On the nuclear modification factor at RHIC and LHC

We show that pQCD factorization incorporated with pre-hadronization energy-loss effect naturally leads to flatness of the nuclear modification factor RAA$R_{\mathit{AA}}$ for produced hadrons at high transverse momentum pT$p_T$. We consider two possible scenarios for the pre-hadronization: In scenario 1, the produced gluon propagates through dense QCD medium and loses energy. In scenario 2, all gluons first decay to quark–antiquark pairs and then each pair loses energy as propagating through the medium. We show that the estimates of the energy-loss in these two different models lead to very close values and is able to explain the suppression of high-pT$p_T$ hadrons in nucleus–nucleus collisions at RHIC. We show that the onset of the flatness of RAA$R_{\mathit{AA}}$ for the produced hadron in central collisions at midrapidity is about pT≈15$p_T\approx 15$ and 25 GeV at RHIC and the LHC energies, respectively. We show that the smallness (RAA<0.5$R_{\mathit{AA}}<0.5$ ) and the high-pT$p_T$ flatness of RAA$R_{\mathit{AA}}$ obtained from the kT$k_T$ factorization supplemented with the Balitsky–Kovchegov (BK) equation is rather generic and it does not strongly depend on the details of the BK solutions. We show that energy-loss effect reduces the nuclear modification factor obtained from the kT$k_T$ factorization about 30–50% at moderate pT$p_T$.     

Black-body radiation of noncommutative gauge fields

The black-body radiation is considered in a theory with noncommutative electromagnetic fields; that is noncommutativity is introduced in field space, rather than in real space. A direct implication of the result on cosmic microwave background map is argued.     

Spherical Symmetric Gravitational Collapse in Chern-Simon Modified Gravity

This paper is devoted to investigate the gravitational collapse in the framework of Chern-Simon (CS) modified gravity. For this purpose, we assume the spherically symmetric metric as an interior region and the Schwarzchild spacetime is considered as an exterior region of the star. Junction conditions are used to match the interior and exterior spacetimes. In dynamical formulation of CS modified gravity, we take the scalar field Θ as a function of radial parameter r and obtain the solution of the field equations. There arise two cases where in one case the apparent horizon forms first and then singularity while in second case the order of the formation is reversed. It means the first case results a black hole which supports the cosmic censorship hypothesis (CCH). Obviously, the second case yields a naked singularity. Further, we use Junction conditions have to calculate the gravitational mass. In non-dynamical formulation, the canonical choice of scalar field Θ is taken and it is shown that the obtained results of CS modified gravity simply reduce to those of the general relativity (GR). It is worth mentioning here that the results of dynamical case will reduce to those of GR, available in literature, if the scalar field is taken to be constant.     

A Study of Holographic Dark Energy Models in Chern-Simon Modified Gravity

This paper is devoted to study some holographic dark energy models in the context of Chern-Simon modified gravity by considering FRW universe. We analyze the equation of state parameter using Granda and Oliveros infrared cut-off proposal which describes the accelerated expansion of the universe under the restrictions on the parameter α. It is shown that for the accelerated expansion phase \( -1<\omega _{\Lambda }<-\frac {1}{3}\), the parameter α varies according as \(1<\alpha <\frac {3}{2}\). Furthermore, for 0<α<1, the holographic energy and pressure density illustrates phantom-like theory of the evolution when ω_Λ<?1. Also, we discuss the correspondence between the quintessence, K-essence, tachyon and dilaton field models and holographic dark energy models on similar fashion. To discuss the accelerated expansion of the universe, we explore the potential and the dynamics of quintessence, K-essence, tachyon and dilaton field models.     

White matter hyperintensities and dynamics of postural control

Background

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on MRI have been associated with age, cardiovascular risk factors and falls in the elderly. This study evaluated the relationship between WMHs and dynamics of postural control in older adults without history of falls.

Methods

We studied 76 community-living subjects without history of falls (age 64.5±7.3 years). Brain and WMH volume calculations and clinical rating were done on fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) and MP-RAGE MR images on 3 T. Balance was assessed from the center of pressure displacement using the force platform during 3 min of quiet standing using traditional and dynamic measures (using stabilogram-diffusion analysis). Gait speed was measured from 12-min walk.

