A predictive 331331 model with A4A_{4} flavour symmetry

We propose a predictive model based on the $SU(3)_{C}\otimes SU(3)_{L}\otimes U(1)_{X}$ gauge group supplemented by the $A_{4}\otimes Z_{3}\otimes Z_{4}\otimes Z_{6}\otimes Z_{16}$ discrete group, which successfully describes the SM fermion mass and mixing pattern. The small active neutrino masses are generated via inverse seesaw mechanism with three very light Majorana neutrinos. The observed charged fermion mass hierarchy and quark mixing pattern are originated from the breaking of the $Z_{4}\otimes Z_{6}\otimes Z_{16}$ discrete group at very high scale. The obtained values for the physical observables for both quark and lepton sectors are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The model predicts a vanishing leptonic Dirac CP violating phase as well as an effective Majorana neutrino mass parameter of neutrinoless double beta decay, with values $m_{\beta \beta }=$ 2 and 48 meV for the normal and the inverted neutrino mass hierarchies, respectively.Comment: 20 pages. Final version published in Nuclear Physics

Fermion mass and mixing pattern in a minimal T7 flavor 331 model

We present a model based on the $SU(3)_{C}\otimes SU(3)_{L}\otimes U(1)_{X}$ gauge symmetry having an extra $T_{7}\otimes Z_{2}\otimes Z_{3}\otimes Z_{14}$ flavor group, which successfully describes the observed SM fermion mass and mixing pattern. In this framework, the light active neutrino masses arise via double seesaw mechanism and the observed charged fermion mass and quark mixing hierarchy is a consequence of the $Z_{2}\otimes Z_{3}\otimes Z_{14}$ symmetry breaking at very high energy. In our minimal $T_{7}$ flavor 331 model, the spectrum of neutrinos includes very light active neutrinos as well as heavy and very heavy sterile neutrinos. The model has in total 16 effective free parameters, which are fitted to reproduce the experimental values of the 18 physical observables in the quark and lepton sectors. The obtained physical observables for both quark and lepton sectors are compatible with their experimental values. The model predicts the effective Majorana neutrino mass parameter of neutrinoless double beta decay to be $$ 3 and 40 meV for the normal and the inverted neutrino spectrum, respectively. Furthermore, our model features a vanishing leptonic Dirac CP violating phase.Comment: 18 pages. Final version. To be published in Journal of Physics G. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1309.656

S3S_3 discrete group as a source of the quark mass and mixing pattern in 331331 models

We propose a model based on the $SU(3)_{C}\otimes SU(3)_{L}\otimes U(1)_{X}$ gauge symmetry with an extra $S_{3}\otimes Z_{2}\otimes Z_{4}\otimes Z_{12}$ discrete group, which successfully accounts for the SM quark mass and mixing pattern. The observed hierarchy of the SM quark masses and quark mixing matrix elements arises from the $Z_{4}$ and $Z_{12}$ symmetries, which are broken at very high scale by the $SU(3)_{L}$ scalar singlets ($\sigma$,$\zeta$) and $\tau$, charged under these symmetries, respectively. The Cabbibo mixing arises from the down type quark sector whereas the up quark sector generates the remaining quark mixing angles. The obtained magnitudes of the CKM matrix elements, the CP violating phase and the Jarlskog invariant are in agreement with the experimental data.Comment: 12 pages. Version published in European Physical Journal

Introduction to cross LAK 2016: Learning analytics across spaces

For the LAK (Learning Analytics and Knowledge) community, it is highly important to pay attention to the development and deployment of learning analytics solutions for blended learning scenarios where students work at diverse digital and physical learning spaces and interact in different modalities. This workshop has been a first attempt in gathering the sub-community of LAK researchers, learning scientists and researchers from other communities, interested in ubiquitous, mobile and/or face-to-face learning analytics. It was clear for all the attendees that a key concern that has not been deeply explored yet is associated with the mechanisms to integrate and coordinate learning analytics to provide continued support to learning across digital and physical spaces. The two main goals of the workshop were to share perspectives and identify a set of guidelines that could be offered to teachers, researchers or designers to create and connect Learning Analytics solutions according to the pedagogical needs and contextual constraints to provide support across digital and physical learning spaces

The ISW-tSZ cross correlation: ISW extraction out of pure CMB data

If Dark Energy introduces an acceleration in the universal expansion then large scale gravitational potential wells should be shrinking, causing a blueshift in the CMB photons that cross such structures (Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect, [ISW]). Galaxy clusters are known to probe those potential wells. In these objects, CMB photons also experience inverse Compton scattering off the hot electrons of the intra-cluster medium, and this results in a distortion with a characteristic spectral signature of the CMB spectrum (the so-called thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, [tSZ]). Since both the ISW and the tSZ effects take place in the same potential wells, they must be spatially correlated. We present how this cross ISW-tSZ signal can be detected in a CMB-data contained way by using the frequency dependence of the tSZ effect in multi frequency CMB experiments like {\it Planck}, {\em without} requiring the use of external large scale structure tracers data. We find that by masking low redshift clusters, the shot noise level decreases significantly, boosting the signal to noise ratio of the ISW--tSZ cross correlation. We also find that galactic and extragalactic dust residuals must be kept at or below the level of ~0.04 muK^2 at l=10, a limit that is a factor of a few below {\it Planck}'s expectations for foreground subtraction. If this is achieved, CMB observations of the ISW-tSZ cross correlation should also provide an independent probe for the existence of Dark Energy and the amplitude of density perturbations.Comment: submitted to MNRA

Impact of carbonate saturation on large Caribbean benthic foraminifera assemblages

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and its dissolution in seawater have reduced ocean pH and carbonate ion concentrations, with potential implications on calcifying organisms. To assess the response of large Caribbean benthic foraminifera to low carbonate saturation conditions, we analyzed benthic foraminifers' abundance and relative distribution in surface sediments in proximity to low-carbonate-saturation submarine springs and at adjacent control sites. Our results show that the total abundance of large benthic foraminifera was significantly lower at the low-pH submarine springs than at control sites, although responses were species specific. The relative abundance of high-magnesium, porcelaneous foraminifera was higher than that of hyaline foraminifera at the low-pH springs due to the abundant Archaias angulatus, a chlorophyte-bearing foraminifer, which secretes a large and robust test that is more resilient to dissolution at low-calcite saturation. The different assemblages found at the submarine springs indicate that calcareous symbiont-barren foraminifera are more sensitive to the effects of ocean acidification than agglutinated and symbiont-bearing foraminifera, suggesting that future ocean acidification will likely impact natural benthic foraminifera populations.</p

The development of the radicular and vegetative systems of almond trees with different rootstocks following the application of biostimulants

[EN] Aim of study: Recently, the development of almond crops on a global scale has increased their area under cultivation. The demand for both plants and products that stimulate the growth of almond trees has therefore become increasingly necessary. Accordingly, in this project we have studied the response in the vegetative and root systems of almond trees with different rootstocks to varying inputs of several root stimulants. Area of study: Valencia (Spain) Material and methods: Several different organic biostimulants were studied in isolation, i.e. not combined with synthetic chemical fertilizers, in order to ascertain if chemical fertilizers could be at least partially replaced. Main results: Good results were obtained by applying a biostimulant composed of organic matter rich in saccharides and carboxylates. Using an approach that enabled a distinguishing between them, plant radicular systems were shown to respond differently according to the biostimulant applied and the rootstock tested. The best results were obtained with a biostimulant composed of organic matter from corn hydrolysis and containing free amino acids and extracts from algae, as well as 0.07% zeaxanthins. Research highlights: Although biostimulants are promoters of young almond tree growth, they should be applied to only partially replace chemical fertilizers. The present paper shows the importance of using an organic-origin biostimulant, as a complement to chemical nutritionMondragón-Valero, A.; Malheiro, R.; Salazar Hernández, DM.; Martinez-Tome, J.; Pereira, JA.; López- Cortés, I. (2020). The development of the radicular and vegetative systems of almond trees with different rootstocks following the application of biostimulants. 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Calif Agric 64: 149-154.Mondragón-Valero A, Lopéz-Cortés I, Salazar DM, Córdova PF, 2017. Physical mechanisms produced in the development of nursery almond trees (Prunus dulcis Miller) as a response to the plant adaptation to different substrates. Rhizosphere 3: 44-49.Moreno M, Gogorcena Y, Pinochet J, 2008. Mejora y selección de patrones de prunus tolerantes a estreses abióticos. In: La adaptación al ambiente y los estreses abióticos en la mejora vegetal, pp. 451-475. Junta de Andalucía, Dirección General de Planificación y Análisis de Mercados, Servicio de Publicaciones y Divulgación, Sevilla.Muhammad S, Luedeling E, Brown P, 2009. A nutrient budget approach to nutrient management in almond. XVI Proc Int Plant Nutr Col, California (USA), pp: 1-9.Nardi S, Pizzeghello D, Schiavon M, Ertani A, 2016. Plant biostimulants: physiological responses induced by protein hydrolyzed-based products and humic substances in plant metabolism. 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The HADES RV Programme with HARPS-N at TNG XI. GJ 685 b: a warm super-Earth around an active M dwarf

