Light composite Higgs boson from the normalized Bethe-Salpeter equation

Scalar composite boson masses have been computed in QCD and Technicolor theories with the help of the homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE), resulting in a scalar mass that is twice the dynamically generated fermion or technifermion mass ($m_{dyn}$). We show that in the case of walking (or quasi-conformal) technicolor theories, where the $m_{dyn}$ behavior with the momenta may be quite different from the one predicted by the standard operator product expansion, this result is incomplete and we must consider the effect of the normalization condition of the BSE to determine the scalar masses. We compute the composite Higgs boson mass for several groups with technifermions in the fundamental and higher dimensional representations and comment about the experimental constraints on these theories, which indicate that models based on walking theories with fermions in the fundamental representation may, within the limitations of our approach, have masses quite near the actual direct exclusion limit.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, minor corrections, to appear in Physical Review

Relating a gluon mass scale to an infrared fixed point in pure gauge QCD

We show that in pure gauge QCD (or any pure non-Abelian gauge theory) the condition for the existence of a global minimum of energy with a gluon (gauge boson) mass scale also implies the existence of a fixed point of the $\beta$ function. We argue that the frozen value of the coupling constant found in some solutions of the Schwinger-Dyson equations of QCD can be related to this fixed point. We also discuss how the inclusion of fermions modifies this property.Comment: 4 pages, Revtex - Added some clarifying comments and new reference

Fixed points and vacuum energy of dynamically broken gauge theories

We show that if a gauge theory with dynamical symmetry breaking has non-trivial fixed points, they will correspond to extrema of the vacuum energy. This relationship provides a different method to determine fixed points.Comment: 17 pages, uuencoded latex file, 3 figures, uses epsf and epsfig. Submitted to Mod. Phys. Lett.

Infrared finite solutions for the gluon propagator and the QCD vacuum energy

Nonperturbative infrared finite solutions for the gluon polarization tensor have been found, and the possibility that gluons may have a dynamically generated mass is supported by recent Monte Carlo simulation on the lattice. These solutions differ among themselves, due to different approximations performed when solving the Schwinger-Dyson equations for the gluon polarization tensor. Only approximations that minimize energy are meaningful, and, according to this, we compute an effective potential for composite operators as a function of these solutions in order to distinguish which one is selected by the vacuum.Comment: 16 pages, latex file, 1 postscript figure, uses epsf.sty and axodraw.sty. To be published in Phys. Lett.

Bioinformatics advances in saliva diagnostics

There is a need recognized by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research and the National Cancer Institute to advance basic, translational and clinical saliva research. The goal of the Salivaomics Knowledge Base (SKB) is to create a data management system and web resource constructed to support human salivaomics research. To maximize the utility of the SKB for retrieval, integration and analysis of data, we have developed the Saliva Ontology and SDxMart. This article reviews the informatics advances in saliva diagnostics made possible by the Saliva Ontology and SDxMart

Compatibility of a model for the QCD-Pomeron and chiral-symmetry breaking phenomenologies

The phenomenology of a QCD-Pomeron model based on the exchange of a pair of non-perturbative gluons, i.e. gluon fields with a finite correlation length in the vacuum, is studied in comparison with the phenomenology of QCD chiral symmetry breaking, based on non-perturbative solutions of Schwinger-Dyson equations for the quark propagator including these non-perturbative gluon effects. We show that these models are incompatible, and point out some possibles origins of this problem.Comment: 21 pages, uuencoded latex file, 3 postscript figures, uses epsf.sty and epsf.tex. To be published in Phys. Lett.

Critical coupling for dynamical chiral-symmetry breaking with an infrared finite gluon propagator

We compute the critical coupling constant for the dynamical chiral-symmetry breaking in a model of quantum chromodynamics, solving numerically the quark self-energy using infrared finite gluon propagators found as solutions of the Schwinger-Dyson equation for the gluon, and one gluon propagator determined in numerical lattice simulations. The gluon mass scale screens the force responsible for the chiral breaking, and the transition occurs only for a larger critical coupling constant than the one obtained with the perturbative propagator. The critical coupling shows a great sensibility to the gluon mass scale variation, as well as to the functional form of the gluon propagator.Comment: 19 pages, latex, 3 postscript figures, uses epsf.sty and epsf.tex. To be published in Phys. Lett.

Application of a byproduct of guava processing in an Ultisol, in the presence and absence of mineral fertilization.

Abstract: There is a relative lack of technical studies on the adequate management of organic wastes from food processing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying doses of a byproduct from guava processing, in the presence and absence of mineral fertilization, on the fertility of a an Ultisol (or Red-Yellow Argisol) under laboratory conditions. An entirely randomized 5x2 factorial experimental design was used with five byproduct doses, in the presence and absence of mineral fertilization, with four repetitions, for a total of 40 experimental units. Under the experimental conditions, the attributes pH, OM, K, Mg, BS, T, V, B, Fe, Zn and S-SO4 2? were affected by the guava byproduct doses, as well as by the presence or absence of mineral fertilization. With the use of this fertilization, the variables OM, K, H+Al, T, Fe and Zn increased more as a function of byproduct dose than in the absence of fertilization. The results obtained demonstrate the potential of using this waste material in the cycling and supply of nutrients. [Aplicación de un subproducto del procesamiento de guayaba en un Ultisol, en presencia y en ausencia de fertilización mineral]. Resumen: Hay una relativa falta de estudios técnicos sobre el manejo adecuado de los residuos orgánicos de elaboración de alimentos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de dosis de un subproducto del procesamiento de guayaba, en presencia y en ausencia de fertilización mineral, sobre la fertilidad de un Ultisol en condiciones de laboratorio. El diseño de experimento utilizado en este estudio fue un factorial de 5 x 2, con cinco dosis de subproductos, en presencia y en ausencia de fertilización mineral, con cuatro repeticiones, para un total de 40 unidades experimentales. En las condiciones experimentales, los atributos de pH, MO, K, Mg, SB, T, V, B, Fe, Zn y S-SO4 2? se vieron afectados por las dosis de subproducto de guayaba, así como por la presencia o ausencia de fertilización mineral. Con el uso de fertilización mineral, las variables MO, K, H + Al, T, Fe y Zn aumentaron más que en función de la dosis subproducto en ausencia de fertilización. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran el potencial del uso de este material en el ciclo y el suministro de nutrientes

Produção de mudas de caramboleiras 'B-10' e 'Golden Star': II. Marcha de absorção e acúmulo de nutrientes.

A participação do Brasil no mercado externo de frutas tem aumentado consideravelmente e com potencial para crescer ainda mais. A constante ascensão dos dados de exportação brasileira é resultado da combinação de avanços tecnológicos do setor produtivo e de acesso a novos mercados consumidores. A caramboleira apresenta-se como uma excelente opção de cultivo de frutas exóticas, com grande potencial para atender ao mercado interno e às exportações. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a marcha de absorção e de acúmulo de nutrientes em mudas de caramboleiras cultivadas em solução nutritiva. O experimento foi realizado em parcelas subdivididas, sendo utilizadas como parcela as duas cultivares de caramboleira (?B-10? e ?Golden Star?) e, como subparcelas, cinco épocas de coleta de plantas, realizadas aos 208; 233; 258; 283 e 308 dias após o transplantio para a solução nutritiva. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. As mudas foram cultivadas em vasos (8L) com solução nutritiva (pH=5,5 ± 0,5), com aeração. O experimento iniciou-se em 24-08-2005. Nos diferentes órgãos das mudas (folhas, caule e raízes), determinaram-se a marcha de absorção, o acúmulo de nutrientes e os índices nutricionais. Não houve diferenças no acúmulo de nutrientes entre as mudas de caramboleira de ambas as cultivares, sendo a ordem decrescente dos nutrientes em cada muda de ?B-10?, no final do período experimental: N > K > Ca > Mg > S > P > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. Para a ?Golden Star?, a ordem foi: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. Para as duas cultivares, o acúmulo médio foi maior nas folhas > caule > raízes. O período de maior exigência para ?B-10? foi entre 208 ? 233 e, para ?Golden Star?, entre 233 ? 283 dias após o transplantio. As diferentes taxas de acumulação líquida dos nutrientes, nos diferentes órgãos da caramboleira, nem sempre acompanharam a taxa de acumulação de nutrientes do respectivo órgão. Production of star fruit ?B-10? and ?Golden Star? seedlings: II ? Absorption rate and acumulation of nutrients. Abstract ? Brazil?s participation in the external market of fruits has increased considerably with the potential to grow further. The constant rise of the Brazilian exportation data is the result of a combination of technological advances in the productive sector and access to new markets. The star fruit is presented as an excellent option for cultivation of exotic fruits, with great potential to attend the domestic market and exportation. Thus, the objective was to assess absorption rate and accumulation of nutrients in star fruit seedlings, grown in nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in split plots being used as part of the two cultivars of star fruit (?B-10? and ?Golden Star?) and as subplots, five plant collecting periods, realized at 208, 233, 258, 283 and 308 days after transplanting to the nutrient solution. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. The seedlings were grown in pots (8L) with nutrient solution (pH = 5.5 ± 0.5) with aeration. The experiment started on 08.24.2005. In different plant organs (leaves, stems and roots), absorption rate, accumulation of nutrients and nutritional indices were determined. It did not have differences in the accumulation of nutrients in the star fruit seedlings for both cultivars, the decreasing order of the nutrients in each ?B-10?seedlings, in the end of the experimental period, was: N > K > Ca > Mg > S > P > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. For ?Golden Star? the decreasing order was: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. For the two cultivars, the average accumulation was bigger in leaves > stem > roots. The period of bigger requirement for ?B-10? was between 208 - 233 and, for ?Golden Star?, between 233 - 283 days after the transplantation. The different rates of nutrient liquid accumulation, in the different organs of star fruit trees, not always followed the nutrient accumulation rate of the respective organ