Searches for Long Lived Neutral Particles

An intriguing possibility for TeV scale physics is the existence of neutral long lived particles (LOLIPs) that subsequently decay into SM states. Such particles are many cases indistinguishable from missing transverse energy (MET) at colliders. We propose new methods to search for these particles using neutrino telescopes. We study their detection prospects, assuming production either at the LHC or through dark matter (DM) annihilations in the Sun and the Earth. We find that the sensitivity for LOLIPs produced at the LHC is limited by luminosity and detection energy thresholds. On the other hand, in the case of DM annihilation into LOLIPs, the sensitivity of neutrino telescopes is promising and may extend beyond the reach of upcoming direct detection experiments. In the context of low scale hidden sectors weakly coupled to the SM, such indirect searches allow to probe couplings as small as 10^-15.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure

Mass hierarchy, 2-3 mixing and CP-phase with Huge Atmospheric Neutrino Detectors

We explore the physics potential of multi-megaton scale ice or water Cherenkov detectors with low ($\sim 1$ GeV) threshold. Using some proposed characteristics of the PINGU detector setup we compute the distributions of events versus neutrino energy $E_\nu$ and zenith angle $\theta_z$, and study their dependence on yet unknown neutrino parameters. The $(E_\nu - \theta_z)$ regions are identified where the distributions have the highest sensitivity to the neutrino mass hierarchy, to the deviation of the 2-3 mixing from the maximal one and to the CP-phase. We evaluate significance of the measurements of the neutrino parameters and explore dependence of this significance on the accuracy of reconstruction of the neutrino energy and direction. The effect of degeneracy of the parameters on the sensitivities is also discussed. We estimate the characteristics of future detectors (energy and angle resolution, volume, etc.) required for establishing the neutrino mass hierarchy with high confidence level. We find that the hierarchy can be identified at $3\sigma$ -- $10\sigma$ level (depending on the reconstruction accuracies) after 5 years of PINGU operation.Comment: 39 pages, 21 figures. Description of Fig.3 correcte

The relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, tumour proliferative activity, T-lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration, microvessel density and survival in patients with primary operable breast cancer

The significance of the inter-relationship between tumour and host local/systemic inflammatory responses in primary operable invasive breast cancer is limited. The inter-relationship between the systemic inflammatory response (pre-operative white cell count, C-reactive protein and albumin concentrations), standard clinicopathological factors, tumour T-lymphocytic (CD4+ and CD8+) and macrophage (CD68+) infiltration, proliferative (Ki-67) index and microvessel density (CD34+) was examined using immunohistochemistry and slide-counting techniques, and their prognostic values were examined in 168 patients with potentially curative resection of early-stage invasive breast cancer. Increased tumour grade and proliferative activity were associated with greater tumour T-lymphocyte (P<0.05) and macrophage (P<0.05) infiltration and microvessel density (P<0.01). The median follow-up of survivors was 72 months. During this period, 31 patients died; 18 died of their cancer. On univariate analysis, increased lymph-node involvement (P<0.01), negative hormonal receptor (P<0.10), lower albumin concentrations (P<0.01), increased tumour proliferation (P<0.05), increased tumour microvessel density (P<0.05), the extent of locoregional control (P<0.0001) and limited systemic treatment (Pless than or equal to0.01) were associated with cancer-specific survival. On multivariate analysis of these significant covariates, albumin (HR 4.77, 95% CI 1.35–16.85, P=0.015), locoregional treatment (HR 3.64, 95% CI 1.04–12.72, P=0.043) and systemic treatment (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.23–4.27, P=0.009) were significant independent predictors of cancer-specific survival. Among tumour-based inflammatory factors, only tumour microvessel density (P<0.05) was independently associated with poorer cancer-specific survival. The host inflammatory responses are closely associated with poor tumour differentiation, proliferation and malignant disease progression in breast cancer

Indexing the Pseudomonas specialized metabolome enabled the discovery of poaeamide B and the bananamides

