The strangest proton?

We present an improved determination of the strange quark and antiquark parton distribution functions of the proton by means of a global QCD analysis that takes into account a comprehensive set of strangeness-sensitive measurements: charm-tagged cross sections for fixed-target neutrino–nucleus deep-inelastic scattering, and cross sections for inclusive gauge-boson production and W-boson production in association with light jets or charm quarks at hadron colliders. Our analysis is accurate to next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative QCD where available, and specifically includes charm-quark mass corrections to neutrino–nucleus structure functions. We find that a good overall description of the input dataset can be achieved and that a strangeness moderately suppressed in comparison to the rest of the light sea quarks is strongly favored by the global analysis

Biological parameters of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) in four greenhouse cucumber cultivars

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), is an important pest of greenhouse throughout the world that causes serious damage on agricultural products. In this research, some biological parameters of the pest were studied in four cucumber cultivars (Royal Sluis, Soltan, Negin and Vida) at two heights (60 and 90 cm) in a greenhouse at 19-26 °C and 80% ± 5 RH. The developmental time of all immature stages were 27.49 ± 0.34, 28.23 ± 0.3, 26.63 ± 0.24 and 27.44 ± 0.3 days, in all cultivars, respectively, but it was slightly longer at the height of 90 cm compared to 60 cm (28.65 ± 0.24 vs. 26.43 ± 0.14 days, respectively). The preimaginal mortality percent ranged from 4 to 7% in different treatments, although this difference was not significant. Female longevities were 27.9 ± 0.67, 21.35 ± 0.34, 26.71 ± 0.6 and 22 ± 0.46 days in the cultivars, respectively (P < 0.01). It was also averaged as 23.29 ± 0.4 and 26.4 ± 0.66 days at both heights. The number of eggs / female were 203.82 ± 4.89, 132.26 ± 3.57, 210.68 ± 5.31 and 162.79 ± 5.15 in different cultivars with an average of 167.66 ± 5.68 and 187.98 ± 4.75 in 90 and 60 cm (P < 0.01). The sex ratio showed no significance among the cultivars at all heights

Effects of imidacloprid, indoxacarb and endosulfan on egg, third-instar larva and pupa of green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Neu.: Chrysopidae)

The common green lacewing is a known biocontrol agent because of its wide geographical distribution, high compatibility with different agricultural systems, high searching ability and ease of rearing. Adults and larvae were reared on artificial diet and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zell.) respectively. The toxicity of insecticides was assessed on eggs (dipping method), third-instar larvae (contact method), and pupae (topical application) of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens. In order to study the sublethal effects, the third-instar larvae were treated with recommended field rate of each insecticide. The effects of the insecticides were assessed using demographic toxicology methods. Rearing conditions were 26 ± 2ºC, 60 ± 10% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). The results revealed that the insecticides did not affect eggs even at doses higher than recommended field rates. The LD50 values, of endosulfan, imidacloprid and indoxacarb for pupal stage were estimated to be 144, 33, and 21 µg ai/insect respectively. Since the insecticides did not affect the third-instar larvae at the recommended field rate, the LC50 was not estimated for this stage. The results showed that, only net reproduction rate (R0) was significantly affected by treatments. The highest and lowest amounts of rm were 0.176 and 0.152 for control and indoxacarb treatmnets respectively. Based on both acute toxicity and demographic toxicology methods, the rate of toxicity of the tested insecticides was as follows: indoxacarb > endosulfan > imidacloprid

Lethal and sublethal effects of endosulfan, imidacloprid and indoxacarb on first instar larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Neu.: Chrysopidae) under laboratory conditions

The common green lacewing is an important natural enemy used for pest control in greenhouses. It is also very common in many agricultural systems. Hence, studying lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on this predator would be useful. Toxicity of endosulfan, imidacloprid and indoxacarb was assessed on 1st instar larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) in laboratory. Residual bioassays were carried out in glass Petri dishes. The LC50 values, for endosulfan, imidacloprid and indoxacarb were estimated 251, 24.6 and 133 mg ai/l, respectively. Imidacloprid was the most toxic among insecticides tested. To assess the sublethal effects, the 1st instars were treated with LC25 of each insecticide. Thereafter, these effects were studied using fertility life table experiments. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference between treatments and control with respect to developmental time of the 1st instar larvae. However, no significant difference was observed among endosulfan, imidacloprid and indoxacarb treatments considering the larval developmental time. Differences between treatments and control were not significant for the developmental time of the 2nd and 3rd instars, pupae, sex ratio, adult longevity, and adult fertility. The results showed that only net reproduction rate (R0) was significantly affected by treatments. The gross reproductive rate (GRR), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), doubling time (DT), mean generation time (T) and finite rate of increase (λ) were not affected. The highest and the lowest amounts of rm were 0.178 and 0.169 in control and indoxacarb, respectively. Imidacloprid was the most toxic of the insecticides tested on the 1st instar followed by indoxacarb and endosulfan. If results similar to laboratory findings are obtained in field conditions, these insecticides might be appropriate candidates for IPM programs

Protic plastic crystal/PVDF composite membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells under non-humidified conditions

