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► Crystal length and width were measured for different types of oxalate crystals. ► The critical number of crystals for statistical reproducibility was assessed. ► Rectangularity ...based non-dimensional morphological filters were developed. ► Optical image particle sizes agree well with AccuSizer measurements.
A new automated static optical image analysis (SOIA) method was developed for characterising the shape of sodium oxalate crystals by separately measuring their length and width. The automated size analysis combines crystal image acquisitioning with a custom-developed numerical algorithm for morphological analysis of crystals. The automation of the two main measuring steps enables characterisation of a large number of crystals ensuring statistically meaningful results. As part of the numerical algorithm, a rectangularity-based morphological filter was implemented to eliminate overlapping crystals and crystal networks. The developed optical sizing technique has a low detection limit of 0.25μm, which is close to the theoretical resolution of optical microscopy. It is demonstrated that the new automated SOIA sizing technique is very sensitive in identifying oxalate crystals of different shape. The measured crystal size distributions are compared to those obtained by an AccuSizer sizing instrument to confirm that they are consistent with the measurements obtained by a conventional crystal sizing instrument.
We present results on the system size dependence of high transverse momentum di-hadron correlations at sNN=200 GeV as measured by STAR at RHIC. Measurements in d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions reveal ...similar jet-like near-side correlation yields (correlations at small angular separation –Δϕ∼0, Δη∼0) for all systems and centralities. Previous measurements have shown that the away-side (Δϕ∼π) yield is suppressed in heavy-ion collisions. We present measurements of the away-side suppression as a function of transverse momentum and centrality in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions. The suppression is found to be similar in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at a similar number of participants. The results are compared to theoretical calculations based on the parton quenching model and the modified fragmentation model. The observed differences between data and theory indicate that the correlated yields presented here will further constrain dynamic energy loss models and provide information about the dynamic density profile in heavy-ion collisions.
The TB Vaccine Cluster project funded by the EU Fifth Framework programme aims to provide novel vaccines against tuberculosis that are suitable for evaluation in humans. This paper describes the ...studies of the protective efficacy of vaccines in a guinea pig aerosol-infection model of primary tuberculosis. The objective was to conduct comparative evaluations of vaccines that had previously demonstrated efficacy in other animal models. Groups of 6 guinea pigs were immunized with vaccines provided by the relevant EU Vaccine Cluster partners. Survival over 17 or 26 weeks was used as the principal measure of vaccine efficacy following aerosol challenge with H37Rv. Counts of mycobacteria in lungs and spleens, and histopathological changes in the lungs, were also used to provide evidence of protection.
A total of 24 vaccines were evaluated in 4 experiments each of a different design. A heterologous prime-boost strategy of DNA and MVA, each expressing Ag85A and a fusion protein of ESAT-6 and Ag85B in adjuvant, protected the guinea pigs to the same extent as BCG. Genetically modified BCG vaccines and boosted BCG strategies also protected guinea pigs to the same extent as BCG but not statistically significantly better. A relatively high aerosol-challenge dose and evaluation over a protracted time post-challenge allowed superior protection over BCG to be demonstrated by BCG boosted with MVA and fowl pox vectors expressing Ag85A.
The STAR Collaboration reports the first observation of exclusive rho(0) photoproduction, AuAu-->AuAurho(0), and rho(0) production accompanied by mutual nuclear Coulomb excitation, ...AuAu-->Au*Au*rho(0), in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The rho(0) have low transverse momenta, consistent with coherent coupling to both nuclei. The cross sections at sqrts(NN)=130 GeV agree with theoretical predictions treating rho(0) production and Coulomb excitation as independent processes.
Previous studies have shown a decrease in serum magnesium (Mg) concentration when continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients previously maintained on a 1.0-1.2 mEq/L Mg peritoneal ...dialysis solution (PDS) were dialyzed with a 0.5 mEq/L Mg PDS. However, the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in CAPD patients dialyzed with low-Mg PDS is unknown.
A retrospective study to determine the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and the factors associated with its occurrence in CAPD patients dialyzed using a 0.5 mEq/L Mg PDS.
A CAPD unit in a large Veterans Affairs Hospital.
All our CAPD patients (33) enrolled over a 52-month period.
All patients had serum magnesium levels higher than 1.25 mEq/L prior to use of low-Mg PDS. Hypomagnesemia (serum Mg < 1.25 mEq/L) developed in 21/33 patients (64%) when a 0.5 mEq/L Mg PDS was employed. Hypomagnesemia developed a mean of 8.2 months after beginning treatments. The duration of dialysis and the number of episodes of peritonitis did not differ between patients with and those without hypomagnesemia. Serum albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with hypomagnesemia (2.5 +/- 0.12 g/dL vs 3.2 +/- 0.12, p < 0.01). Magnesium supplements were given to 13 patients; following this therapy, serum magnesium values became normal.
CAPD patients dialyzed with a 0.5 mEq/L Mg PDS may develop a considerable fall in serum magnesium level and may require magnesium supplements in order to restore normal serum values.
We report the first measurement of charmed-hadron (D0) production via the hadronic decay channel (D0 → K- + π+) in Au + Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV with the STAR experiment. The charm production ...cross section per nucleon-nucleon collision at midrapidity scales with the number of binary collisions, Nbin, from p + p to central Au + Au collisions. The D0 meson yields in central Au + Au collisions are strongly suppressed compared to those in p + p scaled by Nbin, for transverse momenta pT > 3 GeV/c, demonstrating significant energy loss of charm quarks in the hot and dense medium. Here, an enhancement at intermediate pT is also observed. Model calculations including strong charm-medium interactions and coalescence hadronization describe our measurements.
A unified control system for the STAR experiment Gross, J.; McShane, T.S.; Cherney, M.
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States),
02/1994, Letnik:
41, Številka:
1
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
The control system for the STAR experiment at RHIC is presented. The VME-based architecture is described. Reasons for the hardware and software choices are discussed. A significant new application of ...a slow control system (EPICS) to a run control setting is discussed. Interfaces to the detector subsystems are described. The initial implementation of the control systems for the baseline STAR detector is summarized.< >
Results from the STAR TPC system test Betts, W.; Bieser, F.; Bossingham, R. ...
IEEE transactions on nuclear science,
06/1997, Letnik:
44, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
A system test of various components of the Solenoidal Tracker at RHIC (STAR) detector, operating in concert, has recently come on-line. Communication between a major sub-detector, a sector of the ...time projection chamber (TPC), and the trigger, data acquisition and slow controls systems has been established, enabling data from cosmic ray muons to be collected. First results from an analysis of the TPC data are presented. These include measurements of system noise, electronic parameters such as amplifier gains and pedestal values, and tracking resolution for cosmic ray muons and laser induced ionization tracks. A discussion on the experience gained in integrating the different components for the system test is also given.
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