Reptile fauna should be considered a conservation objective,especially in respect of the impacts of climate change on their distribution and range’s dynamics.Investigating the environmental drivers of reptile species...Reptile fauna should be considered a conservation objective,especially in respect of the impacts of climate change on their distribution and range’s dynamics.Investigating the environmental drivers of reptile species richness and identifying their suitable habitats is a fundamental prerequisite to setting efficient long-term conservation measures.This study focused on geographical patterns and estimations of species richness for herpetofauna widely spread Z.vivipara,N.natrix,V.berus,A.colchica,and protected in Latvia C.austriaca,E.orbicularis,L.agilis inhabiting northern(model territory Latvia)and southern(model territory Ukraine)part of their European range.The ultimate goal was to designate a conservation network that will meet long-term goals for survival of the target species in the context of climate change.We used stacked species distribution models for creating maps depicting the distribution of species richness under current and future(by 2050)climates for marginal reptilepopulations.Using cluster analysis,we showed that this herpeto-complex can be divided into“widespread species”and“forest species”.For all forest species we predicted a climate-driven reduction in their distribution range both North(Latvia)and South(Ukraine).The most vulnerable populations of“forest species”tend to be located in the South of their range,as a consequence of northward shifts by 2050.By 2050 the greatest reduction in range is predicted for currently widely spread Z.vivipara(by 1.4 times)and V.berus(by 2.2 times).In terms of designing an effective protected-area network,these results permit to identify priority conservation areas where the full ensemble of selected reptile species can be found,and confirms the relevance of abioticmulti-factor GIS-modelling for achieving this goal.展开更多
Raptors primarily use soaring-gliding flight which exploits thermals and ridge lifts over land to reduce energetic costs However during migration, these birds often have to cross water surfaces where thermal currents ...Raptors primarily use soaring-gliding flight which exploits thermals and ridge lifts over land to reduce energetic costs However during migration, these birds often have to cross water surfaces where thermal currents are weak; during these times, birds mainly use flapping (powered) flight which increases energy consumption and mortality risk. As a result, some species have evolved strategies to reduce the amount of time spent over water by taking extensive detours over land. In this paper, we con- ducted a meta-analysis of water-crossing tendencies in Afro-Palearctic migrating raptors in relation to their morphology, their flight performance, and their phylogenetic relationships. In particular, we considered the aspect ratio (calculated as the wing span squared divided by wing area), the energetic cost of powered flight, and the maximum water crossing length regularly performed by adult birds. Our results suggest that energy consumption during powered flight predominately affects the ability of raptors to fly over water surfaces展开更多
The aim of our present work is to measure the specific activities of the radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and the exhalation rates in terms of area and mass of 222Rn in some samples of building materials commonly used ...The aim of our present work is to measure the specific activities of the radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and the exhalation rates in terms of area and mass of 222Rn in some samples of building materials commonly used in Morocco in order to evaluate the radiological risk caused by natural radioactivity. To this end, the analyses were carried out, using two nuclear techniques, namely high resolution gamma spectrometry and alpha dosimetry based on the use of LR115, on 50 samples collected from large commercial suppliers in Morocco. The results of these analyses show that the average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in these materials vary from 9 to 52 Bq/kg, 3 to 63 Bq/kg and 68 to 705 Bq/kg respectively. These activities remain within the permissible limits of 35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg and 370 Bq/kg respectively, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The activity of the radium equivalent (Raeq), the internal (Hin) and external (Hex) hazard indices, the absorbed dose rate, the total annual effective dose , the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) as well as volumic activities, exhalation rates in terms of area (ES) and mass (EM) are calculated for the samples analyzed in this work in order to assess the radiological risks resulting from the use of these materials in various construction activities. It seems that the values of these indices vary from 19 to 196 Bq/kg, 0.08 to 0.67, 0.05 to 0.53, 9 to 91 nGy/h, 0.05 to 0.56 mSv/y, 0.19 × 10−3 to 1.96 × 10−3, 72 to 350 Bq/m3, 56 to 273 mBq⋅m−2⋅h−1 and 3 to 15 mBq⋅kg−1⋅h−1 respectively. The lowest values are identified for gypsum, while the highest are attributed to granite. All of the obtained results of these indices respect the permissible limits except for the Raeq in some granite samples, the ELCR index in all samples except gypsum and the radon volumic activity in some gray cement samples, ceramic and granite. As a result, the different types of building materials analyzed in our work do not present a health risk to the public and can be used in various construction activities, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The choice of the use of red brick, gray cement and ceramic should be monitored and adapted according to the criteria of the limitation of the doses whereas the use of the granite must be moderate in order to limit over time the health risk which increases with the duration of exposure of humans to these building materials.展开更多
Coal is the main energy source for electricity generation in the world. In Morocco, 37% of electricity generation comes from combustion coal in thermal power plants. This combustion process generates large amounts of ...Coal is the main energy source for electricity generation in the world. In Morocco, 37% of electricity generation comes from combustion coal in thermal power plants. This combustion process generates large amounts of fly and bottom ashes. In recent years, these ashes became a great topic of interest because of their different uses and especially in construction materials. In this work, we assess radiation risks due to natural radioactivity in samples of fly and bottom ashes collected from JLEC (Jorf Lasfar Energy Company) thermal power plant, and different analyses are performed through two nuclear techniques such as gamma spectrometry and alpha dosimetry based on the use of LR115 films detectors. Our analysis shows that <sup>226</sup>Ra activities and <sup>232</sup>Th in both ash samples are well above the permissible activity. The values of the external risk index (H<sub>ex</sub>) and internal one (H<sub>in</sub>) for these ashes are below unity, with the exception of 1.28 in fly ash for H<sub>in</sub>. The obtained values for the equivalent radium Ra<sub>eq</sub> and annual effective doses Ėin fly and bottom ashes are 324 Bq/kg and 210 Bq/kg, and 0.18 mSv/y and 0.11 mSv/y, respectively. The surface radon exhalation rates for the samples of fly and bottom ashes are 276 mBq⋅m<sup>-2</sup>⋅h<sup>-1</sup> and 381 mBq⋅m<sup>-2</sup>⋅h<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Based on these results, we have shown that fly ash and bottom one from thermal power plant JLEC didn’t have, in any case, a health risk to the public so it can be effectively used in various construction activities.展开更多
