Showing papers by "University of Rajasthan published in 2009"

Systematic measurements of identified particle spectra in pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at the star detector.

Abstract: Identified charged-particle spectra of pi(+/-), K(+/-), p, and (p) over bar at midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.1) measured by the dE/dx method in the STAR (solenoidal tracker at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) time projection chamber are reported for pp and d + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV and for Au + Au collisions at 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV. Average transverse momenta, total particle production, particle yield ratios, strangeness, and baryon production rates are investigated as a function of the collision system and centrality. The transverse momentum spectra are found to be flatter for heavy particles than for light particles in all collision systems; the effect is more prominent for more central collisions. The extracted average transverse momentum of each particle species follows a trend determined by the total charged-particle multiplicity density. The Bjorken energy density estimate is at least several GeV/fm(3) for a formation time less than 1 fm/c. A significantly larger net-baryon density and a stronger increase of the net-baryon density with centrality are found in Au + Au collisions at 62.4 GeV than at the two higher energies. Antibaryon production relative to total particle multiplicity is found to be constant over centrality, but increases with the collision energy. Strangeness production relative to total particle multiplicity is similar at the three measured RHIC energies. Relative strangeness production increases quickly with centrality in peripheral Au + Au collisions, to a value about 50% above the pp value, and remains rather constant in more central collisions. Bulk freeze-out properties are extracted from thermal equilibrium model and hydrodynamics-motivated blast-wave model fits to the data. Resonance decays are found to have little effect on the extracted kinetic freeze-out parameters because of the transverse momentum range of our measurements. The extracted chemical freeze-out temperature is constant, independent of collision system or centrality; its value is close to the predicted phase-transition temperature, suggesting that chemical freeze-out happens in the vicinity of hadronization and the chemical freeze-out temperature is universal despite the vastly different initial conditions in the collision systems. The extracted kinetic freeze-out temperature, while similar to the chemical freeze-out temperature in pp, d + Au, and peripheral Au + Au collisions, drops significantly with centrality in Au + Au collisions, whereas the extracted transverse radial flow velocity increases rapidly with centrality. There appears to be a prolonged period of particle elastic scatterings from chemical to kinetic freeze-out in central Au + Au collisions. The bulk properties extracted at chemical and kinetic freeze-out are observed to evolve smoothly over the measured energy range, collision systems, and collision centralities.

Azimuthal charged-particle correlations and possible local strong parity violation

Abstract: 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 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.

Long range rapidity correlations and jet production in high energy nuclear collisions

Abstract: The STAR Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider presents a systematic study of high-transverse-momentum charged-di-hadron correlations at small azimuthal pair separation Delta phi in d+Au and central Au+Au collisions at s(NN)=200 GeV. Significant correlated yield for pairs with large longitudinal separation Delta eta is observed in central Au+Au collisions, in contrast to d+Au collisions. The associated yield distribution in Delta eta x Delta phi can be decomposed into a narrow jet-like peak at small angular separation which has a similar shape to that found in d+Au collisions, and a component that is narrow in Delta phi and depends only weakly on Delta eta, the "ridge." Using two systematically independent determinations of the background normalization and shape, finite ridge yield is found to persist for trigger p(t)>6 GeV/c, indicating that it is correlated with jet production. The transverse-momentum spectrum of hadrons comprising the ridge is found to be similar to that of bulk particle production in the measured range (2 < p(t)< 4 GeV/c).

Younger age of escalation of cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indian subjects.

Abstract: Cardiovascular risk factors start early, track through the young age and manifest in middle age in most societies. We conducted epidemiological studies to determine prevalence and age-specific trends in cardiovascular risk factors among adolescent and young urban Asian Indians. Population based epidemiological studies to identify cardiovascular risk factors were performed in North India in 1999–2002. We evaluated major risk factors-smoking or tobacco use, obesity, truncal obesity, hypertension, dysglycemia and dyslipidemia using pre-specified definitions in 2051 subjects (male 1009, female 1042) aged 15–39 years of age. Age-stratified analyses were performed and significance of trends determined using regression analyses for numerical variables and Χ2 test for trend for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to identify univariate and multivariate odds ratios (OR) for correlation of age and risk factors. In males and females respectively, smoking or tobacco use was observed in 200 (11.8%) and 18 (1.4%), overweight or obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) in 12.4% and 14.3%, high waist-hip ratio, WHR (males > 0.9, females > 0.8) in 15% and 32.3%, hypertension in 5.6% and 3.1%, high LDL cholesterol (≥ 130 mg/dl) in 9.4% and 8.9%, low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl males, <50 mg/dl females) in 16.2% and 49.7%, hypertriglyceridemia (≥ 150 mg/dl) in 9.7% and 6%, diabetes in 1.0% and 0.4% and the metabolic syndrome in 3.4% and 3.6%. Significantly increasing trends with age for indices of obesity (BMI, waist, WHR), glycemia (fasting glucose, metabolic syndrome) and lipids (cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol) were observed (p for trend < 0.01). At age 15–19 years the prevalence (%) of risk factors in males and females, respectively, was overweight/obesity in 7.6, 8.8; high WHR 4.9, 14.4; hypertension 2.3, 0.3; high LDL cholesterol 2.4, 3.2; high triglycerides 3.0, 3.2; low HDL cholesterol 8.0, 45.3; high total:HDL ratio 3.7, 4.7, diabetes 0.0 and metabolic syndrome in 0.0, 0.2 percent. At age groups 20–29 years in males and females, ORs were, for smoking 5.3, 1.0; obesity 1.6, 0.8; truncal obesity 4.5, 3.1; hypertension 2.6, 4.8; high LDL cholesterol 6.4, 1.8; high triglycerides 3.7, 0.9; low HDL cholesterol 2.4, 0.8; high total:HDL cholesterol 1.6, 1.0; diabetes 4.0, 1.0; and metabolic syndrome 37.7, 5.7 (p < 0.05 for some). At age 30–39, ORs were- smoking 16.0, 6.3; overweight 7.1, 11.3; truncal obesity 21.1, 17.2; hypertension 13.0, 64.0; high LDL cholesterol 27.4, 19.5; high triglycerides 24.2, 10.0; low HDL cholesterol 15.8, 14.1; high total:HDL cholesterol 37.9, 6.10; diabetes 50.7, 17.4; and metabolic syndrome 168.5, 146.2 (p < 0.01 for all parameters). Multivariate adjustment for BMI, waist size and WHR in men and women aged 30–39 years resulted in attenuation of ORs for hypertension and dyslipidemias. Low prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemias, diabetes and metabolic syndrome) in adolescents and rapid escalation of these risk factors by age of 30–39 years is noted in urban Asian Indians. Interventions should focus on these individuals.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic potential of Tridax procumbens (Linn.).

Abstract: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Tridax procumbens Linn. (Family-Asteraceae; common name-Dhaman grass) is common herb found in India. Traditionally, the tribal inhabitants of Udaipur district in Rajasthan (India) uses the leaf powder (along with other herb) orally to treat diabetes. There is a need to evaluate extracts of this plant in order to provide scientific proof for it's application in traditional medicine system. Extraction of whole plant of T. procumbens using 50%methanol. The extract was tested for acute and sub-chronic anti-hyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats and for acute toxicity test among normal rats. Observations on body weight as well as on the oral glucose tolerance levels were also recorded. Oral administration of acute and sub chronic doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt.) of T. procumbens extract showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, however the decline in blood sugar levels in normal rats was not observed. In acute study the maximum percent blood glucose reduction (68.26% at 250 mg/kg and 71.03% at 500 mg/kg body weight) in diabetic rats was observed at 6 h. The anti-hyperglycemic effects were not dependent of dose and the OGTT and Body weight supported the antihyperglycemic action of the drug. The results of anti-diabetic effect of T. procumbens were compared with the reference standard drug Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b.wt.). These test results support traditional medicinal use of, T. procumbens for the treatment of diabetes mellitus with corrections in body weight and oral glucose tolerance and no visible signs or symptoms of toxicity in normal rats indicating a high margin of safety. These results warrant follow-up through bioassay-directed isolation of the active principles.

Measurements of Phi Meson Production in Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy ION Collider (RHIC)

Abstract: We present results for the measurement of phi meson production via its charged kaon decay channel phi -> K(+) K(-) Au + Au collisions at root S(NN) = 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV, and in p + p and d + Au collisions at v root S(NN) = 200 GeV from the STAR experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The midrapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.5) phi meson transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra in central Au + Au collisions are found to be well described by a single exponential distribution. On the other hand, the p(T) spectra from p + p, d + Au, and peripheral Au + Au collisions show power-law tails at intermediate and high p(T) and are described better by Levy distributions. The constant phi/K(-) yield ratio vs beam species, collision centrality, and colliding energy is in contradiction with expectations from models having kaon coalescence as the dominant mechanism for phi production at RHIC. The Omega/phi yield ratio as a function of p(T) is consistent with a model based on the recombination of thermal s quarks up to p(T) similar to 4 GeV/c, but disagrees at higher transverse momenta. The measured nuclear modification factor, R(dAu), for the phi meson increases above unity at intermediate p(T), similar to that for pions and protons, while R(AA) is suppressed due to the energy loss effect in central Au + Au collisions. Number of constituent quark scaling of both R(cp) and nu(2) for the phi meson with respect to other hadrons in Au + Au collisions at root S(NN) = 200 GeV at intermediate pT is observed. These observations support quark coalescence as being the dominant mechanism of hadronization in the intermediate p(T) region at RHIC.

