A Study of Light Mesons on the Transverse Lattice

We present results from a study of light meson spectra and structure obtained within the framework of light-front QCD formulated on a transverse lattice. We discuss how imposing Lorentz covariance conditions on meson dispersion relations allows determination of parameters in the transverse lattice Hamiltonian. The pion distribution amplitude obtained in this framework is rather close to its asymptotic shape.Comment: 41 pages, sprocl.sty, corrected typos, added more results, added another section on comments and comparison

QCD on a transverse lattice

We present results from a transverse lattice study of low lying mesons. Special emphasis is put on the issue of Lorentz invariant energy-momentum dispersion relations for these mesons. The light-cone wave function for the $\pi$ obtained in this framework is very close to its asymptotic shape.Comment: 10 pages, sprocl.sty, invited talk given at 5th International Workshop on Particle Phyiscs Phenomenology, Chi-Pen, Taitung, Taiwan, 8-11 Nov 200

Three months journeying of a Hawaiian monk seal

Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and are the most endangered species of marine mammal that lives entirely within the jurisdiction of the United States. The species numbers around 1300 and has been declining owing, among other things, to poor juvenile survival which is evidently related to poor foraging success. Consequently, data have been collected recently on the foraging habitats, movements, and behaviors of monk seals throughout the Northwestern and main Hawaiian Islands. Our work here is directed to exploring a data set located in a relatively shallow offshore submerged bank (Penguin Bank) in our search of a model for a seal's journey. The work ends by fitting a stochastic differential equation (SDE) that mimics some aspects of the behavior of seals by working with location data collected for one seal. The SDE is found by developing a time varying potential function with two points of attraction. The times of location are irregularly spaced and not close together geographically, leading to some difficulties of interpretation. Synthetic plots generated using the model are employed to assess its reasonableness spatially and temporally. One aspect is that the animal stays mainly southwest of Molokai. The work led to the estimation of the lengths and locations of the seal's foraging trips.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/193940307000000473 the IMS Collections (http://www.imstat.org/publications/imscollections.htm) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Direct Measurement of Periodic Electric Forces in Liquids

The electric forces acting on an atomic force microscope tip in solution have been measured using a microelectrochemical cell formed by two periodically biased electrodes. The forces were measured as a function of lift height and bias amplitude and frequency, providing insight into electrostatic interactions in liquids. Real-space mapping of the vertical and lateral components of electrostatic forces acting on the tip from the deflection and torsion of the cantilever is demonstrated. This method enables direct probing of electrostatic and convective forces involved in electrophoretic and dielectroforetic self-assembly and electrical tweezer operation in liquid environments

A Study of Heavy-Light Mesons on the Transverse Lattice

We present results from a study of meson spectra and structure in the limit where one quark is infinitely heavy. The calculations, based on the framework of light-front QCD formulated on a transverse lattice, are the first non-perturbative studies of B-mesons in light-front QCD. We calculate the Isgur-Wise form factor, light-cone distribution amplitude, the heavy-quark parton distribution function and the leptonic decay constant of B-mesons.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Revtex, corrected typos, added references, included moment

First report of Grapevine fanleaf virus infecting grapevine in the United Kingdom

The UK wine industry is a fast-growing sector and in 2015 an area of c. 2,000 hectares had been planted with vines from which over five million bottles of wine were produced (Wine and Spirit Trade Association Market Overview, 2016). It is important to monitor the phytosanitary status of vines to ensure the sustainability of the industry in the UK

An Innovative Approach towards Organic Management of Late Blight in Potato under Inhana Rational Farming Technology

Successful disease combat of crop can ensure healthy return for the farmers. However, limitation in the conventional disease management approach, especially in case of late blight of potato was the background for the present study that aimed at bringing forth an alternative pathway for effective disease management. Integrated farming under Inhana rational farming technology (IRF) was adopted as an alternate protocol. The approach works on the philosophy of the Trophobiosis theory that advocates pest/disease management through plant physiology management. The study was done in two major potato growing zones of West Bengal taking two major potato varieties i.e., Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Chandramukhi. Late blight incidence varied from 2.82 to 7.91% in the IRF integrated farming plots whereas it was relatively higher varying between 49.44 and 66.67% in case of plots receiving conventional treatment. The finding remained consistent irrespective of the study area and potato variety. Ineffective disease management influenced the net loss of 2400 kg potato ha-1 under conventional farming. Percent disease index (PDI) was significantly high in case of conventional farmers’ practice (11.37 to 32.81). However, lower values (PDI varies 1.45 to 2.59) under IRF integrated farming showed the effectiveness of its disease management schedule. Efficient disease management under IRF technology might have been brought about through a focused approach towards activation of plant physiology in order to re-instate plants’ structural and biochemical defense mechanisms. The findings encourage the possibility of economically sustainable potato production under the changing climatic patterns

Accuracy of screening tools for Pap smears in general practice

Background: Data extraction tools (DETs) are increasingly being used for research and audit of general practice, despite their limitations. Objective: This study explores the accuracy of Pap smear rates obtained with a DET compared to that of the Pap smear rate obtained with a manual file audit. Method: A widely available DET was used to establish the rate of Pap smears in a large multi-general practice (multi-GP) in regional New South Wales followed by a manual audit of patient files. The main outcome measure was identification of possible discrepancies between the rates established. Results: The DET used significantly underestimated the level of cervical screening compared to the manual audit. In some instances, the patient file contained phone/specialist record of Pap smear conducted elsewhere, which accounted for the failure of the DET to detect some smears. Those patients who had Pap smears whose pathology codes differed between time intervals, i.e. from different pathology providers or from within the same provider but using a different code, were less likely to have had their most recent Pap smear detected by the DET (p \u3c 0.001). Conclusion: Data obtained from DETs should be used with caution as they may not accurately reflect the rate of Pap smears from electronic medical records

Productivity, Energy Use Efficiency and Economics of Organic Scented Rice Cultivation in Sub-Humid Agroecosystem

The increasing demand for organic cereals especially indigenous scented rice varieties in the recent years has peaked farmers’ interest towards its organic production. However, the threat of crop loss under organic cultivation has been holding back large scale initiatives. Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology has come up as a promising organic package of practice towards mitigating this drawback of organic production that too at an affordable economics. The present study was conducted to generate scientific information regarding organic scented rice cultivation (Oryza sativa var. ‘Gobindobhog’) utilizing this organic POP in terms of productivity, energy use efficiency and economics. The yield of scented rice cultivated using organic POP was found to be 18% higher than the conventionally grown ones. In terms of energy use efficiency as well, organic POP was calculated to be more efficient signifying the role of organic practice in sustainable agriculture. Net profitability of organic paddy increased up to 17% with a minimum premium price of 25%. This increased higher income opportunity from same unit of land was an added benefit apart from improved soil quality in general; under organic management