Search for the associated production of a b quark and a neutral supersymmetric Higgs boson which decays to tau pairs

We report results from a search for production of a neutral Higgs boson in association with a $b$ quark. We search for Higgs decays to $\tau$ pairs with one $\tau$ subsequently decaying to a muon and the other to hadrons. The data correspond to 2.7fb$^{-1}$ of \ppbar collisions recorded by the D0 detector at $\sqrt{s} = 1.96$TeV. The data are found to be consistent with background predictions. The result allows us to exclude a significant region of parameter space of the minimal supersymmetric model.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Letter

Hierarchical neural fuzzy models as a tool for process identification: a bioprocess application

Hierarchical structures have been introduced in the literature to deal with the dimensionality problem, which is the main drawback to the application of neural networks and fuzzy models to the modeling and control of large-scale systems. In the present work, hierarchical neural fuzzy models are reviewed focusing on an industrial application. The models considered here consist of a set of Radial Basis Function (RBF) networks formulated as simplified fuzzy systems and connected in a cascade fashion. These models are applied to the modeling of a Multi-Input/Multi-Output (MIMO) complex biotechnological process for ethyl alcohol (ethanol) production and show to adequately describe the dynamics of this process, even for long-range horizon predictions

Application of hierarchical neural fuzzy models to modeling and control of a bioprocess

Hierarchical structures have been introduced in the literature to deal with the dimensionality problem, which is the main drawback to the application of neural networks and fuzzy models to modeling and control of large-scale systems. In the present work, hierarchical neural fuzzy (HNF) models are reviewed, focusing on the model-based control of a biotechnological process. The model considered here consists of a set of neural fuzzy systems connected in cascade and is used in the modeling of an industrial plant for ethyl alcohol ( ethanol) production. Based on the HNF model of the process, a nonlinear model predictive controller (HNF-MPC) is designed and applied to control the process. The performance of the HNF-MPC is illustrated within servo and regulatory scenarios

Hierarchical fuzzy models within the framework of orthonormal basis functions and their application to bioprocess control

Fuzzy models within the framework of orthonormal basis functions (OBF fuzzy models) have been introduced in previous works and shown to be a very promising approach to the areas of nonlinear system identification and control, since they exhibit several advantages over those dynamic model topologies usually adopted in the literature. As fuzzy models, however, they exhibit the dimensionality problem which is the main drawback to the application of neural networks and fuzzy systems to the modeling and control of large-scale systems. This problem has successfully been dealt with in the literature by means of hierarchical structures composed of submodels connected in cascade. In the present paper a hierarchical fuzzy model within the OBF framework is presented. A data-driven hybrid identification method based on genetic and gradient-based algorithms is described in details. A model-based predictive control scheme is also presented and applied to control of a complex industrial process for ethyl alcohol (ethanol) production

Agrochemical synergism imposes higher risk to Neotropical bees than to honeybees

Bees are key pollinators whose population numbers are declining, in part, owing to the effects of different stressors such as insecticides and fungicides. We have analysed the susceptibility of the Africanized honeybee, Apis mellifera, and the stingless bee, Partamona helleri, to commercial formulations of the insecticides deltamethrin and imidacloprid. The toxicity of fungicides based on thiophanate-methyl and chlorothalonil were investigated individually and in combination, and with the insecticides. Results showed that stingless bees were more susceptible to insecticides than honeybees. The commercial fungicides thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil caused low mortality, regardless of concentration; however, their combination was as toxic as imidacloprid to both species, and over 400-fold more toxic than deltamethrin for A. mellifera. There were highly synergistic effects on mortality caused by interactions in the mixture of imidacloprid and the fungicides thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil and the combined fungicide formulation in A. mellifera, and also to a lesser extent in P. helleri. By contrast, mixtures of the deltamethrin and the combined fungicide formulation induced high synergy in P. helleri, but had little effect on the mortality of A. mellifera. Differences in physiology and modes of action of agrochemicals are discussed as key factors underlying the differences in susceptibility to agrochemicals

Escherichia coli and Salmonella ser. Saintpaul natural co-infection in a free-living ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti): a case report

ABSTRACT This study reports a co-infection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in a free-living ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti) received at the Laboratory of Ornithological Studies of the State University of Ceará, Brazil. The bird presented diarrhea, leg paralysis and anorexia, and died shortly after. Necropsy was then performed and samples from lung, kidney, liver and intestine were collected for microbiological and histopathological analyses. Escherichia coli was isolated from cloacal swab, lung and kidney samples. Salmonella ser. Saintpaul was identified in liver and spleen samples. Escherichia coli isolates were tested for the presence of eight diagnostic genes for diarrheagenic pathotypes (STEC, ETEC, EPEC, EIEC, EAEC) with conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). EAEC was detected in the lung and kidney, and STEC in the intestine. In conclusion, Columbina talpacoti is susceptible to enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and Salmonella ser. Saintpaul infection, which may have public health implications