Determining fundamental parameters from the chargino sector in Left-Right Supersymmetric models

Analytical expressions relating the fundamental parameters describing the chargino sector in the context of the Left-Right Supersymmetric model are constructed. A general complex extension of the real non-symmetric chargino mass matrix including all possible CP-violating phases is considered. The method used for such a effects is the projector formalism based on the explicit knowledge of two unitary matrices diagonalizing the chargino mass matrix. Some possible scenarios allowing us to extract analytical and numerical values for the unknown parameters are considered. Moreover, an algorithm allowing us to disentangle the fundamental parameters of the chargino sector, based on possible measurements of some class of cross-section observables related to the chargino pair production in $e^+ e^-$ annihilation processes, is described. Some comparisons with the corresponding results in the context of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model are given.Comment: 48 pages, 13 figure

Isotermas de sorción y transición vítrea de la pulpa de borojó (Borojoa patinoi Cuatr.)

Se han evaluado propiedades fisicoquímicas de la pulpa de borojó fresco y liofilizado, humectado a diferentes niveles de humedad. Se realizaron análisis de humedad (xw), sólidos solubles, ºBrix, carbohidratos (azúcares mayoritarios, pectina (TP) y fibra (TF)), pH, acidez valorable (Ac) y polifenoles totales. Igualmente, se analizaron las isotermas de sorción y se ajustaron adecuadamente a los modelos de BET, GAB, Henderson y Caurie. Las transiciones de fase fueron determinadas mediante calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC). Se identificó la temperatura de transición vítrea (Tg) de las muestras en función de la humedad, la Tg de la disolución máximamente crioconcentrada (Tg’ = –46,9 ºC) y la temperatura de formación del último cristal de hielo en el producto (Tm’ = –30,1). La variación de Tg en función de la xw se ajustó al modelo de Gordon y Taylor, lo que permitió obtener la cantidad de agua no congelable de la muestra (Wg’ = 0,177 g agua/g muestra). El análisis conjunto de los datos permitió identificar qué condiciones de almacenamiento ambiente (20 ºC y humedad relativa entre un 35 y un 65%) no aseguran el estado vítreo del borojó liofilizado. Por este motivo, se recomienda la adición de algunas sustancias de alto peso molecular.The physicochemical properties of fresh borojó pulp and lyophilised pulp humidified to different moisture levels were evaluated. Humidity (xw), soluble solids, ºBrix, carbohydrates (major sugars, pectin (TP) and fibre (TF)), pH, titratable acidity (Ac) and total polyphenols were determined. The sorption isotherms were also determined and appropriately fitted to the BET, GAB, Henderson and Caurie models. The phase transitions were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature (Tg) for the samples as a function of humidity, the Tg of the maximally cryoconcentrated solution (Tg’ = -46.9 °C) and the temperature of formation of the last ice crystal in the product (Tm’ = -30.1) were identified. The variation of Tg as a function of xw was fitted to the Gordon and Taylor model, which enabled us to obtain the amount of unfreezable water in the sample (Wg’=0.177 g water/g sample). The combined analysis of the data enabled us to show that ambient storage conditions (20 °C and relative humidity of between 35% and 65%) do not ensure that the vitreous state of lyophilised borojó pulp is maintained. Therefore, the addition of high molecular weight substances is recommended.Ciencias Experimentale

Restraint stress increases hemichannel activity in hippocampal glial cells and neurons

Stress affects brain areas involved in learning and emotional responses, which may contribute in the development of cognitive deficits associated with major depression. These effects have been linked to glial cell activation, glutamate release and changes in neuronal plasticity and survival including atrophy of hippocampal apical dendrites, loss of synapses and neuronal death. Under neuro-inflammatory conditions we recently unveiled a sequential activation of glial cells that release ATP and glutamate via hemichannels inducing neuronal death due to activation of neuronal NMDA/P2X7 receptors and pannexin1 hemichannels. In the present work, we studied if stress-induced glia activation is associated to changes in hemichannel activity. To this end, we compared hemichannel activity of brain cells after acute or chronic restraint stress in mice. Dye uptake experiments in hippocampal slices revealed that acute stress induces opening of both Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels in astrocytes, which were further increased by chronic stress; whereas enhanced Panx1 hemichannel activity was detected in microglia and neurons after acute/chronic and chronic stress, respectively. Moreover, inhibition of NMDA/P2X7 receptors reduced the chronic stress-induced hemichannel opening, whereas blockade of Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels fully reduced ATP and glutamate release in hippocampal slices from stressed mice. Thus, we propose that gliotransmitter release through hemichannels may participate in the pathogenesis of stress-associated psychiatric disorders and possibly depression

UBVRIz light curves of 51 type II supernovae

We present a compilation of UBVRIz light curves of 51 type II supernovae discovered during the course of four different surveys during 1986–2003: the Cerro Tololo Supernova Survey, the Calán/Tololo Supernova Program (C&T), the Supernova Optical and Infrared Survey (SOIRS), and the Carnegie Type II Supernova Survey (CATS). The photometry is based on template-subtracted images to eliminate any potential host galaxy light contamination, and calibrated from foreground stars. This work presents these photometric data, studies the color evolution using different bands, and explores the relation between the magnitude at maximum brightness and the brightness decline parameter (s) from maximum light through the end of the recombination phase. This parameter is found to be shallower for redder bands and appears to have the best correlation in the B band. In addition, it also correlates with the plateau duration, being shorter (longer) for larger (smaller) s values

An investigation of the disparity in estimates of microfilaraemia and antigenaemia in lymphatic filariasis surveys

The diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is based typically on either microfilaraemia as assessed by microscopy or filarial antigenaemia using an immuno-chromatographic test. While it is known that estimates of antigenaemia are generally higher than estimates of microfilaraemia, the extent of the difference is not known. This dataset was produced as part of a literature review of surveys that estimate microfilaraemia and antigenaemia

Invariant solutions of the supersymmetric sine-Gordon equation

A comprehensive symmetry analysis of the N=1 supersymmetric sine-Gordon equation is performed. Two different forms of the supersymmetric system are considered. We begin by studying a system of partial differential equations corresponding to the coefficients of the various powers of the anticommuting independent variables. Next, we consider the super-sine-Gordon equation expressed in terms of a bosonic superfield involving anticommuting independent variables. In each case, a Lie (super)algebra of symmetries is determined and a classification of all subgroups having generic orbits of codimension 1 in the space of independent variables is performed. The method of symmetry reduction is systematically applied in order to derive invariant solutions of the supersymmetric model. Several types of algebraic, hyperbolic and doubly periodic solutions are obtained in explicit form.Comment: 27 pages, major revision, the published versio

Subcutaneous Interferon Beta-1a inPediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Study

To expand current knowledge, we examined the safety and tolerability of subcutaneous interferon b-1a in patients with pediatriconset multiple sclerosis. Records from 307 patients who had received at least 1 injection of subcutaneous interferon b-1a for demyelinating events when aged younger than 18 years were reviewed. Overall, 168 (54.7%) patients had at least 1 prespecified medical event related to or under close monitoring with subcutaneous interferon b-1a or specific to pediatric patients, 184 (59.9%) had nonserious medical events related to treatment or of unknown causality, and 12 (3.9%) had serious medical events irrespective of causality. The most common laboratory abnormalities were increased alanine (74/195; 37.9%) and aspartate aminotransferase levels (59/194; 30.4%). Annualized relapse rates were 1.79 before treatment and 0.47 during treatment. In conclusion, adult doses of subcutaneous interferon b-1a (44 and 22 mg, 3 times weekly) were well tolerated in pediatric patients and were associated with reduced relapse rates