An alternative charged Higgs analysis

A search for pair-produced charged Higgs bosons has been performed with the ALEPH detector using data collected at centre-of-mass energies from 204 to 208 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 213.5 pb^{-1}. The analysis is similar to the one performed by the L3 collaboration in 2000 which has reported an excess in the four-jet channel where the Higgs decay into a charm and a strange quark is considered. The observed candidates are consistent with the expectations from the Standard Model background processes and no excess is observed. Assuming a Standard Model cross section and a 100% branching ratio for the hadronic decay, a lower limit of 75.1 GeV on the charged Higgs mass has been derived at 95% CL whereas the expected limit at 95% CL is 74.7 Ge

[Fractional flow reserve and instantaneous wave-free ratio for the physiological assessment of coronary artery stenosis in the catheterization laboratory: Practical tips]

In recent years, a large body of evidence has revealed the limitations of angiographic evaluation in determining the physiological significance of coronary stenosis, particularly when these are intermediate lesions. Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) guided by physiological assessment using fractional flow reserve (FFR) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events when compared to angiography alone. Recently, another coronary physiologic parameter has been introduced: the "instantaneous wave-free ratio" (iFR). In this review, we will discuss the FFR, the iFR, and their use in the functional assessment of coronary stenosis in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. This review will cover theoretical aspects for non-interventional cardiologists, as well as practice points and common pitfalls related to coronary physiological assessment for interventional cardiologists

A View on the Future of Applied Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the science of the interactions between energy and matter. It was formalized in the late 19th century and remains an essential piece in solving many technological challenges that society faces today. Yet, it is often considered complex and challenging, perhaps because it is often taught within a rigid mathematical framework, without highlighting the extensive range of applications and the tools that it offers for understanding and elaborating a sustainable future. The authors of this paper have performed an industrial survey (Kontogeorgis et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2021, 60, 13, 4987-5013), which pointed out that thermodynamics is indeed a cornerstone of many processes in a large range of industries, but that as of today, many questions and needs remain unanswered. Some missing answers are caused by a lack of knowledge of the existing tools (educational issue), some by the unavailability of models, parameters or by the lack of transferability of the concepts from one system to another. In other cases, simply, no generally accepted approach exists, and fundamental research is required for understanding the phenomena. In all cases, data are needed, either to understand, develop, or validate the models. Specific recent examples of applied thermodynamics research relevant to industrial practice are discussed. This manuscript aims not only at promoting research but also at encouraging highly trained professionals to engage in education, laboratory work, fundamental developments, and/or model validation. Such professionals should find positions both in academia and in industry, as well as with software vendors. Collaboration between academia, industry, and software vendors is essential in order to foster new developments and serve the goals of sustainable development and circular economy

Fast–slow continuum in the life history parameters of ladybirds revisited

A previous study of the rate of development of larvae of aphidophagous and coccidophagous ladybirds indicated that they both had the same lower developmental threshold (Ldt) but that the coccidophagous species developed more slowly than the aphidophagous species. The current analysis of the rates of development of the eggs of 48 species belonging to 8 tribes, which were kept at a range of different temperatures, indicates that ladybirds do not all have the same Ldt, but that the of eggs of aphidophagous Coccinellini develop faster than those of coccidophagous Chilocorini and more importantly those of the aphidophagous genus Scymnus and the coccidophagous Nephus, both belonging to the same robust tribe, the Scymnini, also differ, with those of the latter genus developing more slowly. Possible reasons for this are discussed