Second Generation of 'Miranda Procedure' for CP Violation in Dalitz Studies of B (\& D \& \tau) Decays

The `Miranda Procedure' proposed for analyzing Dalitz plots for CP asymmetries in charged B and D decays in a model-independent manner is extended and refined. The complexity of CKM CP phenomenology through order $\lambda^6$ is needed in searches for New Dynamics (ND). Detailed analyses of three-body final states other great advantages: (i) They give us more powerful tools for deciding whether an observed CP asymmetry rep- resents the manifestation of ND and its features. (ii) Many advantages can already be obtained by the `Miranda Procedure' without construction of a detailed Dalitz plot de- scription. (iii) One studies CP asymmetries independent of production asymmetries. We illustrate the power of a second generation Miranda Procedure with examples with time integrated rates for $B_d/\bar B_d$ decays to final states $K_S\pi+\pi-$ as trial runs with comments on $B^{\pm} \to K^{\pm}\pi^+\pi^-/K^{\pm}K^+K^-$.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figure

Catches of the sport fishing competitions along the Algarve coast (Portugal): species, sizes, catch rates, and trends

Background. Stocks of many marine fishes are in decline and a number of studies suggest that for some species the impact of recreational angling may be important. To date, only recreational (leisure) fishing surveys have been conducted in Portugal, with no studies on beach angling competitions, dynamically increasing in number over the past 10 to 20 years. In view of the above, we decided to evaluate the impact of such events on the Algarve coast (southern Portugal) in terms of the abundance, diversity, and respective weight of fish species caught and outline some conservation measures and recommendations for the management of the targeted species. Materials and methods. Participants of 22 angling competitions taking place between February and June 2007 were surveyed. In each competition a random sample of anglers was interviewed, and the specimens caught by each participant were identified, weighed, and measured. Results. Thirteen taxa belonging to eight families were identified, and the most common were: garfish, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761); mullets, Mugilidae (not identified); and mackerels, Scomber spp. A total of 563 specimens were sampled, totalling 75.4 kg of weight, with the average catch per angler weighing 0.5 +/- 0.05 SE (n = 153) kg. Differences were also observed between the length at first maturity (L(50)) of the specimens caught and their respective Minimum Landing Size (MLS) and Allowed Minimum Size (AMS), most particularly in the case of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), with almost all individuals caught measuring below the species-specific L50. Analysis of time series of competition results (1996-2009) showed no evidence of a decrease in catches or in mean weight. Conclusion. Based on the results we propose that the AMS for beach angling competitions should be increased to the MLS in order to prevent the capture of juvenile fishes, especially the sea bass. Future studies should address the size selectivity of the hooks used in beach competitions, with a view to the implementation of a minimum hook size for competitions

Diagnòstic genètic preimplantacional en estadis embrionaris tardans

La incorporació de la biòpsia de blastocist en la pràctica clínica pot ser considerada com una alternativa vàlida per als cicles de diagnòstic genètic preimplantacional (DGP). La disponibilitat d'un major nombre de cèl·lules obre la possibilitat de realitzar diagnòstics múltiples en paral·lel en el mateix embrió, i es poden detectar teòricament malalties multigèniques o bé combinar diversos tipus de diagnòstic mitjançant FISH i PCR. Els embrions transferits en estadi de blastocist estan subjectes a una doble selecció: genètica i mitjançant el cultiu, i això es veu reflectit en elevades taxes d'implantació, fet que permet reduir el nombre d'embrions a transferir per tal d'evitar gestacions múltiples. Tot i que l'aplicació clínica de la biòpsia de blastocist per al DGP és encara limitada i recent, els bons resultats obtinguts pel que fa a taxes d'implantació i d'embaràs, així com les possibilitats diagnòstiques que obre, suggereixen que es tracta d'una tècnica que esdevindrà més freqüent en el futur.The incorporation of blastocyst biopsy into clinical practice can be considered as a valid alternative when performing PGD. The fact that it makes more material available for analysis is of particular value in those cases where the aim is to diagnose monogenic diseases. The availability of a greater number of cells opens the possibility of performing multiple diagdiagnoses in parallel on the same embryo; these could be used to detect multigenic diseases or for the combined diagnosis of different disorders through diagnostic approaches based on both FISH and PCR. Embryos transferred at the blastocyst stage are subjected to a dual selection process (genetic and through culture) and this is reflected in their greater implantation potential, thus enabling a lower number of embryos to be transferred, which in turn reduces the risk of multiple pregnancy. Although the clinical application of blastocyst biopsy for PGD remains a limited and recent development, the good results in terms of implantation and pregnancy rates obtained so far, as well as the diagnostic possibilities it opens up, suggest that this technique can become more widely used in the early future

Criopreservació i tècniques de reproducció assistida

La criopreservació és la preservació de la funcionalitat de les cèl·lules o teixits mitjançant la reducció de la temperatura per sota del punt on les reaccions químiques poden tenir lloc. D'aquesta manera es poden mantenir durant llargs períodes de temps mantenint la seva viabilitat, encara que aquesta pot estar compromesa per l'efecte negatiu que causa el descens de temperatura i també durant el retorn a la normotèrmia. És una part essencial de les tècniques de reproducció assistida. La criopreservació de semen facilita en gran mesura la planificació dels cicles de fecundació in vitro i la utilització de semen de donant i ha donat lloc a milers de nens nascuts sans, ja que augmenta les taxes d'embaràs acumulat per punció fol·licular. Actualment els embrions sobrants són criopreservats rutinàriament en els laboratoris de fecundació in vitro. Els naixements a partir d'embrions criopreservats representen al voltant del 8 % del total de nens nascuts amb les tècniques reproducció assistida. La criopreservació d'oòcits i teixit ovàric està adquirint un paper protagonista en els últims anys i està centrant tots els esforços per a l'optimització dels procediments, ja que ofereix grans possibilitats per als pacients que volen preservar la fertilitat.Cryopreservation is the preservation of the viability of cells and tissues by means of temperature reduction of the under the point where chemical reactions take place. Their viability can be preserved during long time although this state can be involved by the negative effect caused by temperature decrease and also by the return to normotermia. Semen and embryo cryopreservation has been an essential techniques of reproduction attended. Sedefenmen cryopreservation facilitates in great measure the planning of the cycles of fertilization in vitro mainly when donor semen is used. Embryo cryopreservation of embryos has given rise to thousands of healthy born children, enlarging accumulated rates of pregnancies by follicular puncture. Today, the surplus embryos are routinely cryopreserved in IVF laboratories. Births from cryopreserved embryos represents 8% of born children by using assisted reproduction techniques. Actually oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are acquiring high relevance and are centering all the efforts for protocol optimization since offer large possibilities for patients who want to preserve their fertility

Entrepreneurship as a transition to the circular economy

Given the challenges facing businesses and society in mitigating climate change, creating and supporting sustainable entrepreneurship is critical. However, the influence of National Systems of Entrepreneurship (NSEs) on the circular economy has not yet been studied. Our research studies the impact of NSEs on countries' circular economies while assessing the impact of the digital transition on this relationship. Using dynamic panel econometric techniques and by using various international databases, it was possible to assess the effect of NSEs on the circular economy. Furthermore, our analysis also allowed us to research how the impact of the digital transition may influence the relationship between NSEs and the circular economy. We achieve that countries with advanced NSEs achieve superior grades in their circular economy. We intend to add to the theoretical field by extending the knowledge of the relationship between NSEs and the circular economy. We also intend that the various actors in the surrounding environment who enhance entrepreneurial activities, realize that entrepreneurship is a fundamental component, within the system to which it belongs, for achieving the circular economy.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Portuguese Adaptation of Students Engagement in Schools International Scale (SESIS)

The importance of student’s engagement has been recently pointed out in research. However, there has been a lack of engagement assessment instrument, pertaining psychometric qualities. Objective: This paper presents the Portuguese adaptation of the “Student’s Engagement in School International Scale” (SESIS), drawn up from a12 countries international study (Lam et al., 2012; Lam et al., in press). Method: Psychometric properties of this scale were examined with data from 685 students from different grades (6th, 7th, 9th and 10th), from both sexes, and different regions of the country. Results: Factorial analysis of the results, with varimax rotation, lead to three different factors which explain 50.88% of the variance. The scale integrates the original 33 items, and cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions. For the external validity study, the relationship between student’s engagement in school results and other school variables — academic performance, self-concept — was considered, and significant relations were observed, as expected. Conclusion: The data presented highlights the qualities of SESIS, as well as its usefulness for research purposes. Suggestion: It is suggested the investigation of the extension of SESIS’s three-dimensionality, in future studiesKeywords: Innovation, technology, research projects, etc. [Arial 10-point, justified alignment]