CP violating scalar Dark Matter

We study an extension of the Standard Model (SM) in which two copies of the SM scalar SU(2) doublet which do not acquire a Vacuum Expectation Value (VEV), and hence are inert, are added to the scalar sector. We allow for CP-violation in the inert sector, where the lightest inert state is protected from decaying to SM particles through the conservation of a Z(2) symmetry. The lightest neutral particle from the inert sector, which has a mixed CP-charge due to CP-violation, is hence a Dark Matter (DM) candidate. We discuss the new regions of DM relic density opened up by CP-violation, and compare our results to the CP-conserving limit and the Inert Doublet Model (IDM). We constrain the parameter space of the CP-violating model using recent results from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and DM direct and indirect detection experiments.Peer reviewe

Edge detection algorithm based on fuzzy logic theory for a local vision system of robocup humanoid league

Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de un algoritmo para la extracción de bordes basado en la teoría de lógica difusa, mediante el cual es posible reconocer las marcas de un campo de juego para la liga humanoide de RoboCup. El algoritmo propuesto describe la creación de un sistema de inferencia difuso que permite evaluar la relación existente entre los pixeles de una imagen, encontrando así las variaciones en los niveles de gris para una vecindad de pixeles específica. Posteriormente se plantea la implementación del método OTSU para binarizar la imagen obtenida en el proceso difuso y así generar una imagen que contiene solo los bordes extraídos, validando el algoritmo en imágenes de la liga humanoide. Luego se analizan los resultados obtenidos evidenciando el buen desempeño del algoritmo, considerando que el tiempo de procesamiento de la propuesta es tan solo el 35% más del tiempo necesario en métodos tradicionales, mientras que los bordes extraídos son unos 52% menos susceptibles al ruido.At this paper we shown the development of an algorithm to perform edges extraction based on fuzzy logic theory. This method allows recognizing landmarks on the game field for Humanoid League of RoboCup. The proposed algorithm describes the creation of a fuzzy inference system that permit evaluate the existent relationship between image pixels, finding variations on grey levels of related neighbor pixels. Subsequently, it shows an implementation of OTSU method to binarize an image that was obtained from fuzzy process and so generate an imagecontaining only extracted edges, validating the algorithm with Humanoid League images. Later, we analyze obtained results that evidence a good performance of algorithm, considering that this proposal only takes an extra 35% processing time that will be required by traditional methods, whereas extracted edges are 52% less noise susceptible

Comparative genomics, evolution, and drought-induced expression of dehydrin genes in model Brachypodium grasses

Dehydration proteins (dehydrins, DHNs) confer tolerance to water-stress deficit in plants. We performed a comparative genomics and evolutionary study of DHN genes in four model Brachy-podium grass species. Due to limited knowledge on dehydrin expression under water deprivation stress in Brachypodium, we also performed a drought-induced gene expression analysis in 32 ecotypes of the genus’ flagship species B. distachyon showing different hydric requirements. Genomic sequence analysis detected 10 types of dehydrin genes (Bdhn) across the Brachypodium species. Domain and conserved motif contents of peptides encoded by Bdhn genes revealed eight protein architectures. Bdhn genes were spread across several chromosomes. Selection analysis indicated that all the Bdhn genes were constrained by purifying selection. Three upstream cis-regulatory motifs (BES1, MYB124, ZAT) were detected in several Bdhn genes. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that only four Bdhn1-Bdhn2, Bdhn3, and Bdhn7 genes, orthologs of wheat, barley, rice, sorghum, and maize genes, were expressed in mature leaves of B. distachyon and that all of them were more highly expressed in plants under drought conditions. Brachypodium dehydrin expression was significantly correlated with drought-response phenotypic traits (plant biomass, leaf carbon and proline contents and water use efficiency increases, and leaf water and nitrogen content decreases) being more pronounced in drought-tolerant ecotypes. Our results indicate that dehydrin type and regulation could be a key factor determining the acquisition of water-stress tolerance in grasses. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Adipose Tissue Therapeutics for Scar Rehabilitation after Thermal Injury

