Charge breaking bounds in the Zee model

We study the possibility that charge breaking minima occur in the Zee model. We reach very different conclusions from those attained in simpler, two Higgs doublet models, and the reason for this is traced back to the existence of cubic terms in the potential. A scan of the Zee model's parameter space shows that CB is restricted to a narrow region of values of the parameters

Single Stellar Populations in the Near-Infrared - I. Preparation of the IRTF spectral stellar library

We present a detailed study of the stars of the IRTF spectral library to understand its full extent and reliability for use with Stellar Population (SP) modeling. The library consist of 210 stars, with a total of 292 spectra, covering the wavelength range of 0.94 to 2.41 micron at a resolution R = 2000. For every star we infer the effective temperature (Teff), gravity (logg) and metallicity ([Z/Zsun]) using a full-spectrum fitting approach in a section of the K band (2.19 to 2.34 micron) and temperature-NIR colour relations. We test the flux calibration of these stars by calculating their integrated colours and comparing them with the Pickles library colour-temperature relations. We also investigate the NIR colours as a function of the calculated effective temperature and compared them in colour-colour diagrams with the Pickles library. This latter test shows a good broad-band flux calibration, important for the SP models. Finally, we measure the resolution R as a function of wavelength. We find that the resolution increases as a function of lambda from about 6 angstrom in J to 10 angstrom in the red part of the K-band. With these tests we establish that the IRTF library, the largest currently available general library of stars at intermediate resolution in the NIR, is an excellent candidate to be used in stellar population models. We present these models in the next paper of this series.Comment: 17 pages, 19 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

BDGS: A Scalable Big Data Generator Suite in Big Data Benchmarking

Data generation is a key issue in big data benchmarking that aims to generate application-specific data sets to meet the 4V requirements of big data. Specifically, big data generators need to generate scalable data (Volume) of different types (Variety) under controllable generation rates (Velocity) while keeping the important characteristics of raw data (Veracity). This gives rise to various new challenges about how we design generators efficiently and successfully. To date, most existing techniques can only generate limited types of data and support specific big data systems such as Hadoop. Hence we develop a tool, called Big Data Generator Suite (BDGS), to efficiently generate scalable big data while employing data models derived from real data to preserve data veracity. The effectiveness of BDGS is demonstrated by developing six data generators covering three representative data types (structured, semi-structured and unstructured) and three data sources (text, graph, and table data)

Inelaticity in hadron-nucleus collisions from emulsion chamber studies

The inelasticity of hadron-carbon nucleus collisions in the energy region exceeding 100 TeV is estimated from the carbon-emulsion chamber data at Pamirs to be $= 0.65\pm 0.08$. When combined with the recently presented data on hadron-lead nucleus collisions taken at the same energy range it results in the $K\sim A^{0.086}$ mass number dependence of inelasticity. The evaluated partial inelasticity for secondary ($\nu > 1$) interactions, $K_{\nu >1} \simeq 0.2$, suggests that the second and higher interactions of the excited hadron inside the nucleus proceed with only slight energy losses.Comment: LaTeX file and 5 LaTeX files with figures, 11 pages altogether. Thoroughly rewritten and modified, one figure addded one removed. To be published in Phys. Rev.

Ultrasonic treatments during the alcoholic fermentation of red wines: effects on 'Syrah' wines

Grapes grown in warm climates have shorter ripening periods. This makes the regular level of several compounds related to sensory properties in wine to remain low. Therefore, those grapes need to receive a particular treatment during winemaking processes if they have to reach the adequate content levels of colour and aroma related compounds. Applying ultrasound during some of the winemaking procedures may contribute to improving the maceration process, which would result in a higher recovery of compounds from grape skins and seeds to the must. This work studies the effect of applying ultrasound to 'Syrah' musts for two different time lengths during its alcoholic fermentation. The wines produced according to regular winemaking procedures (reference wines) were then compared to wines that had been produced under the effect of ultrasound for 30 to 60 min per day. The results showed that the wines produced using ultrasound had concentrations of volatile compounds higher than their reference wine. These data were consistent with the results from the tasting panel, where the judges highlighted the red fruit notes of the wines resulting from the application of ultrasound during the alcoholic fermentation. On the other hand, there were differences between the two wines resulting from applying ultrasound for two different lengths of time, applying ultrasound for 30 min per day proved to be more effective in terms of aroma than applying ultrasounds for 60 min per day. The conclusion of this research is that applying ultrasound during the alcoholic fermentation favours the extraction of volatile compounds. However different times can produce different results. Furthermore, an excessive application of ultrasound may lead to the degradation of some of the compounds of interest

