Parity-Violating Electron Scattering from 4He and the Strange Electric Form Factor of the Nucleon

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from ^4He at an average scattering angle = 5.7 degrees and a four-momentum transfer Q^2 = 0.091 GeV^2. From these data, for the first time, the strange electric form factor of the nucleon G^s_E can be isolated. The measured asymmetry of A_PV = (6.72 +/- 0.84 (stat) +/- 0.21 (syst) parts per million yields a value of G^s_E = -0.038 +/- 0.042 (stat) +/- 0.010 (syst), consistent with zero

How Does Spatial Study Design Influence Density Estimates from Spatial Capture-Recapture Models?

When estimating population density from data collected on non-invasive detector arrays, recently developed spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models present an advance over non-spatial models by accounting for individual movement. While these models should be more robust to changes in trapping designs, they have not been well tested. Here we investigate how the spatial arrangement and size of the trapping array influence parameter estimates for SCR models. We analysed black bear data collected with 123 hair snares with an SCR model accounting for differences in detection and movement between sexes and across the trapping occasions. To see how the size of the trap array and trap dispersion influence parameter estimates, we repeated analysis for data from subsets of traps: 50% chosen at random, 50% in the centre of the array and 20% in the South of the array. Additionally, we simulated and analysed data under a suite of trap designs and home range sizes. In the black bear study, we found that results were similar across trap arrays, except when only 20% of the array was used. Black bear density was approximately 10 individuals per 100 km2. Our simulation study showed that SCR models performed well as long as the extent of the trap array was similar to or larger than the extent of individual movement during the study period, and movement was at least half the distance between traps. SCR models performed well across a range of spatial trap setups and animal movements. Contrary to non-spatial capture-recapture models, they do not require the trapping grid to cover an area several times the average home range of the studied species. This renders SCR models more appropriate for the study of wide-ranging mammals and more flexible to design studies targeting multiple species

Constraints on the nucleon strange form factors at Q(2)similar to 0.1 GeV2

We report the most precise measurement to date of a parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron-proton scattering. The measurement was carried out with a beam energy of 3.03 GeV and a scattering angle 〈 θlab 〉 = 6.0○, with the result APV = ( - 1.14 ± 0.24 ( stat ) ± 0.06 ( syst ) ) × 10-6. From this we extract, at Q2 = 0.099   GeV2, the strange form factor combination {Mathematical expression} where the first two errors are experimental and the last error is due to the uncertainty in the neutron electromagnetic form factor. This result significantly improves current knowledge of GEs and GMs at Q2 ∼ 0.1   GeV2. A consistent picture emerges when several measurements at about the same Q2 value are combined: GEs is consistent with zero while positive values are favored for GMs, though GEs = GMs = 0 is compatible with the data at 95% C.L. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Precision measurements of the nucleon strange form factors at Q(2)similar to 0.1 GeV2 RID A-2969-2011

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry APV in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and 4He targets with h-lab=6deg. The 4He result is APV=(+6.40+-0.23stat+0.04syst)x10**6. The hydrogen result is APV= (1.58+-0.12stat+-0.04syst)*10**6. These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors GsE and GsM. We extract GsE=0.002+-0.014+-0.007 at Q**2=0.077 GeV2, and GsE+0.09GsM=0.007+-0.011+-0.006 at Q2=0.109 GeV2, providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions

Precision measurements of the nucleon strange form factors at Q(2)similar to 0.1 GeV2

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry A(PV) in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and 4He targets with approximately 6.0 degrees . The 4He result is A(PV)=(+6.40+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.12(syst))x10(-6). The hydrogen result is A(PV)=(-1.58+/-0.12(stat)+/-0.04(syst))x10(-6). These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors G(E)(s) and G(M)(s). We extract G(E)(s)=0.002+/-0.014+/-0.007 at =0.077 GeV2, and G(E)(s)+0.09G(M)(s)=0.007+/-0.011+/-0.006 at =0.109 GeV2, providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions