Measurement of triple gauge-boson couplings at 172 GeV

The triple gauge-boson couplings, Awp, Aw and Abp, have been measured using 34 semileptonically and 54 hadronically decaying WW candidate events. The events were selected in the data recorded during 1996 with the ALEPH detector at 172 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 10.65 pb^-1. The triple gauge-boson couplings have been measured using optimal observables constructed from kinematic information of WW events. The results are in agreement with the Standard Model expectation

Searches for neutral Higgs bosons in e+e−e^{+}e^{-} collisions at centre-of-mass energies from 192 to 202 GeV

Searches for neutral Higgs bosons are performed with the 237 pb^-1 of data collected in 1999 by the ALEPH detector at LEP, for centre-of-mass energies between 191.6 and 201.6 GeV. These searches apply to Higgs bosons within the context of the Standard Model and its minimal supersymmetric extension (MSSM) as well as to invisibly decaying Higgs bosons. No evidence of a signal is seen. A lower limit on the mass of the Standard Model Higgs boson of 107.7 GeV/c^2 at 95% confidence level is set. In the MSSM, lower limits of 91.2 and 91.6 GeV/c^2 are derived for the masses of the neutral Higgs bosons h and A, respectively. For a Higgs boson decaying invisibly and produced with the Standard Model cross section, masses below 106.4 GeV/c^2 are excluded

Double trouble at high density::Cross-level test of ressource-related adaptive plasticity and crowding-related fitness.

Population size is often regulated by negative feedback between population density and individual fitness. At high population densities, animals run into double trouble: they might concurrently suffer from overexploitation of resources and also from negative interference among individuals regardless of resource availability, referred to as crowding. Animals are able to adapt to resource shortages by exhibiting a repertoire of life history and physiological plasticities. In addition to resource-related plasticity, crowding might lead to reduced fitness, with consequences for individual life history. We explored how different mechanisms behind resource-related plasticity and crowding-related fitness act independently or together, using the water flea Daphnia magna as a case study. For testing hypotheses related to mechanisms of plasticity and crowding stress across different biological levels, we used an individual-based population model that is based on dynamic energy budget theory. Each of the hypotheses, represented by a sub-model, is based on specific assumptions on how the uptake and allocation of energy are altered under conditions of resource shortage or crowding. For cross-level testing of different hypotheses, we explored how well the sub-models fit individual level data and also how well they predict population dynamics under different conditions of resource availability. Only operating resource-related and crowding-related hypotheses together enabled accurate model predictions of D. magna population dynamics and size structure. Whereas this study showed that various mechanisms might play a role in the negative feedback between population density and individual life history, it also indicated that different density levels might instigate the onset of the different mechanisms. This study provides an example of how the integration of dynamic energy budget theory and individual-based modelling can facilitate the exploration of mechanisms behind the regulation of population size. Such understanding is important for assessment, management and the conservation of populations and thereby biodiversity in ecosystems

Systematic Review of Potential Health Risks Posed by Pharmaceutical, Occupational and Consumer Exposures to Metallic and Nanoscale Aluminum, Aluminum Oxides, Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Soluble Salts

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al. (2007). Challenges encountered in carrying out the present review reflected the experimental use of different physical and chemical Al forms, different routes of administration, and different target organs in relation to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. Wide variations in diet can result in Al intakes that are often higher than the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which is based on studies with Al citrate. Comparing daily dietary Al exposures on the basis of “total Al”assumes that gastrointestinal bioavailability for all dietary Al forms is equivalent to that for Al citrate, an approach that requires validation. Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for identical Al substances vary as much as 15-fold. The toxicity of different Al forms depends in large measure on their physical behavior and relative solubility in water. The toxicity of soluble Al forms depends upon the delivered dose of Al+ 3 to target tissues. Trivalent Al reacts with water to produce bidentate superoxide coordination spheres [Al(O2)(H2O4)+ 2 and Al(H2O)6 + 3] that after complexation with O2•−, generate Al superoxides [Al(O2•)](H2O5)]+ 2. Semireduced AlO2• radicals deplete mitochondrial Fe and promote generation of H2O2, O2 • − and OH•. Thus, it is the Al+ 3-induced formation of oxygen radicals that accounts for the oxidative damage that leads to intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, the toxicity of the insoluble Al oxides depends primarily on their behavior as particulates. Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer. Metallic Al, its oxides, and common Al salts have not been shown to be either genotoxic or carcinogenic. Aluminum exposures during neonatal and pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) can impair bone mineralization and delay neurological development. Adverse effects to vaccines with Al adjuvants have occurred; however, recent controlled trials found that the immunologic response to certain vaccines with Al adjuvants was no greater, and in some cases less than, that after identical vaccination without Al adjuvants. The scientific literature on the adverse health effects of Al is extensive. Health risk assessments for Al must take into account individual co-factors (e.g., age, renal function, diet, gastric pH). Conclusions from the current review point to the need for refinement of the PTWI, reduction of Al contamination in PN solutions, justification for routine addition of Al to vaccines, and harmonization of OELs for Al substances

