4,528 research outputs found
Symmetry breaking patterns of the 3-3-1 model at finite temperature
We consider the minimal version of an extension of the standard electroweak
model based on the gauge symmetry (the
3-3-1 model). We analyze the most general potential constructed from three
scalars in the triplet representation of , whose neutral components
develop nonzero vacuum expectation values, giving mass for all the model's
massive particles. {}For different choices of parameters, we obtain the
particle spectrum for the two symmetry breaking scales: one where the group is broken down to and a lower scale
similar to the standard model one. Within the considerations used, we show that
the model encodes two first-order phase transitions, respecting the pattern of
symmetry restoration. The last transition, corresponding to the standard
electroweak one, is found to be very weak first-order, most likely turning
second-order or a crossover in practice. However, the first transition in this
model can be strongly first-order, which might happen at a temperature not too
high above the second one. We determine the respective critical temperatures
for symmetry restoration for the model.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. Minor changes to match published versio
New family of potentials with analytical twiston-like solutions
In this letter we present a new approach to find analytical twiston models.
The effective two-field model was constructed by a non-trivial combination of
two one field systems. In such an approach we successfully build analytical
models which are satisfied by a combination of two defect-like solutions, where
one is responsible to twist the molecular chain by , while the other
implies in a longitudinal movement. Such a longitudinal movement can be fitted
to have the size of the distance between adjacent molecular groups. The
procedure works nicely and can be used to describe the dynamics of several
other molecular chains.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
Eden Arthropod Azores Database
This study intended to contribute to the current international directives concerning biodiversity, aiming to document and safeguard biological resources of the globe. Our objective was to present the most widely distributed and diverse taxa recorded during the sampling phase of the EDEN project (2008-2014), specifically all arthropod fauna, at all strata, within eight representative habitats of five islands of the Azores archipelago (Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Flores and Pico)FUNDING: This study was finance by FLAD – Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento and by the Direção Regional Ciência, Tecnologia e Comércio (DRCTC) & PROEMPREGO, of the Azores This study was financed by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through Operational Program Azores 2020, under the following projects AZORESBIOPORTAL –PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072), and under the project ECO2-TUTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000081).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Diffraction and an infrared finite gluon propagator
We discuss some phenomenological applications of an infrared finite gluon
propagator characterized by a dynamically generated gluon mass. In particular
we compute the effect of the dynamical gluon mass on and
diffractive scattering. We also show how the data on photoproduction
and hadronic reactions can be derived from the and
forward scattering amplitudes by assuming vector meson dominance and
the additive quark model.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, added references and figures, changed structure.
Contribution to Proceedings of XVIIIth Reuniao de Trabalho sobre Interacoes
Hadronicas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 22-24 May, 200
Friedmann cosmology with decaying vacuum density
Among the several proposals to solve the incompatibility between the observed
small value of the cosmological constant and the huge value obtained by quantum
field theories, we can find the idea of a decaying vacuum energy density,
leading from high values at early times of universe evolution to the small
value observed nowadays. In this paper we consider a variation law for the
vacuum density recently proposed by Schutzhold on the basis of quantum field
estimations in the curved, expanding background, characterized by a vacuum
density proportional to the Hubble parameter. We show that, in the context of
an isotropic and homogeneous, spatially flat model, the corresponding solutions
retain the well established features of the standard cosmology, and, in
addition, are in accordance with the observed cosmological parameters. Our
scenario presents an initial phase dominated by radiation, followed by a dust
era long enough to permit structure formation, and by an epoch dominated by the
cosmological term, which tends asymptotically to a de Sitter universe. Taking
the matter density equals to half of the vacuum energy density, as suggested by
observation, we obtain a universe age given by Ht = 1.1, and a decelerating
parameter equals to -1/2.Comment: Accepted for publication in General Relativity and Gravitatio
Designing decision support tools for Mediterranean forest ecosystems management: a case study in Portugal
Original ArticleThe effectiveness of Mediterranean forest ecosystem management calls for the conceptualization and implementation of adequate
decision support tools. The proposed decision support system encompasses a management information system, a prescription simulator, a
constraint generator and a set of management models designed to solve decision problems. Emphasis is on the architecture of the prescription
