TOTEM: The experiment to measure the total proton-proton cross section at LHC

The current large uncertainty on the extrapolation of the proton-proton total cross section at the LHC energy will be resolved by the precise measurement by the TOTEM experiment. Its accurate studies on the basic properties of proton-proton collisions at the maximum accelerator energy could provide a significant contribution to the understanding of cosmic ray physics.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, Proceedings XIV International Symposium on Very High Energy Cosmic Ray Interactions (ISVHECRI 2006), Weihai, China, August 15-22, 200

QCD and hybrid NBD on oscillating moments of multiplicity distributions in lepton- and hadron-initiated reactions

QCD predictions for moments of multiplicity distributions are compared with experimental data on e+e- collisions and their two-NBD fits. Moments of the multiplicity distribution in a two-NBD model for 1.8 TeV pp collisions are considered. Three-NBD model predictions and fits for pp at LHC energies are also discussed. Analytic expressions for moments of hybrid NBD are derived and used to get insight into jet parameters and multicomponent structure of the processes. Interpretation of observed correlations is proposed.Comment: 8 pages, no figures, Phys. Lett.

QCD and models on multiplicities in e+e−e^+e^- and ppˉp\bar p interactions

A brief survey of theoretical approaches to description of multiplicity distributions in high energy processes is given. It is argued that the multicomponent nature of these processes leads to some peculiar characteristics observed experimentally. Predictions for LHC energies are presented. It is shown that similarity of the energy dependence of average multiplicities in different reactions is not enough alone to suggest the universal mechanism of particle production in strongly-interacting systems. Other characteristics of multiplicity distributions depend on the nature of colliding partners.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, Phys. Atom. Nuc

Effective Lagrangian approach to the omega meson photoproduction near threshold

We apply the effective Lagrangian approach to investigate the role of the nucleon resonances in $\omega$ meson photoproduction at energies near the threshold. The resonant amplitudes are calculated from effective Lagrangians with the gamma NN* and omega NN* coupling constants fixed by the empirical helicity amplitudes and the vector meson dominance model. The contributions from the nucleon resonances are found to be significant in changing the differential cross sections in a wide interval of t and various spin observables.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figure

Tandem Mass Spectrometry Measurement of the Collision Products of Carbamate Anions Derived from CO2 Capture Sorbents: Paving the Way for Accurate Quantitation

The reaction between CO2 and aqueous amines to produce a charged carbamate product plays a crucial role in post-combustion capture chemistry when primary and secondary amines are used. In this paper, we report the low energy negative-ion CID results for several anionic carbamates derived from primary and secondary amines commonly used as post-combustion capture solvents. The study was performed using the modern equivalent of a triple quadrupole instrument equipped with a T-wave collision cell. Deuterium labeling of 2-aminoethanol (1,1,2,2,-d4-2-aminoethanol) and computations at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level were used to confirm the identity of the fragmentation products for 2-hydroxyethylcarbamate (derived from 2-aminoethanol), in particular the ions CN−, NCO− and facile neutral losses of CO2 and water; there is precedent for the latter in condensed phase isocyanate chemistry. The fragmentations of 2-hydroxyethylcarbamate were generalized for carbamate anions derived from other capture amines, including ethylenediamine, diethanolamine, and piperazine. We also report unequivocal evidence for the existence of carbamate anions derived from sterically hindered amines (Tris(2-hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and 2-methyl-2-aminopropanol). For the suite of carbamates investigated, diagnostic losses include the decarboxylation product (−CO2, 44 mass units), loss of 46 mass units and the fragments NCO− (m/z 42) and CN− (m/z 26). We also report low energy CID results for the dicarbamate dianion (−O2CNHC2H4NHCO2−) commonly encountered in CO2 capture solution utilizing ethylenediamine. Finally, we demonstrate a promising ion chromatography-MS based procedure for the separation and quantitation of aqueous anionic carbamates, which is based on the reported CID findings. The availability of accurate quantitation methods for ionic CO2 capture products could lead to dynamic operational tuning of CO2 capture-plants and, thus, cost-savings via real-time manipulation of solvent regeneration energies

A fresh look at eta2(1645), eta2(1870), eta2(2030) and f2(1910) in pbar-p -> eta + 3pizero

There is a large discrepancy between results of Crystal Barrel and WA102 for the branching ratio R = BR[eta2(1870)->a2(1320)pi]/ BR[eta2(1870)->f2(1270)eta]. An extensive re-analysis of the Crystal Barrel data redetermines branching ratios for decays of eta2(1870), eta2(1645), eta2(2030) and f2(1910). This re-analysis confirms a small value for R of 1.60+-0.39, inconsistent with the value 32.6+-12.6 of WA102. The likely origin of the discrepancy is that the WA102 data contain a strong f2(1910)->a2-pi signal as well as eta2(1870). There is strong evidence that the eta2(1870) has resonant phase variation. A peak in f2(1270)a0(980) confirms closely the parameters of the a2(2255) resonance observed previously. A peak in eta2(2030)-pi is interpreted naturally in terms of pi2(2245) with reduced errors for mass and width M=2285+-20(stat)+-25(syst) MeV, Gamma=250+-20(stat)+-25(syst) MeV.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figures; several major additions in final versio

Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Studies of Carbon Dioxide and Fuel-Related Gases Adsorbed on the Small Pore Scandium Terephthalate Metal Organic Framework, Sc-2(O2CC6H4CO2)(3)

The adsorption behavior of the microporous scandium terephthalate Sc-2(O2CC6H4CO2)(3) for small fuel-related molecules has been measured. The structure shows an adsorption capacity for N-2 and CO2 of 6.5 mmol g(-1) and is able to take up straight chain hydrocarbons. The mechanism of adsorption of CO2, CH4, and C2H6 has been determined by single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction at similar to 230 K. Adsorption of CO2 at 235 K and 1 bar pressure and H-2 at 80 K and 0.25 bar results in each case in a symmetry change from orthorhombic Fddd to monoclinic C2/c through tilts in the terephthalate linkers. CO2 molecules take up different sites in the two symmetrically different channels that result from this symmetry change. The structure remains orthorhombic in 9 bar of CH4 and 5 bar of C2H6, and the adsorption sites are located. CH4 and C2H6 are observed to adopt sites within the channels, and C2H6 is also observed to adopt adsorption sites between phenyl groups in the channel walls, suggesting that the structure is sufficiently flexible to allow diffusion of small molecules between adjacent channels.</p

Optimising motor learning in infants at high risk of cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Background: The average age for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) is 19 months. Recent neuroplasticity literature suggests that intensive, task-specific intervention ought to commence as early as possible and in an enriched environment, during the critical period of neural development. Active motor interventions are effective in some populations, however the effects of active motor interventions on the motor outcomes of infants with CP have not been researched thoroughly, but pilot work is promising. The aim of this study was to determine the short- term effects of “GAME”; a new and novel goal-oriented activity-based, environmental enrichment therapy programme on the motor development of infants at high risk of CP and test study procedures for a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods: Pragmatic 2-group pilot RCT to assess motor outcomes, goal attainment, parent well-being and home environment quality, after 12-weeks of GAME intervention versus standard care. GAME included: creation of movement environments to elicit motor behaviours; parent training in motor learning and task analysis; frequent practice of motor tasks using a programme that was individualised to the child, was varied and focused on self-initiated movement. Data were analyzed using multiple regression. Results: Thirteen infants were consented, randomised, treated and completed the study. At study conclusion, the GAME group (n = 6) demonstrated an advantage in Total Motor Quotient of 8.05 points on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2) compared to the standard care group (n = 7) (p \u3c .001). No significant differences existed between groups on any other measure. Conclusions: GAME appears to offer a promising and feasible new motor intervention for CP, with favourable short-term motor outcomes. A pressing need exists for an adequately powered RCT with long-term end points, to determine if GAME may advance these children’s motor trajectory