Light hadron and diquark spectroscopy in quenched QCD with overlap quarks on a large lattice

A simulation of quenched QCD with the overlap Dirac operator has been completed using 100 Wilson gauge configurations at beta = 6 on an 18^3 x 64 lattice and at beta = 5.85 on a 14^3 x 48 lattice, both in Landau gauge. We present results for light meson and baryon masses, meson final state "wave functions," and other observables, as well as some details on the numerical techniques that were used. Our results indicate that scaling violations, if any, are small. We also present an analysis of diquark correlations using the quark propagators generated in our simulation.Comment: 28 LaTeX pages, 41 figures, v2: minor updates, version published in JHE

Synthesis and physical properties of LaO1−xFxFeAs\rm\bf LaO_{1-x}F_xFeAs

We have prepared the newly discovered Fe-based superconducting material $\rm LaO_{1-x}F_xFeAs$ ($0\leq x\leq 0.2$) in polycrystalline form and have investigated the samples by means of structural, thermodynamic and transport measurements. Our investigations reveal a non superconducting phase at $0\leq x\lesssim0.04$ which for $x=0$ is characterized by a structural transition towards an orthorhombic distortion at $T_s\approx 160$ K and antiferromagnetic spin order at $T_N\approx138$ K. Both transitions lead to strong anomalies in various transport properties as well as in magnetization and in specific heat. Remarkably, the transition temperatures are only weakly doping dependent up $x\lesssim 0.04$. However, the transitions are abruptly suppressed at $x\geq0.05$ in favour of a superconducting phase with a critical temperature $T_c\gtrsim 20$ K. Upon further increasing the F-doping $T_c$ increases up to a maximum of $T_c=26.8$ K at $x=0.1$ which is followed by a decrease down to $T_c\approx10$ K at $x\geq0.15$

CRBP-TS - evaluation of a home-based training and health care program for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer using telemonitoring and self-management: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Physical training is recommended in various national and international guidelines for patients with cancer. Observational studies have shown that physical activity leads to reduced recurrence and mortality rates by 20–40% in colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Despite existing evidence, a systematic care structure is still lacking. The primary aim of this study is to implement and evaluate an online training platform to strengthen physical performance and patient empowerment after cancer surgery. Methods: The evaluation will be conducted as a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial with three subgroups (colorectal-, breast-, and prostate cancer). Each group will include 100 patients (total 300 patients including dropouts; clinical stages T1–3 and/or N+; M0 after surgery intervention) and the primary endpoint (13% increase in the maximal oxygen consumption during exercise) will be examined. The intervention group will receive a 6-month home-based online training (2–3 times per week strength-endurance training using video presentations), bidirectional activity feedback information, online communication, and online counseling. The control group (usual care) will be advised lifestyle improvement. In-hospital testing will be performed before, during, and after the intervention. In addition to cardiopulmonary capacity, tumor specific diagnostics (liquid biopsy, depression and fatigue assessment, metabolic and endothelial screening) will be applied. Discussion: Due to the increasing incidence of cancer, associated with considerable mortality, morbidity and impaired quality of life, there is an imperative requirement for improved cancer care, of which structured physical training may become an integral component

The LAILAPS Search Engine: Relevance Ranking in Life Science Databases

Search engines and retrieval systems are popular tools at a life science desktop. The manual inspection of hundreds of database entries, that reflect a life science concept or fact, is a time intensive daily work. Hereby, not the number of query results matters, but the relevance does. In this paper, we present the LAILAPS search engine for life science databases. The concept is to combine a novel feature model for relevance ranking, a machine learning approach to model user relevance profiles, ranking improvement by user feedback tracking and an intuitive and slim web user interface, that estimates relevance rank by tracking user interactions. Queries are formulated as simple keyword lists and will be expanded by synonyms. Supporting a flexible text index and a simple data import format, LAILAPS can easily be used both as search engine for comprehensive integrated life science databases and for small in-house project databases

Effect of home-based online training and activity feedback on oxygen uptake in patients after surgical cancer therapy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Exercise training is beneficial in enhancing physical function and quality of life in cancer patients. Its comprehensive implementation remains challenging, and underlying cardiopulmonary adaptations are poorly investigated. This randomized controlled trial examines the implementation and effects of home-based online training on cardiopulmonary variables and physical activity. Methods Of screened post-surgical patients with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer, 148 were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention (2 × 30 min/week of strength-endurance training using video presentations) and a control group. All patients received activity feedback during the 6-month intervention period. Primary endpoint was change in oxygen uptake after 6 months. Secondary endpoints included changes in cardiac output, rate pressure product, quality of life (EORTC QoL-C30), C-reactive protein, and activity behavior. Results One hundred twenty-two patients (62 intervention and 60 control group) completed the study period. Change in oxygen uptake between intervention and control patients was 1.8 vs. 0.66 ml/kg/min (estimated difference after 6 months: 1.24; 95% CI 0.23 to 2.55; p = 0.017). Rate pressure product was reduced in IG (estimated difference after 6 months: − 1079; 95% CI − 2157 to − 1; p = 0.05). Physical activity per week was not different in IG and CG. There were no significant interaction effects in body composition, cardiac output, C-reactive protein, or quality of life. Conclusions Home-based online training among post-surgery cancer patients revealed an increase of oxygen uptake and a decrease of myocardial workload during exercise. The implementation of area-wide home-based training and activity feedback as an integral component in cancer care and studies investigating long-term effects are needed. Trial registration DRKS-ID: DRKS00020499 ; Registered 17 March 2020