The physics motivation and the conceptual design of the PIONEER experiment, a next-generation rare pion decay experiment testing lepton flavor universality and CKM unitarity, are described. Phase I ...of the PIONEER experiment, which was proposed and approved at Paul Scherrer Institut, aims at measuring the charged-pion branching ratio to electrons vs.\ muons, \(R_{e/\mu}\), 15 times more precisely than the current experimental result, reaching the precision of the Standard Model (SM) prediction at 1 part in \(10^4\). Considering several inconsistencies between the SM predictions and data pointing towards the potential violation of lepton flavor universality, the PIONEER experiment will probe non-SM explanations of these anomalies through sensitivity to quantum effects of new particles up to the PeV mass scale. The later phases of the PIONEER experiment aim at improving the experimental precision of the branching ratio of pion beta decay (BRPB), \(\pi^+\to \pi^0 e^+ \nu (\gamma)\), currently at \(1.036(6)\times10^{-8}\), by a factor of three (Phase II) and an order of magnitude (Phase III). Such precise measurements of BRPB will allow for tests of CKM unitarity in light of the Cabibbo Angle Anomaly and the theoretically cleanest extraction of \(|V_{ud}|\) at the 0.02\% level, comparable to the deduction from superallowed beta decays.
PIONEER: Studies of Rare Pion Decays PIONEER Collaboration; Altmannshofer, W; Binney, H ...
arXiv (Cornell University),
03/2022
Paper, Journal Article
Odprti dostop
A next-generation rare pion decay experiment, PIONEER, is strongly motivated by several inconsistencies between Standard Model (SM) predictions and data pointing towards the potential violation of ...lepton flavor universality. It will probe non-SM explanations of these anomalies through sensitivity to quantum effects of new particles even if their masses are at very high scales. Measurement of the charged-pion branching ratio to electrons vs. muons \(R_{e/\mu}\) is extremely sensitive to new physics effects. At present, the SM prediction for \(R_{e/\mu}\) is known to 1 part in \(10^4\), which is 15 times more precise than the current experimental result. An experiment reaching the theoretical accuracy will test lepton flavor universality at an unprecedented level, probing mass scales up to the PeV range. Measurement of pion beta decay, \(\pi^+\to \pi^0 e^+ \nu (\gamma)\), with 3 to 10-fold improvement in sensitivity, will determine \(V_{ud}\) in a theoretically pristine manner and test CKM unitarity, which is very important in light of the recently emerged tensions. In addition, various exotic rare decays involving sterile neutrinos and axions will be searched for with unprecedented sensitivity. The experiment design benefits from experience with the recent PIENU and PEN experiments at TRIUMF and the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). Excellent energy and time resolutions, greatly increased calorimeter depth, high-speed detector and electronics response, large solid angle coverage, and complete event reconstruction are all critical aspects of the approach. The PIONEER experiment design includes a 3\(\pi\) sr 25 radiation length calorimeter, a segmented low gain avalanche detector stopping target, a positron tracker, and other detectors. Using intense pion beams, and state-of-the-art instrumentation and computational resources, the experiments can be performed at the PSI ring cyclotron.
Di(2-pyridyl)N, N-di(8-quinolyl)aminomethane (DPQAM) was used for the substoichiometric extraction and photometric determination of perchlorate and iodide in the ranges 10-1000 and 50-1000 ppm, ...respectively, by extraction of the Fe(DPQAM)
2
X
2
(X = C1O
4
−
or I
−
) into chloroform. The determination ranges were found to be dependent on the Fe(II) concentration used.
The detection of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (GW170817), along with the discovery of the electromagnetic counterparts of this ...gravitational wave event, ushered in a new era of multimessenger astronomy, providing the first direct evidence that BNS mergers are progenitors of short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Such events may also produce very-high-energy (VHE, > 100GeV) photons which have yet to be detected in coincidence with a gravitational wave signal. The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a next-generation VHE observatory which aims to be indispensable in this search, with an unparalleled sensitivity and ability to slew anywhere on the sky within a few tens of seconds. New observing modes and follow-up strategies are being developed for CTA to rapidly cover localization areas of gravitational wave events that are typically larger than the CTA field of view. This work will evaluate and provide estimations on the expected number of of gravitational wave events that will be observable with CTA, considering both on- and off-axis emission. In addition, we will present and discuss the prospects of potential follow-up strategies with CTA.
Grape canes, the main byproducts of the viticulture industry, contain high-value bioactive phenolic compounds, whose application is limited by their instability and poorly solubility in water. ...Encapsulation in cyclodextrins allows these drawbacks to be overcome. In this work, a grape cane pilot-plant extract (GCPPE) was encapsulated in hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) by a spray-drying technique and the formation of an inclusion complex was confirmed by microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The phenolic profile of the complex was analyzed by LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS and the encapsulation efficiency of the phenolic compounds was determined. A total of 42 compounds were identified, including stilbenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, and a complex of (epi)catechin with β-CD was detected, confirming the interaction between polyphenols and cyclodextrin. The encapsulation efficiency for the total extract was 80.5 ± 1.1%, with restrytisol showing the highest value (97.0 ± 0.6%) and (E)-resveratrol (32.7 ± 2.8%) the lowest value. The antioxidant capacity of the inclusion complex, determined by ORAC-FL, was 5300 ± 472 µmol TE/g DW, which was similar to the value obtained for the unencapsulated extract. This formulation might be used to improve the stability, solubility, and bioavailability of phenolic compounds of the GCPPE for water-soluble food and pharmaceutical applications.
Abstract
Bioactive compounds in food and beverages, including fruit juices, are susceptible to degradation or oxidation during processing and storage. This vulnerability can lead to a reduction in ...nutritional value and overall quality of the products. The objective of this research is to explore the potential of encapsulation techniques in preserving and enhancing the nutritional value of fruit juices. The encapsulation of natural compounds, enzymes, and probiotics is seen as a promising approach to fortifying fruit juices, improving their preservation and processing of these encapsulated natural compounds as additives in food packaging. The study involves a comprehensive review of various encapsulation techniques and materials used for encapsulating bioactive compounds. It also investigates the current applications of encapsulated natural products in the preservation of food and beverages. The encapsulation of bioactive compounds has shown the potential in improving the nutritional value and functional properties of fruit juice products and foods. It has also been found to enhance the preservation and processing of these products, contributing to their overall quality and safety. Encapsulation techniques offer a promising avenue for revolutionizing the fruit juice industry by enhancing the nutritional value and shelf life of products. They also present an opportunity for the development of more functional food products. Despite the promising results, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of encapsulation, determine the optimal conditions for encapsulating different ingredients, and assess the effects of encapsulation on the quality and safety of fruit juices. Future studies should focus on these areas to further advance the application of encapsulation techniques in the food and beverage industry.
Graphical Abstract
Background: systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended for bronchiectasis, but there is no ...data about its effect on the inflammatory and REDOX status of these patients. Aims: to investigate the effect of PR in non-cystic-fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients, and to compare it with the effect of PR plus a hyperproteic oral nutritional supplement (PRS) enriched with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on serum inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers. Materials and methods: this was an open randomized, controlled trial. Thirty individuals (65 years old or younger with a body mass index over 18.5, older than 65 years with a body mass index over 20) were recruited from September 2013 to September 2014, and randomly assigned to receive PR or PRS. Total neutrophils, and inflammatory and oxidative biomarker levels were measured at baseline, and then at 3 and 6 months. Results: in the PRS group neutrophil levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. A significantly different fold change was found between the PR and PRS groups. In the PR group, IL-6 and adiponectin were increased by the end of the study while TNFα levels were decreased from baseline at 6 months. REDOX biomarkers remained stable throughout the study except for 8-isoprostane levels, which were increased from baseline at 6 months in both groups of patients. Conclusions: a PR program induced a pro-oxidative effect accompanied by changes in circulating inflammatory cytokine levels in NCFB patients. Our results would also suggest a possible beneficial effect of the HMB enriched supplement on neutrophil level regulation in these patients. The information provided in this study could be useful for choosing the right therapeutic approach in the management of bronchiectasis.
Post-operative delirium is a serious complication in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. It remains unclear whether peri-operative hemodynamic and perfusion variables affect the risk for ...postoperative delirium. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the association between perfusion and hemodynamics peri-operative with the appearance of post-operative delirium.
Prospective cohort study of adults 60 years or older undergoing elective open colon surgery. Multimodal hemodynamic and perfusion variables were monitored, including central venous oxygenation (ScvO2), lactate levels, and non-invasive cerebral oxygenation (rSO2), according to a standard anesthesia protocol. Fisher's exact test or Student's t-test were used to compare patients who developed post-operative delirium with those who did not (p<0.05).
