Flavor constraints on electroweak ALP couplings

We explore the signals of axion-like particles (ALPs) in flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) processes. The most general effective linear Lagrangian for ALP couplings to the electroweak bosonic sector is considered, and its contribution to FCNC decays is computed up to one-loop order. The interplay between the different couplings opens new territory for experimental exploration, as analyzed here in the ALP mass range $0<m_a \lesssim 5$ GeV. When kinematically allowed, $K\to \pi \nu \bar{\nu}$ decays provide the most stringent constraints for channels with invisible final states, while $B$-meson decays are more constraining for visible decay channels, such as displaced vertices in $B\to K^{(\ast)} \mu^+ \mu^-$ data. The complementarity with collider constraints is discussed as well.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Un modelo para el tratamiento de sistemas dinámicos basado en la satisfacción de restricciones

En numerosas aplicaciones industriales complejas de plaificación y scheduling, resulta frecuente encontrar casos donde un problema ya resuelto debe ser reconsiderado a causa de una ligera modificación en la instancia de dicho problema. Estas modificaciones se originan generalmente a partir de sucesos externos que implican un cambio de creencias y en consecuencia el conjunto de soluciones obtenido para el problema resuelto ha de modificarse. Estos casos son referidos generalmente como problemas dinámicos, frente a los problemas estáticos. En los primeros, el conjunto de soluciones puede ser ligeramente modificado, mientras que en los segundos, el conjunto de soluciones es fijo e inalterable. El tipo de problemas que nos preocupa se refieren a problemas modelados a través de restricciones, concretamente, restricciones lineales sobre variables de dominio finito. Estos tipos de problemas son estáticos, cuando las soluciones obtenidas no son reconsideradas ante el cambio de la instancia del -problema. Los casos dinámicos antes expuestos son resueltos iniciando de nuevo el proceso de resolución con la instancia modificada como si fuese un problema diferente. Un resolvedor de problemas que reconsidere las soluciones obtenidas en un problema anterior ante un cambio ligero de su instancia lo denominaremos dinámico, frente a la denominación de estático antes utilizada. Así pues, un Sistema Dinámico de Restricciones (SDR) será aquel que considere las soluciones obtenidas para resolver la instancia modificada. Al contrario de los sistemas estáticos, un SDR plantea las modificaciones de las instancias como un único problema. En este trabajo definiremos un modelo de SDR e identificaremos el tipo de transiciones permitidas en el mismo, y discutiremos como abordar la resolución dinámica del SDR desde diferentes aproximaciones. Además, se propondrán varios métodos para el manejo dinámico de un sistema de restricciones. Finalmente, discutiremos brevemente que opción de las analizadas es la más adecuada para los problemas que estamos abordando.Eje: Aspectos teóricos de la inteligencia artificialRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Un modelo para el tratamiento de sistemas dinámicos basado en la satisfacción de restricciones

En numerosas aplicaciones industriales complejas de plaificación y scheduling, resulta frecuente encontrar casos donde un problema ya resuelto debe ser reconsiderado a causa de una ligera modificación en la instancia de dicho problema. Estas modificaciones se originan generalmente a partir de sucesos externos que implican un cambio de creencias y en consecuencia el conjunto de soluciones obtenido para el problema resuelto ha de modificarse. Estos casos son referidos generalmente como problemas dinámicos, frente a los problemas estáticos. En los primeros, el conjunto de soluciones puede ser ligeramente modificado, mientras que en los segundos, el conjunto de soluciones es fijo e inalterable. El tipo de problemas que nos preocupa se refieren a problemas modelados a través de restricciones, concretamente, restricciones lineales sobre variables de dominio finito. Estos tipos de problemas son estáticos, cuando las soluciones obtenidas no son reconsideradas ante el cambio de la instancia del -problema. Los casos dinámicos antes expuestos son resueltos iniciando de nuevo el proceso de resolución con la instancia modificada como si fuese un problema diferente. Un resolvedor de problemas que reconsidere las soluciones obtenidas en un problema anterior ante un cambio ligero de su instancia lo denominaremos dinámico, frente a la denominación de estático antes utilizada. Así pues, un Sistema Dinámico de Restricciones (SDR) será aquel que considere las soluciones obtenidas para resolver la instancia modificada. Al contrario de los sistemas estáticos, un SDR plantea las modificaciones de las instancias como un único problema. En este trabajo definiremos un modelo de SDR e identificaremos el tipo de transiciones permitidas en el mismo, y discutiremos como abordar la resolución dinámica del SDR desde diferentes aproximaciones. Además, se propondrán varios métodos para el manejo dinámico de un sistema de restricciones. Finalmente, discutiremos brevemente que opción de las analizadas es la más adecuada para los problemas que estamos abordando.Eje: Aspectos teóricos de la inteligencia artificialRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

