1,233 research outputs found
Superconducting Superstructure for the TESLA Collider
We discuss the new layout of a cavity chain (superstructure) allowing, we
hope, significant cost reduction of the RF system of both linacs of the TESLA
linear collider. The proposed scheme increases the fill factor and thus makes
an effective gradient of an accelerator higher. We present mainly computations
we have performed up to now and which encouraged us to order the copper model
of the scheme, still keeping in mind that experiments with a beam will be
necessary to prove if the proposed solution can be used for the acceleration.Comment: 11 page
Tests of the Standard Model with Low-Energy Neutrino Beams
We discuss the possibility of using future high--intensity low--energy neutrino beams for precision tests of the Standard Model. In particular we consider the determination of the electroweak mixing angle from elastic and quasi--elastic neutrino--nucleon scattering at a superbeam or --beam
Bariatric surgery in an obese patient with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy: a case report
INTRODUCTION: We report for the first time the case of a patient with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old obese Caucasian woman with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (heterozygous mutation (L272F) in GNAS1 exon 10 on molecular analysis) was treated with gastric bypass. She had the classical features of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy: short stature (138cm), obesity (body mass index 49.5kg/m2), bilateral shortening of the fourth and fifth metacarpals, short neck, round and wide face with bombed front and small eyes. Before the gastric bypass was performed, biochemical determination revealed a slightly low serum calcium level (2.09mmol/L; normal range 2.1 to 2.5mmol/l), and an elevated parathyroid hormone level (87ng/L; normal range 10 to 70ng/L) associated with low vitamin D level (19μg/L; normal range 30 to 50μg/L). Vitamin D supplementation was prescribed before surgery. After the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, she achieved a progressive substantial weight loss, from 94kg (body mass index 49.5kg/m2) to 49kg (body mass index 25.9kg/m2) in one year. Her weight then stabilized at 50kg (body mass index 26kg/m2) during our three years of follow-up. Before the operation and every three months after it, she was screened for nutritional deficiencies, and serum markers of bone turnover and renal function were monitored. Considering the deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12, appropriate supplementation was prescribed. Before and two years after the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment of bone density was performed that showed no changes on her lumbar column (0.882g/cm2 and both T-score and Z-score of -1.5 standard deviation). In addition, bone microarchitecture with a measurement of her trabecular bone score was found to be normal.
CONCLUSION: This is the first case of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass described in a patient with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism showing that such a procedure seems to be safe in obese patients with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism if appropriately followed up. As obesity is a prominent feature of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, such patients might seek bariatric surgery. After a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, patients with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy associated with pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism need long-term follow-up on nutritional and metabolic issues
Gravitational Radiation from Pulsating White Dwarfs
Rotating white dwarfs undergoing quasi-radial oscillations can emit
gravitational radiation in a frequency range from 0.1 - 0.3 Hz. Assuming that
the energy source for the gravitational radiation comes from the oblateness of
the white dwarf induced by the rotation, the strain amplitude is found to be
\sim 10^{-27} for a white dwarf at \sim 50 pc. The galactic population of these
sources is estimated to be \sim 10^7, and may produce a confusion limited
foreground for proposed advanced detectors in the frequency band between
space-based and ground-based interferometers. Nearby oscillating white dwarfs
may provide a clear enough signal to investigate white dwarf interiors through
gravitational wave asteroseismology.Comment: Accepted for Astrophysical Journal Letters. Changed value of
branching ratio resulting in an order of magnitude drop in gravitational wave
amplitude
V405 Aurigae: A High Magnetic Field Intermediate Polar
Our simultaneous multicolor (UBVRI) circular polarimetry has revealed nearly
sinusoidal variation over the WD spin cycle, and almost symmetric positive and
negative polarization excursions. Maximum amplitudes are observed in the B and
