Sensitivity to SUSY Seesaw Parameters and Lepton Flavour Violation

We address the constraints on the SUSY seesaw parameters arising from Lepton Flavour Violation observables. Working in the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model extended by three right-handed (s)neutrinos, we study the predictions for the branching ratios of $l_j \to l_i \gamma$ and $l_j \to 3 l_i$ channels. We impose compatibility with neutrino data, electric dipole moment bounds, and further require a successful baryon asymmetry of the Universe (via thermal leptogenesis). We emphasise the interesting interplay between $\theta_{13}$ and the LFV muon decays, pointing out the hints on the SUSY seesaw parameters that can arise from measurements of $\theta_{13}$ and LFV branching ratios. This is a brief summary of the work of Ref. \cite{Antusch:2006vw}.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Presented at 5th Flavor Physics and CP Violation Conference (FPCP 2007), Bled, Slovenia, 12-16 May 200

Scalar and Spinor Particles in the Spacetime of a Domain Wall in String Theory

We consider scalar and spinor particles in the spacetime of a domain wall in the context of low energy effective string theories, such as the generalized scalar-tensor gravity theories. This class of theories allows for an arbitrary coupling of the wall and the (gravitational) scalar field. First, we derive the metric of a wall in the weak-field approximation and we show that it depends on the wall's surface energy density and on two post-Newtonian parameters. Then, we solve the Klein-Gordon and the Dirac equations in this spacetime. We obtain the spectrum of energy eigenvalues and the current density in the scalar and spinor cases, respectively. We show that these quantities, except in the case of the energy spectrum for a massless spinor particle, depend on the parameters that characterize the scalar-tensor domain wall.Comment: LATEX file, 21 pages, revised version to appear in Phys. Rev.

A experência da criança no perioperatório de cirurgia programada

A experiência da criança submetida a cirurgia programada é sempre uma vivência individual, não descorando o binómio criança/família. A ansiedade, o medo, o choro, e outras reacções são conhecidas da nossa prática como manifestações à separação familiar e ao ambiente hospitalar. Numa tentativa de compreender a experiência da criança, em idade escolar, no perioperatório de cirurgia programada, levamos a cabo um estudo qualitativo de intervenção. A amostra incluiu 30 crianças admitidas no Serviço de Cirurgia da Instituição. O primeiro grupo (A), seguiu os procedimentos habituais da instituição. O segundo grupo (B), foi submetido a uma intervenção de enfermagem no pré-operatório, realizada na véspera do acto cirúrgico. Após análise das entrevistas, constatou-se a existência de oito categorias: experiência hospitalar, experiência cirúrgica, experiência de aprendizagem, experiência no bloco operatório, sensações, resultados da experiência, papel do enfermeiro e hospital pediátrico. Estas categorias foram alvo de análise de conteúdo para compreensão das mensagens das crianças. As conclusões deste estudo, revelam-nos que as crianças submetidas a intervenção de enfermagem pré-operatória, quando comparadas com as crianças que seguiram o procedimento habitual da instituição, expressam maior entendimento, aceitação e reconhecimento dos procedimentos cirúrgicos; estabelecem, com maior facilidade, uma relação terapêutica com a equipa de enfermagem; relatam menos medo e encaram a experiência como fonte de aprendizagem, e a presença do familiar como o garante tranquilizador

Atomic jet from SMM1 (FIRS1) in Serpens uncovers non-coeval binary companion

We report on the detection of an atomic jet associated with the protostellar source SMM1 (FIRS1) in Serpens. The jet is revealed in [FeII] and [NeII] line maps observed with Spitzer/IRS, and further confirmed in HiRes IRAC and MIPS images. It is traced very close to SMM1 and peaks at ~5 arcsec" from the source at a position angle of $\sim 125 degrees. In contrast, molecular hydrogen emission becomes prominent at distances > 5" from the protostar and extends at a position angle of 160 degrees. The morphological differences suggest that the atomic emission arises from a companion source, lying in the foreground of the envelope surrounding the embedded protostar SMM1. In addition the molecular and atomic Spitzer maps disentangle the large scale CO (3-2) emission observed in the region into two distinct bipolar outflows, giving further support to a proto-binary source setup. Analysis at the peaks of the [FeII] jet show that emission arises from warm and dense gas (T ~1000 K, n(electron) 10^5 - 10^6 cm^-3). The mass flux of the jet derived independently for the [FeII] and [NeII] lines is 10^7 M(sun)/yr, pointing to a more evolved Class~I/II protostar as the driving source. All existing evidence converge to the conclusion that SMM1 is a non-coeval proto-binary source.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astronomy \& Astrophysic

