Charmed Exotics in Heavy Ion Collisions

Based on the color-spin interaction in diquarks, we argue that charmed multiquark hadrons are likely to exist. Because of the appreciable number of charm quarks produced in central nucleus-nucleus collisions at ultrarelativistic energies, production of charmed multiquark hadrons is expected to be enhanced in these collisions. Using both the quark coalescence model and the statistical hadronization model, we estimate the yield of charmed tetraquark meson $T_{cc}$ and pentaquark baryon $\Theta_{cs}$ in heavy ion collisions at RHIC and LHC. We further discuss the decay modes of these charmed exotic hadrons in order to facilitate their detections in experiments

Eucalypt growth submitted to management of Urochloa spp

The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial growth and the physiological characteristics of eucalypt submitted to different managements of signalgrass. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment, using a randomized blocks design with five repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a (5 x 2) + 1 factorial design, and the first factor corresponded to the types of weed management (no control; chemical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil; chemical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot; mechanical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil, and mechanical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot); the second factor corresponded to the two weeds species (U. brizantha and U. decumbens) and a control relative to the eucalypt in monoculture. The eucalypt growth was not affected by the presence of the Urochloa species until 50 days after treatments (DAT). However, the coexistence of these species with eucalypt for 107 DAT reduced the collar diameter, total dry matter, and the leaf area, but did not alter the characteristics related to photosynthesis and transpiration. The control method adopted, with removal or maintenance of the signalgrass shoot, regardless of species, did not change the initial eucalypt growth. It can be concluded that the coexistence of eucalypt with Urochloa decumbens or Urochloa brizantha for 105 days reduces the eucalypt growth. However, the use of chemical or mechanical control, with or without removal of signalgrass residue, were effective methods to prevent interference of these weeds.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento inicial e as características fisiológicas do eucalipto submetido a diferentes manejos do capim-braquiária. O experimento foi realizado em ambiente protegido, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial (5 x 2) + 1, sendo o primeiro fator correspondente aos tipos de manejo da planta daninha (ausência de controle, controle químico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle químico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle mecânico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária e controle mecânico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária) o segundo às espécies de capim-braquiária (Urochloa brizantha e Urochloa decumbens), além de uma testemunha referente ao eucalipto em monocultivo. O crescimento do eucalipto não foi alterado pela presença das espécies de capim-braquiária até os 50 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAT). Todavia, o convívio dessas espécies com o eucalipto até os 107 DAT reduziu o diâmetro do coleto, a matéria seca total e a aérea foliar, mas não alterou as características relacionadas a fotossíntese e transpiração. O método de controle adotado com a remoção ou manutenção da parte aérea do capim-braquiária, independentemente da espécie, não alterou o crescimento inicial do eucalipto. Conclui-se que o convívio por 105 dias do eucalipto com Urochloa decumbens ou Urochloa brizantha reduz o crescimento do eucalipto. Contudo, os controles químico ou mecânico, associados ou não à retirada dos resíduos da capina do capim-braquiária, foram métodos eficientes para impedir a interferência dessas plantas daninhas

Theoretical potential for endometrial cancer prevention through primary risk factor modification: Estimates from the EPIC cohort

Endometrial cancer (EC) incidence rates vary ~10-fold worldwide, in part due to variation in EC risk factor profiles. Using an EC risk model previously developed in the European EPIC cohort, we evaluated the prevention potential of modified EC risk factor patterns and whether differences in EC incidence between a European population and low-risk countries can be explained by differences in these patterns. Predicted EC incidence rates were estimated over 10 years of follow-up for the cohort before and after modifying risk factor profiles. Risk factors considered were: body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) and oral contraceptives (OC) (potentially modifiable); and, parity, ages at first birth, menarche and menopause (environmentally conditioned, but not readily modifiable). Modeled alterations in BMI (to all ≤23 kg/m2) and HT use (to all non-HT users) profiles resulted in a 30% reduction in predicted EC incidence rates; individually, longer duration of OC use (to all ≥10 years) resulted in a 42.5% reduction. Modeled changes in not readily modifiable exposures (i.e., those not contributing to prevention potential) resulted in ≤24.6% reduction in predicted EC incidence. Women in the lowest decile of a risk score based on the evaluated exposures had risk similar to a low risk countries; however, this was driven by relatively long use of OCs (median = 23 years). Our findings support avoidance of overweight BMI and of HT use as prevention strategies for EC in a European population; OC use must be considered in the context of benefits and risks. © 2020 The Authors. International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UIC

