Extracting Source Parameters from Gaussian Fits to Two-Particle Correlations

Using a quadratic saddle-point approximation, we show how information about a particle-emitting source can be extracted from gaussian fits to two-particle correlation data. Although the formalism is completely general, extraction of the relevant parameters is much simpler for sources within an interesting class of azimuthally symmetric models. After discussing the standard fitting procedure, we introduce a new gaussian fitting procedure which is an azimuthally symmetric generalization of the Yano-Koonin formalism for spherically symmetric sources. This new fitting procedure has the advantage that in addition to being able to measure source parameters in a fixed frame or the longitudinally co-moving system, it can also measure these parameters in the local rest frame of the source.Comment: 28 pages, RevTeX 3.0. Submitted to Physical Review C. Postscript version available at http://t2.lanl.gov/pub/publications/publications.html or at ftp://t2.lanl.gov/pub/publications/gftp

Viscosity from elliptic flow: the path to precision

Using viscous relativistic hydrodynamics we show that systematic studies of the impact parameter dependence of the eccentricity scaled elliptic flow can distinguish between different models for the calculation of the initial source eccentricity. This removes the largest present uncertainty in the extraction of the specific viscosity of the matter created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions from precise elliptic flow measurements.Comment: 4 pages, incl. 4 figure

A Shotgun Model for Gamma Ray Bursts

We propose that gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are produced by a shower of heavy blobs running into circumstellar material at highly relativistic speeds. The gamma ray emission is produced in the shocks these bullets drive into the surrounding medium. The short term variability seen in GRBs is set by the slowing-down time of the bullets while the overall duration of the burst is set by the lifetime of the central engine. A requirement of this model is that the ambient medium be dense, consistent with a strong stellar wind. The efficiency of the burst can be relatively high.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, revised version accepted by ApJ Letter

Continuum Behaviour of Lattice QED, Discretized with One-Sided Lattice Differences, in One-Loop Order

A lattice action for QED is considered, where the derivatives in the Dirac operator are replaced by one-sided lattice differences. A systematic expansion in the lattice spacing of the one-loop contribution to the fermion self energy, vacuum polarization tensor and vertex function is carried out for an arbitrary choice of one-sided lattice differences. It is shown that only the vacuum polarization tensor possesses the correct continuum limit, while the fermion self energy and vertex function receive non-covariant contributions. A lattice action, discretized with a fixed choice of one-sided lattice differences therefore does not define a renormalizable field theory. The non-covariant contributions can however be eliminated by averaging the expressions over all possible choices of one-sided lattice differences.Comment: 3 figures, Latex, revised version: Addition of a reference, and of a sentence in the abstract and conclusio

Flow effects on the freeze-out phase-space density in heavy ion collisions

The strong longitudinal expansion of the reaction zone formed in relativistic heavy-ion collisions is found to significantly reduce the spatially averaged pion phase-space density, compared to naive estimates based on thermal distributions. This has important implications for data interpretation and leads to larger values for the extracted pion chemical potential at kinetic freeze-out.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures included via epsfig, added discussion of different transverse density profiles, 1 new figur

Modulation of neural cell membrane conductance by the herbal anxiolytic and antiepileptic drug aswal

To evaluate the effects of aswal on ionic fluxes and neuronal excitation, we performed extracellular and whole cell patch clamp recordings on CA1 pyramidal neurons of guinea pigs and Long-Evans rats. Aswal (100-250 mg/l) was administered systemically, and its effects on the rate of synchronized extracellular field potentials (EFP), membrane parameters, action potentials and postsynaptic potentials were recorded. The extracellular results obtained are consistent with calcium antagonistic properties. Intracellular recordings suggest that a direct sodium antagonistic effect as seen in many antiepileptic drugs plays no significant role. Further effects on ligand gated ion channels are discussed controversially. In summary, the cellular action of aswal appears heterogeneous with calcium antagonism playing a prominent role in counteracting excitation which may be a common feature in epilepsy and different psychiatric conditions as mood and anxiety disorder. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel