255 research outputs found
Multi-technique characterization of pictorial organic binders on XV century polychrome sculptures by combining microand non-invasive sampling approaches
A stony sculptural composition of the Nativity Scene is preserved in Altamura’s Cathedral (Apulia, Italy). This commonly called Apulian “presepe”, attributed to an unknown stonemason, is composed of polychrome carbonate white stone sculptures. While earlier stratigraphic tests have unveiled a complex superimposition of painting layers—meaning that several editions of the sculptures succeeded from the 16th to 20th century—a chemical investigation intended to identify the organic binding media used in painting layers was undertaken. Drawing on current literature, two strategies were exploited: a non-invasive in situ digestion analysis and an approach based on microremoval of painting film followed by the Bligh and Dyer extraction protocol. Both peptide and lipid mixtures were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDIMS) and reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization (RPLC-ESI-MS). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) examinations were also performed on micro-samples of painting films before lipids and proteins extraction. While human keratins were found to be common contaminants of the artwork’s surfaces, traces of animal collagen, siccative oils, and egg white proteins were evidenced in different sampling zones of the sculptures, thus suggesting the use of non-homogeneous painting techniques in the colored layers
Atomic and molecular data for spacecraft re-entry plasmas
The modeling of atmospheric gas, interacting with the space vehicles in re-entry conditions in planetary exploration missions, requires a large set of scattering data for all those elementary processes occurring in the system. A fundamental aspect of re-entry problems is represented by the strong non-equilibrium conditions met in the atmospheric plasma close to the surface of the thermal shield, where numerous interconnected relaxation processes determine the evolution of the gaseous system towards equilibrium conditions. A central role is played by the vibrational exchanges of energy, so that collisional processes involving vibrationally excited molecules assume a particular importance. In the present paper, theoretical calculations of complete sets of vibrationally state-resolved cross sections and rate coefficients are reviewed, focusing on the relevant classes of collisional processes: resonant and non-resonant electron-impact excitation of molecules, atom-diatom and molecule-molecule collisions as well as gas-surface interaction. In particular, collisional processes involving atomic and molecular species, relevant to Earth (N2, O2, NO), Mars (CO2, CO, N2) and Jupiter (H2, He) atmospheres are considered
A measurement of the axial form factor of the nucleon by the p(e,e'pi+)n reaction at W=1125 MeV
The reaction p(e,e'pi+)n was measured at the Mainz Microtron MAMI at an
invariant mass of W=1125 MeV and four-momentum transfers of Q^2=0.117, 0.195
and 0.273 (GeV/c)^2. For each value of Q^2, a Rosenbluth separation of the
transverse and longitudinal cross sections was performed. An effective
Lagrangian model was used to extract the `axial mass' from experimental data.
We find a value of M_A=(1.077+-0.039) GeV which is (0.051+-0.044) GeV larger
than the axial mass known from neutrino scattering experiments. This is
consistent with recent calculations in chiral perturbation theory.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, uses elsart.cl
Physics with charm particles produced in neutrino interactions. A historical recollection
Results obtained in neutrino unteractions on charm particles are presented
Strangeness enhancement at mid-rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at 158 GeV/c
, , , and negative particle yields and transverse mass spectra have been measured at central rapidity in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions at 158 GeV/. The yields in Pb-Pb interactions % are presented as a function of the collision centrality and compared with those obtained from p-Pb collisions. Strangeness enhancement in Pb-Pb relative to p-Pb collisions increases with the strangeness content of the particle. Going from p-Pb to Pb-Pb, the strange particle yields increase faster than linearly with the number of participants up to , thereafter the increase becomes %linear with . Yields are studied as a function of the number of nucleons participating in the collision , which is estimated with the Glauber model. From p-Pb to Pb-Pb collisions the particle yields per participant increase substantially. The enhancement is more pronounced for multistrange particles, and exceeds an order of magnitude for the . For a number of participants, , greater than , however, all yields per participant appear to be constant
Quasielastic axial-vector mass from experiments on neutrino-nucleus scattering
We analyze available experimental data on the total and differential
charged-current cross sections for quasielastic neutrino and antineutrino
scattering off nucleons, measured with a variety of nuclear targets in the
accelerator experiments at ANL, BNL, FNAL, CERN, and IHEP, dating from the end
of sixties to the present day. The data are used to adjust the poorly known
value of the axial-vector mass of the nucleon.Comment: 27 pages, 19 figures. Typos corrected; tables, figures and references
added, discussion extended; matches published versio
Observation of weak neutral current neutrino production of
Observation of \jpsi production by neutrinos in the calorimeter of the CHORUS detector exposed to the CERN SPS wide-band \numu beam is reported. A spectrum-averaged cross-section = (6.3 3.0) is obtained for 20 GeV 200 GeV. The data are compared with the theoretical model based on the QCD Z-gluon fusion mechanism
The CHORUS neutrino oscillation search experiment
The CHORUS experiment has successfully finished run I (320~000 recorded \numu\ CC in 94/95) and performed half of run II (225~000 \numu\ CC in 96). The analysis chain was exercised on a small data sample for the muonic \tdecay\ search using for the first time fully automatic emulsion scanning. This pilot analysis, resulting in a limit \sintth \leq 3 \cdot 10^{-2}, confirms that the CHORUS proposal sensitivity (\sintth \leq 3 \cdot 10^{-4}) is within reach in two years
Observation of a first candidate in the OPERA experiment in the CNGS beam
The OPERA neutrino detector in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (LNGS)
has been designed to perform the first detection of neutrino oscillations in
direct appearance mode through the study of the
channel. The hybrid apparatus consists of an emulsion/lead target complemented
by electronic detectors and it is placed in the high energy long-baseline CERN
to LNGS beam (CNGS) 730 km away from the neutrino source. Runs with CNGS
neutrinos were successfully carried out in 2008 and 2009. After a brief
description of the beam, the experimental setup and the procedures used for the
analysis of the neutrino events, we describe the topology and kinematics of a
first candidate charged-current event satisfying the kinematical
selection criteria. The background calculations and their cross-check are
explained in detail and the significance of the event is assessed.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figure
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