Long Distance Contribution to s→dγs \to d\gamma and Implications for Ω−→Ξ−γ,Bs→Bd∗γ\Omega^-\to \Xi ^-\gamma, B_s \to B_d^*\gamma and b→sγb \to s\gamma

We estimate the long distance (LD) contribution to the magnetic part of the $s \to d\gamma$ transition using the Vector Meson Dominance approximation $(V=\rho,\omega,\psi_i)$. We find that this contribution may be significantly larger than the short distance (SD) contribution to $s \to d\gamma$ and could possibly saturate the present experimental upper bound on the $\Omega^-\to \Xi^-\gamma$ decay rate, $\Gamma^{\rm MAX}_{\Omega^-\to \Xi^-\gamma} \simeq 3.7\times10^{-9}$eV. For the decay $B_s \to B^*_d\gamma$, which is driven by $s \to d\gamma$ as well, we obtain an upper bound on the branching ratio $BR(B_s \to B_d^*\gamma)<3\times10^{-8}$ from $\Gamma^{\rm MAX}_{\Omega^-\to \Xi^-\gamma}$. Barring the possibility that the Quantum Chromodynamics coefficient $a_2(m_s)$ be much smaller than 1, $\Gamma^{\rm MAX}_{\Omega^-\to \Xi^-\gamma}$ also implies the approximate relation $\frac{2}{3} \sum_i \frac{g^2_{\psi_i}(0)}{m^2_{\psi_i}} \simeq \frac{1}{2} \frac{g^2_\rho(0)}{m^2_\rho} + \frac{1}{6}\frac{g^2_\omega(0)}{m^2_\omega}$. This relation agrees quantitatively with a recent independent estimate of the l.h.s. by Deshpande et al., confirming that the LD contributions to $b \to s\gamma$ are small. We find that these amount to an increase of $(4\pm2)\%$ in the magnitude of the $b \to s \gamma$ transition amplitude, relative to the SD contribution alone.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX fil

Social Network Evolution during Long-term Migration: A comparison of three case studies in the South Wales region

Ten years after Poland joined the European Union (EU), a sizable number of the once considered short-term migrants that entered the United Kingdom (UK) post-2004 have remained. From the literature, it is known that when initially migrating, social networks, composed of family and friends, are used to facilitate migration. Later, migrants’ social networks may evolve to include local, non-ethnic members of the community. Through these networks, migrants may access new opportunities within the local economy. They also serve to socialise newcomers in the cultural modalities of life in the destination country. However, what if migrants’ social networks do not evolve or evolve in a limited manner? Is cultural integration still possible under these conditions? Using data collected from three case studies in the South Wales region –Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil & Llanelli- from 2008-2012, the aim of this article is to compare Polish migrants’ social network usage, or lack thereof, over time. This comparison will be used to understand how these social networks can be catalysts and barriers for cultural integration. The findings point to the migrants’ varied use of their local social networks, which is dependent upon their language skill acquisition and their labour market mobility in the destination country

Mechanistic investigation of silicon-graphite/LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 commercial cells for non-intrusive diagnosis and prognosis

Due to their high energy density, lithium-ion batteries with blended silicon-graphite (Si-Gr) anodes and nickel-rich (NMC) cathodes have been regarded as one of the most promising technologies for next-generation consumer electronics and electric vehicles. However, there are still several technical challenges to overcome for successful wide-spread adoption; in particular, deciphering the degradation phenomena remains complex and challenging, as the blended nature of the electrode creates a new paradigm, with the Si/Gr ratio likely changing with aging. Although ex-situ techniques have been used, a set of in-operando tools that enable diagnosis and prognosis on this technology has yet to be developed. Herein, we present a mechanistic investigation that generates a complete degradation mapping coupled with proposed aging features of interest, to attain accurate diagnosis and prognosis. The mechanistic model allows analyzing aging modes that display incubation periods as a potential prelude to thermodynamic plating, and the identification via incremental capacity of unique silicon features that change predictably as it degrades. A comprehensive look-up table summarizing key features is provided to provide support both to scientists and engineers on designing next-generation battery management systems for this technology.D. A. gratefully acknowledges the funding provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and by FEDER Grants TEC2016-80700-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and TIN2017-84804-R, the Principality of Asturias Government under Project FC-IDI/2018/000226, and the Santander Group under Grant “Movilidad de excelencia para docentes e investigadores”. I. C. thanks the financial support by Fundación General CSIC (Programa ComFuturo). M. D. is thankful to the State of Hawai'i and to the Asia Pacific Research Initiative for Sustainable Energy Systems (APRISES), award number #N00014-17-1-2206.Peer reviewe

Inhibitory activity of probiotic Bacillus subtilis BF12 against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection and its growth-promoting effects on juvenile Penaeus monodon

 In an attempt to elucidate the Vibrio inhibitory activity of saline tilapia green water, we have isolated Bacillus subtilis BF12, exhibiting potent secreted antibiotic effects against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. We tested B. subtilis BF12 pathogenicity to Penaeus monodon and its efficacy to protect the shrimp against V. parahaemolyticus infection. The results indicate that B. subtilis BF12 is not pathogenic to shrimp since no mortalities was observed in all treatment groups. The feeding trial shows that shrimp in the treated group exhibited higher survival and improved growth performance. The infection challenge test with pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus administered orally indicates that the group receiving the probiotic has significantly higher survival rates. Lower counts of V. parahaemolyticus in the gut of the probiotic treated group were also recorded. Collectively our results indicate that the application of probiotic B. subtilis BF12 is an effective, practical and applicable means to prevent V. parahaemolyticus infection in P. monodon culture

Radiation exposure prior to traumatic brain injury induces responses that differ as a function of animal age

Purpose: Uncontrolled radiation exposure due to radiological terrorism, industrial accidents or military circumstances is a continuing threat for the civilian population. Age plays a major role in the susceptibility to radiation; younger children are at h