2,546 research outputs found
System Size Dependence of Particle Production at the SPS
Recent results on the system size dependence of net-baryon and hyperon
production as measured at the CERN SPS are discussed. The observed Npart
dependences of yields, but also of dynamical properties, such as average
transverse momenta, can be described in the context of the core corona
approach. Other observables, such as antiproton yields and net-protons at
forward rapidities, do not follow the predictions of this model. Possible
implications for a search for a critical point in the QCD phase diagram are
discussed. Event-by-event fluctuations of the relative core to corona source
contributions might influence fluctuation observables (e.g. multiplicity
fluctuations). The magnitude of this effect is investigated.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figurs. Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on
Critical Point and Onset of Deconfinement in Dubna, Aug. 201
Genetic basis for variation in wheat grain yield in response to varying nitrogen application
Nitrogen (N) is a major nutrient needed to attain optimal grain yield (GY) in all environments. Nitrogen fertilisers represent a significant production cost, in both monetary and environmental terms. Developing genotypes capable of taking up N early during development while limiting biomass production after establishment and showing high N-use efficiency (NUE) would be economically beneficial. Genetic variation in NUE has been shown previously. Here we describe the genetic characterisation of NUE and identify genetic loci underlying N response under different N fertiliser regimes in a bread wheat population of doubled-haploid lines derived from a cross between two Australian genotypes (RAC875 × Kukri) bred for a similar production environment. NUE field trials were carried out at four sites in South Australia and two in Western Australia across three seasons. There was genotype-by-environment- by-treatment interaction across the sites and also good transgressive segregation for yield under different N supply in the population. We detected some significant Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with NUE and N response at different rates of N application across the sites and years. It was also possible to identify lines showing positive N response based on the rankings of their Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUPs) within a trial. Dissecting the complexity of the N effect on yield through QTL analysis is a key step towards elucidating the molecular and physiological basis of NUE in wheat.Saba Mahjourimajd, Julian Taylor, Beata Sznajder, Andy Timmins, Fahimeh Shahinnia, Zed Rengel, Hossein Khabaz-Saberi, Haydn Kuchel, Mamoru Okamoto, Peter Langridg
Strange Particle Production at RHIC
We report STAR measurements of mid-rapidity yields for the ,
, , , , , and
particles in Cu+Cu and Au+Au GeV
collisions. We show that at a given number of participating nucleons, bulk
strangeness production is higher in Cu+Cu collisions compared to Au+Au
collisions at the same center of mass energy, counter to predictions from the
Canonical formalism. We compare both the Cu+Cu and Au+Au yields to AMPT and
EPOS predictions, and find they reproduce key qualitative aspects of the data.
Finally, we investigate other scaling parameters and find bulk strangeness
production for both the measured data and theoretical predictions, scales
better with the number participants that undergo more than one collision.Comment: Conference proceedings for Hot Quarks 2008, 5 pages and 4 figure
Strangeness enhancements at central rapidity in 40 A GeV/c Pb-Pb collisions
Results are presented on neutral kaon, hyperon and antihyperon production in
Pb-Pb and p-Be interactions at 40 GeV/c per nucleon. The enhancement pattern
follows the same hierarchy as seen in the higher energy data - the enhancement
increases with the strangeness content of the hyperons and with the centrality
of collision. The centrality dependence of the Pb-Pb yields and enhancements is
steeper at 40 than at 158 A GeV/c. The energy dependence of strangeness
enhancements at mid-rapidity is discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures and 3 tables. Presented at International
Conference on Strangeness in Quark Matter (SQM2009), Buzios, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, 27 Sept - 2 Oct 2009. Submitted to J.Phys.G: Nucl.Part.Phys, one
reference adde
Effect of Nanoparticle Size on the Morphology of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers
The surface aggregates structure of dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxide (C12DAO) in
three silica dispersions of different particle sizes (16 - 42 nm) was studied
by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in a H2O/D2O solvent mixture matching
the silica. At the experimental conditions (pH 9) the surfactant exists in its
nonionic form and the structure of the adsorbed layer is not affected by added
electrolyte. It is found that C12DAO forms spherical surface micelles of 2 nm
diameter on the 16 nm silica particles, but oblate ellipsoidal surface micelles
are formed on the 27 and 42 nm particles. The dimensions of these oblate
surface aggregates (minor and major semi-axes Rn and Rlat) are similar to those
of C12DAO micelles in the aqueous solutions. It is concluded that the
morphological transition from spherical to ellipsoidal surface aggregates is
induced by the surface curvature of the silica particles. A comparison of the
shape and dimensions of the surface aggregates formed by C12DAO and C12E5 on
the 16 nm silica particles demonstrates that the nature of the surfactant head
group does not determine the morphology of the surface aggregates, but has a
strong influence on the number of surface aggregates per particle, due to the
different interactions of the head groups with the silica surface
VHMPID: a new detector for the ALICE experiment at LHC
This article presents the basic idea of VHMPID, an upgrade detector for the
ALICE experiment at LHC, CERN. The main goal of this detector is to extend the
particle identification capabilities of ALICE to give more insight into the
evolution of the hot and dense matter created in Pb-Pb collisions. Starting
from the physics motivations and working principles the challenges and current
status of development is detailed.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. To be published in EPJ Web of Conference
Performance of prototypes for the ALICE electromagnetic calorimeter
The performance of prototypes for the ALICE electromagnetic sampling
calorimeter has been studied in test beam measurements at FNAL and CERN. A
array of final design modules showed an energy resolution of about
11% / 1.7 % with a uniformity of the response
to electrons of 1% and a good linearity in the energy range from 10 to 100 GeV.
The electromagnetic shower position resolution was found to be described by 1.5
mm 5.3 mm /. For an electron identification
efficiency of 90% a hadron rejection factor of was obtained.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure
The incidence of myocardial injury following post-operative Goal Directed Therapy.
BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that Goal Directed Therapy (GDT) results in improved outcome following major surgery. However, there is concern that pre-emptive use of inotropic therapy may lead to an increased incidence of myocardial ischaemia and infarction. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of data collected prospectively during a randomised controlled trial of the effects of post-operative GDT in high-risk general surgical patients. Serum troponin T concentrations were measured at baseline and on day 1 and day 2 following surgery. Continuous ECG monitoring was performed during the eight hour intervention period. Patients were followed up for predefined cardiac complications. A univariate analysis was performed to identify any associations between potential risk factors for myocardial injury and elevated troponin T concentrations. RESULTS: GDT was associated with fewer complications, and a reduced duration of hospital stay. Troponin T concentrations above 0.01 microg l-1 were identified in eight patients in the GDT group and six in the control group. Values increased above 0.05 microg l-1 in four patients in the GDT group and two patients in the control group. There were no overall differences in the incidence of elevated troponin T concentrations. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was also similar. None of the patients, in whom troponin T concentrations were elevated, developed ECG changes indicating myocardial ischaemia during the intervention period. The only factor to be associated with elevated troponin T concentrations following surgery was end-stage renal failure. CONCLUSION: The use of post-operative GDT does not result in an increased incidence of myocardial injury
- …