Neutral Pion Asymmetry Analysis and Forward Upgrade Preparation at STAR

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) sited at Brookhaven National Lab in Upton, New York, is the only collider in the world capable of colliding beams of polarized protons. The Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC (STAR) detector analyzes properties of these collisions to investigate, among other things, the gluon’s spin contribution to the spin of the proton. The gluon contribution can be theoretically calculated from an experimentally measured asymmetry in the number of π0’s (a particle produced in the collisions) produced as a function of the protons’ spin configuration. STAR’s Endcap Electromagnetic Calorimeter (EEMC) can reconstruct a π0 , which decays in 10-16 s, by measuring the energy of its two decay photons. This summer, we performed Quality Assurance (QA) on the 2012 p+p data, made asymmetry calculations by fitting mass plots to a couple of different functions, helped prepare a forward upgrade at STAR, and processed some data from 2013. The QA involved plotting several characteristics of the π0 reconstruction process as a function of run number, which are segments of data. This summer 9,600 scintillators were polished and painted to be sent to Brookhaven for the update of the Forward Calorimeter System (FCS)

Molecular and physical composition of tar balls in wildfire smoke: an investigation with complementary ionisation methods and 15-Tesla FT-ICR mass spectrometry

Tar balls (TBs) are a major carbonaceous product of wildfires and other biomass-burning events that often exceed soot or other elemental forms of carbon in number and mass. Being a recalcitrant fraction of organic carbon, TBs are capable of long-range atmospheric transport, and thus, exert influence not only in the vicinity of wildfires but also in remote regions. Here, we characterised ambient atmospheric aerosol samples with varying TB number fractions collected downwind of Pacific Northwest wildfires using a 15-Tesla Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (15-T FT-ICR MS). Relative to non-TB aerosol, we found 2006 and 851 molecular formulae exclusively in TB-rich aerosol using laser desorption ionisation (LDI) of samples directly from an aerosol-loaded substrate and electrospray ionisation (ESI) of ACN-extracted aerosol, respectively. Elemental composition from LDI/15-T FT-ICR MS revealed TBs to be abundant in molecular species of low volatility and high viscosity, providing molecular detail that was consistent with key climate and air quality-related properties of TBs. Our findings demonstrate that the TB-specific molecular composition obtained from (−)LDI/15-T FT-ICR MS not only complements (−)ESI analyses, but provides a more apt reflection of the physical properties of TBs as well. We provide proof-of-concept evidence for the potential value of using LDI/15-T FT-ICR MS in routine OA analyses, specifically smoke samples rich in refractory OA, and improve the representation of OA in atmospheric and climate modelling studies that aim to fully understand its impact and occurrence

FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. Despite continued high energy prices, world economic growth is expected to remain strong in the coming decade, above 3% per annum. Other major drivers of the 2006 baseline include new bio-energy policies in several large countries, EU sugar policy reform, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) shocks in livestock and poultry markets, and movements in the exchange rate.Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, Livestock Production/Industries,

FAPRI 2005 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

Crop Production/Industries, Livestock Production/Industries,

Clinical Factors Associated with Long-Term Complete Remission versus Poor Response to Chemotherapy in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents with Kaposi Sarcoma Receiving Bleomycin and Vincristine: A Retrospective Observational Study

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is the most common HIV-associated malignancy in children and adolescents in Africa. Pediatric KS is distinct from adult disease. We evaluated the clinical characteristics associated with long-term outcomes. We performed a retrospective observational analysis of 70 HIV-infected children and adolescents with KS less than 18 years of age diagnosed between 8/2010 and 6/2013 in Lilongwe, Malawi. Local first-line treatment included bleomycin and vincristine plus nevirapine-based highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Median age was 8.6 years (range 1.7-17.9); there were 35 females (50%). Most common sites of presentation were: lymph node (74%), skin (59%), subcutaneous nodules (33%), oral (27%), woody edema (24%), and visceral (16%). Eighteen (26%) presented with lymphadenopathy only. Severe CD4 suppression occurred in 28%. At time of KS diagnosis, 49% were already on HAART. Overall, 28% presented with a platelet count \u3c 100 x 109/L and 37% with hemoglobin \u3c 8 g/dL. The 2-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 46% and 58% respectively (median follow-up 29 months, range 15-50). Multivariable analysis of risk of death and failure to achieve EFS demonstrated that visceral disease (odds ratios [OR] 19.08 and 11.61, 95% CI 2.22-163.90 and 1.60-83.95 respectively) and presenting with more than 20 skin/oral lesions (OR 9.57 and 22.90, 95% CI 1.01-90.99 and 1.00-524.13 respectively) were independent risk factors for both. Woody edema was associated with failure to achieve EFS (OR 7.80, 95% CI 1.84-33.08) but not death. Univariable analysis revealed that lymph node involvement was favorable for EFS (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.99), while T1 TIS staging criteria, presence of cytopenias, and severe immune suppression were not associated with increased mortality. Long-term complete remission is achievable in pediatric KS, however outcomes vary according to clinical presentation. Based on clinical heterogeneity, treatment according to risk-stratification is necessary to improve overall outcomes

FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. Despite continued high energy prices, world economic growth is expected to remain strong in the coming decade, above 3% per annum. Other major drivers of the 2006 baseline include new bio-energy policies in several large countries, EU sugar policy reform, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) shocks in livestock and poultry markets, and movements in the exchange rate

FAPRI 2004 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2004 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents final projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade. Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) projections assume average weather patterns worldwide, existing policy, policy commitments under current trade agreements, and new policy changes such as the enlargement of the European Union and Common Agricultural Policy reforms. FAPRI projections do not include conjectures on potential policy changes. The major macroeconomic drivers of the 2004 FAPRI baseline are the continuing solid economic growth worldwide, and currency movements against the U.S. dollar

FAPRI 2007 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2007 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. The outlook uses a macroeconomic forecast developed by Global Insight

FAPRI 2009 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2009 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. The outlook uses a macroeconomic forecast developed by IHS Global Insight

FAPRI 2010 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2010 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. The outlook uses a macroeconomic forecast developed by IHS Global Insight