Monitoring of host cell proteins(HCPs)during the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies(mAb)has become a critical requirement to provide effective and safe drug products.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are still th...Monitoring of host cell proteins(HCPs)during the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies(mAb)has become a critical requirement to provide effective and safe drug products.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are still the gold standard methods for the quantification of protein impurities.However,this technique has several limitations and does,among others,not enable the precise identification of proteins.In this context,mass spectrometry(MS)became an alternative and orthogonal method that delivers qualitative and quantitative information on all identified HCPs.However,in order to be routinely implemented in biopharmaceutical companies,liquid chromatography-MS based methods still need to be standardized to provide highest sensitivity and robust and accurate quantification.Here,we present a promising MS-based analytical workflow coupling the use of an innovative quantification standard,the HCP Profiler solution,with a spectral library-based data-independent acquisition(DIA)method and strict data validation criteria.The performances of the HCP Profiler solution were compared to more conventional standard protein spikes and the DIA approach was benchmarked against a classical datadependent acquisition on a series of samples produced at various stages of the manufacturing process.While we also explored spectral library-free DIA interpretation,the spectral library-based approach still showed highest accuracy and reproducibility(coefficients of variation<10%)with a sensitivity down to the sub-ng/mg mAb level.Thus,this workflow is today mature to be used as a robust and straightforward method to support mAb manufacturing process developments and drug products quality control.展开更多
The compounds in leaf and stem extracts of Astragalus emarginatus Labill.(AEL),a plant species used in traditional Lebanese medicine,were investigated for antioxidant properties.First,the activity of various extracts ...The compounds in leaf and stem extracts of Astragalus emarginatus Labill.(AEL),a plant species used in traditional Lebanese medicine,were investigated for antioxidant properties.First,the activity of various extracts was assessed using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity,oxygen radical absorption capacity,and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assays.The extract obtained using 30%ethanol showed the greatest activity.The antioxidant compounds in this extract were screened using a hyphenated high-performance liquid chromatography-2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)radical(ABTS$t)system before being separated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry and ultra-violet-visible diode array detection.Approximately 40 compounds were identified.Hydroxycinnamates(caffeic,ferulic,and p-coumaric acid derivatives)and flavonoids(quercetin,luteolin,apigenin,and isorhamnetin derivatives)were the two main categories of the identified compounds.The active compounds were identified as caffeic acid derivatives and quercetin glycosides.In addition,the catechol moiety was shown to be key to antioxidant activity.This study showed that AEL is a source of natural antioxidants,which may explain its medicinal use.展开更多
The specific radioactivity of several building materials used in France, which is considered a direct exposure to radiation, has been assessed by γ-ray spectrometry. Corrected for coincidence summing and self-absorpt...The specific radioactivity of several building materials used in France, which is considered a direct exposure to radiation, has been assessed by γ-ray spectrometry. Corrected for coincidence summing and self-absorption effects, the values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were in the ranges 4 - 56, 3 - 72 and 9 - 1136 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The samples were found to have radium-equivalent activities between 5 and 245 Bq·kg-1. Values of 0.02 - 0.67 for the external and 0.03 - 0.82 for the internal hazard indexes were estimated. The calculated absorbed dose in air agrees closely with MCNPX simulations. The conversion of absorbed dose to annual effective dose gave values between 0.03 - 1.09 mSv·y-1. All these values are below action limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The materials examined would not contribute a significant radiation exposure for an occupant and thus are acceptable for construction.展开更多
The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis,spirulina,is a source of pigments such as phycobiliprotein and phycocyanin.Phycocyanin is used in the food,cosmetics,and pharmaceutical industries because of its antioxidant,an...The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis,spirulina,is a source of pigments such as phycobiliprotein and phycocyanin.Phycocyanin is used in the food,cosmetics,and pharmaceutical industries because of its antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anticancer properties.The different steps involved in extraction and purification of this protein can alter the final properties.In this review,the stability of phycocyanin(pH,temperature,and light)is discussed,considering the physicochemical parameters of kinetic modeling.The optimal working pH range for phycocyanin is between 5.5 and 6.0 and it remains stable up to 45℃;however,exposure to relatively high temperatures or acidic pH decreases its half-life and increases the degradation kinetic constant.Phycobiliproteins are sensitive to light;preservatives such as mono-and disaccharides,citric acid,or sodium chloride appear to be effective stabilizing agents.Encapsulation within nano-or micro-structured materials such as nanofibers,microparticles,or nanoparticles,can also preserve or enhance its stability.展开更多
This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that t...This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that the activity concentrations of naturally occurring 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides ranges between respectively 17.26 ±1.81 and 105.43 ±10.36;20.41 ±2.52 and 180.85 ±19.69;41.33 ±8.26 and 627.63 ±85.62 Bq⋅kg−1. The measures of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were evaluated. Some of the obtained values exceed the recommended safe levels. Further studies are necessary to constitute a baseline reference data about the terrestrial radiation in Mali.展开更多
Nichel-phosphorus(Ni-P)coatings are deposited on mild steel by using an electroless plating process.The effect of three calix[4]arene derivatives,namely tetra methyl ester-P-tertbutyl calix[4]arene(Calix1),tetra acid-...Nichel-phosphorus(Ni-P)coatings are deposited on mild steel by using an electroless plating process.The effect of three calix[4]arene derivatives,namely tetra methyl ester-P-tertbutyl calix[4]arene(Calix1),tetra acid-P-tert-butyl calix[4]arene(Calix2)and tetra methyl P-tert-butyl-thicalix[4]arene ester(Calix3)on the deposition rate,the deposit composition,and the morphological surface was investigated and the study of growth mechanisms has delivered useful information about the surface properties of deposit.It is found that these additives modify the deposition rate and the nickel crystallization process.In fact,the Calix1 and Calix3 act as an accelerator,while Calix2 acts as an inhibitor for the nickel electroless.Furthermore,it is shown that the chemical bath is more stable with calix[4]arene derivatives addition and the obtained deposits are compact and adherent.It is observed also that the nickel content increases with additives.On the other hand,the X-ray diffraction showed that the orientation peaks are intensified at{111}in the presence of Calix2,confirming obtained results of EDAX spectrum.The cyclic voltammetry revealed that the tested additives strongly influence the cathodic process and slightly affect the hypophosphite oxidation.Finally,it is found that these compounds improve the anticorrosion efficiency of Ni-P coating on the mild steel substrate in 3%(mass)NaCl,where its polarization resistance increases with Calix2 and Calix3 addition.展开更多
