The Olfactory Threshold of Rotundone in Brandy is Ten-fold Higher than in Wine and does not Increase with the Complexity of the Matrix

Rotundone is the only known aroma compound imparting a peppery aroma to wine. Its presence hasrecently been documented in spirits, notably those aged in oak barrels. However, the sensory contributionof rotundone in such alcoholic beverages remains hard to predict, given their high ethanol level. The aimof this study was to estimate olfactory thresholds for rotundone in brandy using three different matrices.Rotundone concentrations in the unspiked samples were 50 ng/L for wine distillate and 135 ng/L for brandy,demonstrating for the first time the presence of rotundone in such spirits and a possible endogenous origin.The olfactory detection threshold was estimated at 103 ng/L in 40% (v/v) ethanol solution, while differencethresholds were 171 ng/L and 189 ng/L in fresh wine distillate and young French brandy, respectively, bothstandardised at 40% (v/v). These thresholds were 10-fold higher than in wines and did not significantlydiffer according to the complexity of the matrix. Our results, which are still preliminary and would deserveto be validated with a larger number of samples and using a higher number of panellists, open new fieldsof investigation for a deeper exploration of the concentration range of rotundone in brandies, particularlythose that underwent a longer ageing period in barrels

Study of the Stabilization to the Nanometer Level of Mechanical Vibrations of the CLIC Main Beam

Original publication available at http://www.jacow.org/International audienceTo reach the design luminosity of CLIC, the movements of the quadrupoles should be limited to the nanometre level in order to limit the beam size and emittance growth. Below 1 Hz, the movements of the main beam quadrupoles will be corrected by a beambased feedback. But above 1 Hz, the quadrupoles should be mechanically stabilized. A collaboration effort is ongoing between several institutes to study the feasibility of the "nanostabilization" of the CLIC quadrupoles. The study described in this paper covers the characterization of independent measuring techniques including optical methods to detect nanometre sized displacements and analyze the vibrations. Actuators and feedback algorithms for sub-nanometre movements of magnets with a mass of more than 400 kg are being developed and tested. Input is given to the design of the quadrupole magnets, the supports and alignment system in order to limit the amplification of the vibration sources at resonant frequencies. A full scale mock-up integrating all these features is presently under design. Finally, a series of experiments in accelerator environments should demonstrate the feasibility of the nanometre stabilization

Introgression and pyramiding into common bean market class fabada of genes conferring resistance to anthracnose and potyvirus

Anthracnose and bean common mosaic (BCM) are considered major diseases in common bean crop causing severe yield losses worldwide. This work describes the introgression and pyramiding of genes conferring genetic resistance to BCM and anthracnose local races into line A25, a bean genotype classified as market class fabada. Resistant plants were selected using resistance tests or combining resistance tests and marker-assisted selection. Lines A252, A321, A493, Sanilac BC6-Are, and BRB130 were used as resistance sources. Resistance genes to anthracnose (Co-2 ( C ), Co-2 ( A252 ) and Co-3/9) and/or BCM (I and bc-3) were introgressed in line A25 through six parallel backcrossing programs, and six breeding lines showing a fabada seed phenotype were obtained after six backcross generations: line A1258 from A252; A1231 from A321; A1220 from A493; A1183 and A1878 from Sanilac BC6-Are; and line A2418 from BRB130. Pyramiding of different genes were developed using the pedigree method from a single cross between lines obtained in the introgression step: line A1699 (derived from cross A1258 × A1220), A2438 (A1220 × A1183), A2806 (A1878 × A2418), and A3308 (A1699 × A2806). A characterization based on eight morpho-agronomic traits revealed a limited differentiation among the obtained breeding lines and the recurrent line A25. However, using a set of seven molecular markers linked to the loci used in the breeding programs it was possible to differentiate the 11 fabada lines. Considering the genetic control of the resistance in resistant donor lines, the observed segregations in the last backcrossing generation, the reaction against the pathogens, and the expression of the molecular markers it was also possible to infer the genotype conferring resistance in the ten fabada breeding lines obtained. As a result of these breeding programs, genetic resistance to three anthracnose races controlled by genes included in clusters Co-2 and Co-3/9, and genetic resistance to BCM controlled by genotype I + bc-3 was combined in the fabada line A3308

The Cherenkov Telescope Array Large Size Telescope

The two arrays of the Very High Energy gamma-ray observatory Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will include four Large Size Telescopes (LSTs) each with a 23 m diameter dish and 28 m focal distance. These telescopes will enable CTA to achieve a low-energy threshold of 20 GeV, which is critical for important studies in astrophysics, astroparticle physics and cosmology. This work presents the key specifications and performance of the current LST design in the light of the CTA scientific objectives.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, In Proceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2013), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). All CTA contributions at arXiv:1307.223

The Time Structure of Hadronic Showers in highly granular Calorimeters with Tungsten and Steel Absorbers

The intrinsic time structure of hadronic showers influences the timing capability and the required integration time of hadronic calorimeters in particle physics experiments, and depends on the active medium and on the absorber of the calorimeter. With the CALICE T3B experiment, a setup of 15 small plastic scintillator tiles read out with Silicon Photomultipliers, the time structure of showers is measured on a statistical basis with high spatial and temporal resolution in sampling calorimeters with tungsten and steel absorbers. The results are compared to GEANT4 (version 9.4 patch 03) simulations with different hadronic physics models. These comparisons demonstrate the importance of using high precision treatment of low-energy neutrons for tungsten absorbers, while an overall good agreement between data and simulations for all considered models is observed for steel.Comment: 24 pages including author list, 9 figures, published in JINS

Benzofuran-fused Phosphole: Synthesis, Electronic, and Electroluminescence Properties

International audienceA synthetic route to novel benzofuran-fused phosphole derivatives 3-5 is described. These compounds showed optical and electrochemical properties that differ from their benzothiophene analog. Preliminary results show that 4 can be used as an emitter in OLEDs, illustrating the potential of these new compounds for opto-electronic applications

Captive-born collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae) fails to discriminate between predator and non-predator models

Captive animals may lose the ability to recognize their natural predators, making conservation programs more susceptible to failure if such animals are released into the wild. Collared peccaries are American tayassuids that are vulnerable to local extinction in certain areas, and conservation programs are being conducted. Captive-born peccaries are intended for release into the wild in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. In this study, we tested the ability of two groups of captive-born collared peccaries to recognize their predators and if they were habituated to humans. Recognition tests were performed using models of predators (canids and felids) and non-predators animals, as well as control objects, such as a plastic chair; a human was also presented to the peccaries, and tested as a separate stimulus. Anti-predator defensive responses such as fleeing and threatening displayswere not observed in response to predator models. Predator detection behaviors both from visual and olfactory cues were displayed, although they were not specifically targeted at predator models. These results indicate that collared peccaries were unable to recognize model predators. Habituation effects, particularly on anti-predator behaviors, were observed both with a 1-h model presentation and across testing days. Behavioral responses to humans did not differ from those to other models. Thus, if these animals were to be released into the wild, they should undergo anti-predator training sessions to enhance their chances of survival