Pseudomonads are cosmopolitan microorganisms able to produce a wide array of specialized metabolites. These molecules allow Pseudomonas to scavenge nutrients, sense population density and enhance or inhibit growth of competing microorganisms. However, these valuable metabolites are typically characterized one-molecule–one-microbe at a time, instead of being inventoried in large numbers. To index and map the diversity of molecules detected from these organisms, 260 strains of ecologically diverse origins were subjected to mass-spectrometry-based molecular networking. Molecular networking not only enables dereplication of molecules, but also sheds light on their structural relationships. Moreover, it accelerates the discovery of new molecules. Here, by indexing the Pseudomonas specialized metabolome, we report the molecular-networking-based discovery of four molecules and their evolutionary relationships: a poaeamide analogue and a molecular subfamily of cyclic lipopeptides, bananamides 1, 2 and 3. Analysis of their biosynthetic gene cluster shows that it constitutes a distinct evolutionary branch of the Pseudomonas cyclic lipopeptides. Through analysis of an additional 370 extracts of wheat-associated Pseudomonas, we demonstrate how the detailed knowledge from our reference index can be efficiently propagated to annotate complex metabolomic data from other studies, akin to the way in which newly generated genomic information can be compared to data from public databases

Approaches in biotechnological applications of natural polymers

Natural polymers, such as gums and mucilage, are biocompatible, cheap, easily available and non-toxic materials of native origin. These polymers are increasingly preferred over synthetic materials for industrial applications due to their intrinsic properties, as well as they are considered alternative sources of raw materials since they present characteristics of sustainability, biodegradability and biosafety. As definition, gums and mucilages are polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates consisting of one or more monosaccharides or their derivatives linked in bewildering variety of linkages and structures. Natural gums are considered polysaccharides naturally occurring in varieties of plant seeds and exudates, tree or shrub exudates, seaweed extracts, fungi, bacteria, and animal sources. Water-soluble gums, also known as hydrocolloids, are considered exudates and are pathological products; therefore, they do not form a part of cell wall. On the other hand, mucilages are part of cell and physiological products. It is important to highlight that gums represent the largest amounts of polymer materials derived from plants. Gums have enormously large and broad applications in both food and non-food industries, being commonly used as thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspending, stabilizing agents and matrices for drug release in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the food industry, their gelling properties and the ability to mold edible films and coatings are extensively studied. The use of gums depends on the intrinsic properties that they provide, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. For upgrading the value of gums, they are being processed into various forms, including the most recent nanomaterials, for various biotechnological applications. Thus, the main natural polymers including galactomannans, cellulose, chitin, agar, carrageenan, alginate, cashew gum, pectin and starch, in addition to the current researches about them are reviewed in this article.. }To the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfíico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for fellowships (LCBBC and MGCC) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nvíel Superior (CAPES) (PBSA). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) (JAT)

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

A FORMAÇÃO DO ENFERMEIRO PARA A ASSISTÊNCIA DE PORTADORES DE NECESSIDADES ESPECIAIS, COM PARALISIA CEREBRAL, SUBMETIDOS À INTERNAÇÃO DOMICILIAR

