Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Quantitative chemical ecology of the lingonberry fruitworm, Grapholita libertina Heinr

The lingonberry or partridgeberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. var. minus Lodd, is a low-growing ericaceous shrub, which produces edible berries that ripen in Newfoundland in mid-September. Grapholita libertina Heinrich, the lingonberry fruitworm, is a tortricid moth whose larvae feed within the lingonberry fruit. -- The objectives of this study were to identify sex attractants for G. libertina and to evaluate its use in monitoring and controlling populations in wild Newfoundland lingonberry fields. A synthetic sex attractant was developed from among chemicals attractive to other Grapholita species and tested in 1997 to monitor G. libertina populations. Identification of this attractant led to a series of questions. Could this attractant prove useful in estimating future larval infestations? What would be the most effective delivery system for this attractant? Could field trapping accurately predict flight? How similar is the synthetic male attractant to the naturally occurring female produced pheromone? -- Field trials were conducted with the sex attractant in 1998, 1999 and 2000 to correlate the adult trapping rate with the subsequent densities of larvae and damaged berries to examine the effects of berry distribution and heterogenous vegetation coverage in the wild. Trials in 1999 were conducted to determine the most effective trap design for monitoring G. libertina. The efficacy of mass trapping using sex attractants of G. libertina was tested in 2000 as a potential control measure. In addition, information on population trends and phenology of G. libertina were examined through recording of the flight season, degree day accumulations and population size. Field-collected G. libertina were reared in order to identify the naturally occurring female sex pheromone. Solid phase microextraction was used to collect insect effluvia and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry attempted to identify pheromone components and relative amounts in the pheromone blend. -- The results of this study indicated that a blend of: 85% E-8-dodecen-1-ol acetate, 10% Z-8-dodecen-1-ol acetate, and 5% Z-8-dodecen-1-ol was a suitable synthetic sex attractant for male G. libertina. The adult capture rate in Pherocon 1 C® wing traps was correlated with subsequent larval and damaged berry density in wild fields. Berry densities were important in determining the distributions of larvae and damaged berries when berry levels were low (1999), perhaps indicating that a limited or patchy host berry distribution affected female oviposition. Heterogenous vegetation present at study sites showed no significant effects. -- The Pherocon lC® wing trap was the most effective for use with the 85:10:5 blend. Mass trapping indicated a possible disruption of mate location by G. libertina, however no significant decrease in larval populations was noted. As a result of trapping, it was established that the adult male flight season extends over 6 weeks from late June to early August. The number of degree days above base 5° C required for 10% emergence was recorded as 270±20.5 by rearing, and 334±8.1 by field trapping. Identification of the female sex pheromone by gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy was not successful