A
bstract
We point out that supersymmetric gauged flavor models provide a realization of R-parity violation (RPV) that is natural in the sense that it does not lead to catastrophic proton decay for ...natural values of parameters in the theory. Within specific realizations of the idea, the relative strengths of the Δ
B
= 1
u
c
d
c
d
c
type RPV operators can be predicted. In particular, we present examples of gauged flavor models where RPV couplings depend on quark masses as
where
n
= 1 or
n
= 1
/
2. Some phenomenological implications of these models are discussed.
zCOSMOS is a large-redshift survey that is being undertaken in the COSMOS field using 600 hr of observation with the VIMOS spectrograph on the 8 m VLT. The survey is designed to characterize the ...environments of COSMOS galaxies from the 100 kpc scales of galaxy groups up to the 100 Mpc scale of the cosmic web and to produce diagnostic Information on galaxies and active galactic nuclei. The zCOSMOS survey consists of two parts: (1) zCOSMOS-bright, a magnitude-limited I-band ha < 22.5 sample of about 20,000 galaxies with 0.1 < z < 1.2 covering the whole 1.7 deg super(2) COSMOS ACS field, for which the survey parameters at z similar to 0.7 are designed to be directly comparable to those of the 2dFGRS at z similar to 0.1; and (2) zCOSMOS-deep, a survey of approximately 10,000 galaxies selected through color-selection criteria to have 1.4 < z < 3.0, within the central 1 deg super(2). This paper describes the survey design and the construction of the target catalogs and briefly outlines the observational program and the data pipeline. In the first observing season, spectra of 1303 zCOSMOS-bright targets and 977 zCOSMOS-deep targets have been obtained. These are briefly analyzed to demonstrate the characteristics that may be expected from zCOSMOS, and particularly zCOSMOS-bright, when it is finally completed between 2008 and 2009. The power of combining spectroscopic and photometric redshifts is demonstrated, especially in correctly identifying the emission line in single-line spectra and in determining which of the less reliable spectroscopic redshifts are correct and which are incorrect. These techniques bring the overall success rate in the zCOSMOS-bright so far to almost 90% and to above 97% in the 0.5 < z < 0.8 redshift range. Our zCOSMOS-deep spectra demonstrate the power of our selection techniques to Isolate high-redshift galaxies at 1.4 < z < 3, C and of VIMOS to measure their redshifts using ultraviolet absorption lines.
Understanding small neutrino masses in type II seesaw models with TeV scale SM triplet Higgs bosons requires that its coupling with the standard model Higgs doublet H be "dialed" down to be order eV ...to KeV, which is a hierarchy of a factor of 10sup -11 - 10sup -8with respect to the weak scale. We present a class of SUSY extensions of the type II seesaw model where this dimensionful small coupling is radiatively induced, thus making its smallness natural. Remarkably, in our model, this coupling is vanishing if SUSY is unbroken. Furthermore, in order to radiatively generate the coupling between the Higgs doublets and the triplet in this class of models, exotic matter fields need to be introduced. Furthermore, we point out a new short-distance contribution to neutrino-less double beta decay mediated by the simultaneous propagation of the type II triplet and exotic fermions. Remarkably, this contribution to the neutrino-less double beta decay is parametrically quite independent from the scale of the generated neutrino mass.
Aims
To develop a protocol for environmental sampling to detect parvoviruses of dogs and cats in the environment.
Methods and Results
Environmental contamination was carried out using different ...dilutions of parvovirus‐contaminated materials; further field samplings were performed in areas in which clinical cases of parvovirus infections were present. Sterile cotton swabs and sponges for microbial surface sampling were used. Viruses were detected in these samples with different methods: conventional PCR, nested PCR and real‐time PCR, detecting viral DNA; virus isolation, detecting infectious virus; and a commercial rapid enzyme immunoassay, detecting viral antigen. No substantial differences were observed in the two sampling methods, although the sponge was more convenient for sampling rough surfaces. Molecular assays were the most sensitive methods, identifying even very low amounts of viral DNA (up to 10 copies of viral DNA/10 µl of sample). Virus isolation and the rapid test detected the viruses only at the highest viral concentrations, both in the experimental setting and field conditions.
