Torsion Phenomenology at the LHC

We explore the potential of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to test the dynamical torsion parameters. The form of the torsion action can be established from the requirements of consistency of effective quantum field theory. The most phenomenologically relevant part of the torsion tensor is dual to a massive axial vector field. This axial vector has geometric nature, that means it does not belong to any representation of the gauge group of the SM extension or GUT theory. At the same time, torsion should interact with all fermions, that opens the way for the phenomenological applications. We demonstrate that LHC collider can establish unique constraints on the interactions between fermions and torsion field considerably exceeding present experimental lower bounds on the torsion couplings and its mass. It is also shown how possible non-universal nature of torsion couplings due to the renormalization group running between the Planck and TeV energy scales can be tested via the combined analysis of Drell-Yan and $t\bar{t}$ production processes

Trace anomaly and induced action for a metric-scalar background

The conformal anomaly and anomaly-induced effective action represent useful and economic ways to describe semiclassical contributions to the action of gravity. We discuss the anomaly in the case when the background is formed by metric and scalar fields and formulate the induced action in two standard covariant forms. The analysis of induced action at low energies reveals existing connection to the renormalization group and effective potential. The classification of anomalous terms is extended to the scalar background and ambiguities in the total derivative terms in the anomaly are considered using Pauli–Villars regularization

The Relationship Between Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Working Memory and Distraction - a Behavioral and Electrophysiological Approach

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) have been reported to have memory enhancement effects in humans. A neuro-stimulatory action and an anti-cortisol mechanism of action may contribute to that relation. In order to study DHEA, DHEAS and cortisol relations to working memory and distraction, we recorded the electroencephalogram of 23 young women performing a discrimination (no working memory load) or 1-back (working memory load) task in an audio-visual oddball paradigm. We measured salivary DHEA, DHEAS and cortisol both before each task and at 30 and 60 min. Under working memory load, a higher baseline cortisol/DHEA ratio was related to higher distraction as indexed by an enhanced novelty P3. This suggests that cortisol may lead to increased distraction whereas DHEA may hinder distraction by leading to less processing of the distractor. An increased DHEA production with consecutive cognitive tasks was found and higher DHEA responses attributed to working memory load were related to enhanced working memory processing as indexed by an enhanced visual P300. Overall, the results suggest that in women DHEA may oppose cortisol effects reducing distraction and that a higher DHEA response may enhance working memory at the electrophysiological level

Political elites in federalized countries : the case of Spain (1980-2005)

This paper explores the social profile of the regional elite that has emerged in Spain since the federalization of the State. For the first time, researchers present data about crucial variables like gender, place of birth, age, education, and profession. They make interregional comparisons, and try to explain some unexpected findings like the behavior of political elites in some regions like Catalonia. The authors compare also the social profile of MPs of the two largest parties

Peroral esophageal segmentectomy and anastomosis with single transthoracic trocar : a step forward in thoracic NOTES.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A transesophageal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) approach has been proposed for thoracic and mediastinal access. Similarly to transgastric surgery, serious limitations remain related to creating an esophagotomy and its safe closure. A hybrid approach in thoracic NOTES could work as an intermediate step before pure transesophageal NOTES. We assessed the benefit of hybrid thoracic NOTES for peroral segmental esophagectomy and subsequent complete esophageal anastomosis with a single transthoracic port. METHODS: Two protocols were used to attempt esophago-esophageal anastomosis: ex vivo using a phantom model (n = 5), and in vivo after esophageal mobilization, and segmental esophagectomy achieved using either a gastroscope (flexible) (n = 5) or thoracoscope (rigid) instruments (n = 5). A forward-viewing double-channel endoscope and a transthoracic operative thoracoscope with a working channel were coordinated in order to create a complete single-layer, end-to-end esophageal anastomosis ex vivo as well as in vivo. Feasibility and anastomosis quality were evaluated by inside and outside assessment of: patency, the incorporation of mucosa in all stitches, and a leak test. RESULTS: Anastomosis was achieved in all ex vivo experiments and thoracoscopically-led in vivo procedures. All anastomoses were patent, allowing distal passage of the endoscope, with mucosa incorporation. In in vivo experiments, a leak was detected in three animals and corrected with additional stitching. CONCLUSIONS: Peroral esophageal anastomosis with a single transthoracic trocar is feasible, which may represent a step forward in thoracic NOTES

Characterization and Vaccine Potential of Outer Membrane Vesicles from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida

Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp) is a Gram-negative fish pathogen with worldwide distribution and broad host specificity that causes heavy economic losses in aquaculture. Although Phdp was first identified more than 50 years ago, its pathogenicity mechanisms are not completely understood. In this work, we report that Phdp secretes large amounts of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) when cultured in vitro and during in vivo infection. These OMVs were morphologically characterized and the most abundant vesicle-associated proteins were identified. We also demonstrate that Phdp OMVs protect Phdp cells from the bactericidal activity of fish antimicrobial peptides, suggesting that secretion of OMVs is part of the strategy used by Phdp to evade host defense mechanisms. Importantly, the vaccination of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with adjuvant-free crude OMVs induced the production of anti-Phdp antibodies and resulted in partial protection against Phdp infection. These findings reveal new aspects of Phdp biology and may provide a basis for developing new vaccines against this pathogen.This work was financed by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) funds through the COMPETE 2020 Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia/Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (FCT) in the framework of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030018 (PTDC/CVT-CVT/30018/2017). This work also received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 101084651 (project IGNITION). Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them. AdV was funded by Portuguese national funds through the FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia, I.P. and, when eligible, by COMPETE 2020 FEDER funds, under the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Individual Call 2021.02251.CEECIND/CP1663/CT0016

Chemical composition of corn and sorghum grains cultivated in Oxisol with different application methods and doses of zinc.

In general, tropical soils present low concentrations of zinc (Zn), and the deficiency of Zn is recognized as a world nutritional problem for cereal production and human beings. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to assess the effects of different methods of Zn application on the quality of corn and sorghum grains grown in Oxisol. Two experiments were set up in the experimental area of UNESP (campus of Jaboticabal, Brazil). The following nine treatments were applied:three doses of Zn by banded application (seed furrows), three doses of Zn by incorporation into soil (0-20 cm depth), foliar application, seed application, and control (no Zn applied). The treatments were arranged in randomized blocks with four replicates. The contents of Zn, carbohydrates and proteins were determined for corn and sorghum grains. Regardless of the method, Zn application promoted higher contents of this micronutrient in corn and sorghum grains. The banded application method of Zn in soil promoted greater contents of total carbohydrates, starch and protein in both cultures. The incorporation of Zn into the soil method provided higher contents of soluble carbohydrates in both corn and sorghum grains

Non‐linear plant‐plant interactions modulate impact of extreme drought and recovery on a Mediterranean ecosystem

Interaction effects of different stressors, such as extreme drought and plant invasion, can have detrimental effects on ecosystem functioning and recovery after drought. With ongoing climate change and increasing plant invasion, there is an urgent need to predict the short- and long-term interaction impacts of these stressors on ecosystems. We established a combined precipitation exclusion and shrub invasion (Cistus ladanifer) experiment in a Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber) ecosystem with four treatments: (1) Q. suber control; (2) Q. suber with rain exclusion; (3) Q. suber invaded by shrubs; and (4) Q. suber with rain exclusion In an average precipitation year, the interaction effects of both stressors were neutral. However, the combination of imposed drought and shrub invasion led to amplifying interaction effects during an extreme drought by strongly reducing tree transpiration. Contrarily, the imposed drought reduced the competitiveness of the shrubs in the following recovery period, which buffered the negative effects of shrub invasion on Q. suber. Our results demonstrate the highly dynamic and nonlinear effects of interacting stressors on ecosystems and urges for further investigations on biotic interactions in a context of climate change pressures

Adubação Fosfatada para Cultivares de Mamoneira na região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul.

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