In-medium nuclear interactions of low-energy hadrons

Experimental and theoretical developments of the last decade in the study of exotic atoms and some related low-energy reactions are reviewed, in order to provide information on the in-medium hadron-nucleon t matrix over a wide range of densities up to central nuclear densities. In particular, we review pionic deeply bound atomic states and related evidence for partial restoration of chiral symmetry in dense nuclear matter. The case for relatively narrow deeply bound atomic states for antikaons and antiprotons is made, based on the physics of strong nuclear absorption. Recent experimental suggestions for signals of antikaon-nuclear deeply bound states are reviewed, and dynamical models for calculating binding energies, widths and densities of antikaon nuclear states are discussed. Specific features of low-energy in-medium interactions of kaons, antiprotons and of Sigma hyperons are discussed, and suggestions to study experimentally Cascade atoms are reviewed.Comment: 86 pages, 44 figures, slight revisions, references added, Physics Reports (in press

Physics of Antiproton Nuclear Interactions near Threshold

Antiproton-nucleus optical potentials fitted to $\bar p$-atom level shifts and widths are used to calculate the recently reported very low energy ($p_{L}<100$ MeV/c) $\bar p$ cross sections for annihilation on light nuclei. The apparent suppression of annihilation upon increasing the atomic charge $Z$ and mass number $A$ is resolved as due to the strong effective repulsion produced by the very absorptive optical potential which keeps the $\bar p$-nucleus wavefunction substantially outside the nuclear surface, so that the resulting reaction cross section saturates as function of the strength of Im $V_{{\rm opt}}$. This feature, for $E >0$, parallels the recent prediction, for $E < 0$, that the level widths of $\bar p$ atoms saturate and, hence, that $\bar p$ deeply bound atomic states are relatively narrow. Predictions are made for $\bar p$ annihilation cross sections over the entire periodic table at these very low energies and the systematics of the calculated cross sections as function of $A$, $Z$ and $E$ are discussed and explained in terms of a Coulomb-modified strong-absorption model. Finally, optical potentials which fit simultaneously low-energy $\bar p - ^4$He observables for $E < 0$ as well as for $E > 0$ are used to assess the reliability of extracting Coulomb modified $\bar p$ nuclear scattering lengths directly from the data.Comment: 8 pages including 4 figures; invited talk at the Third International Conference on Perspectives in Hadronic Physics, Trieste, May 2001. To be published in Nucl. Phys.

Antiproton-deuteron annihilation at low energies

Recent experimental studies of the antiproton-deuteron system at low energies have shown that the imaginary part of the antiproton-deuteron scattering length is smaller than the antiproton-proton one. Two- and three-body systems with strong annihilation are investigated and a mechanism explaining this unexpected relation between the imaginary parts of the scattering lengths is proposed.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, to be published in The European Physical Journal

Antiproton annihilation on light nuclei at very low energies

The recent experimental data obtained by the OBELIX group on $\bar{p}$D and $\bar{p}^4$He total annihilation cross sections are analyzed. The combined analysis of these data with existing antiprotonic atom data allows, for the first time, the imaginary parts of the S-wave scattering lengths for the two nuclei to be extracted. The obtained values are: $Im a^{sc}_0 = [- 0.62 \pm 0.02 ({stat}) \pm 0.04 ({sys})] fm$ for $\bar{p}$D and $Im a^{sc}_0 = [- 0.36\pm 0.03({stat})^{+0.19}_{-0.11}({sys})] fm$ for $\bar{p}^4$He. This analysis indicates an unexpected behaviour of the imaginary part of the $\bar{p}$-nucleus S-wave scattering length as a function of the atomic weight A: $|Im a^{sc}_0|$ ($\bar{p}$p) > $|Im a^{sc}_0|$ ($\bar{p}$D) > $|Im a^{sc}_0|$ ($\bar{p}^4$He).Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Transcriptomic and biochemical investigations support the role of rootstock-scion interaction in grapevine berry quality

