2,442 research outputs found
Electron neutrino tagging through tertiary lepton detection
We discuss an experimental technique aimed at tagging electron neutrinos in
multi-GeV artificial sources on an event-by-event basis. It exploits in a novel
manner calorimetric and tracking technologies developed in the framework of the
LHC experiments and of rare kaon decay searches. The setup is suited for
slow-extraction, moderate power beams and it is based on an instrumented decay
tunnel equipped with tagging units that intercept secondary and tertiary
leptons from the bulk of undecayed \pi^+ and protons. We show that the taggers
are able to reduce the \nue contamination originating from K_e3 decays by about
one order of magnitude. Only a limited suppression (~60%) is achieved for \nue
produced by the decay-in-flight of muons; for low beam powers, similar
performance as for K_e3 can be reached supplementing the tagging system with an
instrumented beam dump.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures; minor changes, version to appear in EPJ
Study of a Large NaI(Tl) Crystal
Using a narrow band positron beam, the response of a large high-resolution
NaI(Tl) crystal to an incident positron beam was measured. It was found that
nuclear interactions cause the appearance of additional peaks in the low energy
tail of the deposited energy spectrum
Decaying Sterile Neutrinos as a Heating Source in the Milky Way Center
Recent Chandra and Newton observations indicate that there are
two-temperature components ( 8 keV, 0.8 keV) of the diffuse x-rays
emitted from deep inside the center of Milky Way. We show that this can be
explained by the existence of sterile neutrinos, which decay to emit photons
that can be bound-free absorbed by the isothermal hot gas particles in the
center of Milky Way. This model can account for the two-temperature components
naturally as well as the energy needed to maintain the 8 keV temperature
in the hot gas. The predicted sterile neutrino mass is between 16-18 keV.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS with minor correction
Diabetic Macular Edema: From Old Concepts to New Therapeutic Avenues
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is an important cause of blindness in the working population and is currently challenging to treat. Current interventions include focal laser or intravitreal injections. This article outlines a new treatment protocol based on the concept that peripheral ischemia is the introduction to angiogenesis, that will ultimately gather its momentum at the fovea. Performing extreme peripheral light laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) back to the equator reduces excessive expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the eye. Subsequently, this decreases VEGF-induced DME and provides long-term protection for the development of neovascularization. Initial exacerbation of DME often accompanies PRP, Therefore; first injections of anti-VEGF agents (with or without dexamethasone implant) can forestall worsening of DME preventing loss of vision. However, on the other hand, applying peripheral PRP and intraocular injections can induce posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). This could help release vitreomacular adhesions (VMA) and vitreomacular traction (VMT), decreasing DME severity and improving response to intravitreal injections. The current approach works by laser ablation of the peripheral retina that should stop the drive for VEGF release; moreover, laser ablation should produce secondary, accidental and beneficial PVD. This approach precludes focal laser therapy and paves the path for prolonged anti-VEGF therapy
MiniBooNE
The physics motivations, design, and status of the Booster Neutrino
Experiment at Fermilab, MiniBooNE, are briefly discussed. Particular emphasis
is given on the ongoing preparatory work that is needed for the MiniBooNE muon
neutrino to electron neutrino oscillation appearance search. This search aims
to confirm or refute in a definitive and independent way the evidence for
neutrino oscillations reported by the LSND experiment.Comment: 3 pages, no figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 9th
International Conference on Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP
2005), Zaragoza, Spain, 10-14 Sep 200
Revisiting the T2K data using different models for the neutrino-nucleus cross sections
We present a three-flavour fit to the recent \nu\mu --> \nu e and \nu\mu -->
\nu\mu T2K oscillation data with different models for the neutrino-nucleus
cross section. We show that, even for a limited statistics, the allowed regions
and best fit points in the (\theta_{13},\delta_{CP}) and (\theta_{23},\Delta
m^2_{atm}) planes are affected if, instead of using the Fermi Gas model to
describe the quasielastic cross section, we employ a model including the
multinucleon emission channel.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures. A new section on the inverted hierarchy added.
Version matching the published one in PL
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