Dileptons from the nonequilibrium Quark-Gluon Plasma

According to the dynamical quasiparticle model (DQPM) -- matched to reproduce lattice QCD results in thermodynamic limit, -- the constituents of the strongly interacting quark-gluon plasma (sQGP) are massive and off-shell quasi-particles (quarks and gluons) with broad spectral functions. In order to address the electromagnetic radiation of the sQGP, we derive off-shell cross sections of $q\bar q\to\gamma^*$, $q\bar q\to\gamma^*+g$ and $qg\to\gamma^*q$($\bar q g\to\gamma^* \bar q$) reactions taking into account the effective propagators for quarks and gluons from the DQPM. Dilepton production in In+In collisions at 158 AGeV is studied by implementing these processes into the parton-hadron-string dynamics (PHSD) transport approach. The microscopic PHSD transport approach describes the full evolution of the heavy-ion collision: from the dynamics of quasi-particles in the sQGP phase (when the local energy density is above $\sim 1$ GeV/fm$^3$) through hadronization and to the following hadron interactions and off-shell propagation after the hadronization. A comparison to the data of the NA60 Collaboration shows that the low mass dilepton spectra are well described by including a collisional broadening of vector mesons, while the spectra in the intermediate mass range are dominated by off-shell quark-antiquark annihilation, quark Bremsstrahlung and gluon-Compton scattering in the nonperturbative QGP. In particular, the observed softening of the $m_T$ spectra at intermediate masses (1 GeV $\le M \le$ 3 GeV) is approximately reproduced.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, to be published in the Proceedings of the 26th Winter Workshop on `Nuclear Dynamics', Ochto Rios, Jamaica, 2-9 January, 201

Measurement of the nuclear modification factor of electrons from heavy-flavour decays at mid-rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76 TeV with ALICE

We present results on inclusive electrons for 1.5 $< p_{\rm T} <$ 6 GeV/$c$ in {Pb-Pb} collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$ = 2.76 TeV measured with ALICE at the LHC and compare these to a cocktail of background electron sources. The excess of electrons beyond the cocktail at high momenta ({$p_{\rm T} >$ 3.5 GeV/$c$}) is attributed to electrons from heavy-flavour decays. The corresponding nuclear modification factor indicates heavy-flavour suppression by a factor of 1.5-4.Comment: 4 pages; 4 figures; QM 2011 proceeding

Low-mass dielectrons from the PHENIX experiment at RHIC

The production of the low-mass dielectrons is considered to be a powerful tool to study the properties of the hot and dense matter created in the ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We present the preliminary results on the first measurements of the low-mass dielectron continuum in Au+Au collisions and the phi meson production measured in Au+Au and d+Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN} = 200 GeV performed by the PHENIX experiment.Comment: 6 pages, 12 figures, conference proceedings for QNP06 (5-10 June, 2006, Madrid

A propeller flap for single-stage nose reconstruction in selected patients: supratrochlear artery axial propeller flap

The paramedian forehead flap is the gold standard technique for nose reconstruction. It requires two different surgical operations which prolonged the postoperative dressing and care. We present our 5-year experience with a propeller flap based on the supratrochlear artery, which allows one-stage transfer of the forehead skin to the nose without the need for pedicle division. This technique is indicated in a selected group of patients who are not suitable for multiple-stage reconstructions because they have concurrent medical conditions, reduced mobility, or live far away from specialized medical centers. We have renamed this procedure as supratrochlear artery axial propeller flap, from the acronym STAAP flap, to stress the axial, well known and constant, vascularization of the flap. In the past 5 years, we have been performing 25 STAAP flaps; full-thickness nasal reconstruction was performed in 11 cases. The patients were 16 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 79.5 years. All patients had multiple comorbidities. Complete flap survival was observed in 23 cases and healing was complete in 7 days. In two cases, there was a partial distal necrosis of the flap treated conservatively. Cosmetic results were good and the patient's satisfaction was significant. These results indicate that the STAAP flap is a reliable and useful technique in selected cases, as old or noncompliant patients who benefit from a one-stage technique of nose reconstructio

The Horn, Kink and Step, Dale: from few GeV to few TeV

Rich experimental data have been collected in heavy-ion collisions at high energies to study the properties of strongly interacting matter. As the theory of strong interactions, QCD, predicts asymptotic freedom, the created matter at sufficiently high temperature and density will be dominated by a state of quasi-free quarks and gluons referred to as the Quark-Qluon Plasma (QGP). Experimental signals for the onset of the QGP creation (the onset of the deconfinement) have been predicted within the statistical model for the early stage of nucleus-nucleus collisions. In this model the existence of two different phases is assumed: confined mater and the QGP, as well as a first order phase transition between them. Until recently, these predictions were confirmed only by the NA49 experiment at the CERN SPS. In this report recent results from STAR at RHIC/BNL and from ALICE at LHC/CERN, related to the onset of deconfinement, will be compared to published results from NA49

D meson nuclear modification factors in Pb-Pb collisions at {\surd}sNN = 2.76 TeV, measured with the ALICE detector

The ALICE experiment has measured the D meson production in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC at {\surd}s = 7 and 2.76 TeV and {\surd}sNN = 2.76 TeV respectively, via the exclusive reconstruction of hadronic decay channels. The analyses of the D0{\to}K-pi+ and D+{\to}K-pi+pi+ channels will be described and the preliminary results for the D0 and D+ nuclear modification factor will be presented.Comment: Proceedings of Quark Matter 2011 conference. 4 pages, 4 figures. The slides of the talk can be found at the link: http://indico.cern.ch/materialDisplay.py?contribId=591&sessionId=53&materialId=slides&confId=3024

Physics with the ALICE experiment

ALICE experiment at LHC collects data in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=0.9, 2.76 and 7 TeV and in PbPb collisions at 2.76 TeV. Highlights of the detector performance and an overview of experimental results measured with ALICE in pp and AA collisions are presented in this paper. Physics with proton-proton collisions is focused on hadron spectroscopy at low and moderate $p_T$. Measurements with lead-lead collisions are shown in comparison with those in pp collisions, and the properties of hot quark matter are discussed.Comment: Presented at the Conference of the Nuclear Physics Division of the Russian Academy of Science, 11-25.11.2011, ITEP, Moscow. 16 pages, 14 figure

Elliptic and triangular flow of identified particles at ALICE

We report on the first measurements of elliptic and triangular flow for charged pions, kaons and anti-protons in lead-lead collisions at 2.76 TeV measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC. We compare the observed mass splitting of differential elliptic flow at LHC energies to RHIC measurements at lower energies and theory predictions. We test the quark coalescence picture with the quark number scaling of elliptic and triangular flow.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, Quark Matter 2011 conference proceeding