The Gribov Conception of Quantum Chromodynamics

A major contribution to the quest of constructing quantum dynamics of non-Abelian fieds is due to V.N. Gribov. Perturbative approach to the colour confinement, both in gluodynamics and the real world, was long considered heretic but is gaining ground. We discuss Gribov's approach to the confinement problem, centered around the role played by light quarks - the supercritical light quark confinement scenario. We also review some recent developments that are motivated, directly or indirectly, by his ideas.Comment: 60 pages, 6 figure

Serendipitous UV source catalogues for 10 years of XMM and 5 years of Swift

Two UV serendipitous source catalogues are presented which were compiled based on the observations with two similar UV telescopes, one being on-board the ESA’s XMM Newton observatory and another—on-board the NASA’s Swift satellite. Both telescopes have similar optical and registration systems providing photometry in three ultraviolet and three visible bands. After processing a 10 years long series of observations from XMM and 5 years from Swift, we have compiled two source catalogues containing more than 4 million sources for XMM and 6 million sources for Swift. We describe the processing algorithms and present catalogue characteristics in comparison with each other

Using agent based simulation to empirically examine complexity in carbon footprint business process

Through the critical analysis of the extant literature, it is observed that Simulation is widely used as a research method in Natural Sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences, in addition to argumentation and formalisation as the third way of carrying out research. Simulation is not so widely used in Business and Management research as it ought to have been, though this is changing for the better with the technological advances in computers and their computational power. These technological advances enhance the capability of theoretical research models, in defining a problem and their use in empirically examining a solution to the problem in simulated reality, like never before. Management journal searches for “Simulation and Complexity Theory” returned nil or zero returns, which explain that this combination is not popular in management research, though they are used individually more often. The major objective of this paper is to analyse some of the conceptual (or theoretical) and methodological (or empirical) contributions that Agent Based Simulation and Complexity Theory can make to the business and management community in their business process related research In view of this, some basic ideas are discussed of using Agent Based Simulation as a method in Business and Management Studies research and how an Agent Based Model can be applied to a business process as complex as Carbon Footprint. It is in this context that the use of Complexity as the base theory to empirically examine a business process is discussed. Throughout this article, our research on complex adaptive systems (e.g., Accounting Information System) in continuously changing organisations managing complex business processes (e.g., Carbon Footprint business process) is considered as the basis for illustrating some of the concepts. Through this article, avenues for further management research using these tools and methodology are suggested

Next-to-Leading-Order Event Generators

We review the methods developed for combining the parton shower approximation to QCD with fixed-order perturbation theory, in such a way as to achieve next-to-leading-order (NLO) accuracy for inclusive observables. This has made it possible to generate fully-simulated hadronic final states with the precision and stability of NLO calculations. We explain the underlying theory of the existing methods, MC@NLO and POWHEG, together with their similarities, differences, achievements and limitations. For illustration we mainly compare results on Higgs boson production at the LHC, with particular emphasis on the residual uncertainties arising from the different treatment of effects beyond NLO. We also briefly summarize the difference between these NLO + parton shower methods and matrix-element + parton shower matching, and current efforts to combine the two approaches.Comment: 27 pages, 20 figure

Discriminatory ability of hypervariable variable number tandem repeat loci in population-based analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, London, UK

To address conflicting results about the stability of variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci and their value in prospective molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we conducted a large prospective population-based analysis of all M. tuberculosis strains in a metropolitan setting. Optimal and reproducible conditions for reliable PCR and fragment analysis, comprising enzymes, denaturing conditions, and capillary temperature, were identified for a panel of hypervariable loci, including 3232, 2163a, 1982, and 4052. A total of 2,261 individual M. tuberculosis isolates and 265 sets of serial isolates were analyzed by using a standardized 15-loci VNTR panel, then an optimized hypervariable loci panel. The discriminative ability of loci varied substantially; locus VNTR 3232 varied the most, with 19 allelic variants and Hunter-Gaston index value of 0.909 . Hypervariable loci should be included in standardized panels because they can provide consistent comparable results at multiple settings, provided the proposed conditions are adhered to

Women Reproductive Rights in India: Prospective Future.

Reproductive rights were established as a subset of the human rights. Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and the spacing of their children. Issues regarding the reproductive rights are vigorously contested, regardless of the population’s socioeconomic level, religion or culture. Following review article discusses reproductive rights with respect to Indian context focusing on socio economic and cultural aspects. Also discusses sensitization of government and judicial agencies in protecting the reproductive rights with special focus on the protecting the reproductive rights of people with disability (mental illness and mental retardation)

Time-of-flight resolved light field fluctuations reveal deep human tissue physiology.

Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide. Diffuse optical flowmetry (DOF) assesses deep tissue RBC dynamics by measuring coherent fluctuations of multiply scattered near-infrared light intensity. While classical DOF measurements empirically correlate with blood flow, they remain far-removed from light scattering physics and difficult to interpret in layered media. To advance DOF measurements closer to the physics, here we introduce an interferometric technique, surmounting challenges of bulk motion to apply it in awake humans. We reveal two measurement dimensions: optical phase, and time-of-flight (TOF), the latter with 22 picosecond resolution. With this multidimensional data, we directly confirm the unordered, or Brownian, nature of optically probed RBC dynamics typically assumed in classical DOF. We illustrate how incorrect absorption assumptions, anisotropic RBC scattering, and layered tissues may confound classical DOF. By comparison, our direct method enables accurate and comprehensive assessment of blood flow dynamics in humans

Outcomes of Pre-Term Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Context: Pre-term premature rupture of fetal membranes (pPROM) contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. These include chorioamnionitis, prematurity and still-births. Various microbial organisms have been implicated. Few studies have been done on pPROM in this environment.Objectives: To determine pregnancy outcomes and microbial organisms in cultures from the endocervix, high vagina and urine of patients with pPROM.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.Setting: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana.Subjects: Patients admitted to KATH with fluid loss per vaginam during 1<sup>st</sup> Apil, 2005 to 30<sup>th</sup> September,2005.Methods: Structured pre-tested questionnaires were administered to patients who presented with fluid loss per vaginam followed by physical examination. Microbiology cultures were obtained from patients with proven pPROM between gestational ages 28 to 37 completed weeks. The data wasanalysed using Epi Info software.Main Outcome Measures: Maternal morbidity and mortality; delivery outcomes; microbial organisms from cultures and drug sensitivities.Results: Total antenatal admission was 1459 and eighty-five patients (5.8%) satisfied the study criteria. There was no maternal mortality but four patients (4.7%) developed chorioamnionitis.There were sixtyfour(75%) live births, nineteen (22%) stillbirths and liquor loss stopped in two (3%) resulting in normal term deliveries. The commonest organisms from the cultures were high vagina, Candida spp. (29%); endocervix, Candida spp. (23%); and urine, E. coli (19%). All bacterial isolates were sensitive tonorfloxaxinConclusions: Pregnancy outcomes in pPROM at KATH are unsatisfactory. Further controlled studies on pPROM are advocated and use of norfloxacin in pregnancy needs reconsideration.Keywords: Fetal membranes, microbial organisms