5,349 research outputs found
Strange Hadron Resonances: Freeze-Out Probes in Heavy-Ion Collisions
Hyperon resonances are becoming an extremely useful tool allowing the study
of the properties of hadronic fireballs made in heavy ion collisions. Their
yield, compared to stable particles with the same quark composition, depends on
hadronization conditions. The resonance's short lifetime makes them ideal
probes of the fireball chemical freeze-out mechanisms. An analysis of resonance
abundance in heavy ion collisions should be capable of distinguishing between
possible hadronization scenarios, in particular between sudden and gradual
hadronization. In this paper, we review the existing SPS and RHIC experimental
data on resonance production in heavy ion collisions, and discuss in terms of
both thermal and microscopic models the yields of the two observed resonances,
K* and Lambda(1520). We show how freeze-out properties, namely chemical
freeze-out temperature and the lifetime of the interacting hadron phase which
follows, can be related to resonance yields. Finally, we apply these methods to
SPS and RHIC measurements, discuss the significance and interpretations of our
findings, and suggest further measurements which may help in clarifying
existing ambiguities.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of Pan American Advanced Studies
Institute on New States of Matter in Hadronic Interactions (PASI 2002),
Campos do Jordao, Brazil, 7-18 Jan 2002; American Institute of Physics 2002.
v2: reference and language correctio
Lambda(1520) production in d+Au collisions at RHIC
Recent results of (1520) resonance production in d+Au collisions at
200 GeV are presented and discussed in terms of the
evolution and freeze-out conditions of a hot and dense fireball medium. Yields
and spectra are compared to results from p+p and Au+Au collisions. The
(1520)/ ratio in d+Au collisions ratio is consistent with the
ratio in p+p collisions. This suggests a short time for elastic interactions
between chemical and thermal freeze-out. One can conclude that the interaction
volume in d+Au collisions is small.Comment: 4 Pages, 3 figures, conference proceedings Quark Matter 200
Suppression of p-Wave Baryons in Quark Recombination
We show that the observed suppression of the ratio in
central Au + Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider can be
naturally understood in the constituent quark recombination model.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figur
Comparison of display enhancement with intelligent decision-aiding
Currently, two main approaches exist for improving the human-machine interface component of a system in order to improve overall system performance, display enhancement and intelligent decision aiding. Each of these two approaches has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, as well as introduce its own set of additional performance problems. These characteristics should help identify which types of problem situations and domains are better aided by which type of strategy. The characteristic issues are described of these two decision aiding strategies. Then differences in expert and novice decision making are described in order to help determine whether a particular strategy may be better for a particular type of user. Finally, research is outlined to compare and contrast the two technologies, as well as to examine the interaction effects introduced by the different skill levels and the different methods for training operators
Resonance production from jet fragmentation
Short lived resonances are sensitive to the medium properties in heavy-ion
collisions. Heavy hadrons have larger probability to be produced within the
quark gluon plasma phase due to their short formation times. Therefore heavy
mass resonances are more likely to be affected by the medium, and the
identification of early produced resonances from jet fragmentation might be a
viable option to study chirality. The high momentum resonances on the away-side
of a triggered di-jet are likely to be the most modified by the partonic or
early hadronic medium. We will discuss first results of triggered
hadron-resonance correlations in Cu+Cu heavy ion collisions.Comment: Hot Quarks Colorado 2008 Proceedings, 4 pages 5 figure
A search for X-rays from UV Ceti flare stars
A search of MIT/OSO-7 data was made for evidence of X-ray emission from flares of UV Ceti flare stars. Observations from McDonald Observatory were used to identify the times of optical flares. The only instance of coincident coverage occurred on 1974 January 21 UT at 03:43:26 GMT for delta m(u)=0.86 flare of YZ CMi. No radio coverage of this particular event was obtained. Upper limits (3 sigma) of 0.8, 1.0, and 0.7 photons/sq cm-sec on the observed X-ray flux were set for the energy ranges greater than or approximately equal to 15, greater than or approximately equal to 3, and 1-10 keV, respectively
The oxygen-independent metabolism of cyclic monoterpenes in Castellaniella defragrans 65Phen
