Towards an understanding of the RHIC single electron data

High transverse momentum ($p_T$) single non-photonic electrons which have been measured in the RHIC experiments come dominantly from heavy meson decay. The ratio of their $p_T$ spectra in pp and AA collisions ($R_{AA}(p_T)$) reveals the energy loss of heavy quarks in the environment created by AA collisions. Using a fixed coupling constant and the Debye mass ($m_D\approx gT$) as infrared regulator perturbative QCD (pQCD) calculations are not able to reproduce the data, neither the energy loss nor the azimuthal $(v_2)$ distribution. Employing a running coupling constant and replacing the Debye mass by a more realistic hard thermal loop (HTL) calculation we find a substantial increase of the collisional energy loss which brings the $v_2(p_T)$ distribution as well as $R_{AA}(p_T)$ to values close to the experimental ones without excluding a contribution from radiative energy loss.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review

Is there elliptic flow without transverse flow?

Azimuthal anisotropy of final particle distributions was originally introduced as a signature of transverse collective flow. We show that finite anisotropy in momentum space can result solely from the shape of the particle emitting source. However, by comparing the differential anisotropy to recent data from STAR collaboration we can exclude such a scenario, but instead show that the data favour strong flow as resulting from a hydrodynamical evolution.Comment: To appear in proceedings of Quark Matter 2001, 4 pages LaTeX, uses espcrc1.st

Momentum anisotropies in the quark coalescence model

Based on the quark coalescence model, we derive relations among the momentum anisotropies of mesons and baryons in relativistic heavy ion collisions from a given, but arbitrary azimuthal distribution for the partons. Besides the familiar even Fourier coefficients such as the elliptic flow, we also pay attention to odd Fourier coefficients such as the directed flow, which has been observed at finite rapidity even at RHIC energies.Comment: 5 page

A comprehensive population synthesis study of post-common envelope binaries

We apply population synthesis techniques to calculate the present day population of post-common envelope binaries (PCEBs) for a range of theoretical models describing the common envelope (CE) phase. Adopting the canonical energy budget approach we consider models where the ejection efficiency, \alpha_{\rmn{CE}} is either a constant, or a function of the secondary mass. We obtain the envelope binding energy from detailed stellar models of the progenitor primary, with and without the thermal and ionization energy, but we also test a commonly used analytical scaling. We also employ the alternative angular momentum budget approach, known as the $\gamma$-algorithm. We find that a constant, global value of \alpha_{\rmn{CE}} \ga 0.1 can adequately account for the observed population of PCEBs with late spectral-type secondaries. However, this prescription fails to reproduce IK Pegasi, which has a secondary with spectral type A8. We can account for IK Pegasi if we include thermal and ionization energy of the giant's envelope, or if we use the $\gamma$-algorithm. However, the $\gamma$-algorithm predicts local space densities that are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater than estimates from observations. In contrast, the canonical energy budget prescription with an initial mass ratio distribution that favours unequal initial mass ratios gives a local space density which is in good agreement with observations, and best reproduces the observed distribution of PCEBs. Finally, all models fail to reproduce the sharp decline for orbital periods, P_{\rmn{orb}} \ga 1 d in the orbital period distribution of observed PCEBs, even if we take into account selection effects against systems with long orbital periods and early spectral-type secondaries.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 18 pages, 10 figures. Work concerning the reconstruction of the common envelope phase presented in the previous version will now be submitted in a separate paper in the near futur

Regulation of 92-kD gelatinase release in HL-60 leukemia cells

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), also known as 92-kD type IV collagenase/gelatinase, is believed to play a critical role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we report that MMP-9 was constitutively released from the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 as determined by zymographic analysis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) enhanced the enzyme release threefold to fourfold and the protein kinase C (PKC) activator and differentiation inducer 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) eightfold to ninefold. Gelatinase induction by TNF-alpha and TPA was inhibited by actinomycin D or cycloheximide, indicating that de novo protein synthesis was required. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to TNF-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) decreased the basal MMP-9 release of these cells. In addition, these antibodies also significantly interfered with the TPA-induced enzyme release. Agents that inhibit TNF-alpha expression in HL-60 cells, such as pentoxifylline and dexamethasone, completely abrogated both the constitutive and TPA-evoked MMP-9 release. Diethyldithiocarbamate, which is known to stimulate TNF-alpha production in HL-60 cells, exerted a positive effect on MMP-9 release in untreated cells but was inhibitory in TPA-treated HL-60 cells. The PKC inhibitor staurosporine at low concentrations (100 ng/mL) caused a significant augmentation of MMP-9 release in untreated cultures that was blocked by the addition of anti-TNF-alpha. High concentrations (2 mumol/L) of staurosporine completely abolished the extracellular enzyme activity both in untreated and TPA-stimulated cells. These results suggest, that TNF- alpha is required for basal and PKC-mediated MMP-9 release in HL-60 leukemia cells. Thus, MMP-9 secretion may be regulated by TNF-alpha not only in a paracrine but also in an autocrine fashion. This may potentiate the matrix degradative capacity of immature leukemic cells in the processes of bone marrow egress and the evasion of these cells into peripheral tissue

Hydrodynamic simulation of elliptic flow

We use a hydrodynamic model to study the space-time evolution transverse to the beam direction in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions with nonzero impact parameters. We focus on the influence of early pressure on the development of radial and elliptic flow. We show that at high energies elliptic flow is generated only during the initial stages of the expansion while radial flow continues to grow until freeze-out. Quantitative comparisons with SPS data from semiperipheral Pb+Pb collisions suggest the applicability of hydrodynamical concepts already $\approx$ 1 fm/c after impact.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, proceedings for Quark Matter 9

Use of axonal projection patterns for the homologisation of cerebral nerves in Opisthobranchia, Mollusca and Gastropoda

Introduction: Gastropoda are guided by several sensory organs in the head region, referred to as cephalic sensory organs (CSOs). These CSOs are innervated by distinct nerves. This study proposes a unified terminology for the cerebral nerves and the categories of CSOs and then investigates the neuroanatomy and cellular innervation patterns of these cerebral nerves, in order to homologise them. The homologisation of the cerebral nerves in conjunction with other data, e.g. ontogenetic development or functional morphology, may then provide insights into the homology of the CSOs themselves. Results: Nickel-lysine axonal tracing (“backfilling”) was used to stain the somata projecting into specific nerves in representatives of opisthobranch Gastropoda. Tracing patterns revealed the occurrence, size and relative position of somata and their axons and enabled these somata to be mapped to specific cell clusters. Assignment of cells to clusters followed a conservative approach based primarily on relative location of the cells. Each of the four investigated cerebral nerves could be uniquely identified due to a characteristic set of soma clusters projecting into the respective nerves via their axonal pathways. Conclusions: As the described tracing patterns are highly conserved morphological characters, they can be used to homologise nerves within the investigated group of gastropods. The combination of adequate number of replicates and a comparative approach allows us to provide preliminary hypotheses on homologies for the cerebral nerves. Based on the hypotheses regarding cerebral nerve homology together with further data on ultrastructure and immunohistochemistry of CSOs published elsewhere, we can propose preliminary hypotheses regarding homology for the CSOs of the Opisthobranchia themselves

Transverse momentum spectra and elliptic flow in ideal hydrodynamics and geometric scaling

In an ideal hydrodynamic model, with an equation of state where the confinement-deconfinement transition is a cross-over at $T_{co}=196 MeV$, we have simulated $\sqrt{s}$=200 GeV Au+Au collisions. Simultaneous description of the experimental charged particle's $p_T$ spectra and elliptic flow require that in central (0-10%) Au+Au collisions, initial energy density scales with the binary collision number density. In less central collisions, experimental data demand scaling with the participant density. Simulation studies also indicate that in central collisions viscous effects are minimal.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

Direct photon production from viscous QGP

We simulate direct photon production in evolution of viscous QGP medium. Photons from Compton and annihilation processes are considered. Viscous effect on photon production is very strong and reliable simulation is possible only in a limited $p_T$ range. For minimally viscous fluid $\eta/s$=0.08), direct photons can be reliably computed only up to $p_T \leq$ 1.3 GeV. With reduced viscosity ($\eta/s$=0.04), the limit increases to $p_T \leq$2GeV.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Di-jet hadron pair correlation in a hydrodynamical model with a quenching jet

In jet quenching, a hard QCD parton, before fragmenting into a jet of hadrons, deposits a fraction of its energy in the medium, leading to suppressed production of high-$p_T$ hadrons. Assuming that the deposited energy quickly thermalizes, we simulate the subsequent hydrodynamic evolution of the QGP fluid. Hydrodynamic evolution and subsequent particle emission depend on the jet trajectories. Azimuthal distribution of excess $\pi^-$ due to quenching jet, averaged over all the trajectories, reasonably well reproduce the di-hadron correlation as measured by the STAR and PHENIX collaboration in central and in peripheral Au+Au collisions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Some minor corrections are made in the revised manuscrip