Near Infrared Diode Laser THz Systems

The generation and detection of radiation in the THz frequency range can be achieved with many different electronic and photonic concepts. Among the many different photonic THz systems the most versatile are based on diode lasers. In this paper we describe and review the different concepts and optimization ideas for diode laser based THz systems in order to achieve the best performance for different types of THz setups.</p

Measurement of the Spin-Dependence of the pbar-p Interaction at the AD-Ring

We propose to use an internal polarized hydrogen storage cell gas target in the AD ring to determine for the first time the two total spin-dependent pbar-p cross sections sigma_1 and sigma_2 at antiproton beam energies in the range from 50 to 450 MeV. The data obtained are of interest by themselves for the general theory of pbar-p interactions since they will provide a first experimental constraint of the spin-spin dependence of the nucleon-antinucleon potential in the energy range of interest. In addition, measurements of the polarization buildup of stored antiprotons are required to define the optimum parameters of a future, dedicated Antiproton Polarizer Ring (APR), intended to feed a double-polarized asymmetric pbar-p collider with polarized antiprotons. Such a machine has recently been proposed by the PAX collaboration for the new Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) at GSI in Darmstadt, Germany. The availability of an intense stored beam of polarized antiprotons will provide access to a wealth of single- and double-spin observables, thereby opening a new window on QCD spin physics.Comment: 51 pages, 23 figures, proposal submitted to the SPS committee of CER

Forward K+ production in subthreshold pA collisions at 1.0 GeV

K+ meson production in pA (A = C, Cu, Au) collisions has been studied using the ANKE spectrometer at an internal target position of the COSY-Juelich accelerator. The complete momentum spectrum of kaons emitted at forward angles, theta < 12 degrees, has been measured for a beam energy of T(p)=1.0 GeV, far below the free NN threshold of 1.58 GeV. The spectrum does not follow a thermal distribution at low kaon momenta and the larger momenta reflect a high degree of collectivity in the target nucleus.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Outcome after renal transplantation in a "senior" program: the croatian experience

BACKGROUND: The Eurotransplant "senior" program allocates kidneys from elderly donors to patients >65 years old. It aims to increase the number of renal transplantations. Kidneys are allocated locally without human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching to decrease the cold ischemia time. Croatia has introduced its own "senior" program based on HLA matching. We compared results with those from Eurotransplant. ----- METHODS: We identified and prospectively followed all patients aged of >/=65 years who underwent a first renal transplantation. We recorded their HLA matching, cold ischemia time, renal function, surgical and medical complications, and duration of hospitalization. ----- RESULTS: Through October 2007, 22 elderly patients received an allograft from donors who were >65 years old. There were 8 female and 14 male patients of mean age at transplantation of 67.4 years. Mean donor age was 66 years. The number of HLA mismatches ranged from 1 to 5, and cold ischemia time from 7 to 15 hours. One-year patient survival was 95.4%, and graft survival was 81.8%. Delayed graft function, defined as the need for dialysis for >7 days after transplantation, occurred in 63.6% of patients. Older recipients required prolonged hospitalization after transplantation (45 days; range, 16-131). Frequent posttransplant complications included posttransplant diabetes mellitus in 1 patient, delayed wound healing in 5 patients, and lymphocoel in 2 patients. Maligancies occurred in 3 patients, neoplasm of the native kidney, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, and skin cancer. One patient experienced acute rejection that was successfully treated with steroids. Seventeen patients experienced 20 viral infections. There was only 1 serious infection (pulmonary tuberculosis). The major problems were cardiovascular complications which occurred in 40.9% of patients. ----- CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation in elderly patients is associated with increased incidence of posttransplant surgical and medical complications which demand prolonged hospitalization. Incidence of acute rejections in elderly patients is significantly decreased with HLA matching, without prolongation of the cold ischemia time. Good results justify renal transplantation in this group of patients