Challenges in QCD matter physics - The Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment at FAIR

Substantial experimental and theoretical efforts worldwide are devoted to explore the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter. At LHC and top RHIC energies, QCD matter is studied at very high temperatures and nearly vanishing net-baryon densities. There is evidence that a Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) was created at experiments at RHIC and LHC. The transition from the QGP back to the hadron gas is found to be a smooth cross over. For larger net-baryon densities and lower temperatures, it is expected that the QCD phase diagram exhibits a rich structure, such as a first-order phase transition between hadronic and partonic matter which terminates in a critical point, or exotic phases like quarkyonic matter. The discovery of these landmarks would be a breakthrough in our understanding of the strong interaction and is therefore in the focus of various high-energy heavy-ion research programs. The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR will play a unique role in the exploration of the QCD phase diagram in the region of high net-baryon densities, because it is designed to run at unprecedented interaction rates. High-rate operation is the key prerequisite for high-precision measurements of multi-differential observables and of rare diagnostic probes which are sensitive to the dense phase of the nuclear fireball. The goal of the CBM experiment at SIS100 (sqrt(s_NN) = 2.7 - 4.9 GeV) is to discover fundamental properties of QCD matter: the phase structure at large baryon-chemical potentials (mu_B > 500 MeV), effects of chiral symmetry, and the equation-of-state at high density as it is expected to occur in the core of neutron stars. In this article, we review the motivation for and the physics programme of CBM, including activities before the start of data taking in 2022, in the context of the worldwide efforts to explore high-density QCD matter.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures. Published in European Physical Journal

A facility to Search for Hidden Particles (SHiP) at the CERN SPS

A new general purpose fixed target facility is proposed at the CERN SPS accelerator which is aimed at exploring the domain of hidden particles and make measurements with tau neutrinos. Hidden particles are predicted by a large number of models beyond the Standard Model. The high intensity of the SPS 400~GeV beam allows probing a wide variety of models containing light long-lived exotic particles with masses below ${\cal O}$(10)~GeV/c$^2$, including very weakly interacting low-energy SUSY states. The experimental programme of the proposed facility is capable of being extended in the future, e.g. to include direct searches for Dark Matter and Lepton Flavour Violation.Comment: Technical Proposa

Effect of severe plastic deformation realized by rotary swaging on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of near-a-titanium alloy Ti-2.5Al-2.6Zr

The research aims to analyze the impact that severe plastic deformation arising during Rotary Swaging has on mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of a near-a-titanium alloy Ti-2.5Al-2.6Zr (Russian industrial name PT7M). The nature of corrosion decay in fine-grained alloys caused by hot salt corrosion is known to vary from pit corrosion to intercrystalline corrosion at the onset of recrystallization processes. Resistance to hot salt corrosion in a fine-grained titanium alloy Ti-2.5Al-2.6Zr is shown to depend on the structural-phase state of grain boundaries that varies during their migration as a result of covering corrosive doping elements (aluminum, zirconium) distributed in the crystal lattice of a titanium alloy.Comment: 37 pages, 15 figures, 39 reference

Predictors of the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary Syndrome

