Study of the sensitivity of the SABRE experiment for direct Dark-Matter search

The orbital motion of the Earth around the Sun is expected to produce a modulation in the interaction rate of hypothetical dark-matter particles in an Earth-based detector. The DAMA experiment has observed a signal compatible with this modulation in the scintillation light of NaI(Tl) crystals with high statistical significance. This claim has not yet been verified since the other experiments involved in this type of research employ different target materials and technologies and can not be compared with DAMA independently of the assumed theoretical model. SABRE will provide a model-independent test of the DAMA claim through the use of ultrapure NaI(Tl) crystals (same target material as DAMA) and by studying the modulation signal in both the hemispheres identifying any possible terrestrial contribution. To further reduce the background level the crystals will be placed in an active veto system. This paper presents the detector sensitivity studies in order to understand its ability to verify the DAMA claim

W. M. Barnes Company, A Corporation v. Sohio Natural Resources Company, A Corporation, Formerly Sohio Petroleum Company, A Corporation : Appellant\u27s Brief

Appeal from the Judgment of the Fourth District Court for Uintah County Honorable George E. Ballif, Judg

Predictive value of hematological and phenotypical parameters on postchemotherapy leukocyte recovery

Background: Grade IV chemotherapy toxicity is defined as absolute neutrophil count <500/μL. The nadir is considered as the lowest neutrophil number following chemotherapy, and generally is not expected before the 7th day from the start of chemotherapy. The usual prophylactic dose of rHu-G-CSF (Filgrastim) is 300 μg/day, starting 24-48 h after chemotherapy until hematological recovery. However, individual patient response is largely variable, so that rHu-G-CSF doses can be different. The aim of this study was to verify if peripheral blood automated flow cytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis may be helpful in predicting the individual response and saving rHu-G-CSF. Methods: During Grade IV neutropenia, blood counts from 30 cancer patients were analyzed daily by ADVIA 120 automated flow cytochemistry analyzer and by Facscalibur flow cytometer till the nadir. "Large unstained cells" (LUCs), myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), blasts, and various cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood were studied. At nadir rHu-G-CSF was started and 81 chemotherapy cycles were analyzed. Cycles were stratified according to their number and to two dose-levels of rHuG-CSF needed to recovery (300-600 vs. 900-1200 μg) and analyzed in relation to mean values of MPXI and mean absolute number of LUCs in the nadir phase. The linear regressions of LUCs % over time in relation to two dose-levels of rHu-G-CSF and uni-multivariate analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations, CD34+ cells, MPXI, and blasts were also performed. Results: In the nadir phase, the increase of MPXI above the upper limit of normality (>10; median 27.7), characterized a slow hematological recovery. MPXI levels were directly related to the cycle number and inversely related to the absolute number of LUCs and CD34 +/CD45+ cells. A faster hematological recovery was associated with a higher LUC increase per day (0.56% vs. 0.25%), higher blast (median 36.7/μL vs. 19.5/μL) and CD34+/CD45+ cell (median 2.2/μL vs. 0.82/μL) counts. Conclusions: Our study showed that some biological indicators such as MPXI, LUCs, blasts, and CD34 +/CD45+ cells may be of clinical relevance in predicting individual hematological response to rHu-G-CSF. Special attention should be paid when nadir MPXI exceeds the upper limit of normality because the hematological recovery may be delayed. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society

Quantum view of Li-ion high mobility at carbon-coated cathode interfaces

: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are among the most promising power sources for electric vehicles, portable electronics and smart grids. In LIBs, the cathode is a major bottleneck, with a particular reference to its low electrical conductivity and Li-ion diffusivity. The coating with carbon layers is generally employed to enhance the electrical conductivity and to protect the active material from degradation during operation. Here, we demonstrate that this layer has a primary role in the lithium diffusivity into the cathode nanoparticles. Positron is a useful quantum probe at the electroactive materials/carbon interface to sense the mobility of Li-ion. Broadband electrical spectroscopy demonstrates that only a small number of Li-ions are moving, and that their diffusion strongly depends on the type of carbon additive. Positron annihilation and broadband electrical spectroscopies are crucial complementary tools to investigate the electronic effect of the carbon phase on the cathode performance and Li-ion dynamics in electroactive materials

Neurometabolic changes in a rat pup model of type C hepatic encephalopathy depend on age at liver disease onset.

