Phenomenological aspects of the fermion and scalar sectors of a S4S_4 flavored 3-3-1 model

We propose a viable and predictive model based on the $SU(3)_C \times SU(3)_L \times U(1)_X$ gauge symmetry, supplemented by the global $U(1)_{Lg}$ symmetry, the $S_4$ family symmetry and several auxiliary cyclic symmetries, which successfully reproduces the observed SM fermion mass and mixing pattern. The SM charged fermion mass and quark mixing hierarchy is caused by the spontaneous breaking of the discrete symmetries, whereas the tiny active neutrino masses are generated through an inverse seesaw mechanism mediated by right-handed Majorana neutrinos. The model is consistent with the SM fermion masses and mixings and successfully accommodates the current Higgs diphoton decay rate constraints as well as the constraints arising from oblique $S$, $T$ and $U$ parameters and meson oscillations.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

Latitude dictates plant diversity effects on instream decomposition

Running waters contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes through decomposition of terrestrial plant litter by aquatic microorganisms and detritivores. Diversity of this litter may influence instream decomposition globally in ways that are not yet understood. We investigated latitudinal differences in decomposition of litter mixtures of low and high functional diversity in 40 streams on 6 continents and spanning 113 degrees of latitude. Despite important variability in our dataset, we found latitudinal differences in the effect of litter functional diversity on decomposition, which we explained as evolutionary adaptations of litter-consuming detritivores to resource availability. Specifically, a balanced diet effect appears to operate at lower latitudes versus a resource concentration effect at higher latitudes. The latitudinal pattern indicates that loss of plant functional diversity will have different consequences on carbon fluxes across the globe, with greater repercussions likely at low latitudes

The First Post-Kepler Brightness Dips of KIC 8462852

We present a photometric detection of the first brightness dips of the unique variable star KIC 8462852 since the end of the Kepler space mission in 2013 May. Our regular photometric surveillance started in October 2015, and a sequence of dipping began in 2017 May continuing on through the end of 2017, when the star was no longer visible from Earth. We distinguish four main 1-2.5% dips, named "Elsie," "Celeste," "Skara Brae," and "Angkor", which persist on timescales from several days to weeks. Our main results so far are: (i) there are no apparent changes of the stellar spectrum or polarization during the dips; (ii) the multiband photometry of the dips shows differential reddening favoring non-grey extinction. Therefore, our data are inconsistent with dip models that invoke optically thick material, but rather they are in-line with predictions for an occulter consisting primarily of ordinary dust, where much of the material must be optically thin with a size scale <<1um, and may also be consistent with models invoking variations intrinsic to the stellar photosphere. Notably, our data do not place constraints on the color of the longer-term "secular" dimming, which may be caused by independent processes, or probe different regimes of a single process

Dark matter from a radiative inverse seesaw majoron model

We propose a Majoron-like extension of the Standard Model with an extra global U(1)X-symmetry where neutrino masses are generated through an inverse seesaw mechanism at the 1-loop level. In contrast to the tree-level inverse seesaw, our framework contains dark matter (DM) candidates stabilized by a residual Z2-symmetry surviving spontaneous breaking of the U(1)X-group. We explore the case in which the DM is a Majorana fermion. Furthermore, we provide parameter space regions allowed by current experimental constraints coming from the dark matter relic abundance, (in)direct detection, and charged lepton flavor violation

Concordance of renal stone culture: PMUC, RPUC, RSC and post-PCNL sepsis—a non-randomized prospective observation cohort study

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Introduction: Between 5 and 10% of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) develop postoperative sepsis 1, 2. Strategies to prevent infectious complications are based on information provided by preoperative midstream urine cultures (PMUC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the concordance of the microbiologic findings of PMUC, cultures of the renal stone (RSC) and urine obtained directly from the renal pelvis (RPUC) in patients undergoing PCNL. Materials and methods: This is a multicenter prospective study. The study included all patients who underwent PCNL from May 2013 to July 2015 in three academic hospitals. All patients underwent a PMUC. Samples for RPUC were obtained by renal puncture for PCNL. Stone fragments extracted during the procedure were sent for culture (RSC). Clinical variables, stone configuration, burden and microbiology reports of cultures were recorded. We analyzed concordance between cultures an

Concordance of renal stone culture: PMUC, RPUC, RSC and post-PCNL sepsis—a non-randomized prospective observation cohort study

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Introduction: Between 5 and 10% of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) develop postoperative sepsis 1, 2. Strategies to prevent infectious complications are based on information provided by preoperative midstream urine cultures (PMUC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the concordance of the microbiologic findings of PMUC, cultures of the renal stone (RSC) and urine obtained directly from the renal pelvis (RPUC) in patients undergoing PCNL. Materials and methods: This is a multicenter prospective study. The study included all patients who underwent PCNL from May 2013 to July 2015 in three academic hospitals. All patients underwent a PMUC. Samples for RPUC were obtained by renal puncture for PCNL. Stone fragments extracted during the procedure were sent for culture (RSC). Clinical variables, stone configuration, burden and microbiology reports of cultures were recorded. We analyzed concordance between cultures an

Loss of Expression of Reprimo, a p53-induced Cell Cycle Arrest Gene, Correlates with Invasive Stage of Tumor Progression and p73 Expression in Gastric Cancer

Artículo de publicación ISIReprimo (RPRM), a downstream effector of p53-induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M, has been proposed as a putative tumor suppressor gene (TSG) and as a potential biomarker for non-invasive detection of gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation and its tumor suppressor function in GC cell lines. Furthermore, clinical significance of RPRM protein product and its association with p53/p73 tumor suppressor protein family was explored. Epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation was evaluated in four GC cell lines. Protein expression of RPRM was evaluated in 20 tumor and non-tumor matched cases. The clinical significance of RPRM association with p53/p73 tumor suppressor protein family was assessed in 114 GC cases. Tumor suppressor function was examined through functional assays. RPRM gene expression was negatively correlated with promoter methylation (Spearman rank r = -1; p = 0.042). RPRM overexpression inhibited colony formation and anchorage-independent growth. In clinical samples, RPRM gene protein expression was detected in 75% (15/20) of non-tumor adjacent mucosa, but only in 25% (5/20) of gastric tumor tissues (p = 0.001). Clinicopathological correlations of loss of RPRM expression were significantly associated with invasive stage of GC (stage I to II-IV, p = 0.02) and a positive association between RPRM and p73 gene protein product expression was found (p<0.0001 and kappa value = 0.363). In conclusion, epigenetic silencing of RPRM gene by promoter methylation is associated with loss of RPRM expression. Functional assays suggest that RPRM behaves as a TSG. Loss of expression of RPRM gene protein product is associated with the invasive stage of GC. Positive association between RPRM and p73 expression suggest that other members of the p53 gene family may participate in the regulation of RPRM expression.CONICYT-FONDECYT from the Government of Chile 1111014 CONICYT-FONDAP from the Government of Chile 1513001