Results

Age-adjusted periventricular and focal WMHs were associated with changes in certain dynamic balance measures, including reduced range of postural sway in anteroposterior direction (fronto-temporal WMHs, P=.045; parieto-occipital WMHs, P=.009) and more irregular long-term mediolateral fluctuations (P=.046). Normal walking speed was not affected by WMHs.

Conclusions

Periventricular and focal WMHs affect long-term dynamics of postural control, which requires engagement of feedback mechanisms, and may contribute to mobility decline in the elderly.     

Computational study of plasma-assisted photoacoustic response from gold nanoparticles irradiated by off-resonance ultrafast laser

The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are capable of enhancing the incident laser field in the form of scattered near field for even an off-resonance irradiation where the incident laser wavelength is far away from the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). If the intensity of the pulse laser is large enough, this capability can be employed to generate a highly localized free electron (plasma) in the vicinity of the particles. The generated plasma can absorb more energy during the pulse, and this energy deposition can be considered as an energy source for structural mechanics calculations in the surrounding media to generate a photoacoustic (PA) signal. To show this, in this paper, we model plasma-mediated PA pressure wave propagation from a 100-nm AuNPs and the surrounding media irradiated by an ultrashort pulse laser. In this model, the AuNP is immersed in water and the laser pulse width is ranging from 70 fs to 2 ps at the wavelength of 800 nm (off-resonance). Our results qualitatively show the substantial impact of the energy deposition in plasma on the PA signal through boosting the pressure amplitudes up to ～1000 times compared to the conventional approach.     

The effect of porosity on the laser induced damage threshold of TiO2 and ZrO2 single layer films

Monolayer ZrO₂ and TiO₂ films were prepared on BK7 glass by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and were subsequently annealed for 1 h at 300 °C. By using the transmission spectra of two samples and the envelope method, the refractive index dispersion and extinction coefficients have been calculated. Laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) measurement shows that despite slight differences between the extinction coefficients of the two samples, the LIDT parameter of the ZrO₂ film is greater than that of the TiO₂ film. This fact leads us to consider thermal conductivity as an important parameter for interpreting the LIDT difference. According to our theoretical analysis, as a consequence of increase in the number of thermal barriers along poorer film, its thermal conductivity, and hence LIDT, decreased, which is in agreement with our experimental results. The measured porosity of the two samples shows higher porosity for TiO₂ single layer, which is in agreement with atomic force (AFM) images. The gradual and smooth damage morphology of ZrO₂ observed in optical images implies higher thermal conductivity than TiO₂.     

1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of C-phenyl carbamoyl-N-phenyl nitrone with some dialkyl-substituted 2-benzylidenecyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates: theoretical analysis of mechanism and regioselectivity

The regiochemistry of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of C-phenyl carbamoyl-N-phenyl nitrone with some dialkyl-substituted 2-benzylidenecyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylates as dipolarophile was investigated using density functional theory-based reactivity indexes and activation energy calculations at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. Analysis of the geometries and bond orders at the TS structures associated with the different reaction pathways shows that these 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions occur via an asynchronous concerted mechanism. Analysis of the local electrophilicity and nucleophilicity indexes based on Parr functions only for reaction between 1 + 2a and based on Fukui functions only for 1 + 2b gives correct regioselectivity. The theoretical results obtained in the work clearly predict the regiochemistry of the isolated cycloadducts and agree to experimental results.     

Effect of soil properties on radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment

This study evaluated the correlation between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties, and determined the total annual effective dose near an underground geologic repository for transuranic wastes. Soil samples were collected from two historical monitoring areas (Near Field and Cactus Flats). Alpha-particle spectrometry was used for the analysis of ²⁴¹Am, ^239+240Pu and ²³⁸U, while ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra were detected by gamma ray spectrometry. Higher radioactivity concentrations and stronger positive correlations between radioactivity concentrations and soil properties were obtained in Cactus Flats compared to Near Field. The total annual effective dose was lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y^??1.