Climate uncertainty and vulnerability of urban flooding associated with regional risk using multi-criteria analysis in Mumbai, India.

The study made a comprehensive effort to examine climatic uncertainties at both yearly and monthly scales, along with mapping flood risks based on different land use categories. Recent studies have progressively been engrossed in demonstrating regional climate variations and associated flood probability to maintain the geo-ecological balance at micro to macro-regions. To carry out this investigation, various historical remote sensing record, reanalyzed and in-situ data sets were acquired with a high level of spatial precision using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) web-based remote sensing platform. Non-parametric techniques and multi-layer integration methods were then employed to illustrate the fluctuations in climate factors alongside creating maps indicating the susceptibility to floods. The study reveals an increased pattern in LST (Land Surface Temperature) (0.03 °C/year), albeit marginal declined in southern coastal regions (-0.15 °C/year) along with uneven rainfall patterns (1.42 mm/year). Moreover, long-term LULC change estimation divulges increased trends of urbanization (16.4 km2/year) together with vegetation growth (8.7 km2/year) from 2002 to 2022. Furthermore, this inquiry involves numerous environmental factors that influence the situation (elevation data, topographic wetness index, drainage density, proximity to water bodies, slope, and soil properties) as well as socio-economic attributes (population) to assess flood risk areas through the utilization of Analytical Hierarchy Process and overlay methods with assigned weights. The outcomes reveal nearly 55 percent of urban land is susceptible to flood in 2022, which were 45 and 37 percent in 2012 and 2002 separately. Additionally, 106 km2 of urban area is highly susceptible to inundation, whereas vegetation also occupies a significant proportion (52 km2). This thorough exploration offers a significant chance to formulate flood management and mitigation strategies tailored to specific regions during the era of climate change.

Evidence of a New Excited Charmed Baryon Decaying to Σ_{c}(2455)

We present the study of B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}p[over ¯] decays based on 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] events collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++} candidates are reconstructed via their decay to Λ_{c}^{+}π^{∓} and Λ_{c}^{+} decays to pK^{-}π^{+}, pK_{S}^{0}, and Λπ^{+} final states. The corresponding branching fractions are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+}p[over ¯])=(1.09±0.06±0.07)×10^{-4} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-}p[over ¯])=(1.84±0.11±0.12)×10^{-4}, which are consistent with the world average values with improved precision. A new structure is found in the M_{Σ_{c}(2455)^{0,++}π^{±}} spectrum with a significance of 4.2σ including systematic uncertainty. The structure is possibly an excited Λ_{c}^{+} and is tentatively named Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}. Its mass and width are measured to be (2913.8±5.6±3.8) MeV/c^{2} and (51.8±20.0±18.8) MeV, respectively. The products of branching fractions for the Λ_{c}(2910)^{+} are measured to be B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{0}π^{+})=(9.5±3.6±1.6)×10^{-6} and B(B[over ¯]^{0}→Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}p[over ¯])×B(Λ_{c}(2910)^{+}→Σ_{c}(2455)^{++}π^{-})=(1.24±0.35±0.10)×10^{-5}. Here, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Search for the Lepton Flavor Violating Decays B

We present a search for the lepton flavor violating decays B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{±}ℓ^{∓}, with ℓ=(e,µ), using the full data sample of 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We use events in which one B meson is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode. We find no evidence for B^{±}→K^{±}τℓ decays and set upper limits on their branching fractions at the 90% confidence level in the (1-3)×10^{-5} range. The obtained limits are the world's best results.

Search for a Heavy Neutrino in τ Decays at Belle.

We report on a search for a heavy Majorana neutrino in the decays τ^{-}→π^{-}ν_{h}, ν_{h}→π^{±}ℓ^{∓}, ℓ=e, µ. The results are obtained using the full data sample of 988 fb^{-1} collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e^{+}e^{-} collider, which contains 912×10^{6} ττ pairs. We observe no significant signal and set 95% CL upper limits on the couplings of the heavy right-handed neutrinos to the conventional standard model left-handed neutrinos in the mass range 0.2-1.6 GeV/c^{2}. This is the first study of a mixed couplings of heavy neutrinos to τ leptons and light-flavor leptons.

