameters have been obtained using BaBar data for three pion mode.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, contribution to the Proceedings of the QCD@Work12 Conferenc

Theoretical inputs and errors in the new hadronic currents in TAUOLA

The new hadronic currents implemented in the TAUOLA library are obtained in the unified and consistent framework of Resonance Chiral Theory: a Lagrangian approach in which the resonances exchanged in the hadronic tau decays are active degrees of freedom included in a way that reproduces the low-energy results of Chiral Perturbation Theory. The short-distance QCD constraints on the imaginary part of the spin-one correlators yield relations among the couplings that render the theory predictive. In this communication, the obtaining of the two- and three-meson form factors is sketched. One of the criticisms to our framework is that the error may be as large as 1/3, since it is a realization of the large-N_C limit of QCD in a meson theory. A number of arguments are given which disfavor that claim pointing to smaller errors, which would explain the phenomenological success of our description in these decays. Finally, other minor sources of error and current improvements of the code are discussed.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, contribution to the Proceedings of the QCD@Work12 Conferenc

In-vivo validity of proximal caries detection in primary teeth, with histological validation.

BACKGROUND: Detection and diagnosis of proximal caries in primary molars is challenging. AIM: The aim of this in-vivo study was to assess the validity and reproducibility of four methods of proximal caries detection in primary molar teeth. DESIGN: Eighty-two children (5-10 yrs) were recruited. Initially 1030 proximal surfaces were examined using meticulous visual examination (ICDAS) (VE1), bitewing radiographs (RE), and a laser fluorescence pen device (LF1). Temporary tooth separation (TTS) was achieved for 447 surfaces and these were re-examined visually (VE2) and using the LF-pen (LF2). Three hundred and fifty-six teeth (542 surfaces) were subsequently extracted and provided histological validation. RESULTS: At D1 (enamel and dentine caries) diagnostic threshold, the sensitivity of VE1, RE, VE2, LF1 and LF2 examination were 0.52, 0.14, 0.75, 0.58, 0.60 and the specificity values were 0.89, 0.97, 0.88, 0.85, 0.77 respectively. At D3 (dentine caries) threshold, the sensitivity values were 0.42, 0.71, 0.49, 0.63, 0.65 respectively, while specificity was 0.93 for VE1 and VE2, and 0.98, 0.87 and 0.88 for RE, LF1 and LF2 examinations respectively. ROC analysis showed radiographic examination to be superior at D3 . CONCLUSION: Meticulous caries diagnosis (ICDAS) should be supported by radiographs for detection of dentinal proximal caries in primary molars

Resonance Chiral Lagrangian Currents and Experimental Data for τ−→π−π−π+ντ\tau^-\to\pi^{-}\pi^{-}\pi^{+}\nu_{\tau}

In this paper we document the modifications introduced to the previous version of the Resonance Chiral Lagrangian current ({\it Phys.Rev.} {\bf D86} (2012) 113008) of the $\tau^\pm \to \pi^\pm \pi^\pm \pi^\mp \nu_\tau$ decay which enable the one dimensional distributions measured by the BaBar collaboration to be well modeled. The main change required to model the data is the addition of the $\sigma$ resonance. Systematic errors, theoretical and experimental ones, limitations due to fits of one dimensional distributions only, and resulting difficulties and statistical/systematic errors for fitted parameters are addressed. The current and fitting environment is ready for comparisons with the fully exclusive experimental data. The present result for $\tau^\pm \to \pi^\pm \pi^\pm \pi^\mp \nu_\tau$ is encouraging for work on other $\tau$ decay modes and Resonance Chiral Lagrangian based currents.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Biomolecular imaging and electronic damage using X-ray free-electron lasers

Proposals to determine biomolecular structures from diffraction experiments using femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulses involve a conflict between the incident brightness required to achieve diffraction-limited atomic resolution and the electronic and structural damage induced by the illumination. Here we show that previous estimates of the conditions under which biomolecular structures may be obtained in this manner are unduly restrictive, because they are based on a coherent diffraction model that is not appropriate to the proposed interaction conditions. A more detailed imaging model derived from optical coherence theory and quantum electrodynamics is shown to be far more tolerant of electronic damage. The nuclear density is employed as the principal descriptor of molecular structure. The foundations of the approach may also be used to characterize electrodynamical processes by performing scattering experiments on complex molecules of known structure.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Local influence of boundary conditions on a confined supercooled colloidal liquid

We study confined colloidal suspensions as a model system which approximates the behavior of confined small molecule glass-formers. Dense colloidal suspensions become glassier when confined between parallel glass plates. We use confocal microscopy to study the motion of confined colloidal particles. In particular, we examine the influence particles stuck to the glass plates have on nearby free particles. Confinement appears to be the primary influence slowing free particle motion, and proximity to stuck particles causes a secondary reduction in the mobility of free particles. Overall, particle mobility is fairly constant across the width of the sample chamber, but a strong asymmetry in boundary conditions results in a slight gradient of particle mobility.Comment: For conference proceedings, "Dynamics in Confinement", Grenoble, March 201

Comparison and relative utility of inequality measurements: as applied to Scotland’s child dental health

This study compared and assessed the utility of tests of inequality on a series of very large population caries datasets. National cross-sectional caries datasets for Scotland’s 5-year-olds in 1993/94 (n = 5,078); 1995/96 (n = 6,240); 1997/98 (n = 6,584); 1999/00 (n = 6,781); 2002/03 (n = 9,747); 2003/04 (n = 10,956); 2005/06 (n = 10,945) and 2007/08 (n = 12,067) were obtained. Outcomes were based on the d3mft metric (i.e. the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth). An area-based deprivation category (DepCat) measured the subjects’ socioeconomic status (SES). Simple absolute and relative inequality, Odds Ratios and the Significant Caries Index (SIC) as advocated by the World Health Organization were calculated. The measures of complex inequality applied to data were: the Slope Index of Inequality (absolute) and a variety of relative inequality tests i.e. Gini coefficient; Relative Index of Inequality; concentration curve; Koolman and Doorslaer’s transformed Concentration Index; Receiver Operator Curve and Population Attributable Risk (PAR). Additional tests used were plots of SIC deciles (SIC10) and a Scottish Caries Inequality Metric (SCIM10). Over the period, mean d3mft improved from 3.1(95%CI 3.0–3.2) to 1.9(95%CI 1.8–1.9) and d3mft = 0% from 41.1(95%CI 39.8–42.3) to 58.3(95%CI 57.8–59.7). Absolute simple and complex inequality decreased. Relative simple and complex inequality remained comparatively stable. Our results support the use of the SII and RII to measure complex absolute and relative SES inequalities alongside additional tests of complex relative inequality such as PAR and Koolman and Doorslaer’s transformed CI. The latter two have clear interpretations which may influence policy makers. Specialised dental metrics (i.e. SIC, SIC10 and SCIM10) permit the exploration of other important inequalities not determined by SES, and could be applied to many other types of disease where ranking of morbidity is possible e.g. obesity. More generally, the approaches described may be applied to study patterns of health inequality affecting worldwide populations

Postextubation pulmonary edema: A case series and review

SummaryWe report a series of patients with postextubation pulmonary edema who had no obvious risk factors for the development of this syndrome.MethodsPatients identified by the pulmonary consultation service at an academic medical center were reviewed.ResultsFourteen cases were collected and analyzed. The average age was 34.5 years; 12 patients were male. The average BMI was 25.5. None had documented previous lung disease. Most operations were scheduled as outpatient procedures, and the type of surgery ranged from an incision and drainage of a bite wound to an open reduction- internal fixation of the radius. None of the patients had upper airway surgery. The length of surgeries ranged from 27 to 335min. Laryngospasm was the most commonly identified obstructing event postextubation. Treatment involved airway support when needed, supplemental oxygen, and diuretics.ConclusionsIt would appear that all patients, especially young men, are at risk for the development of this syndrome and that the pathogenesis remains uncertain in many cases

SDWFS-MT-1: A Self-Obscured Luminous Supernova at z~0.2

We report the discovery of a six-month-long mid-infrared transient, SDWFS-MT-1 (aka SN 2007va), in the Spitzer Deep, Wide-Field Survey of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey Bootes field. The transient, located in a z=0.19 low luminosity (M_[4.5]~-18.6 mag, L/L_MilkyWay~0.01) metal-poor (12+log(O/H)~7.8) irregular galaxy, peaked at a mid-infrared absolute magnitude of M_[4.5]~-24.2 in the 4.5 micron Spitzer/IRAC band and emitted a total energy of at least 10^51 ergs. The optical emission was likely fainter than the mid-infrared, although our constraints on the optical emission are poor because the transient peaked when the source was "behind" the Sun. The Spitzer data are consistent with emission by a modified black body with a temperature of ~1350 K. We rule out a number of scenarios for the origin of the transient such as a Galactic star, AGN activity, GRB, tidal disruption of a star by a black hole and gravitational lensing. The most plausible scenario is a supernova exploding inside a massive, optically thick circumstellar medium, composed of multiple shells of previously ejected material. If the proposed scenario is correct, then a significant fraction (~10%) of the most luminous supernova may be self-enshrouded by dust not only before but also after the supernova occurs. The spectral energy distribution of the progenitor of such a supernova would be a slightly cooler version of eta Carina, peaking at 20-30 microns.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in Ap

ASCR/HEP Exascale Requirements Review Report

This draft report summarizes and details the findings, results, and recommendations derived from the ASCR/HEP Exascale Requirements Review meeting held in June, 2015. The main conclusions are as follows. 1) Larger, more capable computing and data facilities are needed to support HEP science goals in all three frontiers: Energy, Intensity, and Cosmic. The expected scale of the demand at the 2025 timescale is at least two orders of magnitude -- and in some cases greater -- than that available currently. 2) The growth rate of data produced by simulations is overwhelming the current ability, of both facilities and researchers, to store and analyze it. Additional resources and new techniques for data analysis are urgently needed. 3) Data rates and volumes from HEP experimental facilities are also straining the ability to store and analyze large and complex data volumes. Appropriately configured leadership-class facilities can play a transformational role in enabling scientific discovery from these datasets. 4) A close integration of HPC simulation and data analysis will aid greatly in interpreting results from HEP experiments. Such an integration will minimize data movement and facilitate interdependent workflows. 5) Long-range planning between HEP and ASCR will be required to meet HEP's research needs. To best use ASCR HPC resources the experimental HEP program needs a) an established long-term plan for access to ASCR computational and data resources, b) an ability to map workflows onto HPC resources, c) the ability for ASCR facilities to accommodate workflows run by collaborations that can have thousands of individual members, d) to transition codes to the next-generation HPC platforms that will be available at ASCR facilities, e) to build up and train a workforce capable of developing and using simulations and analysis to support HEP scientific research on next-generation systems.Comment: 77 pages, 13 Figures; draft report, subject to further revisio