Status of heavy quark physics from the lattice

In this short review, I present a summary of various methods used to simulate heavy quarks on the lattice. I mainly focus on effectives theories, and give some physical results.Comment: Talk given at QCD06, Montpellier July 06, 6 pages, 2 figures, espcrc2.st

Experimental investigation of carbon long fiber reinforced polyamide 6 exposed to environmental conditions

To enhance the possibilities in lightweight constructions in terms of processability and recyclability, fiber reinforced thermoplastics are a promising class of materials. In this context, the fiber-matrix interface has a major influence on the mechanical properties of the composite. With polyamide 6 (PA6) being a hygroscopic thermoplastic, the effects of elevated humidity and temperature on the mechanical behavior must be considered [1]. This study aims to characterize the micro-mechanical material properties of carbon long fiber reinforced PA6 in quasi-static tensile tests after exposure to elevated temperature and humidity levels. Therefore, the specimens are conditioned in different climates and tested afterwards. In order to determine the initiation and propagation of matrix cracks, interface failure, and fiber fracture, the experiments are conducted on a micro-scale with an average cross-section of 0.03 mm2. The damage patterns are captured using optical microscopy and SEM images. The effects of conditioning at various temperature and humidity levels are discussed. The main results are the qualitative description of the degradation of mechanical properties due to hydrothermal effects

Prohormones in the early diagnosis of cardiac syncope

Background--The early detection of cardiac syncope is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of 4 novel prohormones, quantifying different neurohumoral pathways, possibly involved in the pathophysiological features of cardiac syncope: midregional-pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (MRproANP), C-terminal proendothelin 1, copeptin, and midregionalproadrenomedullin. Methods and Results--We prospectively enrolled unselected patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department (ED) in a diagnostic multicenter study. ED probability of cardiac syncope was quantified by the treating ED physician using a visual analogue scale. Prohormones were measured in a blinded manner. Two independent cardiologists adjudicated the final diagnosis on the basis of all clinical information, including 1-year follow-up. Among 689 patients, cardiac syncope was the adjudicated final diagnosis in 125 (18%). Plasma concentrations of MRproANP, C-terminal proendothelin 1, copeptin, and midregional-proadrenomedullin were all significantly higher in patients with cardiac syncope compared with patients with other causes (P < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracies for cardiac syncope, as quantified by the area under the curve, were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.84), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.64-0.74), 0.58 (95% CI, 0.52-0.63), and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.63-0.73), respectively. In conjunction with the ED probability (0.86; 95% CI, 0.82-0.90), MRproANP, but not the other prohormone, improved the area under the curve to 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.93), which was significantly higher than for the ED probability alone (P=0.003). An algorithm to rule out cardiac syncope combining an MRproANP level of < 77 pmol/L and an ED probability of < 20% had a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 99%. Conclusions--The use of MRproANP significantly improves the early detection of cardiac syncope among unselected patients presenting to the ED with syncope

Applying QNLP to sentiment analysis in finance

As an application domain where the slightest qualitative improvements can yield immense value, finance is a promising candidate for early quantum advantage. Focusing on the rapidly advancing field of Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP), we explore the practical applicability of the two central approaches DisCoCat and Quantum-Enhanced Long Short-Term Memory (QLSTM) to the problem of sentiment analysis in finance. Utilizing a novel ChatGPT-based data generation approach, we conduct a case study with more than 1000 realistic sentences and find that QLSTMs can be trained substantially faster than DisCoCat while also achieving close to classical results for their available software implementations

Characterization and simulation of the interface between a continuous and discontinuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic by using the climbing drum peel test considering humidity

The objective of this paper is to investigate the debonding behavior of the interface between continuously and discontinuously fiber reinforced thermoplastics using the climbing drum peel test. The study emphasizes on the importance of considering different climatic boundary conditions on the properties of thermoplastics. Specimens with varying moisture contents, from 0m.% up to above 6m.% are prepared and tested. It is observed that an increase in moisture content from 0m.% to 2m.% results in an increase of the fracture surface energy from 1.07·103J/m2 to 2.40·103J/m2 required to separate the two materials, but a further increase in moisture to 6.35m.% conversely results in a subsequent decrease of the required energy to 1.91·103J/m2. The study presents an explanatory model of increasing plasticization of the polymer due to increased polymer chain mobility, which results in more deformation energy being required to propagate the crack, which is corroborated in SEM investigations of the fracture surface. A further increase in humidity leads to polymer degradation due to hydrolysis, which explains the subsequent reduction of the fracture energy. The experimental set up is modeled numerically for the first time with cohesive surfaces, which could successfully reproduce the effective force-displacement curve in the experiment by varying the interface parameters in the model over an influence length, allowing the conclusion of a process induced variation in the interface properties over a specific consolidation length