End-of-life solar photovoltaic panel waste management in India: forecasting and environmental impact assessment.

Presently, India is in the stage of installation of solar photovoltaic panels and no focus is being given towards the impending problem of handling solar waste. The absence of adequate regulations, guidelines and operational infrastructure for photovoltaic waste in the country may lead to waste being inappropriately landfilled or incinerated in a manner that may be detrimental to human health and the environment. Business as usual projection estimates 6.64 million tonnes and 5.48 million tonnes of waste generation due to the early and regular losses using the Weibull distribution function, respectively by 2040 in India. The current study also systematically investigates various policies and legislation developments on the end-of-life of photovoltaic modules in various regions of the world, to identify gaps for further assessment. Using life cycle assessment methodology, this paper compares the environmental impacts of landfilling end-of-life crystalline silicon panels with avoided burden approach due to the recycling of materials. It has been demonstrated that solar photovoltaic recycling and reusing the recovered materials will result in impact reduction in the forthcoming production phase by as high as 70%. Further, the outcomes of carbon footprint, single score indicator with the application of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also predicts lower values for avoided burden approach due to recycling (15,393.96 kgCO2 eq) in comparison to landfill approach (19,844.054 kg CO2 eq). The outcomes of this study aim to illuminate the importance of the sustainable management of photovoltaic panels at end-of-life.

Measurement of Two-Particle Correlations of Hadrons in e

The measurement of two-particle angular correlation functions in high-multiplicity e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=10.52 GeV is reported. In this study, the 89.5 fb^{-1} of hadronic e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB are used. Two-particle angular correlation functions are measured in the full relative azimuthal angle (Δϕ) and three units of pseudorapidity (Δη), defined by either the electron beam axis or the event-shape thrust axis, and are studied as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. The measurement in the thrust axis analysis, with mostly outgoing quark pairs determining the reference axis, is sensitive to the region of additional soft gluon emissions. No significant anisotropic collective behavior is observed with either coordinate analyses. Near-side jet correlations appear to be absent in the thrust axis analysis. The measurements are compared to predictions from various event generators and are expected to provide new constraints to the phenomenological models in the low-energy regime.

Measurements of the Branching Fractions of the Semileptonic Decays Ξ_{c}

Using data samples of 89.5 and 711 fb^{-1} recorded at energies of sqrt[s]=10.52 and 10.58 GeV, respectively, with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider, we report measurements of branching fractions of semileptonic decays Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} (ℓ=e or µ) and the CP-asymmetry parameter of Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decay. The branching fractions are measured to be B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})=(1.31±0.04±0.07±0.38)% and B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}µ^{+}ν_{µ})=(1.27±0.06±0.10±0.37)%, and the decay parameter α_{Ξπ} is measured to be 0.63±0.03±0.01 with much improved precision compared with the current world average. The corresponding ratio B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})/B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}µ^{+}ν_{µ}) is 1.03±0.05±0.07, which is consistent with the expectation of lepton flavor universality. The first measured asymmetry parameter A_{CP}=(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}+α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})/(α_{Ξ^{-}π^{+}}-α_{Ξ[over ¯]^{+}π^{-}})=0.024±0.052±0.014 is found to be consistent with zero. The first and the second uncertainties above are statistical and systematic, respectively, while the third ones arise due to the uncertainty of the Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} branching fraction.

Measurement of Differential Branching Fractions of Inclusive B→X_{u}ℓ

The first measurements of differential branching fractions of inclusive semileptonic B→X_{u}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} decays are performed using the full Belle data set of 711 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity at the ϒ(4S) resonance and for ℓ=e, µ. With the availability of these measurements, new avenues for future shape-function model-independent determinations of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_{ub}| can be pursued to gain new insights in the existing tension with respect to exclusive determinations. The differential branching fractions are reported as a function of the lepton energy, the four-momentum-transfer squared, light-cone momenta, the hadronic mass, and the hadronic mass squared. They are obtained by subtracting the backgrounds from semileptonic B→X_{c}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} decays and other processes, and corrected for resolution and acceptance effects.

Evidence for X(3872)→J/ψπ

We report the first evidence for X(3872) production in two-photon interactions by tagging either the electron or the positron in the final state, exploring the highly virtual photon region. The search is performed in e^{+}e^{-}→e^{+}e^{-}J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}, using 825 fb^{-1} of data collected by the Belle detector operated at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. We observe three X(3872) candidates, where the expected background is 0.11±0.10 events, with a significance of 3.2σ. We obtain an estimated value for Γ[over ˜]_{γγ}B(X(3872)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}) assuming the Q^{2} dependence predicted by a cc[over ¯] meson model, where -Q^{2} is the invariant mass squared of the virtual photon. No X(3915)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} candidates are found.

Test of Lepton-Flavor Universality in B→K

We present a measurement of R_{K^{*}}, the branching fraction ratio B(B→K^{*}µ^{+}µ^{-})/B(B→K^{*}e^{+}e^{-}), for both charged and neutral B mesons. The ratio for the charged case R_{K^{*+}} is the first measurement ever performed. In addition, we report absolute branching fractions for the individual modes in bins of the squared dilepton invariant mass q^{2}. The analysis is based on a data sample of 711 fb^{-1}, containing 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] events, recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The obtained results are consistent with standard model expectations.

Observation of the Radiative Decays of ϒ(1S) to χ_{c1}.

We report the first observation of the radiative decay of the ϒ(1S) into a charmonium state. The significance of the observed signal of ϒ(1S)→γχ_{c1} is 6.3 standard deviations including systematics. The branching fraction is calculated to be B[ϒ(1S)→γχ_{c1}]=[4.7_{-1.8}^{+2.4}(stat)_{-0.5}^{+0.4}(sys)×10^{-5}]. We also searched for ϒ(1S) radiative decays into χ_{c0,2} and η_{c}(1S,2S), and set upper limits on their branching fractions. These results are obtained from a 24.9 fb^{-1} data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider at a center-of-mass energy equal to the ϒ(2S) mass using ϒ(1S) tagging by the ϒ(2S)→ϒ(1S)π^{+}π^{-} transitions.

Measurement of R(D) and R(D

The experimental results on the ratios of branching fractions R(D)=B(B[over ¯]→Dτ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→Dℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}) and R(D^{*})=B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]→D^{*}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{ℓ}), where ℓ denotes an electron or a muon, show a long-standing discrepancy with the standard model predictions, and might hint at a violation of lepton flavor universality. We report a new simultaneous measurement of R(D) and R(D^{*}), based on a data sample containing 772×10^{6} BB[over ¯] events recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. In this analysis the tag-side B meson is reconstructed in a semileptonic decay mode and the signal-side τ is reconstructed in a purely leptonic decay. The measured values are R(D)=0.307±0.037±0.016 and R(D^{*})=0.283±0.018±0.014, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. These results are in agreement with the standard model predictions within 0.2, 1.1, and 0.8 standard deviations for R(D), R(D^{*}), and their combination, respectively. This work constitutes the most precise measurements of R(D) and R(D^{*}) performed to date as well as the first result for R(D) based on a semileptonic tagging method.

Monitoring steady production of 1,3-propanediol during bioprospecting of glycerol-assimilating soil microbiome using dye-based pH-stat method.

