Performance of the First ANTARES Detector Line

In this paper we report on the data recorded with the first Antares detector line. The line was deployed on the 14th of February 2006 and was connected to the readout two weeks later. Environmental data for one and a half years of running are shown. Measurements of atmospheric muons from data taken from selected runs during the first six months of operation are presented. Performance figures in terms of time residuals and angular resolution are given. Finally the angular distribution of atmospheric muons is presented and from this the depth profile of the muon intensity is derived.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Time calibration of the ANTARES neutrino telescope

The ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope comprises a three-dimensional array of photomultipliers to detect the Cherenkov light induced by upgoing relativistic charged particles originating from neutrino interactions in the vicinity of the detector. The large scattering length of light in the deep sea facilitates an angular resolution of a few tenths of a degree for neutrino energies exceeding 10 TeV. In order to achieve this optimal performance, the time calibration procedures should ensure a relative time calibration between the photomultipliers at the level of similar to 1 ns. The methods developed to attain this level of precision are described

The positioning system of the ANTARES Neutrino Telescope

The ANTARES neutrino telescope, located 40km off the coast of Toulon in the Mediterranean Sea at a mooring depth of about 2475m, consists of twelve detection lines equipped typically with 25 storeys. Every storey carries three optical modules that detect Cherenkov light induced by charged secondary particles (typically muons) coming from neutrino interactions. As these lines are flexible structures fixed to the sea bed and held taut by a buoy, sea currents cause the lines to move and the storeys to rotate. The knowledge of the position of the optical modules with a precision better than 10cm is essential for a good reconstruction of particle tracks. In this paper the ANTARES positioning system is described. It consists of an acoustic positioning system, for distance triangulation, and a compass-tiltmeter system, for the measurement of the orientation and inclination of the storeys. Necessary corrections are discussed and the results of the detector alignment procedure are described

Performance of the front-end electronics of the ANTARES neutrino telescope

ANTARES is a high-energy neutrino telescope installed in the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of 2475 m. It consists of a three-dimensional array of optical modules, each containing a large photomultiplier tube. A total of 2700 front-end ASICs named Analogue Ring Samplers (ARS) process the phototube signals, measure their arrival time, amplitude and shape as well as perform monitoring and calibration tasks. The ARS chip processes the analogue signals from the optical modules and converts information into digital data. All the information is transmitted to shore through further multiplexing electronics and an optical link. This paper describes the performance of the ARS chip; results from the functionality and characterization tests in the laboratory are summarized and the long-term performance in the apparatus is illustrated.Comment: 20 pages, 22 figures, published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods

Burden and risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa community-acquired pneumonia:a Multinational Point Prevalence Study of Hospitalised Patients

Pseudornonas aeruginosa is a challenging bacterium to treat due to its intrinsic resistance to the antibiotics used most frequently in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Data about the global burden and risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP are limited. We assessed the multinational burden and specific risk factors associated with P. aeruginosa-CAP. We enrolled 3193 patients in 54 countries with confirmed diagnosis of CAP who underwent microbiological testing at admission. Prevalence was calculated according to the identification of P. aeruginosa. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa and antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa-CAP was 4.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The rate of P. aeruginosa CAP in patients with prior infection/colonisation due to P. aeruginosa and at least one of the three independently associated chronic lung diseases (i.e. tracheostomy, bronchiectasis and/or very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was 67%. In contrast, the rate of P. aeruginosa-CAP was 2% in patients without prior P. aeruginosa infection/colonisation and none of the selected chronic lung diseases. The multinational prevalence of P. aeruginosa-CAP is low. The risk factors identified in this study may guide healthcare professionals in deciding empirical antibiotic coverage for CAP patients

Measurement Of Low And Stationary Flux Density Of Thermal Neutrons Using A Fission Track Technique

A new monitor suitable for measurements of low and stationary flux density of thermal neutrons was developed. Its working principles, calibration and characteristics are presented. © 1994.3501-2291295IAEA, Neutron Fluence Measurements (1970) Technical Report No. 107, , ViennaFleischer, Price, Walker, (1975) Nuclear Tracks in Solids: Principles and Applications, , University of California Press, BerkeleyDragu, (1991) Nucl. Tracks and Rad. Meas., 19, p. 461Ritchie, Eldridge, (1961) Nucl. Sci. Eng., 9, p. 198U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Reactor Physics Constants (1958) Report ANL-5800, , Lemont, IllinoisBarkas, (1963) Nuclear Research Emulsions, , Part I, Academic Press, New Yorkde Carvalho, The Processing and Loading of Nuclear Emulsions (1965) Progress in Nuclear Techniques and Instrumentation, 1. , 3rd edition corrected, North Holland, AmsterdamHadler, (1982) Ph.D. Thesis, , 3rd edition corrected, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, BrazilHadler, Lattes, Marques, Marques, Serra, Bigazzi, (1981) Nucl. Tracks, 5 (1-2), p. 45Hadler, (1979) Master Thesis, , 3rd edition corrected, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, BrazilDemers, (1955) Ionographie, , Les Émulsions Nucléaire, Les Press Universitaires de Montréal, OttawaBethe, Askin, Passage of Radiation through Matter (1955) Nuclear Experimental Physics, 1. , E. Segrè, 3rd edition corrected, WileyFalleiros, (1994) Ph. D. Thesis, , 3rd edition corrected, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares/Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, BrazilWestcott, Effective cross-section values for well-moderated thermal reactor spectra (1960) Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, , 3rd edition corrected, AECL report 1101Holden, Holden, Rep. BNL-NCS-36865 (1985) presented at the 33rd IUPAC (Inter. UnionvPure Appl. Chem.) Gen. Assem., , LyonCowan, Adler, (1976) Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 40, p. 148

Problems Related To The Employment Of Thin Uranium Films As Neutron Dosimeters

Thin uranium films built on muscovite mica basis and obsidian samples having known ages were irradiated with thermal neutrons at the IPEN/CNEN reactor, São Paulo. Comparing thin film performance with the obsidian one, it was observed that the latter "feel" a greater neutron fluence. Nominal fluences at the used facility are in agreement with the results obtained analysing the obsidian samples. A probable hypothesis to explain this disagreement, namely, the uranium loss from the thin films, was ruled out. © 1995.251-445946

Reactivity of 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol and catechol-containing phenolics in vitro

Laurie, VF (reprint author), Univ Talca, Sch Agr Sci, 2 Norte 685, Talca, Chile.Volatile species with thiol functions are important contributors to the flavour of a wide variety of wine types. However, in spite of their importance, their fate during winemaking has not been fully elucidated. In this work, the iron-catalysed reaction between 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol, catechol-containing phenolics, and sulfurous acid, under in vitro aerobic conditions was evaluated by means of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The results indicate that a direct addition reaction between the thiol and some of the phenolics tested, and between sulfite and some of the phenolics may occur, thus contributing evidence of a possible route of thiol losses in wines. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved