Gauge Independence of the S-Matrix in the Causal Approach

The gauge dependence of the time-ordered products for Yang-Mills theories is analysed in perturbation theory by means of the causal method of Epstein and Glaser together with perturbative gauge invariance. This approach allows a simple inductive proof of the gauge independence of the physical S-matrix.Comment: 19 pages, latex, 1 figur

VacA's Induction of VacA-Containing Vacuoles (VCVs) and Their Immunomodulatory Activities on Human T Cells

Vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) is a secreted pore-forming toxin and one of the major virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which actively supports the persistence and survival of the bacteria in the special ecological niche of the human stomach. H. pylori genomes harbor different allelic forms of the vacA gene, which translate into functionally distinct VacA toxin types. VacA internalizes into various cell types via membrane or specific receptor interactions finally forming acidic endocytic VacA-containing vacuoles (VCVs). In this review, we focus on different characteristics of VacA, its interaction with host cells, the formation and protein content of VCVs and their intracellular transport into human T cells, which finally leads to the immunosuppressive phenotype of VacA. Immunomodulatory activities of VacA on human T cells are discussed with a focus on T-cell proliferation and calcium signaling

Paper Session II-A - Potential Use of Smaller Satellites for Military Space Operations

This paper describes potentially attractive uses of smaller satellites for complementing current Air Force space systems. By mission area, the applications of smaller satellites as enhancements to current systems are shown for three operational scenarios: (1) to provide dedicated support to tactical war-fighting users, (2) to provide a quick-response surge to augment current systems in a crisis, and (3) in the case of the failure or loss of a satellite, to provide responsive back-up systems for use until new primary systems can be deployed. Preliminary results show that in every space mission area, smaller satellites can potentially provide a useful enhancement to the current systems. The enhancements in most cases are improvements in coverage, capacity, and data timelines which are required from time to time by certain user segments. Enhancements in some cases simultaneously improve the robustness and resiliency of the space mission area. The smaller satellites probably cannot realistically replace current systems, which have evolved to their current configuration through years of optimization of cost, mission capability, and survivability. The results show that using current technolgy and design practices, the 500-1000 pound weight class of satellite is what is being referred to as smaller, but useful

Die Bedeutung der Psychologie für spirituelle Lebensorientierungen

Die Bedeutung der Psychologie für spirituelle Lebensorientierungen wird erörtert. Zunächst wird betont, dass sich die Formen religiösen Erlebens und Verhaltens verändert haben. Während kirchliche Lebens- und Weltdeutungen zunehmend an Bedeutung verlieren, drückt sich die ungebrochene Sehnsucht nach Transzendenz in diversen Spielarten der Spiritualität zwischen Fundamentalismus und Beliebigkeit in einem unüberschaubaren Markt esoterisch begründeter Psychotherapieverfahren und in der kontrovers diskutierten Sektenthematik aus. Im Überangebot der in sich geschlossenen Sinn-Milieus mischen sich harmlose Modetrends mit wahnhaften Ideologien, Unverbindliches mit Manipulativem. Der Psychologie fällt dabei eine regulative Funktion zu, weil sie Merkmale gelungener Lebensgestaltungen beschreiben kann. Leben wird dann als erfüllend empfunden, wenn die Umsetzung der persönlichen, weltanschaulich abgeleiteten Werte gelingt. Diese Ziele und Ideale können durch eine psychologische Realitätsprüfung auf ihre Alltagstauglichkeit hin untersucht werden. Der Gefährdung einer Ideologisierung und weltanschaulichen Überhöhung psychologischer Einsichten kann durch eine deutliche Abgrenzung zu den menschenbildabhängigen Voraussetzungen und einer sozialwissenschaftlich fundierten Theoriebildung begegnet werden

Weder Wunscherfüllung noch Widerfahrnis: ein evangelischer Blick auf Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden

Der Aufsatz weist auf die Sackgassen des Machbarkeits- und Optimierungsdenkens und seine krank machenden Folgen hin. Dennoch ist die christliche Gemeinschaft herausgefordert, die Heilungspotenziale von hoffnungsvollem Vertrauen zu nutzen und einzuüben. Welche spirituellen Kompetenzen dafür benötigt werden, wird im letzten Abschnitt beschrieben

Design Concepts for Space-Borne Multi-Mission Sensors for Tactical Military Needs

A standard electro-optical sensor can perform several different surveillance missions to support tactical military users. The missions include environmental sensing, land and ocean remote sensing, tactical missile tracking, and space object surveillance. The key is that while the spacecraft is a standard configuration for all missions, its design is a compromise between the specific requirements for each mission; the orbit chosen and operations mode for each mission also vary. Although sub-optimal for any given mission, standard sensor systems have the advantage of achieving a higher benefit-to-cost ratio by realizing economies of scale in production and reduced development. Point designs of three different multi-mission sensors are presented, supported by design analysis, and encompassing several approaches to telescope design, focal plane design, scanning system design, data processing system design, and orbits/coverage and operations. The resulting sensor system designs are highly capable, compared to existing systems, meet the performance goals established, and yet fit within the tactical satellite class