A novel method for the direct measurement of the elusive magnetic and electric dipole moments of the τ lepton is presented. The experimental approach relies on the production of τ^{+} leptons from ...D_{s}^{+}→τ^{+}ν_{τ} decays, originating in fixed-target collisions at the LHC. A sample of polarized τ^{+} leptons is kinematically selected and subsequently channeled in a bent crystal. The magnetic and electric dipole moments of the τ^{+} lepton are measured by determining the rotation of the spin-polarization vector induced by the intense electromagnetic field between crystal atomic planes. The experimental technique is discussed along with the expected sensitivities.
Permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) of fundamental particles provide powerful probes for physics beyond the Standard Model. We propose to search for the EDM of strange and charm baryons at LHC, ...extending the ongoing experimental program on the neutron, muon, atoms, molecules and light nuclei. The EDM of strange
Λ
baryons, selected from weak decays of charm baryons produced in
p
p
collisions at LHC, can be determined by studying the spin precession in the magnetic field of the detector tracking system. A test of
C
P
T
symmetry can be performed by measuring the magnetic dipole moment of
Λ
and
Λ
¯
baryons. For short-lived
Λ
c
+
and
Ξ
c
+
baryons, to be produced in a fixed-target experiment using the 7
TeV
LHC beam and channeled in a bent crystal, the spin precession is induced by the intense electromagnetic field between crystal atomic planes. The experimental layout based on the LHCb detector and the expected sensitivities in the coming years are discussed.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) and gelatin (Gel) are major components of the extracellular matrix of different tissues, and thus are largely appealing for the construction of hybrid hydrogels to combine the ...favorable characteristics of each biopolymer, such as the gel adhesiveness of Gel and the better mechanical strength of HA, respectively. However, despite previous studies conducted so far, the relationship between composition and scaffold structure and physico-chemical properties has not been completely and systematically established. In this work, pure and hybrid hydrogels of methacroyl-modified HA (HAMA) and Gel (GelMA) were prepared by UV photopolymerization and an extensive characterization was done to elucidate such correlations. Methacrylation degrees of ca. 40% and 11% for GelMA and HAMA, respectively, were obtained, which allows to improve the hydrogels’ mechanical properties. Hybrid GelMA/HAMA hydrogels were stiffer, with elastic modulus up to ca. 30 kPa, and porous (up to 91%) compared with pure GelMA ones at similar GelMA concentrations thanks to the interaction between HAMA and GelMA chains in the polymeric matrix. The progressive presence of HAMA gave rise to scaffolds with more disorganized, stiffer, and less porous structures owing to the net increase of mass in the hydrogel compositions. HAMA also made hybrid hydrogels more swellable and resistant to collagenase biodegradation. Hence, the suitable choice of polymeric composition allows to regulate the hydrogels´ physical properties to look for the most optimal characteristics required for the intended tissue engineering application.
We propose a unique program of measurements of electric and magnetic dipole moments of charm, beauty and strange charged baryons at the LHC, based on the phenomenon of spin precession of channeled ...particles in bent crystals. Studies of crystal channeling and spin precession of positively- and negatively-charged particles are presented, along with feasibility studies and expected sensitivities for the proposed experiment using a layout based on the LHCb detector.
The Physics Beyond Colliders initiative is an exploratory study aimed at exploiting the full scientific potential of the CERN's accelerator complex and scientific infrastructures through projects ...complementary to the LHC and other possible future colliders. These projects will target fundamental physics questions in modern particle physics. This document presents the status of the proposals presented in the framework of the Beyond Standard Model physics working group, and explore their physics reach and the impact that CERN could have in the next 10-20 years on the international landscape.
One of the most important symmetries in nature is time reversal, namely, that the laws of physics remain dynamically invariant from moving forward to backward in time. Nevertheless, this symmetry can ...be broken in certain physical processes as observed in neutral B mesons by the BABAR Collaboration. Symmetry transformations have been proven a bedrock tool for understanding the nature of particle interactions, formulating, and testing fundamental theories. Based on the up to now unbroken CPT symmetry, the violation of the CP symmetry between matter and antimatter by weak interactions, discovered in the decay of kaons in 1964 and observed more recently in 2001 in mesons, strongly suggests that the behavior of these particles under weak interactions must also be asymmetric under time reversal T. The method allows a clear-cut separation of different transitions between flavor and eigenstates in the decay of neutral mesons. The results, presented in 2012, prove beyond any doubt the violation of time-reversal invariance in the time evolution between these two states of the neutral B meson.
