Metabolomics application in maternal-fetal medicine

Metabolomics in maternal-fetal medicine is still an "embryonic" science. However, there is already an increasing interest in metabolome of normal and complicated pregnancies, and neonatal outcomes. Tissues used for metabolomics interrogations of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns are amniotic fluid, blood, plasma, cord blood, placenta, urine, and vaginal secretions. All published papers highlight the strong correlation between biomarkers found in these tissues and fetal malformations, preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, neonatal asphyxia, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The aim of this review is to summarize and comment on original data available in relevant published works in order to emphasize the clinical potential of metabolomics in obstetrics in the immediate future

Masses and decay constants of Bc(∗)B_c^{(*)} mesons with Nf=2+1+1N_f=2+1+1 twisted mass fermions

We present a preliminary lattice determination of the masses and decay constants of the pseudoscalar and vector mesons $B_c$ and $B_c^*$. Our analysis is based on the gauge configurations produced by the European Twisted Mass Collaboration with $N_f = 2 + 1 + 1$ flavors of dynamical quarks. We simulated at three different values of the lattice spacing and with pion masses as small as 210 MeV. Heavy-quark masses are simulated directly on the lattice up to $\sim 3$ times the physical charm mass. The physical b-quark mass is reached using the ETMC ratio method. Our preliminary results are: $M_{B_c} = 6341\,(60)$ MeV, $f_{B_c} = 396\,(12)$ MeV, $M_{B_c^*} / M_{B_c} = 1.0037\,(39)$ and $f_{B_c^*} / f_{B_c} = 0.987\,(7)$.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; contribution to the proceedings of the XXXVI Int'l Workshop on Lattice Field Theory (LATTICE2018), July 22-28, 2018, East Lansing, Michigan State University (Michigan, USA

Controlled flavor violation in the MSSM from a unified Δ(27)\Delta(27) flavor symmetry

We study the phenomenology of a unified supersymmetric theory with a flavor symmetry $\Delta(27)$. The model accommodates quark and lepton masses, mixing angles and CP phases. In this model, the Dirac and Majorana mass matrices have a unified texture zero structure in the $(1,1)$ entry that leads to the Gatto-Sartori-Tonin relation between the Cabibbo angle and ratios of the masses in the quark sectors, and to a natural departure from zero of the $\theta_{13}^\ell$ angle in the lepton sector. We derive the flavor structures of the trilinears and soft mass matrices, and show their general non-universality. This causes large flavor violating effects. As a consequence, the parameter space for this model is constrained, allowing it to be (dis)proven by flavor violation searches in the next decade. Although the results are model specific, we compare them to previous studies to show similar flavour effects (and associated constraints) are expected in general in supersymmetric flavor models, and may be used to distinguish them.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Leptogenesis in Δ(27)\Delta(27) with a Universal Texture Zero

We investigate the possibility of viable leptogenesis in an appealing $\Delta(27)$ model with a universal texture zero in the (1,1) entry. The model accommodates the mass spectrum, mixing and CP phases for both quarks and leptons and allows for grand unification. Flavoured Boltzmann equations for the lepton asymmetries are solved numerically, taking into account both $N_1$ and $N_2$ right-handed neutrino decays. The $N_1$-dominated scenario is successful and the most natural option for the model, with $M_1 \in [10^9, 10^{12}]$ GeV, and $M_1/M_2 \in [0.002, 0.1]$, which constrains the parameter space of the underlying model and yields lower bounds on the respective Yukawa couplings. Viable leptogenesis is also possible in the $N_2$-dominated scenario, with the asymmetry in the electron flavour protected from $N_1$ washout by the texture zero. However, this occurs in a region of parameter space which has a stronger mass hierarchy $M_1/M_2 < 0.002$, and $M_2$ relatively close to $M_3$, which is not a natural expectation of the $\Delta(27)$ model.Comment: v2: 20 pages, 2 figures. Version accepted in JHE

The Chemical Composition of an Extrasolar Minor Planet

We report the relative abundances of 17 elements in the atmosphere of the white dwarf star GD 362, material that, very probably, was contained previously in a large asteroid or asteroids with composition similar to the Earth/Moon system. The asteroid may have once been part of a larger parent body not unlike one of the terrestrial planets of our solar system.Comment: ApJ, in pres

Volcaniclastic sedimentation in a closed, marginal rift basin: the case of the Melka Kunture area (Upper Awash, ethiopia)

The upper Awash runs across a volcano-sedimentary succession dated from the Early to Middle Pleistocene and located on the western margin of the northern portion of the Main Ethiopian Rift. The succession lies above Late Miocene to Pliocene lava flows, domes and large volume ignimbrites. The succession formed within a fluvial system that developed within transversal rift faults. The stratigraphy consists of primary volcanic deposits interbedded with reworked sediments emplaced in a low-energy floodplain developed in a subsiding area. The lower part of the volcaniclastic sequence is dominated by a 1.2 Ma old, low aspect ratio, pyroclastic density current deposit (Kella ignimbrite). This eruption was followed by an eruptive stasis and reorganization of the drainage system. Tephra deposition in the floodplain climaxed again between 0.9 and 0.7 Ma and was associated with extensive tephra reworking. Sedimentation rates significantly decreased after 0.6 myr ago, probably owing to declining volcanic activity. Dynamic interaction between tectonics and volcanic activity created a complex sedimentary environment preserving numerous artefacts (lithic tools), animal and hominin remains. Stratigraphic correlation is based on the interpretation of the basin evolution and has relevance for the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment and the interpretation of the palaeontological and archaeological data