Theoretical and phenomenological implications of
R-parity violation in supersymmetric theories are discussed in the context of particle physics and cosmology. Fundamental aspects include the relation ...with continuous and discrete symmetries and the various allowed patterns of
R-parity breaking. Recent developments on the generation of neutrino masses and mixings within different scenarios of
R-parity violation are discussed. The possible contribution of
R-parity-violating Yukawa couplings in processes involving virtual supersymmetric particles and the resulting constraints are reviewed. Finally, direct production of supersymmetric particles and their decays in the presence of
R-parity-violating couplings is discussed together with a survey of existing constraints from collider experiments.
Aims. The Galileon theory belongs to the class of modified gravity models that can explain the late-time accelerated expansion of the Universe. In previous works, cosmological constraints on the ...Galileon model were derived, both in the uncoupled case and with a disformal coupling of the Galileon field to matter. There, we showed that these models agree with the most recent cosmological data. In this work, we used updated cosmological data sets to derive new constraints on Galileon models, including the case of a constant conformal Galileon coupling to matter. We also explored the tracker solution of the uncoupled Galileon model. Methods. After updating our data sets, especially with the latest Planck data and baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements, we fitted the cosmological parameters of the ΛCDM and Galileon models. The same analysis framework as in our previous papers was used to derive cosmological constraints, using precise measurements of cosmological distances and of the cosmic structure growth rate. Results. We show that all tested Galileon models are as compatible with cosmological data as the ΛCDM model. This means that present cosmological data are not accurate enough to distinguish clearly between the two theories. Among the different Galileon models, we find that a conformal coupling is not favoured, contrary to the disformal coupling which is preferred at the 2.3σ level over the uncoupled case. The tracker solution of the uncoupled Galileon model is also highly disfavoured owing to large tensions with supernovae and Planck+BAO data. However, outside of the tracker solution, the general uncoupled Galileon model, as well as the general disformally coupled Galileon model, remain the most promising Galileon scenarios to confront with future cosmological data. Finally, we also discuss constraints coming from the Lunar Laser Ranging experiment and gravitational wave speed of propagation.
To determine the outcome and effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RCCL) and injury to the medial meniscus in Labrador Retrievers.
...Prospective clinical study.
131 Labrador Retrievers with unilateral RCCL and injury to the medial meniscus and 17 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers.
Affected dogs had partial or complete medial meniscectomy and lateral suture stabilization (LSS), intracapsular stabilization (ICS), or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Limb function was measured before surgery and 2 and 6 months after surgery. Treated dogs were evaluated to determine the probability that they could be differentiated from clinically normal dogs and tested to determine the likelihood that they achieved improvement.
No difference was found between LSS or TPLO groups, but dogs treated with ICS had significantly lower ground reaction forces at 2 and 6 months. Compared with clinically normal dogs only, 14.9% of LSS-, 15% of ICS-, and 10.9% of TPLO-treated dogs had normal limb function. Improvement was seen in only 15% of dogs treated via ICS, 34% treated via TPLO, and 40% treated via LSS.
Surgical technique can influence limb function after surgery. Labrador Retrievers treated via LSS, ICS, or TPLO for repair for of RCCL and medial meniscal injury managed with partial or complete meniscectomy infrequently achieve normal function. Results of LSS and TPLO are similar and superior to ICS.
AbstractIntroductionText messages are particularly popular among young people. Studies have focused on the links between writers’ unconventional spelling and literacy skills. Creativity gives the ...possibility to cope with the numerous changes people have to face. ObjectiveThe present research aimed to examine the relation between the creative potential of texters (text-message writers) and their use of textisms (a change in a word's orthographic form as compared to traditional writing). MethodTwo corpora were compiled: one of 285 elicited text messages and one of 580 naturalistic text messages produced in daily-life situations by undergraduates ( n= 29, 20–23 years of age). Two types of textisms were measured: those consistent with traditional written code and those breaking with traditional written code. Four scores of creative potential were considered: graphic divergent thinking, verbal divergent thinking, graphic integrative thinking and verbal integrative thinking. ResultsThe results showed negative correlations between the level of creativity and the density of textisms. Overall, texters who were creative in divergent thinking produced fewer textisms breaking with traditional written code. ConclusionThe results of our study are discussed with regard to the texters’ flexibility and ability to adapt or appropriately address their interlocutor.
Aims. The Galileon model is a modified gravity model that can explain the late-time accelerated expansion of the Universe. In a previous work, we derived experimental constraints on the Galileon ...model with no explicit coupling to matter and showed that this model agrees with the most recent cosmological data. In the context of braneworld constructions or massive gravity, the Galileon model exhibits a disformal coupling to matter, which we study in this paper. Methods. After comparing our constraints on the uncoupled model with recent studies, we extend the analysis framework to the disformally coupled Galileon model and derive the first experimental constraints on that coupling, using precise measurements of cosmological distances and the growth rate of cosmic structures. Results. In the uncoupled case, with updated data, we still observe a low tension between the constraints set by growth data and those from distances. In the disformally coupled Galileon model, we obtain better agreement with data and favour a non-zero disformal coupling to matter at the 2.5σ level. This gives an interesting hint of the possible braneworld origin of Galileon theory.