Numerous studies have reported the disadvantages of using plant protein in aquafeeds owing to the presence of antinutritional factors. Particularly, phytate can be overcome by dietary supplementation ...with exogenous phytase. On the other hand, the use of microalgae has been proven to be a valuable strategy for enhancing the digestive functionality in fish fed diets with high plant protein content. It was hypothesized that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase with microalgae can be useful to improve growth performance and digestive functionality in fish fed diets with high content of plant protein. In this study, the effects of feeds supplemented with different levels of exogenous phytase (FTU) and 2.5% of a blend of Arthrospira platensis and Nannochloropsis gaditana were evaluated on growth performance, metabolism, and gut functionality in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. Fish were fed ad libitum for 83 days with five diets containing different enzyme ratios (FTU), in triplicate: (i) control (0 FTU); (ii) 500 FTU; (iii) 1,000 FTU; (iv) 2,000 FTU; and (v) 10,000 FTU. At the end of the feeding period, zootechnical indexes were estimated, and biological samples were withdrawn for physiological determinations. The results obtained showed an overall improvement in the productive efficiency, general metabolism, and intestinal functionality in fish fed the highest phytase inclusion (2,000 and 10,000 FTU). Final weight (75.51 ± 1.01 g vs. 66.76 ± 1.26 g, p=0.005), SGR (1.15 ± 0.02 vs. 1.00 ± 0.02, p=0.006). and feed efficiency (0.80 ± 0.02% day−1 vs. 0.67 ± 0.01% day−1, p=0.012) were higher in fish fed 10,000 FTU. The chemical composition of muscle and plasma metabolites did not vary among dietary treatments, except for the high glucose and low glycogen content in the liver with 2,000 FTU group. Focusing on gut functionality, enzyme activities tended to be higher in fish fed diets supplemented with phytase and microalgae, and significant differences were found for trypsin, chymotrypsin, and alkaline phosphatase with 1,000, 2,000, and 10,000 FTU, and leucine aminopeptidase with 2,000 and 10,000 FTU (p<0.0001). Analysis of intestinal morphology revealed that 2,000 and 10,000 FTU combined with microalgae increased villi height and decreased villi diameter and enterocyte height. The presence of microalgae at low phytase supplementation level seems to lack of influence on the different parameters evaluated whereas only increased dietary phytase levels impacted on growth, nutrient utilization, and intestinal functionality. In addition, faecal samples were obtained by stripping the final portion of the intestines, from which the phosphorus and nitrogen were quantified. Apparent digestibility coefficient of phosphorus with 2,000 FTU and 10,000 FTU were higher, 74.3% and 77.8%, respectively, compared to control (52.4%). The results revealed a decrease in the amount of P shed with the excreta from the animals supplemented with phytase, a fact that evidenced an increased intestinal absorption of this element. Overall, the results obtained pointed out that phytase can be used at 10,000, and even 2,000, FTU in combination with microalgae as an approach to reducing feed costs and boost fish growth and digestive functionality of fish, while minimizing the environmental impacts of juvenile European seabass farms.
In the fifth-generation mobile communications networks, several resource allocation techniques have been used, such as static allocation and dynamic algorithms (greedy or matching theory); this work ...proposes a new subcarrier allocation scheme based on the evaluation of the instantaneous behaviour of the wireless channel using the condition number of the channel matrix ${\bi H}$H. Simulation results reveal that the proposed scheme increases the total sum rate of the system, compared to their predecessors.
Background
It has been reported that clinical evaluation consistently underestimates the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
Objective
To determine the usefulness of ultrasound as a diagnostic ...tool in HS compared with clinical examination and to assess the subsequent modification of disease management.
Methods
Cross‐sectional multicentre study. Severity classification and therapeutic approach according to clinical vs. ultrasound examination were compared.
Results
Of 143 HS patients were included. Clinical examination scored 38, 70 and 35 patients as Hurley stage I, II and III, respectively; with ultrasound examination, 21, 80 and 42 patients were staged with Hurley stage I, II and III disease, respectively (P < 0.01). In patients with stage I classification as determined by clinical examination, 44.7% changed to a more severe stage. Clinical examination indicated that 44.1%, 54.5% and 1.4% of patients would maintain, increase or decrease treatment, respectively. For ultrasound examination, these percentages were 31.5%, 67.1% and 1.4% (P < 0.01). Concordance between clinical and ultrasound intra‐rater examination was 22.8% (P < 0.01); intra‐rater and inter‐rater (radiologist) ultrasound agreement was 94.9% and 81.7%, respectively (P < 0.01).
Limitations
The inability to detect lesions that measure ≤0.1 mm or with only epidermal location.
Conclusion
Ultrasound can modify the clinical staging and therapeutic management in HS by detecting subclinical disease.
Purpose
Many patients with acute coronary syndrome experience problematic or altered sexual function. This aspect of the disease is frequently ignored or overlooked by the healthcare community even ...though it can strongly influence health-related patient quality of life (HRQoL). Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of a specific cardiac rehabilitation programme focused on aerobic and neuromuscular strength-resistance training to those of a classic rehabilitation programme, both in terms of HRQoL and erectile dysfunction in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Methods
This study reports both secondary and unregistered outcomes from a double-blinded, randomised, and controlled clinical trial. The proposed intervention was based on the completion of a 20-session (10-week) cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with cardiovascular disease. The patient cohort had been diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and was recruited at the Cardiology Service of a private tertiary hospital. The outcomes assessed in this study were HRQoL and erectile disfunction assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up.
Results
A total of 30 participants were randomly allocated to each study arm. The results of the two-way mixed ANOVAs showed significant group × time interactions for all the outcome measures (EQ-5D_index,
p
= 0.004; EQ-5D_VAS,
p
= 0.017; QLMI-Q,
p
≤ 0.001; and IIEF-5,
p
= 0.001).
Conclusion
The neuromuscular strength training programme was more effective than the classic strength training programme in terms of increasing the HRQoL and improving erectile dysfunction in patients following acute coronary syndrome, with differences still remaining between these groups at the 6-month follow-up.
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