The radiological impact of coal ashes, with enhanced natural radioactivity in the storage site, is due to the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides. Some of these radionuclides have a radioactive period of sev...The radiological impact of coal ashes, with enhanced natural radioactivity in the storage site, is due to the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides. Some of these radionuclides have a radioactive period of several million years and will, therefore, have time to migrate to the soil, atmospheric air, surface water, and groundwater. This impact depends mainly on the activity of these coal ashes, the duration of exposure to such waste, transfers to the air, and the leaching phenomenon by rainwater. In this study, and so as to assess the radiological impact of coal ashes of the storage site of the JLEC-Morocco thermal power plant on environment, some analyses are performed by alpha dosimetry and a digital dosimeter on samples of coal ashes, soil, atmospheric air, surface water and groundwater belonging to a perimeter of 10 km around that site. The obtained results show that, within the studied area, the radiological impact on the soil of the coal ashes of the storage site is insignificant even though the concentrations of radon in the near vicinity (1 to 2 km) are moderately important, and remain below 200 Bq/m3. In the atmospheric air, this impact remains medium for the neighborhoods of the storage site (2 to 3 km) with radon activities superior to 10 Bq/m3. These results also show that there may be a water contamination of wells located at the storage site without any transfer of radioactivity into the groundwater of the area studied where the concentrations of radon are less than 11.1 Bq/l.展开更多
Shape competition and coexistence between the pear-and the tetrahedral-shape octupole deformations in actinide nuclei is investigated by employing the realistic nuclear mean-field theory with the phenomenological,so-c...Shape competition and coexistence between the pear-and the tetrahedral-shape octupole deformations in actinide nuclei is investigated by employing the realistic nuclear mean-field theory with the phenomenological,so-called'universal'Woods-Saxon Hamiltonian with newly adjusted parameters containing no parametric correlations.Both types of octupole deformations exhibit significant effects in N=132,N=134,and N=136 isotones.Nuclear potential energy calculations within the multi-dimensional deformation spaces reveal that the tetrahedral deformation effects generally lead to deeper energy minima in most nuclei with N=134 and N=136.Interestingly,in the nuclei^(218)/(86)Rn_(132),^(222/88)Ra_(134),and^(222)_(86)Rn_(136),,and,selected for the illustration of the studied effects,the influence of pear-shape octupole deformation is comparable to that of tetrahedral octupole deformation.Consequently,the coexistence of both kinds of octupole shapes is predicted by the potential energy calculations.In particular,we have reproduced the experimental results known for pear-shape rotational bands obtaining in this way an estimate of the quality of the modelling parametrisation.With the same Hamiltonian,we have predicted the properties of the tetrahedral symmetry rotational bands.To facilitate the possible experiment-theory cooperation we have derived the exact spin-parity tetrahedral-band structures by applying the standard methods of the group representation theory for the Td point-group.展开更多
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)remains a debilitating psychiatric condition with limited pharmacological treatment options.Identifying novel therapeutic targets is critical for addressing its unmet clinical needs...Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)remains a debilitating psychiatric condition with limited pharmacological treatment options.Identifying novel therapeutic targets is critical for addressing its unmet clinical needs.Through our comprehensive human clinical research,including both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies,we revealed a compelling link between dysregulated prefrontal gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)levels and PTSD symptoms.Notably,elevated prefrontal GABA levels in PTSD patients are associated with impaired cerebral blood flow(CBF)and symptom severity,normalizing with recovery,highlighting GABA dysregulation as a key mechanism in the disorder.Postmortem and PTSD-like mouse models implicated monoamine oxidase B(MAOB)-dependent astrocytic GABA as a primary driver of this imbalance,exacerbating deficit in fear extinction retrieval.展开更多
This paper presents an energy resolution study of the JUNO experiment,incorporating the latest knowledge acquired during the detector construction phase.The determination of neutrino mass ordering in JUNO requires an ...This paper presents an energy resolution study of the JUNO experiment,incorporating the latest knowledge acquired during the detector construction phase.The determination of neutrino mass ordering in JUNO requires an exceptional energy resolution better than 3% at 1 MeV.To achieve this ambitious goal,significant efforts have been undertaken in the design and production of the key components of the JUNO detector.Various factors affecting the detection of inverse beta decay signals have an impact on the energy resolution,extending beyond the statistical fluctuations of the detected number of photons,such as the properties of the liquid scintillator,performance of photomultiplier tubes,and the energy reconstruction algorithm.To account for these effects,a full JUNO simulation and reconstruction approach is employed.This enables the modeling of all relevant effects and the evaluation of associated inputs to accurately estimate the energy resolution.The results of this study reveal an energy resolution of 2.95% at 1 Mev.Furthermore,this study assesses the contribution of major effects to the overall energy resolution budget.This analysis serves as a reference for interpreting future measurements of energy resolution during JUNO data collection.Moreover,it provides a guideline for comprehending the energy resolution characteristics of liquid scintillator-based detectors.展开更多
The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a multi-purpose neutrino experiment under construction in South China.This paper presents an updated estimate of JUNO’s sensitivity to neutrino mass ordering usin...The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a multi-purpose neutrino experiment under construction in South China.This paper presents an updated estimate of JUNO’s sensitivity to neutrino mass ordering using the reactor antineutrinos emitted from eight nuclear reactor cores in the Taishan and Yangjiang nuclear power plants.This measurement is planned by studying the fine interference pattern caused by quasi-vacuum oscillations in the oscillated antineutrino spectrum at a baseline of 52.5 km and is completely independent of the CP violating phase and neutrino mixing angleθ_(23).The sensitivity is obtained through a joint analysis of JUNO and Taishan Antineutrino Observatory(TAO)detectors utilizing the best available knowledge to date about the location and overburden of the JUNO experimental site,local and global nuclear reactors,JUNO and TAO detector responses,expected event rates and spectra of signals and backgrounds,and systematic uncertainties of analysis inputs.We find that a 3σmedian sensitivity to reject the wrong mass ordering hypothesis can be reached with an exposure of about 6.5 years×26.6 GW thermal power.展开更多
Bio-loggers are miniaturized autonomous devices that record quantitative data on the state of free-ranging ani-mals(e.g.behavior,position and physiology)and their natural environment.This is especially relevant for sp...Bio-loggers are miniaturized autonomous devices that record quantitative data on the state of free-ranging ani-mals(e.g.behavior,position and physiology)and their natural environment.This is especially relevant for spe-cies where direct visual observation is difficult or impossible.Today,ongoing technical development allows the monitoring of numerous parameters in an increasing range of species over extended periods.However,the ex-ternal attachment of devices might affect various aspects of animal performance(energetics,thermoregulation,foraging as well as social and reproductive behavior),which ultimately affect fitness.External attachment might also increase entanglement risk and the conspicuousness of animals,leaving them more vulnerable to preda-tion.By contrast,implantation of devices can mitigate many of these undesirable effects and might be prefera-ble,especially for long-term studies,provided that the many challenges associated with surgical procedures can be mastered.Implantation may then allow us to gather data that would be impossible to obtain otherwise and thereby may provide new and ecologically relevant insights into the life of wild animals.Here,we:(i)discuss the pros and cons of attachment methods;(ii)highlight recent field studies that used implanted bio-loggers to address eco-physiological questions in a wide range of species;and(iii)discuss logger implantation in light of ethical considerations.展开更多
Agriculture intensification,marked by the generalization of crop monoculture,by the increase in plot size and by the reduction of plant diversity,has led to huge decline in wildlife in European farmlands.In such habit...Agriculture intensification,marked by the generalization of crop monoculture,by the increase in plot size and by the reduction of plant diversity,has led to huge decline in wildlife in European farmlands.In such habitat,re-search has long been biased towards birds and invertebrates,while very few studies have investigated the ef-fect on small mammals.Considering the European hamster,Cricetus cricetus,we therefore review the different techniques that can be used to investigate the impact of environmental changes and conservation measures in small and endangered wild mammals.We suggest that only a multidisciplinary approach will allow exploration of these effects,combining experimental laboratory work on captive-bred animals with the monitoring of wild individuals.In particular,individual energy balance has to be investigated and measured as accurately as possi-ble,through either biochemical or bio-logging techniques.It is,indeed,the most affected physiological trait in a changing environment,as it determines both the reproductive output and the survival of the individual.We also discuss the inconvenience of capture-release approaches for such an endangered species and emphasize the dis-turbance that experimental protocols could impose on the hamster.展开更多
In most eusocial insects,the division of labor results in relatively few individuals foraging for the entire colony.Thus,the survival of the colony depends on its efficiency in meeting the nutritional needs of all its...In most eusocial insects,the division of labor results in relatively few individuals foraging for the entire colony.Thus,the survival of the colony depends on its efficiency in meeting the nutritional needs of all its members.Here,we characterize the network topology of a eusocial insect to understand the role and centrality of each caste in this network during the process of food dissemination.We constructed trophallaxis networks from 34 food-exchange experiments in black garden ants(Lasius niger).We tested the influence of brood and colony size on(i)global indices at the network level(i.e.,efficiency,resilience,centralization,and modularity)and(ii)individual values(i.e.,degree,strength,betweenness,and the clustering coefficient).Network resilience,the ratio between global efficiency and centralization,was stable with colony size but increased in the presence of broods,presumably in response to the nutritional needs of larvae.Individual metrics highlighted the major role of foragers in food dissemination.In addition,a hierarchical clustering analysis suggested that some domestics acted as intermediaries between foragers and other domestics.Networks appeared to be hierarchical rather than random or centralized exclusively around foragers.Finally,our results suggested that networks emerging from social insect interactions can improve group performance and thus colony fitness.展开更多
The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a large liquid scintillator detector designed to explore many topics in fundamental physics.In this study,the potential of searching for proton decay in the p→νK...The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a large liquid scintillator detector designed to explore many topics in fundamental physics.In this study,the potential of searching for proton decay in the p→νK^(+)mode with JUNO is investigated.The kaon and its decay particles feature a clear three-fold coincidence signature that results in a high efficiency for identification.Moreover,the excellent energy resolution of JUNO permits suppression of the sizable background caused by other delayed signals.Based on these advantages,the detection efficiency for the proton decay via p→νK^(+)is 36.9%±4.9%with a background level of 0.2±0.05(syst)±0.2(stat)events after 10 years of data collection.The estimated sensitivity based on 200 kton-years of exposure is 9.6×1033 years,which is competitive with the current best limits on the proton lifetime in this channel and complements the use of different detection technologies.展开更多
文摘Reptile fauna should be considered a conservation objective,especially in respect of the impacts of climate change on their distribution and range’s dynamics.Investigating the environmental drivers of reptile species richness and identifying their suitable habitats is a fundamental prerequisite to setting efficient long-term conservation measures.This study focused on geographical patterns and estimations of species richness for herpetofauna widely spread Z.vivipara,N.natrix,V.berus,A.colchica,and protected in Latvia C.austriaca,E.orbicularis,L.agilis inhabiting northern(model territory Latvia)and southern(model territory Ukraine)part of their European range.The ultimate goal was to designate a conservation network that will meet long-term goals for survival of the target species in the context of climate change.We used stacked species distribution models for creating maps depicting the distribution of species richness under current and future(by 2050)climates for marginal reptilepopulations.Using cluster analysis,we showed that this herpeto-complex can be divided into“widespread species”and“forest species”.For all forest species we predicted a climate-driven reduction in their distribution range both North(Latvia)and South(Ukraine).The most vulnerable populations of“forest species”tend to be located in the South of their range,as a consequence of northward shifts by 2050.By 2050 the greatest reduction in range is predicted for currently widely spread Z.vivipara(by 1.4 times)and V.berus(by 2.2 times).In terms of designing an effective protected-area network,these results permit to identify priority conservation areas where the full ensemble of selected reptile species can be found,and confirms the relevance of abioticmulti-factor GIS-modelling for achieving this goal.