Emotional well-being is particularly important in teenagers and young adults. Childhood and adolescence provide opportunities to develop the foundations for mental health and the school is an ...important mean that can enable it. It seems important to examine the evolution and differences in positive and negative emotions and experiences in adolescents and young adults in educational settings, which have received less interest in the literature. The main goal of this article (studies 2 and 3), is to explore the evolution and age and gender differences in children, adolescents and young adults and to assess on the short-term positive affects in the French school system. A second goal of this article is to assess the validity and reliability of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE, Diener et al.
2010
) in French in order to reach our main goal. The SPANE was translated and then evaluated in a sample of 1999 students. Results show adequate psychometric properties of the French version. The results of the second and third studies show that positive emotions decline and negative emotions increase and that women experience on average more negative emotions and less positive emotions than men. The overall results highlight the importance of promoting well-being during adolescence.
To document peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in the pads of Greyhounds and Labrador Retrievers.
8 Greyhounds and 8 Labrador Retrievers.
Velocity and acceleration were restricted to ...ranges of 0.9 to 1.1 m/s and -0.1 to 0.1 m/s2, respectively. The PVF and VI measurements were collected from digital pad (DP)-2, -3, -4, and -5 and the metacarpal pad (McP) or metatarsal pad (MtP) of each limb in each dog.
We found no significant differences between the left and right forelimbs or hind limbs for any pad in either breed. Vertical forces in the forelimb were always greater than those in the hind limb. The PVF in the forelimbs of Greyhounds was greatest in DP-3, -4, and -5 and DP-3, DP-4, and the MtP in the hind limbs. The VI in Greyhound forelimbs was greatest in DP-3, -4, and -5 but greatest in DP-4 in the hind limbs. The PVF in the forelimbs of Labrador Retrievers was greatest in the McP, whereas in the hind limbs it was greatest in DP-4. The VI in Labrador Retriever forelimbs was greatest in DP-3, DP-4, and the McP but greatest in DP-3 and -4 in the hind limbs. Significant differences were detected in load distribution between the breeds.
This study confirms that DP-3 and DP-4 are major weight-bearing pads in dogs. However, loads were fairly evenly distributed, and DP-5 and the McP or MtP bear a substantial amount of load in both breeds.
Objectives— To evaluate the mechanism of vascular occlusion after placement of an ameroid constrictor (AC) on a large intra‐abdominal vein and document changes in blood flow.
Study Design— ...Experimental study.
Animals— Six adult dogs.
Methods— Six 6.5 mm ACs were digitally scanned to measure area and circumference of the ameroid and inner lumen before surgery. ACs were surgically positioned around the left common iliac vein (CIV) in each dog. Peri‐vascular ultrasonic flow probes were positioned on the left CIV cranial to the AC, and on the right CIV as an internal control. Blood flow measurements were recorded daily until there was no, or prolonged minimal, blood flow, at which time the dogs were euthanatized. Left and right CIVs were removed for histologic evaluation, and the ACs re‐scanned to evaluate degree and direction of expansion of the ameroid.
Results— Reduction in blood flow occurred within 10 days in all dogs. Three dogs had complete occlusion by day 10 from thrombus formation. One dog damaged the flow probes at 13 days when blood flow was approximately 50% of intra‐operative values; the dog was euthanatized at 37 days; there was partial occlusion from thrombosis. Two dogs had persistent low blood flow and occlusion from thrombus formation when euthanatized at 59 and 98 days. There was a significant increase in total AC area and outer circumference, and decrease in luminal area and inner circumference when presurgical and postocclusion measurements were compared.
Conclusions— Vascular occlusion after placement of an AC on a large intra‐abdominal vein occurred from thrombus formation.
Clinical Relevance— A similar pattern of venous occlusion may occur after placement of an AC on a portosystemic shunt, which may lead to both short‐ and long‐term complications associated with portal hypertension.
Thin polystyrene (PS) liquid films supported by oxidized silicon (SiO x /Si) substrates may be unstable or metastable, depending on the film thickness, h. In the metastable thickness regime, holes ...nucleate throughout the surface of the films and subsequently grow under the action of capillary forces. Recent studies show that the hole growth rate in thin PS films is suppressed with the addition of small concentrations of C 60 fullerenes, due to pinning at the line of contact. We examined the hole growth dynamics in thin film polystyrenes with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (PS-SWNT) supported by SiO x /Si substrates. The hole growth velocities in PS films containing 0.75 wt % functionalized single-walled nanotubes, V PS - SWNT, were appreciably slower than V PS, the hole-growth velocities of holes in polystyrene films of the same thickness. Moreover, V PS - SWNT and V PS decreased with decreasing film thickness, for h < 50 nm, with thickness dependencies which exceed theoretical predictions. In addition, V PS(h)/V PS - SWNT(h) increased with decreasing h, for h < 50 nm, and approached a constant value for larger h. We show that the suppression of the hole-growth rates in the PS−SWNT films are associated with larger viscosities of the PS−SWNT films and that the film thickness-dependent velocities are associated with film thickness-dependent viscosities.
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