Identified hadron compositions in p+p and Au+Au collisions at high transverse momenta at √S(NN)=200 GeV

We report transverse momentum (p(T)≤15  GeV/c) spectra of π(±), K(±), p, p[over ¯], K(S)(0), and ρ(0) at midrapidity in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √S(NN)=200  GeV. Perturbative QCD calculations are consistent with π(±) spectra in p+p collisions but do not reproduce K and p(p[over ¯]) spectra. The observed decreasing antiparticle-to-particle ratios with increasing p(T) provide experimental evidence for varying quark and gluon jet contributions to high-p(T) hadron yields. The relative hadron abundances in Au+Au at p(T)≳8  GeV/c are measured to be similar to the p+p results, despite the expected Casimir effect for parton energy loss.

Strangeness enhancement in Cu-Cu and Au-Au collisions at √S(NN)=200 GeV

We report new STAR measurements of midrapidity yields for the Λ, Λ[over ¯], K(S)(0), Ξ(-), Ξ[over ¯](+), Ω(-), Ω[over ¯](+) particles in Cu+Cu collisions at √S(NN)==200  GeV, and midrapidity yields for the Λ, Λ[over ¯], K(S)(0) particles in Au+Au at √S(NN)==200  GeV. We show that, at a given number of participating nucleons, the production of strange hadrons is higher in Cu+Cu collisions than in Au+Au collisions at the same center-of-mass energy. We find that aspects of the enhancement factors for all particles can be described by a parametrization based on the fraction of participants that undergo multiple collisions.

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Novel metal based anti-tuberculosis agent: synthesis, characterization, catalytic and pharmacological activities of copper complexes

Copper complexes of molecular formulae, [CuL(1)(OAc)], [CuL(2)(H(2)O)], [CuL(3)(H(2)O)], [CuL(4)(H(2)O)], [CuL(5)(H(2)O)] where L(1)-L(5) represents Schiff base ligands [by the condensation of 3-hydroxyflavone with 4-aminoantipyrine (L(1))/o-aminophenol (L(2))/o-aminobenzoic acid (L(3))/o-aminothiazole (L(4))/thiosemicarbazide (L(5))], have been prepared. They were characterized using analytical and spectral techniques. The DNA binding properties of copper complexes were studied using electronic absorption spectra and viscosity measurements. Superoxide dismutase and antioxidant activities of the copper complexes have also been studied. Furthermore, the copper complexes have been found to promote pUC18 DNA cleavage in the presence of oxidant. Anti-tuberculosis activity was also performed.

Essential requirement of cytochrome c release for caspase activation by procaspase-activating compound defined by cellular models

Mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt. c) release and caspase activation are often impaired in tumors with Bcl-2 overexpression or Bax and Bak-defective status. Direct triggering of cell death downstream of Bax and Bak is an attractive strategy to kill such cancers. Small molecule compounds capable of direct caspase activation appear to be the best mode for killing such tumors. However, there is no precise model to screen such compounds. The currently employed cell-free systems possess the inherent drawback of lacking cellular contents and organelles that operate in integrating cell death signaling. We have developed highly refined cell-based approaches to validate direct caspase activation in cancer cells. Using this approach, we show that PAC-1 (first procaspase-activating compound), the first direct activator of procaspases identified in a cell-free system, in fact requires mitochondrial cyt. c release for triggering caspase activation similar to other antitumor agents. It can induce significant caspase activation and cell death in the absence of Bax and Bak, and in cells overexpressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. This study for the first time defines precise criteria for the validation of direct caspase-activating compounds using specialized cellular models that is expected to accelerate the discovery of potential direct caspase activators.

Thyroid function at diagnosis of type I diabetes

BACKGROUND

National guidelines recommend that thyroid function is assessed at diagnosis of type I diabetes (TIDM) and annually thereafter. This paper reports an audit of thyroid surveillance in accordance with this guideline.

