Cosmological Constraints on an Invisibly Decaying Higgs Boson

Working in the context of a proposal for collisional dark matter, we derive bounds on the Higgs boson coupling $g^{\prime}$ to a stable light scalar particle, which we refer to as phion ($\phi$), required to solve problems with small scale structure formation which arise in collisionless dark matter models. We discuss the behaviour of the phion in the early universe for different ranges of its mass. We find that a phion in the mass range of 100 MeV is excluded and that a phion in the mass range of 1 GeV requires a large coupling constant, g^{\prime} \gsim 2, and m_h \lsim 130 GeV in order to avoid overabundance, in which case the invisible decay mode of the Higgs boson would be dominant.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Revtex style, changed conten

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Naproxen in the Rat

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling was used to characterize the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of naproxen in rats. An indirect response model was used to describe the antipyretic effects of naproxen after short intravenous infusions. The model assumes that basal temperature (T(a)) is maintained by the balance of fever mediators given by a constant (zero order) rate of synthesis (K(syn)), and a first order rate of degradation (K(out)). After an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide, the change in T(a) was modeled assuming an increase in fever mediators described as an input rate function [IR(t)] estimated nonparametrically. An inhibitory E(max) model adequately described the inhibition of IR(t) by naproxen. A more complex model was used to describe the anti-inflammatory response of oral naproxen in the carrageenin-induced edema model. Before carrageenin injection, physiological conditions are maintained by a balance of inflammation mediators given by K(syn) and K(out) (see above). After carrageenin injection, the additional synthesis of mediators is described by IR(t) (see above). Such mediators induced an inflammatory process, which is governed by a first order rate constant (K(IN)) that can be inhibited by the presence of naproxen in plasma. The sigmoidal E(max) model also well described the inhibition of K(IN) by naproxen. Estimates for IC(50) [concentration of naproxen in plasma eliciting half of maximum inhibition of IR(t) or K(IN)] were 4.24 and 4.13 microg/ml, for the antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively

Optimización de estrategias para el control de Penicillium expansum en uva de mesa

La pudrición azul causada por Penicillium expansum, genera pérdidas significativas en la producción de uva en fresco, aún en cámara frigorífica. Como alternativa sustentable tanto para reducir pérdidas en postcosecha como el uso de fungicidas sintéticos, se han reportado levaduras como agentes de biocontrol (ABC). Así mismo, el uso de aditivos alimentarios como el NaHCO3, sustancia GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), ha sido citado por su capacidad antimicrobiana. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la compatibilidad de 3 levaduras vitivinícolas con el NaHCO3 para optimizar el control del patógeno P. expansum PSS6 en racimos de uva de mesa a 2°C. Se seleccionó un diseño estadístico de Mezclas Simple-Centroide-Aumentado con 24 corridas experimentales (Stat-Ease, Design-Expert 11.0.0, Minneapolis, EE. UU.). Con ANOVA se estimaron los factores estadísticamente significativos del modelo y el ajuste de su ecuación (R2). Las levaduras utilizadas (Metschnikowia pulcherrima Mp22, Mp36, Mp43) fueron previamente seleccionadas como ABC de PSS6. Sobre racimos de uva superior seedless previamente desinfectados con NaClO al 1% y enjuagados con agua destilada estéril, se realizaron heridas artificiales a 10 bayas al azar. Los tratamientos aplicados sucesivamente, fueron diferentes mezclas de levaduras con 6 concentraciones distintas de las mismas (mín.: 0 cel/mL-1; máx.: 5x108 cel/mL-1) y de NaHCO3 (mín.: 0 % p/v; máx.: 0,5% p/v). Por último, se asperjó PSS6 (1x104 conidios/mL-1). Los racimos se conservaron en bolsas estériles por 30 días a 2+/-1 °C. Al finalizar, se tomaron fotografías y se procesaron con el software Image J (Rasband, W.S., NIH, USA). Se midió el área afectada en relación al área total del racimo para determinar porcentajes de severidad (S%). La optimización del modelo fue validada con la misma metodología. La optimización como validación se repitió 3 veces. Los datos ajustaron al modelo Special Cubic (p<0,0190; R2=0,46) donde la combinación de Mp22/Mp36/NaHCO3 fue el factor estadísticamente significativo (p<0.0022). Esta combinación registró el menor S%, (8,4%) mientras que los racimos tratados solo con NaHCO3, la severidad fue mayor (25%). La combinación de Mp22 (1x108 cel/mL-1), Mp36 (1x108 cel/mL-1) y NaHCO3 (0,3% p/v), fue validada. Los resultados de severidad fueron significativamente menores que el control (p<0,05). Si bien existen reportes sobre el uso de levaduras en uva se carece de información acerca de la optimización de dichas alternativas sustentables y su combinación. El trabajo, entonces, constituye un aporte metodológico original, contribuyendo a la construcción de una estrategia efectiva para reducir la severidad de la pudrición azul a 2°C

