806 research outputs found
HelMod in the works: from direct observations to the local interstellar spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons
The local interstellar spectrum (LIS) of cosmic-ray (CR) electrons for the
energy range 1 MeV to 1 TeV is derived using the most recent experimental
results combined with the state-of-the-art models for CR propagation in the
Galaxy and in the heliosphere. Two propagation packages, GALPROP and HelMod,
are combined to provide a single framework that is run to reproduce direct
measurements of CR species at different modulation levels, and at both
polarities of the solar magnetic field. An iterative maximum-likelihood method
is developed that uses GALPROP-predicted LIS as input to HelMod, which provides
the modulated spectra for specific time periods of the selected experiments for
model-data comparison. The optimized HelMod parameters are then used to adjust
GALPROP parameters to predict a refined LIS with the procedure repeated subject
to a convergence criterion. The parameter optimization uses an extensive data
set of proton spectra from 1997-2015. The proposed CR electron LIS accommodates
both the low-energy interstellar spectra measured by Voyager 1 as well as the
high-energy observations by PAMELA and AMS-02 that are made deep in the
heliosphere; it also accounts for Ulysses counting rate features measured out
of the ecliptic plane. The interstellar and heliospheric propagation parameters
derived in this study agree well with our earlier results for CR protons,
helium nuclei, and anti-protons propagation and LIS obtained in the same
framework.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures, 4 tables; ApJ, in pres
Deciphering the local Interstellar spectra of primary cosmic ray species with HelMod
Local interstellar spectra (LIS) of primary cosmic ray (CR) nuclei, such as
helium, oxygen, and mostly primary carbon are derived for the rigidity range
from 10 MV to ~200 TV using the most recent experimental results combined with
the state-of-the-art models for CR propagation in the Galaxy and in the
heliosphere. Two propagation packages, GALPROP and HelMod, are combined into a
single framework that is used to reproduce direct measurements of CR species at
different modulation levels, and at both polarities of the solar magnetic
field. The developed iterative maximum-likelihood method uses GALPROP-predicted
LIS as input to HelMod, which provides the modulated spectra for specific time
periods of the selected experiments for model-data comparison. The interstellar
and heliospheric propagation parameters derived in this study are consistent
with our prior analyses using the same methodology for propagation of CR
protons, helium, antiprotons, and electrons. The resulting LIS accommodate a
variety of measurements made in the local interstellar space (Voyager 1) and
deep inside the heliosphere at low (ACE/CRIS, HEAO-3) and high energies
(PAMELA, AMS-02).Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables, ApJ in press. arXiv admin note: text
overlap with arXiv:1704.0633
Characterization of an Italian founder mutation in the RING-finger domain of BRCA1
The identification of founder mutations in cancer predisposing genes is important to improve risk assessment in geographically defined populations, since it may provide specific targets resulting in cost-effective genetic testing. Here, we report the characterization of the BRCA1 c.190T>C (p.Cys64Arg) mutation, mapped to the RING-finger domain coding region, that we detected in 43 hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) families, for the large part originating from the province of Bergamo (Northern Italy). Haplotype analysis was performed in 21 families, and led to the identification of a shared haplotype extending over three BRCA1-associated marker loci (0.4 cM). Using the DMLE+2.2 software program and regional population demographic data, we were able to estimate the age of the mutation to vary between 3,100 and 3,350 years old. Functional characterization of the mutation was carried out at both transcript and protein level. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis on lymphoblastoid cells revealed expression of full length mRNA from the mutant allele. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fragment reassembly assay showed that the p.Cys64Arg substitution prevents the binding of the BRCA1 protein to the interacting protein BARD1, in a similar way as proven deleterious mutations in the RING-domain. Overall, 55 of 83 (66%) female mutation carriers had a diagnosis of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Our observations indicate that the BRCA1 c.190T>C is a pathogenic founder mutation present in the Italian population. Further analyses will evaluate whether screening for this mutation can be suggested as an effective strategy for the rapid identification of at-risk individuals in the Bergamo area
Search for Branons at LEP
We search, in the context of extra-dimension scenarios, for the possible
existence of brane fluctuations, called branons. Events with a single photon or
a single Z-boson and missing energy and momentum collected with the L3 detector
in e^+ e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies sqrt{s}=189-209$ GeV are
analysed. No excess over the Standard Model expectations is found and a lower
limit at 95% confidence level of 103 GeV is derived for the mass of branons,
for a scenario with small brane tensions. Alternatively, under the assumption
of a light branon, brane tensions below 180 GeV are excluded
Study of Spin and Decay-Plane Correlations of W Bosons in the e+e- -> W+W- Process at LEP
Data collected at LEP at centre-of-mass energies \sqrt(s) = 189 - 209 GeV are
used to study correlations of the spin of W bosons using e+e- -> W+W- -> lnqq~
events. Spin correlations are favoured by data, and found to agree with the
Standard Model predictions. In addition, correlations between the W-boson decay
planes are studied in e+e- -> W+W- -> lnqq~ and e+e- -> W+W- -> qq~qq~ events.
Decay-plane correlations, consistent with zero and with the Standard Model
predictions, are measured
Ultrarelativistic sources in nonlinear electrodynamics
The fields of rapidly moving sources are studied within nonlinear
electrodynamics by boosting the fields of sources at rest. As a consequence of
the ultrarelativistic limit the delta-like electromagnetic shock waves are
found. The character of the field within the shock depends on the theory of
nonlinear electrodynamics considered. In particular, we obtain the field of an
ultrarelativistic charge in the Born-Infeld theory.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
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