Experimental Signatures of Anomaly Induced DCC Formation

We discuss characteristic experimental signatures related to the formation of domains of disoriented chiral condensate (DCC) triggered by the axial anomaly in relativistic heavy ion collisions. We predict that the enhancement of the fraction of neutral pions compared to all pions depends on the angle of emission with respect to the scattering plane and is concentrated at small transverse momentum and small rapidity in the center-of-mass frame. The anisotropy with respect to the reaction plane is also observable in the inclusive photon distribution.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, REVTEX, discussion on photon distribution added, one figure adde

Scaling properties at freeze-out in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Identified charged pion, kaon, and proton spectra are used to explore the system size dependence of bulk freeze-out properties in Cu+Cu collisions at √sNN=200 and 62.4 GeV. The data are studied with hydrodynamically motivated blast-wave and statistical model frameworks in order to characterize the freeze-out properties of the system. The dependence of freeze-out parameters on beam energy and collision centrality is discussed. Using the existing results from Au + Au and pp collisions, the dependence of freeze-out parameters on the system size is also explored. This multidimensional systematic study furthers our understanding of the QCD phase diagram revealing the importance of the initial geometrical overlap of the colliding ions. The analysis of Cu+Cu collisions expands the system size dependence studies from Au+Au data with detailed measurements in the smaller system. The systematic trends of the bulk freeze-out properties of charged particles is studied with respect to the total charged particle multiplicity at midrapidity, exploring the influence of initial state effects

Electron Impact Excitation Cross Sections for Hydrogen-Like Ions

We present cross sections for electron-impact-induced transitions n --> n' in hydrogen-like ions C 5+, Ne 9+, Al 12+, and Ar 17+. The cross sections are computed by Coulomb-Born with exchange and normalization (CBE) method for all transitions with n < n' < 7 and by convergent close-coupling (CCC) method for transitions with n 2s and 1s --> 2p are presented as well. The CCC and CBE cross sections agree to better than 10% with each other and with earlier close-coupling results (available for transition 1 --> 2 only). Analytical expression for n --> n' cross sections and semiempirical formulae are discussed.Comment: RevTeX, 5 pages, 13 PostScript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Search for the QCD Critical Point: Higher Moments of Net-proton Multiplicity Distributions

Higher moments of event-by-event net-proton multiplicity distributions have been applied to search for the QCD critical point. Model results are used to provide a baseline for this search. The measured moment products, $\kappa\sigma^2$ and $S\sigma$ of net-proton distributions, which are directly connected to the thermodynamical baryon number susceptibility ratio in Lattice QCD and Hadron Resonance Gas (HRG) model, are compared to the transport and thermal model results. We argue that a non-monotonic dependence of $\kappa \sigma^2$ and $S \sigma$ as a function of beam energy can be used to search for the QCD critical point.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. CPOD 2010 Proceeding

Mapping the Monetization Challenge of Gaming in Various Domains

The cost of developing successful games for either entertainment or business purposes is a high-risk investment but mandatory due to the nature of the sector. However, there are discrete and innovative ways that minimize the investments risk and assure profitability without losing the player’s engagement. Gaming monetization can be approached from direct or indirect financial charges based on the scope of the game and its target group. As of today, no monetization practice can be considered as a silver bullet as they are all affected by geographical, cultural, social, economic and other factors. This paper attempts to define the major monetization elements in the gaming industry. It also attempts to define the major gaming categories and subcategories and associate on them the monetization elements and techniques. Furthermore, it creates a map for the development of gamification monetization approaches per case which can contribute towards effective gaming investments management

Is the analysis of flow at the CERN SPS reliable?

Several heavy ion experiments at SPS have measured azimuthal distributions of particles with respect to the reaction plane. These distributions are deduced from two-particle azimuthal correlations under the assumption that they result solely from correlations with the reaction plane. In this paper, we investigate other sources of azimuthal correlations: transverse momentum conservation, which produces back-to-back correlations, resonance decays, HBT correlations and final state interactions. These correlations increase with impact parameter: most of them vary with the multiplicity N like 1/N. When they are taken into account, the experimental results of the NA49 collaboration at SPS are significantly modified. These correlations might also explain an important fraction of the pion directed flow observed by WA98. Data should be reanalyzed taking into account carefully these non--flow correlations.Comment: Revised version (minor corrections), 13 pages, LaTeX, 6 Postscript figures included. Submitted to Physical Review

Event anisotropy in 4.2A GeV/c C+C collisions

The directed and elliptic flow of protons and negative pions in 4.2A GeV/c C+C collisions is studied using the Fourier analysis of azimuthal distributions. It is found that the protons exhibit pronounced directed flow, while the flow of pions is either non existent or too weak to be detected experimentally. Also, it is found that in the entire rapidity interval the elliptic flow is very small if not zero. These results are confirmed by the Quark-Gluon-String Model (QGSM) and the relativistic transport model (ART 1.0), except that these models predict very weak antiflow of pions. The more detailed comparison with the QGSM suggests that the decay of resonances and rescattering of secondaries dominantly determine the proton and negative pion flow at this energy.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, TeX file changed from double to single-spacin

Successful outcome of pregnancy in a case of Guillain Barre syndrome-report of a rare case and review of literature

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that has been reported to carry a high maternal risk and maternal mortality risk of >10% if occurred during pregnancy. It is characterized by acute onset of symmetrical ascending paralysis with or without respiratory depression and autonomic dysfunction secondary to gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. This is case report of 30 years old multigravida who presented at 19 weeks period of gestation with sudden onset back pain and bilateral lower limb weakness that progressed to involve bilateral upper limbs with respiratory insufficiency.  Based on clinical presentation and relevant investigations like serum electrolyte, arterial blood gas analysis and nerve conduction studies, provisional diagnosis of GBS was made. In collaboration with the physician, she was managed with ventilator support for 12 days, intravenous immunoglobulin and supportive therapy. This was followed by complete and rapid recovery as she was extubated on 12th day and discharged on day 16. Patient was followed by strict maternal and fetal surveillance. She successfully delivered a healthy boy at 38 weeks of period of gestation by caesarean section done in view of meconium-stained liquor grade 3 in early labour and she was discharged on day 3 of LSCS.

Does HBT Measure the Freeze-out Source Distribution?

It is generally assumed that as a result of multiple scattering, the source distribution measured in HBT interferometry corresponds to a chaotic source at freeze-out. This assumption is subject to question as effects of multiple scattering in HBT measurements must be investigated within a quantum-mechanical framework. Applying the Glauber multiple scattering theory at high energies and the optical model at lower energies, we find that multiple scattering leads to an effective HBT density distribution that depends on the initial chaotic source distribution with an absorption.Comment: 4 pages, talk presented at QM2004 Conference, January 11-17, 2004, Oakland, California, USA, to be published in the Proceeding