Composite membranes based on the protic plastic crystal N,N-dimethylethylenediammonium triflate [DMEDAH][TFO] and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers have been developed for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) under non-humidified conditions. The effect of addition of 5 mol% triflic acid or 5 mol% of the base N,N-dimethylethylenediamine on the thermal and transport properties of the material is discussed. The acid-doped plastic crystal reports more than double the ionic conductivity of the pure plastic crystal. The effects of doping the plastic crystal and the composites, with acid or base, on the ionic conductivity and fuel cell performance are reported. Composite membranes based on PVDF nanofibers and [DMEDAH][TFO] were tested in a single PEMFC. The results show the potential of these composite membranes to be used as electrolytes in this electrochemical application without external humidification.The authors acknowledge funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) through its Centre of Excellence program, through the Australian Laureate Fellowship scheme for D.R.M and M.F, and Discovery Project DP140101535. In addition, M.D., A.O. and I.O acknowledge Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for the project CTQ2015-66078-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE). M. D. is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for the FPU2012-3721

A new generation of simultaneous fits to LHC data using deep learning

We present a new methodology that is able to yield a simultaneous determination of the Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the proton alongside any set of parameters that determine the theory predictions; whether within the Standard Model (SM) or beyond it. The SIMUnet methodology is based on an extension of the NNPDF4.0 neural network architecture, which allows the addition of an extra layer to simultaneously determine PDFs alongside an arbitrary number of such parameters. We illustrate its capabilities by simultaneously fitting PDFs with a subset of Wilson coefficients within the Standard Model Effective Field Theory framework and show how the methodology extends naturally to larger subsets of Wilson coefficients and to other SM precision parameters, such as the strong coupling constant or the heavy quark masses.STFC (ST/T000694/1) Royal Society (DH15008) Horizon 2020 (950246

Visual Improvement and Lowered Intraocular Pressure After Surgical Management of In-The-Bag Intraocular Lens Dislocation and Aphakia Correction; Retrospective Analysis of Scleral Suturing versus Retropupillary Fixated Iris-Claw Intraocular Lens During a 5-Year Period

Bella Johansson Iranipour,1 Jonas H Rosander,1 Madeleine Zetterberg2,3 1Department of Ophthalmology, The NU Hospital Group, Region Västra Götaland, Uddevalla, Sweden; 2Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden; 3Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenCorrespondence: Madeleine Zetterberg, Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Ophthalmology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, SE-431 80, Sweden, Tel +46-31-3433255 ; +46-709-12 61 42, Fax +46-31-412904, Email [email protected]: We compare and evaluate the visual outcome and complication rate of two different techniques of surgical management of in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation or aphakia correction. In addition, we evaluate possible risk factors for IOL dislocation or aphakia.Patients and Methods: This retrospective case series reviewed medical records for all patients who had undergone surgery for IOL dislocation or aphakia during a 5-year period at a single ophthalmic center in Sweden. The two most common procedures, scleral suturing of dislocated in-the-bag IOL and retropupillary fixation of iris-claw IOL, were further analyzed. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reoperations, and complications.Results: The study comprised 110 eyes, including scleral suturing procedures (n=35) and retropupillary iris-claw IOL (n=75). There was a significantly higher rate of dense cataract (p=0.030) and posterior capsular rupture (PCR), (p=0.016) among iris-claw cases at the primary cataract extraction with pseudoexfoliations in about two-thirds of patients in both groups. All eyes in the scleral suturing group had an IOL dislocation. In the iris-claw group, 23 eyes (30.7%) were aphakic following complicated cataract surgery with PCR. No intraoperative complications occurred in any eyes during the secondary IOL procedure. Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA, yet there was no significant difference between groups in postoperative BCVA (p=0.263). However, the scleral suturing group experienced a significantly larger improvement in BCVA due to worse BCVA preoperatively (p=0.005). Intraocular pressure decreased significantly after both repositioning and exchange surgery (p=0.002 and 0.010 respectively), but improvement between groups was not significantly different (p=0.264).Conclusion: Both surgical methods resulted in significantly improved BCVA and lowering of IOP and can be considered safe with limited complications. The outcome was similar between groups. Pseudoexfoliation prevalence was high in both groups indicating that it may be a risk factor for either aphakia or late IOL dislocation.Keywords: cataract, iris-claw IOL, late-in-the-bag IOL dislocation, scleral sutured, surger

Comparison of the Effects of Transcervical Ccatheter, Laminaria and Isosorbide Mononitrate on Cervical Ripening

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cervical ripening plays a pivotal role in successful induction of labor. Considering the importance of vaginal delivery, numerous methods have been proposed to ripen the cervix before proceeding with labor induction. This study aimed to compare the effects of transcervical catheter, Laminaria, and Isosorbide mononitrate on cervical ripening. METHODS: This clinical study was conducted at Kosar Teaching Hospital of Qazvin, Iran on 75 singleton nulliparous women with gestational age of ≥39 weeks and Bishop score of less than four. Participants were randomly divided into three groups of transcervical catheter, Laminaria, and isosorbide mononitrate. In the first group, oxytocin was administered after the spontaneous discharge of catheter, and immediately after obtaining the Bishop score of >4 in the other groups. The following parameters were recorded and compared between the study groups: interval between the time of labor induction and cervical ripening, Bishop score at the time of induction, interval between oxytocin administration and full cervical dilation, duration of the second and third labor phases, mode of delivery, and maternal and neonatal complications (IRCT: 2014012616368N1). FINDINGS: In this study, mean duration of cervical ripening was 150±42.42 minutes in the catheter group, 337.77±99.38 minutes in the Laminaria group, and 732.63±105.03 minutes in the isosorbide mononitrate group (p=0.001). Bishop scores at the time of labor induction and during the interval between induction and full cervical dilation were significantly lower in the transcervical catheter group (p=0.001). Moreover, no significant differences were observed between the study groups in terms of the duration of the second and third labor phases, mode of delivery, and maternal and neonatal complications. CONCLUSION: According to results of this study, use of transcervical catheter led to the improvement of the Bishop score and reduced length of labor phases