Foeniculum vulgare Essential Oils: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare commercial aerial parts and fruits were isolated by hydrodistillation, with different distillation times (30 min, I h, 2 h and 3 h), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antioxidant ability was estimated using four distinct methods. Antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. Remarkable differences, and worrying from the quality and safety point of view, were detected in the essential oils. trans-Anethole (31-36%), alpha-pinene (14-20%) and limonene (11-13%) were the main components of the essentials oil isolated from F. vulgare dried aerial parts, whereas methyl chavicol (= estragole) (79-88%) was dominant in the fruit oils. With the DPPH method the plant oils showed better antioxidant activity than the fruits oils. With the TBARS method and at higher concentrations, fennel essential oils showed a pro-oxidant activity. None of the oils showed a hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity >50%, but they showed an ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. The essential oils showed a very low antimicrobial activity. In general, the essential oils isolated during 2 h were as effective, from the biological activity point of view, as those isolated during 3 h.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Irrigating Cork Oaks Trees – First Insights on Growth and Stripping

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) trees have a high environmental value already well documented in the literature. Also, its socio-economical value is recognized due to their ability to produce cork, which is renewable every 9 years. However, high cork oak mortality rates are being observed since last decades in all Mediterranean basis. The lack of regeneration and well-structured forest stands with trees of different ages are compromising the cork production in the short term future. Since cork is the most profitable forest product in Portugal, a closer involvement of applied research with producers is important. Our studies regarding irrigation and fertigation application in cork oak trees intend to evaluate different treatments for a faster tree growth, reducing the time until the first cork stripping. Our intention with this presentation is to show the first pointers from irrigated cork oaks with 16 years old (irrigated since plantation). Comparable measurements and parameters will be presented between cork oak growing in irrigated and non-irrigated plots, including some cork formation analysis. Our studies also include cork quality laboratory analysis which are being processed. Irrigated cork oaks annual increment growth is significantly higher than control. Also, some indicators from eco-physiology show the effect of irrigation on transpiration rates of the trees, allowing a continuous growth even during dry seasons. First results are promising regarding tree growth performance leading to a shorter first time stripping period. Non irrigated cork oaks only in their 20’s reach 70 cm at breast height (CAP). Due to their water availability since plantation, 130 monitored irrigated trees of 16 years old presented more than 70 cm of CAP and were stripped for the first time this year. Also, some irrigated adult trees from the same plot were stripped. Continuous structural and functional data were acquired during this process and some results will also be presented

Early or Delayed Enteral Feeding for Infants with Abnormal Antenatal Doppler Flow Patterns

Introdução: O principal objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o efeito da introdução de alimentação entérica precoce comparado com introdução tardia, na incidência de morbilidade gastrointestinal e tempo até alimentação entérica total, em recém- -nascidos com alteração de fluxos em ecografia pré-natal. Métodos: Análise retrospetiva dos recém-nascidos internados numa unidade de cuidados intensivos neonatais de nível III, em Portugal, entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2013 com alteração de fluxos em ecografia pré-natal. Foram criados dois grupos baseados no tempo até introdução de primeira alimentação entérica: grupo de alimentação precoce (≤48 horas) e grupo de alimentação tardia (> 48 horas). Os resultados principais foram morbilidade gastrointestinal e mortalidade devido a complicações gastrointestinais. Resultados: Foram incluídos 46 (47%) de recém-nascidos no grupo de alimentação precoce e 52 (53%) no grupo de alimentação tardia. Não houve diferenças significativas na morbilidade gastrointestinal, incluindo enterocolite necrosante, perfuração ou cirurgia gastrointestinal, íleus séptico ou intolerância alimentar. A alimentação precoce resultou numa diminuição significativa da sepsis tardia (p=0,016; odds ratio 0,276; intervalo de confiança 95% 0,096-0,789). Discussão: A introdução precoce de alimentação entérica poderá não ter efeitos significativos na incidência de morbilidade gastrointestinal em recém-nascidos com alteração de fluxos em ecografia pré-natal. Houve uma redução significativa na sepsis tardia, sem condicionar um aumento de risco de morbilidade gastrointestinal.Introduction: The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of early versus late enteral feeding on the incidence of gastrointestinal morbidity and on time to establish full enteral feeding in neonates with abnormal antenatal Doppler flow patterns. Methods: We retrospectively analysed neonates admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit in Portugal between January 2004 and December 2013 with abnormal antenatal Doppler flow patterns. Two groups were created based on the time of first enteral feeding: early feeding group (≤48 hours) and late feeding group (> 48 hours). Primary outcomes were gastrointestinal morbidity and death due to gastrointestinal complications. Results: Forty-six (47%) infants were included in the early feeding group and 52 (53%) in the late feeding group. There was no statistical difference in gastrointestinal morbidity, including necrotising enterocolitis, gastrointestinal perforation or surgery, septic ileus or feeding intolerance. Early feeding resulted in a significant decrease in late-onset sepsis (p=0.016; odds ratio 0.276; 95% confidence interval 0.096-0.789). Discussion: Early introduction of enteral feeding may not have a significant effect on the incidence of gastrointestinal morbidity in neonates with abnormal antenatal Doppler flow patterns. There was a significant reduction in late-onset sepsis, without incurring an increased risk of gastrointestinal morbidity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio