Measurement of the τ-lepton Lifetime at Belle

The lifetime of the τ lepton is measured using the process e+e−→τ+τ−, where both τ leptons decay to 3πντ. The result for the mean lifetime, based on 711  fb−1 of data collected with the Belle detector at the ϒ(4S) resonance and 60  MeV below, is τ=(290.17±0.53(stat)±0.33(syst))×10−15  s. The first measurement of the lifetime difference betweenτ+ and τ− is performed. The upper limit on the relative lifetime difference between positive and negative τ leptons is |Δτ|/τ\u3c7.0×10−3 at 90% C.L

Genome-wide analysis in the search for candidate genes associated with meat productivity traits in meat-and-dairy goats

The development of the tourism cluster in the North Caucasus causes the expansion of product range with high consumer characteristics, in particular, a sustainable offer of dairy and meat products labeled as environmentally friendly. In the range of such products with high dietary properties, a special role may be played by goat meat obtained from Karachay goats, which are the most common meat-and-dairy goats in the region. The aim of the work was to search for candidate genes associated with live weight and meat productivity of Karachay goats. GWAS analysis using Goat 50K BeadChip high-density DNA microarray determined a genome-wide level of significance for six SNPs located on chromosomes 5, 6, 10 and 16 associated with the live weight of young animals (4 and 8 months old). Three of the six SNPs within the ± 200 kb region were localized to HMGA2, CRADD, and MAX genes. These genes were selected to study the meat productivity traits of young goats with different genotypes. It was found that in the locus linked with HMGA2 gene, young goats with GG genotype were characterized by the best indicators of meat productivity. Compared to AA genotype animals, they had superiority in pre-slaughter weight, slaughter carcass weight, slaughter yield, boneless meat weight and loin eye area by 8.9%, 13.6%, 4.3% (P<0.05), 10.5% (P<0.05) respectively. Young goat meat of this genotype was characterized by the high protein content of 22.56% and low fat content of 9.12%. For the CRADD gene, animals with GG genotype had a higher pre-slaughter weight, slaughter weight, slaughter carcass yield, boneless meat weight and loin eye area. Animals with AG genotype were characterized by the lowest indicators. According to the above characteristics, the difference between the compared genotypes was 15.8%, 25.7% (P<0.01), 8.4% (P <0.05), 18.3%, and 15.7% (P 0.01) respectively. There were no significant differences in the chemical composition of muscle tissue between animals of different genotypes. HMGA2 and CRADD genes are promising for further research of Karachay goats breeding to increase meat productivity and meat quality.

Search for the h_c meson in B^+- ->h_c K^+-

We report a search for the $h_c$ meson via the decay chain $B^{\pm}\to h_c K^{\pm}$, \etac \gamma with $\eta_c \to K_S^0 K^{\pm} \pi^{\mp}$ and $p\bar{p}$. No significant signals are observed. We obtain upper limits on the branching fractions for $B^{\pm} \to \eta_c\gamma K^{\pm}$ in bins of the $\eta_c\gamma$ invariant mass. The results are based on an analysis of 253 fb$^{-1}$ of data collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB $e^+e^-$ collider.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Green and sustainable public procurement—an instrument for nudging consumer behavior. A case study on romanian green public agriculture across different sectors of activity

Green Public Procurement (GPP) became an efficient instrument to achieve the objectives of environmental policy expressed by the European Commission in its Communications. At the same time, it must be addressed by the public authorities as a complex process, in which all purchased goods and services must integrate perfectly into an entire puzzle-like system of legislation, the construction field, innovation, healthcare, food, and education. Scientific references published in the Web of Science (WoS) mainly between 2017 and 2020 were investigated, and they analyze the implications of green public procurement in various fields, as presented by scientific communities. This article brings as a novelty in this context the identification of some barriers in the adoption of these processes, so that they can be overcome. Based on good practices and international standards and trends, the article shows how aspects related to the implementation of green procurement in society can be taken into account. In the second stage, we added a case study on Romanian green agriculture and discussions regarding inter-correlation between different fields and GPP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structural characterization and electrical properties of sintered magnesium-titanate ceramics

