Scan Program Research Articles

An appropriate statistical approach for non-equilibrium particle production

The incapability of thermal models to accurately reproduce the horn-like structure of the Kaon-to-pion ratio measured at AGS, SPS, and low RHIC energies, as well as confirmed in the beam energy scan program, has long been a persistent problem. This issue is believed to have arisen due to the inappropriate application of statistics, particularly the extensive additive Boltzmann–Gibbs (BG) statistics. The assumption that the analysis of particle production, a dynamic non-equilibrium process, should be primarily conducted using extensive BG or non-extensive Tsallis statistics, has proven to be an unsuccessful approach that has been followed for several decades. By employing generic (non)extensive statistics, two equivalence classes [Formula: see text] emerge, thereby undermining the validity of any ad hoc assumption. Consequently, the degree of (non)extensivity exhibited by the statistical ensemble is determined by its own characteristics. This encompasses both extensive BG statistics, characterized by [Formula: see text], and non-extensive Tsallis statistics, characterized by [Formula: see text]. The energy dependence of light-, [Formula: see text], and strange-quark occupation factor, [Formula: see text], suggests that the produced particles are most appropriately described as a non-equilibrium ensemble. This is evidenced by a remarkable non-monotonic behavior observed in the [Formula: see text] horn, for instance. On the other hand, the resulting equivalence classes [Formula: see text] are associated with a generic non-extensivity related to extended exponential and Lambert-[Formula: see text] exponentially generating distribution function, which evidently arise from free, short- and long-range correlations. The incorporation of generic non-extensive statistics into the hadron resonance gas model yields an impressive ability to rightfully reproduce the non-monotonic [Formula: see text] ratio.

The QCD phase diagram and Beam Energy Scan physics: A theory overview

We review recent theoretical developments relevant to heavy-ion experiments carried out within the Beam Energy Scan program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Our main focus is on the description of the dynamics of systems created in heavy-ion collisions and establishing the necessary connection between the experimental observables and the QCD phase diagram.

Bulk medium properties of heavy-ion collisions from the beam energy scan with a multistage hydrodynamic model

I introduce a method to reconstruct full rapidity distributions of charged particle multiplicity and net proton yields, crucial for constraining the longitudinal dynamics of nuclear matter created in the beam energy scan program. Employing rapidity distributions within a multistage hydrodynamic model calibrated for Au+Au collisions at sNN=7.7–200GeV, I estimate the total energy and baryon number deposited into the collision fireball, offering insights into initial dynamics and the identification of nuclear remnants. I explore the potential of rapidity-dependent measurements in probing equations of state at finite chemical potentials. Furthermore, I compare the freeze-out parameters derived from both hydrodynamics and thermal models, highlighting that the parameters extracted via thermal models represent averaged properties across rapidities. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Collision-energy dependence of deuteron cumulants and proton-deuteron correlations in Au+Au collisions at RHIC

We report the first measurements of cumulants, up to 4th order, of deuteron number distributions and proton-deuteron correlations in Au+Au collisions recorded by the STAR experiment in phase-I of Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Deuteron cumulants, their ratios, and proton-deuteron mixed cumulants are presented for different collision centralities covering a range of center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN=7.7 to 200 GeV. It is found that the cumulant ratios at lower collision energies favor a canonical ensemble over a grand canonical ensemble in thermal models. An anti-correlation between proton and deuteron multiplicity is observed across all collision energies and centralities, consistent with the expectation from global baryon number conservation. The UrQMD model coupled with a phase-space coalescence mechanism qualitatively reproduces the collision-energy dependence of cumulant ratios and proton-deuteron correlations.

Effect of Body Scan Program on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion of Buddhist Practitioners

Effect of Body Scan Program on Mindfulness and Self-Compassion of Buddhist Practitioners

Nuclear Modification Factor of Inclusive Charged Particles in Au+Au Collisions at sNN = 27 GeV with the STAR Experiment

The Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at RHIC aims to explore the QCD phase diagram, including the search for the evidence of the 1st order phase transition from hadronic matter to Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) and the location of the QCD critical point. One of the features previously observed in the study of QGP is the effect of suppression of particle production with high transverse momenta pT (>2 GeV/c) at energies sNN = 62.4–200 GeV, which was deduced from the charged-particle nuclear modification factor (RCP) measured using the data from Beam Energy Scan Program Phase I (BES-I) of STAR experiment. In 2018, STAR has collected over 500 million events from Au+Au collisions at sNN = 27 GeV as a part of the STAR BES-II program, which is about a factor of 10 higher than BES-I 27 GeV data size. In this report, we present new measurements of charged particle production and the nuclear modification factor RCP, from this new 27 GeV data set and compare them with the BES-I results. The new measurements extend the previous BES-I results to higher transverse momentum range, which allows better exploration of the jet quenching effects at low RHIC energies, and may help to understand the effects of the formation and properties of QGP at these energies.

First-Order Event Plane Correlated Directed and Triangular Flow from Fixed-Target Energies at RHIC-STAR

We report the measurement of first-order event plane-correlated directed flow (v1) and triangular flow (v3) for identified hadrons (π±, K±, and p), net particle (net-K, net-p), and light nuclei (d and t) in Au + Au collisions at sNN = 3.2, 3.5, and 3.9 GeV in the fixed-target mode from the second phase of the beam energy scan (BES-II) program at RHIC-STAR. The v1 slopes at mid-rapidity for identified hadrons and net particles except π+ are found to be positive, implying the effect of dominant repulsive baryonic interactions. The slope of v1 for net-kaon undergoes a sign change from negative to positive at a lower collision energy compared to net-proton. An approximate atomic mass number scaling is observed in the measured v1 slopes of light nuclei at mid-rapidity, which favors the nucleon coalescence mechanism for the production of light nuclei. The v3 slope for all particles decreases in magnitude with increasing collision energy, suggesting a notable integrated impact of the mean-field, baryon stopping, and collision geometry at lower collision energies.

Viscosities of the Baryon-Rich Quark-Gluon Plasma from Beam Energy Scan Data.

This work presents the first Bayesian inference study of the (3+1)D dynamics of relativistic heavy-ion collisions and quark-gluon plasma viscosities using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics+hadronic transport theoretical framework and data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider Beam energy scan program. Robust constraints on initial state nuclear stopping and the baryon chemical potential-dependent shear viscosity of the produced quantum chromodynamic (QCD) matter are obtained. The specific bulk viscosity of the QCD matter is found to exhibit a preferred maximum around sqrt[s_{NN}]=19.6 GeV. This result allows for the alternative interpretation of a reduction (and/or increase) of the speed of sound relative to that of the employed lattice-QCD based equation of state for net baryon chemical potential μ_{B}∼0.2(0.4) GeV.

Conserved Charge Fluctuations from RHIC BES and FXT

Cumulants up to the sixth-order of the net-particle multiplicity distributions were measured at RHIC for the Beam Energy Scan and fixed-target program, from which we obtained some interesting hints on the phase structure of the QCD matter. In this article, we present recent experimental results on (net-)proton cumulants and discuss current interpretations on the QCD critical point and the nature of the phase transition. We will also report recent results for measurements of the bayron-strangeness correlations, which were measured with the newly developed analysis technique to remove the effect from the combinatorial backgrounds for hyperon reconstruction.

Particle production in Au+Au collisions at beam energy scan II energies at STAR

We report on measurements of light charged hadron production in Au+Au collisions at √SNN = 14.6, 19.6, 27, and 54.4 GeV from the second phase of the beam energy scan (BES-II) program at RHIC. Transverse mass spectra and rapidity density distributions of π±, K±, p, and ¯p are measured as a function of collision energy, centrality, and rapidity. This work extends the previously published BES-I mid-rapidity (|y| < 0.1) measurement to a rapidity of 0.9. This new rapidity dependence highlights the effects of baryon stopping for proton yields and the different production mechanisms of π± and K±. The relative abundance of these light hadrons indicates different thermodynamic environments at different energies, centralities, and rapidities. The temperature (T) and chemical potentials (μB and μS) at chemical freeze-out are reported with their dependence on rapidity to further understand the QCD phase diagram.

Simulating collectivity in dense baryon matter with multiple fluids

A novel three-fluid dynamical model for simulations of heavy-ion collisions at RHIC Beam Energy Scan programme, called MUFFIN, has been developed. The novelty consists of modular inclusion of the Equation of State, use of hyperbolic coordinates that allow to simulate higher collision energies, and fluctuating initial conditions. The model reproduces rapidity and pt spectra of collisions from √SNN = 7.7 to 62.4 GeV. Ideal fluid is assumed, and the elliptic flow is over-predicted, particularly at lower collision energies.

Bread Wheat in Space Flight: Is There a Difference in Kernel Quality?

