Implications of symmetries in the scalar sector

Symmetries play a very important r\^ole in Particle Physics. In extended scalar sectors, the existence of symmetries may permit the models to comply with the experimental constraints in a natural way, and at the same time reduce the number of free parameters. There is a strong interplay among internal symmetries of the scalar potential, its CP properties and mass degeneracies of the physical scalars. Some of these aspects were discussed in this talk.Comment: 8 pages, to be published in the Proceedings of DISCRETE2018: 6th Symposium on Prospects in the Physics of Discrete Symmetries, 26-30 Nov 2018. Vienna, Austri

Symmetries and Mass Degeneracies in the Scalar Sector

We explore some aspects of models with two and three SU(2) scalar doublets that lead to mass degeneracies among some of the physical scalars. In Higgs sectors with two scalar doublets, the exact degeneracy of scalar masses, without an artificial fine-tuning of the scalar potential parameters, is possible only in the case of the inert doublet model (IDM), where the scalar potential respects a global U(1) symmetry that is not broken by the vacuum. In the case of three doublets, we introduce and analyze the replicated inert doublet model, which possesses two inert doublets of scalars. We then generalize this model to obtain a scalar potential, first proposed by Ivanov and Silva, with a CP4 symmetry that guarantees the existence of pairwise degenerate scalar states among two pairs of neutral scalars and two pairs of charged scalars. Here, CP4 is a generalized CP symmetry with the property that $({\rm CP}4)^n$ is the identity operator only for integer $n$ values that are multiples of 4. The form of the CP4-symmetric scalar potential is simplest when expressed in the Higgs basis, where the neutral scalar field vacuum expectation value resides entirely in one of the scalar doublet fields. The symmetries of the model permit a term in the scalar potential with a complex coefficient that cannot be removed by any redefinition of the scalar fields within the class of Higgs bases (in which case, we say that no real Higgs basis exists). A striking feature of the CP4-symmetric model is that it preserves CP even in the absence of a real Higgs basis, as illustrated by the cancellation of the contributions to the CP violating form factors of the effective ZZZ and ZWW vertices.Comment: 52 pages, 2 figures, second revised version with new material, as published by JHE

Biodiversity and characterization of marine mycota from Portuguese waters

Biodiversity and characterization of marine mycota from Portuguese waters.— The occurrence, diversity and similarity of marine fungi detected by the sum of direct and indirect observations in Fagus sylvatica and Pinus pinaster baits submerged at two Portuguese marinas are analyzed and discussed. In comparison with the data already published in 2010, the higher number of specimens considered in this study led to the higher number of very frequent taxa for these environments and substrata; the significant difference in substrata and also in fungal diversity detected at the two environments is also highlighted, in addition to the decrease in fungal similarity. Because the identification of Lulworthia spp., Fusarium sp., Graphium sp., Phoma sp. and Stachybotrys sp. down to species level was not possible, based only on the morphological characterization, a molecular approach based on the amplification of the LSU rDNA region was performed with isolates of these fungi. This was achieved for three isolates, identified as Fusarium solani, Graphium eumorphum and Stachybotrys chartarum. To achieve this with the other isolates which are more complex taxa, the sequencing of more regions will be considered.Biodiversidad y caracterización de los hongos marinos de las aguas portuguesas.— Se analiza y discute la presencia, la diversidad y la similitud de los hongos marinos detectados mediante la suma de observaciones directas e indirectas utilizando cebos de Fagus sylvatica y Pinus pinaster sumergidos en dos puertos deportivos portugueses. En comparación con los datos ya publicados en 2010, el mayor número de especímenes aquí considerados condujo a un mayor número de taxones muy frecuentes en estos sustratos y medios ambientales; también debe destacarse la diferencia significativa en los sustratos y también en la diversidad fúngica en los dos medios ambientales, además de la disminución de la similitud fúngica. Dado que no fue posible la identificación de Lulworthia spp., Fusarium sp., Graphium sp., Phoma sp., y Stachybotrys sp. hasta el nivel de especie, basándose únicamente en la caracterización morfológica, se llevó a cabo un estudio molecular basado en la amplificación de la región LSU ADNr con extractos de dichos hongos. Ello se consiguió en tres extractos puros, identificados como de Fusarium solani, Graphium eumorphum y Stachybotrys chartarum. Para llevar a cabo este proceso con otros extractos puros pertenecientes a taxones más complejos, se considerará la secuenciación de más regiones.publishe

SN contributions to GRB lightcurves

Several of the nearer GRB afterglows (up to z ∼ 1) show bumps in their lightcurves that have been interpreted as contributions from associated SNae. Thebumps arecustomarily modelled likethet ype-Ic SN 1998bw, but wein vestigate here, for several low-z GRBs, whether other SN types might offer alternatives. While several SN types are ruled out, or are unlikely, a type “II-bl” could also explain the observations

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with in Utero Closed Foramen Ovale: Case Report

