Production of Strange Clusters and Strange Matter in Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions at the AGS

Production probabilities for strange clusters and strange matter in Au+Au collisions at AGS energy are obtained in the thermal fireball model. The only parameters of the model, the baryon chemical potential and temperature, were determined from a description of the rather complete set of hadron yields from Si+nucleus collisions at the AGS. For the production of light nuclear fragments and strange clusters the results are similar to recent coalescence model calculations. Strange matter production with baryon number larger than 10 is predicted to be much smaller than any current experimental sensitivities.Comment: 9 Pages (no figures

Charmonium Suppression by Comover Scattering in Pb+Pb Collisions

The first reports of $\psi$ and $\psi'$ production from experiment NA50 at the CERN SPS are compared to predictions based on a hadronic model of charmonium suppression. Data on centrality dependence and total cross sections are in good accord with these predictions.Comment: 9 pages, latex, 6 figures, epsf, figure added and text modified to clarify result

L’Indice de biodiversité potentielle (IBP) en région méditerranéenne

L’IBP est un outil pour évaluer la biodiversité taxonomique ordinaire des peuplements forestiers. Rapide et simple à utiliser, il est basé sur l’estimation indirecte de la biodiversité au travers de l’évaluation de la capacité d’accueil en espèces et en communautés, à l’échelle du peuplement forestier. Il consiste à apprécier un ensemble de dix facteurs parmi ceux qui sont habituellement reconnus comme les plus favorables à la diversité interne des peuplements. Un score de 0, 2 ou 5 est donné sur le terrain à chacun des facteurs selon une échelle de valeurs seuils et leur somme donne l’IBP. L’IBP est adapté à toutes les forêts des domaines atlantique et continental. L’extension à la région méditerranéenne est à l’étude depuis 2009. Le domaine d’utilisation de l’IBP « méditerranée » a été précisé, tant au niveau géographique qu’au niveau des formations végétales concernées. Les facteurs et les seuils ont été revus pour tenir compte des caractéristiques des forêts méditerranéennes. La problématique des incendies est également étudiée à travers les relations entre la biodiversité taxonomique et les feux de forêt, car la forêt méditerranéenne est particulièrement concernée

What information can we obtain from the yield ratio π−/π+\pi^-/\pi^+ in heavy-ion collisions ?

The recently reported data on the yield ratio $\pi^-/\pi^+$ in central rapidity region of heavy-ion collisions are analyzed by theoretical formula which accounts for Coulomb interaction between central charged fragment (CCF) consisting of nearly stopped nucleons with effective charge Z_{\mbox{\scriptsize eff}} and charged pions produced in the same region of the phase space. The Coulomb wave function method is used instead of the usual Gamow factor in order to account for the finite production range of pions, $\beta$. For Gaussian shape of the pion production sources it results in a quasi-scaling in $\beta$ and Z_{\mbox{\scriptsize eff}} which makes determination of parameters $\beta$ and Z_{\mbox{\scriptsize eff}} from the existing experimental data difficult. Only sufficiently accurate data taken in the extreme small $m_{\scriptscriptstyle T}$-$m_{\pi}$ region, where this quasi-scaling is broken, could be used for this purpose.Comment: 7 pages, Latex type, 8 figure

A Psychometric Study of a Trait and State Assessment of Sexual Pleasure - The Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory.

We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and trait sexual pleasure in diverse gender, sex, and relationship populations, is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework of sexual pleasure. We collected quantitative (n = 1371) and qualitative data (n = 637) using a cross-sectional multi-method design targeting the general (German-speaking) population. After pre-processing, we conducted analyses on a sample of n = 706 participants. The theory-based 5-factor exploratory structural equation model and the principal component analyses of the two general exploratory index-scales showed good and acceptable structural validity evidence respectively. Measurement invariance was confirmed separately for male and female participants and for those with sexually functional-scoring and dysfunctional-scoring levels. Coefficient omega indicated that all scales, except those of one facet, showed acceptable to very good internal consistency. The ASPI's convergent and discriminant associations with sexological and psychological constructs demonstrated good overall construct validity. Participants understood the items as intended and felt that the ASPI covered relevant facets of sexual pleasure. The ASPI might help understand how individuals differ in experiencing sexual pleasure and how different contexts enable some people to experience pleasure while disadvantaging others

Testing of the 2.6 GHz SRF Cavity Tuner for the Dark Photon Experiment at 2 K

At FNAL two single cell 2.6 GHz SRF cavities are being used to search for dark photons, the experiment can be conducted at 2 K or in a dilution refrigerator. Precise frequency tuning is required for these two cavities so they can be matched in frequency. A cooling capacity constraint on the dilution refrigerator only allows piezo actuators to be part of the design of the 2.6 GHz cavity tuner. The tuner is equipped with three encapsulated piezos that deliver long and short-range frequency tuning. Modifications were implemented on the first tuner design due to the low forces on the piezos caused by the cavity. Three brass rods with Belleville washers were added to the design to increase the overall force on the piezos. The testing results at 2 K are presented with the original design tuner and with the modification.Comment: 21st International Conference on Radio-Frequency Superconductivity (SRF 2023

Open Charm Enhancement in Pb+Pb Collisions at SPS

The statistical coalescence model for the production of open and hidden charm is considered within the canonical ensemble formulation. The data for the J/\psi multiplicity in Pb+Pb collisions at 158 A GeV are used for the model prediction of the open charm yield. We find a strong enhancement of the open charm production, by a factor of about 2--4, over the standard hard-collision model extrapolation from nucleon-nucleon to nucleus-nucleus collisions. A possible mechanism of the open charm enhancement in A+A collisions at the SPS energies is proposed.Comment: 4 pages, Late

Charmonium suppression in p-A collisions

The new high precision data on charmonium production in proton-nucleus collisions by the E866/NuSea collaboration at Fermilab allow - together with older data at lower energies - to fix a unique set of parameters for the standard production and absorption scenario of charmonium in a proton-nucleus reaction. In this scenario the c-cbar pair is formed in an octet state, emits a gluon and continues its radial expansion in a singlet state until it has reached the charmonium radius. In all three phases it can interact with the nuclear environment. We find that the lifetime of the octet state is much shorter than acceptable on physical grounds. This challenges the physical reality of the first phase in the standard scenario.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure