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We investigate the search for heavy Majorana neutrinos stemming from a composite model scenario at the upcoming LHC Run II at a centre of mass energy of 13 TeV. While previous studies of the composite Majorana neutrino were focussed on gauge interactions via magnetic type transition coupling between ordinary and heavy fermions (with mass m ∗ ) here we complement the composite model with contact interactions at the energy scale Λ and we find that the production cross sections are dominated by such contact interactions by roughly two/three orders of magnitude. This mechanism provides therefore very interesting rates at the prospected luminosities. We study the same-sign di-lepton and di-jet signature ( p p → ℓ ℓ j j ) and perform a fast detector simulation based on Delphes . We compute 3 σ and 5 σ contour plots of the statistical significance in the parameter space ( Λ , m ∗ ). We find that the potentially excluded regions at s = 13 TeV are quite larger than those excluded so far at Run I considering searches with other signatures.

Indonesia is one of top cacao beans producer globally. Other than chocolate, cocoa drink is one of the popular cocoa derivates. The cocoa beverage is usually produced by mixing ingredients such as cocoa powder, sugar, creamer, and stabilizer. Cocoa powder is a great source of antioxidant as it contains polyphenolic compounds. However, the bioactive compounds like polyphenols might decrease during the processing of cocoa drinks. This study aimed to investigate the effect of torch ginger or kecombrang ( Etlingera elatior ) and xanthan gum addition on the physical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory attributes of cocoa drink. The addition of torch ginger flower powder increased the antioxidant activity of the cocoa drink, but decrease the pH of the cocoa drink and consumers’ acceptance of aroma and taste of the cocoa drink. The addition of xanthan gum at 0.09 g resulted in the increased total solubility and reduced the sedimentation of cocoa drink.

The shear-induced migration of dense suspensions with continuously distributed (polydisperse) particle sizes is investigated in planar channel flows for the first time. A coupled lattice Boltzmann–discrete element method numerical framework is employed and validated against benchmark experimental results of bulk shear-induced migration and segregation by particle size. Distinct dependence on the particle size distribution is shown in the flowing (non-plugged) regime (where the bulk solid volume fraction, $\\bar{\\phi}$, $\\leq 0.3$) resulting from a dual dependence on the particle self-diffusivity and local rheology imposed by the particle pressure gradient. Close agreement between statistically equivalent bidisperse and polydisperse suspensions suggests that the bulk migration, and by extension the shear-induced diffusivity, is completely characterised by the first three statistical moments of the particle size distribution. For both bidisperse and polydisperse suspensions in the plugging regime, $\\bar {\\phi }\\geq 0.4$, the smallest particles preferentially form the plugs, causing the largest particles to segregate to the channel walls. This effect is accentuated as $\\bar {\\phi }$ increases and has not been reported in the literature hitherto. It is proposed that smaller particles preferentially form the plugs due to their higher shear-rate fluctuations, which completely dominate particle motion near the plug where the mean shear rate vanishes. Finally, increasing inertia causes a greater bulk migration towards the channel walls, but increased mid-plane migration for the largest particles due to the dependence of the particle self-diffusivity on the particle Reynolds number. As $\\bar {\\phi }$ increases shear-induced migration dominates and these inertial effects disappear, as does dependence on the particle size distribution.

Hydrodynamic clogging in planar channels is studied via direct numerical simulation for the first time, utilising a novel numerical test cell and stochastic methodology with special focus on the influence of electrostatic forces. Electrostatic physics is incorporated into an existing coupled lattice Boltzmann-discrete element method framework, which is verified rigorously. First, the dynamics of the problem is governed by the Stokes number, $St$. At low $St$, the clogging probability, $P$, increases with $St$ due to increasing collision frequency. At high $St$, however, $P$ decreases with $St$ due to quadratic scaling of hydrodynamic force acting on arches. Under electrostatic forces, clogging is well represented by the wall adhesion number, $Ad_w$. For $Ad_w \\lesssim 4$, the mechanical dependence on $St$ is exhibited, while for $4 < Ad_w < 20$, there is a transition to high $P$ as sliding along, and attachment to, the channel surface occurs increasingly. For $Ad_w \\gtrsim 20$, clogging occurs with $P > 0.95$. Particle agglomeration, however, can also decrease $P$ due to diminished interaction with channel walls. Distinct parametric regions of clogging are also observed in relation to the channel width, while a critical width $w/d^*=2.6$ is reported, which increases to $w/d^*=4$ with strong electrostatic surface attachment. The number of particles that form stable arches across a planar channel is determined to be $n=\\left \\lceil {w/d}\\right \\rceil + 1$. Finally, sensitivity to the Coulomb friction coefficient is determined in favour of calibrating numerical parameters to bulk system behaviour. The greatest sensitivities occur in situations where the arch stability is lowest, while clogging becomes independent of friction for strong wall adhesion.