Conclusions
Environmental sampling and molecular protocols were effective in detecting environmental contamination with parvoviruses.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The protocol will be useful to identify possible sources of infection and to assess the efficacy of disinfection protocols in the environment.
Throughout the centuries, scientific observers have endeavoured to extend their knowledge of the interrelationships between the brain and its regulatory control of human emotions and behaviour. Since ...the time of physicians such as Aristotle and Galen and the more recent observations of clinicians and neuropathologists such as Broca, Papez, and McLean, the field of affective neuroscience has matured to become the province of neuroscientists, neuropsychologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists. It is accepted that the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and insula participate in the majority of emotional processes. New imaging technologies and molecular biology discoveries are expanding further the frontiers of knowledge in this arena. The advancements of knowledge on the interplay between the human brain and emotions came about as the legacy of the pioneers mentioned in this field. The aim of this paper is to describe the historical evolution of the scientific understanding of interconnections between the human brain, behaviour, and emotions.
Mutations in OPA1 are responsible of 32–89% cases of Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA). OPA1 ADOA usually presents in childhood with bilateral, progressive visual loss due to retinal ganglion ...cells neurodegeneration, but environmental factors are supposed to influence onset and phenotype. Sixty Italian OPA1 mutations carriers (fifty-two symptomatic), belonging to thirteen families, underwent neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation. Visual acuity (n=60) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) (n=12) were compared in missense mutations (OPA-M) versus haploinsufficiency-inducing mutations (OPA-H) and correlated with age. Presence of plus phenotypes was investigated. We found four known mutations, the most common being missense c.1034G>A, and a new missense mutation, c1193A>C, the latter in a 54-yrs old female with late-onset phenotype. Visual acuity, colour sensitivity, and optic disc atrophy were sensitive indicators of disease. OCT RNFL thickness was reduced in OPA1 compared to controls. OPA-M showed worst visual acuity than OPA-H, but not more frequent plus-phenotype, observed only in four OPA-H patients. In both groups, visual acuity worsened with age. Our data confirm worst vision in OPA-M, but not increased plus-phenotype. Since most patients belonged to nine families from south-eastern Sicily (a famous region for the cult of St. Lucy, patron of the blinds) local genetic and environmental factors might have accounted for the low occurrence of plus-phenotypes.
•Visual acuity, colour sensitivity, optic disc atrophy are sensitive indicators of ADOA.•OCT RNFL thickness was reduced in OPA1 patients compared to controls.•OPA1 missense mutations are associated with worst visual, but not OCT, phenotype.
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) may play a role in the development of ischemic brain edema and/or cerebral vasospasm. Data available on AVP plasma levels in ischemic stroke are few and discordant. In ...order to ascertain whether changes in AVP plasma levels occur in ischemic stroke, plasma AVP levels, plasma osmolality and mean arterial pressure were determined in 24 patients with unprecedented ischemic cerebral infarction and in 15 controls over a 24-hour period. In stroke patients, mean 24-hour plasma AVP levels (7.2 +/- 0.8 ng/l) were higher (p < 0.05) than in control subjects (2.4 +/- 0.3 ng/l), and correlated with the severity score of the neurologic deficit and the mean size of the lesion. In patients with a more severe neurologic deficit, the mean 24-hour plasma AVP levels (8.7 +/- 1.0 ng/l) were higher than in patients with a less severe neurologic deficit (5.2 +/- 0.8 ng/l). Data indicate that in ischemic stroke an increased AVP secretion occurs independently of osmotic or baroreceptorial mechanisms. The possibility that AVP may play a role in neuronal cell damage following cerebral ischemia warrants further attention.
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