Search for gauge mediated SUSY breaking topologies in e+e−e^+ e^- collisions at centre-of-mass energies up to 209 GeV

A total of 628\invpb of data collected with the ALEPH detector at centre-of-mass energies from 189 to 209\,GeV is analysed in the search for gauge mediated SUSY breaking (GMSB) topologies. These topologies include two acoplanar photons, non-pointing single photons, acoplanar leptons, large impact parameter leptons, detached slepton decay vertices, heavy stable charged sleptons and multi-leptons plus missing energy final states. No evidence is found for new phenomena, and lower limits on masses of supersymmetric particles are derived. A scan of a minimal GMSB parameter space is performed and lower limits are set for the next-to-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) mass at 54\gevcc and for the mass scale parameter $\Lambda$ at 10\tevcc, independently of the NLSP lifetime. Including the results from the neutral Higgs boson searches, a NLSP mass limit of 77\gevcc is obtained and values of $\Lambda$ up to 16\tevcc are excluded

Post-Space Treatment Influences the Bond Strength In Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of <i>In Vitro</i> Studies

SUMMARY Objectives: This systematic review of in vitro studies investigated the influence of the post-space treatment used to remove the smear layer on the bond strength of the post to root canal dentin. Methods and Materials: In vitro studies included in this study were identified from PubMed/MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Scopus databases up until March 2019, without limits on publication year or language. Two reviewers independently selected the studies based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias of all studies. A random effects model was used for pairwise meta-analyses (control vs. post-space preparation groups) at a significance level of p&amp;lt;0.05. Results: Of the 2,832 potentially eligible studies, 453 studies were selected for full-text analysis, and 75 were included in this systematic review. Only one study was considered to have a low risk of bias. Overall, post-space treatment significantly improves the bond strength to root canal dentin (p&amp;lt;0.00001). Conclusion: Post-space treatment has a positive influence on the bond strength of the post to root canal dentin. In this review, the post-space treatments that improve the adhesive resistance of the post were ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (NaOCl + EDTA), NaOCl + EDTA + ultrasound, erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser (Er:YAG laser), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser (Nd:YAG laser), and diode laser. </jats:sec

Increased mortality in groups of cattle administered the β-adrenergic agonists ractopamine hydrochloride and zilpaterol hydrochloride

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two β-adrenergic agonists (βAA) for in-feed administration to cattle fed in confinement for human consumption. Anecdotal reports have generated concern that administration of βAA might be associated with an increased incidence of cattle deaths. Our objectives, therefore, were to a) quantify the association between βAA administration and mortality in feedlot cattle, and b) explore those variables that may confound or modify this association. Three datasets were acquired for analysis: one included information from randomized and controlled clinical trials of the βAA ractopamine hydrochloride, while the other two were observational data on zilpaterol hydrochloride administration to large numbers of cattle housed, fed, and cared for using routine commercial production practices in the U.S. Various population and time at-risk models were developed to explore potential βAA relationships with mortality, as well as the extent of confounding and effect modification. Measures of effect were relatively consistent across datasets and models in that the cumulative risk and incidence rate of death was 75 to 90% greater in animals administered the βAA compared to contemporaneous controls. During the exposure period, 40 to 50% of deaths among groups administered the βAA were attributed to administration of the drug. None of the available covariates meaningfully confounded the relationship between βAA and increased mortality. Only month of slaughter, presumably a proxy for climate, consistently modified the effect in that the biological association was generally greatest during the warmer months of the year. While death is a rare event in feedlot cattle, the data reported herein provide compelling evidence that mortality is nevertheless increased in response to administration of FDA-approved βAA and represents a heretofore unquantified adverse drug event