This study examined efficacy and safety of the 980 nm side-firing diode laser operating at a power of 100 W in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients were selected for surgery on the basis of maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) ⩽15 ml/s or transvesically measured post-voiding residual volume (PVR) >100 ml in conjunction with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >7. Laser therapy was conducted under spinal anaesthesia. Qmax, IPSS, prostate volume, PVR, IPSS-Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire and ejaculatory function were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-laser therapy. A total of 52 consecutive patients aged 52–65 years with mean (s.d.) prostate volume of 45.14 (9.15) g were treated. All patients were able to leave the hospital at a mean (s.d.) of 5 (2) h after the procedure. Mean (s.d.) follow-up was 100 (75.49) days. A significant reduction in IPPS was reported at 1 month ( P <0.0001) and this was maintained through to 6 months. Significant durable improvements in Qmax, PVR and IPSS-QoL score were also reported for all patients ( P <0.0001). No severe complications were reported, including any cases of urinary incontinence or significant irritative symptoms. None of the patients complained of a worsening of erectile function. This early experience in a pilot study with the 980 nm diode laser seems promising in the short-term and long-term outcome is being monitored.

A new physics scenario shows that four-fermion operators of Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) type have a strong-coupling UV fixed point, where composite fermions F (bosons Π ) form as bound states of three (two) SM elementary fermions and they couple to their constituents via effective contact interactions at the composite scale Λ ≈ O (TeV). We present a phenomenological study to investigate such composite particles at the LHC by computing the production cross sections and decay widths of composite fermions in the context of the relevant experiments at the LHC with pp collisions at s = 13 TeV and s = 14 TeV. Systematically examining all the different composite particles F and the signatures with which they can manifest, we found a vast spectrum of composite particles F that has not yet been explored at the LHC. Recasting the recent CMS results of the resonant channel p p → e + F → e + e - q q ¯ ′ (as F = E ), we find that the composite fermion mass m F below 4.25 TeV is excluded for Λ / m F = 1. We further highlight the region of parameter space where this specific composite particle F can appear using 3 ab - 1 , expected by the High-Luminosity LHC, computing 3 and 5 σ contour plots of its statistical significance.

Over the last two decades, lattice Boltzmann methods have become an increasingly popular tool to compute the flow in complex geometries such as porous media. In addition to single phase simulations allowing, for example, a precise quantification of the permeability of a porous sample, a number of extensions to the lattice Boltzmann method are available which allow to study multiphase and multicomponent flows on a pore scale level. In this article, we give an extensive overview on a number of these diffuse interface models and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, we shortly report on multiphase flows containing solid particles, as well as implementation details and optimization issues.

The use of lipids in the composition of polymeric-based films for topical administration of bioactive ingredients is a recent research topic; while few products are commercially available, films containing lipids represent a strategic area for the development of new products. Some lipids are usually used in polymeric-based film formulations due to their plasticizing action, with a view to improving the mechanical properties of these films. On the other hand, many lipids have healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging properties, among others, that make them even more interesting for application in the medical-pharmaceutical field. This manuscript discusses the production methods of these films both on a laboratory and at industrial scales, the properties of the developed biopolymers, and their advantages for the development of dermatologic and cosmetic products.

Superimposition of craniofacial structures from radiographic examination has been always used for assessing changes in the maxilla-mandibular complexes, especially for the evaluation of potential changes occurring during growth as well as after orthodontic treatment and/or maxillofacial surgery. However, the availability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the recent advancement in 3D imaging have allowed the development of specific techniques for the registration and superimposition of virtual three-dimensional anatomical structures, improving the diagnosis and treatment plan strategies. In the present paper, it will be discussed the evolution of superimposition techniques from the beginning (2D) to the newest 3D approach, describing the most used methods and their main advantages and disadvantages, focusing primarily on accuracy and reproducibility of each technique.

Internal derangement (ID) is among the most common disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Previous research by our group highlighted a correlation between apoptosis and TMJ ID. Metalloproteinases (MMP)-7 and -9 have been shown to play an important role in extracellular matrix ECM) homeostasis and, through it, in joint disc remodelling. The immunohistochemical expression of MMP-7 and -9 was investigated in discs from patients with TMJ ID and from healthy donors and compared with the degree of histological tissue degeneration. The collagen fibre arrangement in pathological discs exhibited varying degrees of disruption. New vessels were consistently detected; endothelial cells from these vessels were immunolabelled with both MMP-7 and MMP-9. More or less intense MMP-7 and MMP-9 immunolabelling was detected in the cytoplasm of disc cells from all patients. MMP-7 and MMP-9 immunostaining was significantly different between pathological and normal discs and correlated with the extent of histopathological degeneration. MMP-7 and MMP-9 upregulation in discs from patients with TMJ ID demonstrates their involvement in disc damage in this disorder. A greater understanding of these processes could help identify ways to curb MMP overproduction without affecting their tissue remodelling action. The design of specific inhibitors for these MMPs would not only help to gain insights into the biological roles of MMPs, but would also aid in developing therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with abnormal ECM degradation.