PATIENTS

110 patients (66 males), median age 11.3 (1.2-15.7) years at diagnosis of TIDM, were monitored for 2.3 (0.7-4.2) years.

RESULTS

21/110 (19.0%) patients had abnormal thyroid function at diagnosis of TIDM. Of these, 16 had normal thyroid function on reassessment after 45 (3-540) days. Abnormalities of thyroid function occurred more commonly in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) than those who did not have DKA (9/29, 31.0% vs 12/81, 14.8%, p<0.025). At the end of the observation period, five (4.5%) patients had minor abnormalities of thyroid function not requiring treatment and three (2.7%) were treated.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient abnormalities of thyroid function are common at diagnosis of TIDM, and therefore, thyroid hormones should not be measured at this time.

Development of a compact fast CCD camera and resonant soft x-ray scattering endstation for time-resolved pump-probe experiments

The designs of a compact, fast CCD (cFCCD) camera, together with a resonant soft x-ray scattering endstation, are presented. The cFCCD camera consists of a highly parallel, custom, thick, high-resistivity CCD, readout by a custom 16-channel application specific integrated circuit to reach the maximum readout rate of 200 frames per second. The camera is mounted on a virtual-axis flip stage inside the RSXS chamber. When this flip stage is coupled to a differentially pumped rotary seal, the detector assembly can rotate about 100°/360° in the vertical/horizontal scattering planes. With a six-degrees-of-freedom cryogenic sample goniometer, this endstation has the capability to detect the superlattice reflections from the electronic orderings showing up in the lower hemisphere. The complete system has been tested at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and has been used in multiple experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Genetic analysis of post-mating reproductive barriers in hybridizing European Populus species

Molecular genetic analyses of experimental crosses provide important information on the strength and nature of post-mating barriers to gene exchange between divergent populations, which are topics of great interest to evolutionary geneticists and breeders. Although not a trivial task in long-lived organisms such as trees, experimental interspecific recombinants can sometimes be created through controlled crosses involving natural F(1)'s. Here, we used this approach to understand the genetics of post-mating isolation and barriers to introgression in Populus alba and Populus tremula, two ecologically divergent, hybridizing forest trees. We studied 86 interspecific backcross (BC(1)) progeny and >350 individuals from natural populations of these species for up to 98 nuclear genetic markers, including microsatellites, indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms, and inferred the origin of the cytoplasm of the cross with plastid DNA. Genetic analysis of the BC(1) revealed extensive segregation distortions on six chromosomes, and >90% of these (12 out of 13) favored P. tremula donor alleles in the heterospecific genomic background. Since selection was documented during early diploid stages of the progeny, this surprising result was attributed to epistasis, cyto-nuclear coadaptation, heterozygote advantage at nuclear loci experiencing introgression or a combination of these. Our results indicate that gene flow across 'porous' species barriers affects these poplars and aspens beyond neutral, Mendelian expectations and suggests the mechanisms responsible. Contrary to expectations, the Populus sex determination region is not protected from introgression. Understanding the population dynamics of the Populus sex determination region will require tests based on natural interspecific hybrid zones.

Correlation of MR relative cerebral blood volume measurements with cellular density and proliferation in high-grade gliomas: an image-guided biopsy study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As newer MR imaging techniques are used to assist with tumor grading, biopsy planning, and therapeutic response assessment, there is a need to relate the imaging characteristics to underlying pathologic processes. The aim of this study was to see how rCBV, a known marker of tumor vascularity, relates to cellular packing attenuation and cellular proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine patients with histologically proved high-grade gliomas and 1 with a supratentorial PNET requiring an image-guided biopsy were recruited. Patients underwent a DSC study. The rCBV at the intended biopsy sites was determined by using a histogram measure to derive the mean, maximum, and 75th centile and 90th centile values. This measure was correlated with histologic markers of the MIB-1 labeling index (as a marker of glioma cell proliferation) and the total number of neoplastic cells in a high-power field (cellular packing attenuation).

