Vacuum stability conditions of the economical 3-3-1 model from copositivity

By applying copositivity criterion to the scalar potential of the economical $3-3-1$ model, we derive necessary and sufficient bounded-from-below conditions at tree level. Although these are a large number of intricate inequalities for the dimensionless parameters of the scalar potential, we present general enlightening relations in this work. Additionally, we use constraints coming from the minimization of the scalar potential by means of the orbit space method, the positivity of the squared masses of the extra scalars, the Higgs boson mass, the $Z'$ gauge boson mass and its mixing angle with the SM $Z$ boson in order to further restrict the parameter space of this model.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures, added text and references. Matches published versio

High resolution HLA-A, -B, -C and -DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in the Costa Rica Central Valley population

The Costa Rica Central Valley population (CCVP) is the major population in this country, accounting for over 60% of the Costa Rican inhabitants concentrated since colonial times in a 2,500 km2 intermontane region. Interesting historic, demographic and genetic characteristics of this hybrid population have attracted researchers interested in testing genetic associations for various diseases. However, no study describing Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) frequencies by molecular methods had been performed. We have recently described low resolution HLA allele group and haplotype frequencies in a sample of this population. In this report, we extend our study to high resolution by sequence-based typing of exons 2, 3 and 4 for class I, and exon 2 for HLA-DRB1. DNA was extracted from blood or saliva samples from a cohort of 205 non-related healthy donors recruited as part of the University of Costa Rica’s Centre for Research in Hematology and Related Disorders (CIHATA) DNA bank. All participants were born in the CCVP and gave informed consent. A total of 37 HLA-A, 61 HLA-B, 24 HLA-C and 38 HLA-DRB1 alleles were seen in this sample. The five most frequent alleles for these genes are HLA-A*02:01:01, HLA-A*24:02:01, HLA-A*03:01:01, HLA-A*01:01:01, HLA-A*68:01:02, HLA-B*07:02:01, HLA-B*40:02:01, HLA-B*35:01:01, HLA-B*44:02:01, HLA-B*14:02:01, HLA-C*04:01:01, HLA-C*07:02:01, HLA-C*03:05, HLA-C*06:02:01, HLA-C*07:01:01, HLA-DRB1*13:01:01G, HLA-DRB1*04:07:01G, HLA-DRB1*15:01:01G, HLA-DRB1*03:01:01G, and HLA-DRB1*07:01:01G. Preliminary haplotype estimation results show, as a proxy for admixture proportions, that 68% of the extended haplotypes are Caucasian, while 23% are Amerindian in origin and 9% are clearly Sub-Saharan African. Principal coordinates analysis based on HLA-A and –B allele group frequencies reveals that this population clusters among other admixed groups with strong Caucasian component that lie closely to Iberian populations

Urinary biomarkers for bladder transitional cell carcinoma

Comunicaciones a congreso

The frequency of HLA-B*57:01 and the risk of Abacavir hypersensitivity reactions in the Costa Rica Central Valley Population

HLA-B*57:01 is a pharmacogenetic marker for abacavir hypersensitivity among HIV+ individuals. The utility and cost-effectiveness of the typing of this allele as a prospective marker has been confirmed to decrease or abolish abacavir hypersensitivity reactions in these patients. However, as for other HLA alleles, there is widespread variation in its frequency across populations. Thus, characterisation of the frequency of this marker in a given population is the first step towards the evaluation of the feasibility and need of pharmacogenetic screening for this drug. The Costa Rica Central Valley Population (CCVP) is the major population in this country. The frequency of HLA-B*57:01 in this population has not been described yet. Consequently, in an exploratory study, we set out to determine the frequency of this allele in a sample of unrelated healthy blood donors. We genotyped 153 samples from CCVP inhabitants. The samples were typed to intermediate resolution by SSO or SSP methods, and samples that were HLA-B*57-positve were further typed by sequence- based typing in order to define the alleles to four-digit resolution. An HLA-B*57:01 carrier frequency of 5.23% (allele frequency of 2.61%) was determined in this sample. This frequency is relatively high in comparison to reports from other populations in Latin America. These results suggest that there is a considerable frequency of HLA-B*57:01 in the CCVP and that pharmacogenetic testing for HIV+ patients who are going to receive abacavir-based treatment schemes is likely to benefit the security of this therapy. According to WHO data, we hypothesize that some 200,000 persons in this country would be susceptible to abacavir- induced hypersensitivity, and that some 15,000 HIV+ people living in Costa Rica could benefit from prospective HLA-B*57:01 genotyping

Farmer Perceptions of Adopting Novel Legumes in Traditional Maize-Based Farming Systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Intercropping constitutes the traditional farming system practice used in various forms for maize production in the Yucatan peninsula. Although practiced for centuries, problems persist with competition for water, nutrients and light between crop species in traditional farming systems. Furthermore, little is known about farmers’ perceptions regarding changes to traditional maize-legume intercropping systems and their interest in novel crop adoption to increase yields in the system while maintaining the practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the maize-based traditional cropping system by assessing the underlying motives and concepts of farmers to practice intercropping in the Yucatan Peninsula and to examine the association between farmers’ level of knowledge about legumes and decisions to adopt intercropping and related practices therein. Farmer surveys were conducted in nine different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. We selected Xoy, Euan, Muna, Mama, Tahdziú (Yucatan), Becal, Hecelchacam, Dzitbalché and San Antonio Sahcabchén (Campeche) which are representative of agroecological small-scale farming systems. We used a mixed methods case study analysis involving key informant interviews in eight associations of farmers. A sample frame with 73 farmers was selected in total during February 2021 and April 2021. Basic information such as land use, labor inputs, agricultural production and farmer’s perceptions regarding their intercropping systems were collected. Our research shows that the primary motives for intercropping were due to the ability of intercropping to offer a more diversified range of food for human and animal consumption, as well as to take advantage of different harvest periods that this practice offers. The majority of respondents were likely to favor the idea of introducing new legume species in their maize-based cropping systems. Factors such as the type of cropping system (i.e., intercropping or monocropping), access to water and level of knowledge about legumes influenced their decision to adopt intercropping in their farming systems considerably. This paper contributes to the knowledge on the current state and farmers’ perceptions of intercropping systems in the Yucatan Peninsula

Application of a dynamic event tree methodolgy to steam generator tube rupture sequences

The Integrated Safety Assessment (ISA) methodology, developed by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), has been applied to a thermo-hydraulical analysis of a Westinghouse 3-loop PWR plant by means of the dynamic event trees (DET) for Steam Generator Tube Rupture (SGTR) sequences. The ISA methodology allows obtaining the SGTR Dynamic Event Tree taking into account the operator actuation times. Simulations are performed with SCAIS (Simulation Code system for Integrated Safety Assessment), which includes a dynamic coupling with MAAP thermal hydraulic code. The results show the capability of the ISA methodology and SCAIS platform to obtain the DET of complex sequences

Stability of the Scalar Potential and Symmetry Breaking in the Economical 3-3-1 Model

A detailed study of the criteria for stability of the scalar potential and the proper electroweak symmetry breaking pattern in the economical 3-3-1 model, is presented. For the analysis we use, and improve, a method previously developed to study the scalar potential in the two-Higgs-doublet extension of the standard model. A new theorem related to the stability of the potential is stated. As a consequence of this study, the consistency of the economical 3-3-1 model emerges.Comment: to be published in EPJ C, 13 page

May measurement month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Colombia

High blood pressure (BP) is the leading global preventable cause of death and the most common risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, due to its asymptomatic nature, the lack of awareness of this condition causes underdiagnosis and low rates of adherence to pharmacological treatment. Looking for practical approaches to increase awareness worldwide, the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) implemented the 2nd May Measurement Month campaign in 2018 (MMM18). In order to contribute to this initiative, Colombia participated as one of the 89 countries involved in this hypertension screening programme. Blood pressure was measured in subjects from 11 departments in Colombia. Under the leadership of the Fundacio´n Oftalmolo´gica de Santander (FOSCAL), 400 volunteers across the country collected the data following the MMM protocol. Measurements from 35 548 participants with a mean age of 41.9 years were obtained. In total, 9475 (26.7%) of the total population studied had hypertension. Of those with hypertension, 69.9% of these subjects were aware of their condition, 65.0% were on antihypertensive medication, and 43.1% had controlled BP. Of those on medication, 66.3% had controlled BP. Hypertension screening, awareness, treatment, and control should be a priority in public health objectives due to its elevated burden of disease and direct association with increased CVD. The MMM campaign provided a positive impact in the diagnosis of hypertension across Colombia. Although efforts are being made to expand treatment capability and adherence, still more are needed to insure a broader coverage of antihypertensive medication in Colombia

Infecciones asociadas a la Asistencia Sanitaria en un Hospital especializado en el paciente nefro-urológico

Introducción: Las Infecciones asociadas a la Asistencia Sanitaria constituyen un evento negativo para el paciente al determinar aumento de la morbilidad y mortalidad y gastos hospitalarios, comportándose como indicador de la calidad asistencial. Objetivo: Describir las infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria que ocurrieron durante 2013 y 2014 en un hospital especializado en la atención del paciente nefrológico. Material y Métodos: Los datos se recolectaron mediante pesquisa activa, revisión de historias clínicas y registro de infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria en cada servicio del hospital. En el análisis estadístico se utilizaron distribuciones de frecuencias, y como medidas de resumen, las tasas y porcentajes. Resultados: La frecuencia de infección asociada a la asistencia sanitaria fue 8 y 7,5% en cada año de estudio, con predominio de infecciones relacionadas con el acceso vascular en pacientes en hemodiálisis, y la infección del tracto urinario en pacientes instrumentados y cirugía endo-urológica. Los microorganismos más reportados fueron Estafilococcco aureus, Estafilococo aureus meticilino resistente y Escherichia coli.  La mortalidad asociada a la IAAS fue de 5,1%, en los 2 años de estudio. Conclusiones: Las infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria son las esperadas por la complejidad de los procesos que se realizan en el centro, donde se destacan las infecciones asociadas al acceso vascular y el reporte de microorganismos Gram positivos. Palabras claves: Infecciones, asistencia sanitaria, acceso vascular, paciente nefrológico, microorganismos, Gram positivo, Gram negativo.</p