Range Corrections to Doublet S-Wave Neutron-Deuteron Scattering

We calculate the range corrections to S-wave neutron-deuteron scattering in the doublet channel (S=1/2) to first order in r/a where a is the scattering length and r the effective range. Ultraviolet divergences appearing at this order can be absorbed into a redefinition of the leading order three-body force. The corrections to the elastic scattering amplitude below the deuteron breakup threshold are computed. Inclusion of the range corrections gives good agreement with measured scattering data and potential model calculations.Comment: 11 pages, RevTex, 4 ps figures, included with epsf.te

A renormalized equation for the three-body system with short-range interactions

We study the three-body system with short-range interactions characterized by an unnaturally large two-body scattering length. We show that the off-shell scattering amplitude is cutoff independent up to power corrections. This allows us to derive an exact renormalization group equation for the three-body force. We also obtain a renormalized equation for the off-shell scattering amplitude. This equation is invariant under discrete scale transformations. The periodicity of the spectrum of bound states originally observed by Efimov is a consequence of this symmetry. The functional dependence of the three-body scattering length on the two-body scattering length can be obtained analytically using the asymptotic solution to the integral equation. An analogous formula for the three-body recombination coefficient is also obtained.Comment: 12 pages, RevTex, 2 ps figures, included with epsf.te

The Dilute Bose-Einstein Condensate with Large Scattering Length

We study a dilute Bose gas of atoms whose scattering length a is large compared to the range of their interaction. We calculate the energy density of the homogeneous Bose-Einstein condensate to second order in the low-density expansion, expressing it in terms of a and a second parameter Lambda_* that determines the low-energy observables in the 3-body sector. The second-order correction to the energy density has a small imaginary part that reflects the instability due to 3-body recombination. In the case of a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate with large negative scattering length, we calculate the coefficient of the 3-body mean-field term in the energy density in terms of a and Lambda_*. It can be very large if there is an Efimov state near threshold.Comment: 8 pages, RevTex, 1 ps figure, uses epsf.tex, minor changes, references adde

Scattering of an Ultrasoft Pion and the X(3872)

The identification of the X(3872) as a loosely-bound charm-meson molecule allows it to be described by an effective field theory, called XEFT, for the D^* Dbar, D Dbar^* and D Dbar pi sector of QCD at energies small compared to the pion mass. We point out that this effective field theory can be extended to the sector that includes an additional pion and used to calculate cross sections for the scattering of a pion and the X(3872). If the collision energy is much smaller than the pion mass, the cross sections are completely calculable at leading order in terms of the masses and widths of the charm mesons, pion masses, and the binding energy of the X(3872). We carry out an explicit calculation of the cross section for the breakup of the X(3872) into D^{*+} Dbar^{*0} by the scattering of a very low energy pi^+.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Which competencies should be fostered in education for sustainable development at higher education institutions? Findings from the evaluation of the study programs at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

A relatively broad consolidated consensus has emerged among experts regarding the competencies that should be fostered through an education for sustainable development at the higher education level. However, there is little empirical support to aid in answering the question of which competencies should be promoted from the perspective of students and graduates. This was the main purpose for analyzing the corresponding results of the evaluation of the study programs in sustainable development at the University of Bern. In a standardized survey, students (N = 124), graduates (N = 121), and the supervisors of internships (N = 37) were asked, among other questions, how important they consider the fostering of the respective 13 competencies during their studies and for their professional activities. Overall, the results confirm the view of experts: the study programs should be designed for a comprehensive empowerment with respect of responsible and self-motivated participation in meeting the challenges of sustainable development. Even the students are of the opinion that competency-oriented education is important and that not only the acquisition, respectively the imparting of knowledge is relevant. Regarding the estimation of the promotion of competencies in the study program, the three groups agree that the competencies "Interconnected, foresighted, and thinking approaches in system-dynamic contexts" and "Recognizing on one's own perspective on a situation and problem, empathizing with other perspectives, and taking these into account when solving problems" are the most important. For the professional field, the competency "Communicating in a comprehensive and target group-oriented manner" is rated most important by all three groups. However, it must be noted that there are also differences between the varying perspectives of the students, graduates, and internship supervisors. The results indicate opportunities for improvement that can also be considered as recommendations in the further development of inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability-oriented study programs. Furthermore, lecturers should, especially regarding a multidisciplinary team, coordinate and communize the development of competencies across the different educational elements. Students should be well informed regarding how the various educational elements, i.e., teaching/learning arrangements and assessments, are intended to contribute to the overall development of competency. Finally, in order to ensure that lecturers align respective learning outcomes, as well as teaching/learning arrangements and assessments in their educational elements, there will need to be a greater focus on competency development across a program of study

Carney v Newton: expert evidence about the standard of clinical notes

In Carney v Newton [2006] TASSC 4 the Tasmanian Supreme Court heard a claim that the defendant breached his duty of care by failing to properly diagnose and treat a node positive carcinoma in the plaintiff's breast tissue. At trial, argument turned on the actual dialogue that took place during the initial consultation, with significant reliance on the clinical notes of the defendant. The court gave considerable weight to "expert" witnesses in ascertaining the acceptability of the defendant's conduct concerning the maintenance and interpretation of his clinical notes. This raises important questions in relation to proof of quality of medical records as part of the current professional standard of care, as modified by recent legislation in most jurisdictions

Growth and yield response of barley and chickpea to water stress under three environments in southeast Queensland. II. Root growth and soil water extraction pattern

Root growth and water extraction of two barley cultivars, Corvette (early maturing), Triumph (late maturing) and one cultivar of chickpea (Amethyst at Redland Bay and Borwen at Hermitage) were compared under three environments: April sowing and July sowing at Redland Bay and June sowing at Hermitage Research Station, south-east Queensland. This work was designed to explain differences in dry matter production in terms of root growth and water uptake during the crop growth, which relied only on stored soil moisture. In the April sowing where all crops grew well during the early stages of growth, decline in soil water with time for the whole profile was similar among all crops. In the winter sowings (June, July), total water use was less in chickpea than in barley, particularly during early stages when chickpea growth was poor. Water extraction patterns of two barley cultivars were similar in all experiments, though the late-maturing Triumph extracted slightly more water than early maturing Corvette towards maturity. Water extraction front velocities of the three crops were similar in each experiment. At Redland Bay, the water extraction front velocities varied from 1.4 to 1.6 cm day-1 in the April sowing and 2.3 to 2.4 cm day-1 in the July sowing, while they varied from 2.0 to 2.3 cm day-1 at Hermitage. However, descent of the water extraction front commenced later in chickpea than in barley when sown in winter months, and this resulted in lower total water use in chickpea, particularly at Hermitage. In both sowings at Redland Bay total root length increased rapidly to about 60 days after sowing in barley, whereas the increase was slower in chickpea. Root length density was high in the upper soil layers, and this was associated with high extractable soil water. In deeper layers both root length density and extractable soil water decreased. For a given root length density chickpea extracted more water than barley. These results indicate that the differences in root growth and water extraction by the two barley crops were rather small and were unlikely to be the reason for the differences in total dry matter production. Chickpea on the other hand appeared to be susceptible to low temperatures during early stages of growth, and this caused poor growth of both shoots and roots

HIV Viral Docking: Model Predictions for Bond Number and Trajectory

Viruses are nano-scale pathogenic particles. Understanding viral attachment is important to understand infectivity, disease transmission, and virus propagation throughout the host. A new simulation technique has been developed to study viral docking behavior - Brownian Adhesive Dynamics (BRAD). BRAD couples Brownian motion algorithm with adhesive dynamic models, and incorporates the effect of virus/cell geometry - an improvement over previous models. The method is extendable to any virus/cell system as well as nanoparticle adhesion system. Current studies have focused on the HIV/CD4 cell system. Comparison of BRAD simulation predictions with those of previous models of viral ducking has shown differences in steady state bond number and bond trajectory. This indicates that geometry of the system plays a significant role in the bonding behavior of viruses. Thus, it is shown that the equivalent site hypothesis is suspect

Brownian Adhesive Dynamics (BRAD) for Simulating the Receptor-Mediated Binding of Viruses

Current viral docking models have relied upon the assumption that bond formation and breakage are independent of viral and docking surface geometry, as well as the forces exerted on the bonds. This assumption, known as the equivalent site hypothesis (ESH), is examined in detail using a newly developed simulation technique—Brownian adhesive dynamics (BRAD). The simulation couples the thermal motion of viral particles with adhesive dynamics models to characterize the effect of bonding on viral motion. We use the binding of HIV-like particles to CD4 expressing cells as a model system to illustrate the utility of BRAD. Comparison of the transition rates between bound states predicted by ESH and the rates resulting from BRAD simulations show dramatic differences; at values of the equilibrium crosslinking constant, KxRT, where ESH suggests all virus adhesion proteins will be bound (KxRT = 106), BRAD predicts not all virus adhesion proteins will be bound. At values of the equilibrium crosslinking constant used in typical ESH calculations of virus docking (KxRT = 1) we find BRAD simulations predict no binding. The mean bond density from BRAD models is often much lower than that predicted by ESH for equivalent parameter values. BRAD suggests that the viruses are much less well bound than ESH predicts. The differences suggest that binding models for viruses need to be reexamined closely. BRAD is a simulation technique that will be useful for quantifying the receptor-mediated binding of a wide variety of viruses to cells