Dynamically Induced Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in 3-3-1 Models

We show that in SU(3)_C X SU(3)_L X U(1)_N (3-3-1) models embedded with a singlet scalar playing the role of the axion, after imposing scale invariance, dynamical symmetry breaking of Peccei-Quinn symmetry occurs through the one-loop effective potential for the singlet field. We, then, analyze the structure of spontaneous symmetry breaking by studying the new scalar potential for the model, and verify that electroweak symmetry breaking is tightly connected to the 3-3-1 breaking by the strong constraints among their vacuum expectation values. This offers a valuable guide to write down the correct pattern of symmetry breaking for multi-scalar theories. We also obtained that the accompanying massive pseudo-scalar, instead of acquiring mass of order of Peccei-Quinn scale as we would expect, develops a mass at a much lower scale, a consequence solely of the dynamical breaking.Comment: 12 pages, typos corrected, improved text, conclusions unchange

A new species of Amphisbaena (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae) from state of Maranhão, Brazil

Amphisbaena ibijara sp. nov. is described from Urbano Santos (Fazenda Santo Amaro), state of Maranhão, Brazil. The new species is a small amphisbaenian with four precloacal pores, nasals in broad contact at midline, no major fusions of head scales, 239-250 body annuli, 23-25 caudal annuli and 1416 dorsal and 14-16 ventral segments per annuli at midbody. Other attributes of the new species are: suture between frontals slightly smaller than parietal suture and much longer than nasal suture, three supralabials (the first being the smallest), second infralabial the largest and much larger than postmental, two rows of postgenials, and absence of a postmalar row

Mining electric vehicle adoption of users

The increase of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and their adverse effects on the environment, have prompted the search for alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. One of the solutions gaining ground is the electrification of various human activities, such as the transport sector. This trend has fueled a growing need for electrical energy storage in lithium batteries. Precisely knowing the degree of degradation that this type of battery accumulates over its useful life is necessary to bring economic benefits, both for companies and citizens. This paper aims to answer the current need by proposing two research questions about electric motor vehicles. The first focuses on habits EV owners practice, which may harm the battery life, and the second on factors that may keep consumers from purchasing this type of vehicle. This research work sought to answer these two questions, using a methodology from data science and statistical analysis applied to three surveys carried out on electric vehicle owners. The results allowed us to conclude that, except for the Year variable, all other factors had a marginal effect on the vehicles’ absolute autonomy degradation. Regarding obstacles of the adoption of electric vehicles, the biggest encountered was the insufficient coverage of the network of charging stations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Severe Megaloblastic Anaemia in an Infant

Vitamin B 12 or cobalamin deficiency, a rare clinical entity in pediatric age, is found most exclusively in breastfed infants, whose mothers are strictly vegetarian non-supplemented or with pernicious anaemia. In this article, the authors describe a 10-month-old infant admitted for vomiting, refusal to eat and prostration. The infant was exclusively breastfed and diffi culties in introduction of new foods were reported. Failure to thrive since 5 months of age was also noticed. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe normocytic normochromic anaemia and cobalamin defi cit. A diagnosis of α-thalassemia trait was also made. Maternal investigation showed autoimmune pernicious anaemia. This case shows the severity of vitamin B 12 deficiency and the importance of adopting adequate and precocious measures in order to prevent potentially irreversible neurologic damage

Educação para o consumo alimentar no 1.º CEB com orientação CTS

A “Educação para o consumo alimentar no 1.º CEB com orientação CTS” foi um projeto de intervenção-investigação implementado numa turma de 4.º ano. Consistiu na planificação, implementação e e avaliação de uma sequência didática composta por 15 sessões que privilegiaram a diversidade de estratégias, bem como o envolvimento dos pais e da comunidade escolar através da dinamização de um blogue

Mycobiota of São Jorge cheeses with different ripening periods

The growth of filamentous fungi in the cheese surface makes the product undesirable (and therefore disposable) and can even present a health risk due to the production of secondary metabolites, such as mycotoxins. The São Jorge cheese is a highly appreciated product from São Jorge Island, Azores, Portugal. It is made with raw cow milk and has long ripening periods, up to 36 months. This product obtained the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) certification in 1986. Considering that the mycobiota of traditional Portuguese cheeses is understudied, the main goal of this work was to unveil the mycobiota of three São Jorge cheeses with different ripening periods (five, nine and thirty months). Direct inoculation of the cheese in three different culture media was used and the isolates were identified through molecular methods (analysis of ITS and/or partial benA). A total of 32 isolates were identified from the cheese with the lowest period of ripening, mainly Penicillium spp. ser. Camembertiorum (23 isolates), but also Aspergillus sp. (1 isolates), Scopulariopsis sp. (1 isolate), and several yeasts (7 isolates). The mycobiota of cheese with the seven months of ripening was mostly composed of Penicillium spp. ser. Camembertiorum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with 8 and 9 isolates, respectively. In the 30 months cheese Penicillium spp. ser. Camembertiorum were also isolated, but Scopulariopsis spp. was predominant, with 20 out of 24 isolates. Although the mycobiota was largely composed of Ascomycota, two Basidiomycota were found in the cheeses with the longest periods of ripening. Future studies will be conducted using metabarcoding techniques to disclose the uncultured mycobiota. These culture-independent techniques are less time consuming and more sensitive. They have shown to be a powerful tool to gain a better and faster understanding of the influence of the microorganisms in the cheese ripening process.Teresa Vale Dias thanks for the Ph.D. scholarship given by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - 2020.05849.BD. This study was also supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of CEB (UIDB/04469/2020), LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020, CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación de la disponibilidad de N en suelo en pastos biodiversos ricos en leguminosas mediante el cultivo de plantas nitrófilas dentro de la dehesa

