A
bstract
This report details the capabilities of LHCb and its upgrades towards the study of kaons and hyperons. The analyses performed so far are reviewed, elaborating on the prospects for some key ...decay channels, while proposing some new measurements in LHCb to expand its strangeness research program.
Abstract
A method for calibrating the momentum scale in a particle physics detector is described. The method relies on the determination of the masses of the final state particles in two-body decays ...of neutral particles, which can then be used to obtain corrections in the momentum scale. A modified version of the Armenteros-Podolanski plot and the K
S
0
→ π
+
π
-
decay is used as a proof of principle for this method.
A precision at the 10
-6
–10
-8
level is achieved in simplified simulations.
Driven by human activities, air pollution and soil degradation are threatening food production systems. Rising ozone in the troposphere can affect several physiological processes in plants and their ...interaction with symbiotic microorganisms. Plant responses to ozone may depend on both soil fertility and the ontogenetic stage in which they are exposed. In this work, we studied the effects of ozone episodes and soil fertility on soybean plants. We analysed soybean plant responses in the production of aboveground and belowground biomass, structural and functional attributes of rhizobia, and seed production and quality. The experiment was performed with plants grown in two substrates with different fertility (commercial soil, and soil diluted (50%, v/v) with sand). Plants were exposed to acute episodes of ozone during vegetative and reproductive stages. We observed that ozone significantly reduced belowground biomass (≈25%), nodule biomass (≈30%), and biological nitrogen fixation (≈21%). Plants exposed to ozone during reproductive stage growing in soil with reduced fertility had lower seed production (≈10% lower) and seed protein (≈12% lower). These responses on yield and quality can be explained by the observed changes in belowground biomass and nitrogen fixation. The negative impact of ozone on the symbiotic interaction with rhizobia, seed production and quality in soybean plants were greater in soils with reduced fertility. Our results indicate that food security could be at risk in the future if trends in ozone concentration and soil degradation processes continue to increase.
Display omitted
•Ozone reduced belowground biomass, nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation in soybean plants.•Soybean plants exposed to ozone during reproductive stage had lower seed production and quality.•These ozone effects were significant in soybean plants growing on low fertility soils.
Tropospheric ozone episodes reduce nodulation, biological nitrogen fixation, seed production and quality in soybean plants growing on reduced fertility soils.
This research analyses the European landscape of innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To achieve this objective, data collected from the Horizon 2020 strategy is extracted, which ...includes 1055 research projects that focus on innovation in SMEs. A complex network analysis is carried out at three levels: (1) at aggregated level by participating European countries, (2) at aggregated level according to the actors of the Triple Helix model, and (3) at disaggregated level according to the individual entities participating in the program. The results allow us to understand the European environment that drives innovation in SMEs. First, this study provides a descriptive overview of the relationships between European countries that favor innovation, and it also describes the positioning of each of them in the joint network. Second, this analysis is able to identify the most relevant agents in the network, the Big Science Centers, and their relationships with industry and public institutions. This study can be used as an analytical tool to improve knowledge transfer in complex ecosystems.
•We report a green chemistry approach for the synthesis of nanofibrous materials.•Nanofibrous materials were obtained from the electrospinning technique.•We electrospun nanofibrous materials from ...blends of CMC–AgNPs/PVA using weight ratios as high as 0.48.•Nanofibers diameter decreases from 153 to 103nm as CMC weight content reaches 32.3wt%.
In this contribution a novel green chemistry approach for the synthesis of nanofibrous materials based on blends of carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC)–silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) composite and polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) is proposed. These nanofibrous materials were obtained from the electrospinning of blends of aqueous solutions of CMC–AgNPs composite and PVA, which were prepared at different CMC/PVA weight ratios in order to electrospin nanofibers applying a constant tension of 15kV. The synthesized materials were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy; as well as Fourier-transform infrared, ultraviolet and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Experimental evidence suggests that the diameter of the nanofibers is thinner than any other reported in the literature regarding the electrospinning of CMC. This feature is related to the interactions of AgNPs with carboxyl functional groups of the CMC, which diminish those between the later and acetyl groups of PVA.
