Revealing hidden symmetries and gauge invariance of the massive Carroll-Field-Jackiw model

In this paper we have analyzed the improved version of the Gauge Unfixing (GU) formalism of the massive Carroll-Field-Jackiw model, which breaks both the Lorentz and gauge invariances, to disclose hidden symmetries to obtain gauge invariance, the key stone of the Standard Model. In this process, as usual, we have converted this second-class system into a first-class one and we have obtained two gauge invariant models. We have verified that the Poisson brackets involving the gauge invariant variables, obtained through the GU formalism, coincide with the Dirac brackets between the original second-class variables of the phase space. Finally, we have obtained two gauge invariant Lagrangians where one of them represents the Stueckelberg form.Comment: revised version. To appear in Europhysics Letter

Taux d'endemicité et tendances phytogeographiques de la végétation psammophile des plages et des dunes de sable côtier dans le sud-ouest de l'Europe (Portugal continental)

In southwest Europe (mainland Portugal), the psammophilic ecosystems of coastal beaches and sand dunes are distributed by the Eurosiberian (EUR) and Mediterranean (MED) biogeographic regions. In addition to climatic and other environmental factors, distinct plant communities are mainly influenced by the instability of the coastal sands and the proximity to the sea. Psammophilic gradients determine the plant communities that occur from the first sectors of the beach until the more interior dunes, being expressed by specific floristic associations and different rates of cover, namely by endemic taxa. The analysis of 601 phytosociological relevés, conducted between 1972 and 2010, from north (Minho) to the south (Alentejo and Algarve), allowed to study the dominant communities which occur along the ecological gradient sea-interior, with the aim of better understand general spatial geomorphologic and phytogeographic trends of distribution. As for the sea-interior gradient, no endemic flora appears in the first vegetation strip (annual communities of drift lines). Yet, some endemic species appear in the embryonic shifting dunes of the back beach, with endemic species’ coverage of 1.07% (EUR) and 1.7% (MED). In the mobile dunes (white dunes) covers by endemic flora are more significant: 6.95% (EUR) against 4.14% (MED). Semi-stable dune (gray dune), is composed by three associations (EUR, MED and another of Transition (ART) which occurs between the former two), who have the highest covers for endemics: 38,89% (EUR) 43,37% (TRA) and 55,85% (MED). Do not considering specific human induced situations of degradation and erosion, a general trend of gradual coverage growth by endemic taxa, was signed from north to south, despite median overall covers (total species) are higher in the north. The endemic taxa have been separated into endemic Portuguese (EP), Iberian (EI) and European (EU) and its representativeness endorsed. The interest in the use of phytosociology in this kind of study is discusse

Policitemia vera: a propósito de um caso clínico

A policitemia vera (PV) é um transtorno mieloproliferativo das células hematopoiéticas, caracterizada por uma produção anormal e acentuada de eritrócitos, leucócitos e plaquetas. Outras características da doença incluem esplenomegalia, complicações trombo-hemorrágicas, distúrbios vasomotores, prurido e um pequeno risco de progressão da doença para leucemia mielóide aguda ou mielofibrose. A trombose é o sintoma de apresentação em 20% dos pacientes com PV. É uma doença rara, com uma incidência de 2,3/100.000 pessoas por ano, que é ainda mais incomum em crianças e adolescentes. É obrigatório o diagnóstico diferencial com as outras doenças mieloproliferativas. Caso clínico: Descreve-se o caso clínico de uma adolescente do sexo feminino, 14 anos de idade, referenciada à consulta de hematologia pediátrica por trombocitose. Os achados clínicos e analíticos sugestivos de PV foram confirmados após diagnóstico molecular. Iniciou terapêutica com alfa-interferão 2a. Atualmente apresenta contagem plaquetária e eritrocitária dentro de valores normais. Conclusões: Os autores fazem uma análise do caso clinico, inserido no contexto mandatório de um diagnóstico diferencial entre trombocitose reativa e outras doenças mieloproliferativas

Frequency independent patterns from double shell lenses fed by leaky wave feeders

This work aims at designing a wideband leaky lens antenna capable of providing frequency independent patterns over a wide frequency band of operation, about one octave, using connected array of leaky slots as lens feeder in presence of a double shell lens. In addition to on-axis feeding, offset feeding is also studied in order to increase the scanning performance of the antenna system within the proposed frequency band of operation. Improvement in terms of pattern stability and scan loss have been demonstrated in the paper.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Hidden Complication of Pigtail Catheter Insertion

Pigtail catheters have emerged as an effective and less morbid alternative to traditional chest tubes for evacuation of pleural air. Rare complications in the literature have been reported. We report a case of a 92-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and shock, noted to have a pneumothorax requiring tube thoracostomy. Computed tomography demonstrated pigtail within the lung parenchyma. We discuss the implications of this occurrence

Meiofauna communities of São Miguel (Azores): a case study.