Planning long-term space flights necessarily includes issues of providing food for the crew. One of the areas of research is the development of technologies for independent production of food by the crew. Extensive research on lettuce has confirmed that the "space production" of lettuce is not inferior to that on Earth, even in the absence of gravity, but the same deep understanding of the quality of grain crops has not yet been achieved. Therefore, the goal of our work is to establish whether the conditions for growing wheat in outer space without gravity affect the weight and basic parameters of the grain, and whether this leads to increased asymmetry of the kernel and distortion of the starch composition. The objects of the study were wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels of the Super Dwarf cultivar. Of which, 100 kernels matured in outer space conditions in the Lada growth chamber on the International Space Station (ISS), and 85 kernels of the control wheat grown in a similar growth chamber under terrestrial conditions. It has been established that kernels from ISS have significant differences to a smaller extent in weight, area, length, and width of the kernel. However, the kernels under both conditions were predominantly large (the average weight of a kernel in space is 0.0362 g, and in terrestrial conditions-0.0376 g). The hypothesis that the level of fluctuating asymmetry will increase in outer space was not confirmed; significant differences between the options were not proven. In general, the kernels are fairly even (coefficients of variation for the main parameters of the kernel are within 6-12%) and with a low or very low level of asymmetry. The length of starch granules of type A in filled and puny kernels is significantly greater in kernels from ISS than in the control, and in terms of the width of starch granules B and roundness indices, both experimental variants are the same. It can be assumed that the baking qualities of earthly kernels will be slightly higher, since the ratio of type B starch granules to type A is 5-8% higher than on the ISS. Also, the width of the aleurone layer cells in mature kernels was significantly inferior to the result obtained on Earth. The work proposes a new method for establishing the asymmetry of kernels without a traumatic effect (in early works, it was supposed to study asymmetry in transverse sections of the kernels). Perhaps this will make it possible to further develop a computer scanning program that will determine the level of asymmetry of the wheat fruit.

Evolution of midrapidity average transverse momentum of pions, kaons, protons and antiprotons in Au+Au collisions in (snn)1∕2= 7–39-GeV energy range from the beam energy scan program

The [Formula: see text] dependencies of the experimental average transverse momentum, [Formula: see text], of the charged pions, charged kaons, protons and antiprotons produced at midrapidity ([Formula: see text]) in [Formula: see text] collisions from the Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider), measured by STAR Collaboration in the [Formula: see text]–39-GeV energy range, have been described quite well with the power-law model function. We have obtained [Formula: see text] inequality at all BES energies, indicating the clear mass ordering (dependence) of the power parameter [Formula: see text]. On the whole, the exponent parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged kaons as well as (anti)protons decreases noticeably with increasing [Formula: see text] collision energy from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Drastic change observed in the energy ([Formula: see text]) dependence of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged kaons at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV could possibly indicate a significant change in the mechanism(s) of the charged kaon production in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Significant change in the [Formula: see text] dependence of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the charged pions observed at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV is consistent with a possible change in the mechanism(s) of the particle production in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV, reported earlier by STAR Collaboration. Significant gaps between [Formula: see text] (protons) and [Formula: see text] (antiprotons) as well as between ([Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text] have been seen in the region [Formula: see text]–20[Formula: see text]GeV. These gaps diminish and practically disappear with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (protons) [Formula: see text] (antiprotons) in the region [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. Altogether, the findings, regarding collision energy dependencies of the parameter [Formula: see text] for the studied particle species, could indicate the probable phase transition of a nuclear matter to the mixed phase of QGP and hadrons taking place in [Formula: see text] collisions at around [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV. The differences found between parameter [Formula: see text] versus [Formula: see text] dependencies of the particles and antiparticles have been connected with the ratios of antiparticle and particle yields and differences in the mechanisms of production of particles and antiparticles. It is deduced that the exponent parameter [Formula: see text] should be sensitive to the degree of particle (system) thermalization and particle production mechanisms, and its drastic change could be related to the change in the mechanisms of particle production or/and phase transitions in the nuclear/hadronic matter.