First tagging data on large Atlantic bluefin tuna behaviour in newly retaken Nordic areas suggests repeated behaviour and skipped spawning

Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus; ABFT) is one of the most iconic fish species in the world. Recently, after being very rare for more than half a century, large bluefin tunas have returned to Nordic waters in late summer and autumn, marking the return of the largest predatory fish in Nordic waters. By tagging 18 bluefin tunas with electronic tags (pop-up satellite archival tags), we show that bluefin tuna observed in Nordic waters undertake different migration routes, with individuals migrating into the western Atlantic Ocean, while others stay exclusively in the eastern Atlantic and enter the Mediterranean Sea to spawn. We additionally present evidence of possible skipped spawning inferred from behavioural analyses. In Nordic waters, ABFT are primarily using the upper water column, likely reflecting feeding activity. The results support the hypothesis that ABFT migrating to Nordic waters return to the same general feeding area within the region on an annual basis. These observations may have important implications for management because (1) tunas that come into Nordic waters might represent only a few year classes (as evidenced by a narrow size range), and thus may be particularly vulnerable to area-specific exploitation, and (2) challenge the assumption of consecutive spawning in adult Atlantic bluefin tuna, as used in current stock assessment models. Without careful management and limited exploitation of this part of the ABFT population, the species’ return to Nordic waters could be short-lived

Experimental study of the sensitivity of a porous silicon ring resonator sensor using continuous in-flow measurements

A highly sensitive photonic sensor based on a porous silicon ring resonator was developed and experimentally characterized. The photonic sensing structure was fabricated by exploiting a porous silicon double layer, where the top layer of a low porosity was used to form photonic elements by e-beam lithography and the bottom layer of a high porosity was used to confine light in the vertical direction. The sensing performance of the ring resonator sensor based on porous silicon was compared for the different resonances within the analyzed wavelength range both for transverse-electric and transverse-magnetic polarizations. We determined that a sensitivity up to 439 nm/RIU for low refractive index changes can be achieved depending on the optical field distribution given by each resonance/polarization

Mobile ad hoc network testbed using mobile robot technology

MANET (Mobile Ad Hoc Network) researchers have shown increased interest in using mobile robot technology for their testbed platforms. Thus, the main motivation of this paper is to review various robot-based MANET testbeds that have been developed in previously reported research. Additionally, suggestions to heighten mobility mechanisms by using mobile robots to be more practical, easy and inexpensive are also included in this paper, as we unveils ToMRobot, a low-cost MANET robot created from an ordinary remote control car that is capable of performing a real system MANET testbed with the addition of only a few low-cost electronic components. Despite greatly reduced costs, the ToMRobot does not sacrifice any of the necessary MANET basic structures and will still be easily customizable and upgradeable through the use of open hardware technology like Cubieboard2 and Arduino, as its robot controller. This paper will also include guidelines to enable technically limited MANET researchers to design and develop the ToMRobot. It is hoped that this paper achieves its two pronged objectives namely (i) to facilitate other MANET researchers by providing them with a source of reference that eases their decision making for selecting the best and most suitable MANET mobile robots for real mobility in their MANET testbeds (ii) to provide MANET researchers with a prospect of building their own MANET robots that can be applied in their own MANET testbed in the future

Characterization of the platelet phenotype caused by a germline RUNX1 Variant in a CRISPR/Cas9-generated murine model

