19,905 research outputs found
CLIC Background Studies and optimization of the innermost tracker elements
The harsh machine background at the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) forms a
strong constraint on the design of the innermost part of the tracker. For the
CLIC Conceptual Design Report, the detector concepts developed for the
International Linear Collider (ILC) were adapted to the CLIC environment. We
present the new layout for the Vertex Detector and the Forward Tracking Disks
of the CLIC detector concepts, as well as the background levels in these
detectors. We also study the dependence of the background rates on technology
parameters like thickness of the active layer and detection threshold.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, LCWS 201
Extracting the top-quark running mass using +1-jet events produced at the Large Hadron Collider
We present the calculation of the next-to-leading order QCD corrections for
top-quark pair production in association with an additional jet at hadron
colliders, using the modified minimal subtraction scheme to renormalize the
top-quark mass. The results are compared to measurements at the Large Hadron
Collider run I. In particular, we determine the top-quark running mass from a
fit of the theoretical results presented here to the LHC data
The phenomenology of electric dipole moments in models of scalar leptoquarks
We study the phenomenology of electric dipole moments (EDMs) induced in
various scalar leptoquark models. We consider generic leptoquark couplings to
quarks and leptons and match to Standard Model effective field theory. After
evolving the resulting operators to low energies, we connect to EDM experiments
by using up-to-date hadronic, nuclear, and atomic matrix elements. We show that
current experimental limits set strong constraints on the possible CP-violating
phases in leptoquark models. Depending on the quarks and leptons involved in
the interaction, the existing searches for EDMs of leptons, nucleons, atoms,
and molecules all play a role in constraining the CP-violating couplings. We
discuss the impact of hadronic and nuclear uncertainties as well as the
sensitivities that can be achieved with future EDM experiments. Finally, we
study the impact of EDM constraints on a specific leptoquark model that can
explain the recent -physics anomalies.Comment: Published versio
Reaching the millennium development goal for child mortality : improving equity and efficiency in Ecuador's health budget
health care; infant mortality; health policy;
Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiodes in Particle Detection
It is well known that avalanche photodiodes operated in the Geiger mode above
the breakdown voltage offer a virtually infinite sensitivity and time accuracy
in the picosecond range that can be used for single photon detection. However,
their performance in particle detection remains still unexplored. In this
contribution, we are going to expose the different steps that we have taken in
order to prove the efficiency of Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes in the
aforementioned field. In particular, we will present an array of pixels of
1mmx1mm fabricated with a standard CMOS technology for characterization in a
test beam.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of LCWS1
Molecular biological methods for studying the gut microbiota : the EU human gut flora project
Seven European laboratories co-operated in a joint project (FAIR CT97-3035) to develop, refine and apply molecular methods towards facilitating elucidation of the complex composition of the human intestinal microflora and to devise robust methodologies for monitoring the gut flora in response to diet. An extensive database of 16S rRNA sequences for tracking intestinal bacteria was generated by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of new faecal isolates and of clones obtained by amplification with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on faecal DNA from subjects belonging to different age groups. The analyses indicated that the number of different species (diversity) present in the human gut increased with age. The sequence information generated, provided the basis for design of 16S rRNA-directed oligonucleotide probes to specifically detect bacteria at various levels of phylogenetic hierarchy. The probes were tested for their specificity and used in whole-cell and dot-blot hybridisations. The applicability of the developed methods was demonstrated in several studies and the major outcomes are described
A REVISION OF THE AFRICAN GENERA PAROPSIOPSIS AND SMEATHMANNIA (PASSIFLORACEAE - PAROPSIEAE), INCLUDING A NEW SPECIES OF PAROPSIOPSIS FROM CAMEROON
The African genera Paropsiopsis Engl. and Smeathmannia R.Br. (Passifloraceae - Paropsieae) are revised. The two genera are well separated based on the presence or absence of a second, annuliform, corona, as well as the number of stamens and curvature of their filaments. An overview of important characters and a key to all genera of Paropsieae is provided. In Paropsiopsis all previously recognised species are united under P. decandra (Baill.) Sleumer. In addition one species, Paropsiopsis atrichogyna J.M.de Vos & Breteler, is newly described and illustrated. In Smeathmannia both previously recognised species are maintained, but infraspecific taxa are rejected. Descriptions of both genera and their species, keys to species, illustrations and distribution maps are provide
Absolute dimensions of solar-type eclipsing binaries. EF Aquarii: a G0 test for stellar evolution models
Recent studies have shown that stellar chromospheric activity, and its effect
on convective energy transport in the envelope, is most likely the cause of
significant radius and temperature discrepancies between theoretical evolution
models and observations. We aim to determine absolute dimensions and abundances
for the solar-type detached eclipsing binary EF Aqr, and to perform a detailed
comparison with results from recent stellar evolutionary models. uvby-beta
standard photometry was obtained with the Stromgren Automatic Telescope. The
broadening function formalism was applied on spectra observed with HERMES at
the Mercator telescope in La Palma, to obtain radial velocity curves. Masses
and radii with a precision of 0.6% and 1.0% respectively have been established
for both components of EF Aqr. The active 0.956 M_sol secondary shows star
spots and strong Ca II H and K emission lines. The 1.224 M_sol primary shows
signs of activity as well, but at a lower level. An [Fe/H] abundance of
0.00+-0.10 is derived with similar abundances for Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Co,
and Ni. Solar calibrated evolutionary models such as Yonsei-Yale,
Victoria-Regina and BaSTI isochrones and evolutionary tracks are unable to
reproduce EF Aqr, especially for the secondary, which is 9% larger and 400 K
cooler than predicted. Models adopting significantly lower mixing length
parameters l/H_p remove these discrepancies, as seen in other solar type
binaries. For the observed metallicity, Granada models with a mixing length of
l/H_p=1.30 (primary) and 1.05 (secondary) reproduce both components at a common
age of 1.5+-0.6 Gyr. Observations of EF Aqr suggests that magnetic activity,
and its effect on envelope convection, is likely to be the cause of
discrepancies in both radius and temperature, which can be removed by adjusting
the mixing length parameter of the models downwards.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication by A&
The orbits of subdwarf-B + main-sequence binaries. II. Three eccentric systems; BD+29 3070, BD +34 1543 and Feige 87
The predicted orbital-period distribution of the subdwarf-B (sdB) population
is bi-modal with a peak at short ( 250 days) periods.
Observationally, many short-period sdB systems are known, but the predicted
long period peak is missing as orbits have only been determined for a few
long-period systems. As these predictions are based on poorly understood
binary-interaction processes, it is of prime importance to confront the
predictions with reliable observational data. We therefore initiated a
monitoring program to find and characterize long-period sdB stars. In this
paper we aim to determine the orbital parameters of the three long-period
sdB+MS binaries BD+29 3070, BD+34 1543 and Feige 87, to constrain their
absolute dimensions and the physical parameters of the components.
High-resolution spectroscopic time series were obtained with HERMES at the
Mercator telescope on La Palma, and analyzed to determine the radial velocities
of both the sdB and MS components. Photometry from the literature was used to
construct the spectral-energy distribution (SED) of the binaries. Atmosphere
models were used to fit these SEDs and to determine the surface gravities and
temperatures of both components of all systems. Spectral analysis was used to
check the results of the SEDs. An orbital period of 1283 +- 63 d, a mass ratio
of q = 0.39 +- 0.04 and a significant non-zero eccentricity of e = 0.15 +- 0.01
were found for BD+29 3070. For BD+34 1543 we determined P = 972 +- 2 d, q =
0.57 +- 0.01 and again a clear non-zero eccentricity of e = 0.16 +- 0.01. Last,
for Feige 87 we found P = 936 +- 2 d, q = 0.55 +- 0.01 and e = 0.11 +- 0.01.
BD+29 3070, BD+34 1543 and Feige 87 are long period sdB + MS binaries on
clearly eccentric orbits. These results are in conflict with the predictions of
stable Roche-lobe overflow models.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, Accepted by A&
Environmental monitoring in heterogeneous soil-landscapes; A Dutch case study
The spatial heterogeneity of agricultural soil-landscapes is mostly not taken into account in environmental policies. Most environmental goals have been defined at national level or farm level but not at the landscape level. The potential for setting up a regional environmental monitoring network that supports self governance was explored. The research was performed in the Northern Friesian Woodland
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