Purpose of the study. Based on a comprehensive assessment of the state of the cardiovascular system, establish predictors of acute heart failure (OSS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and methods. The study included 73 patients diagnosed with ACS, mean age 63.4 ± 2.0. Of the number of hospitalized men were 56.2% (n = 41), women 43.8% (n = 32). The contribution of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, indices of cardiac electrical activity, the structural and functional state of the myocardium, the severity of coronary artery stenosis from coronary angiography, markers of myocardial damage in the development of acute heart failure. Results of the study. Positive correlations between the development of OSH and duration of pain syndrome (r = 0.494, p <0.05), the interval between the onset of pain syndrome and the onset of antiplatelet therapy (r = 0.315, p <0.05), the degree of stenosis of coronary arteries in proximal (r = 0.455, p <0.05), signs of myocardial hypertrophy of the left ventricle (r = 0.504, p <0.05), the presence of dilatation of the left ventricular cavity (r = 0.552, p <0.05), ejection fraction (r = -0.399, p <0.05), the level of diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.217, p <0.005). An estimate of the relative risk of OCH development depending on the parameters of the studied factors was made. Reliable predictors of OCH development in the studied group of patients were the following factors: left ventricular hypertrophy of OR 1.6 (p <0.0001), intraventricular blockade - OP 2.3 (p <0.0017), troponin indicator of OR 5.4 (p <0.0017), hemodynamically significant stenoses in the proximal regions of left coronary artery and right coronary artery OR 1.4 (p <0.05). The conclusion. Predictors of the risk of OSS development in the group of patients with ACS should be considered for the identification of high-risk groups for the timely decision-making of the tactics of patient management and the choice of adequate therapy.Цель исследования. На основе комплексной оценки состояния сердечно-сосудистой системы установить предикторы острой сердечной недостаточности (ОСН) у больных с острым коронарным синдромом (ОКС). Материалы и методы. В исследование включено 73 пациента с диагнозом “ОКС”, средний возраст 63,4± 2,0. Произведена оценка вклада факторов риска сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний, показателей электрической активности сердца, структурно-функционального состояния миокарда, степени выраженности стеноза коронарных артерий по данным коронароангиографии, маркеров повреждения миокарда в развитие острой сердечной недостаточности. результаты исследования. Выявлены положительные корреляционные взаимосвязи факта развития ОСН и длительностью болевого синдрома (r = 0,494, p<0,05), интервалом между началом болевого синдрома и началом антиагрегантной терапии (r = 0,315, p<0,05), степенью выраженности стеноза в проксимальных отделах левой и правой коронарной артерии (r = 0,455, p<0,05), признаками гипертрофии миокарда левого желудочка (r = 0,504, p<0,05), наличием дилатации полости левого желудочка (r = 0,552, p<0,05), фракцией выброса (r = -0,399, p<0,05), уровнем диастолического артериального давления (r = - 0,217, p<0,005). Произведена оценка относительного риска развития ОСН в зависимости от показателей изучаемых факторов. достоверными предикторами развития ОСН в изучаемой группе больных были следующие факторы – гипертрофия левого желудочка ор 1,6 (p<0,0001), внутрижелудочковые блокады – ОР 2,3 (p<0,0017), показатель величины тропонина I ОР 5,4 (p<0,0017), гемодинамически значимые стенозы в проксимальных отделах левой и правой коронарной артерии ОР 1,4 (p<0,05). Заключение. Предикторы риска развития ОСН у больных с ОКС необходимо учитывать для выделения групп высокого риска для своевременного принятия решения тактики ведения пациента и выбора адекватной терапии

Радиационная обстановка на территории площадки уранового наследия в пади Бамбакай (Забайкальский край)

The article presents the results of a study of the current radiation situation at the uranium legacy site located in the territory of the Bambakai Valley (Transbaikal Territory), formed in the period from 1973 to 1989 due to the discharge of mine water. During the radiation survey, the method of pedestrian gamma survey was used to measure the ambient dose equivalent rate. Soil sampling was carried out to study the radionuclide specific activities in the soil. The activity of gamma-emitting radionuclides in the samples was measured with a stationary gamma spectrometer. The activities of 210Po and 210Pb were measured after their radiochemical extraction from samples. It was found that the values of ambient dose equivalent rate in the territory of the valley varied over the wide range from 0.1 to 1.4 µSv/h in the areas under manmade contamination. The estimated average value of the gamma background for this place is 0.14±0.02 µSv/h. The specific activities of 238U, 226Ra, 235U, 210Pb and 210Po in the surface 10-cm soil layer at the site are from 10-40 times higher than the background values. The most part of radionuclides in the soil is in the acid-soluble form. Effective doses of the workers involved in hay harvesting in the area of the fallow land do not exceed 1.5 µSv/year. Doses of terrestrial environmental media (grass, earthworms) are 100 and more times lower than the safe level of exposure to biota.В статье приводятся результаты исследования современной радиационной обстановки на площадке уранового наследия, расположенной на территории пади Бамбакай (Забайкальский край), образовавшейся в период с 1973 по 1989 г. из-за сброса шахтных вод. При радиационном обследовании для измерения мощности амбиентного эквивалента дозы использовался метод пешеходной гамма-съемки. Для исследования удельной активности радионуклидов в почве проводился отбор проб. Активность гамма-излучающих радионуклидов в пробах измерялась на стационарном гамма-спектрометре. Измерение активности 210Po и 210Pb проводилось после их радиохимического выделения из проб. Установлено, что значения мощности амбиентного эквивалента дозы на территории пади варьируются в широком диапазоне от 0,1 до 1,4 мкЗв/ч на участках с техногенным загрязнением. Оцененное среднее значение гамма-фона для данной местности составляет 0,14±0,02 мкЗв/ч. Удельная активность 238U, 226Ra, 235U, 210Pb и 210Po в поверхностном 10-сантиметровом слое почвы на локальных загрязненных участках территории в 10–40 раз выше фоновых значений. Большая часть радионуклидов в почве находится в кислоторастворимой форме. Эффективные дозы облучения работников, проводящих заготовку сена на территории пади, не превышают 1,5 мкЗв/год. Дозы облучения наземных биообъектов (трава, дождевые черви) ниже безопасного уровня облучения биоты в 100 и более раз