RUNX1-related disorder (RUNX1-RD) is caused by germline variants affecting the RUNX1 gene. This rare, heterogeneous disorder has no specific clinical or laboratory phenotype, making genetic diagnosis necessary. Although international recommendations have been established to classify the pathogenicity of variants, identifying the causative alteration remains a challenge in RUNX1-RD. Murine models may be useful not only for definitively settling the controversy about the pathogenicity of certain RUNX1 variants, but also for elucidating the mechanisms of molecular pathogenesis. Therefore, we developed a knock-in murine model, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, carrying the RUNX1 p.Leu43Ser variant (mimicking human p.Leu56Ser) to study its pathogenic potential and mechanisms of platelet dysfunction. A total number of 75 mice were generated; 25 per genotype (RUNX1WT/WT, RUNX1WT/L43S, and RUNX1L43S/L43S). Platelet phenotype was assessed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. On average, RUNX1L43S/L43S and RUNX1WT/L43S mice had a significantly longer tail-bleeding time than RUNX1WT/WT mice, indicating the variant's involvement in hemostasis. However, only homozygous mice displayed mild thrombocytopenia. RUNX1L43S/L43S and RUNX1WT/L43S displayed impaired agonist-induced spreading and α-granule release, with no differences in δ-granule secretion. Levels of integrin αIIbβ3 activation, fibrinogen binding, and aggregation were significantly lower in platelets from RUNX1L43S/L43S and RUNX1WT/L43S using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and high thrombin doses. Lower levels of PKC phosphorylation in RUNX1L43S/L43S and RUNX1WT/L43S suggested that the PKC-signaling pathway was impaired. Overall, we demonstrated the deleterious effect of the RUNX1 p.Leu56Ser variant in mice via the impairment of integrin αIIbβ3 activation, aggregation, α-granule secretion, and platelet spreading, mimicking the phenotype associated with RUNX1 variants in the clinical setting.This work was partially supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Feder (PI17/01311, PI17/01966, and CB15/00055), Fundación Séneca (19873/GERM/15), Gerencia Regional de Salud (GRS 2061A/19 and 1647/A/17), Fundación Mutua Madrileña (FMM, AP172142019), and Sociedad Española de Trombosis y Hemostasia (SETH-FETH; Premio López Borrasca 2019 and Ayuda a Grupos de Trabajo en Patología Hemorrágica 2019). The authors' research on IPDs is conducted in accordance with the aims of the Functional and Molecular Characterization of Patients with Inherited Platelet Disorders Project, which is supported by the Hemorrhagic Diathesis Working Group of the Spanish Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. A.M.-Q., C.F.-I., and L.H.-C. were supported by predoctoral grants from the Junta de Castilla y León, Spain. E.V. was supported by the predoctoral grant from the University of Salamanca, Spain. IG-T and RB were supported by "Contratos postdoctorales Programa II) from the University of Salamanca, Spain

Development of a framework for genotyping bovine-derived Cryptosporidium parvum, using a multilocus fragment typing tool

Background: There is a need for an integrated genotyping approach for C. parvum; no sufficiently discriminatory scheme to date has been fully validated or widely adopted by veterinary or public health researchers. Multilocus fragment typing (MLFT) can provide good differentiation and is relatively quick and cheap to perform. A MLFT tool was assessed in terms of its typeability, specificity, precision (repeatability and reproducibility), accuracy and ability to genotypically discriminate bovine-derived Cryptosporidium parvum. Methods: With the aim of working towards a consensus, six markers were selected for inclusion based on their successful application in previous studies: MM5, MM18, MM19, TP14, MS1 and MS9. Alleles were assigned according to the fragment sizes of repeat regions amplified, as determined by capillary electrophoresis. In addition, a region of the GP60 gene was amplified and sequenced to determine gp60 subtype and this was added to the allelic profiles of the 6 markers to determine the multilocus genotype (MLG). The MLFT tool was applied to 140 C. parvum samples collected in two cross-sectional studies of UK calves, conducted in Cheshire in 2004 (principally dairy animals) and Aberdeenshire/Caithness in 2011 (beef animals). Results: Typeability was 84 %. The primers did not amplify tested non-parvum species frequently detected in cattle. In terms of repeatability, within- and between-run fragment sizes showed little variability. Between laboratories, fragment sizes differed but allele calling was reproducible. The MLFT had good discriminatory ability (Simpson’s Index of Diversity, SID, was 0.92), compared to gp60 sequencing alone (SID 0.44). Some markers were more informative than others, with MS1 and MS9 proving monoallelic in tested samples. Conclusions: Further inter-laboratory trials are now warranted with the inclusion of human-derived C. parvum samples, allowing progress towards an integrated, standardised typing scheme to enable source attribution and to determine the role of livestock in future outbreaks of human C. parvum