We studied 28 patients, age 73±7 years, 60.7% female. Two patients developed post-operative delirium (7.1%). These two patients had fewer years of education than those without delirium (p=0.031). None of the peri-operative blood pressure variables were associated with incidence of post-operative delirium. In terms of perfusion parameters, postoperative ScvO2 was lower in the delirium than the non-delirium group, without reaching statistical significance (65±10% vs. 74±5%; p=0.08), but the delta-ScvO2 (the difference between means post-operative and intra-operative) was associated with post-operative delirium (p=0.043). Post-operative lactate and rSO2 variables were not associated with delirium.
Our pilot study suggests an association between delta ScvO2 and post-operative delirium, and a tendency to lower post-operative ScvO2 in patients who developed delirium. Further studies are necessary to elucidate this association.
O delírio pós-operatório é uma complicação séria em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia abdominal de grande porte. Ainda não está claro se as variáveis hemodinâmicas e de perfusão no período perioperatório afetam o risco de delírio pós-operatório. O objetivo deste estudo piloto foi avaliar a associação entre perfusão e hemodinâmica no perioperatório com o surgimento de delírio pós-operatório.
Estudo prospectivo de coorte de adultos com 60 anos ou mais de idade, submetidos à cirurgia eletiva aberta do cólon. As variáveis multimodais de hemodinâmica e perfusão foram monitoradas, incluindo oxigenação venosa central (ScvO2), níveis de lactato e oxigenação cerebral não invasiva (rSO2), de acordo com um protocolo padrão de anestesia. O teste exato de Fisher ou o teste-t de Student foram utilizados para comparar os pacientes que desenvolveram delírio pós-operatório com aqueles que não desenvolveram (p<0,05).
Avaliamos 28 pacientes, 73±7 anos de idade, 60,7% do sexo feminino. Dois pacientes desenvolveram delírio pós-operatório (7,1%). Esses dois pacientes tinham menos anos de escolaridade que aqueles sem delírio pós-operatório (p=0,031). Nenhuma das variáveis de pressão arterial no perioperatório foi associada à incidência de delírio. Quanto aos parâmetros de perfusão, ScvO2 foi menor no grupo que apresentou delírio pós-operatório que no grupo que não apresentou delírio, sem atingir significância estatística (65±10% vs. 74±5%; p=0,08), mas o delta-ScvO2 (a diferença entre as médias no pós-operatório e intraoperatório) foi associado ao delírio (p=0,043). As variáveis de lactato e rSO2 no pós-operatório não foram associadas ao delírio.
Nosso estudo piloto sugere uma associação entre delta-ScvO2 e delírio e uma tendência à diminuição da ScvO2 no pós-operatório de pacientes com delírio. Estudos adicionais são necessários para elucidar essa associação.
Context: Infertility observed in adult males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has been associated with testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART) that may originate during childhood.
Objective: ...Our objective was to describe the prevalence of TART and Sertoli and Leydig cell function in a group of boys aged 2–10 yr with CAH and to compare prevalence with that of a control group.
Design: From August 2005 to January 2007, 19 patients with classical CAH (CAH group) were referred from seven endocrinology centers.
Methods: We studied 19 subjects in the CAH group and, as a control group, 13 boys from the community that did not have testicular diseases. A complete physical exam was performed. High-resolution ultrasound was used to determine TART prevalence. Inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone were used as Sertoli cell markers. The ratio between basal testosterone levels and testosterone levels 72 h after β-human chorionic gonadotropin (5000 U/m2) treatment (T72− T0)/T0 was used to evaluate Leydig cell response.
Results: CAH and control groups were comparable in chronological age (5.9 vs. 5.6 yr; P = 0.67) and bone age/chronological age ratio (1.09 vs. 1.03; P = 0.09). TART prevalence was four of 19 (21%) in the CAH group. Lower values for inhibin B (49.2. vs. 65.2 pg/ml; P = 0.018), anti-Müllerian hormone (70.1 vs. 94.2 ng/ml; P = 0.002), and (T72− T0)/T0 (5.6 vs. 13.6; P < 0.01) were observed in the CAH group.
Conclusion: TART in prepubertal males with classic CAH could be found during childhood. We also report differences in markers of gonadal function in a subgroup of patients, especially in those with inadequate control.
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