RESULTS

There was a good correlation between rCBV and MIB-1 by using all the measures of rCBV. The mean rCBV provided the best results (r = 0.66, P < .001). The only correlation with cellular packing attenuation was with the 90% centile (rCBV(90%), r = 0.36, P = .03). The increase in rCBV could be seen over 1 cm from the edge of enhancement in 4/10 cases, and at 2 cm in 1/10.

CONCLUSIONS

rCBV correlated with cellular proliferation in high-grade gliomas but not with cellular packing attenuation. The increase in rCBV extended beyond the contrast-enhancing region in 50% of our patients.

Measurement of the parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetry for W± boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating single-spin asymmetries for midrapidity decay positrons and electrons from W+ and W- boson production in longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured asymmetries, A(L)(W+) = -0.27 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.03(norm.) and A(L)(W-) = 0.14 ± 0.19(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.01(norm.), are consistent with theory predictions, which are large and of opposite sign. These predictions are based on polarized quark and antiquark distribution functions constrained by polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.

The prevalence and management of epilepsy in secondary school pupils with and without special educational needs

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this paper were to (i) determine the prevalence of epilepsy (including the various epilepsies and epilepsy syndromes) in a secondary school population; and (ii) compare the management of epilepsy between secondary school pupils with and without special educational needs.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study of a 250, 000 population (West Cheshire Health District). Pupils attending secondary school with epilepsy over a 1-year period were identified from the local Child Health Computer, school nurse and DGH records. Health records were examined to determine the prevalence, characteristics and management of the epilepsy, and the presence of any special educational needs, other learning difficulties or physical disability.

RESULTS

The prevalence of epilepsy was 4.1 per 1000, being 10 times higher among adolescents who had special educational needs. Pupils with epilepsy and special educational needs had more poorly controlled epilepsy, but did not have a higher number of focal seizures nor were they taking a greater number of anti-epileptic drugs. A physical disability occurred five times more often in those with special educational needs and epilepsy. While epilepsy in pupils at mainstream school without special educational needs was better controlled, one-fifth of these subjects had poorly controlled epilepsy and a few also had physical disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Epilepsy is more challenging to control in adolescents with special educational needs attending special schools. However, some pupils in mainstream secondary schools had poorly controlled epilepsy even when they did not have recognized special educational needs. Health and education professionals working across the range of secondary school environments need to be able to support pupils with challenging epilepsy, many of whom will also have special educational needs and some a physical disability, as an increasing number of adolescents with these difficulties are being placed in mainstream schools.

Measurement of the bottom quark contribution to nonphotonic electron production in p + p collisions at √s=200 GeV

The contribution of B meson decays to nonphotonic electrons, which are mainly produced by the semileptonic decays of heavy-flavor mesons, in p + p collisions at √s=200  GeV has been measured using azimuthal correlations between nonphotonic electrons and hadrons. The extracted B decay contribution is approximately 50% at a transverse momentum of pT≥5  GeV/c. These measurements constrain the nuclear modification factor for electrons from B and D meson decays. The result indicates that B meson production in heavy ion collisions is also suppressed at high pT.

Potentially inappropriate medication use in elderly patients: a study of prevalence and predictors in two teaching hospitals

BACKGROUND

Geriatrics is an emerging clinical specialty in India. Information about the appropriateness of prescription medication use among the elderly in India is limited.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence and predictors of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, and assess the relationship between PIM use and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the hospitalized elderly.

SETTINGS

Medicine wards at two teaching hospitals.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged > 60 years admitted to medicine wards between January 2008 and June 2009 were included and reviewed for PIM use according to the Beers Criteria 2003 (BC). Severity of PIM use was classified as per BC as 'high' or 'low'. ADRs observed in the study patients were also recorded.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Association between ADRs and PIM use was assessed using Chi Square test. Bivariate analysis and subsequently multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of PIM use.

RESULTS

PIM use was observed in 191 of 814 enrolled patients. At least one PIM at admission and during hospital stay was received by 2.4% (20) and 22.1% (180) patients respectively. High-severity PIM use showed a higher prevalence compared to low severity [26.8% (218) vs. 5.5% (45)]. Amongst the patients who received polypharmacy (> or = 5 concurrent medications), 1.4% (5/362) and 22.1% (163/736) patients received PIMs at admission and during hospital stay respectively. Use of aspirin/clopidogrel/diclofenac in the presence of blood clotting disorder or anticoagulant therapy (8.3%) was the most commonly encountered PIM use. Medications not listed in BC were associated with increased occurrence of ADRs compared to medications listed in BC (349 vs. 11) (chi2 =98.4, P<0.001). Increased number of concurrent medications' use (> or = 9) during the stay in medicine wards was identified as an influential predictor of PIM use [Odds ratio: 1.9, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.34-2.69, P<0.001) in the hospitalized elderly.

CONCLUSION

PIM use was common (23.5%) among the elderly patients during their stay in medicine wards in two tertiary care hospitals. Measures targeted only at BC medications may do little to change the risk of ADRs in elderly.

Higher moments of net proton multiplicity distributions at RHIC

We report the first measurements of the kurtosis (κ), skewness (S), and variance (σ2) of net-proton multiplicity (Np-Np) distributions at midrapidity for Au+Au collisions at square root of s(NN)=19.6, 62.4, and 200 GeV corresponding to baryon chemical potentials (μB) between 200 and 20 MeV. Our measurements of the products κσ2 and Sσ, which can be related to theoretical calculations sensitive to baryon number susceptibilities and long-range correlations, are constant as functions of collision centrality. We compare these products with results from lattice QCD and various models without a critical point and study the square root of s(NN) dependence of κσ2. From the measurements at the three beam energies, we find no evidence for a critical point in the QCD phase diagram for μB below 200 MeV.

Three-particle coincidence of the long range pseudorapidity correlation in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions

We report the first three-particle coincidence measurement in pseudorapidity (Δη) between a high transverse momentum (p⊥) trigger particle and two lower p⊥ associated particles within azimuth |Δϕ|<0.7 in square root of s(NN)=200 GeV d+Au and Au+Au collisions. Charge ordering properties are exploited to separate the jetlike component and the ridge (long range Δη correlation). The results indicate that the correlation of ridge particles are uniform not only with respect to the trigger particle but also between themselves event by event in our measured Δη. In addition, the production of the ridge appears to be uncorrelated to the presence of the narrow jetlike component.

Activity of phosphoglycerate mutase and its isoenzymes in serum after acute myocardial infarction

Aims/background-In humans there are three phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM, EC 5.4.12.1) isoenzymes (MM, MB and BB) which have similar distribution and developmental pathways to creatine kinase (CK, EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes. Total serum PGM activity increases in acute myocardial infarction with the same time course as creatine kinase activity. The present study was undertaken to determine changes in the activity of PGM and its isoenzymes after acute myocardial infarction.Methods-PGM activity was measured spectrophotometrically, by coupling the formation of 2-phosphoglycerate from 3-phosphoglycerate with enolase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase catalysed reactions. Inter- and intra-assay reproducibility was assessed. PGM isoenzyme activities were measured using cellulose acetate electrophoresis.Results-Total PGM activity in serum was increased in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. PGM activity peaked 12 to 24 hours after the onset of symptoms and returned to normal values within 48 hours. Electrophoretic analysis of serum from healthy subjects showed a band corresponding to BB-PGM and two other artefactual bands that did not correspond to adenylate kinase. After myocardial infarction, BB-PGM activity increased and MB-PGM and MM-PGM could be detected. On immunoblot analysis, normal serum contained an inactive form of MM-PGM with a smaller molecular weight than that of PGM tissue isoenzymes.Conclusions-Total serum PGM activity increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction, following the same temporal course as creatine kinase activity. The increase in MM-PGM and MB-PGM activities in these patients was not as high as expected. It is suggested that PGM isoenzymes, after release into the blood, undergo postsynthetic, probably proteolytic, transformation.

