373 research outputs found
A Study in Cuba of the Biology, Ecology and Agroecological Management of \u3cem\u3eHeteropsylla Cubana\u3c/em\u3e Crawford in \u3cem\u3eLeucaena Leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e (Lam.) de Wit
As a consequence of the increase in Leucaena leucocephala areas to counter the shortage of feed in Cuban cattle production, there is a risk of the development of Heteropsylla cubana Crawford (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) as a pest in silvopastoral systems with this legume. This psyllid is known to be the main phytophagous pest (Valenciaga, 2003), which produces damage in 95% of the apical region of branches. Since information on the identification and biology of a pest species is a necessary prerequisite for its management, a taxonomic, biological and ecological study was conducted to define Heteropsylla behaviour in Cuban conditions and elaborate the theoretical basis to propose management alternatives
Flavor-changing top quark rare decays in the Bestest Little Higgs Model
This paper investigates the effects of parameters in the Bestest Little Higgs
Model (BLHM) on rare flavor-changing decays of the top quark. As a result,
flavor-changing phenomena are introduced in the BLHM for the first time. In
this study, we incorporate new flavor mixing terms between the light quarks of
the Standard Model (SM) and the fermions and bosons of the BLHM. We compute the
one-loop contributions from the heavy quark and the heavy bosons
. Our findings demonstrate
that the branching ratios of decays and , where
and , exhibit improvements compared to their counterparts in
the SM, except for the gluon case. Moreover, we observe that the processes with
higher sensitivity are , and within the appropriate parameter
space.Comment: 13 pages and 10 figure
Imaging in (high pressure) Micromegas TPC detectors
The T-REX project of the group of the University of Zaragoza includes a number of R&D and prototyping activities to explore the applicability of gaseous Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) with Micromesh Gas Structures (Micromegas) in rare event searches where the pattern recognition of the signal is crucial for background discrimination. In the CAST experiment (CERN Axion Solar Telescope) a background level as low as 0.8 × 10-6 counts keV-1 cm-2 s-1 was achieved. Prototyping and simulations promise a 105 better signal-to-noise ratio than CAST for the future IAXO (International Axion Observatory) using x-ray telescopes. A new strategy is also explored in the search of WIMPS based on high gas pressure: the TREX-DM experiment, a low energy threshold detector. In both cases, axion and WIMP searches, the image of the expected signal is quite simple: a one cluster deposition coming from the magnet bore in the case of axions and, if possible, with a tadpole form in the case of WIMPs. It is the case of double beta decay (DBD) where imaging and pattern recognition play a major role. Results obtained in Xe + trimethylamine (TMA) mixture point to a reduction in electron diffusion which improves the quality of the topological pattern, with a positive impact on the discrimination capability, as shown in TREX-ßß prototype. Microbulk Micromegas are able to image the DBD ionization signature with high quality while, at the same time, measuring its energy deposition with a resolution of at least a ~ 3% FWHM at the transition energy Qßß and even better (up to ~ 1% FWHM) as extrapolated from low energy events. That makes Micromegas-based HPXe TPC a very competitive technique for the next generation DBD experiments (as PANDAX-III). Here, it will be shown the last results of the TREX project detectors and software concerning Axions, Dark matter and double beta decay
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Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]
Metal alloys, matrix inclusions and manufacturing techniques of Moinhos de Golas collection (North Portugal): a study by micro-EDXRF, SEM–EDS, optical microscopy and X-ray radiography
"Article:820"A collection of 35 metallic artefacts comprising
various typologies, some of which can be attributed to the
Bronze Age and others to later periods, were studied to
provide detailed information on elemental composition,
manufacturing techniques and preservation state. Elemental
analysis by micro-EDXRF and SEM–EDS was performed
to investigate the use of different alloys and to
study the presence of microstructural heterogeneities, as
inclusions. X-ray radiography, optical microscopy and
SEM–EDS were used to investigate manufacturing techniques
and degradation features. Results showed that most
of the artefacts were produced in a binary bronze alloy
(Cu–Sn) with 10–15 wt% Sn and a low concentration of
impurities. Other artefacts were produced in copper or in
brass, the latest with varying contents of Zn, Sn and Pb. A
variety of inclusions in the metal matrices were also found,
some related to specific types of alloys, as (Cu–Ni)S2 in
coppers, or ZnS in brasses. Microstructural observations
revealed that the majority of the artefacts were subjected to
cycles of thermomechanical processing after casting, being
evident that among some artefacts different parts were
subjected to distinct treatments. The radiographic images
revealed structural heterogeneities related to local corrosion
processes and fissures that seem to have developed in
wear-tension zones, as in the handle of some daggers.
Radiographic images were also useful to detect the use of
different materials in one particular brass artefact, revealing
the presence of a possible Cu–Sn solder.This work was funded by FEDER funds through
the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT—
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia under the project UID/CTM/
50025/2013 to CENIMAT/I3N. C2
TN/IST authors gratefully
acknowledge the FCT support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013
project. EF acknowledges FCT for the grant SFRH/BPD/97360/2013.
JF acknowledge FCT for the grant SFRH/BD/65143/2009. Part of this
project has been done in the framework of the FCT project ENARDAS
(PTDC/HISARQ/112983/2009).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparative fruit quality parameters of ‘Ninfa’ apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) grafted on two different rootstocks in a newly established organic orchard
The fruit quality parameters of Prunus armeniaca L. cv ‘Ninfa’ grafted on ‘Myrobalan 29C’ (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) and ‘Real Fino’ apricot seedling (Prunus armeniaca L.) were analysed in an experimental orchard under organic management. The study was performed between 2010 and 2012 in the province of Seville (SW Spain). Colour, fruit and stone weights, firmness, soluble solid concentration, and acidity were measured for fruit quality evaluation. Trunk cross-sectional area, main branches, and fruit yield were also determined. In general, ‘Myrobalan 29C’ rootstock produced fruit slightly larger in size and with a bigger weight. By contrast, apricots on ‘Myrobalan 29C’ had less firmness and a lower solid soluble concentration than on ‘Real Fino’. There was little difference in the colour, acidity, and stone dry weights. Trees on ‘Real Fino’ had larger areas of trunk and branches but no significant differences were obtained in relation to fruit yields
Many body physics from a quantum information perspective
The quantum information approach to many body physics has been very
successful in giving new insight and novel numerical methods. In these lecture
notes we take a vertical view of the subject, starting from general concepts
and at each step delving into applications or consequences of a particular
topic. We first review some general quantum information concepts like
entanglement and entanglement measures, which leads us to entanglement area
laws. We then continue with one of the most famous examples of area-law abiding
states: matrix product states, and tensor product states in general. Of these,
we choose one example (classical superposition states) to introduce recent
developments on a novel quantum many body approach: quantum kinetic Ising
models. We conclude with a brief outlook of the field.Comment: Lectures from the Les Houches School on "Modern theories of
correlated electron systems". Improved version new references adde
A chromosome-level genome assembly enables the identification of the follicule stimulating hormone receptor as the master sex determining gene in the flatfish Solea senegalensis
Sex determination (SD) shows huge variation among fish and a high evolutionary rate, as illustrated by the Pleuronectiformes (flatfishes). This order is characterized by its adaptation to demersal life, compact genomes and diversity of SD mechanisms. Here, we assembled the Solea senegalensis genome, a flatfish of great commercial value, into 82 contigs (614 Mb) combining long- and short-read sequencing, which were next scaffolded using a highly dense genetic map (28,838 markers, 21 linkage groups), representing 98.9% of the assembly. Further, we established the correspondence between the assembly and the 21 chromosomes by using BAC-FISH. Whole genome resequencing of six males and six females enabled the identification of 41 SNP variants in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) consistent with an XX / XY SD system. The observed sex association was validated in a broader independent sample, providing a novel molecular sexing tool. Fshr displayed differential gene expression between male and female gonads from 86 days post-fertilization, when the gonad is still an undifferentiated primordium, concomitant with the activation of amh and cyp19a1a, testis and ovary marker genes, respectively, in males and females. The Y-linked fshr allele, which included 24 non-synonymous variants and showed a highly divergent 3D protein structure, was overexpressed in males compared to the X-linked allele at all stages of gonadal differentiation. We hypothesize a mechanism hampering the action of the follicle stimulating hormone driving the undifferentiated gonad toward testis.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
New regulations regarding Postgraduate Medical Training in Spain: perception of the tutor's role in the Murcia Region
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently introduced regulatory changes have expanded the Tutor role to include their primary responsibility for Postgraduate Medical Training (PMT). However, accreditation and recognition of that role has been devolved to the autonomic regions. The opinions of the RT may be relevant to future decisions;</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A comprehensive questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, academic and research achievement and personal views about their role, was sent to 201 RTs in the Murcia Region of Spain. The responses are described using median and interquartile ranges (IQR);</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 147 replies (response rate 73%), 69% male, mean age 45 ± 7 yrs. RTs perception of the residents' initial knowledge and commitment throughout the program was 5 (IQR 4-6) and 7 (IQR 5-8), respectively. As regards their impact on the PMT program, RTs considered that their own contribution was similar to that of senior residents. RTs perception of how their role was recognised was 5 (IQR 3-6). Only 16% did not encounter difficulties in accessing specific RT training programs. Regarding the RTs view of their various duties, supervision of patient care was accorded the greatest importance (64%) while the satisfactory completion of the PMT program and supervision of day-to-day activities were also considered important (61% and 59% respectively). The main RT requirements were: a greater professional recognition (97%), protected time (95%), specific RT training programs (95%) and financial recognition (86%);</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This comprehensive study, reflecting the feelings of our RTs, provides a useful insight into the reality of their work and the findings ought to be taken into consideration in the imminent definitive regulatory document on PMT.</p
Cell Pattern in Adult Human Corneal Endothelium
A review of the current data on the cell density of normal adult human endothelial cells was carried out in order to establish some common parameters appearing in the different considered populations. From the analysis of cell growth patterns, it is inferred that the cell aging rate is similar for each of the different considered populations. Also, the morphology, the cell distribution and the tendency to hexagonallity are studied. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that this phenomenon is analogous with cell behavior in other structures such as dry foams and grains in polycrystalline materials. Therefore, its driving force may be controlled by the surface tension and the mobility of the boundaries
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