Pterygium is one of the most frequent pathologies in ophthalmology, and is a benign, fibrovascular lesion originating from the bulbar conjunctiva. It is composed of an epithelium and highly vascular, ...subepithelial, loose connective tissue. The etiology of pterygium is not clearly understood; the most widely recognized originating factor is ultraviolet radiation. It has been proposed that pterygium and neoplasia have common features, raising the possibility that pterygium is a neoplastic-like growth disorder. In this study, proteomic analysis was performed to show that peroxiredoxin 2 is overexpressed in pterygia compared to healthy conjunctivas. Twelve pterygium specimens were obtained together with healthy conjunctival tissue from the same eyes. Total proteins of pterygia and healthy conjunctivas were analyzed in SDS-PAGE. This analysis showed protein bands expressed exclusively in pterygium samples at the range of 20–25 kDa. After this, 2D electrophoresis was performed for the separation of total proteins; differential spots expressed in pterygium were excised and sequenced. Mass spectrometry (MS) data were searched in the NCBInr and EST databases using the MASCOT program. The spot was identified as peroxiredoxin 2. Real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that peroxiredoxin 2 was increased in pterygium compared to healthy conjunctiva. Although, these results suggest that overexpression of peroxiredoxin 2 in pterygium could protect the cell against oxidative stress–induced apoptosis, further studies are required to establish the functional role of peroxiredoxin 2 in pterygium to determine its role in peroxidation and apoptosis in this pathology.
► Peroxiredoxin 2 was exclusively identified in pterygia by means of 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. ► Peroxiredoxin 2 was overexpressed in pterygia compared to healthy conjunctivas. ► Overexpression of peroxiredoxin 2 was corroborated using real-time PCR and western blot.
The fabrication and spectroscopic characterization of Ho3+ and Yb3+ co-doped phosphate glasses, also containing silver nanoparticles (SNPs), is reported. The nucleation and formation of nanoparticle ...structures in the samples are confirmed using transmission electron microscopy analyses. It is found that the Ho3+-Yb3+-SNP phosphate glasses exhibit an enhancement of both the resonant-absorption and the fluorescence properties when the SNP concentration is increased.
Abstract
High-energy physics is facing increasingly demanding computational challenges in real-time event reconstruction for the near-future high-luminosity era. Using the LHCb vertex detector as a ...use case, we explore a new algorithm for particle track reconstruction based on the minimisation of an Ising-like Hamiltonian with a linear algebra approach. The use of a classical matrix inversion technique results in tracking performance similar to the current state-of-the-art but with worse scaling complexity in time. To solve this problem, we also present an implementation as a quantum algorithm, using the Harrow-Hassadim-Lloyd (HHL) algorithm: this approach can potentially provide an exponential speedup as a function of the number of input hits over its classical counterpart, in spite of limitations due to the well-known HHL Hamiltonian simulation and readout problems. The findings presented in this paper shed light on the potential of leveraging quantum computing for real-time particle track reconstruction in high-energy physics.
Abstract
Study question
To compare embryo development and clinical outcomes between two commercial heavy oils using sibling donor oocytes collected.
Summary answer
Our study suggests that both ...commercial heavy oils achieve similar embryo development and clinical outcomes rates.
What is known already
Current tendencies in IVF laboratories, such as extending the embryo culture uninterruptedly until day 6/7 or the use of dry time-lapse incubators, have enhanced the importance to use good quality oils supporting human embryo culture in vitro. The coating of the culture dishes with oil is highly important to maintain the ideal conditions that embryos need for an optimal development. Specifically, oil plays an essential role in maintaining a stable temperature, provides a barrier against external agents and contributes preventing the media evaporation, and thus, to the maintenance of an optimal pH and osmolality for the correct embryo development.
