977 research outputs found
Neutrino oscillations and Lorentz Invariance Violation in a Finslerian Geometrical model
Neutrino oscillations are one of the first evidences of physics beyond the
Standard Model (SM). Since Lorentz Invariance is a fundamental symmetry of the
SM, recently also neutrino physics has been explored to verify the eventual
modification of this symmetry and its potential magnitude. In this work we
study the consequences of the introduction of Lorentz Invariance Violation
(LIV) in the high energy neutrinos propagation and evaluate the impact of this
eventual violation on the oscillation predictions. An effective theory
explaining these physical effects is introduced via Modified Dispersion
Relations. This approach, originally introduced by Coleman and Glashow,
corresponds in our model to a modification of the special relativity geometry.
Moreover, the generalization of this perspective leads to the introduction of a
maximum attainable velocity which is specific of the particle. This can be
formalized in Finsler geometry, a more general theory of space-time. In the
present paper the impact of this kind of LIV on neutrino phenomenology is
studied, in particular by analyzing the corrections introduced in neutrino
oscillation probabilities for different values of neutrino energies and
baselines of experimental interest. The possibility of further improving the
present constraints on CPT-even LIV coefficients by means of our analysis is
also discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication with minor revisions, will appear on
European Physics Journal
Prospettive d'indagine sulla vittima di atti persecutori alla luce del recente inquadramento normativo
Sacred Landscapes of Hittites and Luwians. Proceedings of the International Conference in Honour of Franca Pecchioli Daddi (Florence, February 6th-8th 2014)
Quinoa bitterness: causes and solutions for improving product acceptability
Awareness of the several agronomic, environmental, and health benefits of quinoa has led to a constant increase in its production and consumption not only in South America, where it is a native crop, but also in Europe and the USA. However, producing wheat or gluten-free based products enriched with quinoa alters some quality characteristics, including sensory acceptance. Several anti-nutritional factors such as saponins are concentrated in the grain pericarp. These bitter and astringent substances may interfere with the digestion and absorption of various nutrients. Developing processes to decrease or modify the bitterness of quinoa can enhance palatability, and thus consumption, of quinoa. In addition to the production of sweet varieties of quinoa, other processes have been proposed. Some of them (i.e. washing, pearling and the combination of the two) have a direct effect on saponins, either by solubilization and/or the mechanical removal of seed layers. Others, such as fermentation or germination, are able to mask the bitterness with aroma compounds and/or sugar formation. This review presents the major sources of the undesirable sensory attributes of quinoa, including bitterness, and various ways of counteracting the negative characteristics of quinoa
Cholesterol derivatives make large part of the lipids from epidermal molts of the desert-adapted Gila monster lizard (Heloderma suspectum)
In order to understand the cutaneous water loss in the desert-adapted and venomous lizard Heloderma suspectum, the microscopic structure and lipid composition of epidermal molts have been examined using microscopic, spectroscopic and chemical analysis techniques. The molt is formed by a variably thick, superficial beta-layer, an extensive mesos-region and few alpha-cells in its lowermost layers. The beta-layer contains most corneous beta proteins while the mesos-region is much richer in lipids. The proteins in the mesos-region are more unstructured than those located in the beta-layer. Most interestingly, among other lipids, high contents of cholesteryl-β-glucoside and cholesteryl sulfate were detected, molecules absent or present in traces in other species of squamates. These cholesterol derivatives may be involved in the stabilization and compaction of the mesos-region, but present a limited permeability to water movements. The modest resistance to cutaneous water-loss of this species is compensated by adopting other physiological strategies to limit thermal damage and water transpiration as previous eco-physiological studies have indicated. The increase of steroid derivatives may also be implicated in the heat shock response, influencing the relative behavior in this desert-adapted lizard
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