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A bstract We study multifield extensions of Reggeon Field Theory (also equivalent to Directed Percolation model) at criticality in the perturbative ϵ -expansion below the upper critical dimension D c = 4 at one loop, for the special case when all fields have the same scale (anomalous) dimensions. Analyzing all the fixed points of the renormalization group flow for N = 2 flavors and some for N = 3, we find scale invariant solutions which are characterized by specific emergent global symmetries of the interacting potential. We also study two infinite families as a function of N having ℤ N and S N +1 symmetries.

Abstract Bacterial cell division and daughter cell formation are complex mechanisms whose details are orchestrated by at least a dozen different proteins. Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), membrane-associated macromolecules which play key roles in the cell wall synthesis process, have been exploited for over 70 years as the targets of the highly successful β-lactam antibiotics. The increasing incidence of β-lactam resistant microorganisms, coupled to progress made in genomics, genetics and immunofluorescence microscopy techniques, have encouraged the intensive study of PBPs from a variety of bacterial species. In addition, the recent publication of high-resolution structures of PBPs from pathogenic organisms have shed light on the complex intertwining of drug resistance and cell division processes. In this review, we discuss structural, functional and biological features of such enzymes which, albeit having initially been identified several decades ago, are now being aggressively pursued as highly attractive targets for the development of novel antibiotherapies.

Chitosan nanoparticles (CS) and chitosan/pepper tree (Schinus molle) essential oil (CS-EO) bionanocomposites were synthesized by nanoprecipitation method and the in vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus parasiticus spores was evaluated. The shape and size were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The surface charge was determined by assessing the zeta potential and the inclusion of essential oil in bionanocomposites using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effect on cell viability of the fungus was evaluated using the XTT technique and morphometric analysis by image processing. SEM and DLS analysis indicated that spherical particles with larger diameters for CS-EO biocomposites were observed. Zeta potential values were higher (+11.1 ± 1.60 mV) for CS nanoparticles. Results suggest a chemical interaction between chitosan and pepper tree essential oil. The highest concentration of CS-EO complex caused a larger (40–50%) decrease in A. parasiticus viability. The inclusion of pepper tree oil in CS nanoparticles is a feasible alternative to obtain antifungal biocomposites, where the activity that each compound presents individually is strengthened.

In this paper, we use the re-summation procedure, suggested in Ducloué et al. (JHEP 1904:081, 2019), Salam (JHEP 9807:019 1998), Ciafaloni et al. (Phys Rev D 60:1140361999) and Ciafaloni et al. (Phys Rev D 68:114003, 2003), to fix the BFKL kernel in the NLO. However, we suggest a different way to introduce the non-linear corrections in the saturation region, which is based on the leading twist non-linear equation. In the kinematic region: τ ≡ r 2 Q s 2 ( Y ) ≤ 1 , where r denotes the size of the dipole, Y its rapidity and Q s the saturation scale, we found that the re-summation contributes mostly to the leading twist of the BFKL equation. Assuming that the scattering amplitude is small, we suggest using the linear evolution equation in this region. For τ > 1 we are dealing with the re-summation of ( α ¯ S ln τ ) n and other corrections in NLO approximation for the leading twist. We find the BFKL kernel in this kinematic region and write the non-linear equation, which we solve analytically. We believe the new equation could be a basis for a consistent phenomenology based on the CGC approach.

A bstract Starting from the leading Odderon solution of the three gluon system in perturbative QCD we introduce, as a first step towards the transition to the non-perturbative region, an infrared cutoff and use the running QCD coupling constant. In our numerical analysis we find that the fixed cut solution with intercept one persists, hinting at a physical Odderon with intercept one and a small t-slope.

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are highly prevalent among university students and predict impaired college performance and later life role functioning. Yet most students do not receive treatment, especially in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). We aim to evaluate the effects of expanding treatment using scalable and inexpensive Internet-delivered transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) among college students with symptoms of MDD and/or GAD in two LMICs in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico) and to investigate the feasibility of creating a precision treatment rule (PTR) to predict for whom iCBT is most effective. Methods We will first carry out a multi-site randomized pragmatic clinical trial ( N = 1500) of students seeking treatment at student mental health clinics in participating universities or responding to an email offering services. Students on wait lists for clinic services will be randomized to unguided iCBT (33%), guided iCBT (33%), and treatment as usual (TAU) (33%). iCBT will be provided immediately whereas TAU will be whenever a clinic appointment is available. Short-term aggregate effects will be assessed at 90 days and longer-term effects 12 months after randomization. We will use ensemble machine learning to predict heterogeneity of treatment effects of unguided versus guided iCBT versus TAU and develop a precision treatment rule (PTR) to optimize individual student outcome. We will then conduct a second and third trial with separate samples ( n = 500 per arm), but with unequal allocation across two arms: 25% will be assigned to the treatment determined to yield optimal outcomes based on the PTR developed in the first trial (PTR for optimal short-term outcomes for Trial 2 and 12-month outcomes for Trial 3), whereas the remaining 75% will be assigned with equal allocation across all three treatment arms. Discussion By collecting comprehensive baseline characteristics to evaluate heterogeneity of treatment effects, we will provide valuable and innovative information to optimize treatment effects and guide university mental health treatment planning. Such an effort could have enormous public-health implications for the region by increasing the reach of treatment, decreasing unmet need and clinic wait times, and serving as a model of evidence-based intervention planning and implementation. Trial status IRB Approval of Protocol Version 1.0; June 3, 2020. Recruitment began on March 1, 2021. Recruitment is tentatively scheduled to be completed on May 30, 2024. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04780542 . First submission date: February 28, 2021.