Weight change later in life and colon and rectal cancer risk in participants in the EPIC-PANACEA study

BACKGROUND: A moderate association exists between body mass index (BMI) and colorectal cancer. Less is known about the effect of weight change. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relation between BMI and weight change and subsequent colon and rectal cancer risk. DESIGN: This was studied among 328,781 participants in the prospective European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating study (mean age: 50 y). Body weight was assessed at recruitment and on average 5 y later. Self-reported weight change (kg/y) was categorized in sex-specific quintiles, with quintiles 2 and 3 combined as the reference category (men: -0.6 to 0.3 kg/y; women: -0.4 to 0.4 kg/y). In the subsequent years, participants were followed for the occurrence of colon and rectal cancer (median period: 6.8 y). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to study the association. RESULTS: A total of 1261 incident colon cancer and 747 rectal cancer cases were identified. BMI at recruitment was statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk in men (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07). Moderate weight gain (quintile 4) in men increased risk further (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.68), but this relation did not show a clear trend. In women, BMI or weight gain was not related to subsequent risk of colon cancer. No statistically significant associations for weight loss and colon cancer or for BMI and weight changes and rectal cancer were found. CONCLUSION: BMI attained at adulthood was associated with colon cancer risk. Subsequent weight gain or loss was not related to colon or rectal cancer risk in men or women

O alto teor de silício no solo inibe o crescimento radicular de cafeeiros sem afetar as trocas gasosas foliares

O benefício do silício (Si) no crescimento de plantas cultivadas tem sido observado em vários trabalhos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de Si no crescimento de mudas de cafeeiro cv. Catuaí Vermelho. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos, e as plantas crescidas em casa de vegetação, sem restrição hídrica. A partição de matéria seca entre raízes, caule e folhas, os teores de nutrientes e Si nos tecidos vegetais e no solo e as trocas gasosas foliares foram avaliados em plantas submetidas a doses de silicato de cálcio correspondentes a 0 (controle), 1,5 e 6 Mg ha-1. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com três tratamentos e 3, 4 ou 18 repetições, dependendo da variável considerada. Cada parcela experimental era composta por uma planta. Em relação à altura e matéria seca total, as plantas de todos os tratamentos apresentaram desenvolvimento satisfatório, com incrementos diários compatíveis com o esperado em cafeeiros bem nutridos. Os tratamentos com silicato de cálcio causaram aumento nos teores de Ca no solo e na planta e de Si no solo. Considerando que o único nutriente alterado pelos tratamentos foi o Ca e que os teores observados na planta podem ser considerados não prejudiciais, as respostas descritas a seguir são consequência do alto teor de Si no solo. Após 130 dias do início do experimento, as plantas tratadas com 6 Mg ha-1 de silicato de cálcio apresentaram menor acúmulo de matéria seca nas raízes e aumento da relação entre a matéria seca da parte aérea e a do sistema radicular. Embora as plantas tenham apresentado menor crescimento radicular na maior dose de silicato de cálcio, a assimilação de CO2 e a condutância estomática não foram alteradas. Cafeeiros arábica cv. Catuaí Vermelho submetidos a alta dose de silicato de cálcio apresentam redução do crescimento radicular, porém sem comprometimento da funcionalidade e do desenvolvimento da parte aérea das plantas cultivadas sob boa disponibilidade hídrica e nutricional