In this article the influence of ball miling process on structure of MgO-TiO2 system, as well as the electrical properties of samples after sintering, was investigated. The mixtures of MgO-TiO2 powders were mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill for the time period from 0 to 120 min. The influence of mechanical activation and sintering on the lattice vibrational spectra was studied by Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. Structural investigations have been performed on produced powders. Nitrogen adsorption method was used to determine the BET specific surface area and pore size distribution. Unusual results have been obtained: specific surface area continuosly decreased up to 40 min of activation and increased after that, reaching its minimun value of 5.5 m(2)/g. The Raman spectra of activated powders have shown that anatase modes have been decreasing in intensity and broadening as the time of activation extended. Also, the additional modes attributed to TiO2 II, srilankite and rutile phases started to appear as a consequence of activation. The small differences noticed in the Raman spectra of sintered samples have been explained by structural modification of MgTiO3 phase due to the presence of defects. The effects of activation and sintering process on microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrical measurements showed difference in dielectric constant (epsilon(r)), loss tangent (tg delta) and specific resistance (rho) as a function of time of mechanical treatment

Influences of technologies of cultivation of perennial bluegrass herbs on their transpiration in the conditions of water meadows

This article discusses the process of transpiration in perennial herb crops in the southwest of Bryansk region (Russia) under different technologies of cultivation, using superficial and radical improvement of natural fodder conditions. Experimental field surveys were conducted on the flood plain of the river Iput in 2009–2014. These years were characterized by different phytoclimatic conditions. The amounts of daily values of radiation balance for the period of vegetation in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 constituted respectively 1127, 1126, 1181, 1157 MDzh/m2 whereas during 2009 and 2011 respectively they came to 963 and 915 MDzh/m2. The maximum daily values for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were observed in 2012 and 2013 and constituted respectively 764 and 710 MDzh/m2, the minimum – in 2009 and 2011 – constituted respectively 635 and 592 MDzh/m2. During the vegetation period from the first hay crop to the second higher values of radiation balance and PAR were observed than during the period up to the first hay crop. Despite differences in the productivity between different variants of the cultures, a directly proportional linear dependence between productivity and transpiration with a high coefficient of correlation was obtained for every year of the research and stage of the hay crop. The transpiration coefficient for bluegrass herbs which are grown in river flood plains is established for the first time. The transpiraton coefficient doesn’t depend on the type of dose and ratio between different fertilizers, nor on the method of preparing the soil. The transpiration coefficient of crops of bluegrass herbs doesn’t depend on doses and a type of the introduced fertilizers, the method of handling of the soil, and for the first and second hay crops respectively constituted 469 and 486 per dry weight. The increase in transpirational consumption of moisture in dry weight formation during the period from the first hay crop to the second was caused by decrease in bioavailability of moisture during this period. We established that the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated on alluvial sandy soil without use of mineral fertilizers don’t use the moisture which is accumulated during the autumn and winter and spring period, and the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated using mineral fertilizers lack moisture during the vegetation period from first to the second hay crop only in drought years. We have experimentally proved that mineral fertilizers raise the relative transpiration and bioavailability of soil moisture to plants. It is suggested that the soluble salts which are a component of fertilizers increase osmotic pressure in the vascular system of plants. It was proved that preseeding working of the soil with a turnover of the layer at a depth of 20 cm increases bioavailability of soil moisture and absorption of solar radiation during the vegetation period in drought years

