Anisotropy and chemical composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays using arrival directions measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Collaboration has reported evidence for anisotropy in the distribution of arrival directions of the cosmic rays with energies $E>E_{th}=5.5\times 10^{19}$ eV. These show a correlation with the distribution of nearby extragalactic objects, including an apparent excess around the direction of Centaurus A. If the particles responsible for these excesses at $E>E_{th}$ are heavy nuclei with charge $Z$, the proton component of the sources should lead to excesses in the same regions at energies $E/Z$. We here report the lack of anisotropies in these directions at energies above $E_{th}/Z$ (for illustrative values of $Z=6,\ 13,\ 26$). If the anisotropies above $E_{th}$ are due to nuclei with charge $Z$, and under reasonable assumptions about the acceleration process, these observations imply stringent constraints on the allowed proton fraction at the lower energies

Advanced functionality for radio analysis in the Offline software framework of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The advent of the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) necessitates the development of a powerful framework for the analysis of radio measurements of cosmic ray air showers. As AERA performs "radio-hybrid" measurements of air shower radio emission in coincidence with the surface particle detectors and fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the radio analysis functionality had to be incorporated in the existing hybrid analysis solutions for fluoresence and surface detector data. This goal has been achieved in a natural way by extending the existing Auger Offline software framework with radio functionality. In this article, we lay out the design, highlights and features of the radio extension implemented in the Auger Offline framework. Its functionality has achieved a high degree of sophistication and offers advanced features such as vectorial reconstruction of the electric field, advanced signal processing algorithms, a transparent and efficient handling of FFTs, a very detailed simulation of detector effects, and the read-in of multiple data formats including data from various radio simulation codes. The source code of this radio functionality can be made available to interested parties on request.Comment: accepted for publication in NIM A, 13 pages, minor corrections to author list and references in v

Search for First Harmonic Modulation in the Right Ascension Distribution of Cosmic Rays Detected at the Pierre Auger Observatory

We present the results of searches for dipolar-type anisotropies in different energy ranges above $2.5\times 10^{17}$ eV with the surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory, reporting on both the phase and the amplitude measurements of the first harmonic modulation in the right-ascension distribution. Upper limits on the amplitudes are obtained, which provide the most stringent bounds at present, being below 2% at 99% $C.L.$ for EeV energies. We also compare our results to those of previous experiments as well as with some theoretical expectations.Comment: 28 pages, 11 figure

Chromosome evolution in Cophomantini (Amphibia, Anura, Hylinae)

The hylid tribe Cophomantini is a diverse clade of Neotropical treefrogs composed of the genera Aplastodiscus, Boana, Bokermannohyla, Hyloscirtus, and Myersiohyla. The phylogenetic relationships of Cophomantini have been comprehensively reviewed in the literature, providing a suitable framework for the study of chromosome evolution. Employing different banding techniques, we studied the chromosomes of 25 species of Boana and 3 of Hyloscirtus; thus providing, for the first time, data for Hyloscirtus and for 15 species of Boana. Most species showed karyotypes with 2n = 2x = 24 chromosomes; some species of the B. albopunctata group have 2n = 2x = 22, and H. alytolylax has 2n = 2x = 20. Karyotypes are all bi-armed in most species presented, with the exception of H. larinopygion (FN = 46) and H. alytolylax (FN = 38), with karyotypes that have a single pair of small telocentric chromosomes. In most species of Boana, NORs are observed in a single pair of chromosomes, mostly in the small chromosomes, although in some species of the B. albopunctata, B. pulchella, and B. semilineata groups, this marker occurs on the larger pairs 8, 1, and 7, respectively. In Hyloscirtus, NOR position differs in the three studied species: H. alytolylax (4p), H. palmeri (4q), and H. larinopygion (1p). Heterochromatin is a variable marker that could provide valuable evidence, but it would be necesserary to understand the molecular composition of the C-bands that are observed in different species in order to test its putative homology. In H. alytolylax, a centromeric DAPI+ band was observed on one homologue of chromosome pair 2. The band was present in males but absent in females, providing evidence for an XX/XY sex determining system in this species. We review and discuss the importance of the different chromosome markers (NOR position, C-bands, and DAPI/CMA3 patterns) for their impact on the taxonomy and karyotype evolution in Cophomantini

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/images/research_banner_face_lab_290.jpgunderweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity

Study Of The Factors Influencing The Bioaccessibility Of 10 Elements From Chocolate Drink Powder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)A risk/benefit assessment of chocolate drink powder has been conducted by evaluating the total contents and the bioaccessibilities of Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P and Zn. The bioaccessibility was studied considering the type of sample (traditional, light, diet and organic) and the different factors that may affect it, including physical-chemical parameters of the human digestive process (gastric pH, concentration of bile salts and presence of lipase) and the presence of dietary components (phytate, pectin, cellulose and tannin). The bioaccessibility varied greatly according to the sample type, being greater in the diet and organic samples, and on the element being considered (5-12% for Al, 74-120% for Ba, 3-11% for Cd, 5-19% for Cr, 22-74% for Cu, 1-30% for Fe, 47-98% for Mg, 19-59% for Mn, 19-115% for P and 15-31% for Zn). Bile salts concentrations and the presence of dietary components also modify the bioaccessibilities of some of these elements. In addition, consideration of the bioaccessible fractions instead of the total contents in the product reduces significantly the contribution of chocolate drink consumption to the Recommended Daily Intake of essential elements, but has also a positive effect, reducing the contributions to tolerable intakes of Al and Cd. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.484147Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo [2011/21023-3, 2013/21962-5]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)INCTAA (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias e Tecnologias Analiticas Avancadas)Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [AGL2012-33461]Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEO [II-2014-077]Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Multielemental Determinations in Chocolate Drink Powder Using Multivariate Optimization and ICP OES

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)In this work multivariate experiments were conducted to optimize the operating conditions for inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP DES) for multielemental determinations in chocolate drink powder. The operating conditions were investigated using a 2(3) central composite design, where the variables studied were radio frequency power, nebulization flow rate, and auxiliary argon flow rate. The effects of these parameters on plasma robustness and on signal to background ratio (SBR) were considered in parallel, allowing the evaluation of robustness and detectability using few and fast experiments to select the best conditions for the determination of the analytes. In this case, the proposed experiments were applied to the optimization of a method aimed at the determination of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, V, and Zn in chocolate drink powder. The compromise conditions that allowed obtaining a robust and sensitive analytical method were radio frequency power of 1200 W, nebulization flow rate of 0.6 L/min, and auxiliary argon flow rate of 0.3 L/min. Using these conditions, recoveries between 95 and 105% and relative standard deviations lower than 5% were obtained for the majority of the analytes. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of 15 samples of chocolate drink powder. The highest concentrations of metallic species were found in diet and light products.603381178122Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Instituto Nacional de Ciencias e Tecnologias Analiticas Avancadas (INCTAA)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

On-line Preconcentration and Determination of Zinc Using Zincon and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)In this work, a method for on-line preconcentration and determination of zinc was developed. A miniglass column (35 x 3 mm) containing 70 mg of Dowex 1X8 resin modified with 1% (w/w) of zincon was coupled into the FI-FAAS system. During the extraction procedure, it was verified that the metal reacts with the complexing reagent in the pH range from 9.0 to 10.0. After optimization of parameters such as type and concentration of the eluent, buffer concentration, elution time, sample and buffer flow rate, mixing coil length, and effect of foreign ions, the FI-FAAS system presented an enrichment factor of 10 and at least 200 reutilizations of the column were possible. The detection limit was 0.67 mu g L-1, and a relative standard deviation of 5% was obtained. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by using certified reference material, showing good accuracy. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of zinc in beverages.54814820Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)INCTAA (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias e Tecnologias Analiticas Avancadas)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Estimation of the Bioaccessibility of Metallic Elements in Chocolate Drink Powder using an in vitro Digestion Method and Spectrometric Techniques

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The bioaccessible fractions of Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn and P in chocolate drink powder were estimated using an in vitro digestion method and spectrometric techniques. A three-step procedure was used as an in vitro digestion method, in which the digestive process occurring in the mouth, stomach and intestine are simulated with the preparation of synthetic digestive fluids. Mineralization assisted by microwave radiation was used for the treatment of the sample and the chyme (soluble portion) obtained in the in vitro digestion method, considering their high organic content. Aluminum, Ba, Cu, Mg, Mn and P were quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, whereas Cd and Cr were quantified by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Considering the total content of these elements in chocolate drink powder, the bioaccessible fractions found were 5 +/- 3% for Al, 9 +/- 2% for Ba, 13 +/- 3% for Cd, 5 +/- 2% for Cr, 29 +/- 4% for Cu, 54 +/- 3% for Mg, 11 +/- 3% for Mn and 31 +/- 6% for P. In general, elements that perform essential functions in the human organism presented higher bioaccessibility when compared with potentially toxic elements at trace levels.245884890Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)INCTAA (Instituto Nacional de Ciencias e Tecnologias Analiticas Avancadas)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq