On the connection of Gamma-rays, Dark Matter and Higgs searches at LHC

Motivated by the upcoming Higgs analyzes we investigate the importance of the complementarity of the Higgs boson chase on the low mass WIMP search in direct detection experiments and the gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Center measured by the Fermi-LAT telescope in the context of the $SU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_N$. We obtain the relic abundance, thermal cross section, the WIMP-nucleon cross section in the low mass regime and network them with the branching ratios of the Higgs boson in the model. We conclude that the Higgs boson search has a profound connection to the dark matter problem in our model, in particular for the case that ($M_{WIMP} < 60$ GeV) the BR($H \rightarrow 2$ WIMPs) $\gtrsim 90$. This scenario could explain this plateau of any mild excess regarding the Higgs search as well as explain the gamma-ray emission from the galactic center through the $b\bar{b}$ channel with a WIMP in the mass range of 25-45 GeV, while still being consistent with the current limits from XENON100 and CDMSII. However, if the recent modest excesses measured at LHC and TEVATRON are confirmed and consistent with a standard model Higgs boson this would imply that $M_{WIMP} > 60$ GeV, consequently ruling out any attempt to explain the Fermi-LAT observations.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Investigation of hydrogen-burn damage in the Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor building

About 10 hours after the March 28, 1979 Loss-of-Coolant Accident began at Three Mile Island Unit 2, a hydrogen deflagration of undetermined extent occurred inside the reactor building. Examinations of photographic evidence, available from the first fifteen entries into the reactor building, yielded preliminary data on the possible extent and range of hydrogen burn damage. These data, although sparse, contributed to development of a possible damage path and to an estimate of the extent of damage to susceptible reactor building items. Further information gathered from analysis of additional photographs and samples can provide the means for estimating hydrogen source and production rate data crucial to developing a complete understanding of the TMI-2 hydrogen deflagration. 34 figures

Influence of postharvest water replacement on shelf life of parsley leaves.

Wilting is one of the major problems of parsley leaves in Brazilian retail stores. This study was conducted to determine the effect of postharvest replacement of water by submerging the parsley leaf bunches in water for 3, 6 or 9 hours at three stages: when total weight loss reached 5 and 10% and immediately after two hours of storage. Leaves were stored at 5 or 25ºC until visible wilting or yellowing was detected. Results demonstrated that water replacement resulted in gains in fresh mass, resulting in longer shelf life for leaves stored at 5 and 25ºC. In general, longer recharging resulted in greater water uptake by the leaves, but at a lower rate. By recharging the leaves with water, lower rates of mass loss were observed compared to untreated leaf bunches. Regardless the storage temperature, the relative water content of leaves decreased during shelf life, which in general was less accentuated for leaves submerged in water for 6 and 9 hours. Postharvest water replacement should be considered as an option to extend the shelf life of horticultural products that are susceptible to intense moisture loss

Diversidade genética entre progênies de maracujazeiro amarelo baseado em características morfo agronômicas.

O estudo da diversidade genética é básico para subsidiar a escolha de genitores e trabalhos de seleção e melhoramento. Este trabalho foi realizado no Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Avaliouse a diversidade genética entre 34 famílias de meios-irmãos e 3 cultivares de maracujazeiro amarelo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com 37 tratamentos, três repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. As características avaliadas foram: altura da planta e diâmetro do caule aos 60 dias após o transplantio, diâmetro do caule no início da produção, vigor, severidade de verrugose e produção por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo método de Dunnett. Para o estudo da diversidade genética, foram estimadas as distâncias de Mahalanobis (D2) entre progênies, bem como realizadas análises de agrupamento de Tocher e das Variáveis Canônicas. Por meio da análise de variância, verificou-se efeito dos tratamentos em todas as variáveis, evidenciando a existência de variabilidade genética entre as progênies e cultivares avaliados. Houve concordância na formação dos grupos de similaridade por meio dos diferentes métodos de análise multivariada. Os grupos de tratamentos divergentes entre si e superiores foram: Grupo I - 2, 3, 6 e 15; Grupo II - 14; e Grupo III - 25

Comportamento do composto majoritário de óleos essenciais de espécies de Piper da Amazônia sob armazenamento.

Devido à importância econômica do safrol, dilapiol e sarisan, objetivou-se analisar seus teores nos óleos essenciais de Piper hispidinervum, P. aducum e P. affinis hispidinervum, respectivamente, ao longo do tempo de armazenamento. No ensaio experimental foi utilizado delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial triplo 2 x 3 x 15 (dois recipientes de vidro: âmbar e transparente; três ambientes: interno ao laboratório, externo e geladeira; e tempo: 15 leituras durante 12 meses) com três repetições, análise de variância e regressão a 5%. O óleo essencial foi extraído da biomassa seca de indivíduos das três espécies e o teor dos compostos majoritários quantificados por cromatografia gasosa. Houve alterações nos teores de todos os compostos, tendendo à concentração com o tempo no armazenamento em ambiente externo e interno para safrol e sarizan, respectivamente, e ambos com recipiente âmbar e externo para dilapiol com recipiente transparente

