A possible experimental determination of ms/m^m_s/{\hat m} from Kμ4K_{\mu 4} decays

$K\pi$ scattering and $K_{\mu 4}$ decays are studied at leading order of improved chiral perturbation theory. It is shown that high precision $K_{\mu 4}$ experiments at, e.g., DA$\Phi$NE should allow for a direct measurement of the quark mass ratio $m_s$/${\hat m}$.Comment: 9 pages, preprint IPNO-TH 93-17, 2 figures not included, available upon request, plain Latex, April 199

Contributions of order O(mquark2){\cal O}(m_{\rm quark}^2) to Kℓ3K_{\ell 3} form factors and unitarity of the CKM matrix

The form factors for the $K_{\ell 3}$ semileptonic decay are computed to order $O(p^4)$ in generalized chiral perturbation theory. The main difference with the standard $O(p^4)$ expressions consists in contributions quadratic in quark masses, which are described by a single divergence-free low-energy constant, $A_3$. A new simultaneous analysis is presented for the CKM matrix element $V_{us}$, the ratio $F_K/F_{\pi}$, $K_{\ell 3}$ decay rates and the scalar form factor slope $\lambda_0$. This framework easily accommodates the precise value for $V_{ud}$ deduced from superallowed nuclear $\beta$-decays

Probing the quark condensate by means of pi-pi scattering

The available experimental information is consistent with the Weinberg predictions for the threshold parameters of pi-pi-scattering. The data, however, only test those relations that are insensitive to the quark masses m_u and m_d. Recent theoretical progress leads to remarkably sharp predictions for the behaviour of the S- and P-wave phase shifts in the elastic region -- one of the very few low energy phenomena in QCD, where theory is ahead of experiment and where new precision data would subject the theory to a crucial test (Talk given at the DAFCE workshop, Frascati, November 1996)

The Breathing Mode in Extended Skyrme Model

We study an extended Skyrme model which includes fourth and sixth-order terms. We explore some static properties like the $\Delta$-nucleon mass splitting and investigate the Skyrmion breathing mode in the framework of the linear response theory. We find that the monopole response function has a pronounced peak located at $\sim$ 400 MeV, which we identify to the Roper resonance $N(1440)$. As compared to the standard one, the extended Skyrme model provides a more accurate description of baryon properties.Comment: 12 pages of plain Latex and 3 figures (available from the authors), preprint IPNO/TH 93-0

Producing valid statistics when legislation, culture, and medical practices differ for births at or before the threshold of survival: Report of a European workshop

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Isospin breaking corrections to low-energy pi-K scattering

We evaluate the matrix elements for the processes pi^0 K^0 -> pi^0 K^0 and pi^- K^+ -> pi^0 K^0 in the presence of isospin breaking terms at leading and next-to-leading order. As a direct application the releveant combination of the S-wave scattering lengths involved in the pion-kaon atom lifetime is determined. We discuss the sensitivity of the results with respect to the input parameters.Comment: 33 pages, plain latex, 2 figure

pi-pi scattering in a QCD based model field theory

A model field theory, in which the interaction between quarks is mediated by dressed vector boson exchange, is used to analyse the pionic sector of QCD. It is shown that this model, which incorporates dynamical chiral symmetry breaking, asymptotic freedom and quark confinement, allows one to calculate $f_\pi$, $m_\pi$, $r_\pi$ and the partial wave amplitudes in $\pi$-$\pi$ scattering and obtain good agreement with the experimental data, with the latter being well described up to energies \mbox{$E\simeq 700$ MeV}.Comment: 23 Pages, 4 figures in PostScript format, PHY-7512-TH-93, REVTEX Available via anonymous ftp in /pub: login anonymou get pipi93.tex Fig1.ps Fig2.ps Fig3.ps Fig4.p

Baryons as Chiral Solitons in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio Model

The description of baryons as chiral solitons of the Nambu--Jona--Lasinio (NJL) model is reviewed. A motivation for the soliton description of baryons is provided from large $N_C$ QCD. Rigorous results on the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry in QCD are discussed. It is then argued that the NJL model provides a fair description of low--energy hadron physics. The NJL model is therefore employed to mimic the low--energy chiral flavor dynamics of QCD. The model is bosonized by functional integral techniques and the physical content of the emerging effective meson theory is discussed. In particular, its relation to the Skyrme model is established. The static soliton solutions of the bosonized NJL model are found, their properties discussed, and the influence of various meson fields studied. These considerations provide strong support of Witten's conjecture that baryons can be understood as soliton solutions of effective meson theories. The chiral soliton of the NJL model is then quantized in a semiclassical fashion and various static properties of the nucleon are studied. The dominating $1/N_C$ corrections to the semiclassically quantized soliton are investigated. Time--dependent meson fluctuations off the chiral soliton are explored and employed to estimate the quantum corrections to the soliton mass. Finally, hyperons are described as chiral solitons of the NJL model. This is done in both, the collective rotational approach of Yabu and Ando as well as in the bound state approach of Callan and Klebanov.Comment: 120 pages, uuencoded and compressed postscript file is submitted, hardcopy available upon request

Anomalous non-leptonic kaon decays

We derive an effective DELTA-S = 1 lagrangian incorporating the chiral anomaly for non-leptonic K decays to O(p4) in chiral perturbation theory. A complete analysis to O(p4) of the decays K+ --> pi+-pi-0-gamma and K(L) --> pi+-pi--gamma is presented including the dominant effects at O(p6)

VoiceS: voice quality after transoral CO2 laser surgery versus single vocal cord irradiation for unilateral stage 0 and I glottic larynx cancer-a randomized phase III trial [study protocol].

BACKGROUND Surgery and radiotherapy are well-established standards of care for unilateral stage 0 and I early-stage glottic cancer (ESGC). Based on comparative studies and meta-analyses, functional and oncological outcomes after both treatment modalities are similar. Historically, radiotherapy (RT) has been performed by irradiation of the whole larynx. However, only the involved vocal cord is being treated with recently introduced hypofractionated concepts that result in 8 to 10-fold smaller target volumes. Retrospective data argues for an improvement in voice quality with non-inferior local control. Based on these findings, single vocal cord irradiation (SVCI) has been implemented as a routine approach in some institutions for ESGC in recent years. However, prospective data directly comparing SVCI with surgery is lacking. The aim of VoiceS is to fill this gap. METHODS In this prospective randomized multi-center open-label phase III study with a superiority design, 34 patients with histopathologically confirmed, untreated, unilateral stage 0-I ESGC (unilateral cTis or cT1a) will be randomized to SVCI or transoral CO2-laser microsurgical cordectomy (TLM). Average difference in voice quality, measured by using the voice handicap index (VHI) will be modeled over four time points (6, 12, 18, and 24 months). Primary endpoint of this study will be the patient-reported subjective voice quality between 6 to 24 months after randomization. Secondary endpoints will include perceptual impression of the voice via roughness - breathiness - hoarseness (RBH) assessment at the above-mentioned time points. Additionally, quantitative characteristics of voice, loco-regional tumor control at 2 and 5 years, and treatment toxicity at 2 and 5 years based on CTCAE v.5.0 will be reported. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, VoiceS is the first randomized phase III trial comparing SVCI with TLM. Results of this study may lead to improved decision-making in the treatment of ESGC. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04057209. Registered on 15 August 2019. Cantonal Ethics Committee KEK-BE 2019-01506