This is an end of course work that has as its subject nurse training in the home care of special needs patients, particularly, of patients with cerebral paralysis. Its aim is to sensitize the nurse to the peculiarities of Attention Services at home and for patients with cerebral palsy. To direct the course of this work, we present as a study the problem of the identification of the main necessities of the patients with cerebral palsy in Attention Services at home. The general objective of this research will be to describe the training process of specialist nurses in home care and the specific objectives will be: To identify the main requirements of patients with special needs and cerebral palsy, and to describe how nurses are prepared for this type of care of patients and their family. It was opted to carry out a bibliographical research, contemplating a qualitative focus, of explorative nature, descriptive and explanatory, resulting in the following thematic categories: The perception of the importance of "being a nurse in home care" and the relevance of the knowledge of the needs of patients with cerebral palsy and their family, in regards to home internment. From its development, it was possible to perceive that the academic focus given to this type of service and to this type of patient is limited, and that a specific specialization for the peculiarities of the service of home care and the peculiarities of a patient with cerebral palsy is still restricted. We conclude that greater assessment and study of the service of home care, as well as the patient with cerebral palsy, is necessary. As much during study as after graduation because this is a service in expansion and the patient needs complete care. We hope that this study contributes to a greater interest in the subject, facilitating the assistance of patients in home care, particularly those with special needs.Este es un trabajo de finalización de curso, que tiene como tema la formación de enfermeras en la atención domiciliaria con una necesidad especial, más concretamente, para el cliente con parálisis cerebral; quiere aumentar la sensibilización, especialmente a la enfermera acerca de las peculiaridades del Servicio de Atención a domicilio y al paciente con parálisis cerebral. Para dirigir el progreso de este trabajo, se presenta como problema el estudio de la identificación de las principales necesidades presentadas por el cliente con parálisis cerebral en el servicio de cuidados en el hogar. El objetivo general de esta investigación es describir el proceso de formación de la enfermera especialista en cuidados en el hogar y los objetivos específicos: identificar las principales necesidades de la atención al cliente con necesidades especiales, con parálisis cerebral; describir cómo las enfermeras están preparadas para este tipo de asistencia a estos clientes y de su familia. Nuestra opción es realizar una búsqueda bibliográfica, se contempla un enfoque cualitativo, el carácter exploratorio, descriptivo y explicativo, por lo que en las siguientes categorías temáticas: La percepción de la importancia de "ser calificadas enfermeras en la atención a domicilio" y la importancia del conocimiento de las necesidades del cliente y de la familia del neuropata, frente al episodio de hospitalización en domicilio. A partir de su desarrollo, es posible percibir que el enfoque académico dispensado a este tipo de servicio y a ese tipo de cliente es limitada, y que está todavía limitada una especialización especifica tanto para las peculiaridades del servicio de atención domiciliaria, como las peculiaridades de un paciente neuropata. Llegamos a la conclusión de que necesitamos una mayor valoración y estudio del servicio de atención domiciliaria, así como a los clientes con parálisis cerebral, tanto durante como en la postgraduación, por el hecho de que este es un servicio en expansión y el cliente es un usuario que necesita toda la atención. Esperamos que este estudio contribuya a un mayor interés en el tema, facilitar la asistencia de los clientes sometidos a atención domiciliaria, especialmente los que tienen necesidades especiales.Trata-se de um trabalho de conclusão de curso, que tem como tema a formação do enfermeiro no atendimento domiciliar ao portador de necessidade especial, mais especificamente, ao cliente com paralisia cerebral, pretende sensibilizar, em especial ao enfermeiro quanto às peculiaridades do serviço de atendimento domiciliar e do paciente com paralisia cerebral. Para direcionar o andamento deste trabalho, apresentamos como problema de estudo a identificação das principais necessidades apresentadas pelo cliente com paralisia cerebral no serviço de atendimento domiciliar. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa foi descrever o processo de formação do enfermeiro especialista em atendimento domiciliar e os objetivos específicos: identificar as principais necessidades assistenciais do cliente portador de necessidades especiais com paralisia cerebral; descrever como o enfermeiro é preparado para essa assistência a esses clientes e sua família. Optou-se por realizar uma pesquisa bibliográfica, contemplando-se uma abordagem qualitativa, de natureza exploratória, descritiva e explicativa, resultando nas seguintes categorias temáticas: A percepção da importância do “ser enfermeiro capacitado em home care” e A relevância do conhecimento das necessidades do cliente e da família do neuropata, frente ao episodio de internação domiciliar. A partir do seu desenvolvimento, foi possível perceber que a abordagem acadêmica dispensada a esse tipo de serviço e a esse tipo de cliente é restrita, e que ainda é restrita também uma especialização especifica, tanto para as peculiaridades do serviço de atendimento domiciliar, como às peculiaridades de um paciente neuropata. Concluímos que é necessário maior valorização e estudo quanto ao serviço de atendimento domiciliar, assim como também ao cliente com paralisia cerebral, tanto no intra como na pós-graduação, pelo fato de que este é um serviço em expansão e esse cliente é um usuário em potencial, por ser um cliente que necessita de atenção integral. Desejamos que este estudo contribua de forma a impulsionar um maior interesse sobre o tema, facilitando a assistência de clientes submetidos à internação domiciliar, em especial àqueles que possuem necessidades especiais