Comment to: "A note on failure of the ladder approximation to QCD" [Phys. Lett. B 640 (2006) 196 ]

In the paper [Hong-Shi Zong, Wei-Min Sun, Phys. Lett. B 640 (2006) 196], the authors claim that our proof of the inconsistency of the ladder approximation to QCD [Phys. Lett. B 611 (2005) 129] was incorrect. However, their claim is based on a derivation which contains a rough mathematical mistake, namely the unjustified change of variables in the divergent (though regularized) integrals. In this comment I will show this explicitly, so our conclusion that the ladder approximation to QCD is inconsistent remains, of course, correct.Comment: 2 pages, no figure, no table

The mixed quark-gluon condensate from an effective quark-quark interaction

We exhibit the method for obtaining non perturbative quark and gluonic vacuum condensates from a model truncation of QCD. The truncation allows for a phenomenological description of the quark-quark interaction in a framework which maintains all global symmetries of QCD and allows an 1/N_c expansion. Within this approach the functional integration over the gluon fields can be performed and therefore any gluonic vacuum observable can be expressed in terms of a quark operator and the gluon propagator. As a special case we calculate the mixed quark gluon condensate. We investigate how the value depends on the form of the model quark-quark interaction. A comparison with the results of quenched lattice QCD, the instanton liquid model and QCD sum rules is drawn.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, LATEX using elsart.sty, minor corrections in some formulas, some references added, to be published in PL

The Convergence Radius of the Chiral Expansion in the Dyson-Schwinger Approach

We determine the convergence radius $m_{conv}$ for the expansion in the current quark mass using the Dyson-Schwinger (DS) equation of QCD in the rainbow approximation. Within a Gaussian form for the gluon propagator $D_{\mu\nu} ({\bf p}) \sim \delta_{\mu\nu} \chi^2 e^{- {{p^2} \over \Delta}}$ we find that $m_{conv}$ increases with decreasing width $\Delta$ and increasing strength $\chi^2$. For those values of $\chi^2$ and $\Delta$, which provide the best known description of low energy hadronic phenomena, $m_{conv}$ lies around $2 \Lambda_{QCD}$, which is big enough, that the chiral expansion in the strange sector converges. Our analysis also explains the rather low value of $m_{conv} \approx 50 \dots 80 \ {\text MeV}$ in the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model, which as itself can be regarded as a special case of the rainbow DS models, where the gluon propagator is a constant in momentum space.Comment: 12 pages (REVTEX) + 4 postscript figures (uuencoded tar-compressed), DOE/ER/40561-140INT94-00-0

A typology for analysing mitigation and adaptation win-win strategies

A sustainability transition in line with achieving global climate goals requires the implementation of win-win strategies (WWS), i.e. socioeconomic activities that enable economic gains while simultaneously contributing to climate change mitigation or adaptation measures. Such strategies are discussed in a variety of scientific communities, such as sustainability science, industrial ecology and symbiosis and circular economy. However, existing analyses of win-win strategies tend to take a systems perspective, while paying less attention to the specific actors and activities, or their interconnections, which are implicated in win-win strategies. Moreover, they hardly address adaptation WWS. To address these gaps and support the identification and enhancement of WWS for entrepreneurs and policy-makers, we propose a typology of WWS based on the concept of a value-consumption chain, which typically connects several producers with at least one consumer of a good or service. A consideration of these connections allows an evaluation of economic effects in a meso-economic perspective. We distinguish 34 different types of WWS of companies, households and the state, for which 23 real-world examples are identified. Further, contrary to prevailing views on the lack of a business case for adaptation, we do identify real-world adaptation WWS, though they remain underrepresented compared with mitigation WWS. Our typology can be used as an entry point for transdisciplinary research integrating assessment of individual transformative socioeconomic activities and highly aggregated approaches assessing, e.g. the macro-economic effects of WWS.Horizon 2020 Framework Programme ()Peer Reviewe

Low-energy QCD: Chiral coefficients and the quark-quark interaction

A detailed investigation of the low-energy chiral expansion is presented within a model truncation of QCD. The truncation allows for a phenomenological description of the quark-quark interaction in a framework which maintains the global symmetries of QCD and permits a $1/N_c$ expansion. The model dependence of the chiral coefficients is tested for several forms of the quark-quark interaction by varying the form of the running coupling, $\alpha (q^2)$, in the infrared region. The pattern in the coefficients that arises at tree level is consistent with large $N_c$ QCD, and is related to the model truncation.Comment: 28 pages, Latex, 6 postscript figures available on request to [email protected]

Strong gametocytocidal effect of methylene blue-based combination therapy against falciparum malaria

With the availability of new preventive and curative interventions, global malaria control has been strengthened significantly in recent years. Drugs effective in reducing malaria gametocytaemia might contribute to local elimination and possible long-term eradication. We here report on the effects of methylene blue (MB)-based malaria combination therapy on gametocytaemia during a randomised-controlled trial in Burkina Faso. An open-label randomised controlled phase II study in 180 children aged 6-10 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria was conducted in Nouna, north-western Burkina Faso. Children were randomised to MB-artesunate (AS), MB-amodiaquine (AQ), and AS-AQ (local standard of care). Overall follow-up was for 28 days, follow-up for gametocytaemia was for 14 days. The treatment groups were similar in baseline characteristics and there was only one loss to follow-up. Compared to AS-AQ, both MB-containing regimens were associated with significantly reduced gametocyte carrier rates during follow-up days 3, 7, and 14. This effect was seen both in patients with and without P. falciparum gametocytaemia at baseline. MB reveals pronounced gametocytocidal activity which appears to act against both existing and developing P. falciparum gametocytes. MB-based combination therapy thus has the potential to reduce transmission of P. falciparum malaria in endemic regions, which has important implications for future elimination and eradication strategies

The Aquarius Salinity Retrieval Algorithm: Early Results

The Aquarius L-band radiometer/scatterometer system is designed to provide monthly salinity maps at 150 km spatial scale to a 0.2 psu accuracy. The sensor was launched on June 10, 2011, aboard the Argentine CONAE SAC-D spacecraft. The L-band radiometers and the scatterometer have been taking science data observations since August 25, 2011. The first part of this presentation gives an overview over the Aquarius salinity retrieval algorithm. The instrument calibration converts Aquarius radiometer counts into antenna temperatures (TA). The salinity retrieval algorithm converts those TA into brightness temperatures (TB) at a flat ocean surface. As a first step, contributions arising from the intrusion of solar, lunar and galactic radiation are subtracted. The antenna pattern correction (APC) removes the effects of cross-polarization contamination and spillover. The Aquarius radiometer measures the 3rd Stokes parameter in addition to vertical (v) and horizontal (h) polarizations, which allows for an easy removal of ionospheric Faraday rotation. The atmospheric absorption at L-band is almost entirely due to O2, which can be calculated based on auxiliary input fields from numerical weather prediction models and then successively removed from the TB. The final step in the TA to TB conversion is the correction for the roughness of the sea surface due to wind. This is based on the radar backscatter measurements by the scatterometer. The TB of the flat ocean surface can now be matched to a salinity value using a surface emission model that is based on a model for the dielectric constant of sea water and an auxiliary field for the sea surface temperature. In the current processing (as of writing this abstract) only v-pol TB are used for this last process and NCEP winds are used for the roughness correction. Before the salinity algorithm can be operationally implemented and its accuracy assessed by comparing versus in situ measurements, an extensive calibration and validation (cal/val) activity needs to be completed. This is necessary in order to tune the inputs to the algorithm and remove biases that arise due to the instrument calibration, foremost the values of the noise diode injection temperatures and the losses that occur in the feedhorns. This is the subject of the second part of our presentation. The basic tool is to analyze the observed difference between the Aquarius measured TA and an expected TA that is computed from a reference salinity field. It is also necessary to derive a relation between the scatterometer backscatter measurements and the radiometer emissivity that is induced by surface winds. In order to do this we collocate Aquarius radiometer and scatterometer measurements with wind speed retrievals from the WindSat and SSMIS F17 microwave radiometers. Both of these satellites fly in orbits that have the same equatorial ascending crossing time (6 pm) as the Aquarius/SAC-D observatory. Rain retrievals from WindSat and SSMIS F 17 can be used to remove Aquarius observations that are rain contaminated. A byproduct of this analysis is a prediction for the wind-induced sea surface emissivity at L-band