Evidence for CP Violation in B0 -> D+D- Decays

We report measurements of the branching fraction and CP violation parameters in B0 -> D+D- decays. The results are based on a data sample that contains 535 x 10^6 BBbar pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. We obtain [1.97 +- 0.20 (stat) +- 0.20 (syst)] x 10^(-4) for the branching fraction of B0 -> D+D-. The measured values of the CP violation parameters are: S = -1.13 +- 0.37 +- 0.09, A = 0.91 +- 0.23 +- 0.06, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. We find evidence of CP violation in B0 -> D+D- at the 4.1 sigma confidence level. While the value of S is consistent with expectations from other measurements, the value of the parameter A favors large direct CP violation at the 3.2 sigma confidence level, in contradiction to Standard Model expectations.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Влияние технологии возделывания многолетних мятликовых трав на их транспирацию в условиях заливных лугов

This article discusses the process of transpiration in perennial herb crops in the southwest of Bryansk region (Russia) under different technologies of cultivation, using superficial and radical improvement of natural fodder conditions. Experimental field surveys were conducted on the flood plain of the river Iput in 2009–2014. These years were characterized by different phytoclimatic conditions. The amounts of daily values of radiation balance for the period of vegetation in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 constituted respectively 1127, 1126, 1181, 1157 MDzh/m2 whereas during 2009 and 2011 respectively they came to 963 and 915 MDzh/m2. The maximum daily values for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were observed in 2012 and 2013 and constituted respectively 764 and 710 MDzh/m2, the minimum – in 2009 and 2011 – constituted respectively 635 and 592 MDzh/m2. During the vegetation period from the first hay crop to the second higher values of radiation balance and PAR were observed than during the period up to the first hay crop. Despite differences in the productivity between different variants of the cultures, a directly proportional linear dependence between productivity and transpiration with a high coefficient of correlation was obtained for every year of the research and stage of the hay crop. The transpiration coefficient for bluegrass herbs which are grown in river flood plains is established for the first time. The transpiraton coefficient doesn’t depend on the type of dose and ratio between different fertilizers, nor on the method of preparing the soil. The transpiration coefficient of crops of bluegrass herbs doesn’t depend on doses and a type of the introduced fertilizers, the method of handling of the soil, and for the first and second hay crops respectively constituted 469 and 486 per dry weight. The increase in transpirational consumption of moisture in dry weight formation during the period from the first hay crop to the second was caused by decrease in bioavailability of moisture during this period. We established that the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated on alluvial sandy soil without use of mineral fertilizers don’t use the moisture which is accumulated during the autumn and winter and spring period, and the crops of bluegrass herbs cultivated using mineral fertilizers lack moisture during the vegetation period from first to the second hay crop only in drought years. We have experimentally proved that mineral fertilizers raise the relative transpiration and bioavailability of soil moisture to plants. It is suggested that the soluble salts which are a component of fertilizers increase osmotic pressure in the vascular system of plants. It was proved that preseeding working of the soil with a turnover of the layer at a depth of 20 cm increases bioavailability of soil moisture and absorption of solar radiation during the vegetation period in drought years. В условиях юго-запада Брянской области России проанализирован процесс транспирации посевов многолетних трав при разных технологиях возделывания при поверхностном и коренном улучшении естественных кормовых угодий. Экспериментально-полевые исследования проведены в пойме реки Ипуть в 2009–2014 годах. Эти годы характеризовались разными фитоклиматическими условиями. Суммы суточных значений радиационного баланса за период вегетации в 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 гг. составили соответственно 1127, 1126, 1181, 1157 МДж/м2, тогда как в 2009 и 2011 равнялись соответственно 963 и 915 МДж/м2. Максимальная величина суммы суточных значений фотосинтетически активной радиации (ФАР) наблюдалась в 2012 и 2013 годах и составляла соответственно 764 и 710 МДж/м2, минимальная – в 2009 и 2011 – составляла соответственно 635 и 592 МДж/м2. В период вегетации от первого укоса до второго наблюдались более высокие значения радиационного баланса и ФАР, чем в период до первого укоса. Несмотря на различия в урожайности культур на вариантах, получена линейная прямая зависимость между урожайностью и транспирацией с высоким коэффициентом корреляции для каждого года исследований и срока укоса. Впервые установлен транспирационный коэффициент для мятликовых трав, выращиваемых в пойме реки. Транспирационный коэффициент не зависит от вида доз и соотношения между разными удобрениями, а также от способа обработки почвы. Транспирационный коэффициент посевов мятликовых трав не зависит от доз и вида вносимых удобрений, способа обработки почвы и составляет к первому и второму укосам соответственно 469 и 486 в расчете на сухую массу. Увеличение транспирационного расхода влаги на формирование сухой массы в период от первого укоса до второго обусловлено снижением биодоступности влаги в этот период. Посевы мятликовых трав, возделываемые на аллювиальной песчаной почве без применения минеральных удобрений, не используют накопленную за осенне-зимне-весенний период влагу, а посевы мятликовых трав, возделываемые с применением минеральных удобрений, испытывают недостаток влаги в период вегетации от первого до второго укоса лишь в засушливые годы. Экспериментально доказано, что минеральные удобрения повышают относительную транспирацию и биодоступность почвенной влаги растениям. Высказано предположение, что растворимые соли, входящие в состав удобрений, повышают осмотическое давление в проводящей системе растения. Предпосевная обработка почвы с оборотом пласта на глубину 20 см повышает биодоступность почвенной влаги и поглощение солнечной радиации в период вегетации в засушливые годы. В условиях юго-запада Брянской области России проанализирован процесс транспирации посевов многолетних трав при разных технологиях возделывания при поверхностном и коренном улучшении естественных кормовых угодий. Экспериментально-полевые исследования проведены в пойме реки Ипуть в 2009–2014 годах. Эти годы характеризовались разными фитоклиматическими условиями. Суммы суточных значений радиационного баланса за период вегетации в 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 гг. составили соответственно 1127, 1126, 1181, 1157 МДж/м2, тогда как в 2009 и 2011 равнялись соответственно 963 и 915 МДж/м2. Максимальная величина суммы суточных значений фотосинтетически активной радиации (ФАР) наблюдалась в 2012 и 2013 годах и составляла соответственно 764 и 710 МДж/м2, минимальная – в 2009 и 2011 – составляла соответственно 635 и 592 МДж/м2. В период вегетации от первого укоса до второго наблюдались более высокие значения радиационного баланса и ФАР, чем в период до первого укоса. Несмотря на различия в урожайности культур на вариантах, получена линейная прямая зависимость между урожайностью и транспирацией с высоким коэффициентом корреляции для каждого года исследований и срока укоса. Впервые установлен транспирационный коэффициент для мятликовых трав, выращиваемых в пойме реки. Транспирационный коэффициент не зависит от вида доз и соотношения между разными удобрениями, а также от способа обработки почвы. Транспирационный коэффициент посевов мятликовых трав не зависит от доз и вида вносимых удобрений, способа обработки почвы и составляет к первому и второму укосам соответственно 469 и 486 в расчете на сухую массу. Увеличение транспирационного расхода влаги на формирование сухой массы в период от первого укоса до второго обусловлено снижением биодоступности влаги в этот период. Посевы мятликовых трав, возделываемые на аллювиальной песчаной почве без применения минеральных удобрений, не используют накопленную за осенне-зимне-весенний период влагу, а посевы мятликовых трав, возделываемые с применением минеральных удобрений, испытывают недостаток влаги в период вегетации от первого до второго укоса лишь в засушливые годы. Экспериментально доказано, что минеральные удобрения повышают относительную транспирацию и биодоступность почвенной влаги растениям. Высказано предположение, что растворимые соли, входящие в состав удобрений, повышают осмотическое давление в проводящей системе растения. Предпосевная обработка почвы с оборотом пласта на глубину 20 см повышает биодоступность почвенной влаги и поглощение солнечной радиации в период вегетации в засушливые годы.