pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Measurement of the CP violating phase ϕs in B¯s0→J/ψf0(980)

AbstractMeasurement of mixing-induced CP violation in B¯s0 decays is of prime importance in probing new physics. So far only the channel B¯s0→J/ψϕ has been used. Here we report on a measurement using an LHCb data sample of 0.41 fb−1, in the CP odd eigenstate J/ψf0(980), where f0(980)→π+π−. A time-dependent fit of the data with the B¯s0 lifetime and the difference in widths of the heavy and light eigenstates constrained to the values obtained from B¯s0→J/ψϕ yields a value of the CP violating phase of −0.44±0.44±0.02 rad, consistent with the Standard Model expectation
The Contributions of Professional Engineers at the Institutions of Higher Learning

AbstractThis paper discusses the current contributions of professional engineers (P.Es.) who have obtained their competency qualifications prior to assuming their new careers at the institutions of higher learning (IHLs). Recent surveys conducted by recruitment agencies show a wide gap between engineering graduates’ abilities and employers’ expectations. This gap simply means a longer learning curve for trainee engineers expected by employers. However, most importantly, it seems that employers have to take on the job to bridge the gap. Providing training means incurring costs and resources. There are many schemes provided by multi-national company (MNC) however such schemes may not be options by small and medium enterprise (SME). Based on experience, discussion and observations, P.E.s contribute positively in the three core areas: 1) teaching and learning 2) research and publication and 3) industrial linkage
Inducible nitric oxide synthase in human lymphomononuclear cells activated by synthetic peptides derived from extracellular matrix proteins

AbstractSynthetic peptides with sequences present in extracellular matrix proteins are capable of causing the expression of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), detected by immunocytochemistry, and the release of NO by human lymphomononuclear cells incubated in their presence. Active peptides are 15-mers containing a characteristic 2-6-11 motif in which the amino acid residue at position 2 is Leu, Ile, Val, Gly, Ala or Lys; the residue at position 6 is always Pro; and residue 11 is Glu or Asp. The induction of iNOS in human monocytes and macrophages could be involved in the cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines also elicited by these peptides
Character of matter in holography: Spin–orbit interaction

AbstractGauge/Gravity duality as a theory of matter needs a systematic way to characterise a system. We suggest a ‘dimensional lifting’ of the least irrelevant interaction to the bulk theory. As an example, we consider the spin–orbit interaction, which causes magneto-electric interaction term. We show that its lifting is an axionic coupling. We present an exact and analytic solution describing diamagnetic response. Experimental data on annealed graphite shows a remarkable similarity to our theoretical result. We also find an analytic formulas of DC transport coefficients, according to which, the anomalous Hall coefficient interpolates between the coherent metallic regime with ρxx2 and incoherent metallic regime with ρxx as we increase the disorder parameter β. The strength of the spin–orbit interaction also interpolates between the two scaling regimes
Can mobile phones help control neglected tropical diseases? Experiences from Tanzania

AbstractThe increasing proliferation of mobiles offers possibilities for improving health systems in developing countries. A case in point is Tanzania which has piloted a mobile phone-based Management Information System (MIS) for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) where village health workers (VHWs) were given mobile phones with web-based software to test the feasibility of using frontline health workers to capture data at point of source. Based on qualitative case study research carried out in 2011, we found that providing mobile phones to VHWs has helped to increase the efficiency of routine work boosting the motivation and self-esteem of VHWs. However, despite these advantages, the information generated from the mobile phone-based NTD MIS has yet to be used to support decentralised decision-making. Even with improved technology and political will, the biggest hindrance to local usage of information for health planning is the lack of synthesised and analysed health information from the district and national levels to the villages. Without inculcating a culture of providing health information feedback to frontline workers and community organisations, the benefits of the intervention will be limited. If not addressed, this will mean that mobiles have maintained the one-way upward flow of information for NTD control and simply made reporting more hi-tech
Shear viscosity of neutron-rich nucleonic matter near its liquid–gas phase transition

AbstractWithin a relaxation time approach using free nucleon–nucleon cross sections modified by the in-medium nucleon masses that are determined from an isospin- and momentum-dependent effective nucleon–nucleon interaction, we investigate the specific shear viscosity (η/s) of neutron-rich nucleonic matter near its liquid–gas phase transition. It is found that as the nucleonic matter is heated at fixed pressure or compressed at fixed temperature, its specific shear viscosity shows a valley shape in the temperature or density dependence, with the minimum located at the boundary of the phase transition. Moreover, the value of η/s drops suddenly at the first-order liquid–gas phase transition temperature, reaching as low as 4–5 times the KSS bound of ℏ/4π. However, it varies smoothly for the second-order liquid–gas phase transition. Effects of the isospin degree of freedom and the nuclear symmetry energy on the value of η/s are also discussed
Diverse cities or the systematic paradox of Urban Scaling Laws

AbstractScaling laws are powerful summaries of the variations of urban attributes with city size. However, the validity of their universal meaning for cities is hampered by the observation that different scaling regimes can be encountered for the same territory, time and attribute, depending on the criteria used to delineate cities. The aim of this paper is to present new insights concerning this variation, coupled with a sensitivity analysis of urban scaling in France, for several socio-economic and infrastructural attributes from data collected exhaustively at the local level. The sensitivity analysis considers different aggregations of local units for which data are given by the Population Census. We produce a large variety of definitions of cities (approximatively 5000) by aggregating local Census units corresponding to the systematic combination of three definitional criteria: density, commuting flows and population cutoffs. We then measure the magnitude of scaling estimations and their sensitivity to city definitions for several urban indicators, showing for example that simple population cutoffs impact dramatically on the results obtained for a given system and attribute. Variations are interpreted with respect to the meaning of the attributes (socio-economic descriptors as well as infrastructure) and the urban definitions used (understood as the combination of the three criteria). Because of the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP) and of the heterogeneous morphologies and social landscapes in the cities' internal space, scaling estimations are subject to large variations, distorting many of the conclusions on which generative models are based. We conclude that examining scaling variations might be an opportunity to understand better the inner composition of cities with regard to their size, i.e. to link the scales of the city-system with the system of cities
Raman spectroscopy for medical diagnostics — From in-vitro biofluid assays to in-vivo cancer detection

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is an optical technique based on inelastic scattering of light by vibrating molecules and can provide chemical fingerprints of cells, tissues or biofluids. The high chemical specificity, minimal or lack of sample preparation and the ability to use advanced optical technologies in the visible or near-infrared spectral range (lasers, microscopes, fibre-optics) have recently led to an increase in medical diagnostic applications of Raman spectroscopy. The key hypothesis underpinning this field is that molecular changes in cells, tissues or biofluids, that are either the cause or the effect of diseases, can be detected and quantified by Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, multivariate calibration and classification models based on Raman spectra can be developed on large “training” datasets and used subsequently on samples from new patients to obtain quantitative and objective diagnosis. Historically, spontaneous Raman spectroscopy has been known as a low signal technique requiring relatively long acquisition times. Nevertheless, new strategies have been developed recently to overcome these issues: non-linear optical effects and metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the Raman signals, optimised fibre-optic Raman probes can be used for real-time in-vivo single-point measurements, while multimodal integration with other optical techniques can guide the Raman measurements to increase the acquisition speed and spatial accuracy of diagnosis. These recent efforts have advanced Raman spectroscopy to the point where the diagnostic accuracy and speed are compatible with clinical use. This paper reviews the main Raman spectroscopy techniques used in medical diagnostics and provides an overview of various applications
Unraveling the pattern of the XYZ mesons

AbstractWe present a plausible mechanism for the origin of the XYZ mesons in the heavy meson spectra within a standard quark-model picture. We discuss the conditions required for the existence of four-quark bound states or resonances contributing to the heavy meson spectra, being either compact or molecular. We concentrate on charmonium and bottomonium spectra, where several new states, difficult to understand as simple quark–antiquark pairs, have been reported by different experimental collaborations. The pivotal role played by entangled meson–meson thresholds is emphasized
Classifying quadratic quantum P2s by using graded skew Clifford algebras

AbstractWe prove that quadratic regular algebras of global dimension three on degree-one generators are related to graded skew Clifford algebras. In particular, we prove that almost all such algebras may be constructed as a twist of either a regular graded skew Clifford algebra or of an Ore extension of a regular graded skew Clifford algebra of global dimension two. In so doing, we classify all quadratic regular algebras of global dimension three that have point scheme either a nodal cubic curve or a cuspidal cubic curve in P2
The Design of Reliable Circuits Using Logic Redundancy

AbstractWith the increasing demand for more durable products, the necessity of designing more resilient products is evident. When it comes to electronic systems, many strategies have been applied to enhance the durability and performance of the operating circuits. For a long time, the main focus was to develop increasingly reliable components, however, yield enhancement techniques may not be sufficient for future technologies. As a solution to this, redundancy strategies are being introduced in order to regain reliability of circuits even if the individual components are not as reliable as desired. The use of logic redundancy and series or parallel association of transistors is proposed as a strategy in the design of fault tolerant logic gates (that are the basic elements of many complex computing structures), such as NAND and NOR. Fault injection simulations show that the reliability of these gates in the presence of random stuck-at faults may be increased by our design approach and that the strategy is extensible to more elaborate circuits
Baltic Sea nutrient reductions – What should we aim for?