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a serious condition where various toxins present in the blood affect the brain leading to type C hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Both adults and children are impacted, while children may display unique vulnerabilities depending on the affected window of brain development.We aimed to use the advantages of high field proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ( <sup>1</sup> H MRS) to study longitudinally the neurometabolic and behavioural effects of Bile Duct Ligation (animal model of CLD-induced type C HE) on rats at post-natal day 15 (p15) to get closer to neonatal onset liver disease. Furthermore, we compared two sets of animals (p15 and p21-previously published) to evaluate whether the brain responds differently to CLD according to age onset.We showed for the first time that when CLD was acquired at p15, the rats presented the typical signs of CLD, i.e. rise in plasma bilirubin and ammonium, and developed the characteristic brain metabolic changes associated with type C HE (e.g. glutamine increase and osmolytes decrease). When compared to rats that acquired CLD at p21, p15 rats did not show any significant difference in plasma biochemistry, but displayed a delayed increase in brain glutamine and decrease in total-choline. The changes in neurotransmitters were milder than in p21 rats. Moreover, p15 rats showed an earlier increase in brain lactate and a different antioxidant response. These findings offer tentative pointers as to which neurodevelopmental processes may be impacted and raise the question of whether similar changes might exist in humans but are missed owing to <sup>1</sup> H MRS methodological limitations in field strength of clinical magnet

Towards the formation of a positronium coherent beam

Positronium (Ps) has emerged as a promising test particle within the QUPLAS collaboration for investigating the gravitational effect. In this work, we present a novel approach to generate a monoenergetic and highly coherent Ps beam by creating a negative Ps ion (Ps$^-$, consisting of two electrons and one positron). The necessary positron beam is formed by using a high flux electron LINAC. Subsequently, we utilize a Fabry-Perot IR laser cavity operating at a wavelength of 1560 nm to selectively remove the extra electron. An alternative pulsed laser operating at a 3600 nm wavelength was studied to reduce broadening due to recoil and excitation. Here, we provide a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the characteristics of the Ps beam, including its energy distribution and intensity profiles. The results obtained from this study will provide essential groundwork for future advancements in fundamental studies as Ps gravity measurements by using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Combinação de abordagens GLSP e ATSP para o problema de dimensionamento e sequenciamento de lotes de produção de suplementos para nutrição animal

In this paper we study the combination of GLSP (General Lot Sizing and Scheduling Problem) and ATSP (Asymmetric Travelling Salesman Problem) approaches with sub-tour elimination and patching to a lot sizing and sequencing problem in the animal nutrition industry. This problem consists of deciding the lots size for each product as well the production sequence of the lots, while meeting demand without backlogs and minimizing production and inventory costs. The coordination of these decisions is a challenge for production scheduling in this industry as the setup times are sequence dependent. The ATSP approaches are compared with relax-and-fix approaches applied to the GLSP (General Lot-sizing and Scheduling Problem) formulated in previous research, using real data from an animal nutrition plant in Sao Paulo state. Portuguese: Neste artigo estudamos a combinação de abordagens GLSP (General Lot Sizing and Scheduling Problem) e ATSP (Asymmetric Travelling Salesman Problem) para o problema de dimensionamento e sequenciamento de lotes na indústria de nutrição animal. Este problema consiste em determinar o tamanho de cada lote de produção para cada produto, assim como a sequência de produção destes lotes, de forma a satisfazer a demanda sem atrasos e minimizar os custos de produção e estoques. Uma dificuldade para a programação da produção nesta indústria é integrar estas decisões, pois os tempos de preparação da linha de produção são dependentes da sequência produtiva e não obedecem a desigualdade triangular. A abordagem proposta é comparada com abordagens relax-and-fix para o modelo GLSP (General Lot-sizing and Scheduling Problem) estudadas em trabalhos anteriores, utilizando dados reais de um estudo de caso de uma fábrica de nutrição animal localizada no interior de São Paulo

A large-momentum-transfer matter-wave interferometer to measure the effect of gravity on positronium

This paper reports the study of a new interferometric configuration to measure the effect of gravity on positronium. A Mach–Zehnder matter-wave interferometer has been designed to operate with single-photon transitions and to transfer high momentum to a 200 eV positronium beam. The work shows the results and methods used to simulate the interferometer and estimate the operating parameters and the time needed to perform the experiment. It has been estimated that within less than 1 year, the acquisition time is sufficient to achieve a 10% accuracy level in measuring positronium gravitational acceleration, even with a poorly collimated beam, which is significant for theoretical models describing matter–antimatter symmetry. These results pave the way for single photon transition large momentum transfer interferometry with fast atomic beams, which is particularly useful for studies with antimatter and unstable atoms