Parton Rescatterings in Large-x Nuclear Suppression at RHIC

We demonstrate that strong suppression of the relative production rate (d+Au)/(p+p) of inclusive high-pT hadrons at forward rapidities observed at RHIC is due to parton multiple rescatterings in nuclear matter. The light-cone dipole approach-based calculations are in a good agreement with BRAHMS and STAR data. They also indicate a significant nuclear suppression at midrapidities with a weak onset of the coherence effects. This prediction is supported by the preliminary d+Au data from the PHENIX Collaboration. Moreover, since similar suppression pattern is also expected to show up at lower energies where effects of parton saturation are not expected, we are able to exclude from the interpretation of observed phenomena models based on the Color Glass Condensate.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Talk given at XXXVIII International Symposium on Multiparticle Dynamics (ISMD-08), DESY, Hamburg, Germany, 15-20 Sep 2008, and talk given at XIX International Baldin Seminar on High Energy Physics Problems (Baldin-08), Dubna, Russia, 29 Sep - 4 Oct 200

Designing and Revising a Course Using Evidence-Based Teaching (EBT) in Higher Education

This is a Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy submission project. During a year-long New Faculty Learning Community experience, the writer looked at evidence-based teaching (EBT) through an Action Research model to re-structure a Higher Education course to increase students’ ability to turn theory into successful professional practices through active learning. After analyzing the threshold concepts for an Educational Administration Credential course, the following needs were found: (1) to deepen administrator candidates’ problem-solving skills through discussion-based learning and reflection; (2) to deepen administrator candidates’ skills in equity-based decision-making through relevant case studies; and (3) to apply inquiry-based structure to model and measure the administrator candidates’ decision-making and problem-solving ability. The action research found these EBTs were effective in transferring theories and concepts into professional practice and improving students’ confidence. These findings could be applied to any field of study that requires problem-solving and decision-making skills

Drell-Yan phenomenology in the color dipole picture revisited

An extensive phenomenological study of the Drell-Yan (DY) process in $pp$ collisions at various energies is performed in the color dipole framework. Besides previously studied $\gamma^*$ production we have also included the $Z^0$ contribution relevant at large dilepton invariant masses. We investigate the DY cross section differential in invariant mass, rapidity and transverse momentum of the dilepton pair in $pp$ collisions at RHIC and LHC. We consider three different phenomenological models for the dipole cross section and found a reasonable agreement with the available data. As a further test of the color dipole formalism, we also study the correlation function in azimuthal angle between the dilepton pair and a forward pion $\Delta\phi$ for different energies, dilepton rapidites and invariant masses. The characteristic double-peak structure of the correlation function around $\Delta \phi\simeq \pi$ found for very forward pions and low-mass dilepton pairs is sensitive to the saturation effects and can be tested by future DY measurements in $pp$ collisions.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures; typos corrected, references added, conclusions unchange

A sampler plugin for digital audio workstations

Music production is at anyone’s reach. Nowadays, computers, smartphones and tablets are able to run software that provides the necessary tools to compose music. Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are found at the more sophisticated end of the spectrum. These feature-packed programs are the type that you would find in locations ranging from the aspiring musician’s personal computer to the most professional recording studio in your city. One of the most powerful characteristics of these environments is being extensible via plugins. The sampling techniques that emerged during the end of the 20th century gifted the world with new methods of music production. This project allows for the creation of an instrument that revolves around the technique of splitting of audio recordings. Users will be able to easily transform regions of an audio sample into sounds the instrument can play. The nature of the process is far from complex and can be streamlined to provide a fast way to design a bespoke sample-based instrument. By implementing this tool as a plugin, the instrument takes the form of a loadable module that is readily accessible to anybody working on a DAW

Model Continuation High Schools: social-cognitive promotive factors that contribute to re-engaging at-risk students emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively towards graduation

Although school dropout rate remains a significant social and economic concern to our nation and has generated considerable research, little attention by scholars has examined the phenomena of re-engagement in effective school context and its developmental influences on at-risk students expectancy for success and task-value towards graduation. Given the multifaceted interactions of school context and the complex developmental needs of at-risk students, there were dual purposes for this three-phase, two-method qualitative study that addressed the literature concerns. The first purpose was to explore and identify policies, programs, and practices perceived as being most effective in re-engaging at-risk students behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively, at ten Model Continuation High Schools in California. Phases one and two collected data on the Model Continuation High Schools (MCHS) to address this purpose. In phase one, an inductive document review of the ten MCHS applications including four statement letters was conducted and results identified eleven policies, ten programs, and eleven practices that were effective in re-engaging at-risk students behaviorally, emotionally, and cognitively. In phase two, the phenomenological ten-step analysis of semi-structured administrator interviews revealed eight re-engaging implementation strategies perceived to be effective with at-risk students. The second purpose was to build upon Eccles\u27 Expectancy-Value Theoretical Framework by gaining insight on effective school context that supported at-risk students\u27 developmentally appropriate expectancy for success and task-value beliefs towards graduation. Phase three conducted a deductive content analysis of eight theoretical based components on the combine data collected in phases one and two to address this second purpose. Results revealed that principles of Eccles’ Expectancy-Value Model were evident in all identified policies, programs, and practices of the ten MCHS. Model Continuation High Schools are exemplary sites with effective school context that have much to share with other continuation high schools looking for successful re-engaging approaches for at-risk students. The research provided results suggesting that MCHS had significant policies, programs, practices and implementation strategies that transform disengaged at-risk students into graduates by developing students\u27 expectancy for success belief and task-value belief towards graduation. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed

Selected results on Strong and Coulomb-induced correlations from the STAR experiment

Using recent high-statistics STAR data from Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at full RHIC energy I discuss strong and Coulomb-induced final state interaction effects on identical ($\pi-\pi$) and non-identical ($\pi-\Xi$) particle correlations. Analysis of $\pi-\Xi$ correlations reveals the strong and Coulomb-induced FSI effects allowing for the first time to estimate space extension of $\pi$ and $\Xi$ sources and average shift between them. Source imaging technique providing clean separation of these effects from effects due to the source function itself is applied to one-dimensional relative momentum correlation function of identical pions. For low momentum pions and/or non-central collisions large departure from a single-Gaussian shape is observed