Investigations of Structural-Functional Aspects of Epizootic Process in Natural Plague Foci in Siberia

Comprehensively studied have been structural elements of ecosystems of Siberian natural plague foci, as well as levels of integration among epizootic process components, and ways of their functional interaction. Application of the complex approach to the surveillance over structural-functional elements of the parasitic system along with investigations of epizootic process dynamics has provided for identification of peculiarities as regards epizootics development, transformation and evolution of population and carrier/vector coenosis structure in time and space. Revealed is the genetic diversity of plague microbe circulating within the bounds of separate foci and zones of focality. Determined is a long-lasting anti-epidemic effect (more than 20 years) of the field desinsection in the Saglinsk meso-focus of the Tuva natural plague focus

Measurement of associated charm production induced by 400 GeV/c protons

An important input for the interpretation of the measurements of the SHiP ex- periment is a good knowledge of the differential charm production cross section, including cascade production. This is a proposal to measure the associated charm production cross section, employing the SPS 400 GeV/c proton beam and a replica of the first two interaction lengths of the SHiP target. The detection of the produc- tion and decay of charmed hadron in the target will be performed through nuclear emulsion films, employed in an Emulsion Cloud Chamber target structure. In order to measure charge and momentum of decay daughters, we intend to build a mag- netic spectrometer using silicon pixel, scintillating fibre and drift tube detectors. A muon tagger will be built using RPCs. An optimization run is scheduled in 2018, while the full measurement will be performed after the second LHC Long Shutdown

A facility to Search for Hidden Particles (SHiP) at the CERN SPS

A new general purpose fixed target facility is proposed at the CERN SPS accelerator which is aimed at exploring the domain of hidden particles and make measurements with tau neutrinos. Hidden particles are predicted by a large number of models beyond the Standard Model. The high intensity of the SPS 400~GeV beam allows probing a wide variety of models containing light long-lived exotic particles with masses below ${\cal O}$(10)~GeV/c$^2$, including very weakly interacting low-energy SUSY states. The experimental programme of the proposed facility is capable of being extended in the future, e.g. to include direct searches for Dark Matter and Lepton Flavour Violation

First Measurement of the |t| Dependence of Incoherent J/ψ Photonuclear Production

The first measurement of the cross section for incoherent photonuclear production of J/ψ vector mesons as a function of the Mandelstam |t| variable is presented. The measurement was carried out with the ALICE detector at midrapidity, |y|&lt;0.8, using ultraperipheral collisions of Pb nuclei at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN=5.02 TeV. This rapidity interval corresponds to a Bjorken-x range (0.3-1.4)×10-3. Cross sections are given in five |t| intervals in the range 0.04&lt;|t|&lt;1 GeV2 and compared to the predictions by different models. Models that ignore quantum fluctuations of the gluon density in the colliding hadron predict a |t| dependence of the cross section much steeper than in data. The inclusion of such fluctuations in the same models provides a better description of the data