New limit for the half-life of double beta decay of 94^{94}Zr to the first excited state of 94^{94}Mo

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay is a phenomenon of fundamental interest in particle physics. The decay rates of double beta decay transitions to the excited states can provide input for Nuclear Transition Matrix Element calculations for the relevant two neutrino double beta decay process. It can be useful as supplementary information for the calculation of Nuclear Transition Matrix Element for the neutrinoless double beta decay process. In the present work, double beta decay of $^{94}$Zr to the $2^{+}_{1}$ excited state of $^{94}$Mo at 871.1 keV is studied using a low background $\sim$ 230 cm$^3$ HPGe detector. No evidence of this decay was found with a 232 g.y exposure of natural Zirconium. The lower half-life limit obtained for the double beta decay of $\rm^{94}Zr$ to the $2^{+}_{1}$ excited state of $\rm^{94}Mo$ is $T_{1/2} (0\nu + 2\nu)> 3.4 \times 10^{19}$ y at 90% C.L., an improvement by a factor of $\sim$ 4 over the existing experimental limit at 90\% C.L. The sensitivity is estimated to be $T_{1/2} (0\nu + 2\nu) > 2.0\times10^{19}$ y at 90% C.L. using the Feldman-Cousins method.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, Accepted in Eur. Phys. J.

Mobility deficit – Rehabilitate, an opportunity for functionality

There are many pathological conditions that cause mobility deficits and that ultimately influence someone’s autonomy.Aims: to evaluate patients with mobility deficits functional status; to implement a Rehabilitation Nursing intervention plan; to monitor health gains through mobility deficits rehabilitation.Conclusion: Early intervention and the implementation of a nursing rehabilitation intervention plan results in health gains (direct or indirect), decreases the risk of developing Pressure Ulcers (PU) and the risk of developing a situation of immobility that affects patients’ autonomy and quality of life

Method validation and monitoring of emamectin benzoate in mature banana fruit with peel and pulp through Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry/ Mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Emamectin benzoate has been frequently used in the banana ecosystem to combat the damage of pseudostem weevil. Therefore, the present study was conducted to validate the method, to assess harvest time residues and monitor emamectin benzoate residues in mature banana peel and pulp samples through LC-MS/MS. The validated method was used to determine emamectin benzoate residue in market banana samples. The study used Waters Alliance LC and Acquity TQD with an electrospray ionization interface in the positive ion mode. An isocratic flow of 0.1% formic acid (HCOOH) in water and 0.1% HCOOH in acetonitrile (CH3CN) was utilised for separation. CH3CN was utilised to extract emamectin benzoate residue from the samples, and a dispersive solid-phase extraction technique was used for subsequent cleanup. Linearity tests were performed with standard solutions containing 0.01 to 0.1 g mL-1, with three replicates for each concentration. For mature banana peel & pulp and mature banana pulp matrices, satisfactory recoveries of 79.85 to 95.09% and 89.20 to 100.94%, respectively and high precision relative standard deviations of 0.56 to 2.34% and 2.33 to 6.88%, respectively were obtained. For mature banana (peel and pulp, pulp alone) fruits, the lower detection and quantification limits were (0.003, 0.008), and (0.002, 0.007). The validated approach was utilised to analyse mature banana fruit samples obtained from emamectin benzoate treated fields and banana samples purchased from the local market.  Results showed satisfactory validation of parameters like linearity, the limit of detection and quantification, and recovery for determining emamectin benzoate residues in banana fruit

The systematic tunability of nanoparticle dimensions through the controlled loading of surface-deposited diblock copolymer micelles

The continuous tunability of iron oxide nanoparticle dimensions is demonstrated using the pH controlled loading of ferric nitrate from aqueous solution into polystyrene–block–polyacrylic acid reverse micelles deposited on a silicon substrate. Quasi-hexagonally ordered two-dimensional arrays of iron oxide nanoparticles with a systematic tunability of particle heights in the sub-10 nm regime and a constant periodicity are obtained and characterized with atomic force microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Block copolymer micelles as switchable templates for nanofabrication

Block copolymer inverse micelles from polystyrene-block-poly-2-vinylpyridine (PS-b-P2VP) deposited as monolayer films onto surfaces show responsive behavior and are reversibly switchable between two states of different topography and surface chemistry. The as-coated films are in the form of arrays of nanoscale bumps, which can be transformed into arrays of nanoscale holes by switching through exposure to methanol. The use of these micellar films to act as switchable etch masks for the structuring of the underlying material to form either pillars or holes depending on the switching state is demonstrated

Green synthesis of novel biocomposites from treated cellulosic fibers and recycled bio-plastic polylactic acid

This study investigated mechanical properties of biocomposites developed from recycled polylactic acid (PLA) from packaging industry and treated cellulosic fibers from pulp and paper solid waste. Microwave and enzymatic treatments were used for extraction and surface modification of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers. Enzymatic treatment was specifically performed for activation of hydroxyl groups and improvement of adhesion between matrix and fibers including controlling the length of cellulosic fibers with size reduction of around 50% (142 and 127 mm for primary and mixed biosolids, respectively) as compared to microwave treatment. Microwave treatment produced cellulosic fibers of 293 and 341 mm, for primary and mixed biosolids, respectively. Mechanical properties of biocomposites with 2% (w/w) of treated cellulosic fibers (Young's Modulus 887.83 MPa with tensile strain at breakpoint of 7.22%, tensile stress at yield 41.35 MPa) was enhanced in comparison to the recycled PLA (Young's Modulus 644.47 ± 30.086 MPa with tensile strain at breakpoint of 6.01 ± 0.83%, tensile stress at yield of 29.49 ± 3.64 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy revealed size reduction of cellulosic fibers. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed strong mechanical properties of novel biocomposites.The authors are sincerely thankful to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 355254 and NSERC CRD Grant), and CRIBIQ for financial support. We would like to thank Mr. R. Fortin and Colin Jacob Vaillancourt from Gaudreau Environment for providing rPLA samples. Likewise, the support of Ozymes Inc. is equally appreciated for valuable comments during the experimental planning from industrial perspective. Financial assistance by the ‘Fonds de recherche du Quebec- Nature et technologies (FRQNT)’ and INRS-ETE has been thankfully acknowledged by K Hegde.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Review: ‘Gimme five’: future challenges in multiple sclerosis. ECTRIMS Lecture 2009

This article is based on the ECTRIMS lecture given at the 25th ECTRIMS meeting which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 9 to 12 September 2009. Five challenges have been identified: (1) safeguarding the principles of medical ethics; (2) optimizing the risk/benefit ratio; (3) bridging the gap between multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalitis; (4) promoting neuroprotection and repair; and (5) tailoring multiple sclerosis therapy to the individual patient. Each of these challenges will be discussed and placed in the context of current research into the pathogenesis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

Genetic diversity analysis of Myristica and related genera using RAPD and ISSR markers

Genetic diversity among seven species of Myristica, two of its related genera and an unidentified species was analyzed using 46 PCR markers (30 RAPD and 16 ISSR). This is the first study on molecular genetic diversity of the rare, endangered and endemic Myristica species and its related genera. RAPD and ISSR analyses yielded 497 and 262 bands with 98.1% and 97.3% polymorphism, respectively. By combining markers, a total of 759 bands were detected of which 743 (97.8%) were polymorphic with an average of 16.1 bands per primer. High level of existing genetic variability was evident from the high percentage of polymorphism. Combined analysis of RAPD and ISSR markers resulted in better distinction of species. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) indicated that both the marker systems are effective in detecting polymorphism either individually or in combination. Similarity coefficient (Jaccards) varied from 0.22 to 0.62 when markers were combined and the pattern was similar to RAPD with a high Mantel matrix correlation (r=0.95). Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCA) conformed to cluster analyses. First three most informative PC components explained 51.1%, 49.3% and 46.5% of total variation. A maximum similarity of (63%) was observed between Gymnocranthera canarica and the unidentified species of Myristica. Knema andamanica and Myristica prainii were found to be the most distinct (17.7%). Similarities at molecular level were close to either the morphological traits (mace and fruit/seed characters) or the geographical location. Species specific bands could be identified from all the accessions under study, which has the potential for development into SCAR (Sequence Characterised Amplified Region) markers for genotype fingerprinting or development of specific DNA probes for identification and authentication. &nbsp