V bands (+-3 %). This is the first time that polarization peaking in the blue
has been discovered in an IP, and suggests that V405 Aur is the highest
magnetic field IP found so far. The polarized flux spectrum is similar to those
found in polars with magnetic fields in the range B ~ 25-50 MG. Our low
resolution circular spectropolarimetry has given evidence of transient features
which can be fitted by cyclotron harmonics n = 6, 7, and 8, at a field of B =
31.5 +- 0.8 MG, consistent with the broad-band polarized flux spectrum. Timings
of the circular polarization zero crossovers put strict upper limits on WD spin
period changes and indicate that the WD in V405 Aur is currently accreting
closely at the spin equilibrium rate, with very long synchronization
timescales, T_s > 10^9 yr. For the observed spin to orbital period ratio,
P_{spin}/P_{orb} = 0.0365, and P_{orb} ~ 4.15 hr, existing numerical accretion
models predict spin equilibrium condition with B ~ 30 MG if the mass ratio of
the binary components is q_1 ~ 0.4. The high magnetic field makes V405 Aur a
likely candidate as a progenitor of a polar.Comment: To appear in The Astrophysical Journal, September 1 Issue (2008), 9
pages, 10 figure
Charge asymmetries of top quarks at hadron colliders revisited
A sizeable difference in the differential production cross section of top-
compared to antitop-quark production, denoted charge asymmetry, has been
observed at the Tevatron. The experimental results seem to exceed the theory
predictions based on the Standard Model by a significant amount and have
triggered a large number of suggestions for "new physics". In the present paper
the Standard Model predictions for Tevatron and LHC experiments are revisited.
This includes a reanalysis of electromagnetic as well as weak corrections,
leading to a shift of the asymmetry by roughly a factor 1.1 when compared to
the results of the first papers on this subject. The impact of cuts on the
transverse momentum of the top-antitop system is studied. Restricting the ttbar
system to a transverse momentum less than 20 GeV leads to an enhancement of the
asymmetries by factors between 1.3 and 1.5, indicating the importance of an
improved understanding of the -momentum distribution. Predictions for
similar measurements at the LHC are presented, demonstrating the sensitivity of
the large rapidity region both to the Standard Model contribution and effects
from "new physics".Comment: 23 pages. Final version to appear in JHE
Intense terahertz pulses from SPARC-LAB coherent radiation source
The linac-based Terahertz source at the SPARC_LAB test facility is able to gene
rate highly intense Terahertz broadband
pulses
via
coherent transition radiation (CTR) from high brightness electron beams. The THz pulse duration is typically
down to 100 fs RMS and can be tuned through the electron bunch duration and shaping. The measured stored energy in a
single THz pulse has reached 40
μ
J, which corresponds to a peak
electric field of 1.6 MV/cm at the THz focus. Here we
present the main features, in particular spatial and sp
ectral distributions and energy
characterizations of the
SPARC_LAB THz source, which is very competitive for investigations in Condensed Matter, as well as a valid tool for
electron beam longitudinal diagnostics
On the Geometry and Entropy of Non-Hamiltonian Phase Space
We analyze the equilibrium statistical mechanics of canonical, non-canonical
and non-Hamiltonian equations of motion by throwing light into the peculiar
geometric structure of phase space. Some fundamental issues regarding time
translation and phase space measure are clarified. In particular, we emphasize
that a phase space measure should be defined by means of the Jacobian of the
transformation between different types of coordinates since such a determinant
is different from zero in the non-canonical case even if the phase space
compressibility is null. Instead, the Jacobian determinant associated with
phase space flows is unity whenever non-canonical coordinates lead to a
vanishing compressibility, so that its use in order to define a measure may not
be always correct. To better illustrate this point, we derive a mathematical
condition for defining non-Hamiltonian phase space flows with zero
compressibility. The Jacobian determinant associated with time evolution in
phase space is altogether useful for analyzing time translation invariance. The
proper definition of a phase space measure is particularly important when
defining the entropy functional in the canonical, non-canonical, and
non-Hamiltonian cases. We show how the use of relative entropies can circumvent
some subtle problems that are encountered when dealing with continuous
probability distributions and phase space measures. Finally, a maximum
(relative) entropy principle is formulated for non-canonical and
non-Hamiltonian phase space flows.Comment: revised introductio
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