Measurement of the non-prompt D-meson fraction as a function of multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at s \sqrt{s} = 13 TeV

The fractions of non-prompt (i.e. originating from beauty-hadron decays) D0 and D+ mesons with respect to the inclusive yield are measured as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The results are reported in intervals of transverse momentum (pT) and integrated in the range 1 < pT < 24 GeV/c. The fraction of non-prompt D0 and D+ mesons is found to increase slightly as a function of pT in all the measured multiplicity intervals, while no significant dependence on the charged- particle multiplicity is observed. In order to investigate the production and hadronisation mechanisms of charm and beauty quarks, the results are compared to PYTHIA 8 as well as EPOS 3 and EPOS 4 Monte Carlo simulations, and to calculations based on the colour glass condensate including three-pomeron fusion

A review on innovations in polymeric nanocomposite packaging materials and electrical sensors for food and agriculture

The application of polymer nanocomposites packaging materials in industrial, food and agricultural products is a superior alternative to traditional packaging materials such as glass, paper, and metals due to their functionalization, flexibility, and minimal cost. However, usage of these materials has been hindered due to their inferior mechanical and barrier behaviors, which are susceptible to improvement through inclusion of functionalized reinforcing macro- or nano?llers. Furthermore, most reinforced materials exhibit inferior matrix–?ller interfacial interactions, which are enhanced with reducing ?ller dimensions. Hence, this review elucidates functionalization of composites interfacial interaction and its relationship to enhancement of the properties of packaging materials, especially antimicrobial tendencies, enzyme immobilization behavior, biosensing affinity, and so on. Thus, a fundamental understanding of interfacial structure and its relationship to the overall improvement of properties are presented. Therefore, nanomaterials, such as cellulose, nanoclay, halloysite nanotubes, carbon allotropes (graphene and carbon nanotubes), silica, and so on, are discussed relative to their surface treatment approaches and effects on composites films properties for effective packaging. Recently, emerging innovations in nanostructured polymeric composite materials and electrical-sensors, their current applications and future outlook as food, agricultural and industrial packaging materials are also herewith elucidated