Chiral Perturbation Theory at Finite Volume and/or with Twisted Boundary Conditions

In this talk we discuss a number of ChPT calculations relevant for lattice QCD. These include the finite volume corrections at two-loop order for masses and decay constants. The second part is about hadronic vacuum polarization where we present the two-loop ChPT estimate for the disconnected and strange quark contributions. We also present the finite volume corrections at two-loop order. The final part is the one-loop finite volume with twisted boundary conditions contribution to $f_+(q^2)$ and the full $K_{\ell3}$ amplitudeComment: 7 pages, talk presented at 34th annual International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 24-30 July 2016, University of Southampton, U

Chiral Meson Physics at Two Loops

An overview of Chiral Perturbation Theory calculations in the mesonic sector at the two Loop level is given. Discussed in some detail are the partially quenched case relevant for lattice QCD, the general fitting procedures and $\pi\pi$,$\pi K$ scattering as well as the determination of $V_{us}$ and $K_{\ell3}$ decays.Comment: 7 pages, Invited plenary talk presented at the 19th European Few-Body conference, Groningen, The Netherlands, August 23-27, 200

Vector two-point functions in finite volume using partially quenched chiral perturbation theory

We calculate vector-vector correlation functions at two loops using partially quenched chiral perturbation theory including finite volume effects and twisted boundary conditions. We present expressions for the flavor neutral cases and the flavor charged case with equal masses. Using these expressions we give an estimate for the ratio of disconnected to connected contributions for the strange part of the electromagnetic current. We give numerical examples for the effects of partial quenching, finite volume and twisting and suggest the use of different twists to check the size of finite volume effects. The main use of this work is expected to be for lattice QCD calculations of the hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment.Comment: 31 pages, some sentences added regarding partial twisting, reformatted equations in appendix to make them more legibl

A web-based tool to design and analyze single- and double-stage acceptance sampling plans

Acceptance sampling plans are used to determine whether production lots can be accepted or rejected. Existing tools only provide a limited functionality for the two-point design and the risk analysis of such plans. In this article, a web-based tool is presented to study single- and double-stage sampling plans. In contrast to existing solutions, the tool is an interactive applet that is freely available. Analytic properties are derived to support the development of search strategies for the design of double-stage sampling plans that are more efficient and accurate in comparison with existing routines. Several case studies are presented

Scalar Kinetic Mixing and the Renormalization Group

Quantum field theories containing scalar fields with equal quantum numbers allow for a mixed kinetic term in the Lagrangian. It has been argued that this mixing must be taken into consideration when performing renormalization group (RG) analyses of such a theory. However, from the fact that scalar kinetic mixing does not correspond to a physical observable, we show that no extra parameters need to be introduced. Using a toy model, we explicitly derive the 1-loop RG equations (RGEs) in three different renormalization schemes to demonstrate how this issue can be dealt with. In schemes without kinetic mixing, either the fields mix during renormalization to produce non-diagonal anomalous dimensions or the RGEs explicitly depend on the scalar masses. Finally, we show how the different schemes are related to each other by scale dependent field redefinitions.Comment: 7 pages, journal versio

Weight gain and resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in two genetically diverse groups of cattle

Body weight gain (BWG) and gastrointestinal nematode challenge (GIN) were investigated in two genetically diverse groups of cattle. Thirty-two dairy calves (D = Swedish Red/Holstein) and 31 dairy × beef crosses (C = Swedish Red/Holstein × Charolais) pairwise matched by dam breed and birth dates, were monitored for ≈20 weeks on a pasture grazed by cattle in the previous year. At turn-out, animals (between 6 and 12 months age) from each genotype were either infected with 5000 third stage (L3) Ostertagia ostertagi (50%) and Cooperia oncophora (50%) larvae (H, high-exposure); or treated monthly with 0.5 mg ivermectin (Noromectin®, Pour-on) per kg bodyweight to remove worms ingested (L, low-exposure). Animals were weighed every fortnight and individual BWG was calculated. Faecal and blood samples were collected every four weeks throughout the experiment for nematode faecal egg counts (FEC) and larvae cultures and serum pepsinogen concentrations (SPC), respectively. Nematode eggs were observed 29 days post turn-out in both H groups. FEC peaked to around 200 eggs per gram (epg) on days 58 and 85 respectively in both H groups. FEC were also observed in the L groups at the same time, but mean epg remained very low ( 3.5 IU tyrosine whereas only six DH animals reached similar pepsinogen levels. The level of infection (H and L) significantly affected BWG in both genotypes. Even though there was no statistically sig- nificant genotype (C or D) × treatment (H or L) interaction, there was a larger difference in body weight of H and L in C (37 kg) compared to D (17 kg) genotypes at the end of the experiment. Our data collectively support the view crossbred (C) animals experience the impact of gastrointestinal parasitism more severely compared to pure dairy (D) first season grazers. The mechanisms that underpin this remains speculative

Was Benedictine monasticism conservative? Evidence from the sermon collection of Jacques de Furnes, abbot of Saint-Berlin (1230-1237)

The failure of papal attempts to impose the governmental structures of the religious orders on Benedictine monasticism in the early thirteenth century has long been considered a consequence of a typically Benedictine independent attitude. More precisely, traditional scholarship adhered to the notion that the Benedictines resisted these initiatives because of their reluctance to give up judicial autonomy in favour of a supra-monastic form of organisation. By looking at a collection of sermons drafted by Jacques de Furnes, abbot of the Flemish abbey of Saint-Bertin, I aim to reconsider the above views. In so doing, I look at, respectively : Jacques’s profile as a preacher ; the response of the community of Saint-Bertin to the papal reforms ; Jacques’s involvement in papal monastic policy ; and finally, his role in the coordination of regional monasticism. As such, this study contributes to revising the current narrative on Benedictine institutional development in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries.Le monachisme bénédictine était-il conservateur ? Le témoignage de la collection des sermons de Jacques de Furnes, abbé de Saint-Bertin (1230-1237). L’échec des tentatives pontificales d’imposer aux ordres religieux des structures gouvernementales basées sur le monachisme bénédictin au début du XIIIe siècle a longtemps été considéré comme la conséquence d’une attitude d’indépendance typiquement bénédictine. Plus précisément, la recherche traditionnelle a adhéré à l’idée que les bénédictins ont résisté à ces initiatives en raison de leur crainte de devoir renoncer à l’autonomie judiciaire en faveur d’une forme d’organisation supramonastique. Sur la base d’un recueil de sermons rédigés par Jacques de Furnes, abbé de l’abbaye flamande de Saint-Bertin, je cherche à reconsidérer les vues précédentes. Pour ce faire, j’examine successivement le profil de Jacques comme prédicateur, la réponse de la communauté de Saint-Bertin aux réformes pontificales, l’implication de Jacques dans la politique monastique des papes et son rôle dans la coordination du monachisme régional. Cette étude contribue ainsi à la révision du discours actuel sur le développement institutionnel bénédictin au XIIe et au début du XIIIe siècle.Was het benedictijnse kloosterwezen conservatief ? De getuigenis van de prekencollectie van Jacques de Furnes, abt van Sint-Bertijns (1230-1237). Het falen van vroeg dertiende-eeuwse pauselijke pogingen om de bestuurlijke structuren van de religieuze orden aan de Benedictijnen op te leggen, werd lange tijd beschouwd als een gevolg van een typisch benedictijnse particularistische houding. Meer bepaald hielden historici vast aan het idee dat de benedictijnen zich tegen deze initiatieven hadden verzet omdat ze hun juridische autonomie niet wilden opgeven ten gunste van enige vorm van supra-monastieke organisatie. Via de studie van een prekencollectie opgesteld door Jacques de Furnes, abt van de Vlaamse Sint-Bertijnsabdij, tracht ik de bovenstaande opvattingen te herzien. Ik behandel achtereenvolgens respectievelijk : het profiel van Jacques als predikant ; de reactie van de gemeenschap van Sint-Bertijns op de pauselijke maatregelen ; de deelname van Jacques in het pauselijk monastiek beleid en zijn rol in de coördinatie van het regionale religieuze leven. Zodoende draagt deze studie bij tot de herziening van het huidige narratief omtrent de institutionele ontwikkelingen in het twaalfde-eeuwse en vroeg dertiende-eeuwse benedictijnse kloosterwezen.Belaen Johan. Was Benedictine Monasticism Conservative? Evidence from the Sermon Collection of Jacques de Furnes, Abbot of Saint-Bertin (1230-1237). In: Revue belge de philologie et d'histoire, tome 95, fasc. 2, 2017. Histoire Médiévale, Moderne et Contemporaine – Middleleeuwse, Moderne en Hedendaagse Geschiedenis. pp. 219-248