Runaway Quarks

When heavy nuclei collide, a quark-gluon plasma is formed. The plasma is subject to strong electric field due to the charge of the colliding nuclei. The electric field can influence the behavior of the quark-gluon plasma. In particular, we might observe an increased number of quarks moving in the direction of that field, as we do in the standard electron-ion plasma. In this paper we show that this phenomenon, called the runaway quarks, does not exist.Comment: 13 pages, uses harvmac.tex, epsf.te

Advancing Philanthropy Through Data Analytics

Most foundations are engaged in the art of the possible. They invest in organizations and programs aimed at transforming current realities into better possibilities and in ideas that "push the envelope" in ways that test the edges of what could be. But few foundations are taking advantage of a proven tool for expanding the possible in their own grant making and mission effectiveness: data analysis. Analytic methods are routinely used and considered essential in nearly every other sector of the economy. In healthcare, retail and financial services, to name just a few hotbeds, analytics has dramatically affected what -- with a given amount of time and money -- is possible to measure, to manage, to learn, to change and to achieve. The foundation world -- which holds over USD $1.5 trillion in assets globally and$646.1 billion in the U.S. alone, with annual grant making of approximately $100 billion globally and$46.9 billion in the U.S. -- uses analytic methods to assess, select, monitor, and report on its capital market investments for the 95% of its corpus that generates revenue. These very same methods, with even the introduction of the most basic analytic techniques, will provide demonstrable gains for the remaining 5% of the corpus that is distributed for charitable purposes. Foundations can gain visibility into how resources are allocated across their organization, view grant distribution compared to per capita need and explore outcomes data... among many other uses. For grant making organizations, analytics are a key that can be used to unlock answers to vital questions such as:How well does our grant making align with our strategy and stated tactics?Which grantees produce the best outcomes in support of our mission and strategy?Has this intervention strategy been tried before and, if so, how well did it work?Does this strategy merit replication, and is there evidence that it can be replicated and/or scaled?If we committed the same grant making budget differently, could we produce a greater impact?Board members gain visibility into the execution of top-level strategies and timely enough operational feedback to actually refine their strategic plans and, therefore, better influence desired outcomes in alignment with their mission. Foundations leaders and senior managers gain insights into what is working and clear indicators of where improvements are needed. Program managers gain time-saving tools that simplify their work and help them steer toward grant making objectives. Data analysis also improves communication and coordination by helping all participants arrive at a clear and common understanding of what types of grants and/or investments are being deployed and how they are influencing outcomes. Moreover, improved transparency enables stakeholders and the community at large to better see what investments are accomplishing. This paper looks at some of these early achievements in Kuity's work with The California Endowment (TCE). It also discusses where the nonprofit sector is headed in the implementation of more advanced analytic methods that will yield even greater benefits

Design Portfolio for The Tri-Cities Homestead 2.0: A Second Look at a DOE Solar Decathlon Net Zero Home Design

The redesign of a Solar Decathlon Design Challenge home attempts to correct inaccuracies and works to create a more energy efficient and cost-effective home design. Comparative analysis is conducted to identify design characteristics that created the greatest efficiency increases for the lowest cost. The comparative analysis results in three versions of a house design: a “worst” efficiency, “best” efficiency, and final home design. The final, reimagined design is significantly more efficient than the original design and the associated pricing and energy analysis are more accurate and robust than their counterparts in the original design

Proposal for FRX-C and multiple-cell Compact Torus experiments

A Compact Torus (CT) is a configuration for plasma confinement that offers possible engineering advantages for fusion power generation such as small size, simple blanket geometry, natural divertor, and spatially separable functions of plasma production and fusion energy generation. Two experiments to study the physics and technology of some particular CT configurations are proposed here as part of the LASL Compact Torus Program Plan. One experiment, FRX-C, is designed to study CT stability and transport properties by scaling the parameters of the existing FRX-B field-reversed theta-pinch experiment to higher temperatures, larger size, and increased plasma lifetime. The second experiment, a modification of the existing Scylla IV-P device, would form a linear array of CTs with the aim of understanding the effect on CT transport of improved plasma confinement on the open field lines outside the separatrix, as well as other multiple-cell effects

Current in Wave Driven Plasmas

A theory for the generation of current in a toroidal plasma by radio-frequency waves is presented. The effect of an opposing electric field is included, allowing the case of time varying currents to be studied. The key quantities that characterize this regime are identified and numerically calculated. Circuit equations suitable for use in ray-tracing and transport codes are given.Comment: LaTeX 2.09, 26 pages, 7 figure

Hematologic Toxicity of Concurrent Administration of Radium-223 and Next-generation Antiandrogen Therapies.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Radium-223 is a first-in-class radiopharmaceutical recently approved for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer in patients with symptomatic bone metastases. Initial studies investigating Radium-223 primarily used nonsteroidal first-generation antiandrogens. Since that time, newer antiandrogen therapies have demonstrated improved survival in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. It has been suggested that the rational combination of these newly approved agents with Radium-223 may lead to improved response rates and clinical outcomes. Currently, there is lack of information regarding the safety of concurrent administration of these agents with radiopharmaceuticals. Here, we report on hematologic toxicity findings from our institution in patients receiving concurrent Radium-223 and next-generation antiandrogen therapies with either enzalutamide or abiraterone. MATERIALS/METHODS: In a retrospective study, we analyzed patients who received Radium-223 as part of an early-access trial, and following FDA approval in May 2013, patients receiving Radium-223 as part of standard care. Radium-223 was given at standard dosing of 50 kBq/kg each month for 6 total cycles. Complete blood counts were performed before treatment monthly and following each injection. Blood counts from patients receiving Radium alone and concurrently with next-generation antiandrogens were compared. To date, 25 total patients were analyzed, with a median of 5 monthly doses received per patient. Fourteen patients received concurrent therapy during monthly Radium-223 with either enzalutamide (n=8) or abiraterone (n=6). RESULTS: Six patients expired due to disease progression. Two patients discontinued treatment due to grade 3 myelosuppression. For patients receiving either Radium alone and with concurrent next-generation antiandrogen therapy, there did not appear to be any statistically significant differences between initial and nadir blood counts. Mean change from initial neutrophil count to nadir was 1.9×10/L in patients receiving Radium alone, versus 2.3×10/L in patients receiving concurrent therapy (P=0.77). Mean change from initial hemoglobin value to nadir was 1.5 g/L in patients receiving Radium alone, versus 1.8 g/L in patients receiving concurrent therapy (P=0.31). Mean change from initial platelet count to nadir was 52.3×10 cells/L in patients receiving Radium alone versus 70.6×10 cells/L in patients receiving concurrent therapy (P=0.39). Individual blood counts for each measured laboratory are included in the supplemental data. PSA was stable or decreased in 22% of patients receiving Radium alone versus 35% of patients receiving combination treatment (P=0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent administration of Radium-223 and next-generation antiandrogen therapies appears to be well tolerated with similar toxicities to standard administration of Radium-223 alone. This particular cohort of patients represents a high-risk, heavily pretreated group of patients with advanced metastatic disease and significant marrow burden. Despite these risk factors, hematologic toxicity was modest and was in the range expected for this risk group based on previous trials. To date, this is the first study investigating the toxicity of combination treatment. Further studies investigating the safety and efficacy of combination treatments are warranted

Integrated Global Nuclear Materials Management Preliminary Concepts

The world is at a turning point, moving away from the Cold War nuclear legacy towards a future global nuclear enterprise; and this presents a transformational challenge for nuclear materials management. Achieving safety and security during this transition is complicated by the diversified spectrum of threat 'players' that has greatly impacted nonproliferation, counterterrorism, and homeland security requirements. Rogue states and non-state actors no longer need self-contained national nuclear expertise, materials, and equipment due to availability from various sources in the nuclear market, thereby reducing the time, effort and cost for acquiring a nuclear weapon (i.e., manifestations of latency). The terrorist threat has changed the nature of military and national security requirements to protect these materials. An Integrated Global Nuclear Materials Management (IGNMM) approach would address the existing legacy nuclear materials and the evolution towards a nuclear energy future, while strengthening a regime to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation. In this paper, some preliminary concepts and studies of IGNMM will be presented. A systematic analysis of nuclear materials, activities, and controls can lead to a tractable, integrated global nuclear materials management architecture that can help remediate the past and manage the future. A systems approach is best suited to achieve multi-dimensional and interdependent solutions, including comprehensive, end-to-end capabilities; coordinated diverse elements for enhanced functionality with economy; and translation of goals/objectives or standards into locally optimized solutions. A risk-informed basis is excellent for evaluating system alternatives and performances, and it is especially appropriate for the security arena. Risk management strategies--such as defense-in-depth, diversity, and control quality--help to weave together various technologies and practices into a strong and robust security fabric. Effective policy, science/technology, and intelligence elements are all crucial and must be harmonized. It is envisioned that integrated solutions will include reducing and securing nuclear/radiological materials at their source; improved monitoring and tracking; and enhancing detection, interdiction, and response. An active architecture, artfully combined of many synergistic elements, would support national actions and international collaboration in nuclear materials management, and it would help navigate a transition toward global nuclear sustainability

Electric fields in solar magnetic structures due to gradient driven instabilities: heating and acceleration of particles

The electrostatic instabilities driven by the gradients of the density, temperature and magnetic field, are discussed in their application to solar magnetic structures. Strongly growing modes are found for some typical plasma parameters. These instabilities i) imply the presence of electric fields that can accelerate the plasma particles in both perpendicular and parallel directions with respect to the magnetic field vector, and ii) can stochastically heat ions. The perpendicular acceleration is to the leading order determined by the \bmath{E}\times \bmath{B}-drift acting equally on both ions and electrons, while the parallel acceleration is most effective on electrons. The experimentally confirmed stochastic heating is shown to act mainly in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field vector and acts stronger on heavier ions. The energy release rate and heating may exceed for several orders of magnitude the value accepted as necessary for a self-sustained heating in the solar corona. The energy source for both the acceleration and the heating is stored in the mentioned background gradients.Comment: To appear in MNRA