Heavy sterile neutrino in dark matter searches

Sterile neutrinos are possible dark matter candidates. We examine here possible detection mechanisms, assuming that the neutrino has a mass of about 50 keV and couples to the ordinary neutrino. Even though this neutrino is quite heavy, it is non relativistic with a maximum kinetic energy of 0.1 eV. Thus new experimental techniques are required for its detection. We estimate the expected event rate in the following cases: i) Measure electron recoils in the case of materials with very low electron binding. ii) Low temperature crystal bolometers. iii) Spin induced atomic excitations at very low temperatures, leading to a characteristic photon spectrum. iv) Observation of resonances in antineutrino absorption by a nucleus undergoing electron capture. v) Neutrino induced electron events beyond the end point energy of beta decaying systems, e.g. in the tritium decay studied by KATRIN.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures ; revised figures, corrected typos, additional comments ; results unchange

Neutrino Interactions with Nuclei and Dark Matter

Even though the combined laboratory, astrophysical and cosmological evidence implies that neutrinos have masses, neutrinos provide only a small cosmic dark matter component. The study of solar neutrinos provides important information on nuclear processes inside the Sun as well as on matter densities. Moreover, supernova neutrinos provide sensitive probes for studying supernova explosions, neutrino properties and stellar collapse mechanisms. Neutrino-nucleus reactions at energies below 100 MeV play essential roles in core-collapse supernovae, explosive and r-process nucleosynthesis, as well as observation of solar and supernova neutrinos by earthbound detectors. On the other hand, recent experimental data of high-energy extragalactic neutrinos at 1 PeV open a new window to probe non-standard neutrino properties, such as resonant effects in the oscillation probability

Lithium-induced EEG changes in patients with affective disorders

In 12 patients with affective disorders (ICD-10: F31, F32, F33), EEGs were recorded before and after 4.4 months of lithium treatment. Effects of lithium on the EEG were analyzed by power spectral analysis controlled for vigilance. We found (1) an increase in relative power in both delta and theta band which was related to the lithium plasma level, (2) a decrease in relative alpha power especially at occipital leads and (3) a reduction of the dominant alpha frequency. The changes in relative power were more pronounced in the right hemisphere, which is in contrast to the hypothesis of a site-specific localization of lithium effects only in left anterior regions. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG,Basel

Further expansion of the alien seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman & Procacini (Ulvophyceae, Bryopsidales) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

We are grateful to Andreas Antoniou (Dep. of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment, Cyprus) for his assistance in the preparation of the illustrations. We would also like to thank Dr. Sotiris Orfanidis (NAGREF – Fisheries Research Institute, Kavala, Greece) for his valuable advice and both the DFMR and HSR / HCMR Rhodes crew and George Hatiris for their help in samplings. Special thanks are due to Dinos Leonidou (SeaQuest Divers Cyprus) for accompanying the deep dive for sampling Caulerpa at Cavo Greco. We are grateful to the Total Foundation (Paris) for its funding support to this study within the framework of the project “Brown algal ecology and biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean Sea” and to the MASTS pooling initiative (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, funded by the Scottish Funding Council and contributing institutions; grant reference HR09011).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Cocaine trafficking between South America and Greece and methods of concealment

This research investigates the cocaine business between South America and Greece, and its trading methods. Cocaine trafficking is a complex political, social, cultural, and moral challenge that transcends national borders in size and importance. This problem as a phenomenon is global and multidimensional, as it involves, from the point of cultivation to the point of consumption, various people, social strata, huge economic interests, countries and even governments. The engagement of specialists from the maritime sector and individuals from the “higher social strata” who actively participate in the shipment and trafficking of cocaine to West Europe and Greece is highlighted. The cocaine industry in Greece is ‘structured’ by a network of interaction and collaboration involving governmental, commercial, and civil society players, according to information from a range of resources. The largest quantities of cocaine are produced in South American, and in particular in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, from where a large percentage of production is destined for European markets. The smuggling business into Europe takes place in large quantities, mainly by sea from coastal areas / ports of South American countries and the Caribbean Islands. Containers are the main transportation method, with quantities being hidden either within the legal cargo or in specially designed crypts. Sailing boats are also a time-honored method of smuggling drugs. The main points of entry of cocaine transported by sea from Latin America to Southern Europe, either directly or through West Africa, via the Mediterranean, is Spain, as well as France, Italy, Portugal, and Greece. Respectively, the cocaine entry points by sea in Northern Europe are mainly the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Then the quantities are shipped to the rest of the European countries. For smaller quantities of cocaine, trafficking to Europe occurs by air from Brazil and other South American countries. Globally, Europe is a major drug market, maintained mainly by drugs smuggled from other parts of the world. Latin America is an important source of drugs entering Europe, which acts as a transit point for cocaine destined for other continents. Additional research is recommended regarding the financial, social, and political interests of the individuals involved in this industry in order to truly evaluate the dynamics of this unlawful trade

a systematic review

Funding Information: NAE is funded by the President's Scholarship of Imperial College London. SG-J, CM, and PS are supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Centre on Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Change (NIHR203247) using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research. We thank the Library Services team of Imperial College London for their support in developing the database search strategy. Funding Information: NAE is funded by the President's Scholarship of Imperial College London. SG-J, CM, and PS are supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Centre on Non-Communicable Diseases and Environmental Change (NIHR203247) using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research. We thank the Library Services team of Imperial College London for their support in developing the database search strategy. Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) experiencing nutrition transition face an increasing double burden of malnutrition (DBM). WHO has urged the identification of risks and opportunities in nutrition interventions to mitigate the DBM, but robust evidence is missing. This review summarises the effect of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions on undernutrition and overnutrition in LMICs. Methods: We searched four major databases and grey literature for publications in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish from Jan 1, 2000, to Aug 14, 2023. Eligible studies evaluated nutrition-specific or nutrition-sensitive interventions on both undernutrition and overnutrition, employing robust study designs (individually randomised, cluster randomised, and non-randomised trials; interrupted time series; controlled before–after; and prospective cohort studies). Studies were synthesised narratively, and classified as DBM-beneficial, potentially DBM-beneficial, DBM-neutral, potentially DBM-harmful, and DBM-harmful, using vote counting. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022320131). Findings: We identified 26 studies evaluating 20 nutrition-specific (maternal and child health [MCH] and school-based programmes) and six nutrition-sensitive (conditional cash transfers and other social policies) interventions. Seven of eight MCH interventions providing food-based or nutritional supplements indicated possible DBM-harmful effects, associated with increased maternal or child overweight. Most school-based programmes and MCH interventions that target behavioural change were considered potentially DBM-beneficial. Two studies of conditional cash transfers suggested DBM-beneficial effects in children, whereas one indicated potentially harmful effects on maternal overweight. A study on a family planning service and one on an education reform revealed possible long-term harmful effects on obesity. Interpretation: There is considerable scope to repurpose existing nutrition interventions to reduce the growing burden of the DBM in LMICs. In settings undergoing rapid nutrition transition, specific policy attention is required to ensure that food-based or supplement-based MCH programmes do not unintentionally increase maternal or child overweight. Consistent reporting of undernutrition and overnutrition outcomes in all nutrition interventions is essential to expand the evidence base to identify and promote interventions maximising benefits and minimising harms on the DBM. Funding: President's Scholarship (Imperial College London) and National Institute for Health and Care Research. Translations: For the Portuguese, Spanish and French translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.publishersversionpublishe