Set optimization - a rather short introduction

Recent developments in set optimization are surveyed and extended including various set relations as well as fundamental constructions of a convex analysis for set- and vector-valued functions, and duality for set optimization problems. Extensive sections with bibliographical comments summarize the state of the art. Applications to vector optimization and financial risk measures are discussed along with algorithmic approaches to set optimization problems

Green metrics in mechanochemistry

The development of new green methodologies and their broader adoption for promoting sustainable development in chemistry laboratories and industry play a significant role in society, due to the economic importance of chemistry and its widespread presence in everyday life. Therefore, a sustainable approach to chemistry contributes to the well-being of the worldwide population and complies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the European Green Deal. The review highlights how batch and continuous mechanochemical methods are an eco-friendly approach for organic synthesis, with a lower environmental footprint in most cases, compared to solution-based procedures. The assessment is objectively based on the use of green metrics (e.g., atom and real atom economy, E-factor, process mass intensity, material parameter recovery, Eco-scale, stoichiometric factor, etc.) and indicators (e.g. DOZN tool and life cycle assessment, LCA, studies) applied to organic transformations such as synthesis of the amide bond, carbamates, heterocycles, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), porphyrins, porous organic polymers (POPs), metal- or acid-catalysed processes, multicomponent and condensation reactions, rearrangements, etc. The generalized absence of bulk solvents, the precise control over the stoichiometry (i.e., using agents in a stoichiometrically rather than in excess), and the more selective reactions enabling simplified work-up procedures are the distinctive factors, marking the superiority of mechanochemical processes over solution-based chemistry

Green metrics in mechanochemistry

F. G. would like to thank the support of Fundacion para el Fomento en Asturias de la Investigacion Cientıfica Aplicada y la Tecnologıa (FICYT) through the Margarita Salas Senior Program (AYUD/2021/59709) and the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion through the project PID2021-127407NB-I00

Observation of the very rare Σ⁺ → ⁢⁺^- decay

The first observation of the Σ+ →⁢+⁢− decay is reported with high significance using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. A yield of 237 ± 16  Σ+ →⁢+⁢− decays is obtained, where the uncertainty is statistical only. A branching fraction of (1.08 ± 0.17) × 10−8 is measured, where the uncertainty includes statistical and systematic sources. No evidence of resonant structures is found in the dimuon invariant-mass distribution. All results are compatible with standard model expectations. This represents the rarest decay of a baryon ever observed

Updated measurement of <i>CP </i>violation and polarisation in B⁰_s→ <i>J/ψ overline K^*</i>(892)⁰decays

A time-integrated angular analysis of the decay B0s → J/ψ overline K*(892)0, with J/ψ → μ+μ− and overline K*(892)0 → K-π+, is presented. The analysis employs a sample of proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment during 2015–2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb−1. A simultaneous maximum-likelihood fit is performed to the angular distributions in bins of the K-π+ mass. This fit yields measurements of the CP-averaged polarisation fractions and CP asymmetries for the P-wave component of the K-π+ system. The longitudinal and parallel polarisation fractions are determined to be f0 = 0.534 ± 0.012 ± 0.009 and f|| = 0.211 ± 0.014 ± 0.005, respectively, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The CP asymmetries are measured with 3–7% precision and are found to be consistent with zero. These measurements, along with an updated determination of the branching fraction relative to the B0 → J/ψK*0 decay, are combined with previous LHCb results, providing the most precise values for these observables to date

Improved measurement of <i>η</i>/<i>η</i>′ mixing in<i>B</i>⁰_(<i>s</i>) → <i>J</i>/<i>ψη</i>⁽′⁾ decays

Branching fraction ratios between the decays B0(s) → J/ψη(′) are measured using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1. The measured ratios of these branching fractions areB(B0 → J/ψη′ / B(B0 → J/ψη) = 0.48 ± 0.06 ± 0.02 ± 0.01,B(B0s → J/ψη′ / B(B0s → J/ψη) = 0.80 ± 0.02 ± 0.02 ± 0.01,where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and related to the precision of the η(′) branching fractions, respectively. They are used to constrain the η/η′ mixing angle, ϕP, and to probe the presence of a possible glueball component in the η′ meson, described by the gluonic mixing angle ϕG. The obtained results areϕP = (41.6+1.0−1.2)◦,ϕG = (28.1+3.9−4.0)◦,where the uncertainties are statistically dominated. While the value of ϕP is compatible with existing experimental determinations and theoretical calculations, the angle ϕG differs from zero by more than four standard deviations, which points to a substantial glueball component in the η′ meson and/or unexpectedly large contributions from gluon-mediated processes in these decays. The absolute branching fractions are also measured relative to that of the well-established B0(s) → J/ψϕ decay, which serves as the normalisation channel. These results supersede the previous LHCb measurements and are the most precise to date