Background In viticulture, rootstock genotype plays a critical role to improve scion physiology, berry quality and to adapt grapevine (Vitis viniferaL.) to different environmental conditions. This study aimed at investigating the effect of two different rootstocks (1103 Paulsen - P - and Mgt 101-14 - M) in comparison with not grafted plants - NGC - on transcriptome (RNA-seq and small RNA-seq) and chemical composition of berry skin inPinot noir, and exploring the influence of rootstock-scion interaction on grape quality. Berry samples, collected at veraison and maturity, were investigated at transcriptional and biochemical levels to depict the impact of rootstock on berry maturation. Results RNA- and miRNA-seq analyses highlighted that, at veraison, the transcriptomes of the berry skin are extremely similar, while variations associated with the different rootstocks become evident at maturity, suggesting a greater diversification at transcriptional level towards the end of the ripening process. In the experimental design, resembling standard agronomic growth conditions, the vines grafted on the two different rootstocks do not show a high degree of diversity. In general, the few genes differentially expressed at veraison were linked to photosynthesis, putatively because of a ripening delay in not grafted vines, while at maturity the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the synthesis and transport of phenylpropanoids (e.g. flavonoids), cell wall loosening, and stress response. These results were supported by some differences in berry phenolic composition detected between grafted and not grafted plants, in particular in resveratrol derivatives accumulation. Conclusions Transcriptomic and biochemical data demonstrate a stronger impact of 1103 Paulsen rootstock than Mgt 101-14 or not grafted plants on ripening processes related to the secondary metabolite accumulations in berry skin tissue. Interestingly, theMYB14gene, involved in the feedback regulation of resveratrol biosynthesis was up-regulated in 1103 Paulsen thus supporting a putative greater accumulation of stilbenes in mature berries

Production of Λ6^{6}_{\Lambda}H and Λ7^{7}_{\Lambda}H with the (Kstop−^{-}_{stop},π+\pi^+) reaction

The production of neutron rich $\Lambda$-hypernuclei via the ($K^-_stop$,$\pi^+$) reaction has been studied using data collected with the FINUDA spectrometer at the DA$\Phi$NE $\phi$-factory (LNF). The analysis of the inclusive $\pi^+$ momentum spectra is presented and an upper limit for the production of $^6_\Lambda$H and $^7_\Lambda$H from $^6$Li and $^7$Li, is assessed for the first time.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in PL

Correlated Λd\Lambda d pairs from the Kstop−A→ΛdA′K^{-}_{stop} A \to \Lambda d A' reaction

Correlated $\Lambda d$ pairs emitted after the absorption of negative kaons at rest $K^{-}_{stop}A\to \Lambda d A'$ in light nuclei $^6Li$ and $^{12}C$ are studied. $\Lambda$-hyperons and deuterons are found to be preferentially emitted in opposite directions. The $\Lambda d$ invariant mass spectrum of $^6Li$ shows a bump whose mass is 3251$\pm$6 MeV/c$^2$. The bump mass (binding energy), width and yield are reported. The appearance of a bump is discussed in the realm of the [$\bar{K}3N$] clustering process in nuclei. The experiment was performed with the FINUDA spectrometer at DA$\Phi$NE (LNF).Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.

Nuclear surface studies with antiprotonic atom X-rays

The recent and older level shifts and widths in pbar atoms are analyzed. The results are fitted by an antiproton-nucleus optical potential with two basic complex strength parameters. These parameters are related to average S and P wave scattering parameters in the subthreshold energy region. A fair consistency of the X-ray data for all Z values, stopping pbar data and the Nbar-N scattering data has been achieved. The determination of neutron density profiles at the nuclear surface is undertaken, and the determination of the neutron R_{rms} radii is attempted. Uncertainties due to the input data and the procedure are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 6 tables, 3 figure

The A(Kstop−,π±Σ∓)A′A(K^-_{stop},\pi^\pm\Sigma^\mp)A' reaction on p-shell nuclei

This letter is concerned with the study of the $K^-_{stop}A\rightarrow \pi^\pm\Sigma^\mp A'$ reaction in p-shell nuclei, i.e., $^{6,7}Li$, $^9Be$, $^{13}C$ and $^{16}O$. The $\pi^\pm\Sigma^\mp / K^-_{stop}$ emission rates are reported as a function of $A$. These rates are discussed in comparison with previous findings. The ratio $\pi^-\Sigma^+/\pi^+\Sigma^-$ in p-shell nuclei is found to depart largely from that on hydrogen, which provides support for large in-medium effects possibly generated by the sub-threshold $\Lambda(1405)$. The continuum momentum spectra of prompt pions and free sigmas are also discussed as well as the $\pi^\pm\Sigma^\mp$ missing mass behavior and the link with the reaction mechanism. The apparatus used for the investigation is the FINUDA spectrometer operating at the DA$\Phi$NE $\phi$-factory (LNF-INFN, Italy).Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.