BFB conditions on a class of symmetry constrained 3HDM

We study the bounded from below (BFB) conditions on a class of three Higgs doublet models (3HDM) constrained by the symmetry groups U(1)xU(1), U(1)xZ2 and Z2xZ2. These constraints must be implemented on both the neutral (BFB-n) and charged (BFB-c) directions. The exact necessary and sufficient BFB conditions are unknown in the Z2xZ2 case. We develop a general strategy using lower bounds to find sufficient conditions for BFB-n and BFB-c and apply it to these symmetries. In addition, we investigate the concern that the use of safe sufficient conditions can ignore valid points which would yield distinct physical consequences. This is done by performing a full phenomenological simulation of the U(1)xU(1) and U(1)xZ2 models, where exact necessary and sufficient BFB conditions are possible. We look specifically at the points allowed by exact solutions but precluded by safe lower bounds. We found no evidence of remarkable new effects, partly reassuring the use of the lower bounds we propose here, for those potentials where no exact necessary and sufficient BFB conditions are known.Comment: 41 pages, 15 Figures, revtex. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2106.1197

Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2: An inconvenient truth?

Data show that antibody-related immunity against SARS-CoV-2 may not be long-lasting. We report two cases regarded as cured from COVID-19, which presented again with symptoms and a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. Case one, a 60-year-old male, had a biphasic presentation of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection, associated with a positive RT-PCR test. Case two, a 25-year-old female, had a first positive RT-PCR test during hospital screening, and months later a symptomatic presentation of COVID-19, associated with a positive RT-PCR test. All cases were immunocompetent. Anti-IgG-SARS-CoV-2 blood samples were negative in both. Elevation of analytical inflammatory markers suggested new infection in both cases. COVID-19 reinfection may be a differential diagnosis and primary care physicians should acknowledge it. Previously cured patients should be encouraged to comply with health public preventive measures

A following association between juvenile Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) and Myrichthys ocellatus (Ophichthidae)

Copyright © 2006 Société Française d’Ichtyologie.Une association entre un mérou noir juvénile Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) et Myrichthys ocellatus (Ophichthidae). Les informations sur le comportement des poissons marins du Brésil sont très réduites. Nous présentons dans ce travail la première observation d’une interaction dans laquelle un mérou noir Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) agit comme suiveur d’un Myrichthys ocellatus (Lesueur, 1825). Ce comportement a été observé par hasard dans un récif de la Réserve marine biologique de Arvoredo, située sur la côte centrale de l’état de Santa Catarina, Brésil. Bien que l’observation ait été unique, l’interaction entre ces deux espèces nous a semblé apporter un bénéfice pour le mérou suiveur, qui peut ainsi chasser des proies cachées. Nous l’avons vu défendre activement sa place auprès de M. ocellatus, contre l’approche de deux autres jeunes mérous

Interannual sub-aerial beach variability along a sector of the Tróia- Sines embayed coast

The comprehension of sub-aerial beach variability of sandy beaches is essential to describe and predict his behaviour after extreme events (e.g. storms). Around the world coastline beach monitoring plans are established in order to characterize the main morphodynamic changes at different spatial and temporal scales. Within this scope, four field surveys (19th to 28th May 2009; 30th October to 10th November 2009, 21th to 30th May 2010 and 14l to 21 April 2011), using a new coastal survey system named INSHORE system(Differential Global Positioning System) [1], were conducted along the Tróia-Sines embayed beach (INSHORE project -PTDC/AMB/73169/2006). The interannual variability of the sub-aerial beach topography along the Tróia-Sines embayed coast for the first three field surveys were analysed considering the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) analysis regarding the: alongshore coastline configuration; subaerial beach width; beach profile configuration and volumetric changes. The results points to the definition of eight main coastline sectors very similar to the results previously described by [2]. Although a general north-south increasing beach width trend can be observed, [3] one of these main sectors, Sector 6, presents a significant variation of the beach width and beach profile configuration. This sector was selected to describe the morphodynamic pattern responsible for the sediment accommodation (beach width, and profile configuration) during the studied period. The subtraction between the three DEMs points to the importance of the beach width variation that describes the landward or seaward subaerial beach displacement. Although this might affect the beach width, this variable should not be taken as the unique one to describe the shoreline change. In fact, this parameter does not describe the beach variability regarding the profile configuration (e.g. berm width and sediment accommodation). According to our results the volumetric changes are strictly related to the beach width variation but the profile configuration has a particular role in the final budget analysis. The proxies that were used (+2m, +3.4m and +4,3m MSL elevation contours) and the relation between the beach width and subaerial beach volume, has given high correlation values. These results proved that not only the MHW (mean high water) used by others authors [4] can be defined as a proxy to describe the shoreline evolution, but also other morphodynamic meaningful contour elevations can give reliable results

