pp→A→Zhpp\to A\to Zh and the wrong-sign limit of the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model

We point out the importance of the decay channels $A\to Zh$ and $H\to VV$ in the wrong-sign limit of the Two-Higgs-Doublet Model (2HDM) of type II. They can be the dominant decay modes at moderate values of $\tan\beta$, even if the (pseudo)scalar mass is above the threshold where the decay into a pair of top quarks is kinematically open. Accordingly, large cross sections $pp\to A\to Zh$ and $pp\to H\to VV$ are obtained and currently probed by the LHC experiments, yielding conclusive statements about the remaining parameter space of the wrong-sign limit. In addition, mild excesses - as recently found in the ATLAS analysis $b\bar b \to A\to Zh$ - could be explained. The wrong-sign limit makes other important testable predictions for the light Higgs boson couplings.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, v2: journal versio

Evidence for non-Gaussianity in the COBE DMR Four Year Sky Maps

We introduce and study the distribution of an estimator for the normalized bispectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropy. We use it to construct a goodness of fit statistic to test the coadded 53 and 90 GHz COBE-DMR 4 year maps for non-Gaussianity. Our results indicate that Gaussianity is ruled out at the confidence level in excess of 98%. This value is a lower bound, given all the investigated systematics. The dominant non-Gaussian contribution is found near the multipole of order $\ell=16$. Our attempts to explain this effect as caused by the diffuse foreground emission from the Galaxy have failed. We conclude that unless there exists a microwave foreground emission which spatially correlates neither with the DIRBE nor Haslam maps, the cosmological CMB anisotropy is genuinely non-Gaussian.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figs uses aasms4.tex, revised and accepted to Ap. J. Let

Where is the COBE maps' non-Gaussianity?

We review our recent claim that there is evidence of non-Gaussianity in the 4 Year COBE DMR data. We present some new results concerning the effect of the galactic cut upon the non-Gaussian signal. These findings imply a localization of the non-Gaussian signal on the Northern galactic hemisphere.Comment: Proceedings of COSMO98 Asiloma

High scale impact in alignment and decoupling in two-Higgs doublet models

The two-Higgs doublet model (2HDM) provides an excellent benchmark to study physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). In this work we discuss how the behaviour of the model at high energy scales causes it to have a scalar with properties very similar to those of the SM -- which means the 2HDM can be seen to naturally favor a decoupling or alignment limit. For a type II 2HDM, we show that requiring the model to be theoretically valid up to a scale of 1 TeV, by studying the renormalization group equations (RGE) of the parameters of the model, causes a significant reduction in the allowed magnitude of the quartic couplings. This, combined with $B$-physics bounds, forces the model to be naturally decoupled. As a consequence, any non-decoupling limits in type II, like the wrong-sign scenario, are excluded. On the contrary, even with the very constraining limits for the Higgs couplings from the LHC, the type I model can deviate substantially from alignment. An RGE analysis similar to that made for type II shows, however, that requiring a single scalar to be heavier than about 500 GeV would be sufficient for the model to be decoupled. Finally, we show that not only a 2HDM where the lightest of the CP-even scalars is the 125 GeV one does not require new physics to be stable up to the Planck scale but this is also true when the heavy CP-even Higgs is the 125 GeV and the theory has no decoupling limit for the type I model.Comment: 28 pages, 19 figure

Wireless sensors and IoT platform for intelligent HVAC control

Energy consumption of buildings (residential and non-residential) represents approximately 40% of total world electricity consumption, with half of this energy consumed by HVAC systems. Model-Based Predictive Control (MBPC) is perhaps the technique most often proposed for HVAC control, since it offers an enormous potential for energy savings. Despite the large number of papers on this topic during the last few years, there are only a few reported applications of the use of MBPC for existing buildings, under normal occupancy conditions and, to the best of our knowledge, no commercial solution yet. A marketable solution has been recently presented by the authors, coined the IMBPC HVAC system. This paper describes the design, prototyping and validation of two components of this integrated system, the Self-Powered Wireless Sensors and the IOT platform developed. Results for the use of IMBPC in a real building under normal occupation demonstrate savings in the electricity bill while maintaining thermal comfort during the whole occupation schedule.QREN SIDT [38798]; Portuguese Foundation for Science & Technology, through IDMEC, under LAETA [ID/EMS/50022/2013

Oscillatory behaviour in functional differential systems of neutral type

AbstractIn this paper are obtained several criteria for oscillations of a class of autonomous functional differential systems of neutral type