Small rocky planets seem to be very abundant around low-mass M-type stars. Their actual planetary population is however not yet precisely understood. Currently several surveys aim to expand the statistics with intensive detection campaigns, both photometric and spectroscopic. We analyse 106 spectroscopic HARPS-N observations of the active M0-type star GJ 685 taken over the past five years. We combine these data with photometric measurements from different observatories to accurately model the stellar rotation and disentangle its signals from genuine Doppler planetary signals in the RV data. We run an MCMC analysis on the RV and activity indexes time series to model the planetary and stellar signals present in the data, applying Gaussian Process regression technique to deal with the stellar activity signals. We identify three periodic signals in the RV time series, with periods of 9, 24, and 18 d. Combining the analyses of the photometry of the star with the activity indexes derived from the HARPS-N spectra, we identify the 18 d and 9 d signals as activity-related, corresponding to the stellar rotation period and its first harmonic respectively. The 24 d signals shows no relations with any activity proxy, so we identify it as a genuine planetary signal. We find the best-fit model describing the Doppler signal of the newly-found planet, GJ 685\,b, corresponding to an orbital period $P_b = 24.160^{+0.061}_{-0.047}$ d and a minimum mass $M_P \sin i = 9.0^{+1.7}_{-1.8}$ M$_\oplus$. We also study a sample of 70 RV-detected M-dwarf planets, and present new statistical evidence of a difference in mass distribution between the populations of single- and multi-planet systems, which can shed new light on the formation mechanisms of low-mass planets around late-type stars.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Income variability and agricultural policy

In Mexico, the policies of Guarantee Prices (PG) and direct support for the income of the producer, known as procampo (PC), have been applied in an alternative way. Such policies have a different effect on the variability of producers' incomes. Variance was used as a measure of variability of producer income. Information was used from 1980 to 1994 for PG and from 1995 to 2018 for PC. Agricultural income was taken as the product of price by yield, and then the cyclical effect of the trend was decomposed. The selected crops were maize and wheat. For corn, the states used were: Sinaloa, Jalisco, Edo. Mexico, Michoacán and Chiapas; while for wheat the states were: Sonora, Baja California Norte, Guanajuato, Sinaloa and Michoacán. Agricultural income was found to be more volatile in the period of the guarantee price policy than in the period of direct payments.Objective: To compare producer income volatility under two types of policies (support prices and direct payments). Design/Methodology/Approach: Producer income is understood as the result of multiplying price by yield; therefore, income is the product of two random variables modeled with a lognormal distribution, accounting for the covariance. After the subtracting trend, the cyclical component is subjected to a volatile analysis under each policy studied. Results: Income volatility is systematically higher for support price programs than for the direct payment policy. Study Limitations/Implications: Government programs have recently taken up support prices again; therefore, income variability should be reviewed. Findings/Conclusions: Government programs aim to increase producer income by different means. However, they overlook possible volatility implications. By taking up support price programs again, producer income may be at risk of rebounding