Enhanced triplet superconductivity in next generation ultraclean UTe2

The spin-triplet superconductor UTe$_2$ exhibits a myriad of exotic physical phenomena, including the possession of three distinct superconducting phases at ambient pressure for magnetic field $\mu_0 H \leq$ 40 T aligned in certain orientations. However, contradictory reports between studies performed on UTe$_2$ specimens of varying quality have severely impeded theoretical efforts to understand the microscopic properties of this material. Here, we report high magnetic field measurements on a new generation of ultraclean UTe$_2$ specimens, which possess enhanced superconducting critical temperatures and fields compared to previous sample generations. Remarkably, for $H$ applied close to the hard magnetic $b$ direction, we find that the angular extent of magnetic field-reinforced superconductivity is significantly increased in these high purity crystals. This suggests that, in proximity to a field-induced metamagnetic transition, the enhanced role of magnetic fluctuations - that are strongly suppressed by disorder - is likely responsible for tuning UTe$_2$ between two distinct spin-triplet superconducting phases. Our results reveal a strong sensitivity to crystalline disorder of the field-reinforced superconducting state of UTe$_2$

Geo-temporal patterns to design cost-effective interventions for zoonotic diseases -the case of brucellosis in the country of Georgia

IntroductionControl of zoonosis can benefit from geo-referenced procedures. Focusing on brucellosis, here the ability of two methods to distinguish disease dissemination patterns and promote cost-effective interventions was compared.MethodGeographical data on bovine, ovine and human brucellosis reported in the country of Georgia between 2014 and 2019 were investigated with (i) the Hot Spot (HS) analysis and (ii) a bio-geographical (BG) alternative.ResultsMore than one fourth of all sites reported cases affecting two or more species. While ruminant cases displayed different patterns over time, most human cases described similar geo-temporal features, which were associated with the route used by migrant shepherds. Other human cases showed heterogeneous patterns. The BG approach identified small areas with a case density twice as high as the HS method. The BG method also identified, in 2018, a 2.6–2.99 higher case density in zoonotic (human and non-human) sites than in non-zoonotic sites (which only reported cases affecting a single species) –a finding that, if corroborated, could support cost-effective policy-making.DiscussionThree dissemination hypotheses were supported by the data: (i) human cases induced by sheep-related contacts; (ii) human cases probably mediated by contaminated milk or meat; and (iii) cattle and sheep that infected one another. This proof-of-concept provided a preliminary validation for a method that may support cost-effective interventions oriented to control zoonoses. To expand these findings, additional studies on zoonosis-related decision-making are recommended

Causes, consequences and biomarkers of stress in swine: an update

BACKGROUND: In recent decades there has been a growing concern about animal stress on intensive pig farms due to the undesirable consequences that stress produces in the normal physiology of pigs and its effects on their welfare and general productive performance. This review analyses the most important types of stress (social, environmental, metabolic, immunological and due to human handling), and their biological consequences for pigs. The physio-pathological changes associated with stress are described, as well as the negative effects of stress on pig production. In addition an update of the different biomarkers used for the evaluation of stress is provided. These biomarkers can be classified into four groups according to the physiological system or axis evaluated: sympathetic nervous system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and immune system. CONCLUSIONS: Stress it is a process with multifactorial causes and produces an organic response that generates negative effects on animal health and production. Ideally, a panel of various biomarkers should be used to assess and evaluate the stress resulting from diverse causes and the different physiological systems involved in the stress response. We hope that this review will increase the understanding of the stress process, contribute to a better control and reduction of potential stressful stimuli in pigs and, finally, encourage future studies and developments to better monitor, detect and manage stress on pig farms