Temperature dependent sound velocity in hydrodynamic equations for relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We analyze the effects of different forms of the sound-velocity function cs(T) on the hydrodynamic evolution of matter formed in the central region of relativistic heavy-ion collisions. At high temperatures (above the critical temperature Tc) the sound velocity is calculated from the recent lattice simulations of QCD, while in the low temperature region it is obtained from the hadron gas model. In the intermediate region we use different interpolations characterized by the values of the sound velocity at the local maximum (at T = 0.4 Tc) and local minimum (at T = Tc). In all considered cases the temperature dependent sound velocity functions yield the entropy density, which is consistent with the lattice QCD simulations at high temperature. Our calculations show that the presence of a distinct minimum of the sound velocity leads to a very long (about 20 fm/c) evolution time of the system, which is not compatible with the recent estimates based on the HBT interferometry. Hence, we conclude that the hydrodynamic description is favored in the case where the cross-over phase transition renders the smooth sound velocity function with a possible shallow minimum at Tc.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, talk given at SQM'07 Levoca, Slovaki

Impedance of a Rectangular Beam Tube with Small Corrugations

We consider the impedance of a structure with rectangular, periodic corrugations on two opposing sides of a rectangular beam tube. Using the method of field matching, we find the modes in such a structure. We then limit ourselves to the the case of small corrugations, but where the depth of corrugation is not small compared to the period. For such a structure we generate analytical approximate solutions for the wave number $k$, group velocity $v_g$, and loss factor $\kappa$ for the lowest (the dominant) mode which, when compared with the results of the complete numerical solution, agreed well. We find: if $w\sim a$, where $w$ is the beam pipe width and $a$ is the beam pipe half-height, then one mode dominates the impedance, with $k\sim1/\sqrt{w\delta}$ ($\delta$ is the depth of corrugation), $(1-v_g/c)\sim\delta$, and $\kappa\sim1/(aw)$, which (when replacing $w$ by $a$) is the same scaling as was found for small corrugations in a {\it round} beam pipe. Our results disagree in an important way with a recent paper of Mostacci {\it et al.} [A. Mostacci {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. ST-AB, {\bf 5}, 044401 (2002)], where, for the rectangular structure, the authors obtained a synchronous mode with the same frequency $k$, but with $\kappa\sim\delta$. Finally, we find that if $w$ is large compared to $a$ then many nearby modes contribute to the impedance, resulting in a wakefield that Landau damps.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, 1 bibliography fil

Ferrite-damped higher-order mode study in the Brookhaven energy-recovery linac cavity

A superconducting energy-recovery linac (ERL) is under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to serve as a test bed for an application to upgrades of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The damping of higher-order modes in the superconducting five-cell cavity is of paramount importance and represents the topic of this paper. Achieving the damping by the exclusive use of two ferrite absorbers and the adoption of a space-saving step instead of the conventional taper are part of the exploratory study. Absorber properties which are portable to simulation programs for the ERL cavity have been obtained by measuring the absorber as a ferrite-loaded pill-box cavity. Measured and simulated results for the lowest dipole modes in the prototype copper cavity with one absorber are discussed. First room-temperature measurements of the fully assembled niobium cavity string are presented which confirm the effective damping of higher-order modes by the ferrite absorbers, and which give credibility to the simulated R over Q's in the ERL.open1

Overcoming the Challenges Associated with Image-based Mapping of Small Bodies in Preparation for the OSIRIS-REx Mission to (101955) Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission is the third mission in NASA's New Frontiers Program and is the first U.S. mission to return samples from an asteroid to Earth. The most important decision ahead of the OSIRIS-REx team is the selection of a prime sample-site on the surface of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Mission success hinges on identifying a site that is safe and has regolith that can readily be ingested by the spacecraft's sampling mechanism. To inform this mission-critical decision, the surface of Bennu is mapped using the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite and the images are used to develop several foundational data products. Acquiring the necessary inputs to these data products requires observational strategies that are defined specifically to overcome the challenges associated with mapping a small irregular body. We present these strategies in the context of assessing candidate sample-sites at Bennu according to a framework of decisions regarding the relative safety, sampleability, and scientific value across the asteroid's surface. To create data products that aid these assessments, we describe the best practices developed by the OSIRIS-REx team for image-based mapping of irregular small bodies. We emphasize the importance of using 3D shape models and the ability to work in body-fixed rectangular coordinates when dealing with planetary surfaces that cannot be uniquely addressed by body-fixed latitude and longitude.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

Complement-Mediated Virus Infectivity Neutralisation by HLA Antibodies Is Associated with Sterilising Immunity to SIV Challenge in the Macaque Model for HIV/AIDS.

Sterilising immunity is a desired outcome for vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and has been observed in the macaque model using inactivated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). This protection was attributed to antibodies specific for cell proteins including human leucocyte antigens (HLA) class I and II incorporated into virions during vaccine and challenge virus preparation. We show here, using HLA bead arrays, that vaccinated macaques protected from virus challenge had higher serum antibody reactivity compared with non-protected animals. Moreover, reactivity was shown to be directed against HLA framework determinants. Previous studies failed to correlate serum antibody mediated virus neutralisation with protection and were confounded by cytotoxic effects. Using a virus entry assay based on TZM-bl cells we now report that, in the presence of complement, serum antibody titres that neutralise virus infectivity were higher in protected animals. We propose that complement-augmented virus neutralisation is a key factor in inducing sterilising immunity and may be difficult to achieve with HIV/SIV Env-based vaccines. Understanding how to overcome the apparent block of inactivated SIV vaccines to elicit anti-envelope protein antibodies that effectively engage the complement system could enable novel anti-HIV antibody vaccines that induce potent, virolytic serological response to be developed

Measurement of pion, kaon and proton production in proton-proton collisions at s=7\sqrt{s}=7 TeV

The measurement of primary $\pi^{\pm}$, K$^{\pm}$, p and $\overline{p}$ production at mid-rapidity ($|y| <$ 0.5) in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7$ TeV performed with ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is reported. Particle identification is performed using the specific ionization energy loss and time-of-flight information, the ring-imaging Cherenkov technique and the kink-topology identification of weak decays of charged kaons. Transverse momentum spectra are measured from 0.1 up to 3 GeV/$c$ for pions, from 0.2 up to 6 GeV/$c$ for kaons and from 0.3 up to 6 GeV/$c$ for protons. The measured spectra and particle ratios are compared with QCD-inspired models, tuned to reproduce also the earlier measurements performed at the LHC. Furthermore, the integrated particle yields and ratios as well as the average transverse momenta are compared with results at lower collision energies.Comment: 33 pages, 19 captioned figures, 3 tables, authors from page 28, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/156

Розвиток ідеї європейської інтеграції та її значення для України

У статті аналізується сутність ідеї європейської інтеграції, її еволюція протягом століть. Досліджуються теоретичні основи формування та розвитку Європейського Союзу, обґрунтовується необхідність євроінтеграційної стратегії України як ключового пріоритету зовнішньої та внутрішньої політики нашої держави.The article analyses the essence of the idea of European integration, its evolution during the centuries and researches the theoretical foundations of the formation and development of the European Union, proves the need for European integration strategy of Ukraine as a key priority of foreign and internal policy

Сравнительные результаты хирургического и комбинированного лечения больных раком пищевода

Резюме. Представлены непосредственные и отдаленные результаты лечения 167 больных раком пищевода. Комбинированное лечение с использованием предоперационной гамма-терапии крупными фракциями было проведено 95 пациентам, хирургическое — 72. Отмечено, что предоперационное облучение не сопровождалось увеличением частоты послеоперационных осложнений, но и не способствовало улучшению отдаленных результатов операций. Ключевые слова: рак пищевода, комбинированное лечение, хирургическое лечение.Summary. Immediate and remote results of the treatment of 167 patients with esophagus cancer are reported. Combined treatment with pre-surgery large-fraction gamma-therapy was applied in 95 patients; 72 patients were operated without pre-surgery radiation treatment. Pre-surgery irradiation is shown to cause no increase in the frequency of post-operation complications. At the same time, it failed to improve the remote results of surgery. Key Words: esophagus cancer, combined treatment, surgery