Potential of olive mill waste and compost as biobased pesticides against weeds, fungi, and nematodes

The phytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of olive mill wastes have been widely investigated and demonstrated over the past decade. However, their potential utilization as biodegradable pesticides against plant pathogens is still poorly understood. In this study, a series of laboratory bioassays was designed to test the inhibitory effects of sterile water extracts of two-phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) and TPOMW composts with different degrees of stabilization on several different plant pathogens. Fungicidal properties of TPOMW extracts, assayed in a microwell assay format, showed that the growth of Phytophthora capsici was consistently and strongly inhibited by all TPOMW extracts diluted 1:10 (w:v). In contrast, suppression of Pythium ultimum and Botrytis cinerea by the extracts was not as strong and depended on the specific TPOMW sample. Mature compost inhibited P. capsici and B. cinerea at dilutions as great as 1:50, w:v. Neither TPOMW nor TPOMW compost extracts were able to inhibit the growth of the basidiomycete root rot agent Rhizoctonia solani. In addition, studies were conducted on the allelopathic effects of TPOMW extracts on seed germination of four highly invasive and globally distributed weeds (Amaranthus retroflexus, Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium album and Sorghum halepense). Both the TPOMW and immature TPOMW compost extracts substantially inhibited germination of A. retroflexus and S. nigrum, whereas mature composts extracts only partially reduced the germination of S. nigrum. Finally, TPOMW extracts strongly inhibited egg hatch and second-stage juvenile (J2) motility of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. However, only higher concentrations of stage-one and stage-two TPOMW compost extracts exerted a suppressive effect on both J2 motility and on egg hatch. The study shows the high potential of naturally occurring chemicals present in TPOMW and TPOMW composts that should be further investigated as bio-pesticides for their use in sustainable agricultural systems.Peer reviewe

Publisher Correction: Sex-dimorphic genetic effects and novel loci for fasting glucose and insulin variability (Nature Communications, (2021), 12, 1, (24), 10.1038/s41467-020-19366-9)

The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 2, in which panels a and b were inadvertently swapped. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article

Test of lepton flavour universality using B0→D∗−τ+ντB^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_{\tau} decays with hadronic τ\tau channels

The branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_\tau)$ is measured relative to that of the normalisation mode $B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+$ using hadronic $\tau^+ \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^+(\pi^0)\bar{\nu}_\tau$ decays in proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb$^{-1}$. The measured ratio is $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_\tau)/\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+)= 1.70 \pm 0.10^{+0.11}_{-0.10}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is related to systematic effects. Using established branching fractions for the $B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+$ and $B^0 \to D^{*-} \mu^+\nu_\mu$ modes, the lepton universality test, $\mathcal{R}(D^{*-}) \equiv \mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_\tau)/\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-} \mu^+\nu_\mu)$ is calculated, $$\mathcal{R}(D^{*-}) = 0.247 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.012\, ,$$ where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainties on the external branching fractions. This result is consistent with the Standard Model prediction and with previous measurements.The branching fraction B(B0→D*-τ+ντ) is measured relative to that of the normalization mode B0→D*-π+π-π+ using hadronic τ+→π+π-π+(π0)ν¯τ decays in proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2  fb-1. The measured ratio is B(B0→D*-τ+ντ)/B(B0→D*-π+π-π+)=1.70±0.10-0.10+0.11, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is related to systematic effects. Using established branching fractions for the B0→D*-π+π-π+ and B0→D*-μ+νμ modes, the lepton universality test R(D*-)≡B(B0→D*-τ+ντ)/B(B0→D*-μ+νμ) is calculated, R(D*-)=0.247±0.015±0.015±0.012, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainties on the external branching fractions. This result is consistent with the Standard Model prediction and with previous measurements.The branching fraction $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_{\tau})$ is measured relative to that of the normalisation mode $B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+$ using hadronic $\tau^+ \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^+(\pi^0)\bar{\nu}_{\tau}$ decays in proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb$^{-1}$. The measured ratio is $\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+)= 1.70 \pm 0.10^{+0.11}_{-0.10}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is related to systematic effects. Using established branching fractions for the $B^0 \to D^{*-}\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+$ and $B^0 \to D^{*-} \mu^+\nu_\mu$ modes, the lepton universality test, $\mathcal{R}(D^{*-}) \equiv \mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-}\tau^+\nu_{\tau})/\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to D^{*-} \mu^+\nu_\mu)$ is calculated, $$\mathcal{R}(D^{*-}) = 0.247 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.015 \pm 0.012\, ,$$ where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainties on the external branching fractions. This result is consistent with the Standard Model prediction and with previous measurements

