The pd --> ^3He eta pi0 reaction at T_p = 1450 MeV

The cross section for the pd --> ^3He eta pi0 reaction has been measured at a beam energy of 1450 MeV using the WASA detector at the CELSIUS storage ring and detecting one ^3He and four photons from the decays of the two photons. The data indicate that the production mechanism involves the formation of the Delta(1232) isobar. Although the beam energy does not allow the full peak of this resonance to be seen, the invariant masses of all three pairs of final state particles are well reproduced by a phase space Monte Carlo simulation weighted with the p-wave factor of the square of the pi^0 momentum in the ^3Hepi^0 system.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Production of eta and 3pi mesons in the pd->3HeX reaction at 1360 and 1450 MeV

The cross sections of the pd -> 3He eta, pd -> 3He pi0 pi0 pi0 and pd -> 3He pi+ pi- pi0 reactions have been measured at beam kinetic energies T_p= 1360 MeV and T_p= 1450 MeV using the CELSIUS/WASA detector setup. At both energies, the differential cross section dsigma/dOmega of the eta meson in the pd -> 3He eta reaction shows a strong forward-backward asymmetry in the CMS. The ratio between the pd -> 3He pi+ pi- pi0 and the pd -> 3He pi0 pi0 pi0 cross sections has been analysed in terms of isospin amplitudes. The reconstructed invariant mass distributions of the pi-pi, 3He-pi and 3He-2pi systems provide hints on the role of nucleon resonances in the 3pi production process.Comment: Shorter version accepted to EPJA 10 pages 14 figure

Honest floral signalling traits vary across and within populations in an insect-pollinated plant

In flowering plants that produce concealed rewards, pollinator foraging preferences may select for floral advertisement traits that are correlated with rewards. To date, studies have not focused on the potential for honest signals to vary across populations, which could occur due to differences in pollinator communities or plant mating system. We tested for variation in honest signals across and within populations and mating systems in Arabis alpina, a broadly distributed arctic-alpine perennial herb that is visited by a variable community of insects. In a greenhouse common garden, we tested for correlations between corolla area, floral scent and nectar volume in 29 populations. In 12 field populations, we examined variation in pollen limitation and corolla area. Across and within populations and mating systems, larger flowers generally produced more nectar. Total scent emission was not correlated with nectar production, but two compounds—phenylacetaldehyde and benzyl alcohol—may be honest signals in some populations. Corolla area was correlated with pollen limitation only across populations. Our results suggest that honest signals may be similar across populations but may not result from contemporary direct selection on floral advertisements. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog