Slim SUSY

The new SM-like Higgs boson discovered recently at the LHC, with mass $m_h \simeq$ 125 GeV, as well as the direct LHC bounds on the mass of superpartners, which are entering into the TeV range, suggest that the minimal surviving supersymmetric extension of the SM (MSSM), should be characterized by a heavy SUSY-breaking scale. Several variants of the MSSM have been proposed to account for this result, which vary according to the accepted degree of fine-tuning. We propose an alternative scenario here, Slim SUSY, which contains sfermions with multi-TeV masses and gauginos/higgsinos near the EW scale, but it includes the heavy MSSM Higgs bosons ($H^0$, $A^0$, $H^\pm$) near the EW scale too. We discuss first the formulation and constraints of the Slim SUSY scenario, and then identify distinctive heavy Higgs signals that could be searched at the LHC, within scenarios with the minimal number of superpartners with masses near the EW scale.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures. Section 2 has been restructured, with a new subsection and some comments added. This version matches the manuscript accepted in Physics Letters

The Simultaneous Metric Dimension of Families Composed by Lexicographic Product Graphs

Let ${\mathcal G}$ be a graph family defined on a common (labeled) vertex set $V$. A set $S\subseteq V$ is said to be a simultaneous metric generator for ${\cal G}$ if for every $G\in {\cal G}$ and every pair of different vertices $u,v\in V$ there exists $s\in S$ such that $d_{G}(s,u)\ne d_{G}(s,v)$, where $d_{G}$ denotes the geodesic distance. A simultaneous adjacency generator for ${\cal G}$ is a simultaneous metric generator under the metric $d_{G,2}(x,y)=\min\{d_{G}(x,y),2\}$. A minimum cardinality simultaneous metric (adjacency) generator for ${\cal G}$ is a simultaneous metric (adjacency) basis, and its cardinality the simultaneous metric (adjacency) dimension of ${\cal G}$. Based on the simultaneous adjacency dimension, we study the simultaneous metric dimension of families composed by lexicographic product graphs

Decays of H0/A0H^0/A^0 in supersymmetric scenarios with heavy sfermions

The recent discovery of a new boson at the LHC, which resembles a SM-like Higgs boson with $m_h=125$ GeV, is starting to provide strong guidelines into SUSY model building. For instance, the identification of such a state with the lightest CP-even Higgs boson of the MSSM ($h^0$), requires large values of $\tan\beta$ and/or heavy sfermions. One outcome of this result is the possibility to solve the SUSY flavor and CP problems by decoupling, which points towards some realization of Split-inspired SUSY scenarios, in which scalars are much heavier than gauginos and higgsinos. However, we argue here that the remaining Higgs bosons of the MSSM ($H^0$, $A^0$, $H^{\pm}$) do not have to be as heavy as the sfermions, and having them with masses near the EW scale does not pose any conflict with current MSSM constraints. We discuss then some SUSY scenarios with heavy sfermions, from a bottom-up approach, which contain the full Higgs sector, as well as a possible dark matter candidate, with masses near the EW scale, and identify distinctive signals from these scenarios that could be searched at the LHC.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures. Title modified, one figure and some comments added, overall conclusions remained as previous versions. This last version matches the manuscript accepted in EPJ

Many-body dynamics of the decay of excitons of different charges in a quantum dot

We calculate the photoluminescence spectrum of a single semiconductor quantum dot strongly coupled to a continuum as a function of light frequency, gate voltage, and magnetic field. The spectrum is dominated by the recombination of several excitonic states which can be considered as quantum quenches in which the many-body nature of the system is suddenly changed between initial and final states. This is associated with an Anderson orthogonality catastrophe with a power-law singularity at the threshold. We explain the main features observed experimentally in the region of stability of the trion X-, the neutral exciton X0, and the gate-voltage-induced transition between them.Fil: Andrade Hoyos, Jhon Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Aligia, Armando Ángel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; ArgentinaFil: Cornaglia de la Cruz, Pablo Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentin

The burden of congenital Chagas disease and implementation of molecular diagnostic tools in Latin America

It is estimated that between 8000 and 15 000 Trypanosoma cruzi infected babies are born every year to infected mothers in Chagas disease endemic countries. Currently, poor access to and performance of the current diagnostic algorithm, based on microscopy at birth and serology at 8-12 months after delivery, is one of the barriers to congenital Chagas disease (CCD) control. Detection of parasite DNA using molecular diagnostic tools could be an alternative or complement to current diagnostic methods, but its implementation in endemic regions remains limited. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of CCD cases would have a positive clinical and epidemiological impact. In this paper, we analysed the burden of CCD in Latin America, and the potential use of molecular tests to improve access to early diagnosis and treatment of T. cruzi infected newborns.Fil: Picado, Albert. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Cruz, Israel. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Redard Jacot, Maël. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Torrico, Faustino. Universidad Mayor de San Simón; Bolivia. Fundación CEADES; BoliviaFil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; Argentina. Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative; BrasilFil: Katz, Zachary. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; SuizaFil: Ndung'u, Joseph Mathu. Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics; Suiz

Simultaneous Resolvability in Families of Corona Product Graphs

Let ${\cal G}$ be a graph family defined on a common vertex set $V$ and let $d$ be a distance defined on every graph $G\in {\cal G}$. A set $S\subset V$ is said to be a simultaneous metric generator for ${\cal G}$ if for every $G\in {\cal G}$ and every pair of different vertices $u,v\in V$ there exists $s\in S$ such that $d(s,u)\ne d(s,v)$. The simultaneous metric dimension of ${\cal G}$ is the smallest integer $k$ such that there is a simultaneous metric generator for ${\cal G}$ of cardinality $k$. We study the simultaneous metric dimension of families composed by corona product graphs. Specifically, we focus on the case of two particular distances defined on every $G\in {\cal G}$, namely, the geodesic distance $d_G$ and the distance $d_{G,2}:V\times V\rightarrow \mathbb{N}\cup \{0\}$ defined as $d_{G,2}(x,y)=\min\{d_{G}(x,y),2\}$.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1504.0049

On the existence and number of (k+1)(k+1)-kings in kk-quasi-transitive digraphs

Let $D=(V(D), A(D))$ be a digraph and $k \ge 2$ an integer. We say that $D$ is $k$-quasi-transitive if for every directed path $(v_0, v_1,..., v_k)$ in $D$, then $(v_0, v_k) \in A(D)$ or $(v_k, v_0) \in A(D)$. Clearly, a 2-quasi-transitive digraph is a quasi-transitive digraph in the usual sense. Bang-Jensen and Gutin proved that a quasi-transitive digraph $D$ has a 3-king if and only if $D$ has a unique initial strong component and, if $D$ has a 3-king and the unique initial strong component of $D$ has at least three vertices, then $D$ has at least three 3-kings. In this paper we prove the following generalization: A $k$-quasi-transitive digraph $D$ has a $(k+1)$-king if and only if $D$ has a unique initial strong component, and if $D$ has a $(k+1)$-king then, either all the vertices of the unique initial strong components are $(k+1)$-kings or the number of $(k+1)$-kings in $D$ is at least $(k+2)$.Comment: 17 page

Are ticks venomous animals?

[Introduction]: As an ecological adaptation venoms have evolved independently in several species of Metazoa. As haematophagous arthropods ticks are mainly considered as ectoparasites due to directly feeding on the skin of animal hosts. Ticks are of major importance since they serve as vectors for several diseases affecting humans and livestock animals. Ticks are rarely considered as venomous animals despite that tick saliva contains several protein families present in venomous taxa and that many Ixodida genera can induce paralysis and other types of toxicoses. Tick saliva was previously proposed as a special kind of venom since tick venom is used for blood feeding that counteracts host defense mechanisms. As a result, the present study provides evidence to reconsider the venomous properties of tick saliva. [Results]: Based on our extensive literature mining and in silico research, we demonstrate that ticks share several similarities with other venomous taxa. Many tick salivary protein families and their previously described functions are homologous to proteins found in scorpion, spider, snake, platypus and bee venoms. This infers that there is a structural and functional convergence between several molecular components in tick saliva and the venoms from other recognized venomous taxa. We also highlight the fact that the immune response against tick saliva and venoms (from recognized venomous taxa) are both dominated by an allergic immunity background. Furthermore, by comparing the major molecular components of human saliva, as an example of a non-venomous animal, with that of ticks we find evidence that ticks resemble more venomous than non-venomous animals. Finally, we introduce our considerations regarding the evolution of venoms in Arachnida. [Conclusions]: Taking into account the composition of tick saliva, the venomous functions that ticks have while interacting with their hosts, and the distinguishable differences between human (non-venomous) and tick salivary proteins, we consider that ticks should be referred to as venomous ectoparasites.JJV was sponsored by project CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0032, co-financed by the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic. ACC was supported by a grant from the Ministère de l’Education Supérieure et de la Recherche of France.Peer Reviewe