Impact of multikinase inhibitors in reshaping the treatment of advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) pose a considerable challenge due to their increasing incidence and frequently late-stage diagnosis. The arrival of multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) into clinical practice has brought notable progress in the management of advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). This review aims at exploring the impact of MKIs in reshaping the treatment landscape for advanced GEP-NETs. Current approaches in managing advanced GEP-NETs are discussed, including somatostatin analogs, surgery, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and approved systemic treatments such as everolimus or sunitinib. The limitations and challenges faced in treating these tumors remain significant. Here, we review the clinical evidence supporting the use of everolimus as a targeted therapy, which has demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS), and the need for alternative therapies. Discussions focus on the clinical effectiveness and the emerging role of both established and novel MKIs in the treatment of GEP-NETs, including recent evidence from the CABINET trial and other emerging agents such as surufatinib, axitinib, pazopanib, and lenvatinib. We explore the clinical evidence that showcases sunitinib’s and other MKIs’ effectiveness in prolonging PFS compared to placebo in advanced GEP-NETs. Recently, MKIs have shown to have a significant impact for the treatment of advanced GEP-NETs. There remain several unmet needs that must be addressed, particularly regarding optimal treatment sequencing and the development of predictive biomarkers. Ongoing research and the use of current and emerging MKIs hold great potential to advance the treatment landscape for advanced GEP-NETs significantly.</p

Characterization and Simulation of the Interface between a Continuous and Discontinuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic by Using the Climbing Drum Peel Test Considering Humidity

The objective of this paper is to investigate the debonding behavior of the interface between continuously and discontinuously fiber reinforced thermoplastics using the climbing drum peel test. The study emphasizes on the importance of considering different climatic boundary conditions on the properties of thermoplastics. Specimens with varying moisture contents, from 0 m.% up to above 6 m.% are prepared and tested. It is observed that an increase in moisture content from 0 m.% to 2 m.% results in an increase of the fracture surface energy from 1.07 · 103 J / m2 to 2.40 · 103 J / m2 required to separate the two materials, but a further increase in moisture to 6.35 m.% conversely results in a subsequent decrease of the required energy to 1.91 · 103 J / m2. The study presents an explanatory model of increasing plasticization of the polymer due to increased polymer chain mobility, which results in more deformation energy being required to propagate the crack, which is corroborated in SEM investigations of the fracture surface. A further increase in humidity leads to polymer degradation due to hydrolysis, which explains the subsequent reduction of the fracture energy. The experimental set up is modeled numerically for the first time with cohesive surfaces, which could successfully reproduce the effective force-displacement curve in the experiment by varying the interface parameters in the model over an influence length, allowing the conclusion of a process induced variation in the interface properties over a specific consolidation length

Continuous Simulation of a Continuous-Discontinuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic (CoDiCoFRTP) Compression Molding Process

A virtual process chain for compression molded long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) composites with co-molded continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (CoFRTP) consisting of a compression molding and structural simulation step is established. The compression molding simulation considers the three-dimensional initial fiber orientation distribution of the semi-finished LFT plastificate and applies the Moldflow rotary diffusion (MRD) model to predict the reorientation of fibers. The predicted fiber orientations are compared to experimental results obtained from micro computed tomography (µCT) scans. The mapping step from molding to structural simulation allows the transfer of higher order anisotropy. Challenges in homogenizing the effective elastic material behavior of the direct (D-) LFT are discussed. The structural simulation is validated by means of coupon-level fourpoint bending tests on a D-LFT tape sandwich. The predicted bending stiffness shows higher accuracy if the mapped fiber orientation data are considered