文摘Raptors primarily use soaring-gliding flight which exploits thermals and ridge lifts over land to reduce energetic costs However during migration, these birds often have to cross water surfaces where thermal currents are weak; during these times, birds mainly use flapping (powered) flight which increases energy consumption and mortality risk. As a result, some species have evolved strategies to reduce the amount of time spent over water by taking extensive detours over land. In this paper, we con- ducted a meta-analysis of water-crossing tendencies in Afro-Palearctic migrating raptors in relation to their morphology, their flight performance, and their phylogenetic relationships. In particular, we considered the aspect ratio (calculated as the wing span squared divided by wing area), the energetic cost of powered flight, and the maximum water crossing length regularly performed by adult birds. Our results suggest that energy consumption during powered flight predominately affects the ability of raptors to fly over water surfaces
文摘The aim of our present work is to measure the specific activities of the radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and the exhalation rates in terms of area and mass of 222Rn in some samples of building materials commonly used in Morocco in order to evaluate the radiological risk caused by natural radioactivity. To this end, the analyses were carried out, using two nuclear techniques, namely high resolution gamma spectrometry and alpha dosimetry based on the use of LR115, on 50 samples collected from large commercial suppliers in Morocco. The results of these analyses show that the average specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in these materials vary from 9 to 52 Bq/kg, 3 to 63 Bq/kg and 68 to 705 Bq/kg respectively. These activities remain within the permissible limits of 35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg and 370 Bq/kg respectively, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The activity of the radium equivalent (Raeq), the internal (Hin) and external (Hex) hazard indices, the absorbed dose rate, the total annual effective dose , the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) as well as volumic activities, exhalation rates in terms of area (ES) and mass (EM) are calculated for the samples analyzed in this work in order to assess the radiological risks resulting from the use of these materials in various construction activities. It seems that the values of these indices vary from 19 to 196 Bq/kg, 0.08 to 0.67, 0.05 to 0.53, 9 to 91 nGy/h, 0.05 to 0.56 mSv/y, 0.19 × 10−3 to 1.96 × 10−3, 72 to 350 Bq/m3, 56 to 273 mBq⋅m−2⋅h−1 and 3 to 15 mBq⋅kg−1⋅h−1 respectively. The lowest values are identified for gypsum, while the highest are attributed to granite. All of the obtained results of these indices respect the permissible limits except for the Raeq in some granite samples, the ELCR index in all samples except gypsum and the radon volumic activity in some gray cement samples, ceramic and granite. As a result, the different types of building materials analyzed in our work do not present a health risk to the public and can be used in various construction activities, with the exception of a few samples of red brick, gray cement, ceramic and granite. The choice of the use of red brick, gray cement and ceramic should be monitored and adapted according to the criteria of the limitation of the doses whereas the use of the granite must be moderate in order to limit over time the health risk which increases with the duration of exposure of humans to these building materials.
文摘Coal is the main energy source for electricity generation in the world. In Morocco, 37% of electricity generation comes from combustion coal in thermal power plants. This combustion process generates large amounts of fly and bottom ashes. In recent years, these ashes became a great topic of interest because of their different uses and especially in construction materials. In this work, we assess radiation risks due to natural radioactivity in samples of fly and bottom ashes collected from JLEC (Jorf Lasfar Energy Company) thermal power plant, and different analyses are performed through two nuclear techniques such as gamma spectrometry and alpha dosimetry based on the use of LR115 films detectors. Our analysis shows that <sup>226</sup>Ra activities and <sup>232</sup>Th in both ash samples are well above the permissible activity. The values of the external risk index (H<sub>ex</sub>) and internal one (H<sub>in</sub>) for these ashes are below unity, with the exception of 1.28 in fly ash for H<sub>in</sub>. The obtained values for the equivalent radium Ra<sub>eq</sub> and annual effective doses Ėin fly and bottom ashes are 324 Bq/kg and 210 Bq/kg, and 0.18 mSv/y and 0.11 mSv/y, respectively. The surface radon exhalation rates for the samples of fly and bottom ashes are 276 mBq⋅m<sup>-2</sup>⋅h<sup>-1</sup> and 381 mBq⋅m<sup>-2</sup>⋅h<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Based on these results, we have shown that fly ash and bottom one from thermal power plant JLEC didn’t have, in any case, a health risk to the public so it can be effectively used in various construction activities.
基金supported by the“Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie”and UCB Pharma S.A.(Belgium and France)via the CIFRE fellowship of Steve Hessmannsupported by the“Agence Nationale de la Recherche”via the French Proteomic Infrastructure ProFI FR2048(ANR-10-INBS-08-03).
文摘Monitoring of host cell proteins(HCPs)during the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies(mAb)has become a critical requirement to provide effective and safe drug products.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are still the gold standard methods for the quantification of protein impurities.However,this technique has several limitations and does,among others,not enable the precise identification of proteins.In this context,mass spectrometry(MS)became an alternative and orthogonal method that delivers qualitative and quantitative information on all identified HCPs.However,in order to be routinely implemented in biopharmaceutical companies,liquid chromatography-MS based methods still need to be standardized to provide highest sensitivity and robust and accurate quantification.Here,we present a promising MS-based analytical workflow coupling the use of an innovative quantification standard,the HCP Profiler solution,with a spectral library-based data-independent acquisition(DIA)method and strict data validation criteria.The performances of the HCP Profiler solution were compared to more conventional standard protein spikes and the DIA approach was benchmarked against a classical datadependent acquisition on a series of samples produced at various stages of the manufacturing process.While we also explored spectral library-free DIA interpretation,the spectral library-based approach still showed highest accuracy and reproducibility(coefficients of variation<10%)with a sensitivity down to the sub-ng/mg mAb level.Thus,this workflow is today mature to be used as a robust and straightforward method to support mAb manufacturing process developments and drug products quality control.
文摘The compounds in leaf and stem extracts of Astragalus emarginatus Labill.(AEL),a plant species used in traditional Lebanese medicine,were investigated for antioxidant properties.First,the activity of various extracts was assessed using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity,oxygen radical absorption capacity,and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assays.The extract obtained using 30%ethanol showed the greatest activity.The antioxidant compounds in this extract were screened using a hyphenated high-performance liquid chromatography-2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)radical(ABTS$t)system before being separated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry and ultra-violet-visible diode array detection.Approximately 40 compounds were identified.Hydroxycinnamates(caffeic,ferulic,and p-coumaric acid derivatives)and flavonoids(quercetin,luteolin,apigenin,and isorhamnetin derivatives)were the two main categories of the identified compounds.The active compounds were identified as caffeic acid derivatives and quercetin glycosides.In addition,the catechol moiety was shown to be key to antioxidant activity.This study showed that AEL is a source of natural antioxidants,which may explain its medicinal use.
文摘The specific radioactivity of several building materials used in France, which is considered a direct exposure to radiation, has been assessed by γ-ray spectrometry. Corrected for coincidence summing and self-absorption effects, the values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were in the ranges 4 - 56, 3 - 72 and 9 - 1136 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The samples were found to have radium-equivalent activities between 5 and 245 Bq·kg-1. Values of 0.02 - 0.67 for the external and 0.03 - 0.82 for the internal hazard indexes were estimated. The calculated absorbed dose in air agrees closely with MCNPX simulations. The conversion of absorbed dose to annual effective dose gave values between 0.03 - 1.09 mSv·y-1. All these values are below action limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The materials examined would not contribute a significant radiation exposure for an occupant and thus are acceptable for construction.
文摘The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis,spirulina,is a source of pigments such as phycobiliprotein and phycocyanin.Phycocyanin is used in the food,cosmetics,and pharmaceutical industries because of its antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anticancer properties.The different steps involved in extraction and purification of this protein can alter the final properties.In this review,the stability of phycocyanin(pH,temperature,and light)is discussed,considering the physicochemical parameters of kinetic modeling.The optimal working pH range for phycocyanin is between 5.5 and 6.0 and it remains stable up to 45℃;however,exposure to relatively high temperatures or acidic pH decreases its half-life and increases the degradation kinetic constant.Phycobiliproteins are sensitive to light;preservatives such as mono-and disaccharides,citric acid,or sodium chloride appear to be effective stabilizing agents.Encapsulation within nano-or micro-structured materials such as nanofibers,microparticles,or nanoparticles,can also preserve or enhance its stability.
文摘This is the first time that a study applies the gamma ray spectroscopy using a high purity germanium to evaluate the terrestrial gamma radiation level by detector in selected regions of Mali. The results reveal that the activity concentrations of naturally occurring 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides ranges between respectively 17.26 ±1.81 and 105.43 ±10.36;20.41 ±2.52 and 180.85 ±19.69;41.33 ±8.26 and 627.63 ±85.62 Bq⋅kg−1. The measures of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were evaluated. Some of the obtained values exceed the recommended safe levels. Further studies are necessary to constitute a baseline reference data about the terrestrial radiation in Mali.
文摘Nichel-phosphorus(Ni-P)coatings are deposited on mild steel by using an electroless plating process.The effect of three calix[4]arene derivatives,namely tetra methyl ester-P-tertbutyl calix[4]arene(Calix1),tetra acid-P-tert-butyl calix[4]arene(Calix2)and tetra methyl P-tert-butyl-thicalix[4]arene ester(Calix3)on the deposition rate,the deposit composition,and the morphological surface was investigated and the study of growth mechanisms has delivered useful information about the surface properties of deposit.It is found that these additives modify the deposition rate and the nickel crystallization process.In fact,the Calix1 and Calix3 act as an accelerator,while Calix2 acts as an inhibitor for the nickel electroless.Furthermore,it is shown that the chemical bath is more stable with calix[4]arene derivatives addition and the obtained deposits are compact and adherent.It is observed also that the nickel content increases with additives.On the other hand,the X-ray diffraction showed that the orientation peaks are intensified at{111}in the presence of Calix2,confirming obtained results of EDAX spectrum.The cyclic voltammetry revealed that the tested additives strongly influence the cathodic process and slightly affect the hypophosphite oxidation.Finally,it is found that these compounds improve the anticorrosion efficiency of Ni-P coating on the mild steel substrate in 3%(mass)NaCl,where its polarization resistance increases with Calix2 and Calix3 addition.
文摘The radiological impact of coal ashes, with enhanced natural radioactivity in the storage site, is due to the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides. Some of these radionuclides have a radioactive period of several million years and will, therefore, have time to migrate to the soil, atmospheric air, surface water, and groundwater. This impact depends mainly on the activity of these coal ashes, the duration of exposure to such waste, transfers to the air, and the leaching phenomenon by rainwater. In this study, and so as to assess the radiological impact of coal ashes of the storage site of the JLEC-Morocco thermal power plant on environment, some analyses are performed by alpha dosimetry and a digital dosimeter on samples of coal ashes, soil, atmospheric air, surface water and groundwater belonging to a perimeter of 10 km around that site. The obtained results show that, within the studied area, the radiological impact on the soil of the coal ashes of the storage site is insignificant even though the concentrations of radon in the near vicinity (1 to 2 km) are moderately important, and remain below 200 Bq/m3. In the atmospheric air, this impact remains medium for the neighborhoods of the storage site (2 to 3 km) with radon activities superior to 10 Bq/m3. These results also show that there may be a water contamination of wells located at the storage site without any transfer of radioactivity into the groundwater of the area studied where the concentrations of radon are less than 11.1 Bq/l.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(12275115,12175097)。
文摘Shape competition and coexistence between the pear-and the tetrahedral-shape octupole deformations in actinide nuclei is investigated by employing the realistic nuclear mean-field theory with the phenomenological,so-called'universal'Woods-Saxon Hamiltonian with newly adjusted parameters containing no parametric correlations.Both types of octupole deformations exhibit significant effects in N=132,N=134,and N=136 isotones.Nuclear potential energy calculations within the multi-dimensional deformation spaces reveal that the tetrahedral deformation effects generally lead to deeper energy minima in most nuclei with N=134 and N=136.Interestingly,in the nuclei^(218)/(86)Rn_(132),^(222/88)Ra_(134),and^(222)_(86)Rn_(136),,and,selected for the illustration of the studied effects,the influence of pear-shape octupole deformation is comparable to that of tetrahedral octupole deformation.Consequently,the coexistence of both kinds of octupole shapes is predicted by the potential energy calculations.In particular,we have reproduced the experimental results known for pear-shape rotational bands obtaining in this way an estimate of the quality of the modelling parametrisation.With the same Hamiltonian,we have predicted the properties of the tetrahedral symmetry rotational bands.To facilitate the possible experiment-theory cooperation we have derived the exact spin-parity tetrahedral-band structures by applying the standard methods of the group representation theory for the Td point-group.
基金supported by National Research Foundation of Korea grants funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT(RS-2024-00457381 to I.K.L.2020M3E5D9079742 to H.R.)+2 种基金by the Ministry of Education(2020R1A6A1A03043528 to I.K.L.)This work was also in part supported by the Institute for Basic Science(IBS),Center for Cognition and Sociality(IBS-R001-D2 to C.J.L)This project applied tools developed under NIH grants R01 EB016089,R01 EB023963 and P41 EB031771.
文摘Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)remains a debilitating psychiatric condition with limited pharmacological treatment options.Identifying novel therapeutic targets is critical for addressing its unmet clinical needs.Through our comprehensive human clinical research,including both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies,we revealed a compelling link between dysregulated prefrontal gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)levels and PTSD symptoms.Notably,elevated prefrontal GABA levels in PTSD patients are associated with impaired cerebral blood flow(CBF)and symptom severity,normalizing with recovery,highlighting GABA dysregulation as a key mechanism in the disorder.Postmortem and PTSD-like mouse models implicated monoamine oxidase B(MAOB)-dependent astrocytic GABA as a primary driver of this imbalance,exacerbating deficit in fear extinction retrieval.
基金Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe National Key R&D Program of China+20 种基金the CAS Center for Excellence in Particle Physics,Wuyi Universitythe Tsung-Dao Lee Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Chinathe Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique de Particules(IN2P3)in Francethe Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare(INFN)in Italythe Italian-Chinese collaborative research program MAECI-NSFCthe Fond de la Recherche Scientifique(F.R.S-FNRS)FWO under the"Excellence of Science-EOS"in Belgiumthe Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnològico in Brazilthe Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo and ANID Millennium Science Initiative Program—ICN2019_044 in Chilethe Charles University Research Centre and the Ministry of Education,Youth,and Sports in Czech Republicthe Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)the Helmholtz Associationthe Cluster of Excellence PRISMA+in Germanythe Joint Institute of Nuclear Research(JINR)Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russiathe joint Russian Science Foundation(RSF)National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)research programthe MOST and MOE in Taiwan,Chinathe Chulalongkorn University and Suranaree University of Technology in Thailandthe University of California at Irvinethe National Science Foundation in USA。
文摘This paper presents an energy resolution study of the JUNO experiment,incorporating the latest knowledge acquired during the detector construction phase.The determination of neutrino mass ordering in JUNO requires an exceptional energy resolution better than 3% at 1 MeV.To achieve this ambitious goal,significant efforts have been undertaken in the design and production of the key components of the JUNO detector.Various factors affecting the detection of inverse beta decay signals have an impact on the energy resolution,extending beyond the statistical fluctuations of the detected number of photons,such as the properties of the liquid scintillator,performance of photomultiplier tubes,and the energy reconstruction algorithm.To account for these effects,a full JUNO simulation and reconstruction approach is employed.This enables the modeling of all relevant effects and the evaluation of associated inputs to accurately estimate the energy resolution.The results of this study reveal an energy resolution of 2.95% at 1 Mev.Furthermore,this study assesses the contribution of major effects to the overall energy resolution budget.This analysis serves as a reference for interpreting future measurements of energy resolution during JUNO data collection.Moreover,it provides a guideline for comprehending the energy resolution characteristics of liquid scintillator-based detectors.
