Virtual Compton Scattering and Neutral Pion Electroproduction in the Resonance Region up to the Deep Inelastic Region at Backward Angles

We have made the first measurements of the virtual Compton scattering (VCS) process via the H$(e,e'p)\gamma$ exclusive reaction in the nucleon resonance region, at backward angles. Results are presented for the $W$-dependence at fixed $Q^2=1$ GeV$^2$, and for the $Q^2$-dependence at fixed $W$ near 1.5 GeV. The VCS data show resonant structures in the first and second resonance regions. The observed $Q^2$-dependence is smooth. The measured ratio of H$(e,e'p)\gamma$ to H$(e,e'p)\pi^0$ cross sections emphasizes the different sensitivity of these two reactions to the various nucleon resonances. Finally, when compared to Real Compton Scattering (RCS) at high energy and large angles, our VCS data at the highest $W$ (1.8-1.9 GeV) show a striking $Q^2$- independence, which may suggest a transition to a perturbative scattering mechanism at the quark level.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures. To appear in Phys.Rev.

Coherent π0 photoproduction on the deuteron up to 4 GeV

The differential cross section for 2H(γ,d)π0 has been measured at deuteron center-of-mass angles of 90° and 136°. This work reports the first data for this reaction above a photon energy of 1 GeV, and permits a test of the apparent constituent counting rule and reduced nuclear amplitude behavior as observed in elastic ed scattering. Measurements were performed up to a photon energy of 4.0 GeV, and are in good agreement with previous lower energy measurements. Overall, the data are inconsistent with both constituent-counting rule and reduced nuclear amplitude predictions

Rotavirus group : a genotype circulation patterns across Kenya before and after nationwide vaccine introduction, 2010-2018

Background Kenya introduced the monovalent G1P [8] Rotarix® vaccine into the infant immunization schedule in July 2014. We examined trends in rotavirus group A (RVA) genotype distribution pre- (January 2010–June 2014) and post- (July 2014–December 2018) RVA vaccine introduction. Methods Stool samples were collected from children aged < 13 years from four surveillance sites across Kenya: Kilifi County Hospital, Tabitha Clinic Nairobi, Lwak Mission Hospital, and Siaya County Referral Hospital (children aged < 5 years only). Samples were screened for RVA using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and VP7 and VP4 genes sequenced to infer genotypes. Results We genotyped 614 samples in pre-vaccine and 261 in post-vaccine introduction periods. During the pre-vaccine introduction period, the most frequent RVA genotypes were G1P [8] (45.8%), G8P [4] (15.8%), G9P [8] (13.2%), G2P [4] (7.0%) and G3P [6] (3.1%). In the post-vaccine introduction period, the most frequent genotypes were G1P [8] (52.1%), G2P [4] (20.7%) and G3P [8] (16.1%). Predominant genotypes varied by year and site in both pre and post-vaccine periods. Temporal genotype patterns showed an increase in prevalence of vaccine heterotypic genotypes, such as the commonly DS-1-like G2P [4] (7.0 to 20.7%, P < .001) and G3P [8] (1.3 to 16.1%, P < .001) genotypes in the post-vaccine introduction period. Additionally, we observed a decline in prevalence of genotypes G8P [4] (15.8 to 0.4%, P < .001) and G9P [8] (13.2 to 5.4%, P < .001) in the post-vaccine introduction period. Phylogenetic analysis of genotype G1P [8], revealed circulation of strains of lineages G1-I, G1-II and P [8]-1, P [8]-III and P [8]-IV. Considerable genetic diversity was observed between the pre and post-vaccine strains, evidenced by distinct clusters. Conclusion Genotype prevalence varied from before to after vaccine introduction. Such observations emphasize the need for long-term surveillance to monitor vaccine impact. These changes may represent natural secular variation or possible immuno-epidemiological changes arising from the introduction of the vaccine. Full genome sequencing could provide insights into post-vaccine evolutionary pressures and antigenic diversity

Measurements of Deuteron Photodisintegration up to 4.0 GeV

The first measurements of the differential cross section for the d(γ,p)n reaction up to 4.0 GeV were performed at the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Thomas Jefferson Laboratory. We report the cross sections at the proton center-of-mass angles of 36°, 52°, 69°, and 89°. These results are in reasonable agreement with previous measurements at lower energy. The 89° and 69° data show constituent-counting-rule behavior up to 4.0 GeV photon energy. The 52° and 36° data disagree with the counting-rule behavior. The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) model of nuclear reactions involving reduced amplitudes disagrees with the present data.U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundatio

Status of the focal plane polarimeter for Hall A at TJNAF

The focal plane polarimeter (FPP) for Hall A at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) is ready for experiments. The ability to calibrate the FPP on-site using elastic scattering of polarized electrons from an unpolarized hydrogen target is demonstrated. The ratio of the proton electric form factor to its magnetic form factor has been measured at Q{sup 2} = 0.810 GeV/c{sup 2}

Measurement of the neutral weak form-factors of the proton

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from the proton. The kinematic point (theta_lab = 12.3 degrees and Q^2=0.48 (GeV/c)^2) is chosen to provide sensitivity, at a level that is of theoretical interest, to the strange electric form factor G_E^s. The result, A=-14.5 +- 2.2 ppm, is consistent with the electroweak Standard Model and no additional contributions from strange quarks. In particular, the measurement implies G_E^s + 0.39G_M^s = 0.023 +- 0.034 (stat) +- 0.022 (syst) +- 0.026 (delta G_E^n), where the last uncertainty arises from the estimated uncertainty in the neutron electric form factor

GEp/GMpG_{E_p}/G_{M_p} ratio by polarization transfer in e⃗p→ep⃗\vec{e}p\rightarrow e\vec{p}

The ratio of the proton's elastic electromagnetic form factors was obtained by measuring the transverse and longitudinal polarizations of recoiling protons from the elastic scattering of polarized electrons with unpolarized protons. The ratio of the electric to magnetic form factor is proportional to the ratio of the transverse to longitudinal recoil polarizations. The ratio was measured over a range of four-momentum transfer squared between 0.5 and 3.5 GeV-squared. Simultaneous measurement of transverse and longitudinal polarizations in a polarimeter provides good control of the systematic uncertainty. The results for the ratio of the proton's electric to magnetic form factors show a systematic decrease with increasing four momentum squared, indicating for the first time a marked difference in the spatial distribution of charge and magnetization currents in the proton

Proton elastic form factor ratios to Q2Q^2=3.5 GeV2^2 by polarization transfer

PHASEThe ratio of the proton elastic electromagnetic form factors, $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$, was obtained by measuring $P_{t}$ and $P_{\ell}$, the transverse and longitudinal recoil proton polarization components, respectively, for the elastic $\vec e p \to e\vec p$ ~reaction in the four-momentum transfer squared range of 0.5 to 3.5 GeV$^2$. In the single-photon exchange approximation, the ratio $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$ is directly proportional to the ratio $P_t/P_{\ell}$. The simultaneous measurement of $P_{t}$ and $P_{\ell}$ in a polarimeter reduces systematic uncertainties. The results for the ratio $G_{Ep}/G_{Mp}$ show a systematic decrease with increasing $Q^2$, indicating for the first time a definite difference in the distribution of charge and magnetization in the proton. The data have been re-analyzed and systematic uncertainties have become significantly smaller than previously published results