Apresenta-se o caso clínico de um recém- -nascido (RN) do sexo masculino, com diagnóstico pré-natal de síndrome do coração esquerdo hipoplásico (SCEH), referenciado às 37 semanas de gestação. No ecocardiograma fetal apresentava SCEH clássico com atrésia da aorta, válvula mitral permeável e septo interauricular espessado, mas com foramen ovale (FO) aparentemente permeável. Parto eutócico de termo, PN = 2540g, necessidade de intubação endotraqueal com ventilação assistida e prostaglandina E1 intravenosa. Imediatamente após o parto verificou-se agravamento clínico com deterioração dos valores gasimétricos. O ecocardiograma confirmou o diagnóstico, levantando a suspeita de encerramento do FO, que se confirmou no exame hemodinâmico, feito de seguida. Tentativa de atrioseptostomia de Rashkind, sem sucesso. O RN faleceu, tendo a autópsia revelado SCEH com FO encerrado, seio coronário aumentado e extensas linfangiectasias pulmonares. O aumento do seio coronário levou, neste caso, ao diagnóstico pré-natal errado de FO permeável com shunt esquerdo-direito

Impacts of invasive alien trees on threatened lowland vegetation types in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

This study investigated the autogenic recovery potential of native vegetation after clearing of dense stands of invasive alien trees in two critically endangered vegetation types in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region: Cape Flats Lowland Fynbos and Swartland Alluvium Fynbos. Sampling was done in areas previously occupied by the invasive tree Acacia saligna and plantations of Pinus radiata and in a fynbos reference site. Treatments varied in terms of the length of invasion and management histories. Plots previously under pines recovered well in terms of indigenous perennial species richness, but indigenous species cover decreased with increasing number of planting rotations. Areas cleared of acacia recovered poorly in terms of indigenous species cover (after one cycle of invasion), and indigenous species richness exhibited a declining trendwith increasing cycles of invasion. Proteoid overstoreywas lost in all previously invaded/planted plots and this elementwill need to be re-introduced to areas after one cycle of invasion regardless of the invasive species. Acacias changed some abiotic variables after two cycles of invasion. Follow-up clearing generally promoted better vegetation recovery in terms of overall species richness and structure but care should be taken not to damage indigenous ericoid shrubs. Overall, acacia invasion caused a greater change in biodiversity and vegetation structure than pine plantations

Global embedding of the Kerr black hole event horizon into hyperbolic 3-space

An explicit global and unique isometric embedding into hyperbolic 3-space, H^3, of an axi-symmetric 2-surface with Gaussian curvature bounded below is given. In particular, this allows the embedding into H^3 of surfaces of revolution having negative, but finite, Gaussian curvature at smooth fixed points of the U(1) isometry. As an example, we exhibit the global embedding of the Kerr-Newman event horizon into H^3, for arbitrary values of the angular momentum. For this example, considering a quotient of H^3 by the Picard group, we show that the hyperbolic embedding fits in a fundamental domain of the group up to a slightly larger value of the angular momentum than the limit for which a global embedding into Euclidean 3-space is possible. An embedding of the double-Kerr event horizon is also presented, as an example of an embedding which cannot be made global.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figure

Outbreak of acute respiratory infection among infants in Lisbon, Portugal, caused by human adenovirus serotype 3 and a new 7/3 recombinant strain

Human adenoviruses (AdVs) typically cause mild illnesses in otherwise healthy hosts. We investigated a pediatric outbreak of acute respiratory infection with fatal outcomes that occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2004.Biological specimens were collected from 83 children attending two nurseries, a kinesiotherapy clinic, and the household of a nanny. Adenovirus infection was confirmed in 48 children by PCR and virus isolation. Most(96%) isolates were classified as being of subspecies B1. Phylogenetic analysis of fiber and hexon gene sequences revealed that most infants were infected with AdV serotype 3 (AdV3) strains. Infants attending one nursery harbored a new recombinant strain containing an AdV serotype 7 hexon and serotype 3 fiber (AdV7/3). Both the AdV3 and the AdV7/3 strains caused fatal infections. Two different serotype 3 strains were circulating in Lisbon in 2004, and the new AdV7/3 recombinant type originated from only one of those strains. These results demonstrate that recombination leads to the emergence of new adenovirus strains with epidemic and lethal potentialThis research was funded by DGE of the European Commission (for the research project entitled Genomic inventory, forensic markers, and assessment of potential therapeutic and vaccine targets for viruses relevant in biological crime and terrorism, grant SSPE-CT-2005-022639 RIVIGENE

Impact of Mediterranean Climatic factors in Algarve on loyalty over International Tourist (Case study of Algarve, Portugal)

Weather and climate affect all living organisms that inhabit our planet. At the same time, weather and climate influence a person as a biological being (on his or her well-being), as well as on most branches of his or her economic activity. The tourism sector (and especially some types of tourism) is among the most dependent on the weather and climate among human activities. The customer loyalty plays a vital role within the tourism and hospitality industry