10,145 research outputs found
Hadronization via Coalescence
We review the quark coalescence model for hadronization in relativistic heavy
ion collisions and show how it can explain the observed large baryon to meson
ratio at intermediate transverse momentum and scaling of the elliptic flows of
identified hadrons. We also show its predictions on higher-order anisotropic
flows and discuss how quark coalescence applied to open- and hidden-charm
mesons can give insight to charm quark interactions in the quark-gluon plasma
and production in heavy ion collisions.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings of 20th Winter Workshop on Nuclear
Dynamics, Trelawny Beach, Jamaica, March 15--20, 200
Performance Bounds for Parameter Estimation under Misspecified Models: Fundamental findings and applications
Inferring information from a set of acquired data is the main objective of
any signal processing (SP) method. In particular, the common problem of
estimating the value of a vector of parameters from a set of noisy measurements
is at the core of a plethora of scientific and technological advances in the
last decades; for example, wireless communications, radar and sonar,
biomedicine, image processing, and seismology, just to name a few. Developing
an estimation algorithm often begins by assuming a statistical model for the
measured data, i.e. a probability density function (pdf) which if correct,
fully characterizes the behaviour of the collected data/measurements.
Experience with real data, however, often exposes the limitations of any
assumed data model since modelling errors at some level are always present.
Consequently, the true data model and the model assumed to derive the
estimation algorithm could differ. When this happens, the model is said to be
mismatched or misspecified. Therefore, understanding the possible performance
loss or regret that an estimation algorithm could experience under model
misspecification is of crucial importance for any SP practitioner. Further,
understanding the limits on the performance of any estimator subject to model
misspecification is of practical interest. Motivated by the widespread and
practical need to assess the performance of a mismatched estimator, the goal of
this paper is to help to bring attention to the main theoretical findings on
estimation theory, and in particular on lower bounds under model
misspecification, that have been published in the statistical and econometrical
literature in the last fifty years. Secondly, some applications are discussed
to illustrate the broad range of areas and problems to which this framework
extends, and consequently the numerous opportunities available for SP
researchers.Comment: To appear in the IEEE Signal Processing Magazin
Social geography of rhinoscleroma and qualitatively and quantitatively abnormal cell-mediated immunity
Rhinoscleroma is a progressive chronic granulomatous disease of the upper respiratory tract that may extend to the tracheobronchial tract. It is common belief that the pathology is determined by Klebsiella Rhinoscleromatis. In the authors' opinion, the infection with Klebsiella Rhinoscleromatis may not represent the only etiopathogenic factor of the disease. Rhinoscleroma is reported in many countries, but has a peculiar social and geographic distribution, in that it assumes an endemic character only in some regions of the Middle East, West Russia, North Africa, Indonesia, Central and South America. In Europe, most of the cases are reported in Poland, Hungary and Romania. In Italy, Rhinoscleroma is almost exclusively located in the southern and island regions. Rhinoscleroma is predominantly reported in rural areas, in the presence of poor socio-economic conditions, which according to many authors would be a co-factor triggering the disease. In this article, the authors review some inconsistencies in etiology, histology and epidemiology of Rhinoscleroma. Based on the overall picture, they propose that intrinsic factors, possibly of genetic origin, may give rise to the disease, and suggest possible lines of research to distinguish between extrinsic and intrinsic factors as determinants for Rhinoscleroma
Effect of resonance decays on hadron elliptic flows
The influence of resonance decays on the elliptic flows of stable hadrons is
studied in the quark coalescence model. Although difference between the
elliptic flow of pions from resonance decays, except the rho meson, and that of
directly produced pions is appreciable, those for other stable hadrons are
small. Since there are more pions from the decays of rho mesons than from other
resonances, including resonance decays can only account partially the deviation
of final pion elliptic flow from the observed scaling of hadron elliptic flows,
i.e., the hadron elliptic flow per quark is the same at same transverse
momentum per quark. The remaining deviation can be explained by including the
effect due to the quark momentum distribution inside hadrons.Comment: 13 pages and 5 figures, version pubblished in PRC, updated references
and figure
Hadron production from quark coalescence and jet fragmentation in intermediate energy collisions at RHIC
Transverse momentum spectra of pions, protons and antiprotons in Au+Au
collisions at intermediate RHIC energy of GeV are studied in
a model that includes both quark coalescence from the dense partonic matter and
fragmentation of the quenched perturbative minijet partons. The resulting
baryon to meson ratio at intermediate transverse momenta is predicted to be
larger than that seen in experiments at higher center of mass energies.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. Figures replaced to differentially address the