Biodiverse legume-rich pastures (BLRP) have been recommended for extensive animal production since they can improve productivity and pasture quality. However, the consequences for the N balance within the agro-system, due to the increase in biological N 2 fixation, must be monitored. A field trial was carried out to evaluate the soil N availability in a BLRP in comparison with an adjacent unsown pasture. The field experiment consisted of growing tufts of nitrophilic species (turnip, Brassica campestris and rye, Secale cereale) in the pastures rounded by PVC rings. Soil inorganic-N levels were monitored during a period of one year. The potentially available soil N was determined by growing ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in a pot experiment and carrying out several chemical extraction methods. The mean values of N recovered by field-grown turnip and rye were, respectively, 30.6 and 31.1 kg ha–1 in BLRP, not statistically higher than that recovered in the unsown pasture. This is consistent with the very low levels of soil inorganic-N observed both in BLRP and the unsown pasture. Nitrogen recovered by ryegrass grown in pots was significantly higher in the soil collected from the BLRP than in soil from the unsown pasture. In this study, plant-available inorganic-N appeared as a strong limiting factor for the growth of the non-legume component. The BLRP seems to be currently environmentally sound, since the risk of N loss is practically non-existent. However, the potentially mineralisable organic N is increasing, which requires a further monitoring of the soil N dynamic as the pasture ages.Los pastos biodiversos ricos en leguminosas (PBRL) están siendo recomendados para la ganadería extensiva, ya que pueden mejorar la calidad de los pastos. Sin embargo, las implicaciones en el balance de nitrógeno (N) en suelo, debido a la fijación biológica de N, deben ser monitorizadas. Este estudio se estableció para evaluar la disponibilidad de N en suelo en PBRL en comparación con pastizales naturales. El ensayo consistió en el establecimiento de especies nitrófilas (nabo y centeno) en matas rodeadas por anillos de PVC. Durante un año se monitorizaron también los niveles de N mineral en suelo. El N potencialmente disponible se determinó mediante el cultivo de raigrás en macetas y mediante varios análisis químicos de laboratorio. En los PBRL los valores medios de N recuperado por el nabo y el centeno fueron 30,6 y 31,1 kg ha –1, respectivamente, no existiendo diferencias significativas con los valores registrados en los pastos naturales. Durante todo el año se registraron niveles bajos de N inorgánico en suelo. El N recuperado por el raigrás fue significativamente más elevado en los PBRL que en el pasto natural. Los resultados mostraron que el N fue un factor ecológico muy limitante para el crecimiento de las especies no leguminosas. Por otro lado, en los PBRL el riesgo de pérdida de N para el medio ambiente fue prácticamente nulo. Sin embargo, el N orgánico potencialmente mineralizable aumenta en el suelo, lo cual justificaría la necesidad de realizar nuevos análisis de dinámica del N en el suelo en un futuro

Neutrino Decay and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in a 3-3-1 Model

In this work we show that the implementation of spontaneous breaking of the lepton number in the 3-3-1 model with right-handed neutrinos gives rise to fast neutrino decay with majoron emission and generates a bunch of new contributions to the neutrinoless double beta decay.Comment: Version accepted for publication in the Phys. Rev.

Síndrome linfoproliferativo A autoimune

A Síndrome Linfoproliferativo Autoimune (ALPS) é um defeito na apoptose dos linfócitos, com linfoproliferação crónica não maligna, linfadenomegalias e/ou esplenomegalia. São descritos os casos clínicos de dois rapazes de sete e 14 anos. O primeiro inicia aos três anos, febre, bicitopénia e linfadenopatias generalizadas e histologia ganglionar com hiperplasia folicular reactiva e hiperplasia paracortical. Reinternamento aos seis anos por herpes zoster e quadro clínico semelhante. Aumento dos níveis circulantes de IL-10 e uma tendência de aumento de Fas-L no plasma e soro. O segundo caso refere-se a um rapaz internado aos 13 anos por celulite da coxa e região glútea, anemia e neutropenia. Linfócitos T αβ+CD4-CD8- 3,1%. Biópsia ganglionar com hiperplasia paracortical. Ambas as crianças medicadas com micofenolato de mofetil com boa resposta. A ALPS é uma entidade diagnóstica subestimada que deve ser considerada perante linfoproliferação não maligna, autoimunidade e expansão anormal da população α/βCD3+CD4-CD8- (double-negative T cells>1%)

Effect of variable levels of dietary cholesterol and plant sterols on the growth performance and bone metabolism in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Cholesterol is found in all animal tissues and is an important component of biological cell membranes with functions such as precursor to bile acids, hormones and vitamins. Fish meal and fish oil are cholesterol-rich ingredients. Replacement of these marine-derived ingredients by plant proteins and vegetable oils tends to reduce dietary cholesterol levels