Dark Matter Constraints on Composite Higgs Models

In composite Higgs models the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Boson (pNGB) nature of the Higgs field is an interesting alternative for explaning the smallness of the electroweak scale with respect to the beyond the Standard Model scale. In non-minimal models additional pNGB states are present and can be a Dark Matter (DM) candidate, if there is an approximate symmetry suppressing their decay. Here we assume that the low energy effective theory (for scales much below the compositeness scale) corresponds to the Standard Model with a pNGB Higgs doublet and a pNGB DM multiplet. We derive general effective DM Lagrangians for several possible DM representations (under the SM gauge group), including the singlet, doublet and triplet cases. Within this framework we discuss how the DM observables (relic abundance, direct and indirect detection) constrain the dimension-6 operators induced by the strong sector assuming that DM behaves as a Weakly Interacting Particle (WIMP) and that the relic abundance is settled through the freeze-out mechanism. We also apply our general results to two specific cosets: $SO(6)/SO(5)$ and $SO(6)/SO(4) \times SO(2)$, which contain a singlet and doublet DM candidate, respectively. In particular we show that if compositeness is a solution to the little hierarchy problem, representations larger than the triplet are strongly disfavored. Furthermore, we find that composite models can have viable DM candidates with much smaller direct detection cross-sections than their non-composite counterparts, making DM detection much more challenging.Comment: version accepted by JHE

Assessing the ability of white-rot fungi to tolerate polychlorinated biphenyls using predictive mycology

The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of different white-rot fungi to tolerate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using predictive mycology, by relating fungal growth inhibition to ligninolityc enzyme secretion. Fungal strains were grown in the presence of PCBs in solid media and their radial growth values were modelled through the Dantigny-logistic like function in order to estimate the time required by the fungal colonies to attain half their maximum diameter. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed an inverse correlation between strain tolerance to PCBs and the laccase secretion over time, being laccase production closely associated with fungal growth capacity. Finally, a PCA was run to regroup and split between resistant and sensitive fungi. Simultaneously, a function associated with a model predicting the tolerance to PCBs was developed. Some of the assayed isolates showed a promising capacity to be applied in PCB bioremediation. Abbreviations: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), white-rot fungi (WRF).Fil: Sadañoski, Marcela Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Velázquez, Juan Ernesto. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Fonseca, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Zapata, Pedro Dario. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Levin, Laura Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Micología y Botánica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Micología y Botánica; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, Laura. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentin

Effect of wood flour as carbon source on cellulases and xylanases production by white-rot-fungi native from Misiones

There is a need to explore lignocellulosic materials to select an adequate substrate for lignocellulolytic enzyme production. Utilization of some residues provides an opportunity to produce high yields of lignocellulolytic enzymes in a simple medium. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of wood flour as a carbon source on the cellulolytic and xylanolytic secretion of white-rot fungi native from Misiones. Fungi were incubated with 5 g Pinus sp. wood flour/L and 5 g Eucalyptus sp. wood flour/L as carbon sources in a reciprocal shaker at 80 rpm and 29ºC for 15 days. Total cellulase, endo-1,4-β-glucanase, β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase and endo-1,4-β-xylanase activities were determined in culture supernatants. Tested fungi showed high endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity between 6 and 12 days. Total cellulase showed the highest activity between 12-15 culture days. The test did not show differences among Pycnoporus sanguineus LBM 014, P. sanguineus BAFC 2126, Irpex lacteus BAFC 1171, Irpex sp. LBM 032, Irpex sp. LBM 034 and Lenzites elegans BAFC 2127, showing the highest activity for this group regard the others strains. I. lacteus BAFC 1171 was the strain with major endo-1,4-β-glucanase activity at day 9 (847 U/L). In the case of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase, P. sanguineus BAFC 2126 was the strain with the highest activity between 12-15 culture days (18 U/L), and between 9-15 culture days (39 U/L), respectively. Wood flour proved to be a suitable carbon source to produce hydrolytic enzymes. I. lacteus BAFC 1171 and P. sanguineus BAFC 2126 have potential for cellulase production whereas P. sanguineus LBM 008 is a good endo-1,4-β-xylanase producer.Fil: Rodríguez, María Daniela. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquimica Clinica. Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barchuk, Mónica Lucrecia. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquimica Clinica. Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular; Argentina. Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica; ChileFil: Fonseca, Maria Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquimica Clinica. Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zapata, Pedro Dario. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquimica Clinica. Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Villalba, Laura. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Cs.exactas Quimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Bioquimica Clinica. Laboratorio de Biotecnologia Molecular; Argentin

