Jet substructure at the LHC with soft collinear effective theory

This thesis investigates the use of Soft-Collinear effective theory (SCET) in order to obtain precise QCD predictions for jet substructure observables. We used SCET to obtain factorization theorems that allow us to resum towers of logarithms that become large in certain regions of phase space, improving the convergence of perturbation theory. Pushing for higher orders in logarithmic accuracy is a crucial part of having reliable predictions to be put up against data, and a necessary condition for precision. The jet substructure observables studied in this thesis are the jet shape, the angle between different jet axes, the jet energy drop, and the Soft Drop momentum sharing fraction zg

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

Effects of prolonged reduction of dissolved O2 concentrations on growth of turbot (Psetta maxima) juveniles

The knowledge of oxygen availability and consumption is one of the prerequisites for the development of aquatic systems (Brown et al., (1984), since low levels of available oxygen impose limitations on aquatic poikilotherms (Fernandez and Rantin, 1989). The effect of a prolonged (21 days) decrease in dissolved oxygen was compared on growth of juvenile turbot (Petssa maxima). Turbot (Psetta maxima) is a flatfish that has been cultured for many years in commercial aquaculture. Since this species is usually cultured at high densities, up to 40 Kg m-2 (Martinez-Tapia and Fernandez Pato, 1991), the effects of lower dissolved oxygen concentrations are an important factor for the optimization of commercial scale aquaculture. Initial weight of turbot was of 10,6±1,3 g; at the end of the 21 days experiment, juvenile turbot exposed to a lower dissolved oxygen concentration grew less (15,9±0,5 g) compared to those cultured at normal concentrations (17,8±0,6 g) (p<0.05)

Effect of triploidy on digestive enzyme activity of early stages of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus).

In the present work, growth and digestive enzyme activities of total acid and alkaline proteases, pepsin, trypsin, lipase, and α-amylase, as well as partial characterization of enzyme activity, were studied in diploid and triploid turbot. Growth was similar between both groups. Acid protease activity increased consistently during the experiment, for both diploid (2n) and triploid (3n) fish. The alkaline protease activity was always higher for triploids throughout the experiment. Proteolytic acid activity (pH 2) was generally higher for diploids, at all temperatures tested. Higher activity was at pH 2 and 3 for 2n and 3n fish, respectively. Regarding temperature, acid and alkaline protease activity was higher at 37 °C and 60 °C, respectively, for both groups. The general increase in pancreatic enzymes (trypsin and amylase) before 35 days after hatching (DAH) and posterior decrease until 60 DAH. There was a marked effect on enzyme activity when changing from live prey to pellets (35 DAH), especially on triploids

Biomethric Parámeters of Wild Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)

The wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) is a much appreciated species from the gastronomic point of view. The renowned quality this fish is well known, both nationally as in the international market. This makes wreckfish a good candidate for marine aquaculture diversification. Preliminary results on the biology (Wakefield et al., 2013) and culture (Peleteiro et al., 2014) of this species suggest that this is a fast grower. Wreckfish also acclimates easily to captivity and handling, and despite their large sizes, no mortality related to handling has been observed. This species readily accepts prepared diets in captivity, and is characterized by its low metabolism and inhabiting great water depths. The present research was designed to obtain information on biochemical composition, biometric parameters, sexual differentiation and maturity of wild caught wreckfish, which are important for a success culture of this species

Otoneurologia: definições e terapias baseadas em evidências - Resultados do I Fórum Brasileiro de Otoneurologia

Neurotology is a rapidly expanding field of knowledge. The study of the vestibular system has advanced so much that even basic definitions, such as the meaning of vestibular symptoms, have only recently been standardized. To present a review of the main subjects of neurotology, including concepts, diagnosis and treatment of Neurotology, defining current scientific evidence to facilitate decision-making and to point out the most evidence-lacking areas to stimulate further new research. This text is the result of the I Brazilian Forum of Neurotology, which brought together the foremost Brazilian researchers in this area for a literature review. In all, there will be three review papers to be published. This first review will address definitions and therapies, the second one will address diagnostic tools, and the third will define the main diseases diagnoses. Each author performed a bibliographic search in the LILACS, SciELO, PubMed and MEDLINE databases on a given subject. The text was then submitted to the other Forum participants for a period of 30 days for analysis. A special chapter, on the definition of vestibular symptoms, was translated by an official translation service, and equally submitted to the other stages of the process. There was then a in-person meeting in which all the texts were orally presented, and there was a discussion among the participants to define a consensual text for each chapter. The consensual texts were then submitted to a final review by four professors of neurotology disciplines from three Brazilian universities and finally concluded. Based on the full text, available on the website of the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervical-Facial Surgery, this summary version was written as a review article. Result: The text presents the official translation into Portuguese of the definition of vestibular symptoms proposed by the Bárány Society and brings together the main scientific evidence for each of the main existing therapies for neurotological diseases. This text rationally grouped the main topics of knowledge regarding the definitions and therapies of Neurotology, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach of neurotological patients based on scientific evidence and national experience, which should assist them in clinical decision-making, and show the most evidence-lacking topics to stimulate further study. © 2019 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial86213914