Study design, size, duration
This is a single-centre prospective study performed between February and November 2022 that included 180 donors and 213 recipients. Donors were randomized using a computer-generated randomization list. Each case was processed and cultured with a commercial single medium coated with a layer of the commercial heavy oil assigned, a mineral oil (A) or a paraffin oil (B).
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Oocytes were injected by ICSI and then cultured in 16-well dishes (EmbryoSlide+®, EmbryoScope+™,Vitrolife) prepared with each heavy oil (1700µl oil/dish). These were cultured in a time-lapse incubator (EmbryoScope+™,Vitrolife) at 37.29 ± 0.05 °C in an atmosphere of 6.5% CO2 and 5% O2. These parameters were controlled periodically (T+Button,BrightSentinel and G100,Geotech). Laboratory conditions, such as temperature, humidity and volatile organic compounds levels were monitored continuously (Octax Log&Guard™,Vitrolife) during the study period, and pH was measured in a weekly basis.
Main results and the role of chance
A total of 2554 MII oocytes were injected by ICSI (oil A, n = 1304 and oil B, n = 1250). The proportion of fertilized oocytes was identical between the two oils (A:80.00% vs B:80.53%), as well as, abnormal fertilized oocyte rate (A:6.85% vs B:5.62%) and oocyte degeneration rate post-ICSI (A:6.14% vs B:6.00%). The mean number of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage and the proportion of blastocysts suitable for clinical use (transferred or cryopreserved) was almost the same independently of the oil used (A:69.84% vs B:67.15% and A:62.39% vs B:60.71%, respectively). Statistical data analysis was performed without referring to statistical significance (p > 0,05).
205 patients had an embryo transfer on day 5/6 with either fresh or cryopreserved blastocysts cultured coated with a layer of oil A (n = 101) or B (n = 104), with a mean number of 1.42 ± 0,55 and 1.33 ± 0,53 blastocysts transferred/patient in each group, respectively. No differences were found in terms of clinical pregnancy (A:69.30% vs B:67.31%) or implantation rates (A:62.37% vs B:61.53%) between both groups. Miscarriage rates were similar between group A (11.88%) and group B (12.62%).
The pH average value during the study was 7.26 ± 0.06. The mean values of the room temperature, humidity and VOCs were stable at 21.7 ± 0.4 °C, 66.7 ± 6.9% and 0.098 ± 0.01ppm, respectively.
Limitations, reasons for caution
Although heavy oils are the most competent in keeping optimal culture conditions over time, there are several culture oils with different features available in IVF market. Thus, further studies should be performed comparing among them. Future research is also needed to compare peroxidation rates of our culture oils studied.
Wider implications of the findings
The present study suggests that both commercial heavy oils used in a continuous approach may provide similar in vitro fertilization rates regarding fertilization, blastocysts suitable for clinical use or clinical pregnancy. Heavy oil features, laboratory conditions and the culture environment should be properly validated independently on each IVF center.
Trial registration number
not applicable
The objective of this work was to analyze the morphological and physicochemical properties of bean starch and its use in nanoencapsulation by spray drying. Starch purity was 81.21 ± 1.43% db with a ...resistant starch content higher than a commercial corn starch, but with a high protein content and a low amylose content. Starch granules presented smooth surfaces, polyhedral shape and sizes from ~ 1 to 6.3 µm. Black bean starch exhibited an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern with a crystallinity highest than corn starch. Black bean starch showed higher thermal stability than a commercial corn starch. At 90 °C, solubility was 31.0% and swelling power was 31.2 g g
−1
. The black bean starch gel showed a high stability under refrigeration and freeze–thaw. Small particles and viscosity profile suggested the potential application of black bean starch as wall material during nano spray drying. Black bean starch tends to form spherical aggregates during nano spray drying due to the protein content. Capsules size was in the range of 1.0–2.5 µm, however were observed agglomerated particles by SEM. The encapsulation efficiency of
l
-ascorbic acid was 36.88 ± 0.55%. The results indicate that black bean starch possesses properties with potential applications in food industries.
PDF