Whipple's disease is rarely diagnosed in Latin America. We describe 2 patients with Tropheryma whipplei infection diagnosed in Mexico during 2019-2021. Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and DNA amplification and sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Clinicians should be aware of T. whipplei infection and associated syndromes.

In this paper, we show (1) that the NLO corrections do not change the power-like decrease of the scattering amplitude at large impact parameter (\\[b^2 \\,>\\,r^2 \\exp ( 2{\\bar{\\alpha }}_S\\eta (1 + 4 {\\bar{\\alpha }}_S) )\\], where r denotes the size of scattering dipole and \\[\\eta = \\ln (1/x_{Bj} )\\] for DIS), and, therefore, they do not resolve the inconsistency with unitarity; and (2) they lead to an oscillating behaviour of the scattering amplitude at large b, in direct contradiction with the unitarity constraints. However, from the more practical point of view, the NLO estimates give a faster decrease of the scattering amplitude as a function of b, and could be very useful for description of the experimental data. It turns out, that in a limited range of b, the NLO corrections generates the fast decrease of the scattering amplitude with b, which can be parameterized as \\[N\\, \\propto \\,\\exp ( -\\,\\mu \\,b )\\] with \\[\\mu \\, \\propto \\,1/r\\] in accord with the numerical estimates in Cepila et al. (Phys Rev D 99(5):051502, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.99.051502, arXiv:1812.02548 [hep-ph], 2019).

Background Biotechnological processes for efficient resource recovery from residual materials rely on complex conversions carried out by reactor microbiomes. Chain elongation microbiomes produce valuable medium-chain carboxylates (MCC) that can be used as biobased starting materials in the chemical, agriculture and food industry. In this study, sunflower oil is used as an application-compatible solvent to accumulate microbially produced MCC during extractive lactate-based chain elongation. The MCC-enriched solvent is harvested as a potential novel product for direct application without further MCC purification, e.g., direct use for animal nutrition. Sunflower oil biocompatibility, in situ extraction performance and effects on chain elongation were evaluated in batch and continuous experiments. Microbial community composition and dynamics of continuous experiments were analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Potential applications of MCC-enriched solvents along with future research directions are discussed. Results Sunflower oil showed high MCC extraction specificity and similar biocompatibility to oleyl alcohol in batch extractive fermentation of lactate and food waste. Continuous chain elongation microbiomes produced the MCC n-caproate (nC6) and n-caprylate (nC8) from l-lactate and acetate at pH 5.0 standing high undissociated n-caproic acid concentrations (3 g L−1). Extractive chain elongation with sunflower oil relieved apparent toxicity of MCC and production rates and selectivities reached maximum values of 5.16 ± 0.41 g nC6 L−1 d−1 (MCC: 11.5 g COD L−1 d−1) and 84 ± 5% (e− eq MCC per e− eq products), respectively. MCC were selectively enriched in sunflower oil to concentrations up to 72 g nC6 L−1 and 3 g nC8 L−1, equivalent to 8.3 wt% in MCC-enriched sunflower oil. Fermentation at pH 7.0 produced propionate and n-butyrate instead of MCC. Sunflower oil showed stable linoleic and oleic acids composition during extractive chain elongation regardless of pH conditions. Reactor microbiomes showed reduced diversity at pH 5.0 with MCC production linked to Caproiciproducens co-occurring with Clostridium tyrobutyricum, Clostridium luticellarii and Lactobacillus species. Abundant taxa at pH 7.0 were Anaerotignum, Lachnospiraceae and Sporoanaerobacter. Conclusions Sunflower oil is a suitable biobased solvent to selectively concentrate MCC. Extractive reactor microbiomes produced MCC with improved selectivity and production rate, while downstream processing complexity was reduced. Potential applications of MCC-enriched solvents may include feed, food and biofuels purposes.

Background Heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTEs) can occur because of either differential treatment compliance or differential treatment effectiveness. This distinction is important, as it has action implications, but it is unclear how to distinguish these two possibilities statistically in precision treatment analysis given that compliance is not observed until after randomization. We review available statistical methods and illustrate a recommended method in secondary analysis in a trial focused on HTE. Methods The trial randomized n = 880 anxious and/or depressed university students to guided internet‐delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (i‐CBT) or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) and evaluated joint remission. Previously reported analyses documented superiority of i‐CBT but significant HTE. In the reanalysis reported here, we used baseline (i.e., pre‐randomization) covariates to predict compliance among participants randomized to guided i‐CBT, generated a cross‐validated within‐person expected compliance score based on this model in both intervention groups, and then used this expected composite score as a predictor in an expanded HTE analysis. Results The significant intervention effect was limited to participants with high expected compliance. Residual HTE was nonsignificant. Conclusions Future psychotherapy HTE trials should routinely develop and include expected compliance composite scores to distinguish the effects of differential treatment compliance from the effects of differential treatment effectiveness.