AbstractNutrient load reductions are needed to improve the state of the Baltic Sea, but it is still under debate how they should be implemented. In this paper, we use data from an environmental valuation study conducted in all nine Baltic Sea states to investigate public preferences of relevance to three of the involved decision-dimensions: First, the roles of nitrogen versus phosphorus reductions causing different eutrophication effects; second, the role of time – the lag between actions to reduce nutrient loads and perceived improvements; and third; the spatial dimension and the roles of actions targeting the coastal and open sea environment and different sub-basins. Our findings indicate that respondents view and value the Baltic Sea environment as a whole, and are not focussed only on their local sea area, or a particular aspect of water quality. We argue that public preferences concerning these three perspectives should be one of the factors guiding marine policy. This requires considering the entire range of eutrophication effects, in coastal and open sea areas, and including long-term and short-term measures
Vermicomposting as manure management strategy for urban small-holder animal farms – Kampala case study

AbstractInadequate organic waste management can contribute to the spread of diseases and have negative impacts on the environment. Vermicomposting organic waste could have dual beneficial effects by generating an economically viable animal feed protein in the form of worm biomass, while alleviating the negative effects of poor organic waste management. In this study, a low-maintenance vermicomposting system was evaluated as manure and food waste management system for small-holder farmers. A vermicomposting system using the earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae and treating cow manure and food waste was set up in Kampala, Uganda, and monitored for 172days. The material degradation and protein production rates were evaluated after 63days and at the end of the experiment. The material reduction was 45.9% and the waste-to-biomass conversion rate was 3.5% in the vermicomposting process on a total solids basis. A possible increase in the conversion rate could be achieved by increasing the frequency of worm harvesting. Vermicomposting was found to be a viable manure management method in small-scale urban animal agriculture; the return of investment was calculated to be 280% for treating the manure of a 450kg cow. The vermicompost was not sanitised, although hygiene quality could be improved by introducing a post-stabilisation step in which no fresh material is added. The value of the animal feed protein generated in the process can act as an incentive to improve current manure management strategies
Measurement of |Vub| near the endpoint of the electron momentum spectrum from semileptonic B-meson decays

AbstractWe report measurements of partial branching fractions of inclusive charmless semileptonic B-meson decays at the endpoint of the electron momentum spectrum. The measurements are made in six overlapping momentum intervals that have lower bounds ranging from 1.9 to 2.4 GeV/c and a common upper bound of 2.6 GeV/c, as measured in the centre of mass frame. The results are based on a sample of 29 million BB¯ pairs, accumulated by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e+e− collider operating on the ϒ(4S) resonance. In the momentum interval ranging from 1.9 to 2.6 GeV/c we measure the partial branching fraction ΔB(B→Xueνe)=(8.47±0.37±1.53)×10−4, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. A prediction of the partial rate R=(21.69±3.62−1.98+2.18)|Vub|2 ps−1 in this momentum interval based on theory is calculated with input HQET parameters that have been derived from Belle's measurement of the B→Xsγ photon energy spectrum, where the first error is due to the uncertainty on HQET parameters and the second error is from theory. Using both ΔB(B→Xueνe) and R we find |Vub|=(5.08±0.47±0.42−0.23+0.26)×10−3, where the first error is from the partial branching fraction, and the second and third errors are from uncertainties in R
T violation in radiative β decay and electric dipole moments

AbstractIn radiative β decay, T violation can be studied through a spin-independent T-odd correlation. We consider contributions to this correlation by beyond the standard model (BSM) sources of T-violation, arising above the electroweak scale. At the same time such sources, parametrized by dimension-6 operators, can induce electric dipole moments (EDMs). As a consequence, the manifestations of the T-odd BSM physics in radiative β decay and EDMs are not independent. Here we exploit this connection to show that current EDM bounds already strongly constrain the spin-independent T-odd correlation in radiative β decay
P-parity of charm and strange particles in electroproduction processes, in collinear regime

AbstractWe show that definite polarization observables for the simplest electroproduction processes, ℓ+N→ℓ+B(1/2±)+M(0±), B=Y(Λ,Σ or Yc-hyperon, Θ+-pentaquark) and M=K, K¯ or D, are sensitive to the relative P-parity of the NBM-system, P(NBM). The interference of the longitudinal and transversal amplitudes for the collinear regime of the processes γ*+N→B+M (γ* is the virtual photon)—at any value of momentum transfer squared and excitation energy of the BM-system—generates relations between the analyzing powers (in unpolarized lepton scattering by polarized target), and the components of the produced baryon B polarization which depend on P(NBM). These relations suggest a model independent method for the determination of unknown parities of strange and charm particles and even pentaquark. As an example, we give an estimation of the s-dependence of the relevant asymmetry, in framework of the Regge-pole approach for the reaction γ*+N→Θ++K¯
On absence of spontaneous parity breaking in QCD

