High precision fundamental constants at the TeV scale

This report summarizes the proceedings of the 2014 Mainz Institute for Theoretical Physics (MITP) scientific program on "High precision fundamental constants at the TeV scale". The two outstanding parameters in the Standard Model dealt with during the MITP scientific program are the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$ and the top-quark mass $m_t$. Lacking knowledge on the value of those fundamental constants is often the limiting factor in the accuracy of theoretical predictions. The current status on $\alpha_s$ and $m_t$ has been reviewed and directions for future research have been identified.Comment: 57 pages, 24 figures, pdflate

Real-time weather forecasting in the Western Mediterranean Basin: An application of the RAMS model

A regional forecasting system based on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) is being run at the CEAM Foundation. The model is started twice daily with a forecast range of 72 h. For the period June 2007 to August 2010 the verification of the model has been done using a series of automatic meteorological stations from the CEAM network and located within the Valencia Region (Western Mediterranean Basin). Air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and direction of the output of the model have been compared with observations. For these variables, an operational verification has been performed by computing different statistical scores for 18 weather stations. This verification process has been carried out for each season of the year separately. As a result, it has been revealed that the model presents significant differences in the forecast of the meteorological variables analysed throughout the year. Moreover, due to the physical complexity of the area of study, the model presents different degree of accuracy between coastal and inland stations. Precipitation has also been verified by means of yes/no contingency tables as well as scatter plots. These tables have been built using 4 specific thresholds that have permitted to compute some categorical statistics. From the results found, it is shown that the precipitation forecast in the area of study is in general over-predicted, but with marked differences between the seasons of the year. Finally, dividing the available data by season of the year, has permitted us to analyze differences in the observed patterns for the magnitudes mentioned above. These results have been used to better understand the behavior of the RAMS model within the Valencia Region

Identification of Giardia lamblia DHHC Proteins and the Role of Protein S-palmitoylation in the Encystation Process

Protein S-palmitoylation, a hydrophobic post-translational modification, is performed by protein acyltransferases that have a common DHHC Cys-rich domain (DHHC proteins), and provides a regulatory switch for protein membrane association. In this work, we analyzed the presence of DHHC proteins in the protozoa parasite Giardia lamblia and the function of the reversible S-palmitoylation of proteins during parasite differentiation into cyst. Two specific events were observed: encysting cells displayed a larger amount of palmitoylated proteins, and parasites treated with palmitoylation inhibitors produced a reduced number of mature cysts. With bioinformatics tools, we found nine DHHC proteins, potential protein acyltransferases, in the Giardia proteome. These proteins displayed a conserved structure when compared to different organisms and are distributed in different monophyletic clades. Although all Giardia DHHC proteins were found to be present in trophozoites and encysting cells, these proteins showed a different intracellular localization in trophozoites and seemed to be differently involved in the encystation process when they were overexpressed. dhhc transgenic parasites showed a different pattern of cyst wall protein expression and yielded different amounts of mature cysts when they were induced to encyst. Our findings disclosed some important issues regarding the role of DHHC proteins and palmitoylation during Giardia encystation.Fil: Merino, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Zamponi, Nahuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Vranych, Cecilia Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Touz, Maria Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; ArgentinaFil: Ropolo, Andrea Silvana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentin

Evaluation of a thymol formulation efficacy against Varroa destructor under Central Greek climatic conditions

Το ακαρεοκτόνο σκεύασμα, που έχει ως κυρία δραστική ουσία τη θυμόλη σε συνδυασμό με ευκαλυπτέλαιο, μενθόλη και καμφορά, αξιολογήθηκε για χην αποτελεσματικότητα του για δυο συνεχόμενα έτη (2002 και 2003) την περίοδο 25 Μαίου έως 25 Ιουνίου σε μελίσσια στην περιοχή της Λοκρίδος (Κεντρική Ελλάδα), όπου οι θερμοκρασίες το καλοκαίρι είναι συχνά υψηλές. Για τον σκοπό αυτό χρησιμοποιήθηκαν φυσικά προσβεβλημένα μελίσσια με περίπου ισοδύναμη πληθυσμιακή πυκνότητα. Το σκεύασμα τοποθετήθηκε στο πάνω μέρος των πλαισίων με συχνότητα εφαρμογής μία δόση κάθε 15 ημέρες (δυο επαναλήψεις). Η μέσητιμή της αποτελεσματικότητας του σκευάσματος ήταν 90,5%±1,0 και 90,6%±0,8 για το 2002 και 2003, αντίστοιχα. Το έτος 2002, για το χρονικό διάστημα που πραγματοποιήθηκε το πείραμα, η μέση θερμοκρασία περιβάλλοντος κυμάνθηκε από 17,0°C έως 27,0 °C,ενώ για το έτος 2003 κυμάνθηκε από 16,3°C έως 27,5 °C. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Κεντρικής Ελλάδος,σε μελίσσια που έγινε εφαρμογή του σκευάσματος θυμόλης στην αρχή του καλοκαιριού, η αποτελεσματικότητα ήταν 90,5% με ελάχιστες ενοχλήσεις και μελισσοτοξικότητα. Επίσης, στην περίπτωση που μία ημέρα νωρίτερα τοποθετηθεί το 1/20 της δόσης, η ενόχληση των μελισσών σχεδόν μηδενίζεται, διότι με αυτόν τον τρόπο οι μέλισσες εξοικειώνονται με τη νέα μυρωδιά που εισάγεται στην κυψέλη.The acaricidical formulation based on thymol crystals (main active ingredient) in combination with eucalyptus oil, menthol and camphor crystals was evaluated for its efficacy for two consecutive years (2002 and 2003) the period from 25th May to 25th June. The experimental apiaries are located in Locrida (Central Greece) where the temperatures during summer are usually high. Naturally infected by the mite Varroa destructorbee colonies with similar population were used. The formulation was placed on the upper part of the frames at a rate of one dose every 15 days for two times. The average value of the formulation efficacy was 90.5%±1.0 and 90.6%±0.8 for 2002 and 2003, respectively. In 2002 the temperature in the area where the experiment took place ranged from 17.0°C up to 27.0 °C, while in 2003 it ranged from 16.3°C up to 27.5°C. The results showed that when the bee colonies were treated with two tablets, one every 15 days at the beginning of the summer, the efficacy of the thymol formulation was 90.5% with minimal side effects and toxicity. Additionally, at the beginning of its use, the observed bee agitation at the hive entrance can be reduced by placing 1/20 of the dosage one day before the main treatment

Flows of granular material in two-dimensional channels

Secondary cone-type crushing machines are an important part of the aggregate production process. These devices process roughly crushed material into aggregate of greater consistency and homogeneity. We apply a continuum model for granular materials (`A Constitutive Law For Dense Granular Flows', Nature 441, p727-730, 2006) to flows of granular material in representative two-dimensional channels, applying a cyclic applied crushing stress in lieu of a moving boundary. Using finite element methods we solve a sequence of quasi-steady fluid problems within the framework of a pressure dependent particle size problem in time. Upon approximating output quantity and particle size we adjust the frequency and strength of the crushing stroke to assess their impact on the output

An overview of CV-MDI-QKD

As quantum key distribution (QKD) emerges as a robust defence against quantum computer threats, significant advancements have been realised by researchers. A pivotal focus has been the development of protocols that not only simplify hardware implementation, such as the use of continuous-variable (CV) systems, but also eliminate the necessity for trusted nodes, as seen with the measurement-device-independent (MDI) approach. This paper delves into the integration of these methodologies in the CV-MDI-QKD protocol, offering an in-depth exploration of its evolution, primary characteristics, and the latest advancements in both theory and experiment