Effect of Different Surface Treatments of Resin Relined Fiber Posts Cemented With Self-adhesive Resin Cement on Push-out and Microtensile Bond Strength Tests

Clinical Relevance When luting relined fiber posts with self-adhesive cement, the surface treatment of the posts influences the adhesion of the fiber posts to root dentin. SUMMARY This study evaluated the effect of surface treatment and silanization of resin composite on the bond strength of relined fiber posts cemented with self-adhesive resin cement. Push-out and microtensile bond strength (MTBS) tests were performed in this study. The endodontic treatment of 80 single-rooted bovine teeth was first performed in the push- out test segment, followed by weakening the intracanal walls by diamond bur. Then, the glass fiber posts were adapted with resin composite to fill the root canals, followed by photoactivation and resin surface conditioning according to four different experimental conditions: no conditioning as control, 10% hydrofluoric acid, 35% hydrogen peroxide, or air abrasion with alumina particle (all groups were subdivided into “with silanization” or “without silanization,” thus totaling eight experimental groups). Self-adhesive resin cement was used for the post cementation. Four slices per tooth were obtained for the push-out tests. Next, 160 blocks of resin composite were first produced for the MTBS tests; their bonding surfaces were conditioned (as mentioned, ie, eight treatments), and they were cemented to each other. The 80 sets (n=10/treatment) were then cut into microbars (16/set): eight were immediately tested, while the other eight were thermocycled (12,000×) and stored (120 days) before MTBS. Failure modes and topographic analyses were performed after treatments. There was no statistically significant difference for the push-out results. In MTBS, surface treatment and silanization had a significant effect (p&amp;lt;0.001). Aging decreased bond strength for all groups. Considering the aged groups, air abrasion promoted the highest values and silanization improved bond strength for all treatments except air abrasion. The alumina particle air abrasion of the relining resin composite promoted the highest bond strengths when luting with self-adhesive resin cement. </jats:sec

Effect of Ferrule Thickness on Fracture Resistance of Teeth Restored With a Glass Fiber Post or Cast Post

SUMMARY Purpose: To investigate the influence of ferrule thickness on fracture resistance after mechanical cycling of teeth restored with different intracanal posts. Methods and Materials: One hundred twenty bovine incisor teeth were randomized into six study groups, based on the intracanal post used (fiber post or cast post and core) and the presence and thickness of a ferrule (without ferrule, presence of 0.5-mm or 1-mm-thick ferrule, retaining unaltered 2-mm ferrule height). The root posts and the metal crowns were cemented using an adhesive cement. The samples were subjected to mechanical cycling (at 37°C, 45°, 130 N, 2.2 Hz, and 2 × 106 pulses). Afterward, they were subjected to a fracture load test at a speed of 0.5 mm/min and on a 45° slope until failure occurred. The failures were classified as favorable or unfavorable. The fracture resistance data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. The chi-square test was used to analyze the pattern of failure. Results: When considering the cast post and core, the 1-mm ferrule thickness group presented a higher resistance to fracture than did the group in which a ferrule was not used (p=0.001). When using a glass fiber post, the groups showed no differences in fracture resistance. Overall, 96.7% of the specimens survived the mechanical cycling. Of the fractures, 58.6% of the fractures were unfavorable, while 41.6% were favorable. Conclusions: A thicker ferrule statistically increased the fracture resistance only for cast post and core when it was at least 1 mm thick, despite causing more unfavorable failures. Thus, ferrule thickness should be considered when choosing different intracanal posts, to reduce the occurrence of unfavorable failures. In the absence of a ferrule, the use of a cast post and core presents more favorable failures, and in the presence of a 1-mm-thick ferrule, the use of a glass fiber post seems to be the best clinical decision. </jats:sec