Triple seesaw mechanism

On fitting the type II seesaw mechanism into the type I seesaw mechanism, we obtain a formula to the neutrino masses which get suppressed by high-scale $M^3$ in its denominator. As a result, light neutrinos are naturally obtained with new physics at TeV scale. As interesting consequence, the mechanism may be directly probed at the LHC by directly producing the TeV states intrinsic of the mechanism. We show that the 3-3-1 model with right-handed neutrinos realizes naturally such seesaw mechanism.Comment: About 13 pages, no figure

Singular diffusion and criticality in a confined sandpile

We investigate the behavior of a two-state sandpile model subjected to a confining potential in one and two dimensions. From the microdynamical description of this simple model with its intrinsic exclusion mechanism, it is possible to derive a continuum nonlinear diffusion equation that displays singularities in both the diffusion and drift terms. The stationary-state solutions of this equation, which maximizes the Fermi-Dirac entropy, are in perfect agreement with the spatial profiles of time-averaged occupancy obtained from model numerical simulations in one as well as in two dimensions. Surprisingly, our results also show that, regardless of dimensionality, the presence of a confining potential can lead to the emergence of typical attributes of critical behavior in the two-state sandpile model, namely, a power-law tail in the distribution of avalanche sizes.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Sustainability Assessment of indicators for integrated water resources management

The scientific community strongly recommends the adoption of indicators for the evaluation and monitoring of progress towards sustainable development. Furthermore, international organizations consider that indicators are powerful decision-making tools. Nevertheless, the quality and reliability of the indicators depends on the application of adequate and appropriate criteria to assess them. The general objective of this study was to evaluate how indicators related to water use and management perform against a set of sustainability criteria. Our research identified 170 indicators related to water use and management. These indicators were assessed by an international panel of experts that evaluated whether they fulfil the four sustainability criteria: social, economic, environmental, and institutional. We employed an evaluation matrix that classified all indicators according to the DPSIR (Driving Forces, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses) framework. A pilot study served to test and approve the research methodology before carrying out the full implementation. The findings of the study show that 24 indicators comply with the majority of the sustainability criteria; 59 indicators are bi-dimensional (meaning that they comply with two sustainability criteria); 86 are one-dimensional indicators (fulfilling just one of the four sustainability criteria) and one indicator do not fulfil any of the sustainability criteria.Postprint (author's final draft

Neutrino Decay and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in a 3-3-1 Model

In this work we show that the implementation of spontaneous breaking of the lepton number in the 3-3-1 model with right-handed neutrinos gives rise to fast neutrino decay with majoron emission and generates a bunch of new contributions to the neutrinoless double beta decay.Comment: Version accepted for publication in the Phys. Rev.

Implementation of quality management systems in HEI: The approach of the Polytechnic Institute of Setubal (Portugal)

Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have special features that matter to consider in the implementation of its Quality Management Systems (QMS). These should convey clear and broadly accepted messages, so they need to find the best balance between academic freedom and responsibility for accountability. Given these characteristics, as well as the weakness of diagnostic tools, the culture of independence of teachers and insufficient authority and stability of the management bodies, the QMS of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal (IPS) was designed to be based on two fundamental pillars: profound knowledge of the variables with impact on results and evidence-based management. In other words, it was not based on procedures (as usual), but in information. In this sense, and assuming known statement that “we cannot manage what we do not know”, the basic component of the QMS is a monitoring system. We applied the recommendation of Snyder et al. (2000, p.320) "Stimulating the imbalance with information", urging people to act on the basis of clear information. The work undertaken till now (last five years) is described and discussed critically. This work includes, among other activities and projects, the design of a Global Model Process, the design of the organizational structure of IPS’s Integrated Management System (SIGIPS), and the definition of the institutional Quality Policy. In addition, and assuming QMS as multidisciplinary fields, it has also been stepping up the contribution of Research and Development (R&D) activities of some teachers, combined with the needs of scientific and technical support related to the implementation of the system itself. It is in this context that SIGIPS’s central coordination unit (UNIQUA/IPS), whose constitution also includes a Studies and Planning Center, has been operating a set of complementary studies in priority areas, particularly with regard to the teaching and learning process. Examples of this are the (annual) reports of socio demographic characterization of students and the studies about the evaluation of the implementation of Bologna process in the context of the institution and about issues of academic success/failure and dropout. The main findings are presented, namely the reduction of the administrative and burocratic work, the increase of management support and the availability of updated and relevant information, reinforcing the management style based on facts. The initiatives have always had technical and scientific support, gathering support and credibility to QMS. The top structure of the QMS is innovative, balancing academic knowledge and the application of quality techniques and methods to HEI, contributing to a structure of practical research. The questionnaires for assessing student perceptions were discussed and it was concluded that traditionally they are "too reactive" (applied in end of semesters), which means that other diagnostic instruments (proactive and dynamic) are necessary. This situation has, therefore, reinforce the need to use instruments nearer to the "problem situation" in regard to the teaching learning process, which would contribute to more effective process improvement and could even involve the participation of students or be managed by them. Finally, an adequate Information System based on the Information and Communication Technologies is definitely an indispensable resource.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION OF A BILAYER TABLET OF BOSENTAN MONOHYDRATE AND SILDENAFIL CITRATE IN MANAGEMENT OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: The current study aims at fabrication of an oral bilayer matrix tablet of bosentan monohydrate and sildenafil citrate; the optimisation of their in vitro release and characterization, thereby reducing the side effects associated with bosentan, reducing dosing frequency and increasing patient compliance in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Methods: Methocel K4M Premium DC2, a directly compressible HPMC grade was used as the sustained release polymer. Pregelatinised starch is used as a diluent and release modifier and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as a solubiliser. The blends of both layers were prepared, evaluated for precompression characteristics and compressed by direct compression. The compressed bilayer tablets were evaluated for their hardness, weight variation, friability, content uniformity and swelling index. The principle objective was to assess the influence of the above variables on in vitro drug release of Bosentan using a 23 factorial design. Responses are measured as drug release at 2h (Q2), 6h (Q6) and 10h (Q10). Results: HPMC and pregelatinized starch form a synergistic gel thereby controlling drug release of bosentan for a 12 hour period. Batch BS09 consisting of 40 mg HPMC, 30 mg Pregeletinized starch and 5 mg SLS showed adequate controlled release for a 12 h period. Immediate release layer of sildenafil citrate showed optimum drug release of 102.96% within 30 min. Conclusion: Bilayer tablet of bosentan and sildenafil is an ideal combination for patients failing monotherapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Co‐existing monophasic teratoma and uterine adenocarcinoma in a female dog

Ovarian teratomas are occasionally reported in dogs; the rarest type is the monophasic teratoma,composed of tissues originating from only one germ layer. Canine endometrial adenocarcinomas are also rare in dogs and mainly affect geriatric females. This report describes case of co-existing ovarian teratoma and uterine adenocarcinoma in a 10-year old nulliparous female Boxer presented with lethargy, anorexia and purulent vaginal discharge. Abdominal ultrasonography evidenced pyometra and a mass in the left ovary. This was composed of a uniform whitish tissue with multiple cystic structures. The histology revealed an atrophy of the ovarian parenchyma, compressed by a proliferation of well-differentiated nervous tissue staining positively to vimentin, S100 and neuronal specific enolase (NSE), and negatively to keratin and inhibin. The left uterine horn, whose diameter was markedly increased, showed foci of endometrial cellular atypia, evident nucleoli and mitoses, at light microscopy. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a coexisting ovarian monophasic teratoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma, two rare reproductive neoplasia in dogs