Excited-state calculations with quantum Monte Carlo

Quantum Monte Carlo methods are first-principle approaches that approximately solve the Schr\"odinger equation stochastically. As compared to traditional quantum chemistry methods, they offer important advantages such as the ability to handle a large variety of many-body wave functions, the favorable scaling with the number of particles, and the intrinsic parallelism of the algorithms which are particularly suitable to modern massively parallel computers. In this chapter, we focus on the two quantum Monte Carlo approaches most widely used for electronic structure problems, namely, the variational and diffusion Monte Carlo methods. We give particular attention to the recent progress in the techniques for the optimization of the wave function, a challenging and important step to achieve accurate results in both the ground and the excited state. We conclude with an overview of the current status of excited-state calculations for molecular systems, demonstrating the potential of quantum Monte Carlo methods in this field of applications

Percepción del servicio público, evaluación para mejora del servidor municipal en SLP 2022

This is a quantitative and cross-sectional study on the perception of municipal public services in a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants, the results indicate that the confidence inspired by the public servant 55.4%, the understanding of the needs 55.4% and the kindness of satisfactory attention or more 52.5% should be taken advantage of and strengthened. Finally, when evaluating the three aspects worst rated by the citizen, the fulfillment of promises is found, 32.8% of the respondents evaluate this way. It is clear that from the municipality and even from the previous stages the citizen creates expectations that, if not fulfilled, deteriorate the image of the public service. The second red flag to attend to is the materials produced and here it can be included, from the place of attention file to the most sophisticated means of communication, they must be taken care of in message, image, clarity, language, medium, materials and periodicity. Communicating without having a trained area is wasting the advantages that communication gives to municipalities.Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo y transversal sobre la percepción de los servicios públicos municipales en una población de menos de 50 000 habitante, los resultados indican que la confianza inspirada por el servidor público 55.4%, la comprensión de las necesidades 55.4% y la amabilidad de atención satisfactoria o más 52.5% deberán ser aprovechas y fortalecidas. Finalmente al evaluar los tres aspectos peor calificados por el ciudadano se encuentra el cumplimiento de promesas 32.8% de los respondientes evalúan así. Es claro que desde el municipio e incluso desde las etapas previas el ciudadano crea expectativas que al no cumplirse deterioran la imagen del servicio público. El segundo foco rojo a atender son los materiales elaborados y aquí se puede incluye, desde la ficha de lugar de atención hasta los medios de comunicación más sofisticados deben ser cuidados en mensaje, imagen, claridad, lenguaje, medio, materiales y periodicidad. Comunicar sin contar con un área capacitada es desaprovechar las ventajas que la comunicación da a los municipios

Cluster Monte Carlo and dynamical scaling for long-range interactions

Many spin systems affected by critical slowing down can be efficiently simulated using cluster algorithms. Where such systems have long-range interactions, suitable formulations can additionally bring down the computational effort for each update from O($N^2$) to O($N\ln N$) or even O($N$), thus promising an even more dramatic computational speed-up. Here, we review the available algorithms and propose a new and particularly efficient single-cluster variant. The efficiency and dynamical scaling of the available algorithms are investigated for the Ising model with power-law decaying interactions.Comment: submitted to Eur. Phys. J Spec. Topic

The SlCBL10 calcineurin B-like protein ensures plant growth under salt stress by regulating Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis

[EN] Characterization of a new tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) T-DNA mutant allowed for the isolation of the CALCINEURIN B-LIKE PROTEIN 10 (SlCBL10) gene whose lack of function was responsible for the severe alterations observed in the shoot apex and reproductive organs under salinity conditions. Physiological studies proved that SlCBL10 gene is required to maintain a proper low Na+/Ca2+ ratio in growing tissues allowing tomato growth under salt stress. Expression analysis of the main responsible genes for Na+ compartmentalization (i.e. Na+/H+ EXCHANGERs, SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE, HIGH-AFFINITY K+ TRANSPORTER 1; 2, H+-pyrophosphatase AVP1 [SlAVP1] and V-ATPase [SlVHA-A1]) supported a reduced capacity to accumulate Na+ in Slcbl10 mutant leaves, which resulted in a lower uploading of Na+ from xylem, allowing the toxic ion to reach apex and flowers. Likewise, the tomato CATION EXCHANGER 1 and TWO-PORE CHANNEL 1 (SlTPC1), key genes for Ca2+ fluxes to the vacuole, showed abnormal expression in Slcbl10 plants indicating an impaired Ca2+ release from vacuole. Additionally, complementation assay revealed that SlCBL10 is a true ortholog of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CBL10 gene, supporting that the essential function of CBL10 is conserved in Arabidopsis and tomato. Together, the findings obtained in this study provide new insights into the function of SlCBL10 in salt stress tolerance. Thus, it is proposed that SlCBL10 mediates salt tolerance by regulating Na+ and Ca2+ fluxes in the vacuole, cooperating with the vacuolar cation channel SlTPC1 and the two vacuolar H+-pumps, SlAVP1 and SlVHA-A1, which in turn are revealed as potential targets of SlCBL10.This study was supported by grants from the Plant KBBE Program (EUI2009-04074), the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (AGL2012-40150, AGL2015-64991-C3-1-R/2-R/3-R, and BIO2016-79187-R), as well as the French National Research Agency ENDOREPIGEN project. A.O.-A. was supported by a PhD fellowship from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (BIO2009-11484).Egea, I.; Pineda Chaza, BJ.; Ortiz Atienza, A.; Plasencia, F.; Drevensek, S.; García Sogo, B.; Yuste-Lisbona, FJ.... (2018). The SlCBL10 calcineurin B-like protein ensures plant growth under salt stress by regulating Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. 176(2):1676-1693. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.17.01605S16761693176