Profile of patients diagnosed with AIDS at age 60 and above in Brazil, from 1980 until June 2009, compared to those diagnosed at age 18 to 59.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to learn more about people diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at age 60 and above in Brazil, and to compare them with people diagnosed at a younger age. METHODS: This study was based on the analysis of secondary data from the Brazilian AIDS Program. The study population consisted of people diagnosed with AIDS at age 60 and above. The comparison group was comprised of a 20% random sample of people diagnosed at age 18 to 59, frequency-matched by year of diagnosis. RESULTS: 544,846 cases of AIDS were reported in Brazil from 1980 until June 2009. Over 90% of cases were diagnosed between 18 and 59 years of age, and 13,657 (2.5%) at age 60 and above. The first case of AIDS among the elderly was reported in 1984. The comparison group consisted of 101,528 patients. Gender proportion was similar for both groups, and the proportion of people identified with AIDS after death in the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) was 4% higher among the elderly. Both groups were also similar regarding the region of residence; a markedly higher proportion lived in Southeastern Brazil. Older people were more likely to have lower education and to have contracted AIDS by heterosexual contact, and less likely to be intravenous drug users. Male to female ratio among those diagnosed with AIDS at or above age 60 decreased over the years, in the same way as observed for the whole cohort. Mortality was higher among men in both groups. CD4 category (taken closest to the date of AIDS diagnosis) was very similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the epidemic among the elderly show similarities to the younger group considering gender distribution and CD4 category, but differ regarding educational level and exposure category. Also, the elderly were more likely not to have their AIDS condition promptly diagnosed

The Portugues General Practitioner Sentinel Network

Brief description of The Portuguese General Practitioner Sentinel Network with work examples as well as advantages in participating.N/

Cumplimiento de normas y protocolos en embarazadas con Síndrome Hipertensivo Gestacional ingresadas en el servicio de Alto Riesgo Obstétrico. Hospital Gaspar García Laviana, Enero a Junio 2013

En Nicaragua las enfermedades hipertensivas durante la gestación constituyen una prioridad de salud por su alta prevalencia ya que representan una de las principales complicaciones del embarazo ligándose estrechamente a la mortalidad materna. El presente estudio se hizo para conocer cuáles son las características clínico epidemiológicas y realizar una evaluación del cumplimiento del protocolo en embarazadas con Síndrome Hipertensivo Gestacional ingresadas en el servicio de Alto Riesgo Obstétrico en el Hospital Gaspar García Laviana de Rivas en el período de Enero a Junio 2013. Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte transversal, cuyo universo estuvo conformado por 82 pacientes que fueron registradas en los expedientes clínicos de pacientes ingresadas al hospital en el período en estudio. Se procesó la información en el programa estadístico SPSS 17.0 y los gráficos correspondientes se realizaron en el programa Microsoft Excel. La hipertensión gestacional se presentó con mayor frecuencia en embarazos a término, en el grupo de edad de 20 a 29 años, de procedencia rural, con escolaridad primaria y secundaria, amas de casa, con estado civil acompañadas. En su gran mayoría se presentó en pacientes primigestas con más de 4 controles prenatales realizados cuyas principales manifestaciones clínicas fueron la cefalea fronto-occipital y tinnitus. Dentro de los medios diagnósticos utilizados se encontraron la toma de la presión arterial y la realización de la cinta de uroanálisis. El cumplimiento de las normas y protocolos se logró en un 69% para la preeclampsia grave, 64.4% en la preeclampsia moderada, 74.2% en la hipertensión inducida por el embarazo y 61.5% para la eclampsia para un cumplimiento total del 67.5

EM TEMPOS DE DESPOSSESSÃO, PRECARIEDADES NA EDUCAÇÃO COMO POLÍTICA DE ESTADO E NO PETI COMO POLÍTICA DE GOVERNOS

Analiso as relações entre a exploração do trabalho infanto-juvenil vincado na precariedade das políticas de Estado, particularizando Educação e Assistência Social, e a proliferação de políticas de governo na atualidade do processo capitalista de acumulação por despossessão 2 . Brevemente, situo os conceitos de infância e adolescência em diferentes estruturas apreendendo a maneira pela qual os lugares geracionais foram sendo expressos na batalha das idéias em diferentes tempos da acumulação capitalista; lastro para a luta de concepções e práticas políticas, sobre o lugar/tempo da escola e do trabalho para crianças e adolescentes da classe trabalhadora. Disputas feitas no marco de políticas de Estado que, cada vez mais, vêm sendo atravessadas por infinidade de programas e projetos de governo. Aqui problematizo as conexões entre trabalho infanto-juvenil, escola pública, socioeducativo 3 e PETI (Programa de Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil)