Beautiful Baryons from Lattice QCD

We perform a lattice study of heavy baryons, containing one ($\Lambda_b$) or two $b$-quarks ($\Xi_b$). Using the quenched approximation we obtain for the mass of $\Lambda_b$ $$M_{\Lambda_b}= 5.728 \pm 0.144 \pm 0.018 {\rm GeV}.$$ The mass splitting between the $\Lambda_b$ and the B-meson is found to increase by about 20\% if the light quark mass is varied from the chiral limit to the strange quark mass.Comment: 11 pages, Figures obtained upon request from [email protected]

Phantom-based lumbar spine experimental investigation and validation of a multibody model

The study of the biomechanics of the human spine is not yet developed extensively. Recent developments in this field have heightened the need for observing the spine from a comprehensive perspective to understand the complex biomechanical patterns, which underlie the kinematic and dynamic responses of this multiple-joint column. Within this frame of exigence, a joint study embracing experimental tests and multibody modelling was designed. This study provides novel insights to the segmental contribution profiles in flexion and extension, analysing different forms of sagittal-plane angles. Moreover, the validation of the multibody model contributes to defining the key aspects for a consistent spine modelling as well as it introduces the basis for simulating pathological conditions and post-orthopaedic surgical outcomes

Ion-Exchanged Waveguides in Glass Doped with PbS Quantum Dots

The lowest-loss (≤1 dB/cm) ion-exchanged waveguides in glass doped with PbS quantum dots are presented. Near-field mode profile and refractive index profile using the refracted near-field technique were measured for these waveguides. We demonstrate that the optical properties of this glass unchanged during the ion-exchange process

Diagnosis of centrocestus formosanus infection in zebrafish (Danio rerio) in Italy: A window to a new globalization-derived invasive microorganism

Centrocestus formosanus is a digenetic trematode with a complex life cycle, involving invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, humans included. In particular, it causes gill lesions and mortality in freshwater fish species, and gastrointestinal symptoms in infected humans. Here, we describe the occurrence of C. formosanus infection in zebrafish imported in Italy and propose a newly designed species-specific primer pair to ameliorate the diagnostic investigations for C. formosanus. Gill arches of 30 zebrafish were examined for the presence of encysted metacercariae under a stereomicroscope and processed through molecular analyses targeting the ribosomal internal transcribed sequence 2 (ITS2). Although C. formosanus distribution was originally restricted to Asia, it has been subsequently reported in new countries, revealing itself as an invasive species and raising important concerns for biodiversity, economy, scientific research, as well as animal and public health. Given the crucial role played by the ornamental fish industry in spreading this parasite, there is an urgent need for control measures to prevent the introduction and establishment of C. formosanus in non-endemic areas, including Europe. We also suggest developing new strategies in microbiology and epidemiology to better explore this new globalization-derived invasive species

The INGV-CMCC Seasonal Prediction System: improved ocean initial conditions

The development of the INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia)-CMCC (Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici) Seasonal Prediction System (SPS) is documented. In this SPS the ocean initial conditions estimation includes a Reduced Order Optimal Interpolation procedure for the assimilation of temperature and salinity profiles at the global scale. Nine member ensemble forecasts have been produced for the period 1991-2003 for two starting dates per year in order to assess the impact of the subsurface assimilation in the ocean for initialization. Comparing the results with control simulations (i.e.: without assimilation of subsurface profiles during ocean initialization), we showed that the improved ocean initialization increases the skill in the prediction of tropical Pacific SSTs in our system for boreal winter forecasts. Considering the forecast of the El Ni˜no 1997-1998, the data assimilation in the ocean initial conditions leads to a considerable improvement in the representation of its onset and development. Our results indicate a better prediction of global scale surface climate anomalies for the forecasts started in November, probably due to the improvement in the tropical Pacific. For boreal winter, in both tropics and extra tropics, we show significant increases in the capability of the system to discriminate above normal and below normal temperature anomalies

Heavy-light baryonic mass splittings from the lattice

We present lattice estimates of the mass of the heavy-light baryons $\Lambda_b$ and $\Xi_b$ obtained using propagating heavy quarks. For $\Lambda_b$ our result is $M_{\Lambda_b}=5.728 \pm 0.144 \pm 0.018$ GeV, after extrapolation to the continuum limit and in the quenched approximation.Comment: 3 pages postscript, Contribution to Lattice'9

Report on advances for pediatricians in 2018: allergy, cardiology, critical care, endocrinology, hereditary metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nutrition, respiratory tract disorders and surgery.

This review reported notable advances in pediatrics that have been published in 2018. We have highlighted progresses in allergy, cardiology, critical care, endocrinology, hereditary metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nutrition, respiratory tract disorders and surgery. Many studies have informed on epidemiologic observations. Promising outcomes in prevention, diagnosis and treatment have been reported. We think that advances realized in 2018 can now be utilized to ameliorate patient car

SOURCES OF COPPER INTO THE EUROPEAN AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT.

Chemical contamination from point source discharges in developed (resource-rich) countries has been widely regulated and studied for decades; however, diffuse sources are largely unregulated and widespread. In the European Union, large dischargers report releases of some chemicals; yet, little is known of total emissions (point and diffuse) and their relative significance. We estimated copper loadings from all significant sources including industry, sewage treatment plants, surface runoff (from traffic, architecture and atmospheric deposition), septic tanks, agriculture, mariculture, marine transport (antifoulant leaching), and natural processes. A combination of European datasets, literature and industry data were utilised to generate export coefficients. These were then multiplied by activity rates to derive loads. A total of around 8 kilotons of copper per annum (ktpa) is estimated to enter freshwaters in the European Union and another 3.5 ktpa enters transitional and coastal waters. The main inputs to freshwater are natural processes (3.7 ktpa), agriculture (1.8 ktpa) and runoff (1.8 ktpa). Agricultural emissions are dominated by copper-based plant protection products and farmyard manure. Urban runoff is influenced by copper use in architecture and by vehicle brake linings. Antifoulant leaching from boats (3.2 ktpa) dominates saline water loads of copper. It is noteworthy that most of the emissions originate from a limited number of copper uses where environmental exposure and pathways exist, compared with the bulk of copper use within electrical and electronic equipment and infrastructure that has no environmental pathway during its use. A sensitivity analysis indicated significant uncertainty in data from abandoned mines and urban runoff load estimates. This study provided for the first time a methodology and comprehensive metal load apportionment to European aquatic systems, identifying data gaps and uncertainties which may be refined over time. Source apportionments using this methodology can inform more cost-effective environmental risk assessment and management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2022 SETAC

Stellar Pulsations excited by a scattered mass

We compute the energy spectra of the gravitational signals emitted when a mass m is scattered by the gravitational field of a star of mass M >> m. We show that, unlike black holes in similar processes, the quasi-normal modes of the star are excited, and that the amount of energy emitted in these modes depends on how close the exciting mass can get to the star.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, RevTe