Description and molecular phylogeny of a new and one known needle nematode of the genus Paralongidorus (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from grapevine in Portugal

A new and a known longidorid nematode, Paralongidorus lusitanicus n. sp. and Paralongidorus plesioepimikis, are described and illustrated from populations extracted from soil associated with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from Escaroupim and Pó (central-Western Portugal), respectively. The new needle nematode P. lusitanicus n. sp. is characterised by a very large body size (8072–12,022 μm), an expanded and rounded lip region, ca 30 μm wide, with a clear constriction followed by a depression posterior to the amphidial aperture, amphidial fovea very large (11.0–19.0 μm), stirrup-shaped, with conspicuous slit-like aperture as shown in scanning electron microscopy studies, a very long and flexible odontostyle (180.0–223.0 μm), guiding ring located at 28.0–41.5 μm from anterior end, vulva anterior to the mid-body (34–41%), a dorsally convex-conoid tail with rounded terminus (29–42 μm long), bearing two or three pairs of caudal pores and males common (ratio 1:1.6 females) with spicules ca 80 μm long. Morphological and morphometric traits for P. plesioepimikis fit well with the original description, and is reported for the first time in Portugal. Integrative diagnosis of both species was completed with molecular data obtained using D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS1-rDNA and partial 18S–rDNA. The phylogenetic relationships of these species with other Paralongidorus spp. using these three molecular markers indicated that P. lusitanicus n. sp. clustered together with other Paralongidorus spp. forming a sister clade with P. plesioepimikis, both of them sharing a large body, long odontostyle, an anteriorly located vulva and an expanded and rounded lip region with a clear constriction followed by a depression posterior to the amphidial aperture

LFV in semileptonic τ\tau decays and μ−e\mu-e conversion in nuclei in SUSY-seesaw

Here we review the main results of LFV in the semileptonic tau decays $\tau \to \mu PP$ ($PP = \pi^+ \pi^-, \pi^0 \pi^0, K^+ K^-, K^0 \bar{K}^0$), $\tau \to \mu P$ ($P = \pi, \eta, \eta^{\prime}$), and $\tau \to \mu V$ ($V = \rho, \phi$) as well as in $\mu-e$ conversion in nuclei within SUSY-seesaw scenarios, and compare our predictions with the present experimental boundsComment: Talk given by M. J. Herrero in SUSY08 conference, Seou

Allergic contact dermatitis to Aloe vera

Abstract We present the case of a 72-year-old woman observed for dermatitis on the legs followed by apperance of erythema on the eyelids. She had a past history of peripheral venous insufficiency and had been using self home-made Aloe vera juice over the legs for relief from pain. Patch tests showed positive reactions to the leaf of Aloe, the macerated Aloe jelly, and nickel sulfate. Although most manufacturers process Aloe products avoiding its irritant extracts, and probably as a consequence reports of allergic reactions are rare, one must remember that the growing popularity on the use of Aloe products may stimulate its use ‘as is’ by the patients. Furthermore, it is important to specifically ask patients about the use of these products, because they consider it as innocuous and thus would not spontaneously provide such informatio

Pedestrian forward projection after vehicle collision

This paper is focused in the assessment of the relation between the vehicle collision velocity, the pedestrian throw distance and the pedestrian injury, after vehicle–pedestrian collision with forward projection. A few parameters were considered, in particular the collision velocity (8), the pedestrian mass and height (8), and the mass of the vehicle (3). The results of the throw distance projection were compared using two solution methods (simple and advanced), the results of other authors and with 15 real data accident with forward projections. A total of 192 different conditions were simulated, being the results in good agreement. The injury of the pedestrian was calculated, based on two injury criteria (GSI and FFC), aiming to define a simple relation between pedestrian injury and the vehicle collision velocity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio