104 research outputs found
pairs from a nuclear transition signaling an elusive light neutral boson
Electron-positron pairs have been observed in the 10.95-MeV decay
in O. The branching ratio of the ee pairs compared to the
3.84-MeV decay of the level is deduced to be
. This magnetic monopole (M0) transition cannot proceed by
-ray decay and is, to first order, forbidden for internal pair
creation. However, the transition may also proceed by the emission of a light
neutral or boson. Indeed, we do observe a sharp peak in the
angular correlation with all the characteristics belonging to the
intermediate emission of such a boson with an invariant mass of 8.5(5)
MeV/c. It may play a role in the current quest for light dark matter in the
universe.Comment: 6 page
Observation of Anomalous Internal Pair Creation in Be: A Possible Signature of a Light, Neutral Boson
Electron-positron angular correlations were measured for the isovector
magnetic dipole 17.6 MeV state (, ) ground state
(, ) and the isoscalar magnetic dipole 18.15 MeV (,
) state ground state transitions in Be. Significant
deviation from the internal pair creation was observed at large angles in the
angular correlation for the isoscalar transition with a confidence level of . This observation might indicate that, in an intermediate step, a
neutral isoscalar particle with a mass of 16.70 (stat)
(sys) MeV and was created.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Why do dogs (Canis familiaris) select the empty container in an observational learning task?
Many argue that dogs show unique susceptibility to human communicative signals that make them suitable for being engaged in complex co-operation with humans. It has also been revealed that socially provided information is particularly effective in influencing the behaviour of dogs even when the human’s action demonstration conveys inefficient or mistaken solution of task. It is unclear, however, how the communicative nature of the demonstration context and the presence of the human demonstrator affect the dogs’ object-choice behaviour in observational learning situations. In order to unfold the effects of these factors, 76 adult pet dogs could observe a communicative or a non-communicative demonstration in which the human retrieved a tennis ball from under an opaque container while manipulating another distant and obviously empty (transparent) one. Subjects were then allowed to choose either in the presence of the demonstrator or after she left the room. Results showed a significant main effect of the demonstration context (presence or absence of the human’s communicative signals), and we also found some evidence for the response-modifying effect of the presence of the human demonstrator during the dogs’ choice. That is, dogs predominantly chose the baited container, but if the demonstration context was communicative and the human was present during the dogs’ choice, subjects’ tendency to select the baited container has been reduced. In agreement with the studies showing sensitivity to human’s communicative signals in dogs, these findings point to a special form of social influence in observational learning situations when it comes to learning about causally opaque and less efficient (compared to what comes natural to the dog) action demonstrations
Design and Optimization of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier Containing Dexamethasone for Ophthalmic Use
The aim of this study was to perform a preformulation study of dexamethasone (DXM)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for ocular use. Lipid screening was applied to find the most suitable solid and liquid lipids and surfactant for the NLC formulation. The visual observation was proved with XRD measurements for the establishment of the soluble state of DXM. Thermoanalytical measurements indicated that the most relevant depression of the crystallinity index could be ensured when using a 7:3 solid lipid:oil ratio. In order to optimize the NLC composition, a 23 full factorial experimental design was used. It was established that each independent factor (lipid, DXM, and surfactant concentration) had a significant effect on the particle size while in the case of entrapment efficiency, the DXM and surfactant concentrations were significant. Lower surfactant and lipid concentrations could be beneficial because the stability and the entrapment efficacy of NLCs were more favorable. The toxicity tests on human cornea cells indicated good ophthalmic tolerability of NLCs. The in vitro drug release study predicted a higher concentration of the solute DXM on the eye surface while the Raman mapping penetration study on the porcine cornea showed a high concentration of nanocarriers in the hydrophylic stroma layer
Dog breed differences in visual communication with humans
Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have developed a close relationship with humans through
the process of domestication. In human-dog interactions, eye contact is a key element of
relationship initiation and maintenance. Previous studies have suggested that canine ability
to produce human-directed communicative signals is influenced by domestication history,
from wolves to dogs, as well as by recent breed selection for particular working purposes.
To test the genetic basis for such abilities in purebred dogs, we examined gazing behavior
towards humans using two types of behavioral experiments: the `visual contact task' and
the `unsolvable task'. A total of 125 dogs participated in the study. Based on the genetic
relatedness among breeds subjects were classified into five breed groups: Ancient, Herding,
Hunting, Retriever-Mastiff and Working). We found that it took longer time for Ancient
breeds to make an eye-contact with humans, and that they gazed at humans for shorter
periods of time than any other breed group in the unsolvable situation. Our findings suggest
that spontaneous gaze behavior towards humans is associated with genetic similarity to
wolves rather than with recent selective pressure to create particular working breeds
Reading faces: differential lateral gaze bias in processing canine and human facial expressions in dogs and 4-year-old children
Sensitivity to the emotions of others provides clear biological advantages. However, in the case of heterospecific relationships, such as that existing between dogs and humans, there are additional challenges since some elements of the expression of emotions are species-specific. Given that faces provide important visual cues for communicating emotional state in both humans and dogs, and that processing of emotions is subject to brain lateralisation, we investigated lateral gaze bias in adult dogs when presented with pictures of expressive human and dog faces. Our analysis revealed clear differences in laterality of eye movements in dogs towards conspecific faces according to the emotional valence of the expressions. Differences were also found towards human faces, but to a lesser extent. For comparative purpose, a similar experiment was also run with 4-year-old children and it was observed that they showed differential processing of facial expressions compared to dogs, suggesting a species-dependent engagement of the right or left hemisphere in processing emotions
New results on the 8Be anomaly
Recently, we observed anomalous internal pair creation for the M1 transition depopulating the 18.15 MeV isoscalar 1 state in Be. We observed a significant (σ = 7.37) peak-like deviation from the predicted angular correlation of the e+ e pairs at θ = 140°. To the best of our knowledge no nuclear physics related description of such deviation can be made. However, the deviation can be described by assuming the creation and subsequent decay of a boson with mass of ≈17 MeV. In order to clarify the interpretation, we re-investigated the Be anomaly with an improved, and independent setup. We have confirmed the signal of the assumed X(17) particle and constrained its mass (mc = 17.01(16) MeV) and branching ratio compared to the γ-decay (B = 6(1) × 10)
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