Shake-induced order in nanosphere systems

Self-assembled patterns obtained from a drying nanosphere suspension are investigated by computer simulations and simple experiments. Motivated by the earlier experimental results of Sasaki and Hane and Schope, we confirm that more ordered triangular lattice structures can be obtained whenever a moderate intensity random shaking is applied on the drying system. Computer simulations are realized on an improved version of a recently elaborated Burridge-Knopoff-type model. Experiments are made following the setup of Sasaki and Hane, using ultrasonic radiation as source for controlled shaking.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

DMTPC: A dark matter detector with directional sensitivity

By correlating nuclear recoil directions with the Earth's direction of motion through the Galaxy, a directional dark matter detector can unambiguously detect Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), even in the presence of backgrounds. Here, we describe the Dark Matter Time-Projection Chamber (DMTPC) detector, a TPC filled with CF4 gas at low pressure (0.1 atm). Using this detector, we have measured the vector direction (head-tail) of nuclear recoils down to energies of 100 keV with an angular resolution of <15 degrees. To study our detector backgrounds, we have operated in a basement laboratory on the MIT campus for several months. We are currently building a new, high-radiopurity detector for deployment underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant facility in New Mexico.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, proceedings for the CIPANP 2009 conference, May 26-31, 200

ONE TECHNOLOGY - TWO TYPES OF PROTECTION

Pests of the order Lepidoptera - South barn and Grain moth moth - one of the most dangerous pests of grain mass. The data obtained show that the technology (seed disinfectants and quality) of spring wheat affects the damage Plodia interpunctella Hb. and Sitotroga cerealella Oliv

The Optical Alignment System of the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer Endcaps

The muon spectrometer of the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN consists of over a thousand muon precision chambers, arranged in three concentrical cylinders in the barrel region, and in four wheels in each of the two endcaps. The endcap wheels are located between 7m and 22m from the interaction point, and have diameters between 13m and 24m. Muon chambers are equipped with a complex on-line optical alignment system to monitor their positions and deformations during ATLAS data-taking. We describe the layout of the endcap part of the alignment system and the design and calibration of the optical sensors, as well as the various software components. About 1% of the system has been subjected to performance tests in the H8 beam line at CERN, and results of these tests are discussed. The installation and commissioning of the full system in the ATLAS cavern is well underway, and results from approximately half of the system indicate that we will reach the ambitious goal of a 40mu alignment accuracy, required for reconstructing final-state muons at the highest expected energies

Investigation of genetic polymorphism of Russian rape and turnip rape varieties using SSR and SRAP markers

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and turnip rape (B. rapa L. subsp. campestris (L.)) are important agricultural plants widely used for food, fodder and technical purposes and as green manure. Over the past decades, a large number of perspective varieties that are being currently cultivated in every region of Russia have been developed. To increase the breeding efficiency and facilitate the seed production, modern molecular-genetic techniques should be introduced as means to estimate species and varietal diversity. The objective of the presented research study was to investigate DNA polymorphism of the rapeseed and turnip rape varieties developed at Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology and detect informative markers for varietal identification and genetic certification. To genotype 18 gDNA samples, 42 and 25 combinations of respective SSR and SRAP primers were used. The results obtained demonstrate that SRAP markers were more effective for polymorphism analysis: 36 % of the tested markers revealed genetic polymorphism compared with only 16.7 % of microsatellite loci. Molecular markers to detect differences at interspecific and intervarietal levels have also been found. For the investigated set, such microsatellite loci as Na12A02, Ni2C12, Ni02-D08a, Ra02-E01, Ni03H07а and SRAP-marker combinations as F13-R9, Me4-R7, F11-Em2, F10-R7, F9-Em2 and F9-R8 proved to be informative. Application of the two marker techniques made it possible to detect a higher level of DNA polymorphism in plants of different types (spring and winter varieties) if compared against the intervarietal differences within a species or a group. According to Nei’s genetic diversity index, in the cluster of winter rapeseed, VIK 2 and Gorizont varieties had the longest genetic distance, and in the spring cluster, these were Novosel and Veles. A high level of similarity was found between Vikros and Bizon winter rapeseed varieties. The results obtained have a high practical value for varietal specification of seed material and genetic certification of rapeseed and turnip rape varieties

Dark Matter Time Projection Chamber : Recent R&D Results

The Dark Matter Time Projection Chamber collaboration recently reported a dark matter limit obtained with a 10 liter time projection chamber filled with CF[subscript 4] gas. The 10 liter detector was capable of 2D tracking (perpendicular to the drift direction) and 2D fiducialization, and only used information from two CCD cameras when identifying tracks and rejecting backgrounds. Since that time, the collaboration has explored the potential benefits of photomultiplier tube and electronic charge readout to achieve 3D tracking, and particle identification for background rejection. The latest results of this effort is described here

Search for Exotic Mesons in pi- P Interactions at 18 GeV/c

The recent search for non $q \bar{q}$ mesons in $\pi^{-}p$ interactions at Brookhaven National Laboratory is summarized. Many final states such as $\eta \pi$, $\eta' \pi^{-}$, $a_{0} \pi$, $f_{1} \pi$, $a_{2} \pi$, $b_{1} \pi$, which are favored decay modes of exotics, are under investigation.Comment: 9 pages, PostScript, Presented at the International School of Nuclear Physics, Erice, Sicily, Italy, September 199