New baryonic and mesonic observables from NA61/SHINE

One of the main objectives of the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS is to study properties of strongly interacting matter. This paper presents new results on observables relevant for this part of the NA61/SHINE programme. These include the first ever measurements of $\phi$ meson production in p+p collisions at 40 and 80 GeV, and most detailed ever experimental data at 158 GeV. This contribution demonstrates the superior accuracy of the present dataset with respect to existing measurements. The comparison of p+p to Pb+Pb collisions shows a non-trivial system size dependence of the longitudinal evolution of hidden strangeness production, contrasting with that of other mesons. Furthermore, proton density fluctuations are investigated as a possible order parameter of the second order phase transition in the neighbourhood of the critical point (CP) of strongly interacting matter. An intermittency analysis is performed of the proton second scaled factorial moments in transverse momentum space. A previous analysis of this sort revealed significant power-law fluctuations for the "Si"+Si system at 158A GeV measured by the NA49 experiment. The fitted power-law exponent was consistent within errors with the theoretically expected critical value, a result suggesting a baryochemical potential in the vicinity of the CP of about 250 MeV. The analysis will now be extended to NA61/SHINE systems of similar size, Be+Be and Ar+Sc, at 150A GeV. Finally, spectator-induced electromagnetic (EM) effects on charged meson production are being studied and bring information on the space-time position of the pion formation zone, which appears to be much closer to the spectator system for faster pions than for slower ones. On that basis, we demonstrate that the longitudinal evolution of the system at CERN SPS energies may be interpreted as a pure consequence of local energy-momentum conservation

Analysis metod of ϕ\phi-meson production in proton-proton collisions in the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS

Fitting strategy for the analysis of $\phi$-meson production in proton–proton collisions in the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS is discussed along with possible methods to correct for the particle identification efficiency

Villous trophoblast cell turnover in placentas from preterm pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

Disturbed trophoblast turnover, a key process in placental physiology, may lead to a number of pregnancy-associated pathologies. This study examines PCNA expression and describes and quantifies morphological changes during trophoblast turnover in preterm placentas and term placentas complicated by IUGR. The number of CTF cells increased two-fold in preterm and IUGR placentas. A concurrent and slightly reduced proliferation rate of these cells was also found. The number of STF nuclei of terminal villi was lower by 21% in IUGR and by 18% in preterm placentas (P>0.05). A statistically significant reduction of the number of syncytial knots by 50% as compared to the control placentas was observed. Correlations between PCNA-reactive CTF nuclei and syncytial knots, PCNA-reactive CTF nuclei and CCO activity, and CCO activity and syncytial knots were found. Moreover, a strong inverse relation was observed between syncytial knots and CTF cells, and CCO activity and CTF cells

Feasibility studies of open charm measurements with the NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN-SPS

The results of feasibility studies for the D_{0} meson (open charm) measurements by its decay into two daughter particles, pion and kaon, in central Pb–Pb collisions at SPS energies are presented. To generate the physical input we use AMPT (A Multi-Phase Transport model) event generator. We employ GEANT4 application to describe particle transport through the experimental setup. The study is done assuming NA61/SHINE detector system supplemented with a future Vertex Detector (VD), which allows for precise track reconstruction at the target proximity. This precision is needed to select pion and kaon pairs that originate from the D_{0} decays. The simulation results show that this measurement is feasible. This study also addresses the issue of vertex detector optimization with emphasis on the prospect of the development of a vertex detector based on CMOS technology

Awareness of oral health prophylaxis in pregnant women

Introduction: During pregnancy, changes in the oral cavity occur due to fluctuations in hormone levels and changes in eating habits and hygiene. Objectives: To evaluate pregnant women’s awareness of oral health prophylaxis. Material and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 341 pregnant women from Malopolskie Voivodeship. The statistical analysis was carried out in the R program (v. 3.4.3); a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Over half of the respondents did not receive oral hygiene instruction and did not take part in any prophylactic program. The main sources of oral health knowledge were the internet (66.3%), dentist (43.1%) and gynaecologist (17.9%). Respondents willingly followed the advice of healthcare workers. Approximately 32% of the surveyed women were aware of the most appropriate period for dental treatment (second trimester). Over half of the women admitted that they would receive dental care more often if more procedures were reimbursed. Approximately 71% of the women were aware of the increased susceptibility to tooth decay during pregnancy. The relationship between the presence of caries in parents and that in children was known by 42.1% of respondents, but 45% admitted they did not know how to take care of their child’s teeth properly. Conclusions: Women with a higher education level had better knowledge in the area of oral health. However, most of the respondents need to increase their knowledge in this area. Prophylactic programs should be broadly propagated, and healthcare workers should deliver essential information in daily practice

Two-particle correlations in azimuthal angle and pseudorapidity in inelastic p + p interactions at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron

Results on two-particle ΔηΔϕ correlations in inelastic p + p interactions at 20, 31, 40, 80, and 158 GeV/c are presented. The measurements were performed using the large acceptance NA61/SHINE hadron spectrometer at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron. The data show structures which can be attributed mainly to effects of resonance decays, momentum conservation, and quantum statistics. The results are compared with the Epos and UrQMD models.ISSN:1434-6044ISSN:1434-605

Hidden strangeness shines in NA61/SHINE

Preliminary results on the ϕ (1020) meson production in inelastic proton-proton collisions measured by the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS are presented in these proceedings. The results include the first ever differential pT and y measurements at beam momenta of 40 and 80 GeV and the most ever detailed experimental data at 158GeV. The comparison of p + p to Pb + Pb results shows a non-trivial system size dependence of the widths of the rapidity distributions for ϕ mesons, contrasting with that of other hadrons. The results are furthermore compared to the world data on ϕ meson production, demonstrating the better accuracy achieved by the NA61/SHINE experiment, and to several models. None of the models is found to be able to describe simultaneously the shape of transverse momentum spectra, the shape of rapidity distribution and the total yield