AIM: In this investigation, a dye-based pH-stat method was devised for monitoring steady production of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) during bioprospecting of glycerol-assimilating soil microbiome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Soil samples were collected from two potential sites of CSIR-IIP, India. Selective enrichment of microbial consortia was done using the glycerol-based medium at initial stage, followed by purification to isolated colonies, after positive high-performance liquid chromatography detection of 1,3-PDO in the fermentation broth. When the purified isolated were re-tested for 1,3-PDO production, only two isolates namely Isolate 1 and Isolate 3 were capable of producing the targeted product preferably under anaerobic conditions. Based on better 1,3-PDO fermentation efficiency (Isolate 3, 22% vs Isolate 1, 4·48%) and acetic acid as the only major by-product, Isolate 3 was shortlisted for further studies. A dye-based technique was devised in which bromothymol blue was incorporated into the medium to monitor the pH drop due to acetic acid formation and hence change in colour. Visual change in colour helped in intermittent pH restoration. During fermentation, with pH stat being 8-8·5, Isolate 3 at 32°C yielded 0·67 mol mol-1 1,3-PDO within a short span of 12 h only with an initial concentration of glycerol being 20 g l-1 . Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Isolate 3 shared 95·8% homology with Citrobacter freundii CFNIH1 and hence designated as C. freundii IIP DR3. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that during bioprospecting glycerol-assimilating microbiome, dye-based technique can be successfully employed. This technique can further be exploited to monitor consistent production of all microbial secondary metabolites that accompanies acid production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Incorporation of 'Bromothymol blue' can visually help in the identification of pH drop in the medium, so that pH stat can be easily maintained during 1,3-PDO production from glycerol especially under shake flask conditions.

First Measurements of Absolute Branching Fractions of the Ξ_{c}

We present the first measurements of absolute branching fractions of Ξ_{c}^{0} decays into Ξ^{-}π^{+}, ΛK^{-}π^{+}, and pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+} final states. The measurements are made using a dataset comprising (772±11)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^{+}e^{-} collider. We first measure the absolute branching fraction for B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0} using a missing-mass technique; the result is B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})=(9.51±2.10±0.88)×10^{-4}. We subsequently measure the product branching fractions B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}), B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→ΛK^{-}π^{+}), and B(B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0})B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+}) with improved precision. Dividing these product branching fractions by the result for B^{-}→Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-}Ξ_{c}^{0} yields the following branching fractions: B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})=(1.80±0.50±0.14)%, B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→ΛK^{-}π^{+})=(1.17±0.37±0.09)%, and B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→pK^{-}K^{-}π^{+})=(0.58±0.23±0.05)%. For the above branching fractions, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. Our result for B(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}) can be combined with Ξ_{c}^{0} branching fractions measured relative to Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} to yield other absolute Ξ_{c}^{0} branching fractions.

Observation of Ξ(1620)

We report the first observation of the double strange baryon Ξ(1620)^{0} in its decay to Ξ^{-}π^{+} via Ξ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}π^{+} decays based on a 980 fb^{-1} data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The mass and width are measured to be 1610.4±6.0(stat)_{-4.2}^{+6.1} (syst) MeV/c^{2} and 59.9±4.8(stat)_{-7.1}^{+2.8}(syst) MeV, respectively. We obtain 4.0σ evidence of the Ξ(1690)^{0} with the same data sample. These results shed light on the structure of hyperon resonances with strangeness S=-2.

Search for a Light CP-odd Higgs Boson and Low-Mass Dark Matter at the Belle Experiment.

We report on the first Belle search for a light CP-odd Higgs boson, A^{0}, that decays into low mass dark matter, χ, in final states with a single photon and missing energy. We search for events produced via the dipion transition ϒ(2S)→ϒ(1S)π^{+}π^{-}, followed by the on-shell process ϒ(1S)→γA^{0} with A^{0}→χχ, or by the off-shell process ϒ(1S)→γχχ. Utilizing a data sample of 157.3×10^{6} ϒ(2S) decays, we find no evidence for a signal. We set limits on the branching fractions of such processes in the mass ranges M_{A^{0}}<8.97 GeV/c^{2} and M_{χ}<4.44 GeV/c^{2}. We then use the limits on the off-shell process to set competitive limits on WIMP-nucleon scattering in the WIMP mass range below 5 GeV/c^{2}.