Thalamic integrity underlies executive dysfunction in traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the effects of traumatic brain injury on integrity of thalamocortical projection fibers and to evaluate whether damage to these fibers accounts for impairments in executive function in chronic traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

High-resolution (voxel size: 0.78 mm x 0.78 mm x 3 mm(3)) diffusion tensor MRI of the thalamus was conducted on 24 patients with a history of single, closed-head traumatic brain injury (TBI) (12 each of mild TBI and moderate to severe TBI) and 12 age- and education-matched controls. Detailed neuropsychological testing with an emphasis on executive function was also conducted. Fractional anisotropy was extracted from 12 regions of interest in cortical and corpus callosum structures and 7 subcortical regions of interest (anterior, ventral anterior, ventral lateral, dorsomedial, ventral posterior lateral, ventral posterior medial, and pulvinar thalamic nuclei).

RESULTS

Relative to controls, patients with a history of brain injury showed reductions in fractional anisotropy in both the anterior and posterior corona radiata, forceps major, the body of the corpus callosum, and fibers identified from seed voxels in the anterior and ventral anterior thalamic nuclei. Fractional anisotropy from cortico-cortico and corpus callosum regions of interest did not account for significant variance in neuropsychological function. However, fractional anisotropy from the thalamic seed voxels did account for variance in executive function, attention, and memory.

CONCLUSIONS

The data provide preliminary evidence that traumatic brain injury and resulting diffuse axonal injury results in damage to the thalamic projection fibers and is of clinical relevance to cognition.

Azimuthal charged-particle correlations and possible local strong parity violation

Parity-odd domains, corresponding to nontrivial topological solutions of the QCD vacuum, might be created during relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the system's orbital momentum axis. We investigate a three-particle azimuthal correlator which is a P even observable, but directly sensitive to the charge separation effect. We report measurements of charged hadrons near center-of-mass rapidity with this observable in Au + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at square root of s(NN) = 200 GeV using the STAR detector. A signal consistent with several expectations from the theory is detected. We discuss possible contributions from other effects that are not related to parity violation.

A real-time prostate cancer detection technique using needle insertion force and patient-specific criteria during percutaneous intervention

In this article, the authors present a novel real-time cancer detection technique by using needle insertion forces in conjunction with patient-specific criteria during percutaneous interventions. Needle insertion experiments and pathological analysis were performed for developing a computer-aided detection (CAD) model. Backward stepwise regression method was performed to identify the statistically significant patient-specific factors. A baseline force model was then developed using these significant factors. The threshold force model that estimated the lower bound of the cancerous tissue forces was formulated by adding an adjustable classifier to the baseline force model. Tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity was obtained by varying the threshold value of the classifier, from which the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated. Sequential quadratic programming was used to optimize the CAD model by maximizing the area under the ROC curve (AUC) using a set of model-training patient data. When the CAD model was evaluated using an independent set of model-validation patient data, an AUC of 0.90 was achieved. The feasibility of cancer detection in real time during percutaneous interventions was established.

Growth of long range forward-backward multiplicity correlations with centrality in Au + Au collisions at square root of sNN = 200 GeV

Forward-backward multiplicity correlation strengths have been measured with the STAR detector for Au + Au and p + p collisions at square root of s(NN) = 200 GeV. Strong short- and long-range correlations (LRC) are seen in central Au + Au collisions. The magnitude of these correlations decrease with decreasing centrality until only short-range correlations are observed in peripheral Au + Au collisions. Both the dual parton model (DPM) and the color glass condensate (CGC) predict the existence of the long-range correlations. In the DPM, the fluctuation in the number of elementary (parton) inelastic collisions produces the LRC. In the CGC, longitudinal color flux tubes generate the LRC. The data are in qualitative agreement with the predictions of the DPM and indicate the presence of multiple parton interactions.

A real-time prostate cancer detection technique using needle insertion force and patient-specific criteria during percutaneous intervention

In this article, the authors present a novel real-time cancer detection technique by using needle insertion forces in conjunction with patient-specific criteria during percutaneous interventions. Needle insertion experiments and pathological analysis were performed for developing a computer-aided detection (CAD) model. Backward stepwise regression method was performed to identify the statistically significant patient-specific factors. A baseline force model was then developed using these significant factors. The threshold force model that estimated the lower bound of the cancerous tissue forces was formulated by adding an adjustable classifier to the baseline force model. Trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was obtained by varying the threshold value of the classifier, from which the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated. Sequential quadratic programming was used to optimize the CAD model by maximizing the area under the ROC curve (AUC) using a set of model-training patient data. When the CAD model was evaluated using an independent set of model-validation patient data, an AUC of 0.90 was achieved. The feasibility of cancer detection in real time during percutaneous interventions was established.

K/pi Fluctuations at relativistic energies

We report K/pi fluctuations from Au + Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]= 19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. K/pi fluctuations in central collisions show little dependence on incident energy and are on the same order as those from NA49 at the Super Proton Synchrotron in central Pb + Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=12.3 and 17.3 GeV. We report results for the collision centrality dependence of K/pi fluctuations and results for charge-separated fluctuations. We observe that the K/pi fluctuations scale with the charged particle multiplicity density.

Antifungal Activities of Copper(II) with Biosensitive Macrocyclic Schiff Base Ligands Derived from 4-Aminoantipyrine Derivatives

Novel copper(II) complexes have been synthesized from the macrocyclic Schiff bases derived from Knoevenagel condensed β-ketoanilides (obtained by the condensation of acetoacetanilide and substituted benzaldehydes), 4-aminoantipyrine and o-phenylene diamine. The structural features have been determined from their analytical and spectral data. All the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar geometry. Their high molar conductance values support their 1: 2 electrolytic nature. The magnetic moment data provide evidence for the monomeric nature of the complexes. The X-band ESR spectra of the [CuL(1)](OAc)2 in DMSO solution at 300 and 77 K were recorded and their salient features are reported. The in vitro biological screening effects of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola and Candida albicans by well diffusion method. A comparative study of inhibition values of the Schiff bases and their complexes indicate that complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than the Schiff bases. Copper ions proved to be essential for the growth-inhibitor effect. The extent of inhibition appeared to be strongly dependent on the initial cell density and on the growth medium.

Observation of two-source interference in the photoproduction reaction AuAu --> AuAurho0

In ultraperipheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions, a photon from the electromagnetic field of one nucleus can fluctuate to a quark-antiquark pair and scatter from the other nucleus, emerging as a rho{0}. The rho{0} production occurs in two well-separated (median impact parameters of 20 and 40 F for the cases considered here) nuclei, so the system forms a two-source interferometer. At low transverse momenta, the two amplitudes interfere destructively, suppressing rho{0} production. Since the rho{0} decays before the production amplitudes from the two sources can overlap, the two-pion system can only be described with an entangled nonlocal wave function, and is thus an example of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox. We observe this suppression in 200 GeV per nucleon-pair gold-gold collisions. The interference is 87%+/-5%(stat.)+/-8%(syst.) of the expected level. This translates into a limit on decoherence due to wave function collapse or other factors of 23% at the 90% confidence level.

Indications of conical emission of charged hadrons at the BNL relativistic heavy ion collider

Three-particle azimuthal correlation measurements with a high transverse momentum trigger particle are reported for pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV by the STAR experiment. Dijet structures are observed in pp, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions. An additional structure is observed in central Au+Au data, signaling conical emission of correlated charged hadrons. The conical emission angle is found to be theta=1.37+/-0.02(stat)-0.07+0.06(syst), independent of p_{ perpendicular}.