基金Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,the National Key R&D Program of Chinathe CAS Center for Excellence in Particle Physics,Wuyi University,and the TsungDao Lee Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China+3 种基金the Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique de Particules(IN2P3)in Francethe Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare(INFN)in Italy,the Italian-Chinese collaborative research program MAECI-NSFC,the Fond de la Recherche Scientifique(F.R.S-FNRS)and FWO under the“Excellence of Science–EOS”in Belgium,the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient´ıfico e Tecnol`ogico in Brazil,the Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo and ANID-Millennium Science Initiative Program-ICN2019_044 in Chilethe Charles University Research Centre and the Ministry of Education,Youth,and Sports in Czech Republic,the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)the Helmholtz Association,and the Cluster of Excellence PRISMA+in Germany,the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research(JINR)and Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia,the joint Russian Science Foundation(RSF)and National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)research program,the MOST and MOE in Taiwan,China,the Chulalongkorn University and Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand,University of California at Irvine and the National Science Foundation in the US。
文摘The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a multi-purpose neutrino experiment under construction in South China.This paper presents an updated estimate of JUNO’s sensitivity to neutrino mass ordering using the reactor antineutrinos emitted from eight nuclear reactor cores in the Taishan and Yangjiang nuclear power plants.This measurement is planned by studying the fine interference pattern caused by quasi-vacuum oscillations in the oscillated antineutrino spectrum at a baseline of 52.5 km and is completely independent of the CP violating phase and neutrino mixing angleθ_(23).The sensitivity is obtained through a joint analysis of JUNO and Taishan Antineutrino Observatory(TAO)detectors utilizing the best available knowledge to date about the location and overburden of the JUNO experimental site,local and global nuclear reactors,JUNO and TAO detector responses,expected event rates and spectra of signals and backgrounds,and systematic uncertainties of analysis inputs.We find that a 3σmedian sensitivity to reject the wrong mass ordering hypothesis can be reached with an exposure of about 6.5 years×26.6 GW thermal power.
文摘Bio-loggers are miniaturized autonomous devices that record quantitative data on the state of free-ranging ani-mals(e.g.behavior,position and physiology)and their natural environment.This is especially relevant for spe-cies where direct visual observation is difficult or impossible.Today,ongoing technical development allows the monitoring of numerous parameters in an increasing range of species over extended periods.However,the ex-ternal attachment of devices might affect various aspects of animal performance(energetics,thermoregulation,foraging as well as social and reproductive behavior),which ultimately affect fitness.External attachment might also increase entanglement risk and the conspicuousness of animals,leaving them more vulnerable to preda-tion.By contrast,implantation of devices can mitigate many of these undesirable effects and might be prefera-ble,especially for long-term studies,provided that the many challenges associated with surgical procedures can be mastered.Implantation may then allow us to gather data that would be impossible to obtain otherwise and thereby may provide new and ecologically relevant insights into the life of wild animals.Here,we:(i)discuss the pros and cons of attachment methods;(ii)highlight recent field studies that used implanted bio-loggers to address eco-physiological questions in a wide range of species;and(iii)discuss logger implantation in light of ethical considerations.
文摘Agriculture intensification,marked by the generalization of crop monoculture,by the increase in plot size and by the reduction of plant diversity,has led to huge decline in wildlife in European farmlands.In such habitat,re-search has long been biased towards birds and invertebrates,while very few studies have investigated the ef-fect on small mammals.Considering the European hamster,Cricetus cricetus,we therefore review the different techniques that can be used to investigate the impact of environmental changes and conservation measures in small and endangered wild mammals.We suggest that only a multidisciplinary approach will allow exploration of these effects,combining experimental laboratory work on captive-bred animals with the monitoring of wild individuals.In particular,individual energy balance has to be investigated and measured as accurately as possi-ble,through either biochemical or bio-logging techniques.It is,indeed,the most affected physiological trait in a changing environment,as it determines both the reproductive output and the survival of the individual.We also discuss the inconvenience of capture-release approaches for such an endangered species and emphasize the dis-turbance that experimental protocols could impose on the hamster.
文摘In most eusocial insects,the division of labor results in relatively few individuals foraging for the entire colony.Thus,the survival of the colony depends on its efficiency in meeting the nutritional needs of all its members.Here,we characterize the network topology of a eusocial insect to understand the role and centrality of each caste in this network during the process of food dissemination.We constructed trophallaxis networks from 34 food-exchange experiments in black garden ants(Lasius niger).We tested the influence of brood and colony size on(i)global indices at the network level(i.e.,efficiency,resilience,centralization,and modularity)and(ii)individual values(i.e.,degree,strength,betweenness,and the clustering coefficient).Network resilience,the ratio between global efficiency and centralization,was stable with colony size but increased in the presence of broods,presumably in response to the nutritional needs of larvae.Individual metrics highlighted the major role of foragers in food dissemination.In addition,a hierarchical clustering analysis suggested that some domestics acted as intermediaries between foragers and other domestics.Networks appeared to be hierarchical rather than random or centralized exclusively around foragers.Finally,our results suggested that networks emerging from social insect interactions can improve group performance and thus colony fitness.
基金supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe National Key R&D Program of China+22 种基金the CAS Center for Excellence in Particle PhysicsWuyi Universitythe Tsung-Dao Lee Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Chinathe Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique de Particules (IN2P3) in Francethe Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in Italythe Italian-Chinese collaborative research program MAECI-NSFCthe Fond de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S-FNRS)FWO under the "Excellence of Science-EOS" in Belgiumthe Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnològico in Brazilthe Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo in Chilethe Charles University Research Centrethe Ministry of Education,Youth,and Sports in Czech Republicthe Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)the Helmholtz Associationthe Cluster of Excellence PRISMA+ in Germanythe Joint Institute of Nuclear Research (JINR)Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russiathe joint Russian Science Foundation (RSF)National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) research programthe MOST and MOE in Taiwan,Chinathe Chulalongkorn UniversitySuranaree University of Technology in Thailandthe University of California at Irvine in USA
文摘The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO)is a large liquid scintillator detector designed to explore many topics in fundamental physics.In this study,the potential of searching for proton decay in the p→νK^(+)mode with JUNO is investigated.The kaon and its decay particles feature a clear three-fold coincidence signature that results in a high efficiency for identification.Moreover,the excellent energy resolution of JUNO permits suppression of the sizable background caused by other delayed signals.Based on these advantages,the detection efficiency for the proton decay via p→νK^(+)is 36.9%±4.9%with a background level of 0.2±0.05(syst)±0.2(stat)events after 10 years of data collection.The estimated sensitivity based on 200 kton-years of exposure is 9.6×1033 years,which is competitive with the current best limits on the proton lifetime in this channel and complements the use of different detection technologies.