Background: Burn injuries are common and in the long term can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars, pain and pruritus, limited mobility across joints, and disfigurement. Numerous reports suggest adipose derived tissues, including adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and processed lipoaspirate, can improve acutely healing wounds from a variety of etiologies including excisional, thermal, and radiation injuries by both secretion of growth factors and direct differentiation. There are many options for scar treatment, including laser therapy, silicone sheets, steroid injection, and even skin grafting however these techniques either lack optimal efficacy or involve significant cost and morbidity. Clinical case series suggest a beneficial effect of adipose tissues in improving scarred tissues, however this phenomenon has not been extensively studied in animal models especially in a thermal scar model. Objectives: (1) Determine if adipose tissue can accelerate and improve scar remodeling subacutely after acute wound healing has occurred. (2) Determine if the effect is related to adipose derived stem cells or other components of lipoaspirate. Methods: 50 CD1 nu/nu athymic mice received a standardized 70°C 10 second burn with a brass rod to the dorsal skin. Digital photographs and hyperspectral images were taken immediately following injury and serially over the study’s entirety. Burned skin reliably progressed through normal stages of wound healing to a scarred and granulating state. At six weeks post-burn animals received subcutaneous injection immediately beneath the scar with fresh human lipoaspirate (n=10), high dose hADSCs in matrigel (n=10), low dose hADSCs in matrigel (n=10), matrigel control (n=10), or were not injected (n=10). At 4 weeks post-injection (10 weeks post-burn) animals were sacrificed and tissue samples were harvested for histological molecular analysis. Results: Oxygenation and perfusion profiles from hyperspectral imaging and scar wound area correlated between groups suggesting methodological consistency of burns prior to any intervention. Oxygenated hemoglobin at 10 weeks in scars treated with lipoaspirate increased significantly more compared to 6-week pre-treatment baseline than all other groups (1.57x vs. 0.85x, p Conclusion: A consistent model of burn injury and scar maturation is described. Preliminary HSI and scar area data suggest scar improvement in lipoaspirate treated scars compared to ADSCs and controls

Effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media on the viability of Lactobacillus fermentum K73 during simulated gastrointestinal transit

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of the carrier material, drying technology and dissolution media during the passage of L. fermentum K73 through a dynamic in vitro digestion system (IViDiS). The carrier materials were (i) culture medium with growing micro-organisms and (ii) culture medium with maltodextrin : sweet whey [0.6 : 0.4]. The carrier materials were dried by spray-drying and freeze-drying to obtain four types of powders. The dissolution media consisted of water and 1% fat milk. The powders were tested using an in vitro dynamic digestion system (IViDiS). The results showed that powders derived from culture medium had the highest protective effect on the viability of L. fermentum K73 in both dissolution media and that survival increased when the powders were tested in milk. The modified Gompertz model was used to model L. fermentum K73 behaviour during the digestion process. The model showed that cells entrapped in culture medium had the longest lag phase and the slowest inactivation rate when evaluated in milk

Lipoaspirate and Adipose Stem Cells as Potential Therapeutics for Chronic Scars

Introduction: Burn injuries can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars, causing pain and long lasting mobility issues. Current therapies are often unsatisfactory, costly, or morbid. Prior studies suggest adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and lipoaspirate can improve scar outcomes of acute thermal wounds. Clinical reports suggest lipoaspirate and ADSCs can improve chronic burn scar remodeling. However, this has not been extensively studied in animal models. We sought to determine if adipose tissue can improve chronic scar remodeling and to compare the effects of ADSCs and processed lipoaspirate. Methods: 50 CD1 nu/nu athymic mice received a standardized deep partial-thickness thermal burn. Scars matured for 6 weeks. Photographs and perfusion measurements by hyperspectral imaging (HSI) were taken over the entire study. Lipoaspirate and ADSCs (SVF and ex-vivo culture with flow cytometry confirmation) were obtained from a discarded human pannus specimen. After 6 weeks, animals received a 0.6cc subcutaneous graft beneath the scar of either: human lipoaspirate processed with the Coleman technique, high-dose (106) hADSCs in Matrigel, low-dose (104) hADSCs in Matrigel, Matrigel only, or not injected (n=10 per group). At 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed and scar tissue was harvested for histological and molecular analysis. Results: HSI oxygenated hemoglobin values in lipoaspirate treated scars increased significantly more compared to 6-week pre-treatment baseline than all other groups (p \u3c 0.05). Planimetry analysis showed reduction in wound area in lipoaspirate treated mice compared to control groups (p \u3c 0.01). Blood vessel density quantification on Masson’s trichrome stains suggests increased density in lipoaspirate treated scars versus controls (p \u3c 0.01). Conclusion: HSI, blood vessel density, and scar analysis suggest improvement in lipoaspirate treated scars compared to controls. Preliminary molecular data offers some insight to this trend. No effect was seen with ADSCs at either concentration at the analyzed timepoints. Molecular analyses are ongoing to investigate cellular mechanisms in regulating scar remodeling