Abstract C110: Mobile low dose computerized tomographic (LDCT) scanning program identifies pre-malignant lung cancer lesions in a Native American population: A study of Indian Health Service and Levine Cancer Institute

Abstract BACKGROUND: Native Americans (NA) are an under-served population for healthcare, including lung cancer screening. Randomized trials have shown LDCT screening for lung cancer improves survival but with severe under-representation of NA due to financial and insurance constraints, geography and lack of access. They are over-represented in national statistics of presentation with advanced disease and lung cancer deaths. In our region, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has recorded less than 5% of eligible heavy smokers from the Catawba and other tribes have undergone LDCT lung screening. We previously reported that a free, mobile LDCT unit achieved a shift to earlier diagnosis in African Americans (AAs) and other under-served groups with improved 4 year survival and reduced costs of care (1).We adapted our initial trial to include a structured evaluation of efficacy and utility of mobile LDCT in heavy smokers in our NA population. We hypothesized that mobile LDCT would overcome key obstructions to lung cancer screening in NA. METHODS: We used a coach fitted with a portable 32 slice low-dose CT scanner; all films were reviewed by a central panel via the LUNGRADS protocol (1). Eligible subjects were invited to participate by IHS staff. Levine Cancer Institute committed to treat any identified cancers, irrespective of insurance status to avoid delay. Technical details of the unit have been reported (1). RESULTS: 91 heavy smokers have been screened, representing 60% participation rate, with the following characteristics: M:F=1:1; median age 61 years (44-77 years); 68% had some form of health insurance which did not cover lung cancer screening (termed "under-insured") and 32% were uninsured; 73% still smoking; median pack year history 48 (range 22-98). No lung cancers were identified but 10% had LUNGRADS 3-4 (moderate-high risk) lesions, 36% had LUNGRADS 2 lesions and 20% had scattered, non-diagnostic lung lesions; patients with LUNGRADS 4 lesions were offered biopsy to define whether cancer was present. All subjects have been recruited into ongoing follow up LDCT and smoking cessation programs. DISCUSSION: NA traditionally have had the highest level of advanced lung cancer at presentation with high mortality rate from lung cancer. We have increased participation in LDCT lung cancer screening from 5% to 60% of eligible heavy smokers, and have identified a unique sub-population of 10% with potentially premalignant disease that will require meticulous follow-up to achieve early diagnosis of lung cancer. Our previous studies in impoverished AAs and other under-served groups have identified a shift from 20% to 60% early stage cancer at diagnosis; similar benefits are expected in NAs. This is the first such study in NAs and suggests mobile LDCT should be considered by health services responsible for their care. Studies of the science of cancer in the under-served should also focus on pragmatic solutions with potential for early improvement in outcome. REFERENCES: 1. Raghavan D et al, The Oncologist, 2020, 25: e777-e781. Citation Format: Kia Dungan, Hollis Reed, Darcy Doege, Daniel Carrizosa, Melissa Wheeler, Derek Raghavan. Mobile low dose computerized tomographic (LDCT) scanning program identifies pre-malignant lung cancer lesions in a Native American population: A study of Indian Health Service and Levine Cancer Institute [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C110.

Elliptic flow of inclusive charged hadrons in Au+Au collisions at E lab = 35 A GeV using the PHSD model

Elliptic flow (v 2) of inclusive charged hadrons at mid-rapidity (∣η∣ < 1.0) in Au+Au collisions at E lab = 35 A GeV using the parton hadron string dynamics (PHSD) model are presented as a function of centrality, transverse momentum (p T) and pseudo-rapidity (η). The v 2 results are obtained using the η-sub event plane method with respect to the event plane angle (ψ 2) and participant plane angle (). p T-integrated charged hadron v 2 shows a strong centrality dependence in Au+Au collisions at E lab = 35 A GeV. The eccentricity-scaled elliptic flow (v 2/ε 2) also shows centrality dependence. The higher values of v 2/ε 2 in central collisions suggest the development of stronger collectivity. The calculations are compared with the results from Au+Au collisions at published by the STAR experiment at RHIC. We also compare the results of HSD and PHSD modes to investigate the contribution of hadronic and partonic phases of the medium on the calculated v 2. The current results serve as a prediction of the collective behavior of the matter produced in baryon-rich and moderate temperature conditions for the upcoming multi-purpose detector at the nuclotron-based Ion collider facility (NICA) and compressed baryonic matter experiment at the facility for antiproton and ion research. These predictions are also useful for interpreting data measured at relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC) beam energy scan program.

