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In this paper, we investigate the multiplicity fluctuations of charged particles observed in high-energy nuclear collisions and relate them to the size of hadronizing systems which happen during such processes. We use the average multiplicities ⟨ N ⟩ and variances V a r N of multiplicity distributions of charged particles produced in centrality selected collisions of relativistic heavy-ion nuclei to evaluate the dynamic variance Ω and study its dependence on the size of colliding systems. We connect the observed system-size dependence of multiplicity fluctuations with the clustering phenomena and the finiteness of the hadronizing sources and the thermal bath.

Recently the CERN ALICE experiment, in its dedicated cosmic ray run, observed muon bundles of very high multiplicities, thereby confirming similar findings from the LEP era at CERN (in the CosmoLEP project). Significant evidence for anisotropy of arrival directions of the observed high multiplicity muonic bundles is found. Estimated directionality suggests their possible extragalactic provenance. We argue that muonic bundles of highest multiplicity are produced by strangelets, hypothetical stable lumps of strange quark matter infiltrating our Universe.

The main detector system at the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) located in Dubna, Russia is the Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD). For better calibration reason, the MPD needs an additional trigger system for an off-beam calibration of MPD sub-detectors and for rejection (veto) of cosmic muons. The system should also be useful for practical astrophysics observations of cosmic showers. The consortium NICA-PL group defines goals and basic assumptions for the MPD Cosmic Ray Detector (MCORD). This article describes the conceptual design and simulation plans of the MCORD detector based on plastic scintillators with SiPM photodetectors and electronic digital system based on the MicroTCA crate.

Recent follow-up studies showed no change or even short-term improvement of arterial stiffness after kidney transplantation. Data from general population and end-stage renal disease patients suggest, that PWV increases with age of 0,07-0,08 m/s for each year of life. It was shown recently that reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is associated with increased arterial stiffness in RTR. We investigated the change of PWV during follow-up and its relationship with graft function. Carotid-femoral PWV was measured at baseline (PWV1) and after 28 ± 3 (range 24-34) months of follow-up (PWV2) in 61 RTR aged 49 ± 12 years. Fasting blood was collected for serum creatinine, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). GFR was calculated with MDRD formula (eGFR). DPWV was calculated as (PWV2-PWV1)/PWV1. Clinical and laboratory data were analysed to identify factors associated with DPWV. Results are shown as mean ± SD. Baseline Follow-up P PWV (m/s) 9,1 ± 1,7 9,8 ± 2,0 < 0,002 Body mass (kg) 73,7 ± 13,9 75,4 ± 13,6 < 0,001 SBP (mmHg) 132 ± 17 137 ± 19 = 0,05 DBP (mmHg) 83 ± 11 84 ± 10 NS MAP (mmHg) 99 ± 12 102 ± 12 NS PP (mmHg) 50 ± 11 53 ± 14 <0,05 eGFR (ml/min/1,73m2) 55 ± 16 56 ± 16 NS Serum Ca, P, Ca x P product, hsCRP did not change during follow-up. Significant positive correlation was found between DPWV and serum phosphorus (r = 0,27; p < 0,05) and Ca x P product (r = 0,25; p < 0,05) but not with body mass, BMI, SBP, DBP, MAP, PP, Ca, eGFR, hsCRP. Arterial stiffness increased in renal transplant recipients despite stable graft function. Phosporus matebolism disturbances might be involved in arterial stiffening in RTR.

The NA61/SHINE collaboration studies at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) the onset of deconfinement in hadronic matter by the measurement of particle production in collisions of nuclei with various sizes at a set of energies covering the SPS energy range. This paper presents results on inclusive double-differential spectra and mean multiplicities of π- mesons produced in the 5% most central7Be + 9Be collisions at beam momenta of 19A, 30A, 40A, 75A and 150AGeV/c obtained by the so-called h- method which does not require any particle identification. The shape of the transverse mass spectra differs from the shapes measured in central Pb + Pb collisions and inelastic p+p interactions. The normalized width of the rapidity distribution decreases with increasing collision energy and is in between the results for inelastic nucleon–nucleon and central Pb + Pb collisions. The mean multiplicity of pions per wounded nucleon in central7Be + 9Be collisions is close to that in central Pb + Pb collisions up to 75AGeV/c. However, at the top SPS energy the result lies between those for nucleon–nucleon and Pb + Pb interactions. The results are discussed in the context of predictions for the onset of deconfinement at the CERN SPS collision energies.

Measurements of particle emission from a replica of the T2K 90 cm-long carbon target were performed in the NA61/SHINE experiment at CERN SPS, using data collected during a high-statistics run in 2009. An efficient use of the long-target measurements for neutrino flux predictions in T2K requires dedicated reconstruction and analysis techniques. Fully-corrected differential yields of $\\pi^\\pm$-mesons from the surface of the T2K replica target for incoming 31 GeV/c protons are presented. A possible strategy to implement these results into the T2K neutrino beam predictions is discussed and the propagation of the uncertainties of these results to the final neutrino flux is performed.

New results on the production of charged pions in p+p interactions are presented. The data come from a sample of 4.8 million inelastic events obtained with the NA49 detector at the CERN SPS at 158 GeV/c beam momentum. Pions are identified by energy loss measurement in a large TPC tracking system which covers a major fraction of the production phase space. Inclusive invariant cross sections are given on a grid of nearly 300 bins per charge over intervals from 0 to 2 GeV/c in transverse momentum and from 0 to 0.85 in Feynman x. The results are compared to existing data in overlapping energy ranges.

Background This multicenter phase II study in renal transplantation compared 3 concentration-controlled ranges of FK778 (manitimus) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) both given in combination with tacrolimus and corticosteroids. Methods 364 patients were randomized to 12-month treatment: high-level FK778 group (H, N = 87) received 4x600mg/day (4 days) followed by 120 mg/day; mid-level FK778 group (M, N = 92) received 3x600mg/day (3 days) followed by 110 mg/day, low-level FK778 group (L, N = 92) received 2x600mg/day (2 days) followed by 100 mg/day, and control group received MMF 1 g/day (MMF, N = 93). After week 6, FK778 doses were adjusted to trough ranges of 75–125 μg/mL (H), 50–100 μg/mL (M) and 25–75 μg/mL (L). Tacrolimus and steroids were administered at the same dose in each of the 4 groups. Results Biopsy proven acute rejection (BPAR) at 24 weeks, the primary study endpoint, was comparable in the L (22.8%) and MMF (17.2%) groups but higher in the H (34.5%) and M (29.3%) groups. BPAR at 12 months was comparable in the L (23.9%) and MMF (19.4%) groups but higher in the H (34.5%) and M (31.5%) groups. Graft and patient survival were lowest in the H group and renal function was poorest in the H and M groups. Premature study withdrawal was highest in the H group. Conclusions Efficacy was similar between the low-level FK778 and MMF groups. Increased FK778 exposure was poorly tolerated and did not improve efficacy.