Similar or Different? The Role of the Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Similarity Detection

Patients with frontal lobe syndrome can exhibit two types of abnormal behaviour when asked to place a banana and an orange in a single category: some patients categorize them at a concrete level (e.g., “both have peel”), while others continue to look for differences between these objects (e.g., “one is yellow, the other is orange”). These observations raise the question of whether abstraction and similarity detection are distinct processes involved in abstract categorization, and that depend on separate areas of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We designed an original experimental paradigm for a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study involving healthy subjects, confirming the existence of two distinct processes relying on different prefrontal areas, and thus explaining the behavioural dissociation in frontal lesion patients. We showed that: 1) Similarity detection involves the anterior ventrolateral PFC bilaterally with a right-left asymmetry: the right anterior ventrolateral PFC is only engaged in detecting physical similarities; 2) Abstraction per se activates the left dorsolateral PFC

Regulator of G-protein signaling 18 controls both platelet generation and function

RGS18 is a myeloerythroid lineage-specific regulator of G-protein signaling, highly expressed in megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets. In the present study, we describe the first generation of a RGS18 knockout mouse model (RGS18-/-). Interesting phenotypic differences between RGS18-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were identified, and show that RGS18 plays a significant role in both platelet generation and function. RGS18 deficiency produced a gain of function phenotype in platelets. In resting platelets, the level of CD62P expression was increased in RGS18-/- mice. This increase correlated with a higher level of plasmatic serotonin concentration. RGS18-/- platelets displayed a higher sensitivity to activation in vitro. RGS18 deficiency markedly increased thrombus formation in vivo. In addition, RGS18-/- mice presented a mild thrombocytopenia, accompanied with a marked deficit in MK number in the bone marrow. Analysis of MK maturation in vitro and in vivo revealed a defective megakaryopoiesis in RGS18-/- mice, with a lower bone marrow content of only the most committed MK precursors. Finally, RGS18 deficiency was correlated to a defect of platelet recovery in vivo under acute conditions of thrombocytopenia. Thus, we highlight a role for RGS18 in platelet generation and function, and provide additional insights into the physiology of RGS18

Aldo Keto Reductase 1B7 and Prostaglandin F2α Are Regulators of Adrenal Endocrine Functions

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), represses ovarian steroidogenesis and initiates parturition in mammals but its impact on adrenal gland is unknown. Prostaglandins biosynthesis depends on the sequential action of upstream cyclooxygenases (COX) and terminal synthases but no PGF2α synthases (PGFS) were functionally identified in mammalian cells. In vitro, the most efficient mammalian PGFS belong to aldo-keto reductase 1B (AKR1B) family. The adrenal gland is a major site of AKR1B expression in both human (AKR1B1) and mouse (AKR1B3, AKR1B7). Thus, we examined the PGF2α biosynthetic pathway and its functional impact on both cortical and medullary zones. Both compartments produced PGF2α but expressed different biosynthetic isozymes. In chromaffin cells, PGF2α secretion appeared constitutive and correlated to continuous expression of COX1 and AKR1B3. In steroidogenic cells, PGF2α secretion was stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and correlated to ACTH-responsiveness of both COX2 and AKR1B7/B1. The pivotal role of AKR1B7 in ACTH-induced PGF2α release and functional coupling with COX2 was demonstrated using over- and down-expression in cell lines. PGF2α receptor was only detected in chromaffin cells, making medulla the primary target of PGF2α action. By comparing PGF2α-responsiveness of isolated cells and whole adrenal cultures, we demonstrated that PGF2α repressed glucocorticoid secretion by an indirect mechanism involving a decrease in catecholamine release which in turn decreased adrenal steroidogenesis. PGF2α may be regarded as a negative autocrine/paracrine regulator within a novel intra-adrenal feedback loop. The coordinated cell-specific regulation of COX2 and AKR1B7 ensures the generation of this stress-induced corticostatic signal