BACKGROUND: The facultatively anaerobic betaproteobacterium Castellaniella defragrans 65Phen utilizes acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic monoterpenes as sole carbon source under oxic as well as anoxic conditions. A biotransformation pathway of the acyclic ÎČ-myrcene required linalool dehydratase-isomerase as initial enzyme acting on the hydrocarbon. An in-frame deletion mutant did not use myrcene, but was able to grow on monocyclic monoterpenes. The genome sequence and a comparative proteome analysis together with a random transposon mutagenesis were conducted to identify genes involved in the monocyclic monoterpene metabolism. Metabolites accumulating in cultures of transposon and in-frame deletion mutants disclosed the degradation pathway. RESULTS: Castellaniella defragrans 65Phen oxidizes the monocyclic monoterpene limonene at the primary methyl group forming perillyl alcohol. The genome of 3.95Â Mb contained a 70Â kb genome island coding for over 50 proteins involved in the monoterpene metabolism. This island showed higher homology to genes of another monoterpene-mineralizing betaproteobacterium, Thauera terpenica 58Eu(T), than to genomes of the family Alcaligenaceae, which harbors the genus Castellaniella. A collection of 72 transposon mutants unable to grow on limonene contained 17 inactivated genes, with 46 mutants located in the two genes ctmAB (cyclic terpene metabolism). CtmA and ctmB were annotated as FAD-dependent oxidoreductases and clustered together with ctmE, a 2Fe-2S ferredoxin gene, and ctmF, coding for a NADH:ferredoxin oxidoreductase. Transposon mutants of ctmA, B or E did not grow aerobically or anaerobically on limonene, but on perillyl alcohol. The next steps in the pathway are catalyzed by the geraniol dehydrogenase GeoA and the geranial dehydrogenase GeoB, yielding perillic acid. Two transposon mutants had inactivated genes of the monoterpene ring cleavage (mrc) pathway. 2-Methylcitrate synthase and 2-methylcitrate dehydratase were also essential for the monoterpene metabolism but not for growth on acetate. CONCLUSIONS: The genome of Castellaniella defragrans 65Phen is related to other genomes of Alcaligenaceae, but contains a genomic island with genes of the monoterpene metabolism. Castellaniella defragrans 65Phen degrades limonene via a limonene dehydrogenase and the oxidation of perillyl alcohol. The initial oxidation at the primary methyl group is independent of molecular oxygen
Thymus transplantation for complete DiGeorge syndrome: European experience
Background: Thymus transplantation is a promising strategy for the treatment of athymic complete DiGeorge syndrome (cDGS). Methods: Twelve patients with cDGS were transplanted with allogeneic cultured thymus. Objective: To confirm and extend the results previously obtained in a single centre. Results: Two patients died of pre-existing viral infections without developing thymopoeisis and one late death occurred from autoimmune thrombocytopaenia. One infant suffered septic shock shortly after transplant resulting in graft loss and the need for a second transplant. Evidence of thymopoeisis developed from 5-6 months after transplantation in ten patients. The median (range) of circulating naïve CD4 counts (x10663 /L) were 44(11-440) and 200(5-310) at twelve and twenty-four months post-transplant and T-cell receptor excision circles were 2238 (320-8807) and 4184 (1582 -24596) per106 65 T-cells. Counts did not usually reach normal levels for age but patients were able to clear pre-existing and later acquired infections. At a median of 49 months (22-80), eight have ceased prophylactic antimicrobials and five immunoglobulin replacement. Histological confirmation of thymopoeisis was seen in seven of eleven patients undergoing biopsy of transplanted tissue including five showing full maturation through to the terminal stage of Hassall body formation. Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) expression was also demonstrated. Autoimmune complications were seen in 7/12 patients. In two, early transient autoimmune haemolysis settled after treatment and did not recur. The other five suffered ongoing autoimmune problems including: thyroiditis (3); haemolysis (1), thrombocytopaenia (4) and neutropenia (1). Conclusions: This study confirms the previous reports that thymus transplantation can reconstitute T cells in cDGS but with frequent autoimmune complications in survivors
Cancer metabolism at a glance
A defining hallmark of cancer is uncontrolled cell proliferation. This is initiated once cells have accumulated alterations in signaling pathways that control metabolism and proliferation, wherein the metabolic alterations provide the energetic and anabolic demands of enhanced cell proliferation. How these metabolic requirements are satisfied depends, in part, on the tumor microenvironment, which determines the availability of nutrients and oxygen. In this Cell Science at a Glance paper and the accompanying poster, we summarize our current understanding of cancer metabolism, emphasizing pathways of nutrient utilization and metabolism that either appear or have been proven essential for cancer cells. We also review how this knowledge has contributed to the development of anticancer therapies that target cancer metabolism
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