QCD Hard Scattering and the Sign of the Spin Asymmetry A_LL^pi

Recent preliminary PHENIX data are consistent with a negative and sizable longitudinal double-spin asymmetry A_LL^pi for pi^0 production at moderate transverse momentum p_perp \simeq 1 - 4 GeV and central rapidity. By means of a systematic investigation of the relevant degrees of freedom we show that the perturbative QCD framework at leading power in p_perp produces at best a very small negative asymmetry in this kinematic range.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, final version published in PRL (only minor changes; note: title changed in published version

Sport et grossesse: quelles sont les limites ? : travail de Bachelor

Introduction : Des préoccupations et des interrogations autour de la pratique d’une activité physique ou sportive durant la grossesse se soulèvent régulièrement dans notre pratique sage-femme, notamment lors des consultations prénatales. Les femmes sportives peuvent-elles continuer leur activité pendant la grossesse ? Et qu’en est-il des futures mamans auparavant sédentaires ; peuvent-elles adopter un comportement actif ? Objectif : Cette revue de la littérature a pour but d’identifier les impacts, positifs ou négatifs, liés à la pratique d’une activité physique ou sportive durant la période de gestation afin d’établir des recommandations plus précises. Le fait de mettre en évidence d’éventuels risques en rapport à ce comportement actif permet d’affiner et d’ajuster les recommandations actuelles et d’accompagner au mieux les femmes, les couples, et parents en devenir. Méthode : La recherche d’articles sur différentes bases de données (Medline via Pubmed, The Cochrane Library et MIDIRS) a permis de sélectionner cinq articles dont deux études observationnelles quantitatives, deux essais contrôlés randomisés en double aveugle et une revue Cochrane. Ces écrits ont été menés dans de multiples pays et ont été édités entre 2010 et 2014. Résultats : D’après la revue Cochrane, l’exercice pendant la grossesse aiderait à améliorer la forme physique chez des femmes préalablement sédentaires. Deux autres études révèlent une bradycardie foetale qui apparaît si la fréquence cardiaque maternelle dépasse les 90% de sa fréquence maximale. Cette activité cardiaque chez le foetus se normalise assez rapidement après l’arrêt de l’exercice. Selon les trois autres recherches, il n’y a aucun impact sur les issues néonatales concernant le poids de naissance, la taille et le périmètre crânien du nouveau-né. Seul le score d’Apgar se trouve modifié à la hausse chez les femmes actives durant leur grossesse. Concernant les issues obstétricales, aucune modification de l’âge gestationnel à la naissance n’a été recensée. Conclusion : De manière globale, la pratique d’une activité physique, poursuivie ou débutée durant la grossesse chez les femmes en bonne santé et dont les grossesses se déroulent sans complication, n’engendre pas de risque majeur. Cependant, des études supplémentaires et complémentaires doivent être entreprises afin d’affiner ces résultats

Physical activity mediates the relationship between perceived crime safety and obesity

pre-printObjective. The current cross-sectional study tests whether low perceived crime safety is associated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk and whether less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accounts for part of this relationship. Method. Adults (n=864) from a relatively low-income and ethnically mixed neighborhood in Salt Lake City UT (2012) were assessed for perceived crime safety, objective physical activity, and BMI measures. Results. This neighborhood had lower perceived safety than for other published studies utilizing this safety measure. In a mediation test, lower perceived crime safety was significantly associated with higher BMI and greater risk of obesity, net of control variables. Residents with lower perceived safety had less MVPA. Lower MVPA partially explained the relationship between less safety and both elevated BMI and higher obesity risk, suggesting that perceiving less crime safety limits MVPA which, in turn, increases weight. Conclusion. In this neighborhood, with relatively low perceived safety from crime, residents' low perceived safety related to more obesity and higher BMI; lower MVPA among residents explained part of this relationship. If residents are to become more active in their neighborhood it may be important to address perceived crime safety as part of broader efforts to enhance active living

Metrology in Chemistry for pH and Electrolytic Conductivity Traceability Dissemination

pH and electrolytic conductivity are important metrological quantities for several areas of industry. To get reliable results it is necessary to calibrate measuring instruments and devices regularly. For this purpose certified reference solutions are needed. DKD-K-06901 is a manufacturer of certified reference solutions and offers calibration services in the field of analytical chemistry. There are three accredited calibration procedures for the determination of pH used by ZKM - ANALYTIK - GmbH. A new calibration procedure for electrolytic conductivity was established by experts in DKD-K-06901 as the result of a development project in cooperation with National Metrology Institutes. The validation of all procedures is guaranteed by the participation in national and international comparison measurements. Furthermore DKD-K-06901 is actively involved in the work of technical and standardisation committees for developments of analytical quantities

Japan: State and People in the Twentieth Century - Papers presented at the STICERD 20th Anniversary Symposium in July 1998

The four papers and comments in this volume deal with different aspects of the relationship between state and people in twentieth century Japan. Ben-Ami Shillony's paper is concerned with religious aspects of this relationship, in particular concerning the role of the emperor, while Barbara Molony is concerned with the position of women. Sheldon Garon's paper deals with the state's propaganda to promote saving, while Werner Pascha addresses the broader issue of the position of central government and the possibility of Japan's moving towards more of a federal structure.Japan, religion, emperor, women, saving, federalism

Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I and -11 and IGFBinding Proteins-l, -2, and -3 in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus: Correlation with Metabolic Control and Height Attainment.

The putative effects of diabetes and metabolic control on circulating levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) remain controversial. In the present study, serum levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 were measured in 58 patients (age, 0.8-17 yr) with treated (51 subjects) or untreated (7 subjects) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and were compared with the levels in normal subjects. In the untreated patients IGF-I and IGF-II were decreased as compared with the healthy controls. In the treated diabetics IGF-I and IGF-II were reduced; IGFBP-2 (only in prepubertal subjects) and IGFBP-3 were increased. Furthermore, age-adjusted values of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 were lower in prepubertal than in pubertal patients. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between hemoglobin (Hb)A1c and standard deviation scores (SDS) of IGF-I and a positive association between HbA1c and IGFBP-1 SDS or IGFBP-2 SDS. In the treated patients HbA1c was positively related to IGFBP-1 SDS and IGFBP-2 SDS when applying simple regression analysis and to IGFBP-2 SDS when using a multiple regression model. Strong correlations were observed between height SDS and IGF-I SDS, IGF-II SDS, and IGFBP-3 SDS in prepubertal subjects who had had IDDM for at least 2 yr, but not in adolescents. Such correlations have also been found in healthy children and adolescents. In conclusion; 1) IDDM is associated with alterations of the IGF-IGFBP system, which are partially accounted for by differences in metabolic control and pubertal status; 2) the lower plasma concentrations of serum IGF-I may play a role in the pathogenesis of growth impairment of poorly controlled prepubertal, but not pubertal, children and adolescents with IDDM; and 3) in addition, a potential role of the altered IGF-IGFBP system for the development of diabetic late complications is hypothesized

Report No. 24: Analysis of the Social Agendas

Study conducted for the European Parliament, Bonn 2010 (135 pages)