Photoproduction of K

K^{+}K^{-} pairs may be produced in photonuclear collisions, either from the decays of photoproduced ϕ(1020) mesons or directly as nonresonant K^{+}K^{-} pairs. Measurements of K^{+}K^{-} photoproduction probe the couplings between the ϕ(1020) and charged kaons with photons and nuclear targets. The kaon-proton scattering occurs at energies far above those available elsewhere. We present the first measurement of coherent photoproduction of K^{+}K^{-} pairs on lead ions in ultraperipheral collisions using the ALICE detector, including the first investigation of direct K^{+}K^{-} production. There is significant K^{+}K^{-} production at low transverse momentum, consistent with coherent photoproduction on lead targets. In the mass range 1.1

First Measurement of the |t| Dependence of Incoherent J/ψ Photonuclear Production.

The first measurement of the cross section for incoherent photonuclear production of J/ψ vector mesons as a function of the Mandelstam |t| variable is presented. The measurement was carried out with the ALICE detector at midrapidity, |y|<0.8, using ultraperipheral collisions of Pb nuclei at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV. This rapidity interval corresponds to a Bjorken-x range (0.3-1.4)×10^{-3}. Cross sections are given in five |t| intervals in the range 0.04<|t|<1 GeV^{2} and compared to the predictions by different models. Models that ignore quantum fluctuations of the gluon density in the colliding hadron predict a |t| dependence of the cross section much steeper than in data. The inclusion of such fluctuations in the same models provides a better description of the data.

Emergence of Long-Range Angular Correlations in Low-Multiplicity Proton-Proton Collisions.

This Letter presents the measurement of near-side associated per-trigger yields, denoted ridge yields, from the analysis of angular correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV. Long-range ridge yields are extracted for pairs of charged particles with a pseudorapidity difference of 1.4<|Δη|<1.8 and a transverse momentum of 1

Frequency of BRAF V600E immunoexpression in ameloblastomas: a multi-institutional analysis of 86 cases in Latin America and comprehensive review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the mouth. Both lesions rarely affect the tongue dorsum and may share similar clinical characteristics. This study aimed to retrieve cases of single oral ulcers diagnosed as PCM or OSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. All patients who had a single ulcer on dorsum of the tongue and confirmed diagnosis of PCM or OSCC were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients (5 women and 4 men) were evaluated, 5 patients had OSCCs (mean age = 69,8 years old), and 4 patients PCM (mean age = 51 years old). Most of the lesions were infiltrated and indurated in the palpation exam. Duration ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean time of 5.2 months and 4.7 months for OSCC and PCM, respectively). OSCC was the main clinical diagnosis hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, PCM and OSCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis hypothesis in infiltrated ulcers on the tongue dorsum. Incisional biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis and indicate the appropriate treatment.

Oral pathology and oral medicine in Latin American countries: current stage.

BACKGROUND: Oral Pathology (OP) and Oral Medicine (OM) are specialties in dentistry whose main objective is the diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial diseases, and aspects related to the academic training of professionals and fields of practice are distinct and heterogeneous around the world. This study aimed to evaluate professional training and areas of activity in OP and OM in Latin American countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 11 countries, with a professional in each country responsible for answering it. The questionnaire had 21 questions related to the process of professional training, areas of practice, the existence of scientific events in each country, and also collected demographic and population information. RESULTS: OP and OM are practiced in all the countries studied, but the specialty is not recognized in all of them. Brazil was the first to recognize both as a specialty. Postgraduate programs designed to train specialists are available in various countries. Two countries offer residency programs, 6 countries provide specialization courses, 6 offer master's programs, and 3 have doctoral programs. Brazil boasts the highest number of undergraduate courses (n=412), while Uruguay has the lowest (n=2). Professional societies representing the specialty exist in ten countries. Brazil has the highest number of OP and OM specialists (n=422 and 1,072), while Paraguay has the smallest number (n=1 and 3). CONCLUSIONS: Although both specialties are widely practiced around the globe, professional training, the number of dentists trained and the fields of professional practice are very different between the countries studied.

ψ(2S) Suppression in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC.