Methods and results on conserved-charge fluctuations for the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC

Understanding the phase diagram of the QCD matter is one of the ultimate goals in high-energy nuclear physics. Event-by-event fluctuations of conserved charges are believed to be sensitive to the QCD phase structures. In this paper, we will review the measurements carried out in the Beam Energy Scan program at RHIC. Our focus will be on the technical details to overcome various difficulties of the measurements. We will also discuss about the current interpretations on the results and future prospects.

Properties and performance of nitrogen laser systems for calibration of LHAASO-WFCTA

The Wide Field of view Cherenkov Telescope Array (WFCTA) of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), located in Haizishan National Natural Reserve, Sichuan Province, China, is designed to perform nearly calorimetric measurements of extensive air showers induced by cosmic rays with energies between 1013eV–1018eV. The end-to-end calibration method will be employed in the WFCTA and nitrogen lasers have been proven to work properly in our application at the altitude of 4410 m a.s.l. for the first time.Due to extremely harsh environment, especially outdoor temperature as low as about −30 °C during operation of WFCTA, a high-stability thermotank for lasers was designed to stabilize temperature and humidity, with a thermal stability of 1 °C. In order to precisely control the beam pointing, a high-precision 3D Lifting Rotating Platform (HiRoP) with a home-made standard zero monitoring system is developed. To eliminate the error of the beam pointing by manual controls, an automatic scanning program was adopted to control the beam pointing when scanning the full field-of-view (FOV) of WFCTA. Both the on-site and remote controls are applied for the nitrogen laser systems and ∼13 million laser shots have been recorded by WFCTA from Sept. 2020 to May 2022. In this paper, the design, properties, operation and the on-site performance of the nitrogen laser systems at LHAASO are reported.

STAR Experiment Results From Beam Energy Scan Program

STAR Experiment Results From Beam Energy Scan Program

Implementing pharmacist-led diabetic digital retina scan services at a federally qualified health center

BackgroundDue to low national and local rates for annual eye exams in patients with diabetes, a pharmacist-led chronic care clinic creates a unique opportunity for pharmacists to provide digital retina scans in the primary care setting. ObjectivesThe primary objective is to assess the impact of a pharmacist-led digital retina scan service on rates of annual eye exams among patients with diabetes. Practice DescriptionKC CARE Health Center, a federally qualified health center in Kansas City, Missouri, offers healthcare services to any member of the community regardless of insurance status. Pharmacists work in this setting to assist with management of chronic disease under a collaborative practice agreement. Practice InnovationA pharmacist developed a workflow process to provide digital retina scans in the primary care setting for patients with diabetes who had not had an eye exam in the past 12 months. Images of each eye are captured using a RetinaVue 700 Imager and these images are submitted to an ophthalmologist for review. Evaluation MethodsRates of annual eye exams among patients with diabetes seen in the primary care clinic before and after retina scan service implementation were analyzed using a chi-squared test with an a-priori alpha of 0.05. Survey data of patient-reported barriers to follow-up were reported using descriptive statistics. ResultsThere was a 5% increase in the annual eye exam rate of patients with diabetes seen at the clinic during the study period. The increase in rate of annual eye exam from before the intervention to after was statistically significant (P < 0.001). ConclusionImplementing a pharmacist-led retina scan program in the primary care setting improved the rate of annual diabetic eye exams and demonstrated the benefit that pharmacists can have in enhancing accessibility to preventative care services.

Elliptic flow of identified hadrons in Au+Au collisions at E_{lab} = 35~text {A}~text {GeV} using the PHSD model

We present predictions of elliptic flow (v_2) of identified hadrons at mid-rapidity (|y| < 1.0) in Au+Au collisions at E_{lab} = 35~text {A}~text {GeV} using the Parton Hadron String Dynamics (PHSD) model. The transverse momentum (p_{textrm{T}}) dependence of identified hadron v_2 in minimum bias (0–80%) and three different centrality intervals (0–10%, 10–40%, and 40–80%) are presented. A clear centrality dependence of v_2(p_{textrm{T}}) is observed for particles and anti-particles. We also present the p_{textrm{T}} dependence of v_2 difference ({Delta } v_2) between particles and corresponding anti-particles. A significant difference in v_2 values for baryons and anti-baryons is observed. Constituent quark scaling (NCQ) of v_{2} is investigated in Au+Au collisions. We also present a v_2(p_{textrm{T}}) ratio between the HSD and PHSD modes to explore the effect of hadronic and partonic interactions in the medium. These predictions are useful for interpreting the data measured in the Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at RHIC. They will also be useful for the future Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) and Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) at the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider facility (NICA).