Constraining Elko Dark Matter at the LHC with Monophoton Events

A mass dimension one fermion, also known as Elko, constitutes a dark matter candidate which might interact with photons at the tree level in a specific fashion. In this work, we investigate the constraints imposed by unitarity and LHC data on this type of interactions using the search for new physics in monophoton events. We found that Elkos which can explain the dark matter relic abundance mainly through electromagnetic interactions are excluded at the 95\%CL by the 8 TeV LHC data for masses up to 1 TeV.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

FLAME PROFILE IN A POROUS RADIANT BURNER USING 1/2” AND 1/4” ALUMINA’S SPHERES

Porous burners are known by their high efficiency and low polluting gases emissions. Their high efficiency is given by the great thermal radiation potential, whereas differently a normal burner, the process of combustion happens in the inner of the porous medium, which is compound by spheres of alumina, and the mix air-fuel goes through the preheating zone, potentializing the combustion. The burners are usually used in the industry, in the process of drying of paper and wood, plastic coating, food cooking and ambient heating. In this article, it was studied the behaviour of the flame in a porous radiant burner with alumina’s sphere of 1/2” and 1/4”, using LPG as fuel, compressed air as oxidizing agent and ceramic wool as thermal insulation. The burner was divided in three essential sections with a type K thermocouple in each one, which are: base, middle and top. The flame profile encountered was a floating one, however it is almost stable, presenting low variations of temperature and according to previously tests, less consuming of fuel

FTIR spectroscopic and theoretical study of matrix-isolated (E)-1-(cyclopropyldiazenyl)naphthalen-2-ol

Photochromic systems are important due to their industrial applications in variable optical transmission materials and optobioelectronic devices. For such applications, the organic photochromic compounds involved are usually incorporated in polymers, liquid crystalline materials, or other convenient host matrices [1, 2]. Herein, a photochromic compound, (E)-1-(cyclopropyldiazenyl)naphthalen-2-ol (show in Figure 1), which was synthesized by a published method [3] and characterized, was isolated in a cryogenic argon matrix and its structure as well as UV-induced phototransformations were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The structures of the starting compound and of the generated photoproducts were identified by comparison of their experimental IR spectra with the spectra theoretically calculated at the DFT (B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) level for several possible tautomeric and rotameric forms.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Review: Animal model and the current understanding of molecule dynamics of adipogenesis

Among several potential animal models that can be used for adipogenic studies, Wagyu cattle is the one that presents unique molecular mechanisms underlying the deposit of substantial amounts of intramuscular fat. As such, this review is focused on current knowledge of such mechanisms related to adipose tissue deposition using Wagyu cattle as model. So abundant is the lipid accumulation in the skeletal muscles of these animals that in many cases, the muscle cross-sectional area appears more white (adipose tissue) than red (muscle fibers). This enhanced marbling accumulation is morphologically similar to that seen in numerous skeletal muscle dysfunctions, disease states and myopathies; this might indicate cross-similar mechanisms between such dysfunctions and fat deposition in Wagyu breed. Animal models can be used not only for a better understanding of fat deposition in livestock, but also as models to an increased comprehension on molecular mechanisms behind human conditions. This revision underlies some of the complex molecular processes of fat deposition in animals

Ulcerative colitis in a Southern European country: a national perspective

BACKGROUND: The incidence, prevalence, and even the clinical behavior of ulcerative colitis (UC) are highly variable in different world regions. In previous studies, Portugal was reported as having a milder clinical behavior. The aim of this study was to apply the Montreal Classification in a large group of UC Portuguese patients in order to describe their clinical characteristics and evaluate variables potentially useful for outcome prediction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on data collected from a nationwide online registry was undertaken. RESULTS: In all, 2863 patients with UC were included. Twenty-one percent had ulcerative proctitis, 52% left-sided colitis, and 28% extensive colitis. Sixty percent of patients had taken steroids, 14% immunosuppressors, 1% biologicals, and 4.5% were submitted to surgery. Patients with extensive colitis had more severe activity, needing more steroids, immunosuppressors, and surgery. At the time of diagnosis 61% were less than 40 years old and 5% less than 16. Younger patients also had a more aggressive initial course. Thirty-eight percent of patients had only taken salicylates during the disease course and were characterized by a lower incidence of systemic symptoms at presentation (3.8% versus 8.8%, P < 0.001), fewer extraintestinal manifestations (7.7% versus 24.0%, P < 0.001), and a higher prevalence of proctitis (32.1% versus 10.0%). CONCLUSIONS: A more aggressive phenotype was found in extensive colitis and in the initial course of younger patients, with an increased need for steroids and immunosuppressors. In addition, a significant percentage of patients, particularly with proctitis, showed a milder clinical evolution and were maintained in remission only with salicylates

Muonium in nano-crystalline II-VI semiconductors

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TVH-4V2NP2J-Y/2/3738c97c2d99528da5d86b486571793

State estimation of a dehydration process by interval analysis

This article presents a general methodology of state estimation by interval analysis in a dynamic system modeled by difference equations. The methodology is applied to a pineapple osmotic dehydration process, in order to predict the behavior of the process within a range of allowed perturbation. The paper presents simulations and validations

Amerindian (but not African or European) ancestry is significantly associated with diurnal preference within an admixed Brazilian population

Significant questions remain unanswered regarding the genetic versus environmental contributions to racial/ethnic differences in sleep and circadian rhythms. We addressed this question by investigating the association between diurnal preference, using the morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), and genetic ancestry within the Baependi Heart Study cohort, a highly admixed Brazilian population based in a rural town. Analysis was performed using measures of ancestry, using the Admixture program, and MEQ from 1,453 individuals. We found an association between the degree of Amerindian (but not European of African) ancestry and morningness, equating to 0.16 units for each additional percent of Amerindian ancestry, after adjustment for age, sex, education, and residential zone. To our knowledge, this is the first published report identifying an association between genetic ancestry and MEQ, and above all, the first one based on ancestral contributions within individuals living in the same community. This previously unknown ancestral dimension of diurnal preference suggests a stratification between racial/ethnic groups in an as yet unknown number of genetic polymorphisms

Manual de boas práticas de produção vitivinícola (BPPV)

O Manual de Boas Práticas de Produção Vitivinícola (BPPV) surge no âmbito do Projecto 762 “EnoSafe – Segurança e controlo de qualidade de vinhos: implementação de técnicas rápidas para monitorização e rastreabilidade microbiológica” fi nanciado pelo do Programa AGRO – Medida 8.1., e tem por objectivo sistematizar um conjunto de procedimentos que devem ser aplicados em toda a fi leira vitivinícola. Este Manual resulta de uma extensa consulta de documentos idênticos existentes em vários países, bem como da experiência do grupo de trabalho afecto ao projecto, tomando como princípios a legislação comunitária. Encontrase estruturado como uma lista de verifi cação, tendo cada empresa que adaptar a implementação destes procedimentos à realidade da sua organização. Cada indústria tem as suas próprias necessidades e considerações no que respeita à segurança alimentar. As empresas do sector dos vinhos estão, desde 1 de Janeiro de 2006, abrangidas pelo disposto no Regulamento (CE) nº 852/2004 de 29 de Abril de 2004, que enumera os requisitos a cumprir no que se refere a pessoal, instalações, meios de transporte, equipamentos, abastecimento de água e tratamento de resíduos. No entanto, existem alguns princípios universais aplicados tanto à indústria vitivinícola como a qualquer outra indústria alimentar, pelo que se revela imprescindível a compilação dos princípios mais relevantes das boas práticas de fabrico neste sector. O Manual de BPPV deve ser encarado como um exercício generalista que contempla uma ampla descrição de boas práticas de conduta para a vinha e para o vinho. A sua aplicação requer um esforço acrescido aos profi ssionais do sector que passa pela defi nição de procedimentos e instruções de trabalho adicionais conducentes a uma politica de qualidade. A adopção das BPPV facilitará o desenvolvimento e a introdução dos programas de controlo de qualidade ISO 9000, ou programas de controlo de qualidade total (total quality management, TQM) e de segurança alimentar, como por exemplo o HACCP (hazard analysis control critical point/ análise dos pontos críticos de controlo). O presente documento sugere normas de boas práticas do processo produtivo, mas não indica de forma detalhada como estas devem ser implementadas e controladas. O Manual de BPPV é um pilar importante de qualquer sistema de qualidade e parte integrante de um programa de segurança alimentar, consequentemente as indicações apresentadas não substituem uma análise de HACCP, nem um sistema da qualidade, e não garantem a segurança de um produto no momento do seu consumo. Com a existência do Manual de BPPV, a empresa pode informar os seus colaboradores com maior facilidade quais as práticas aceitáveis/ inaceitáveis e divulgar dados sobre a mesma, com o objectivo de garantir o compromisso e o apoio dos colaboradores a todos os níveis de gestão. Algumas empresas facultam aos seus fornecedores cópias das suas BPPV e exigem o seu cumprimento, outras usam-nas como argumento de venda e para demonstrar aos clientes os princípios e práticas com as quais operam. A adopção destes procedimentos conduz à melhoria do processo produtivo ao nível da segurança e da higiene, à redução de riscos e de exposição a perigos, aumentando a segurança dos produtos para consumo humano. O vinho tem as suas particularidades, pois apresenta um risco mínimo comparado com outros alimentos, o que implica que as medidas descritas não sejam tão rígidas como as estabelecidas para outros produtos alimentares. As Boas Práticas de Produção Vitivinícola (BPPV) constituem um conjunto de princípios, genericamente aceites, e que devem ser aplicados em toda a fi leira vitivinícola. Representam igualmente, uma orientação para profi ssionais que exercem funções na indústria dos vinhos, os quais devem colocar a sua própria experiência na aplicação das práticas descritas. Com este trabalho pretende-se realçar as regras básicas que devem ser seguidas na vinha e nas adegas de forma a assegurar a qualidade fi nal dos produtos obtidos.Ministério de Agricultura. Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e das Pescas (INIAP) – Programa Agro, Medida 8, Acção 8.1.Projecto ENOSAFE – Segurança e controlo de qualidade de vinhos: implementação de técnicas rápidas para monitorização e rastreabilidade microbiológic