Intercultural communication - integration potential in teaching foreign students

Detailed investigation of the morphology of the pore space in clay is a key factor in understanding the sealing capacity, coupled flows, capillary processes and associated deformation present in mudstones. Actually, the combination of ion milling tools (FIB and BIB), cryogenic techniques and SEM imaging offers a new alternative to study in-situ elusive microstructures in wet geomaterials and has the high potential to make a step change in our understanding of how fluids occur in pore space. By using this range of techniques, it is possible to quantify porosity, stabilize in-situ fluids in pore space, preserve the natural structures at nm-scale, produce high quality polished cross-sections for high resolution SEM imaging and reconstruct accurately microstructure networks in 3D by serial cross sectioning

Measurement of the p-pbar -> Wgamma + X cross section at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV and WWgamma anomalous coupling limits

The WWgamma triple gauge boson coupling parameters are studied using p-pbar -> l nu gamma + X (l = e,mu) events at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV. The data were collected with the DO detector from an integrated luminosity of 162 pb^{-1} delivered by the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The cross section times branching fraction for p-pbar -> W(gamma) + X -> l nu gamma + X with E_T^{gamma} > 8 GeV and Delta R_{l gamma} > 0.7 is 14.8 +/- 1.6 (stat) +/- 1.0 (syst) +/- 1.0 (lum) pb. The one-dimensional 95% confidence level limits on anomalous couplings are -0.88 < Delta kappa_{gamma} < 0.96 and -0.20 < lambda_{gamma} < 0.20.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. D Rapid Communication

The little skate genome and the evolutionary emergence of wing-like fin appendages

Skates are cartilaginous fish whose novel body plan features remarkably enlarged wing-like pectoral fins that allow them to thrive in benthic environments. The molecular underpinnings of this unique trait, however, remain elusive. Here we investigate the origin of this phenotypic innovation by developing the little skate Leucoraja erinacea as a genomically enabled model. Analysis of a high-quality chromosome-scale genome sequence for the little skate shows that it preserves many ancestral jawed vertebrate features compared with other sequenced genomes, including numerous ancient microchromosomes. Combining genome comparisons with extensive regulatory datasets in developing fins (gene expression, chromatin occupancy and three-dimensional (3D) conformation) we find skate-specific genomic rearrangements that alter the 3D regulatory landscape of genes involved in the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Functional inhibition of PCP signaling resulted in marked reduction of anterior fin size, confirming this pathway as a major contributor of batoid fin morphology. We also identified a fin-specific enhancer that interacts with 3' HOX genes, consistent with the redeployment of Hox gene expression in anterior pectoral fins, and confirmed the potential of this element to activate transcription in the anterior fin using zebrafish reporter assays. Our findings underscore the central role of genome reorganizations and regulatory variation in the evolution of phenotypes, shedding light on the molecular origin of an enigmatic trait

Measurement of the WW production cross section in p anti-p collisions at s**(1/2) = 1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the W boson pair-production cross section in p anti-p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. The data, collected with the Run II DO detector, correspond to an integrated luminosity of 224-252 pb^-1 depending on the final state (ee, emu or mumu). We observe 25 candidates with a background expectation of 8.1+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.6(syst)+/-0.5(lum) events. The probability for an upward fluctuation of the background to produce the observed signal is 2.3x10^-7, equivalent to 5.2 standard deviations.The measurement yields a cross section of 13.8+4.3/-3.8(stat)+1.2/-0.9(syst)+/-0.9(lum) pb, in agreement with predictions from the standard model.Comment: submitted to PR

Measurement of the Lambda^0_b lifetime in the decay Lambda^0_b -> J/psi Lambda^0 with the D0 Detector

We present measurements of the Lambda^0_b lifetime in the exclusive decay channel Lambda^0_{b}->J/psi Lambda^0, with J/psi to mu+ mu- and Lambda^0 to p pi-, the B^0 lifetime in the decay B^0 -> J/psi K^0_S with J/psi to mu+ mu- and K^0_S to pi+ pi-, and the ratio of these lifetimes. The analysis is based on approximately 250 pb^{-1} of data recorded with the D0 detector in pp(bar) collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. The Lambda^0_b lifetime is determined to be tau(Lambda^0_b) = 1.22 +0.22/-0.18 (stat) +/- 0.04 (syst) ps, the B^0 lifetime tau(B^0) = 1.40 +0.11/-0.10 (stat) +/- 0.03 (syst) ps, and the ratio tau(Lambda^0_b)/tau(B^0) = 0.87 +0.17/-0.14 (stat) +/- 0.03 (syst). In contrast with previous measurements using semileptonic decays, this is the first determination of the Lambda^0_b lifetime based on a fully reconstructed decay channel.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to Physical Review Letters, v2: Added FNAL Pub-numbe

Erratum to Measurement of σ(ppˉ→Z)⋅Br(Z→ττ)\sigma (p \bar p \to Z) \cdot Br(Z \to \tau\tau) at s=\bm{\sqrt{s}=}1.96 TeV, published in Phys. Rev. D {71}, 072004 (2005)

A change in estimated integrated luminosity (from 226 pb$^{-1} to 257 pb$^{-1}$leads to a corrected value for${\sigma (p \bar p \to Z) \cdot}$Br${(Z \to \tau \tau)}$of$209\pm13(stat.)\pm16(syst.)\pm13(lum) pb

Eating disorders in weight-related therapy (EDIT): Protocol for a systematic review with individual participant data meta-analysis of eating disorder risk in behavioural weight management

The Eating Disorders In weight-related Therapy (EDIT) Collaboration brings together data from randomised controlled trials of behavioural weight management interventions to identify individual participant risk factors and intervention strategies that contribute to eating disorder risk. We present a protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis which aims to identify participants at risk of developing eating disorders, or related symptoms, during or after weight management interventions conducted in adolescents or adults with overweight or obesity. We systematically searched four databases up to March 2022 and clinical trials registries to May 2022 to identify randomised controlled trials of weight management interventions conducted in adolescents or adults with overweight or obesity that measured eating disorder risk at pre- and post-intervention or follow-up. Authors from eligible trials have been invited to share their deidentified IPD. Two IPD meta-analyses will be conducted. The first IPD meta-analysis aims to examine participant level factors associated with a change in eating disorder scores during and following a weight management intervention. To do this we will examine baseline variables that predict change in eating disorder risk within intervention arms. The second IPD meta-analysis aims to assess whether there are participant level factors that predict whether participation in an intervention is more or less likely than no intervention to lead to a change in eating disorder risk. To do this, we will examine if there are differences in predictors of eating disorder risk between intervention and no-treatment control arms. The primary outcome will be a standardised mean difference in global eating disorder score from baseline to immediately post-intervention and at 6- and 12- months follow-up. Identifying participant level risk factors predicting eating disorder risk will inform screening and monitoring protocols to allow early identification and intervention for those at risk

A comparative study of representative 2D microstructures in Shaly and Sandy facies of Opalinus Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland) inferred form BIB-SEM and MIP methods

A combination of Broad-Ion-Beam (BIB) polishing and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has been used to study qualitatively and quantitatively the microstructure of Opalinus Clay in 2D. High quality 2D cross-sections (ca. 1mm2), belonging to the Shaly and Sandy facies of Opalinus Clay, were investigated down to the nanometre scale. In addition Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) and X-Ray powder Diffraction experiments have been used to extend characterization of the microstructure to the mm-cm scale on bulk volume sample material. Interestingly, both end-member samples of the Opalinus Clay show qualitatively similar mineralogy and pore characteristics as well as a comparable pore size distribution and pore morphology within the different mineral phases and mineral aggregates. Differences between the facies are mainly due to variations in mineral size and mineral amount present in the alternating layers of the different facies. Six different porous mineral phases have been identified and the pores have been subdivided into ten different pore types. Pores visible in the SEM images are most abundant in the clay matrix and these seem to follow a power law distribution with a power law exponent of ca. 2.25 independent of the sample location. Furthermore, all common mineral grains show characteristic porosity, pore shape and pore size distribution in 2D and are proposed to be considered as elementary building blocks for Opalinus Clay. Combined these homogeneous elementary building blocks make up the heterogeneous fabric of the different facies of Opalinus Clay. Based on extrapolation of the power law size distribution in the clay matrix below SEM resolution results in a porosity of 10-25% for clay rich layers (60-90% of clay matrix), whereas sand and carbonate layers show an extrapolated porosity of 6-14%. These extrapolated porosities are in agreement with water-loss and physical porosity measurements performed on bulk material of comparable samples

Pore morphology and distribution in the Shaly facies of Opalinus Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland): Insights from representative 2D BIB-SEM investigations on mm to nm scale

We used Broad-Ion-Beam polishing in combination with Scanning Electron Microscopy to study the microstructure and porosity in the Shaly facies of Opalinus Clay (northern Switzerland). With resolutions of a few nm, we studied areas of around 1 mm2, sufficiently large to be statistically representative for the microstructure. In three samples from a 1 m long drill core from the Mt Terri laboratory, a qualitative description of the microstructure was combined with quantitative description of porosity. Eight different mineral phases and six different pore types are identified, in the clay matrix, siderite, pyrite framboids and fossil shells respectively. Pore sizes in the clay matrix have a power law distribution with an exponent of 2.4. Porosity inferred from the BIB–SEM method is comparable to that measured using mercury porosimetry. Based on micrographs made perpendicular and parallel to the bedding we show that pores and minerals are homogeneously distributed in 3D, and present a microstructural model for the Shaly facies of Opalinus Clay. This model defines predictable homogeneous porous and non-porous regions with similar pore characteristics. Combined, these form the heterogeneous fabric of Opalinus Clay (Shaly facies)