The production of the ψ(2S) charmonium state was measured with ALICE in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV, in the dimuon decay channel. A significant signal was observed for the first time at LHC energies down to zero transverse momentum, at forward rapidity (2.5

Measurements of Groomed-Jet Substructure of Charm Jets Tagged by D

Understanding the role of parton mass and Casimir color factors in the quantum chromodynamics parton shower represents an important step in characterizing the emission properties of heavy quarks. Recent experimental advances in jet substructure techniques have provided the opportunity to isolate and characterize gluon emissions from heavy quarks. In this Letter, the first direct experimental constraint on the charm-quark splitting function is presented, obtained via the measurement of the groomed shared momentum fraction of the first splitting in charm jets, tagged by a reconstructed D^{0} meson. The measurement is made in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV, in the low jet transverse-momentum interval of 15≤p_{T}^{jet ch}<30 GeV/c where the emission properties are sensitive to parton mass effects. In addition, the opening angle of the first perturbative emission of the charm quark, as well as the number of perturbative emissions it undergoes, is reported. Comparisons to measurements of an inclusive-jet sample show a steeper splitting function for charm quarks compared with gluons and light quarks. Charm quarks also undergo fewer perturbative emissions in the parton shower, with a reduced probability of large-angle emissions.

Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)] ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)] keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

Measurement of the J/ψ Polarization with Respect to the Event Plane in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC.

We study the polarization of inclusive J/ψ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV at the LHC in the dimuon channel, via the measurement of the angular distribution of its decay products. We perform the study in the rapidity region 2.5

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets.

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5 GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

First Measurement of Antideuteron Number Fluctuations at Energies Available at the Large Hadron Collider.

The first measurement of event-by-event antideuteron number fluctuations in high energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. The measurements are carried out at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) as a function of collision centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector. A significant negative correlation between the produced antiprotons and antideuterons is observed in all collision centralities. The results are compared with a state-of-the-art coalescence calculation. While it describes the ratio of higher order cumulants of the antideuteron multiplicity distribution, it fails to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the correlation between antiproton and antideuteron production. On the other hand, thermal-statistical model calculations describe all the measured observables within uncertainties only for correlation volumes that are different with respect to those describing proton yields and a similar measurement of net-proton number fluctuations.

Impact of overweight and obesity in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between overweight and obesity in postmenopausal women and different aspects related to health such as quality of life, physical activity, sleep quality and level of physical activity. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out during 2021-2022 in Spain in postmenopausal women. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 12-item short-form survey (SF-12). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to determine sleep quality, and the International Physical Activity Validated Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used for physical activity. A multivariate analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression to control the confounding bias. RESULTS: A total of 395 postmenopausal women participated: 64.6% (n = 255) were overweight or obese. Obesity was associated with higher odds of having a lower quality of life (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-5.49), including alterations in physical role and function, pain and vitality. Postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity had higher odds of cardiovascular problems (aOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.04-4.19/aOR = 4.44; 95% CI: 2.12-9.31), and women with obesity were more likely to develop endocrine problems (aOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.10-4.75). Finally, women with obesity had higher odds of suffering urinary incontinence (aOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.10-4.01) or fecal incontinence (aOR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.35-5.39), and pelvic pain (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.18-4.59). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in postmenopausal women negatively affects perceived quality of life, sleep quality, physical activity, the development of cardiovascular problems and pelvic floor-related problems.

DNA oxidative damage in oral cancer: 8-hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine immunoexpression assessment.

BACKGROUND: The development and establishment of oral squamous cell carcinoma are confined to carcinogenesis, which involves oxidative stress via oxygen-free radical production as a hydroxyl radical (HO•), considered the most important cause of oxidative damage to basic biomolecules since it targets DNA strands. 8-Hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is considered a free radical with a promutagenic capacity due to its ability to pair with adenosine instead of cytosine during replication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected 30 paraffin-embedded tissue samples of OSCC from patients treated between 2013 and 2018. We recorded risk habits, disease stage, disease free survival and death with at least 3 years of follow-up. 8-Hydroxyguanosine was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and subsequently classified as weak-moderate or strong positive expression. Additionally, we noted whether it was expressed in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. RESULTS: Most of the cases expressed 8-OHdG with a strong intensity (80%). All neoplastic cells were preferentially stained in only the cytoplasm (70.0%), but nuclear positivity was found in 30%, independent of the intensity. Based on the location in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus, tumors >4 cm showed a high frequency (95.5%) of 8-OHdG expression in only the cytoplasm, with a significant difference (p value 0.001). Additionally, overall survival was affected when immunoexpression was present in the cytoplasm and nucleus because all deaths were in this group were statistically significant (p value = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: All tumors showed DNA oxidative damage, and 8-OHdG was preferentially expressed in the cytoplasm. This finding was associated with tumor size and, when present in the nucleus, might also be related to death.

Richer than Gold: the fungal biodiversity of Reserva Los Cedros, a threatened Andean cloud forest.