high-pT behavior of baryon versus antibaryon to meson ratio
Testicular histopathology, semen analysis and FSH, predictive value of sperm retrieval: supportive counseling in case of reoperation after testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
Background: To provide indicators for the likelihood of sperm retrieval in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction is a major issue in the management of male infertility by TESE. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of different parameters, including testicular histopathology, on sperm retrieval in case of reoperation in patients undergoing testicular sperm extraction. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 486 patients who underwent sperm extraction for intracytoplasmic sperm injection and testicular biopsy. Histology was classified into: normal spermatogenesis; hypospermatogenesis (reduction in the number of normal spermatogenetic cells); maturation arrest (absence of the later stages of spermatogenesis); and Sertoli cell only (absence of germ cells). Semen analysis and serum FSH, LH and testosterone were measured. Results: Four hundred thirty patients had non obstructive azoospermia, 53 severe oligozoospermia and 3 necrozoospermia. There were 307 (63%) successful sperm retrieval. Higher testicular volume, lower levels of FSH, and better histological features were predictive for sperm retrieval. The same parameters and younger age were predictive factors for shorter time for sperm recovery. After multivariable analysis, younger age, better semen parameters, better histological features and lower values of FSH remained predictive for shorter time for sperm retrieval while better semen and histology remained predictive factors for successful sperm retrieval. The predictive capacity of a score obtained by summing the points assigned for selected predictors (1 point for Sertoli cell only, 0.33 points for azoospermia, 0.004 points for each FSH mIU/ml) gave an area under the ROC curve of 0.843. Conclusions: This model can help the practitioner with counseling infertile men by reliably predicting the chance of obtaining spermatozoa with testicular sperm extraction when a repeat attempt is planne
Particle correlations at RHIC from parton coalescence dynamics -- first results
A new dynamical approach that combines covariant parton transport theory with
hadronization channels via parton coalescence and fragmentation is applied to
Au+Au at RHIC. Basic consequences of the simple coalescence formulas, such as
elliptic flow scaling and enhanced proton/pion ratio, turn out to be rather
sensitive to the spacetime aspects of coalescence dynamics.Comment: Contribution to Quark Matter 2004 (January 11-17, 2004, Oakland, CA).
4 pages, 2 EPS figs, IOP style fil
On the Path Integral Representation for Spin Systems
We propose a classical constrained Hamiltonian theory for the spin. After the
Dirac treatment we show that due to the existence of second class constraints
the Dirac brackets of the proposed theory represent the commutation relations
for the spin. We show that the corresponding partition function, obtained via
the Fadeev-Senjanovic procedure, coincides with the one obtained using coherent
states. We also evaluate this partition function for the case of a single spin
in a magnetic field.Comment: To be published in J.Phys. A: Math. and Gen. Latex file, 12 page
CoQ10 and vitamin A supplementation support voice rehabilitation. A double-blind, randomized, controlled, three-period cross-over pilot study
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an adjuvant therapy (CoQ10 in its watersoluble form and vitamin A) in supporting voice rehabilitation in a large group of patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). Study Design: Twelve-week, double-blind, randomized, controlled, three-period crossover pilot study. The primary endpoint was the change in the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) over the 12-week study period. Secondary endpoints were the changes in the subcomponents of DSI, including MPT, F0-high, I-low, and jitter. Exploratory endpoints were the changes in the Shimmer and in Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Methods: Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two counter-balanced arms. Group A (ADJ-PLA) patients were administered QTer 300 mg and Vit A acetate 500.000 Ul/g 1 mg twice daily for a 4-week intervention period, followed by a 4-week period of wash-out, and then were submitted to a last 4-week period of placebo. Patients in Group B (PLB-ADJ) were given the treatment period in reverse order. Both groups received a 45-min voice therapy in a group format once a day for 4 weeks during the first and the second active periods. The therapy was held during the wash-out period. Results: The analysis of main time effect indicated a trend toward recovery of vocal function regardless of group assignment. A significant time by group effect was found on DSI [F = 3.4 (2.5, 80.5), p = 0.03], F0-high [F = 4.5 (2.6, 82.9), p = 0.008] and Shimmer [F = 3.6 (1.5, 46.9), p = 0.048], under CoQ10 and Vit A treatment, with a small effect size. There was no significant time by group effect on the other study measures, namely MPT, I-low, VHI. Conclusions: A trend toward recovery of vocal function was observed in all the patients, likely due to voice rehabilitation. The improvement of DSI was greater under CoQ10 and Vitamin treatment, indicating a more pronounced improvement of vocal quality under adjuvant therapy. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy Rif. 3069/13.02.2014
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