Spin observables for pion photoproduction on the deuteron in the Δ\Delta(1232)-resonance region

Spin observables for the three charge states of the pion for the pion photoproduction reaction on the deuteron, $\gamma d\to\pi NN$, with polarized photon beam and/or oriented deuteron target are predicted. For the beam-target double-spin asymmetries, it is found that only the longitudinal asymmetries $T_{20}^{\ell}$ and $T_{2\pm 2}^{\ell}$ do not vanish, whereas all the circular and the other longitudinal asymmetries do vanish. The sensitivity of spin observables to the model deuteron wave function is investigated. It has been found that only $T_{21}$ and $T_{22}$ are sensitive to the model deuteron wave function, in particular in the case of $\pi^0$-production above the $\Delta$-region, and that other asymmetries are not.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phy

Polarization observables of the gamma d --> PiNN reaction in the Delta(1232)-resonance region

Polarization observables of the three charge states of the pion for the $\gamma d\to\pi NN$ reaction with polarized photon beam and/or oriented deuteron target are evaluated over the whole $\Delta$(1232)-resonance region adopting a nonrelativistic model based on time-ordered perturbation theory. Results for the $\pi$-meson spectra, linear photon asymmetry, vector and tensor target asymmetries are presented. Particular attention is given, for the first time, to double polarization asymmetries for which we present results for $T_{20}^{\ell}$ and $T_{2\pm 2}^{\ell}$. We found that all other double polarization asymmetries of photon and deuteron target are vanished.Comment: 17 Pages, 8 Figures, accepted for publication in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Bayesian identification of LPV-BJ models : a multidimensional kernel approach

poster, no abstract available

Novel microwell-based spectrophotometric assay for determination of atorvastatin calcium in its pharmaceutical formulations

The formation of a colored charge-transfer (CT) complex between atorvastatin calcium (ATR-Ca) as a n-electron donor and 2, 3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as a π-electron acceptor was investigated, for the first time. The spectral characteristics of the CT complex have been described, and the reaction mechanism has been proved by computational molecular modeling. The reaction was employed in the development of a novel microwell-based spectrophotometric assay for determination of ATR-Ca in its pharmaceutical formulations. The proposed assay was carried out in 96-microwell plates. The absorbance of the colored-CT complex was measured at 460 nm by microwell-plate absorbance reader. The optimum conditions of the reaction and the analytical procedures of the assay were established. Under the optimum conditions, linear relationship with good correlation coefficient (0.9995) was found between the absorbance and the concentration of ATR-Ca in the range of 10-150 μg/well. The limits of detection and quantitation were 5.3 and 15.8 μg/well, respectively. No interference was observed from the additives that are present in the pharmaceutical formulation or from the drugs that are co-formulated with ATR-Ca in its combined formulations. The assay was successfully applied to the analysis of ATR-Ca in its pharmaceutical dosage forms with good accuracy and precision. The assay described herein has great practical value in the routine analysis of ATR-Ca in quality control laboratories, as it has high throughput property, consumes minimum volume of organic solvent thus it offers the reduction in the exposures of the analysts to the toxic effects of organic solvents, and reduction in the analysis cost by 50-fold. Although the proposed assay was validated for ATR-Ca, however, the same methodology could be used for any electron-donating analyte for which a CT reaction can be performed

Polymorphism of growth hormone gene and its association with wool traits in Egyptian sheep breeds

Growth hormone (GH) gene has been described as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in different farm animals. The present study was designed to identify the polymorphism in GH gene and its association with variation of wool traits in Egyptian sheep breeds. Wool and blood samples were collected from 42 animals including two breeds (Barki and Rahmani) and one crossbred (Rahmani x Awase). Measurements of wool traits were analyzed and involved staple strength (Str), staple length (STL), fiber diameter (FD) and clean fleece yield (CFW). DNA was extracted from blood samples and a 365-bp fragment from exon V was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Single strand conformation polymorphisim (SSCP) analysis showed two conformational patterns. The pattern I was recorded to be more frequent (83.3, 92.86 and 90%) than pattern II (16.7, 7.14 and 10%) in Barki, Rahmani and crossbred, respectively. The sequence analysis showed one single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T). The pattern I (allele T) has been found to affect CFW and FD than pattern II (allele C). Whereas, C allele was more pronounced for Str and STL. These traits are the most important parameters determining commercial values of wool that are preferred for clothing or carpets industry. The nucleotide sequences of C and T alleles were submitted to GenBank and have the accession numbers: KT250511 and KT250512, respectively. In conclusion, the present results provide evidence that there is a single nucleotide polymorphism within GH gene in Egyptian sheep breeds. This mutation was found to have some effects on wool traits. Therefore our data show interesting prospects in future selection programs for improving wool industry.Key words: Sheep, wool, growth hormone (GH) gene, polymorphism, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)

Phenotyping tomato root developmental plasticity in response to salinity in soil rhizotrons

Plants have developed multiple strategies to respond to salt stress. In order to identify new traits related to salt tolerance, with potential breeding application, the research focus has recently been shifted to include root system architecture (RSA) and root plasticity. Using a simple but effective root phenotyping system containing soil (rhizotrons), RSA of several tomato cultivars and their response to salinity was investigated. We observed a high level of root plasticity of tomato seedlings under salt stress. The general root architecture was substantially modified in response to salt, especially with respect to position of the lateral roots in the soil. At the soil surface, where salt accumulates, lateral root emergence was most strongly inhibited. Within the set of tomato cultivars, H1015 was the most tolerant to salinity in both developmental stages studied. A significant correlation between several root traits and aboveground growth parameters was observed, highlighting a possible role for regulation of both ion content and root architecture in salt stress resilience

Surface Roughness of Bulk Fill Composite after Simulated Toothbrushing with Different Dentifrices

AIM: The aim of the current in vitro study was to evaluate the changes in surface roughness of bulk fill composites after simulated toothbrushing with different dentifrices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three types of bulk fill resin composites were used in this study; 27 specimens of each composite resin were randomly divided into three main groups (n = 9). Each main group was further subdivided into three subgroups (n = 3). Each group was subjected to simulated toothbrushing with three different dentifrices. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of brushing using dentifrices on the surface roughness of each type of composite resin, followed by Tukey’s test at a significance level of p ≤ 0.5%. RESULTS: Results revealed that different effects on composite surface roughness were detected after simulating toothbrushing with different dentifrices. Lacalut toothpaste abrades more with Filtek Bulk Fill, Tetric N-Ceram then Bulk Fill SDR. Crest 3D toothpaste abrades more with Tetric N-Ceram, Bulk Fill SDR then Filtek Bulk Fill. BlanX toothpaste abrades more with Tetric N-Ceram, Bulk Fill SDR then Filtek Bulk Fill. CONCLUSION: Chemical composition of both resin composites and dentifrices plays an important role in influencing the degree of surface roughness of bulk fill composite resin restorations

Effect of extreme low and high temperatures on the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

he different immature stages of the almond moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) were exposed to low temperature of -5ºC for different exposure times. Exposure of eggs to 240 to 360 minutes is sufficient to achieve 100% mortality for this stage. Exposed early larval instar to -5ºC for 180 minutes is sufficient to achieve 100% mortality. Exposure of the late larval instars to 300 and/or 360 minutes is effective to achieve a complete mortality for the late larval instars of the pest. The calculated LT50 and LT95 were 113.73 and 208.64 minutes. Exposure of pupae to 300 minutes or more is effective to get a complete mortality for the pupal stage. High temperatures of 45º, 50º, 55º and 60ºC were tested against egg, late larval instars and pupal stages of E. cautella. Mortality tended to be increased with the increasing of temperature and exposure time. Exposure time for more than one hour at 45ºC, 15 minutes at 50ºC and 10 minutes at 55ºC were more effective and led to more than 95% mortality for the egg stage of E. cautella. Exposure of the late larval instars for more than 97.22, 72.17, 17.65 minutes at 45, 50 and 55ºC is sufficient to achieve more than 95% mortality for the late larval instars as indicated by LT95 values. Exposing the pupae to 25 minutes at high temperatures of 50ºC and to 15 minutes at 55ºC is an effective to get complete mortality for the pupal stage. Thus exposure times for more than 90 minutes at high temperature of 45ºC; 33 minutes at 50ºC and/or 11.67 minutes at 55ºC were more effective to achieve more than 95% mortality of the pupal stage of E. cautella.

FE Modeling of CFRP-Retrofitted RC Frames with Masonry Infill Walls

A number of numerical and experimental studies have been reported in recent literature to investigate the effects of infill walls on the seismic response of RC infilled frames. Many experimental studies used CFRP sheets as an external bracing system for retrofitting the infilled RC frames. It has been found that the common mode of failure of such retrofitted frames is the debonding of the CFRP-concrete adhesive material. In the current study, the behaviour of CFRP retrofitted infilled RC frames was investigated with a finite element micro model. In that model, a four-node shell element was used for modeling the concrete, infill panel and CFRP sheets. The interaction between concrete frame and infill panel was modelled using contact surfaces to allow the occurrence of separation and prevent penetration. Nonlinearities of the concrete, infill panel, steel and CFRP sheets were considered. To allow the occurrence of debonding mode of failure, the adhesive layer was modelled using cohesive surface-to-surface interaction model, which assumes that the failure of cohesive bond is characterized by progressive degradation of the cohesive stiffness, which is driven by a damage process based on the fracture energy. The proposed model was verified using experimental results from the literature. Results indicated that the cohesive model could capture the debonding mode of failure which has been observed experimentally. The validated micro model was used to investigate the effects of the strip end area, the anchor location and partial bonding of the CFRP sheet to the infill panel surface on the behaviour of infilled frames. The results of parametric study showed that, to get the highest efficiency of the CFRP retrofitted infilled frame, bonding about 25% only of the diagonal length from each end is sufficient to get the same behaviour of the totally bonded sheet