Liquid Nitrogen Spray Cryotherapy in Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus, where do we stand? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the preferred treatment option for Barrett's esophagus (BE) to achieve complete eradication (CE) of dysplasia (D), and intestinal metaplasia (IM). Cryotherapy, using liquid nitrogen (LNC), is a cold-induced tissue-injury technique option for the ablation of BE. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the overall efficacy and safety of LNC in the treatment of BE. We conducted a search of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings from inception through June 2018. The primary outcome was to estimate the pooled rates of CE-IM, CE-D, and CE-HGD. The secondary outcome was to estimate the risk of adverse events and recurrence of disease after LNC. Nine studies reported 386 patients who were treated with LNC. The pooled rate of CE-IM was 56.5% (95% CI 48.5-64.2, I2 = 47), pooled rate of CE-D was 83.5% (95% CI 78.3-87.7, I2 = 22.8), and pooled rate of CE-HGD was 86.5% (95% CI 64.4-95.8, I2 = 88.1). Rate of adverse events was 4.7%, and the risk of BE recurrence was 12.7%. On subgroup analysis, the pooled rate of CE-IM with LNC in patients who failed RFA was 58.4% (95% CI 47.2-68.8, I2 = 32.5), and the pooled rate of CE-D in the same population was 81.9% (95% CI 72.5-88.6, I2 = 5.9). CE-D rates with LNC are comparable to RFA while CE-IM rates appear to be lower than the rates achievable with RFA. CE-IM rate in RFA failed patients is 58.4% and thus LNC is a rescue option to consider in this population.

Evaluating hotspots for stormwater harvesting through participatory sensing.

Geographic Information Systems have been widely accepted to manage and manipulate spatial data associated with the hydrologic response of a watershed. Due to climate change and drought impacts, there is a need to conserve freshwater resources, which can be accomplished by introducing the concept of stormwater harvesting. Apart from hotspot identification and site screening, several economic, social, cultural, environmental aspects need to be considered before finalizing the suitable site for stormwater harvesting. The shortlisted sites are commonly ranked by considering various parameters, i.e. water demand, availability of stormwater and distance to end-use locations, which relate to economic aspects. In the present study, socio-environmental considerations are also constituted by adopting a web-GIS based approach. The geospatial datasets and metadata associated with the study area are organized as a repository in the open source database server (PostgreSQL/PostGIS), which is further assessed and analyzed by using GeoServer. This technique publishes the geospatial datasets to the public domain websites that can be accessed and visualized around the clock and across the world. This will help stakeholders gather and store responses from water planners and inhabitants, while minimizing the time and cost associated with field visits for collecting individual responses. In this respect, a questionnaire is prepared that includes queries associated with site selection and the responses are gathered from various institutions, water professionals, stakeholders and residents. Once the responses are collected, the Analytic Hierarchy Process has been implemented to compute the relative weights of each criterion with respect to the responses collected. The weights thus obtained assisted the planners in deciding the suitable stormwater harvesting site for Dehradun city in India. In context to responses gathered the sites 'B' and 'D' are given the maximum weightage to be the suitable sites in the study region. Also, the socio-environmental criteria such as 'community acceptance', 'recreational activities' and 'need for water reuse' have gathered the maximum weightage from the responses for the specific sites. Hence, the proposed methodology demonstrated how water professionals, civilians, planners, stakeholders and public can be included as participants in water-related decision making processes.

Observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) Decay.

We report the observation of ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S) decay based on an analysis of the inclusive photon spectrum of 24.7 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at the ϒ(2S) center-of-mass energy collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. We measure a branching fraction of B[ϒ(2S)→γη_{b}(1S)]=(6.1_{-0.7-0.6}^{+0.6+0.9})×10^{-4} and derive an η_{b}(1S) mass of 9394.8_{-3.1-2.7}^{+2.7+4.5} MeV/c^{2}, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The significance of our measurement is greater than 7 standard deviations, constituting the first observation of this decay mode.

Observation of an Excited Ω

Using data recorded with the Belle detector, we observe a new excited hyperon, an Ω^{*-} candidate decaying into Ξ^{0}K^{-} and Ξ^{-}K_{S}^{0} with a mass of 2012.4±0.7(stat)±0.6(syst) MeV/c^{2} and a width of Γ=6.4_{-2.0}^{+2.5}(stat)±1.6(syst) MeV. The Ω^{*-} is seen primarily in ϒ(1S),ϒ(2S), and ϒ(3S) decays.