36th European Marine Biology Symposium. Maó-Minorca, Espanha, 17-22 de Setembro de 2001

Phytosociologic associations and Natura 2000 habitats of Portuguese coastal sand dunes

The Portuguese coastline is quite long and the littoral ecosystems are of the outmost importance in the context of the national flora and vegetation. The diversity of vegetation types and the endemicity of their flora justify the attention paid to coastal habitats in the implementation of the Natura 2000 network. In this paper we present a synatoxonomical revision of the phanerophytic, chamaephytic and hemicryptophytic communities occurring in the sandy coastal areas of Portugal, together with their correspondence to the “Natura 2000” natural habitat types. The production of synthetic tables with all available relevés has allowed the segregation of plant community types. We also include maps concerning the distribution of all validated vegetation types occurring in the Portuguese sandy coastal areas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The meaning of mainland Portugal beaches and dunes' psammophilic plant communities: a contribution to tourism management and nature conservation

Due to their position of interface between the sea and land, the flora and vegetation of coastal beaches and dunes, occupy ecologically extreme, sensitive, unique and valuable habitats. The occurrence of a large number of endemic taxa and specific plant associations endowed with key ecological services and adapted to a stressful and harsh environmental gradient, gives them a high interest for nature conservation and an important role in sustainable territorial planning. However, such ecosystems are vulnerable to the disruption caused by several anthropogenic sources. Among other global threat factors, the inevitable sea rise caused by climate change and, at a local scale, the non-negligible implications of trampling caused by disorderly coastal touristic exploitation, growing construction pressure in the littoral, and a seasonal population boom in late spring and in summer, plus all derivate forms of pollution, are threat factors to their integrity. Therefore, a correct planning of the touristic economic activities requires the understanding of the vegetation composition and spatial distribution patterns, intrinsically determined by their biogeographic context in the Euro-Siberian or Mediterranean Regions. This comprehensive work, based on a broad phytogeographic study, brings together disperse information on plant communities of the Portuguese sandy coasts (beaches and dunes), by analysing floristic compositions, chorology and ecological characteristics, and matching them with the “Nature 2000” network habitats. Resilience and vulnerability are also studied. In a nature conservation perspective, a positive balance (and a sustainable co-existence) between the preservation of natural values and human development in the Portuguese coast, will benefit with the integration of this knowledge in coastal planning and management activitie

Bioindicators of erosive dynamics in beach and dune systems in the portuguese mainland coast

The litoral psammophilic ecosystems are organized according gradients leaning from the sea to interior areas, including a succession of phytosociological associations, correspondent to well discriminate biotopes, according their geomorphologic, soil and ecological characteristics. In the stable sandy shores (in terms of erosion balance), the different communities occupy relatively wide zonal tracks, with clear transitions. However, in situations of beach downwasting and coastline retreat, the mobile sands tend to advance inland, often compressing the zonal gradient, and distinct communities tend to overlap. Since the herbaceous hemicryptophitic flora typical from the beach and instable dunes has intrinsic colonization skills, high tolerance (or even preference) to burial, and elevated growing rates, it can quickly adapt to the instability of the topographic surface, accompanying its movement to the interior. Yet, the growing rates of the woody chamaephitic vegetation, characteristic of the more interior and relatively stable dune (gray dune) are slower, in addition to a lower capability to resist to burial. Thus, sea advance and inherent sands mobility inland, combined with the dissimilar resilience of plant associations, results in the in the overlap of the chamaephitic taxa and in the amalgamation of species from different communities. The main objective of this work was to study general trends of erosion along the Portuguese softline mainland coast, based in the analysis of the dominant associations that occur along the psammophilic gradient. It was focused in the role played by some plants has bioindicators of the velocity of erosional processes caused by wind transportation, sea dynamics and coastal retreat. Plants that can be used has reliable bioindicators are identified. Correlations between the observed alterations in the theoretical model of a coastal psammophilic gradient, and the intensity of erosion are established. The intensity of the phenomenon is analyzed and quantified along different sectors of the Portuguese coast

A case report

Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia of infancy and early childhood is a self-limiting condition characte-rized by transiently increased serum alkaline phosphatase in the absence of liver, kidney or metabolic bone diseases. It is often accidentally found in children under five years old and it might be associated with a variety of underlying clinical disorders. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Herein, we report a case of a 4-year-old girl with a 1-year history of persistent oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, who was found to have transient hyperphosphatasemia during a periodic check-up. This clinical case underlines the importance of promptly recognizing this benign condition, which avoids unnecessary extensive investigations.publishersversionpublishe