Feasibility studies of the time-like proton electromagnetic form factor measurements with PANDA at FAIR

The possibility of measuring the proton electromagnetic form factors in the time-like region at FAIR with the \PANDA detector is discussed. Detailed simulations on signal efficiency for the annihilation of $\bar p +p$ into a lepton pair as well as for the most important background channels have been performed. It is shown that precision measurements of the differential cross section of the reaction $\bar p +p \to e^++ e^-$ can be obtained in a wide angular and kinematical range. The individual determination of the moduli of the electric and magnetic proton form factors will be possible up to a value of momentum transfer squared of $q^2\simeq 14$ (GeV/c)$^2$. The total $\bar p +p\to e^++e^-$ cross section will be measured up to $q^2\simeq 28$ (GeV/c)$^2$. The results obtained from simulated events are compared to the existing data. Sensitivity to the two photons exchange mechanism is also investigated.Comment: 12 pages, 4 tables, 8 figures Revised, added details on simulations, 4 tables, 9 figure

Feasibility studies of time-like proton electromagnetic form factors at PANDA at FAIR

Simulation results for future measurements of electromagnetic proton form factors at \PANDA (FAIR) within the PandaRoot software framework are reported. The statistical precision with which the proton form factors can be determined is estimated. The signal channel $\bar p p \to e^+ e^-$ is studied on the basis of two different but consistent procedures. The suppression of the main background channel, $\textit{i.e.}$ $\bar p p \to \pi^+ \pi^-$, is studied. Furthermore, the background versus signal efficiency, statistical and systematical uncertainties on the extracted proton form factors are evaluated using two different procedures. The results are consistent with those of a previous simulation study using an older, simplified framework. However, a slightly better precision is achieved in the PandaRoot study in a large range of momentum transfer, assuming the nominal beam conditions and detector performance

Technical Design Report for the PANDA Solenoid and Dipole Spectrometer Magnets

This document is the Technical Design Report covering the two large spectrometer magnets of the PANDA detector set-up. It shows the conceptual design of the magnets and their anticipated performance. It precedes the tender and procurement of the magnets and, hence, is subject to possible modifications arising during this process.Comment: 10 pages, 14MB, accepted by FAIR STI in May 2009, editors: Inti Lehmann (chair), Andrea Bersani, Yuri Lobanov, Jost Luehning, Jerzy Smyrski, Technical Coordiantor: Lars Schmitt, Bernd Lewandowski (deputy), Spokespersons: Ulrich Wiedner, Paola Gianotti (deputy

Determining minimal clinically important differences in the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded for untreated spinal muscular atrophy patients: An international study

\ua9 2024 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.Background and purpose: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare and progressive neuromuscular disorder with varying severity levels. The aim of the study was to calculate minimal clinically important difference (MCID), minimal detectable change (MDC), and values for the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) in an untreated international SMA cohort. Methods: The study employed two distinct methods. MDC was calculated using distribution-based approaches to consider standard error of measurement and effect size change in a population of 321 patients (176 SMA II and 145 SMA III), allowing for stratification based on age and function. MCID was assessed using anchor-based methods (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis and standard error) on 76 patients (52 SMA II and 24 SMA III) for whom the 12-month HFMSE could be anchored to a caregiver-reported clinical perception questionnaire. Results: With both approaches, SMA type II and type III patients had different profiles. The MCID, using ROC analysis, identified optimal cutoff points of −2 for type II and −4 for type III patients, whereas using the standard error we found the optimal cutoff points to be 1.5 for improvement and −3.2 for deterioration. Furthermore, distribution-based methods uncovered varying values across age and functional status subgroups within each SMA type. Conclusions: These results emphasize that the interpretation of a single MCID or MDC value obtained in large cohorts with different functional status needs to be made with caution, especially when these may be used to assess possible responses to new therapies

Характеристика комплексного спектрофлуориметрического показателя ишемии зоны лимба у пациентов с первичной глаукомой на фоне лечения аналогами простагландинов

PURPOSE. Comparative assessment of the spectrofluorimetric parameters of the limbus area in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) receiving various molecules of prostaglandin analogues topically.METHODS. The study included 129 patients (129 eyes) with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma who were randomized into four groups depending on the prostaglandin analogue they used for one month. The control group consisted of patients who were prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker (timolol). Patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination and spectrofluorimetric study of the limbus area.RESULTS. In all studied groups, the achieved hypotensive effect after one month of instillations was 30.6–34.5% of the baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) level. Stabilization of glaucomatous optic neuropathy was determined in all study groups regardless of the stage of POAG with varying degrees of significance. The most pronounced ischemic effect on the limbus area was recorded in patients with moderate POAG using travoprost (increase in fluorescence intensity of 0.14; p=0.018), advanced POAG — using bimatoprost (increase in fluorescence intensity of 0.141; p<0.0001). Latanoprost had a lesser effect on ischemia of the limbal area — increase in fluorescence intensity of 0.124 (p=0.043) and 0.104 (p<0.001) in moderate and advanced stages, respectively. In the control group in all examined patients the difference in fluorescence indices was insignificant, which may indicate a minimal effect of timolol on ischemia of the limbus area.CONCLUSION. Spectrofluorometric indicators of the limbal area reflect the ischemic effect of all molecules within the prostaglandin analogue class, while the use of beta-blockers causes a minimal effect on ischemia. The use of any prostaglandin analogues in patients with advanced POAG leads to more pronounced ischemia of the limbal area than in eyes with moderate stage, which suggests a greater tendency to scarring of the filtering bleb after hypotensive interventions.ЦЕЛЬ. Оценить спектрофлуориметрические показатели зоны лимба при местном использовании различных молекул аналогов простагландинов (АПГ) у пациентов с первичной открытоугольной глаукомой (ПОУГ).МАТЕРИАЛ И МЕТОДЫ. Впервые выявленные пациенты с ПОУГ (130 больных, 130 глаз) были рандомизированы в 4 группы в зависимости от используемого в течение 1 месяца АПГ. В группе контроля пациентам был назначен тимолол. Проводили комплексное офтальмологическое обследование и спектрофлуориметрическое исследование зоны лимба.РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ. Во всех группах достигнутый гипотензивный эффект через 1 месяц инстилляций составлял 30,6-34,5% от исходного уровня внутриглазного давления. Стабилизация глаукомной оптиконейропатии определялась во всех группах вне зависимости от стадии ПОУГ с различной степенью достоверности. Максимально выраженное ишемическое воздействие на зону лимба было зафиксировано при развитой стадии ПОУГ на фоне Травопроста (прирост интенсивности флуоресценции — 0,14; p=0,018), при далекозашедшей стадии — на фоне Биматопроста (прирост интенсивности флуоресценции — 0,141; p<0,0001). Применение Латанопроста в меньшей степени влияет на ишемию лимбальной зоны — прирост интенсивности флуоресциенции составляет 0,124 (р=0,043) и 0,104 (р<0,001) при развитой и далекозашедшей стадии, соответственно. В группе контроля у всех обследованных пациентов разница показателей флуоресценции была не значительной, что может свидетельствовать о минимальном ишемическом влиянии тимолола на зону лимба.ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ. Спектрофлуориметрия зоны лимба отражает ишемическое воздействие всех молекул АПГ, тогда как применение бета-блокаторов оказывает ми нимальное ишемическое воздействие. Использование любых АПГ у пациентов с далекозашедшей ПОУГ приводит к более выраженной ишемии лимбальной зоны, чем в глазах с развитой стадией, что позволяет предполагать бо́льшую склонность к рубцеванию фильтрационной подушки после гипотензивных вмешательств

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Tethering PCR: A Rapid Genetic Test for the Diagnosis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 by PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) type 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, associated with a (CAG)n repeat expansion in coding sequences, are the most prevalent autosomal dominant ataxias worldwide (approximately 60% of the cases). In addition, the phenotype of SCA2 expansions has been now extended to Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Their diagnosis is presently based on a PCR to identify small expanded alleles, followed by a second-level test whenever the suspect of false normal homozygous, or a CAT interruption in SCA1 needs to be verified. Next-generation sequencing still does not allow efficient detection of these repeats. Here, we show the efficacy of a novel, rapid, and cost-effective method to identify and size pathogenic expansions in SCA1-3, 6, and 7 and recognize large alleles or interruptions without a second-level test. Twenty-five healthy controls and 33 expansion carriers were analyzed: alleles migrated consistently in different PCRs/capillary runs, and homozygous subjects were always distinguishable from heterozygous carriers of both common and large (>100 repeats) pathogenic CAG expansions. Repeat number could be calculated counting the number of peaks, except for the largest SCA2 and SCA7 alleles. Interruptions in SCA1 were always visible. Overall, our method allows a simpler, cost-effective, and sensibly faster SCA diagnostic protocol compared to the standard technique and to the still unadapted next-generation sequencing

Technical Design Report for the: PANDA Micro Vertex Detector

This document illustrates the technical layout and the expected performance of the Micro Vertex Detector (MVD) of the PANDA experiment. The MVD will detect charged particles as close as possible to the interaction zone. Design criteria and the optimisation process as well as the technical solutions chosen are discussed and the results of this process are subjected to extensive Monte Carlo physics studies. The route towards realisation of the detector is outlined.Comment: 189 pages, 225 figures, 41 table

Physics Performance Report for PANDA: Strong Interaction Studies with Antiprotons

To study fundamental questions of hadron and nuclear physics in interactions of antiprotons with nucleons and nuclei, the universal PANDA detector will be built. Gluonic excitations, the physics of strange and charm quarks and nucleon structure studies will be performed with unprecedented accuracy thereby allowing high-precision tests of the strong interaction. The proposed PANDA detector is a state-of-the art internal target detector at the HESR at FAIR allowing the detection and identification of neutral and charged particles generated within the relevant angular and energy range. This report presents a summary of the physics accessible at PANDA and what performance can be expected.Comment: 216 page

Study of doubly strange systems using stored antiprotons

Bound nuclear systems with two units of strangeness are still poorly known despite their importance for many strong interaction phenomena. Stored antiprotons beams in the GeV range represent an unparalleled factory for various hyperon-antihyperon pairs. Their outstanding large production probability in antiproton collisions will open the floodgates for a series of new studies of systems which contain two or even more units of strangeness at the P‾ANDA experiment at FAIR. For the first time, high resolution γ-spectroscopy of doubly strange ΛΛ-hypernuclei will be performed, thus complementing measurements of ground state decays of ΛΛ-hypernuclei at J-PARC or possible decays of particle unstable hypernuclei in heavy ion reactions. High resolution spectroscopy of multistrange Ξ−-atoms will be feasible and even the production of Ω−-atoms will be within reach. The latter might open the door to the |S|=3 world in strangeness nuclear physics, by the study of the hadronic Ω−-nucleus interaction. For the first time it will be possible to study the behavior of Ξ‾+ in nuclear systems under well controlled conditions