854 research outputs found

    Revisiting Scalar and Pseudoscalar Couplings with Nucleons

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    Certain dark matter interactions with nuclei are mediated possibly by a scalar or pseudoscalar Higgs boson. The estimation of the corresponding cross sections requires a correct evaluation of the couplings between the scalar or pseudoscalar Higgs boson and the nucleons. Progress has been made in two aspects relevant to this study in the past few years. First, recent lattice calculations show that the strange-quark sigma term σs\sigma_s and the strange-quark content in the nucleon are much smaller than what are expected previously. Second, lattice and model analyses imply sizable SU(3) breaking effects in the determination on the axial-vector coupling constant gA8g_A^8 that in turn affect the extraction of the isosinglet coupling gA0g_A^0 and the strange quark spin component Δs\Delta s from polarized deep inelastic scattering experiments. Based on these new developments, we re-evaluate the relevant nucleon matrix elements and compute the scalar and pseudoscalar couplings of the proton and neutron. We also find that the strange quark contribution in both types of couplings is smaller than previously thought.Comment: 17 pages, Sec. II is revised and the pion-nucleon sigma term extracted from the scattering data is discussed. Version to appear in JHE

    Viral population estimation using pyrosequencing

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    The diversity of virus populations within single infected hosts presents a major difficulty for the natural immune response as well as for vaccine design and antiviral drug therapy. Recently developed pyrophosphate based sequencing technologies (pyrosequencing) can be used for quantifying this diversity by ultra-deep sequencing of virus samples. We present computational methods for the analysis of such sequence data and apply these techniques to pyrosequencing data obtained from HIV populations within patients harboring drug resistant virus strains. Our main result is the estimation of the population structure of the sample from the pyrosequencing reads. This inference is based on a statistical approach to error correction, followed by a combinatorial algorithm for constructing a minimal set of haplotypes that explain the data. Using this set of explaining haplotypes, we apply a statistical model to infer the frequencies of the haplotypes in the population via an EM algorithm. We demonstrate that pyrosequencing reads allow for effective population reconstruction by extensive simulations and by comparison to 165 sequences obtained directly from clonal sequencing of four independent, diverse HIV populations. Thus, pyrosequencing can be used for cost-effective estimation of the structure of virus populations, promising new insights into viral evolutionary dynamics and disease control strategies.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure

    Leptomeningeal disease in oligodendroglial tumors: a population-based study

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    In this population-based study, we determined the frequency and clinical characteristics of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) developing in the context of oligodendroglial tumors (oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas). LMD occurred in only 3.9% (8/204) of oligodendroglial tumors and in patients with more recurrences [mean 2.88 vs. 1.27 in LMD and non-LMD, respectively (p = 0.001)]. In contrast to LMD from systemic solid tumors, the median survival following the diagnosis of LMD in oligodendroglial tumors was surprisingly long at 22 months (95% CI 11–33 months). Treatment with oral chemotherapy seemed as effective as more aggressive treatments (e.g. repeat RT or intrathecal chemotherapy) in these patients

    Suggested Improvements for the Allergenicity Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants Used in Foods

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    Genetically modified (GM) plants are increasingly used for food production and industrial applications. As the global population has surpassed 7 billion and per capita consumption rises, food production is challenged by loss of arable land, changing weather patterns, and evolving plant pests and disease. Previous gains in quantity and quality relied on natural or artificial breeding, random mutagenesis, increased pesticide and fertilizer use, and improved farming techniques, all without a formal safety evaluation. However, the direct introduction of novel genes raised questions regarding safety that are being addressed by an evaluation process that considers potential increases in the allergenicity, toxicity, and nutrient availability of foods derived from the GM plants. Opinions vary regarding the adequacy of the assessment, but there is no documented proof of an adverse effect resulting from foods produced from GM plants. This review and opinion discusses current practices and new regulatory demands related to food safety

    Observation of an Exotic S=+1S=+1 Baryon in Exclusive Photoproduction from the Deuteron

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    In an exclusive measurement of the reaction γdK+Kpn\gamma d \to K^+ K^- p n, a narrow peak that can be attributed to an exotic baryon with strangeness S=+1S=+1 is seen in the K+nK^+n invariant mass spectrum. The peak is at 1.542±0.0051.542\pm 0.005 GeV/c2^2 with a measured width of 0.021 GeV/c2^2 FWHM, which is largely determined by experimental mass resolution. The statistical significance of the peak is 5.2±0.6σ5.2 \pm 0.6 \sigma. The mass and width of the observed peak are consistent with recent reports of a narrow S=+1S=+1 baryon by other experimental groups.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

    Measurement of Beam-Spin Asymmetries for Deep Inelastic π+\pi^+ Electroproduction

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    We report the first evidence for a non-zero beam-spin azimuthal asymmetry in the electroproduction of positive pions in the deep-inelastic region. Data have been obtained using a polarized electron beam of 4.3 GeV with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab). The amplitude of the sinϕ\sin\phi modulation increases with the momentum of the pion relative to the virtual photon, zz, with an average amplitude of 0.038±0.005±0.0030.038 \pm 0.005 \pm 0.003 for 0.5<z<0.80.5 < z < 0.8 range.Comment: 5 pages, RevTEX4, 3 figures, 2 table

    Measurement of the Polarized Structure Function σLT\sigma_{LT^\prime} for p(e,ep)πop(\vec{e},e'p)\pi^o in the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) Resonance Region

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    The polarized longitudinal-transverse structure function σLT\sigma_{LT^\prime} has been measured in the Δ(1232)\Delta(1232) resonance region at Q2=0.40Q^2=0.40 and 0.65 GeV2^2. Data for the p(e,ep)πop(\vec e,e'p)\pi^o reaction were taken at Jefferson Lab with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) using longitudinally polarized electrons at an energy of 1.515 GeV. For the first time a complete angular distribution was measured, permitting the separation of different non-resonant amplitudes using a partial wave analysis. Comparison with previous beam asymmetry measurements at MAMI indicate a deviation from the predicted Q2Q^2 dependence of σLT\sigma_{LT^{\prime}} using recent phenomenological models.Comment: 5 pages, LaTex, 4 eps figures: to be published in PRC/Rapid Communications. Version 2 has revised Q^2 analysi

    Two-Nucleon Momentum Distributions Measured in 3He(e,e'pp)n

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    We have measured the 3He(e,e'pp)n reaction at 2.2 GeV over a wide kinematic range. The kinetic energy distribution for `fast' nucleons (p > 250 MeV/c) peaks where two nucleons each have 20% or less, and the third nucleon has most of the transferred energy. These fast pp and pn pairs are back-to-back with little momentum along the three-momentum transfer, indicating that they are spectators. Experimental and theoretical evidence indicates that we have measured distorted two-nucleon momentum distributions by striking the third nucleon and detecting the spectator correlated pair.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PR
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