The global polarization of Λ hyperons along the total orbital angular momentum of a relativistic heavy-ion collision is presented based on the high statistics data samples collected in Au+Au ...collisions at sNN=2.4 GeV and Ag+Ag at 2.55 GeV with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI, Darmstadt. This is the first measurement below the strangeness production threshold in nucleon-nucleon collisions. Results are reported as a function of the collision centrality as well as a function of the hyperon's transverse momentum (pT) and rapidity (yCM) for the range of centrality 0–40%. We observe a strong centrality dependence of the polarization with an increasing signal towards peripheral collisions. For mid-central (20 – 40%) collisions the polarization magnitudes are 〈PΛ〉(%)=6.8±1.3(stat.)±2.1(syst.) for Au+Au and 〈PΛ〉(%)=6.2±0.4(stat.)±0.6(syst.) for Ag+Ag, which are the largest values observed so far. This observation thus provides a continuation of the increasing trend previously observed by STAR and contrasts expectations from recent theoretical calculations predicting a maximum in the region of collision energies about 3 GeV. The observed polarization is of a similar magnitude as predicted by 3D-fluid-dynamics and the UrQMD plus thermal vorticity model and significantly above results from the AMPT model.
Extensive use of sensorimotor properties has been shown to lead to use-dependent plasticity in the human motor cortex as well as sensory areas. The sensory consequences of these cortical changes, ...however, remain widely unclear. We were interested whether job-related long-term haptic training is measurable in terms of changes in
haptic
perception (active touch exploration) in manual physiotherapists (PT). To that end, the haptic thresholds of PT (students and employed) and registered osteopathic manual therapists (OMT; PT with postgraduate specialization) were measured and compared to age- and sex-matched control groups. Additionally, tactile acuity (passive static touch) was assessed using grating domes. PT and OMT had superior mean haptic thresholds compared to the control group, suggesting an increase in sensitivity through use. An age-related decline in haptic perception capacity occurred only in the control group, suggesting that the job-related training of the manual therapist groups may have slowed their age-related decline. Contrary to our expectation, we found significantly poorer mean haptic threshold results in the PT student group than for the controls. No significant differences or changes in tactile acuity were found for any of the groups (students and professional). The present results demonstrate use-dependent plasticity in manual therapists. Furthermore, the results underline the known effect of a superior discrimination ability of haptic as opposed to tactile perception.
A feasibility study has been performed in order to investigate the performance of the HADES detector to measure the electromagnetic decays of the hyperon resonances
Σ
(
1385
)
0
,
Λ
(
1405
)
and
...Λ
(
1520
)
as well as the production of double strange baryon systems
Ξ
-
and
Λ
Λ
in p + p reactions at a beam kinetic energy of
4.5
GeV
. The existing HADES detector will be upgraded by a new Forward Detector, which extends the detector acceptance into a range of polar angles that plays a crucial role for these investigations. The analysis of each channel is preceded by a consideration of the production cross-sections. Afterwards the expected signal count rates using a target consisting of either liquid hydrogen or polyethylene are summarized.
Hadron production (
π
±
, proton,
Λ
,
K
S
0
,
K
±
) in
π
-
+
C
and
π
-
+
W
collisions is investigated at an incident pion beam momentum of
1.7
GeV
/
c
. This comprehensive set of data measured with ...HADES at SIS18/GSI significantly extends the existing world data on hadron production in pion induced reactions and provides a new reference for models that are commonly used for the interpretation of heavy-ion collisions. The measured inclusive differential production cross-sections are compared with state-of-the-art transport model (GiBUU, SMASH) calculations. The (semi-) exclusive channel
π
-
+
A
→
Λ
+
K
S
0
+
X
, in which the kinematics of the strange hadrons are correlated, is also investigated and compared to a model calculation. Agreement and remaining tensions between data and the current version of the considered transport models are discussed.
This paper describes the methodology and results obtained from performing a rigorous space qualification of European microwave GaN technology for the European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass mission. This ...is the first time European GaN technology has been qualified for an ESA mission and represents a major breakthrough in the maturity and application readiness of this technology. The work has involved developing hermetic packaging solutions and performing extensive mechanical, assembly, endurance and space operating environmental tests to ensure the components are capable of satisfying the Biomass mission requirements.
•European GaN microwave transistors space qualified for the first time•Methodology based on a combination of ECSS Q-ST-60-12C and ESCC 5010 standards•Successful completion of endurance, radiation, corona and multipaction tests•15 W and 80 W hermetically packaged transistors used to realise ESA Biomass SSPA
Background Onychomycosis is a common problem. Obtaining a positive laboratory test before treatment is important in clinical practice because the treatment of onychomycosis requires expensive oral ...antifungal therapy with potentially serious side‐effects.
Objective The purpose of this study was to compare curettage and subungual drilling techniques of nail sampling in the diagnosis of onychomycosis.
Methods We evaluated 194 patients suffering from distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis and lateral subungual onychomycosis using curettage and subungual drilling sampling techniques. Nail samples were obtained in each case from proximal, medial and distal parts of the nail. KOH examination and fungal culture were used for detection and identification of fungal infection.
Results With each technique, the culture sensitivity improved as the location of the sample was more proximal (drilling proximal vs. distal, χ2 = 5.15, P = 0.023; curettage proximal vs. distal, χ2 = 4.2, P = 0.041). In each sample location, the drilling technique has a better culture sensitivity (drilling vs. curettage proximal, χ2 = 11.9, P = 0.001; drill vs. curettage distal, χ2 = 13.7, P < 0.0001). Trichophyton rubrum was by far the most common pathogen detected by both techniques from all sampling sites.
Conclusion The drilling technique was found to be statistically better than curettage at each site of sampling. With each technique, we found that the culture sensitivity improved as the location of the sample was more proximal. More types of pathogens were detected in samples taken by both methods from proximal parts of the affected nails.
Summary
Background. Fungal infection of the nail affects millions of people worldwide, and has an estimated prevalence of about 10% of the general population. Laboratory confirmation of fungal ...infection is currently accepted as a requirement before initiation of antifungal treatment in clinical practice.
Aim. To examine the rationale for systemic treatment in cases of clinical onychomycosis with negative results on fungal examination (potassium hydroxide test and fungal culture).
Methods. In total, 147 patients with suspected clinical toenail onychomycosis but with negative results on fungal examination underwent up to three consecutive fungal examinations of the affected nails. Patients who were negative after these examinations underwent a fourth set of investigations, including PCR.
Results. Of the 147 cases initially thought to be negative, 138 (94%) were rated as positive after up to four consecutive sets of laboratory mycological investigations including PCR. Trichophyton rubrum was by far the commonest dermatophyte cultured from all samples.
Conclusions. In the majority of cases of initially negative examinations, consecutive laboratory fungal tests will eventually produce positive results. These findings suggest that systemic antifungal treatment should be started in patients with suspected fungal infections, even if they have negative laboratory fungal examinations.
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