Event by event di-hadron correlations in Pb-Pb 2.76 TeV collisions from the ALICE experiment

The large multiplicities at the LHC may permit flow harmonics to be determined on an event by event basis in Pb-Pb collisions. We extract these harmonics from event by event di-hadron correlations. Within a fine centrality bin, we find the correlation function varies substantially on an event by event basis, indicating large fluctuations in the initial conditions for a given impact parameter. Such large fluctuations lead to some events being highly triangular or highly elliptical, where the angular correlation function is completely dominated by the respective second and third Fourier harmonics. We will show unfolded $v_{2}$ distributions for various centralities, and implications for our understanding of the initial conditions.Comment: 4 pages, Hot Quarks 201

Untriggered di-hadron correlations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN=\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.76 TeV from ALICE

We present measurements of untriggered di-hadron correlations as a function of centrality in Pb-Pb \sNN collisions, for charged hadrons with $p_{T} > 0.15$ GeV$/c$. These measurements provide a map of the bulk correlation structures in heavy-ion collisions. Contributions to these structures may come from jets, initial density fluctuations, elliptic flow, resonances, and/or momentum conservation. We decompose the measured correlation functions via a multi-parameter fit in order to extract the nearside Gaussian, the longer range $\Delta \eta$ correlation often referred to as the soft ridge. The effect of including higher harmonics ($v_{3}$ and $v_{4}$) in this procedure will be discussed. We investigate how the nearside Gaussian scales with the number of binary collisions. Finally, we show the charge dependence of the nearside Gaussian.Comment: 4 pages, QM 2011 proceeding

The Centrality Dependence of Strange Baryon and Meson Production in Cu+Cu and Au+Au sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV collisions

Transverse momentum spectra of Lambda and K0Short particles are presented for Cu+Cu sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV collisions observed at STAR, and compared to Au+Au measurements at the same energy. For both systems, a number of observables are shown to increase at mid-rapidity (|y| < 0.5) with increasing centrality. These are the integrated Lambda and K0Short yields, the integrated Lambda and K0Short yields per participating nucleon, and mid-pT (1 GeV/c -> 4.5 GeV/c) Lambda/KK0Short ratios. The RCP ratio is found to be higher for the Lambda yields at mid-pT compared to the K0Short yields for both the Cu+Cu and Au+Au data. In contrast, when similar numbers of participating nucleons are considered for the Cu+Cu and Au+Au data, an indication of increased bulk strangeness production and a higher mid-pT (1 -> 4.5 GeV/c) Lambda/K0Short ratio are found, for Cu+Cu.Comment: Quark Matter 2006 Proceeding

Strangeness Production in Heavy-Ion Collisions at STAR

We report an overview of strangeness production in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at the energies $\sqrt{s_{NN}} =$ 62.4 and 200 GeV. We show new mid-rapidly $dN/dy$ results for the $K^{0}_{S}$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi$, $\Omega$ particles in Cu+Cu \sNN{62} collisions and compare to results in Au+Au \sNN{62} collisions. We show new results for mid-$p_T$ $\Lambda/K^{0}_{S}$ ratios in Cu+Cu \sNN{62} collisions and again compare to ratios in Au+Au \sNN{62} collisions. Finally, we show the high-$p_{T}$ ($\sim 6.2$ GeV/c) $R_{AA}(K^{0}_{S})$ as a function of system size in Au+Au \sNN{200} collisions and compare to $R_{AA}(\pi)$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures - To appear in the conference proceedings for Quark Matter 2009, March 30 - April 4, Knoxville, Tennesse

Strangeness production in jets from p+p \sqrt{s} = 200 GeV collisions

Measurements of strangeness production in jets help illuminate the QCD mechanisms in fragmentation. Furthermore, they provide a crucial baseline for heavy-ion studies where modifications in jet chemistry have recently been predicted. We present new results on strange particle production in jets from p+p \sqrt{s} = 200 GeV collisions measured by the STAR experiment. The momentum distributions of the \Lambda, \bar{\Lambda} and K0Short particles are obtained using various jet finding algorithms, and then compared to various models. Strange particle ratios in jets are obtained and compared to values obtained from the inclusive spectra. Finally, we show jets tagged with leading strange baryons and mesons, in order to investigate whether gluon or quark jets can be isolated in this way.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Winter Workshop on Nuclear Dynamics 2010, Jamaic

Strange Particle Production at RHIC

We report STAR measurements of mid-rapidity yields for the $\Lambda$, $\bar{\Lambda}$, $K^{0}_{S}$, $\Xi^{-}$, $\bar{\Xi}^{+}$, $\Omega^{-}$, and $\bar{\Omega}^{+}$ particles in Cu+Cu and Au+Au $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV collisions. We show that at a given number of participating nucleons, bulk strangeness production is higher in Cu+Cu collisions compared to Au+Au collisions at the same center of mass energy, counter to predictions from the Canonical formalism. We compare both the Cu+Cu and Au+Au yields to AMPT and EPOS predictions, and find they reproduce key qualitative aspects of the data. Finally, we investigate other scaling parameters and find bulk strangeness production for both the measured data and theoretical predictions, scales better with the number participants that undergo more than one collision.Comment: Conference proceedings for Hot Quarks 2008, 5 pages and 4 figure

Overview of Strangeness Production at the STAR Experiment

We present an overview of recent STAR results on strangeness production in p+p and heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. In both Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions we show the centrality dependencies of bulk yield and mid-$p_{T}$ spectrum measurements with new comparisons to theory. The latest $v_{2}$ results for strange particles are presented and prospects for strangeness production in the low energy scan program will be outlined. Finally, we report new measurements of strangeness fragmentation functions for jets in p+p collisions.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, proceedings for SQM 200

Can oral corticosteroids reduce the severity or duration of an acute cough, and the associated National Health Service and societal costs, in adults presenting to primary care?: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is one of the most common conditions managed internationally and is costly to health services and patients. Despite good evidence that antibiotics are not effective for improving the symptoms of uncomplicated LRTI, they are widely prescribed, contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Many of the symptoms observed in LRTI are mediated by inflammatory processes also observed in exacerbations of asthma, for which there is strong evidence of corticosteroid effectiveness. The primary aim of the OSAC (Oral Steroids for Acute Cough) Trial is to determine whether oral prednisolone (40 mg daily for 5 days) can reduce the duration of moderately bad (or worse) cough and the severity of all its associated symptoms on days 2 to 4 post-randomisation (day 1 is trial entry) by at least 20% in adults ≥18 years with acute LRTI presenting to primary care. Methods/design: OSAC is a two-arm, multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomised superiority trial. The target sample size is 436 patients, which allows for a 20% dropout rate. Patients will be recruited from primary care sites (General Practitioner surgeries) across England and followed up until symptom resolution. The two primary clinical outcomes are the duration of moderately bad (or worse) cough, and the severity of all its associated symptoms on days 2 to 4 post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes include: antibiotic consumption; symptom burden; adverse events; participant satisfaction with treatment and intention to consult for future similar illnesses. A parallel economic evaluation will investigate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Discussion: Results from the OSAC trial will increase knowledge regarding the clinical and cost-effectiveness of corticosteroids for LRTI, and will establish the potential of a new treatment option that could substantially improve patient health. We have chosen a relatively high ‘efficacy dose’ as this will enable us to decide on the potential for further research into lower dose oral and/or inhaled corticosteroids. This trial will also contribute to a growing body of research investigating the natural course of this very common illness, as well as the effects of steroids on the undesirable inflammatory symptoms associated with infection. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN57309858 (31 January 2013)