J/ψ production at high transverse momenta in p+p and Cu+Cu collisions at sNN=200 GeV

Abstract: We report J/psi spectra for transverse momenta P-T > 5 GeV/c at mid-rapidity in p + p and Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. The inclusive J/psi spectrum and the extracted B-hadron feed-down are compared to models incorporating different production mechanisms. We observe significant suppression of the J/psi yields for p(T) > 5 GeV/c in 0-30% central Au + Au collisions relative to the p + p yield scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions in Au + Au collisions. In 30-60% mid-central collisions, no such suppression is observed. The level of suppression is consistently less than that of high-p(T) pi(+/-) and low-p(T) J/psi at RHIC and high-p(T) J/psi at the LHC. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of embelin on lipid peroxidation and free radical scavenging activity against liver damage in rats.

Abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the hepatic antioxidant capacity of embelin (from Embelia ribes) using different antioxidant tests, free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation in albino rats. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) treatment to rats has been more susceptible to peroxidative damage through production of reactive metabolites, namely trichloromethyl-free radicals (CCl · 3 and/or Cml 3 OO · ) as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive species. After the induction of liver damage by CCl 4 intoxication to rats, the concentration of lipid peroxidation was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) higher in liver and serum, along with concomitant decrease in the levels of antioxidants and cytochrome P450 enzyme in liver as compared to vehicle controls. The activities of marker enzymes - transaminases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) - along with the total bilirubin and total protein levels were altered significantly (P ≤ 0.001) in the serum of CCl 4 -treated rats. When these rats received embelin orally (25 mg/kg) from day 1 to day 15, peroxidative damage was minimal in both liver and serum along with effectively inducing the antioxidant potential in CCl 4 -treated rats. The biochemical results were compared with the standard drug silymarin - a combination of flavonolignans of Silybum marianum and histology of liver sections. In conclusion, this study suggests that embelin acts as a natural antioxidant against hepatotoxicity induced in rats.

Indications of Conical Emission of Charged Hadrons at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Abstract: Three-particle azimuthal correlation measurements with a high transverse momentum trigger particle are reported for pp, d + Au, and Au + Au collisions at root(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 to.

XPS and AFM surface study of PMMA irradiated by electron beam

Abstract: The effect of low energy electron (LEE) irradiation on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) film has been studied. The PMMA film of thickness 20 μm is exposed by a 10 keV electron beam with fluence 2 × 10 14 e/cm 2 . The irradiated film was characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The significant changes in the chemical composition of the surface layer were confirmed by XPS quantitatively. The scission of the chain in the surface layer of PMMA film was induced by electron irradiation and the atomic ration (O 1s /C 1s ) was decreased. This phenomenon is responsible for the creation of carbon-rich surface layer. TM-AFM showed hills of nano size surrounded by crater-type features on the irradiated film. The root-mean-square (rms) surface roughness of the sample increased from 3.715 nm to 5.020 nm due to the irradiation, which shows that the surface became rougher after irradiation.

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

Abstract: Forward-backward multiplicity correlation strengths have been measured with the STAR detector for Au+Au and p+p collisions at √sNN=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.

Sperm-associated antigen 9 is a biomarker for early cervical carcinoma.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women, with nearly half a million new cases diagnosed each year worldwide. The authors' recent studies have suggested an association of the cancer testis antigen sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) in ovarian carcinomas. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical utility of SPAG9 expression and humoral immune response in cervical carcinomas. METHODS: SPAG9 mRNA expression was assessed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ RNA hybridization. In addition, the authors investigated SPAG9 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and analyzed its association with various stages and grades of cervical cancer patients. They also tested the humoral immune response against SPAG9 in cervical cancer patients. RESULTS: RT-PCR, in situ RNA hybridization, and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that SPAG9 expression was significantly associated with tumor grades in 82% of early stage cervical cancer specimens. SPAG9 antibodies were detected in approximately 80% of cervical cancer patients, but not in healthy controls. Statistical analysis revealed that a significant proportion of early stage cancer patients with a high SPAG9 immunoreactivity score (IRS) exhibited significantly higher antibody response against SPAG9 compared with moderate SPAG9 IRSs, suggesting a close relation between SPAG9 protein expression and humoral immune response. CONCLUSIONS: The current study findings revealed that in early stage cervical cancer, a substantial number of patients exhibited SPAG9 expression and generated SPAG9 antibodies, supporting its potential role in early detection and diagnosis in cervical cancer management. Furthermore, these findings provide leads for future development of noninvasive serologic biomarkers for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.

K/π fluctuations at relativistic energies

Abstract: We report K/π fluctuations from Au+Au collisions at √sNN=19.6, 62.4, 130, and 200 GeV using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. K/π 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 √sNN=12.3 and 17.3 GeV. We report results for the collision centrality dependence of K/π fluctuations and results for charge-separated fluctuations. We observe that the K/π fluctuations scale with the charged particle multiplicity density.