BACKGROUND: Globally, many undescribed fungal taxa reside in the hyperdiverse, yet undersampled, tropics. These species are under increasing threat from habitat destruction by expanding extractive industry, in addition to global climate change and other threats. Reserva Los Cedros is a primary cloud forest reserve of ~ 5256 ha, and is among the last unlogged watersheds on the western slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. No major fungal survey has been done there, presenting an opportunity to document fungi in primary forest in an underrepresented habitat and location. Above-ground surveys from 2008 to 2019 resulted in 1760 vouchered collections, cataloged and deposited at QCNE in Ecuador, mostly Agaricales sensu lato and Xylariales. We document diversity using a combination of ITS barcode sequencing and digital photography, and share the information via public repositories (GenBank & iNaturalist). RESULTS: Preliminary identifications indicate the presence of at least 727 unique fungal species within the Reserve, representing 4 phyla, 17 classes, 40 orders, 101 families, and 229 genera. Two taxa at Los Cedros have recently been recommended to the IUCN Fungal Red List Initiative (Thamnomyces chocöensis Læssøe and "Lactocollybia" aurantiaca Singer), and we add occurrence data for two others already under consideration (Hygrocybe aphylla Læssøe & Boertm. and Lamelloporus americanus Ryvarden). CONCLUSIONS: Plants and animals are known to exhibit exceptionally high diversity and endemism in the Chocó bioregion, as the fungi do as well. Our collections contribute to understanding this important driver of biodiversity in the Neotropics, as well as illustrating the importance and utility of such data to conservation efforts. RESUMEN: Antecedentes: A nivel mundial muchos taxones fúngicos no descritos residen en los trópicos hiper diversos aunque continúan submuestreados. Estas especies están cada vez más amenazadas por la destrucción del hábitat debido a la expansión de la industria extractivista además del cambio climático global y otras amenazas. Los Cedros es una reserva de bosque nublado primario de ~ 5256 ha y se encuentra entre las últimas cuencas hidrográficas no explotadas en la vertiente occidental de los Andes ecuatorianos. Nunca antes se ha realizado un estudio de diversidad micológica en el sitio, lo que significa una oportunidad para documentar hongos en el bosque primario, en hábitat y ubicación subrepresentatadas. El presente estudio recopila información entre el 2008 y 2019 muestreando material sobre todos los sustratos, reportando 1760 colecciones catalogadas y depositadas en el Fungario del QCNE de Ecuador, en su mayoría Agaricales sensu lato y Xylariales; además se documenta la diversidad mediante secuenciación de códigos de barras ITS y fotografía digital, la información está disponible en repositorios públicos digitales (GenBank e iNaturalist). RESULTADOS: La identificación preliminar indica la presencia de al menos 727 especies únicas de hongos dentro de la Reserva, que representan 4 filos, 17 clases, 40 órdenes, 101 familias y 229 géneros. Recientemente dos taxones en Los Cedros se recomendaron a la Iniciativa de Lista Roja de Hongos de la UICN (Thamnomyces chocöensis Læssøe y "Lactocollybia" aurantiaca Singer) y agregamos datos de presencia de otros dos que ya estaban bajo consideración (Hygrocybe aphylla Læssøe & Boertm. y Lamelloporus americanus Ryvarden). CONCLUSIONES: Se sabe que plantas y animales exhiben una diversidad y endemismo excepcionalmente altos en la bioregión del Chocó y los hongos no son la excepción. Nuestras colecciones contribuyen a comprender este importante promotor de la biodiversidad en el Neotrópico además de ilustrar la importancia y utilidad de dichos datos para los esfuerzos de conservación.

A symmetric version of the Euler equations by using Generalized Bernoulli Method.

The aim of this article is to show a way to extend the usefulness of the Generalized Bernoulli Method (GBM) with the purpose to apply it for the case of variational problems with functionals that depend explicitly of all the variables. Moreover, after expressing the Euler equations in terms of this extension of GBM, we will see that the resulting equations acquire a symmetric form, which is not shared by the known Euler equations. We will see that this symmetry is useful because it allows us to recall these equations with ease. The presentation of three examples shows that by applying GBM, the Euler equations are obtained just as well as it does the known Euler formalism but with much less effort, which makes GBM ideal for practical applications. In fact, given a variational problem, GBM establishes the corresponding Euler equations by means of a systematic procedure, which is easy to recall, based in both elementary calculus and algebra without having to memorize the known formulas. Finally, in order to extend the practical applications of the proposed method, this work will employ GBM with the purpose to apply it for the case of solving isoperimetric problems.

Activity and stability of bifunctional perovskite/carbon-based electrodes for the removal of antipyrine by electro-Fenton process.

Bifunctional perovskite/carbon-black(CB)/polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) electrodes for electro-generation and catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxidizing hydroxyl radicals have been fabricated. These electrodes were tested for electroFenton (EF) removal of antipyrine (ANT) as a model antipyretic and analgesic drug. The influence of the binder loading (20 and 40 wt % PTFE) and type of solvent (1,3-dipropanediol and water) was studied for the preparation of CB/PTFE electrodes. The electrode prepared with 20 wt % PTFE and water exhibited a low impedance and remarkable H2O2 electro-generation (about 1 g/L after 240 min, a production rate of ca. 6.5 mg/h·cm2). The incorporation of perovskite on CB/PTFE electrodes was also studied following two different methods: i) direct deposition on the CB/PTFE electrode surface and ii) addition in the own CB/PTFE/water paste used for the fabrication. Physicochemical and electrochemical characterization techniques were used for the electrode's characterization. The dispersion of perovskite particles in the own electrode matrix (method ii) exhibited a higher EF performance than the immobilisation onto the electrode surface (method i). EF experiments at 40 mA/cm2 and pH 7 (non-acidified conditions) showed ANT and TOC removals of 30% and 17%, respectively. The increase of current intensity up to 120 mA/cm2 achieved the complete removal of ANT and 92% of TOC mineralisation in 240 min. The bifunctional electrode also proved high stability and durability after 15 h of operation.

Stafne's bone defect: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review integrated the available data published in the literature on Stafne's bone defect (SBD), considering the clinical, imaging and histopathological results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search was undertaken in six databases. Eligibility criteria were: articles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese describing case reports or case series of SBD, reported up to September/2021. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. RESULTS: A total of 98 articles were retrieved, involving 465 individuals with SBD and were included for quantitative analysis. Mean age was 52.78 years (range: 11-89 years), with male predilection (n=374/80.85%). Radiographs were the most frequent imagiological exams (n=298/64.09%), followed by computed tomography (n=98/21.08%). SBD was more prevalent in the posterior mandible (n=361/93.77%) as a hypodense radiolucent lesion (n=250/77.40%). Mean size was 1.58 cm (range: 0.3-.8.0 cm). Two-hundred-and-two lesions (97.37%) were unilocular and 126 (91.97%) were classified as well-defined. Clinical symptoms were reported in 73 cases, while 68 cases (93.15%) were asymptomatic. Only 34 cases (12.32%) were submitted to histopathological examination. Mean follow-up time was 26.42 ±25.39 months. CONCLUSIONS: SBD is more frequent in male patients in the fifth and sixth decade of life. Classic SBD is radiographically characterized as a single, unilocular and well-defined lesion in the posterior region of the jaw with a radiolucent/hypodense appearance.

Improvement of biogas production and nitrogen recovery in anaerobic digestion of purple phototrophic bacteria by thermal hydrolysis.

Purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) are a novel driver to recover organics and nutrients from wastewater by assimilative growth. Depending on the source, assimilated resources from the PPB biomass can still be recovered after a releasing step. Anaerobic digestion (AD) releases carbonand nutrients, but the release is incomplete. Thermal hydrolysis (TH) as a pretreatment before AD improves the digestibility, release, and subsequent recovery potentials. This work determines the effects of TH in batch and continuous modes regarding methane potential, nutrients' release efficiencies, volatile solids destruction, degradability, and hydrolysis rates. Continuous runs over 165 days (d) confirmed enhanced recovery potentials, achieving up to 380 LCH4/kgVS (83 % solids destruction) and 73 % N release, respectively. The TH pretreatment is energy-intensive, but with appropriate heat recovery and increased methane production in the AD of the pretreated biomass, a combined configuration is energy positive.

The value of Phosphohistone H3 as a cell proliferation marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A comparative study with Ki-67 and the mitotic activity index.

BACKGROUND: The Phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) antibody is recognized as a biomarker of cell proliferation, specific for cells in mitosis, of prognostic value in different malignant neoplasms, however it has been poorly studied in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of the PHH3 in the OSCC, through the correlation with the immunoexpression of Ki-67, the mitotic activity index (MAI), histological grading, clinical-morphological parameters and the rate of survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 62 cases of OSCC diagnosed in the Pathological Anatomy Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Republic (Uruguay). In each of them, an immunohistochemical technique was performed for Ki-67 and PHH3 (serine 10) antibodies. Image J software was used for the MAI and biomarker quantification, defining the percentage of positivity and mitotic figures per 1000 tumor cells. RESULTS: a significant association was obtained between the expression of PHH3 (p 0.016) and MAI (p 0.031) with survival time. However, no similar relationship was found with Ki-67 (p 0.295). Although it was confirmed a statistical association between histological grade and Ki-67 immunoexpression (p 0.004), PHH3 did not show a similar relationship (p 0.564). CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed the role of the PHH3 antibody as a biomarker of mitotic figures in OSCC and as a potential marker of cell proliferation. It is noteworthy that this is one of the first works that evaluates a possible relationship between the expression of this antibody and survival in OSCC.