Gravitinos from Gravitational Collapse

We reanalyse the limits on the gravitino mass $m_{3/2}$ in superlight gravitino scenarios derived from arguments on energy-loss during gravitational collapse. We conclude that the mass range $10^{-6}eV\leq m_{3/2}\leq2.3\times10^{-5}eV$ is excluded by SN1987A data. In terms of the scale of supersymmetry breaking $\Lambda$, the range $70GeV\leq\Lambda \leq 300GeV$ is not allowed.Comment: 6 pages, latex, no figures. Numerical typo correcte

A Single-Tube HNB-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Robust Detection of the Ostreid herpesvirus 1

The Ostreid herpesvirus 1 species affects shellfish, contributing significantly to high economic losses during production. To counteract the threat related to mortality, there is a need for the development of novel point-of-care testing (POCT) that can be implemented in aquaculture production to prevent disease outbreaks. In this study, a simple, rapid and specific colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has been developed for the detection of Ostreid herpesvirus1 (OsHV-1) and its variants infecting Crassostrea gigas (C. gigas). The LAMP assay has been optimized to use hydroxynaphthol blue (HNB) for visual colorimetric distinction of positive and negative templates. The effect of an additional Tte UvrD helicase enzyme used in the reaction was also evaluated with an improved reaction time of 10 min. Additionally, this study provides a robust workflow for optimization of primers for uncultured viruses using designed target plasmid when DNA availability is limited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gamma Rays from SN1987A due to Pseudoscalar Conversion

A light pseudoscalar coupled to two photons would be copiously emitted by the core of a supernova. Part of this flux would be converted to $\gamma-$rays by the galactic magnetic field. Measurements on the SN1987A $\gamma-$ray flux by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite already imply a bound on the coupling $g < 3 \times 10^{-12}$ GeV$^{-1}$. The improved generation of satellite-borne detectors, like EGRET or the project GLAST, could be able to detect a pseudoscalar-to-photon signal from a nearby supernova, for allowed values of $g$.Comment: 8 pages, no figure

Proceso de rotura de una cúpula oval en la catedral de Tortosa. Análisis del mecanismo de colapso

In April of 2011, one of the masonry domes of the cathedral of Tortosa enclosure (Tarragona), built at late XVIII century, suddenly broke. The paper presents the evolution of the rupture and its causes, analyzing the cracking process initiated with the runout of the lantern. It is analyzed the equilibrium conditions starting from the initial constructive assessment in order to know the behavior of the dome and its bearing capacity. There are used complementary traditional graphical methods and tridimensional models by finite elements (FEM) by means of the free software Salome-Meca 6.3. Through the interpretation of the results, the assessment concludes that the dome by itself can hold the weight of the lantern. Thus, the cracking of one of the roof beams causes the bending of the lantern, and therefore the formation of collapse joints from the asymmetrical distribution of loads.En abril del 2011, una de las cúpulas tabicadas del recinto de la catedral de Tortosa (Tarragona), construida a finales del siglo XVIII, rompió repentinamente. El artículo presenta la evolución de la rotura y sus causas, analizando el progresivo proceso de fisuración iniciado con el descentramiento de la linterna. Con el objetivo de conocer el comportamiento de la cúpula y su capacidad portante, se analizan las condiciones de equilibrio a partir del estudio constructivo inicial. Se utilizan de manera complementaria métodos gráficos tradicionales y modelos tridimensionales por elementos finitos (MEF) con el programa libre Salome-Meca 6.3. A partir de la interpretación de los resultados, el estudio concluye que la cúpula por sí sola no tiene capacidad para mantenerse en equilibrio bajo el peso de la linterna. Así el efecto de las termitas sobre la sección de una de las vigas de cubierta provocará el asiento de la linterna y, en consecuencia, la formación de rótulas de colapso a partir de la distribución asimétrica de las cargas

Contact Interactions Involving Right-handed Neutrinos and SN1987A

We consider lepton-quark contact interactions in models with right-handed neutrinos, and find that observational data from SN1987A restricts the scale of such interactions to be at least $\Lambda>90$ TeV.Comment: 7 pages, latex, no figures. Minor corrections to match final version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Nanocellulose/bioactive glass cryogels as scaffolds for bone regeneration

A major challenge exists in the preparation of scaffolds for bone regeneration, namely, achieving simultaneously bioactivity, biocompatibility, mechanical performance and simple manufacturing. Here, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are introduced for the preparation of scaffolds taking advantage of their biocompatibility and ability to form strong 3D porous networks from aqueous suspensions. CNF are made bioactive for bone formation through a simple and scalable strategy that achieves highly interconnected 3D networks. The resultant materials optimally combine morphological and mechanical features and facilitate hydroxyapatite formation while releasing essential ions for in vivo bone repair. The porosity and roughness of the scaffolds favor several cell functions while the ions act in the expression of genes associated with cell differentiation. Ion release is found critical to enhance the production of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) from cells within the fractured area, thus accelerating the in vivo bone repair. Systemic biocompatibility indicates no negative effects on vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. The results pave the way towards a facile preparation of advanced, high performance CNF-based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Free amino acid profile of Bubalus bubalis L. meat from the Campania region

ABSTRACT In this study, we determined the amount of carnosine and anserine in water buffalo meat without hanging treatment and the free amino acid profile by using amino acid analyser with post-column ninhydrin derivatization procedure. The main free amino acids present in samples were glutamic acid (>60 mg/100 g), followed by alanine, glycine, and arginine. Other protein amino acids were detected in minor amounts (less than 2 mg/100 g). Among the non-protein amine-containing compounds, taurine and urea were the most abundant. The analysis showed that 50% of the total free amino acids was represented by dipeptides carnosine (average ~130.3 mg/100 g) and anserine (average ~17.9 mg/100 g). Thus, this study for the first time reports the free amino acids profile of water buffalo meat and the content of carnosine and anserine, potentially involved in the darkening meat process and their ratio, that could be used to estimate the water buffalo meat portion in mixed meat products

Physicochemical and Techno-Functional Properties of Dried and Defatted Porcine Liver

Porcine liver has a high nutritional value and is rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, making it an interesting co-product to alleviate the growing global demand for protein. The objective of this study was to analyze how the drying and defatting processes of porcine liver affect the physicochemical and techno-functional properties of its proteins. Two drying temperatures (40 and 70 °C) were studied, and dried samples were defatted using organic solvents. The drying process turned out to be an effective method for the stabilization of the protein fraction; however, when the drying temperature was high (70 °C), greater protein degradation was found compared to drying at a moderate temperature (40 °C). Regarding the defatting stage, it contributed to an improvement in certain techno-functional properties of the liver proteins, such as the foaming capacity (the average of the dried and defatted samples was 397% higher than the dried samples), with the degree of foaming stability in the liver dried at 40 °C and defatted being the highest (13.76 min). Moreover, the emulsifying capacity of the different treatments was not found to vary significantly (p > 0.05). Therefore, the conditions of the drying and defatting processes conducted prior to the extraction of liver proteins must be properly adjusted to maximize the stability, quality, and techno-functional properties of the proteins

Gamma rays from SN 1987A due to pseudoscalar conversion

A light pseudoscalar coupled to two photons would be copiously emitted by the core of a supernova. Part of this flux would be converted to γ rays by the galactic magnetic field. Measurements on the SN 1987A γ-ray flux by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite already imply a bound on the coupling g<3×10−12GeV−1. The improved generation of satellite-borne detectors, like EGRET or the project GLAST, could be able to detect a pseudoscalar-to-photon signal from a nearby supernova, for allowed values of g