Demonstration of event position reconstruction based on diffusion in the NEXT-white detector.

Noble element time projection chambers are a leading technology for rare event detection in physics, such as for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay searches. Time projection chambers typically assign event position in the drift direction using the relative timing of prompt scintillation and delayed charge collection signals, allowing for reconstruction of an absolute position in the drift direction. In this paper, alternate methods for assigning event drift distance via quantification of electron diffusion in a pure high pressure xenon gas time projection chamber are explored.

Pyrolysis-induced phosphorus transformations for biosolids from diverse sources.

Biosolids have been long used as a soil amendment to promote nutrient recovery. The readily releasable forms of nutrients present in this biowaste, such as phosphorus (P), along with their over application, can be detrimental to the environment, causing eutrophication. Pyrolysis, the thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperature and low oxygen, seems to be a promising strategy to lower P release from biowastes such as biosolids.

Impact of serpentinized peridotite mine waste on the composition and quality of sediments in the Ría de Ortigueira (Galicia, NW Spain).

The Ría de Ortigueira is an environmentally well conserved; however, the sediments show high concentrations of toxic elements. In some zones, the concentrations of Ni (60-1080 mg kg) and Cr (9-567 mg kg) were extremely high, while the concentrations of other toxic elements were within normal ranges. PCA revealed that metal enrichment was due to dumping of waste sludge from a peridotite mine.

Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba^{++}) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation.

Analytical Characterization of Polyphenols from Tara and Caesalpinia decapetala as Stabilizers of O/W Emulsions.

The extracts (0.5% [w/w]) from Caesalpinia spinosa or tara (CS) and Caesalpinia decapetala (CD) leaves were evaluated for their ability to inhibit lipid oxidation using oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions as the model system. Liquid chromatography (LC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS), using a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer, was employed for (1) the identification of potential antioxidant species in the extracts and (2) to follow their evolution through aging of the emulsions.

Direct quantification and distribution of tetracycline-resistant genes in meat samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The evolution of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has become a threat to food safety and methods to control them are necessary. Counts of tetracycline-resistant (TR) bacteria by microbiological methods were compared with those obtained by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in 80 meat samples. TR Enterobacteriaceae counts were similar between the count plate method and qPCR (P= 0.

Development and validation of an HPLC method for the determination of thiamine and riboflavin in green leafy vegetables using clara-diastase.

There is no literature on the use of the currently available form of clara-diastase (≥ 35 U/mg; Fluka Product No. 86959) in the analysis of vitamins B(1) and B(2) . Consequently, a method for the determination of total riboflavin and total thiamine in green leafy vegetables by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) following sample preparation by sequential acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis with clara-diastase ≥ 35 U/mg, and for B1, derivatization to thiochrome, was developed and validated.

Is it possible to estimate atmospheric deposition of heavy metals by analysis of terrestrial mosses?

Here we present a critical review of diverse research studies involving estimation of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals from the concentrations of the contaminants in terrestrial moss. The findings can be summarized as follows: i) significant correlations between the concentrations of contaminants in moss and bulk deposition were observed in only 40.1% of the cases in which the relationship was studied and in only 14.

Citrus mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) movement and population dynamics in an arbor-trained vineyard.

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is the main grapevine pest in vineyards in some countries, such as Spain and Brazil. In Galician vineyards (northwestern Spain), mealybug population levels are low because the accumulated degree-days are lower than in other grapevine-growing areas. The main problem caused by mealybugs is the transmission of viruses, even at low infestation levels.

Evaluation of some sources of variability in using small mammals as pollution biomonitors.

In the present study the effects of gender, age and nutritional status on tissue concentrations of some trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Cr) in wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), Spanish shrew (Sorex granarius), and great white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) were investigated. Four sampling stations were selected for the study: a restored mine dump, an area characterised by ultrabasic soil and two sites in oak woods in the vicinity of a power plant. Gender had no effect on the tissue concentrations of the metals studied, except for the concentration of Zn in brain tissue from C.

Asymmetric self-assembly with atmospheric CO2 fixation of a pentanuclear carbonate NiI) complex based on dissimilar building blocks.

Formation in basic solution of an asymmetric pentanuclear carbonate Ni(II) complex with a compartmental ligand involves atmospheric CO(2) uptake, either by reaction of two slightly different dinuclear precursors that yield its di- and trinuclear "building blocks", or directly, by spontaneous self-organization of metal and ligand starting reactants.

Improvement of water solubility of sulfamethizole through its complexation with beta- and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Characterization of the interaction in solution and in solid state.

The aim of this study was to increase the solubility of sulfamethizole in water by complexing it with beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). The interaction of sulfamethizole with the cyclodextrins was evaluated by the solubility, 1H NMR spectrometry and molecular modelling. The stability constants calculated from the phase solubility method increase in order HPBCD View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Cervical intramedullary neurofibroma].

Spinal neurofibromas make up a third of all tumours of the medulla. They are usually found to be intradural and extramedullary. Exceptionally they may be intramedullar.