simulator and its linkage to the three other modules, as well as on methods for reporting and visualizing solutions. Results are discussed for a
real world test case – Serra de Grândola, a management area with about 18 600 ha comprising 860 cork oak (Quercus suber L.) land units. Cork
oak silviculture adds complexity to the traditional forest management problem. Results show that the devised system is able to address
effectively the integration of ecosystem data, silviculture, growth-and-yield and management models. They further suggest that the proposed
system architecture may help address the complexity of Mediterranean ecosystem management problemsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Distribution and genetic variability of Staphylinidae across a gradient of anthropogenically influenced insular landscapes
This paper describes the distribution and genetic variability of rove beetles (Coleoptera Staphylinidae) in anthropogenically influenced insular landscapes. The study was conducted in the Azores archipelago, characterized by high anthropogenic influence and landscape fragmentation. Collections were made in five islands, from eight habitats, along a gradient of anthropogenic influence. The species of Staphylinidae from the Azores collected for this study were widely distributed and showed low habitat fidelity. Rove beetle richness was associated with anthropogenic influence and habitat type, increasing from less to more anthropogenic impacted habitats. However, genetic diversity of profiled species (i.e. with three or more specimens per species/habitat) does not seem affected by anthropogenic influence in the different habitat types, isolation or landscape fragmentation. COI haplotypes were, as a rule, not exclusive to a given island or habitat. High level of genetic divergence and nucleotide saturation was found in closely related morphological designated species, demonstrating possible disparities between currently defined taxonomic units based on morphology and molecular phylogenies of Staphylinidae. This study found evidence of cryptic speciation in the Atheta fungi (Gravenhorst) species complex which had thus far remained undetected. Similar trends were found for Oligota parva Kraatz, Oxytelus sculptus Gravenhorst, Oligota pumilio Kiesenwetter. Previous studies with lower taxonomical resolution may have underestimated the biotic diversity reported in the Azores in comparison to other Macaronesian archipelagos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
An updated checklist to the biodiversity data of ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) of the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)
BACKGROUND: A recently-published review from 2021 presents a comprehensive checklist of ladybeetles of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Until then, the available information was very scattered and based on a single revision dating back to 1986, a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and studies on communities of agroecosystems. However, no information was available on faunal composition across the Azorean islands and their habitats, using standardised inventories. Here, we present data about the biodiversity of ladybeetles and their distribution and abundance in five Islands of the Azores (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and São Miguel). Surveys included herbaceous and arboreal habitats from native to anthropogenic-managed habitats: ruderal road vegetation, vegetable garden, mixed forest of endemic and non-native host plants, coastal prairies, coastal mixed vegetation, cornfields and urban areas. We aimed to contribute to the ongoing effort to document the terrestrial biodiversity of Portugal, including the Archipelago of the Azores, within the research project AZORESBIOPORTAL–PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072).
NEW INFORMATION: In this study, a total of 1,487 specimens of Coccinellidae belonging to 19 species are reported for several habitats. The listed species are from one single sub-familiy (Coccinellinae) and six tribes; Chilocorini (one species), Coccidulini (three species), Coccinellini (six species), Noviini (one species), Scymnini (seven species), Stethorini (one species). The number of species collected per island differed; Faial (10 species), Graciosa (four species), Pico (seven species), São Jorge (seven species) and São Miguel (12 species). For six species, new island records are given. Currently, the number of species known to occur in the Azores are 32, including two doubtful records. The majority of species are Scymnini, being Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus (Goeze, 1777) and Scymnus (Scymnus) nubilus Mulsant, 1850, the most abundant species (relative abundance 71.1%). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project allowing assessment of the impact of ongoing global changes in the distribution and abundance of ladybeetles.This study was financed by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through the Operational Programme Azores 2020, under the following projects AZORESBIOPORTAL–PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072) and under the project ECO -TUTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000081) and by the Official Forestry Services from the Regional Government of the Azores, through the research projects PICA (Utilização de agentes de controlo biológico para o combate a populações de afÃdeos em plantas endémicas produzidas em viveiro) and PICONIA (Controlo biológico de populações de pragas de plantas endémicas produzidas em viveiro). Isabel Borges was funded by a PhD grant from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (POCI 2010).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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