AbstractWe argue that the Vafa–Witten proof on absence of spontaneous parity breaking in QCD has the following two loopholes: first, when perturbed by an external field coupled to a parity-odd quark operator, the QCD vacuum energy could be a decreasing function of the field, contrary to the observation used in the proof. The difference comes from that the effective gluonic operator has in general a parity-even part which does not contribute to the path integral as a pure phase. Second, when perturbed by an external field coupled to a parity-odd gluonic operator, the vacuum energy is always a rising function of the field, independent of the existence of spontaneous parity breaking. This is because the parity-odd gluonic perturbations contribute to the path integral as a pure phase, and could not serve to select a physical vacuum should parity be spontaneously broken
Possible large CP violation in three-body decays of heavy baryon

AbstractWe propose a new mechanism which can introduce large CP asymmetries in the phase spaces of three-body decays of heavy baryons. In this mechanism, a large CP asymmetry is induced by the interference of two intermediate resonances, which subsequently decay into two different combinations of final particles. We apply this mechanism to the decay channel Λb0→pπ0π−, and find that the differential CP asymmetry can reach as large as 50%, while the regional CP asymmetry can reach as large as 16% in the interference region of the phase space
Cdc42 Explores the Cell Periphery for Mate Selection in Fission Yeast

SummaryHow cells polarize in response to external cues is a fundamental biological problem. For mating, yeast cells orient growth toward the source of a pheromone gradient produced by cells of the opposite mating type [1, 2]. Polarized growth depends on the small GTPase Cdc42, a central eukaryotic polarity regulator that controls signaling, cytoskeleton polarization, and vesicle trafficking [3]. However, the mechanisms of polarity establishment and mate selection in complex cellular environments are poorly understood. Here we show that, in fission yeast, low-level pheromone signaling promotes a novel polarization state, where active Cdc42, its GEF Scd1, and scaffold Scd2 form colocalizing dynamic zones that sample the periphery of the cell. Two direct Cdc42 effectors—actin cables marked by myosin V Myo52 and the exocyst complex labeled by Sec6 and Sec8—also dynamically colocalize with active Cdc42. However, these cells do not grow due to a block in the exocytosis of cell wall synthases Bgs1 and Bgs4. High-level pheromone stabilizes active Cdc42 zones and promotes cell wall synthase exocytosis and polarized growth. However, in the absence of prior low-level pheromone signaling, exploration fails, and cells polarize growth at cell poles by default. Consequently, these cells show altered partner choice, mating preferentially with sister rather than nonsister cells. Thus, Cdc42 exploration serves to orient growth for partner selection. This process may also promote genetic diversification
Wild to domestic and back again: the dynamics of fallow deer management in medieval England (c. 11th-16th century AD)

This paper presents the results of the first comprehensive scientific study of the fallow deer, a non-native species whose medieval-period introduction to Britain transformed the cultural landscape. It brings together data from traditional zooarchaeological analyses with those derived from new ageing techniques as well as the results of a programme of radiocarbon dating, multi-element isotope studies and genetic analyses. These new data are here integrated with historical and landscape evidence to examine changing patterns of fallow deer translocation and management in medieval England between the 11th and 16th century AD
Antennal ampullary glands of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In adult moths, the cephalic aorta terminates in an apical sack from which extends a pair of optic and antennal vessels that lie on either side of the esophagus, at the dorsoanterior surface of the brain. The base of each antennal vessel is dilated to form an ampulla that contains an oval mass of tissue, the antennal ampullary gland (AAG). An ultrastructural study revealed that the AAG of the corn earworm moth, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is composed of a single type of 40-50 parenchymal cells that produce secretory granules. The secretory material is released into the lymph channel of the ampullary vessel, suggesting that the AAG is an endocrine gland. Unlike the prothoracic gland and the corpus allatum, the AAG does not receive direct neural innervation; however, portions of the aortal muscle, associated with the ampullary wall, contain neurosecre- tory terminals and some of their products may also affect the AAG. No morphological differences were found between the AAG of males and females, with the exception that the glands in males were slightly larger. The function of the AAG remains unknown at this time. Because the AAG is located within the ampulla of the antennal vessel, one could assume that the product(s) of this gland may influence the response of the antennal sensory neurons to external stimuli