Fingerprinting the Type-Z three Higgs doublet models

There has been great interest in a model with three Higgs doublets in which fermions with a particular charge couple to a single and distinct Higgs field. We study the phenomenological differences between the two common incarnations of this so-called Type-Z 3HDM. We point out that the differences between the two models arise from the scalar potential only. Thus we focus on observables that involve the scalar self-couplings. We find it difficult to uncover features that can uniquely set apart the $Z_3$ variant of the model. However, by studying the dependence of the trilinear Higgs couplings on the nonstandard masses, we have been able to isolate some of the exclusive indicators for the $Z_2\times Z_2$ version of the Type-Z 3HDM. This highlights the importance of precision measurements of the trilinear Higgs couplings.Comment: 15 pages, 4 captioned figure

Potential for reuse of tungsten mining waste-rock in technical-artistic value added products

Mining and quarrying activities in Europe generate approximately 55% of total industrial wastes, according to a recent Eurostat report. Most of these wastes are directly dumped on land or deposited in landfill sites. The first solution may lead to negative environmental impacts on land (removal of vegetation, deforestation, land slope changes and increased risk of erosion), water (pollutant transport through surface runoff, soil infiltration and contamination of water resources), may lead to the contamination of agricultural goods and may impose risks on human health. In Portugal, about 20% of industrial waste produced originates from mines and quarries, particularly from Panasqueira mining, one of the largest tungsten mines in the world. Currently, Panasqueira mining generates almost 100 tonnes of waste-rock, per day. Such waste-rock have accumulated over a number of years into very large heaps and it is desirable to seek new economic solutions that can contribute towards their reuse. In this context, this work discusses the potential for reuse of waste-rock piles of Panasqueira tungsten mine, which may be a case statement to be followed. The proposed solution described in this paper consists in developing innovative polymer-based composite materials, obtained from non-contaminated waste-rock tailings. Such materials must have suitable properties for technical-artistic value added applications, such as conservation, restoration and/or rehabilitation of historic monuments, sculptures, decorative and architectural intervention, or simply as materials for building revetments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Training and Learning Needs for MSc Programs in Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is urgently needed to promote conservation and sustainable resources use in an equitable manner through integrated management of land, water, energy and biodiversity. In this way, education in agriculture emerges as a crucial tool for preparing agricultural technicians, researchers and farmers for productive contributions. Higher education institutions arise with an important mission of education in the context of social transformation and to integrate sustainable development into the educational system as a scientific subject. The aim of this study was to identify the training and learning needs to be included in a MSc program in sustainable agriculture. It was based on a questionnaire prepared and distributed to academics’ experts in Agrarian Sciences in Greece, Italy and Portugal. Technologies, legislation, management and business, local community leadership and marketing were the training needs considered very important expertise’s in sustainable agriculture. Traditional face-to-face learning, experienced farmers as mentors and knowledge sharing mechanisms were rated as very applicable and important. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online learning methods, which were not considered suitable for a MSc program in sustainable agriculture, became important by providing online education. Information and communication technology and technological tools showed to be important skills for sustainable agricultural practices to effectively implement online learning and to improve the efficient access, exposure and use of up-to-date information of the agricultural sector and awareness of sustainable agricultural practices

Patterns of mitochondrial DNA damage in blood and brain tissues of a transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease

BACKGROUND: Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia caused by a CAG tract expansions in the ATXN3 gene. Patterns of mitochondrial damage associated with pathological findings of brain tissues could provide molecular biomarkers of this disorder. OBJECTIVE: The potential of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage as a biomarker of MJD progression was investigated using a transgenic mouse model. METHODS: DNA was obtained from affected (pontine nuclei) and nonaffected tissues (hippocampus and blood) of transgenic animals of three distinct age groups: 8 weeks, before onset of the phenotype; 16 weeks, at onset, and 24 weeks, at well-established phenotype. Wild-type littermate mice, serving as controls, were analyzed for the same tissues and age groups. mtDNA damage was studied by fluorescence-based quantitative PCR in 84 transgenic and 93 wild-type samples. RESULTS: A clear pattern of decrease in mtDNA copy number with age and accumulation of 3,867-bp deletions at the initial stages (both being more pronounced in transgenic mice) was observed. Pontine nuclei, the affected tissue in transgenic mice, displayed 1.5 times less copies of mtDNA than nonaffected brain tissue hippocampus (odds ratio = 1.21). Pontine nuclei displayed the highest percentage of mtDNA deletions (6.05% more in transgenic mice). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that mtDNA damage is related to the initiation of the phenotype in transgenic mice; mtDNA 3,867-bp deletions may be a biomarker of the initial stages of the disease.This study was supported by the following grants: DRCT Postdoctoral fellowship to N.K. (M3.1.7/F/002/2008), FCT Postdoctoral fellowship to T.C. (SFRH/BPD/38659/2007) and C.B. (SFRH/BPD/63121/2009), FCT research grants to S.S. (PTDC/SAU-GMG/64076/2006) and A.S.F. (PIC/IC/83013/2007)