MARTA: A high-energy cosmic-ray detector concept with high-accuracy muon measurement

A new concept for the direct measurement of muons in air showers is presented. The concept is based on resistive plate chambers (RPCs), which can directly measure muons with very good space and time resolution. The muon detector is shielded by placing it under another detector able to absorb and measure the electromagnetic component of the showers such as a water-Cherenkov detector, commonly used in air shower arrays. The combination of the two detectors in a single, compact detector unit provides a unique measurement that opens rich possibilities in the study of air showers.Comment: 11 page

Yield capacity of six superior pitaya genotypes under edaphoclimatic conditions of the Federal District.

ABSTRACT - The Embrapa Cerrados pitaya breeding program developed five superior genotypes of different species. The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield capacity of these five pitaya genotypes under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Federal District. The experiment was carried out at the Embrapa Cerrados in Planaltina, DF. The five selected pitaya genotypes were evaluated, as well as a parent genotype used in the breeding program. Length (CF), diameter (DF) and mass (MF) of all fruits were evaluated, as well as the length/diameter ratio (CF.DF-¹), number of fruits per plant (NF.PL-¹), production per plant (kg.PL¹1) and estimated productivity (t.ha-1). BRS Luz do Cerrado and BRS Lua do Cerrado presented larger and heavier fruits, while BRS Minipitaya do Cerrado presented the smallest fruits. CPAC Roxa and BRS Granada do Cerrado presented more rounded fruits. BRS Granada do Cerrado had the highest yield capacity in the two evaluated crops. The results obtained prove the importance of genetic breeding and the selection of superior genotypes more adapted to the region of cultivation, in order to guarantee greater profitability and products of better quality to rural producers and consumers. RESUMO - O programa de melhoramento genético de pitaia da Embrapa Cerrados desenvolveu cinco genótipos superiores de diferentes espécies. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade produtiva destes cinco genótipos de pitaia sob as condições edafoclimáticas do Distrito Federal. O experimento foi conduzido na Unidade de Apoio da Fruticultura da Embrapa Cerrados, no município de Planaltina-DF. Foram avaliados os cinco genótipos selecionados de pitaia, bem como um genótipo progenitor utilizado no programa de melhoramento. Avaliaram-se o comprimento (CF), o diâmetro (DF) e a massa (MF) de todos os frutos, bem como a relação comprimento/diâmetro (CF.DF-¹), número de frutos por planta (NF.PL-¹), produção por planta (kg.PL-¹) e produtividade estimada (t.ha¹1). A BRS Luz do Cerrado e a BRS Lua do Cerrado, apresentaram frutos maiores e mais pesados, enquanto a BRS Minipitaia do Cerrado apresentou os menores frutos. A CPAC Roxa e a BRS Granada do Cerrado apresentaram frutos mais arredondados. A BRS Granada do Cerrado apresentou a maior capacidade de produção nas duas safras avaliadas. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a importância do melhoramento genético e da seleção de genótipos superiores mais adaptados para a região de cultivo, a fim de garantir maior rentabilidade e produtos de melhor qualidade ao produtor rural e aos consumidores

NEXT-100 Technical Design Report (TDR). Executive Summary

In this Technical Design Report (TDR) we describe the NEXT-100 detector that will search for neutrinoless double beta decay (bbonu) in Xe-136 at the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc (LSC), in Spain. The document formalizes the design presented in our Conceptual Design Report (CDR): an electroluminescence time projection chamber, with separate readout planes for calorimetry and tracking, located, respectively, behind cathode and anode. The detector is designed to hold a maximum of about 150 kg of xenon at 15 bar, or 100 kg at 10 bar. This option builds in the capability to increase the total isotope mass by 50% while keeping the operating pressure at a manageable level. The readout plane performing the energy measurement is composed of Hamamatsu R11410-10 photomultipliers, specially designed for operation in low-background, xenon-based detectors. Each individual PMT will be isolated from the gas by an individual, pressure resistant enclosure and will be coupled to the sensitive volume through a sapphire window. The tracking plane consists in an array of Hamamatsu S10362-11-050P MPPCs used as tracking pixels. They will be arranged in square boards holding 64 sensors (8 times8) with a 1-cm pitch. The inner walls of the TPC, the sapphire windows and the boards holding the MPPCs will be coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), a wavelength shifter, to improve the light collection.Comment: 32 pages, 22 figures, 5 table

Integral Field Spectroscopy of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies

We present results on integral-field optical spectroscopy of five luminous Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies. The data were obtained using the fiber system INTEGRAL attached at the William Herschel telescope. The galaxies Mrk 370, Mrk 35, Mrk 297, Mrk 314 and III Zw 102 were observed. The central 33"x29" regions of the galaxies were mapped with a spatial resolution of 2"/spaxel, except for Mrk 314, in which we observed the central 16"x12" region with a resolution of 0.9"/spaxel$. We use high-resolution optical images to isolate the star-forming knots in the objects; line ratios, electron densities and oxygen abundances in each of these regions are computed. We build continuum and emission-line intensity maps as well as maps of the most relevant line ratios: [OIII]5007\Hb, [NII]6584\Ha, and Ha\Hb, which allow us to obtain spatial information on the ionization structure and mechanisms. We also derive the gas velocity field from the Ha and [OIII]5007 emission lines. We find that all the five galaxies are in the high end of the metallicity range of Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies, with oxygen abundances varying from Z\sun~0.3 to Z\sun~1.5. The objects show HII-like ionization in the whole field of view, except the outer regions of IIIZw102 whose large [NII]6584/Ha values suggest the presence of shocks. The five galaxies display inhomogeneous extinction patterns, and three of them have high Ha/Hb ratios, indicative of a large dust content; all galaxies display complex, irregular velocity fields in their inner regions.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in the Ap

Zoneamento pedoclimático para a cultura do cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.) no Estado da Bahia.

bitstream/CNPAT-2010/11182/1/Bd-013.pd

Zoneamento pedoclimatico para a cultura do cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale L.) no Estado da Bahia.

bitstream/CNPAT/7826/1/bd_13.pd