Readout of the ATLAS Transition Radiation Tracker: Timing Parameters and Constraints

The atlas Transition Radiation Tracker (trt) is a straw tracker capable of detecting both minimum ionizing particles as well as transition radiation. The control and readout of this detector are very sensitive to several timing parameters, the values of which are constrained by the time available to sample data from a given event. In this note, these parameters and constraints are discussed

Edouard Poty: a bio- and bibliography

peer reviewe

Compte-rendu et apport de la conférence-débat : "Nature, conditionnalité et verdissement de la PAC : un tournant wallon ?", 9 novembre 2011, Espace Senghor, Gembloux, Belgique

Proceedings of the conference: "Nature, conditionnalité et verdissement de la PAC : un tournant wallon ?". 9th November 2011. Espace Senghor, Gembloux, Belgium. Recently, the European Union (EU) proposed a reform project for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of the proposed reforms consists of imposing a set aside proportion of 7% of arable land for biodiversity support purposes. A conference on this proposal was held in Gembloux, Belgium, on 9th November 2011. Such a set aside system already exists in neighboring countries. The French and Swiss systems were presented at the conference in order to highlight their advantages and limitations. Scientific arguments underlying such policies were also presented. It was shown that the creation of semi-natural elements within the agricultural matrix is an efficient way to promote biodiversity. Both the quantity and the quality of these elements need to be considered. In addition, biodiversity is likely to provide services to agriculture, notably crop pollination and pest control. Currently, uncertainties remain regarding areas that are eligible to be designated as reaching the 7% threshold. However, based on the most probable scenarios, the current likely eligible areas cover only 4.3% of arable land in Wallonia. Less than 20% of Walloon farms already reach the 7% threshold proposed by the EU. If the European project is approved, it will therefore be of great importance to have some form of societal recognition afforded to farmers for their efforts. In order to optimize the positive effects of the policy on biodiversity, it is also imperative to ensure that a high level of biological quality is reached in the areas dedicated to biodiversity and to monitor this quality using clearly defined objectives. Economical, societal and environmental issues all need to be considered when applying this policy in order to improve agricultural sustainability and to stop the decline in biodiversity in agricultural landscapes

Using Quantum Cheshire Cats to explore Contextuality and Quantum Coherence

We analyse the quantum Cheshire cat using contextuality theory. The results shed a surprising new light on the relation between quantum paradoxes, weak values, and contextuality, a key resource for quantum computing. \ua9 2024 The Author(s

Improved Measurement of the Positive Muon Lifetime and Determination of the Fermi Constant

The mean life of the positive muon has been measured to a precision of 11 ppm using a low-energy, pulsed muon beam stopped in a ferromagnetic target, which was surrounded by a scintillator detector array. The result, tau_mu = 2.197013(24) us, is in excellent agreement with the previous world average. The new world average tau_mu = 2.197019(21) us determines the Fermi constant G_F = 1.166371(6) x 10^-5 GeV^-2 (5 ppm). Additionally, the precision measurement of the positive muon lifetime is needed to determine the nucleon pseudoscalar coupling g_P.Comment: As published version (PRL, July 2007

Human-Induced Expanded Distribution of Anopheles plumbeus, Experimental Vector of West Nile Virus and a Potential Vector of Human Malaria in Belgium

For the majority of native species, human-created habitats provide a hostile environment that prevents their colonization. However, if the conditions encountered in this novel environment are part of the fundamental niche of a particular species, these low competitive environments may allow strong population expansion of even rare and stenotopic species. If these species are potentially harmful to humans, such anthropogenic habitat alterations may impose strong risks for human health. Here, we report on a recent and severe outbreak of the viciously biting and day-active mosquito Anopheles plumbeus Stephens, 1828, that is caused by a habitat shift toward human-created habitats. Although historic data indicate that the species was previously reported to be rare in Belgium and confined to natural forest habitats, more recent data indicate a strong population expansion all over Belgium and severe nuisance at a local scale. We show that these outbreaks can be explained by a recent larval habitat shift of this species from tree-holes in forests to large manure collecting pits of abandoned and uncleaned pig stables. Further surveys of the colonization and detection of other potential larval breeding places of this mosquito in this artificial environment are of particular importance for human health because the species is known as a experimental vector of West Nile virus and a potential vector of human malari

Toxicity Of Some Terpenoids Of Essential Oils Of Xylopia Aethiopica From Cameroon Against Sitophilus Zeamais Motschulsky

peer reviewedThe acute toxicity of essential oils from the whole fruit (EF) or from the fibres of the fruit (FF) of the local aromatic plants Xylopiα αethiopicα Dunal (Annonaceae) collected in north Cameroon was evaluated on Sitophilus zeαmαis adults. A concentration of 1 ml of essential oil per 100 g of maize seeds was tested to determine weevil mortality after 24 h of exposure. Under these conditions, the essential oil derived from both EF and FF of X. αethiopicα led to 100% mortality. In a second step, proportions of active compounds present in the oil of both EF and FF of X. αethiopicα were quantified. The toxicity of the four main compounds was tested against S. zeαmαis: α-pinene, β-pinene, -3-carene and terpinen-4-ol according to their proportion in the essential oil of the concerned plant part. β-pinene and terpinen-4-ol were responsible for 50% of the mortality at the proportion found in EF and FF essential oils respectively. When mixed, a synergic effect of the compounds was observed that restored the mortality percentage observed for the crude oil. It appears that X. αethiopicα essential oil could be a potential source of natural and low-cost insecticide to control storage pests