Measurement of Ξc+\Xi_{c}^{+} production in ppPb collisions at sNN=8.16\sqrt{s_{NN}}=8.16 TeV at LHCb

International audienceA study of prompt $\Xi_{c}^{+}$ production in proton-lead collisions is performed with the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 8.16 TeV in 2016 in $p$Pb and Pb$p$ collisions with an estimated integrated luminosity of approximately 12.5 and 17.4 nb$^{-1}$, respectively. The $\Xi_{c}^{+}$ production cross-section, as well as the $\Xi_{c}^{+}$ to $\Lambda_{c}^{+}$ production cross-section ratio, are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and rapidity and compared to latest theory predictions. The forward-backward asymmetry is also measured as a function of the $\Xi_{c}^{+}$ transverse momentum

A study of C ⁣PC\!P violation in the decays B±→[K+K−π+π−]Dh±B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^{\pm} (h=K,πh = K, \pi) and B±→[π+π−π+π−]Dh±B^\pm\to[\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^{\pm}

The first study of $C\!P$ violation in the decay mode $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^{\pm}$, with $h=K,\pi$, is presented, exploiting a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $9$ fb$^{-1}$. The analysis is performed in bins of phase space, which are optimised for sensitivity to local $C\!P$ asymmetries. $C\!P$-violating observables that are sensitive to the angle $\gamma$ of the Unitarity Triangle are determined. The analysis requires external information on charm-decay parameters, which are currently taken from an amplitude analysis of LHCb data, but can be updated in the future when direct measurements become available. Measurements are also performed of phase-space integrated observables for $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^{\pm}$ and $B^\pm\to[\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^{\pm}$ decays.The first study of $C\!P$ violation in the decay mode {{B} ^\pm } \rightarrow [{{K} ^+} {{K} ^-} {{\uppi } ^+} {{\uppi } ^-} ]_{D} h^\pm , with $h=K,\pi$, is presented, exploiting a data sample of proton–proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $9\text {\,fb} ^{-1}$. The analysis is performed in bins of phase space, which are optimised for sensitivity to local $C\!P$ asymmetries. $C\!P$-violating observables that are sensitive to the angle $\gamma$ of the Unitarity Triangle are determined. The analysis requires external information on charm-decay parameters, which are currently taken from an amplitude analysis of LHCb data, but can be updated in the future when direct measurements become available. Measurements are also performed of phase-space integrated observables for {{B} ^\pm } \rightarrow [{{K} ^+} {{K} ^-} {{\uppi } ^+} {{\uppi } ^-} ]_{D} h^\pm and {{B} ^\pm } \rightarrow [{{\uppi } ^+} {{\uppi } ^-} {{\uppi } ^+} {{\uppi } ^-} ]_{D} h^\pm decays.The first study of $C\!P$ violation in the decay mode $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$, with $h=K,\pi$, is presented, exploiting a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $9$ fb$^{-1}$. The analysis is performed in bins of phase space, which are optimised for sensitivity to local $C\!P$ asymmetries. $C\!P$-violating observables that are sensitive to the angle $\gamma$ of the Unitarity Triangle are determined. The analysis requires external information on charm-decay parameters, which are currently taken from an amplitude analysis of LHCb data, but can be updated in the future when direct measurements become available. Measurements are also performed of phase-space integrated observables for $B^\pm\to[K^+K^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ and $B^\pm\to[\pi^+\pi^-\pi^+\pi^-]_D h^\pm$ decays

Observation of the Bs0 ⁣→D∗+D∗−B^0_s\!\to D^{*+}D^{*-} decay

International audienceThe first observation of the ${B}_s^0$→ D$^{∗+}$D$^{∗−}$ decay and the measurement of its branching ratio relative to the B$^{0}$→ D$^{∗+}$D$^{∗−}$ decay are presented. The data sample used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb$^{−1}$ of proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV between 2011 and 2018. The decay is observed with more than 10 standard deviations and the time-integrated ratio of branching fractions is determined to be$\frac{\mathcal{B}\left({B}_s^0\to {D}^{\ast +}{D}^{\ast -}\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left({B}^0\to {D}^{\ast +}{D}^{\ast -}\right)}=0.269\pm 0.032\pm 0.011\pm 0.008,$where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to the uncertainty of the fragmentation fraction ratio f$_{s}$/f$_{d}$. The ${B}_s^0$→ D$^{*+}$D$^{*−}$ branching fraction is calculated to be$\mathcal{B}\left({B}_s^0\to {D}^{\ast +}{D}^{\ast -}\right)=\left(2.15\pm 0.26\pm 0.09\pm 0.06\pm 0.16\right)\times {10}^{-4},$where the fourth uncertainty is due to the B$^{0}$→ D$^{*+}$D$^{*−}$ branching fraction. These results are calculated using the average ${B}_s^0$ meson lifetime in simulation. Correction factors are reported for scenarios where either a purely heavy or a purely light ${B}_s^0$ eigenstate is considered.[graphic not available: see fulltext

Observation of Ξb0→Ξc+Ds−\Xi_b^0 \rightarrow \Xi_c^+ D_s^- and Ξb−→Ξc0Ds−\Xi_b^- \rightarrow \Xi_c^0 D_s^- decays

International audienceThe $\Xi_b^0 \rightarrow \Xi_c^+ D_s^-$ and $\Xi_b^- \rightarrow \Xi_c^0 D_s^-$ decays are observed for the first time using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13\mathrm{TeV}$, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.1\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$. The relative branching fractions times the beauty-baryon production cross-sections are measured to be \begin{align*} \mathcal{R}\left(\frac{\Xi_b^0}{\Lambda_b^0}\right) \equiv \frac{\sigma\left(\Xi_b^0\right)}{\sigma\left(\Lambda_b^0\right)} \times \frac{\mathcal{B}\left(\Xi_b^0 \rightarrow \Xi_c^+ D_s^-\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left(\Lambda_b^0 \rightarrow \Lambda_c^0 D_s^-\right)} =(15.8\pm1.1\pm0.6\pm7.7)\%, \mathcal{R}\left(\frac{\Xi_b^-}{\Lambda_b^0}\right) \equiv \frac{\sigma\left(\Xi_b^-\right)}{\sigma\left(\Lambda_b^0\right)} \times \frac{\mathcal{B}\left(\Xi_b^- \rightarrow \Xi_c^0 D_s^-\right)}{\mathcal{B}\left(\Lambda_b^0 \rightarrow \Lambda_c^0 D_s^-\right)} =(16.9\pm1.3\pm0.9\pm4.3)\%, \end{align*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third due to the uncertainties on the branching fractions of relevant charm-baryon decays. The masses of $\Xi_b^0$ and $\Xi_b^-$ baryons are measured to be $m_{\Xi_b^0}=5791.12\pm0.60\pm0.45\pm0.24\mathrm{MeV}/c^2$ and $m_{\Xi_b^-}=5797.02\pm0.63\pm0.49\pm0.29\mathrm{MeV}/c^2$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and those due to charm-hadron masses, respectively