Searching for new physics in b → sℓ+^+ℓ−^- transitions at the LHCb experiment

Flavour Changing Neutral Currents are transitions between different quarks with the same charge such as b → s processes. These are forbidden at tree level in the Standard Model (SM) but can happen through loop diagrams, which causes the branching ratio of this type of decays to be small, typically ~ 10$^-$$^6$ or less. Particles beyond the SM can contribute in the loops enhancing the branching fractions of these decays, which are therefore very sensitive new physics. In this work two analysis of semileptonic b → sℓ$^+$ℓ$^-$decays are presented. In the first, ∧$^0$$_b$ → ∧μ$^+$μ$^-$decays are analysed to measure their branching fraction as a function of the square of the dimuon invariant mass, q$^2$. An angular analysis of these decays is also performed for the first time. Secondly, B$^0$→ K$^*$$^0$ℓ$^+$ℓ$^-$ decays are analysed measuring the R$_k$$_*$$_0$ ratio between the muon, B$^0$ → K$^*$$^0$μ$^+$μ$^-$, and electron, B$^0$ → K$^*$$^0$e$^+$e$^-$, channels, which is interesting as it is largely free from uncertainties due to the knowledge of the hadronic matrix elements

Solid Livestock Waste Regulatory Requirements

Proper management and utilization of livestock waste can be a significant contribution to the economic well being of a livestock enterprise, since the wastes have considerable economic value if properly utilized. When returned to the soil as fertilize or soil conditioner, the value as a nutrient source has been will established. More recently, processed livestock wastes have been utilized as a high protein feed additives. Livestock waste should be considered a resource to be utilized rather than a disposal problem

Ammonia Emissions from Twelve U.S. Broiler Chicken Houses

Twelve commercial broiler houses in the U.S. were each monitored for at least thirteen 48 h periods over the course of one year to obtain ammonia emission data. Paired repetition of houses on four farms represents current construction with variety in litter management (built-up or new litter each flock) and climate conditions (cold or mixed-humid). Ammonia concentration was determined using portable electrochemical sensors incorporating a fresh air purge cycle. Ventilation rate was determined via in-situ measurement of fan capacity, fan on-off times, and house static pressure difference. There were seasonal trends in exhaust ammonia concentration (highest in cold weather) and ventilation rates (highest in warm weather) but not for emission rate. Flocks with at least three monitoring periods (13 of 22 flocks) demonstrated similar emission rates at a given bird age among the four study farms and across the seasons. An analysis of emissions from all houses on the three farms using built-up litter resulted in predicted regression slopes of 0.028, 0.034, and 0.038 g NH3 bird-1 d-1 per day of age; the fourth farm, managed with new litter, had the lowest emission rate at 0.024 g NH3 bird-1 d-1. The intercept of these composite relationships was influenced by litter conditions, with flocks on new litter having essentially no emissions for about six days while built-up litter flocks had emissions starting at flock placement. Data from all four farms and all flocks provided a regression slope of 0.031(±0.001 std error) g NH3 bird-1 d-1 per day of age. Emission rate per animal unit for built-up litter flocks indicated very high emissions for the youngest birds (under 14 days of age), after which time the emissions decreased exponentially and were then relatively steady for the balance of the flock cycle

Measurements of Aperture Averaging on Bit-Error-Rate

We report on measurements made at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) runway at Kennedy Space Center of receiver aperture averaging effects on a propagating optical Gaussian beam wave over a propagation path of 1,000 in. A commercially available instrument with both transmit and receive apertures was used to transmit a modulated laser beam operating at 1550 nm through a transmit aperture of 2.54 cm. An identical model of the same instrument was used as a receiver with a single aperture that was varied in size up to 20 cm to measure the effect of receiver aperture averaging on Bit Error Rate. Simultaneous measurements were also made with a scintillometer instrument and local weather station instruments to characterize atmospheric conditions along the propagation path during the experiments

A Geological Itinerary Through the Southern Apennine Thrust-Belt (Basilicata—Southern Italy)

Open access via Springer Compact AgreementPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Prevalence and clinical significance of isolated low QRS voltages in young athletes

Aims: Low QRS voltages (peak to peak <0.5 mV) in limb leads (LQRSV) on the athlete's electrocardiogram (ECG) may reflect an underlying cardiomyopathy, mostly arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) or non-ischaemic left ventricular scar (NILVS). We studied the prevalence and clinical meaning of isolated LQRSV in a large cohort of competitive athletes. Methods and results: The index group included 2229 Italian competitive athletes [median age 18 years (16-25), 67% males, 97% Caucasian] without major ECG abnormalities at pre-participation screening. Three control groups included Black athletes (N = 1115), general population (N = 1115), and patients with ACM or NILVS (N = 58). Echocardiogram was performed in all athletes with isolated LQRSV and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in those with ventricular arrhythmias or echocardiographic abnormalities. The isolated LQRSV pattern was found in 1.1% index athletes and was associated with increasing age (median age 28 vs. 18 years; P < 0.001), elite status (71% vs. 34%; P < 0.001), body surface area, and body mass index but not with sex, type of sport, and echocardiographic left ventricular mass. The prevalence of isolated LQRSV was 0.2% in Black athletes and 0.3% in young individuals from the general population. Cardiomyopathy patients had a significantly greater prevalence of isolated LQRSV (12%) than index athletes, Black athletes, and general population. Five index athletes with isolated LQSRV and exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias underwent CMR showing biventricular ACM in 1 and idiopathic NILVS in 1. Conclusions: Unlike cardiomyopathy patients, the ECG pattern of isolated LQRSV was rarely observed in athletes. This ECG sign should prompt clinical work-up for exclusion of an underlying cardiomyopathy

Comparison of Different Methods of Automated Landform Classification at the Drainage Basin Scale: Examples from the Southern Italy

In this work, we tested the reliability of two different methods of automated landform classification (ACL) in three geological domains of the southern Italian chain with contrasting morphological features. ACL maps deriving from the TPI-based (topographic position index) algorithm are strictly dependent to the search input parameters and they are not able to fully capture landforms of different size. Geomorphons-based classification has shown a higher potential and can represent a powerful method of ACL, although it should be improved with the introduction of additional DEM-based parameters for the extraction of landform classe

The isoprenoid end product N6-isopentenyladenosine reduces inflammatory response through the inhibition of the NF\uce\ubaB and STAT3 pathways in cystic fibrosis cells

N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPA) is an intermediate of the mevalonate pathway that exhibits various anti-cancer effects. However, studies on its anti-inflammatory activity are scarce and underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the ability of iPA to exert anti-inflammatory effects in the human cystic fibrosis (CF) cell model of exacerbated inflammation. TNF alpha-stimulated CF cells CuFi-1 and its normal counterpart NuLi-1 were pre-treated with increasing concentrations of iPA and cell viability and proliferation were assessed by MTT and BrdU assays. The effect of iPA on IL-8 and RANTES secretion was determined by ELISA, and the activation and expression of signaling molecules and selenoproteins were studied by Western blot. To assess the direct effect of iPA on NF kappa B activity, luciferase assay was performed on TNF alpha-stimulated HEK293/T cells transfected with a NF kappa B reporter plasmid. We demonstrated for the first time that iPA prevents IL-8 and RANTES release in TNF alpha-stimulated CF cells and this effect is mediated by increasing the expression of the direct NF kappa B inhibitor I kappa B alpha and decreasing the levels of STAT3. Consistent with this, we showed that iPA inhibited TNF alpha-mediated NF kappa B activation in HEK/293T cells. Finally, we also found that iPA improved the levels of glutathione peroxidase 1 and thioredoxin reductase 1 only in CF cells suggesting its ability to maintain sufficient expression of these anti-oxidant selenoproteins. Our findings indicate that iPA can exert anti-inflammatory activity especially in the cases of excessive inflammatory response as in CF