About QCD coupling constant at NNLO from DIS data

We give a brief review of our recent QCD analysis carried out over the deep inelastic scattering data on F2 structure function and in the non-singlet approximation to the accuracy up to next-to-next-to-leading-order. Specifically, analysis was performed over high statistics deep inelastic scattering data provided by BCDMS, SLAC, NMC and BFP collaborations. For the coupling constant the following value alpha_s(M_Z^2) = 0.1167 \pm 0.0022 was found.Comment: 11 pp, 2 figs, contribution to the Proceedings of XLIV PNPI Winter School held in Roschino (Russia) on 9-14 March, 201

Numerical models for 2D free boundary analysis of groundwater in slopes stabilized by drain trenches

AbstractA numerical model for 2D free boundary analysis of groundwater in slopes stabilized by drain trenches has been developed. It consists of a front-tracking method (based on an original way of adapting the space derivatives), very effective in saving calculation time respect to classical fix-grid methods. The method analyses the trenches effect inside slopes in which the soils above the water table are partially saturated, for which a boundary can be recognized between the saturated domain (water table) and the unsaturated one (above the water table). In this case pore pressure lowering, due to trenches, can be analyzed considering the progressively reduction of the saturated domain. This approach efficiently solves the problem of fixing hydraulic boundary conditions on the sides of the trenches. Results have been compared with those obtained by a fix-grid method, observing difference less than 0.14%. Applying the method, the capability of drain trenches to control the effect of heavy rainfalls has been investigated, calculating (during the transient process of water table lowering) limit values of water recharge for which water table keeps on constant

Clinical Use of Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes : Hypothetical Case Studies

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease, with many individuals eventually requiring basal insulin therapy to maintain glycaemic control. However, there exists considerable therapeutic inertia to the prompt initiation and optimal titration of basal insulin therapy due to barriers that include fear of injections, hypoglycaemia, weight gain, and burdensome regimens. Hypoglycaemia is thought to be a major barrier to optimal glycaemic control and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Newer second-generation basal insulin analogues provide comparable glycaemic control with lower risk of hypoglycaemia compared with first-generation basal insulin analogues. The present review article discusses clinical evidence for one such second-generation basal insulin analogue, insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300), in the context of hypothetical case studies that are representative of individuals who may attend routine clinical practice. These case studies discuss individualised treatment needs for people with T2D who are insulin-naive or pre-treated. Clinical characteristics such as older age, frequent nocturnal hypoglycaemia, and renal impairment, which are known risk factors for hypoglycaemia, are also considered.Peer reviewe

Wasted positive intentions: the role of affection and abundance on household food waste.

This qualitative study, grounded theory oriented, identifies familial affection and preference for abundance as major drivers of wasted food in lower-middle income American families. These positive intentions provide an improved understanding of household food waste, a problem with high environmental impact and moral implications. Based on empirical data collected with twenty caregivers via in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of photos, this study provides novel explanations, such as on how stockpiling comfort foods in abundance ? a form of both boosting positive self-emotions and showing affection for kids ? can promote more wasted food. Other antecedents identified include multiplicity of choices, convenience, procrastination and unplanned routines. In sum, this research identifies a negative outcome of affection and food abundance in the family context, while providing a theoretically relevant general framework to help understand the food waste phenomenon. Authors suggest increasing the awareness of nutritional gatekeepers through behavioral economics principles

Food waste paradox: antecedents of food disposal in low income households.

This article aims to identify antecedents of food waste among lower-middle class families ? a paradox, given the financial constraints this population faces. The importance of this research is evident in escalating environmental pressures for better use of our planet?s scarce resources. Given that most of the world is low-income, any behavioral change in this population is likely to have a considerable impact. Empirical data were collected from 14 lower-middle income Brazilian households, based on observations, in-depth interviews, photographs and a focus group (n56). Five major categories of food waste antecedents were identified: (1) excessive purchasing, (2) overpreparation, (3) caring for a pet, (4) avoidance of leftovers and (5) inappropriate food conservation. Several subcategories were also found, including impulse buying, lack of planning and preference for large packages. Surprisingly, findings show that strategies used to save money ? such as buying groceries in bulk, monthly shopping trips, preference for supermarkets and cooking from scratch ? actually end up generating more food waste. This mitigates the savings made during the purchasing phase

Charged Current Neutrino Cross Section and Tau Energy Loss at Ultra-High Energies

We evaluate both the tau lepton energy loss produced by photonuclear interactions and the neutrino charged current cross section at ultra-high energies, relevant to neutrino bounds with Earth-skimming tau neutrinos, using different theoretical and phenomenological models for nucleon and nucleus structure functions. The theoretical uncertainty is estimated by taking different extrapolations of the structure function F2 to very low values of x, in the low and moderate Q2 range for the tau lepton interaction and at high Q2 for the neutrino-nucleus inelastic cross section. It is at these extremely low values of x where nuclear shadowing and parton saturation effects are unknown and could be stronger than usually considered. For tau and neutrino energies E=10^9 GeV we find uncertainties of a factor 4 for the tau energy loss and of a factor 2 for the charged current neutrino-nucleus cross section.Comment: 20 pages and 11 figure

Waist-Height Ratio and the Risk of Severe Diabetic Eye Disease in Type 1 Diabetes : A 15-Year Cohort Study

Context: Obesity prevalence has increased in type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the relationship between body composition and severe diabetic eye disease (SDED) is unknown. Objective: To investigate the associations between body composition and SDED in adults with T1D. Methods: From 5401 adults with T1D in the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study, we assessed 3468, and 437 underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition analysis. The composite outcome was SDED, defined as proliferative retinopathy, laser treatment, antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment, diabetic maculopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, and vitrectomy. Logistic regression analysis evaluated the associations between body composition and SDED. Multivariable Cox regression analysis assessed the associations between the anthropometric measures and SDED. Subgroup analysis was performed by stages of albuminuria. The relevance ranking of each variable was based on the z statistic. Results: During a median follow-up of 14.5 (interquartile range 7.8-17.5) years, 886 SDED events occurred. Visceral/android fat ratio was associated with SDED [odds ratio (OR) 1.40, z = 3.13], as well as the percentages of visceral (OR 1.80, z = 2.45) and android fat (OR 1.28, z = 2.08) but not the total body fat percentage. Waist-height ratio (WHtR) showed the strongest association with the SDED risk [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.28, z= 3.73], followed by the waist (HR 1.01, z = 3.03), body mass index (HR 1.03, z = 2.33), and waist-hip ratio (HR 1.15, z= 2.22).The results were similar in normo- and microalbuminuria but not significant in macroalbuminuria. A WHtR >= 0.5 increased the SDED risk by 28% at the normo- and microalbuminuria stages. Conclusions: WHtR, a hallmark of central obesity, is associated with SDED in individuals with T1D.Peer reviewe

Influence of lime on strength of structural unreinforced masonry: toward improved sustainability in masonry mortars

The choice of a sustainable construction material needs to take into account not just the environmental impact of the material, but according to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the UN, one also needs to consider ease of access, the utilization of locally available materials, and the durability and reliability of the construction itself. Mortared masonry has been used around the world for several hundred years as an accessible type of construction. In masonry mortars, lime and cement are often integrated together for combined advantages: enhanced workability, breathability, and better environmental performance due to the former, and higher strength and shorter setting duration due to the latter. However, despite being extensively studied for their effects on the mechanical properties of mortar, not much is known about the impact of varying lime and cement ratios in the binder on the mechanical performance of masonry as a whole. Variations in the properties of mortars do not always have a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of masonry structures. Therefore, this article details an experimental campaign to measure the compressive strength, E-modulus, flexural strength, and shear bond strength of masonry samples containing two distinct lime–cement mortars (1:2:9 and 1:1:6 cement:lime:sand) and one cement mortar (1:0:5). The results show that more than the presence of lime in the mortar, the strength of the mortar influenced the flexural strength of the masonry ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 MPa. No discernable correlation was observed between the presence of lime in the mortar and the cohesion in the masonry (0.29 to 0.41 MPa). The values of the compressive strength (6.0 to 7.2 MPa) and E-modulus (3.8 to 4.5 GPa) of the masonry decreased and pre-peak ductility increased with an increase in the quantity of lime in the mortar. The recommendations of Eurocode 6 for the flexural strength of the initial shear bond strength were found to be conservative for different mortar strength classes, and significantly unconservative for compressive strength (by 50% to 70%).This work was partly financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) under the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under reference UIDB/04029/2020, and under the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE under reference LA/P/0112/2020. The authors gratefully acknowledge the European Lime Association for funding this project. The funding provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) to the research project PTDC/ECM-EST/1056/2014 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016841), as well to the research unit ISISE (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007633) and the scholarship SFRH/BD/137358/2018, is also gratefully acknowledged