Efeito da pré-embebição das sementes e do substrato na germinação e no desenvolvimento inicial do maracujazeiro-doce.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da pré-embebição das sementes em água e do tipo de substrato na germinação e no desenvolvimento inicial do maracujazeiro-doce (P. alata Curtis). O trabalho foi realizado no Departamento de Fitotecnia, da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (MG). As sementes foram extraídas de frutos maduros, e somente uma porção foi embebida em água destilada, durante 24 horas. Posteriormente, no interior da casa de vegetação, as sementes foram semeadas em caixas plásticas, utilizando-se quatro substratos (areia; Plantmax?; torta de filtro e a mistura Plantmax + areia + torta de filtro (1:1:1 v/v). Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, num fatorial 2 x 4 (pré-embebição x substrato), com quatro repetições, considerando como unidade experimental cada 50 sementes. Aos 33 dias após a semeadura, foram analisados: porcentagem de germinação e de sobrevivência das plântulas; número de folhas; comprimento total e comprimento de raiz das plântulas; índice de velocidade de emergência; e massa da matéria seca total das plântulas. Concluiu-se que a embebição das sementes em água não interferiu na germinação do maracujazeiro-doce. Em geral, obtiveram-se os maiores resultados nas variáveis analisadas quando se utilizou o substrato comercial Plantmax, sendo seu uso recomendado para formação de plântulas de maracujazeiro-doce

Transarterial Embolization and Percutaneous Ethanol Injection as an Effective Bridge Therapy before Liver Transplantation for Hepatitis C-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background. Transarterial chemoembolization alone or in association with radiofrequency ablation is an effective bridging strategy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting for a liver transplant. However, cost of this therapy may limit its utilization. This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of a protocol involving transarterial embolization, percutaneous ethanol injection, or both methods for bridging hepatocellular carcinomas prior to liver transplantation. Methods. Retrospective review of all consecutive adult patients who underwent a first liver transplant as a treatment to hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma at our institution between 2002 and 2012. Primary endpoint was patient survival. Secondary endpoint was complete tumor necrosis. Results. Forty patients were analyzed, age 58 ± 7 years. There were 23 males (57.5%). Thirty-six (90%) out of the total 40 patients were within Milan criteria. Complete necrosis was achieved in 19 patients (47.5%). One-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival were, respectively, 87.5%, 75%, and 69.4%. Univariate analysis did not reveal any variable to impact on overall patient survival. Conclusions. Transarterial embolization, ethanol injection, or the association of both methods followed by liver transplantation comprises effective treatment strategy for hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma. This strategy should be adopted whenever transarterial chemoembolization and/or radiofrequency ablation are not available options

Characterization of Aspergillus species on Brazil nut from the Brazilian Amazonian region and development of a PCR assay for identification at the genus level.

Brazil nut is a protein-rich extractivist tree crop in the Amazon region. Fungal contamination of shells and kernel material frequently includes the presence of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species from the section Flavi. Aflatoxins are polyketide secondary metabolites, which are hepatotoxic carcinogens in mammals. The objectives of this study were to identify Aspergillus species occurring on Brazil nut grown in different states in the Brazilian Amazon region and develop a specific PCR method for collective identification of member species of the genus Aspergillus. Results:Polyphasic identification of 137 Aspergillus strains isolated from Brazil nut shell material from cooperatives across the Brazilian Amazon states of Acre, Amapá and Amazonas revealed five species, with Aspergillus section Flavi species A. nomius and A. flavus the most abundant. PCR primers ASP_GEN_MTSSU_F1 and ASP_GEN_MTSSU_R1 were designed for the genus Aspergillus, targeting a portion of the mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Primer specificity was validated through both electronic PCR against target gene sequences at Genbank and in PCR reactions against DNA from Aspergillus species and other fungal genera common on Brazil nut. Collective differentiation of the observed section Flavi species A. flavus, A. nomius and A. tamarii from other Aspergillus species was possible on the basis of RFLP polymorphism. Conclusions:Given the abundance of Aspergillus section Flavi species A. nomius and A. flavus observed on Brazil nut, and associated risk of mycotoxin accumulation, simple identification methods for such mycotoxigenic species are of importance for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system implementation. The assay for the genus Aspergillus represents progress towards specific PCR identification and detection of mycotoxigenic species

Efeito da embalagem na qualidade de farinhas de mandioca durante o armazenamento.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de três tipos de embalagens na qualidade de farinhas de mandioca durante o período de 270 dias de armazenamento, farinhas (comum, com corante e com coco) foram coletadas logo após o processamento e acondicionadas (embalagem de polietileno, de polipropileno e de polipropileno pigmentado). Antes do armazenamento e a cada 30 dias, foram feitas análises do teor de umidade, cinzas, proteína total, acidez, pH e atividade de água. A embalagem de polipropileno pigmentado propiciou maior tempo de manutenção do teor de umidade e da atividade de água durante o armazenamento, sendo a mais indicada para o acondicionamento destas farinhas. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of bags on the quality standard of cassava flour stored along 270 days at the storage. Soon after the processing, dry samples were different kinds of cassava flour (pure, mixed with curcuma natural color additive and mixed coconut flour). These 270 samples were then wrapped in polyethylene, polypropylene and aluminum polypropylene bags. At each 30 days, physiochemical parameters such as humidity content, ashes, protein, acidity, pH and activity water were evaluated. The highest values of water percentage and activity were obtained from the cassava flours wrapped in aluminum polypropylene bags, considered in this study the best alternative for the conservation of cassava flours