Bounding resonant Majorana neutrinos from four-body B and D decays

Searches of lepton-number violation in different processes are very useful to constrain the parameter space of Majorana neutrinos. Here we use available upper bounds on the branching fractions of B^- -> D^0pi^+mu^-mu^- and D^0 -> (pi^-pi^-/K^-pi^-) mu^-mu^- decays to derive constraints on the mass and mixings of Majorana neutrinos by assuming they are produced resonantly in these four-body decays. While the excluded region obtained from B^- decays are competitive with existing limits from three-body D^- and B^- decays, it is shown that experimental improvements on D^0 decays offer a good potential to provide similar results.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, Version 2: discussion extended, references added. Matches version published in PR

Disminución del estrés del prematuro para promover su neurodesarrollo: nuevo enfoque terapéutico.

Se ha creado una nueva filosofía para el cuidado del niño prematuro, basada en la atención del desarrollo como una forma de aproximación humana y de sentido común para cubrir las necesidades del bebé prematuro y su familia. Las investigaciones han demostrado que los niños que reciben una atención centrada en el desarrollo, tales como modificaciones ambientales, modulación de luz y ruido, ayudas posturales: rollos o soportes laterales, estructurar la manipulación directa, conductas autorregulatorias, así como el involucro de los padres, en el marco de tratamiento médico de las Unidades de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal (UCIN), han mejorado los resultados neuroconductuales a largo plazo. El NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program), es una intervención integral del cuidado del desarrollo. El instrumento mas importante utilizado en el NIDCAP es la observación formal y repetida del neonato por personal entrenado y certificado. Estas observaciones se basan en los esfuerzos del neonato para alcanzar la autorregulación, que se manifiesta como conducta de acercamiento o rechazo. Cuando el estímulo sensorial es apropiado, el neonato mostrará una conducta de autorregulación hacia el mismo. Cuando la estimulación es inapropiada o excesiva el neonato manifestará una conducta de rechazo o estrés. El plan de cuidado del neonato, incluyendo las recomendaciones del cuidado individualizado y los cambios ambientales se diseña con base en el estado de desarrollo actual, el estado clínico del paciente y las necesidades de la familia. Conforme el neonato madura, las recomendaciones se van modificando. El personal encargado del cuidado observa de manera sensible y nota las reacciones del neonato a cada manejo o intervención, para realizar los ajustes apropiados

Quantitative Analysis of Rate Transient Analysis in Unconventional Shale Gas Reserviors

Rate Transient Analysis is a quick reservoir modeling solution that has been used throughout the oil and gas industry over its continuous development and has provided breakthroughs for modeling conventional plays for decades. As the Marcellus Shale play continues to be a massive producer of Natural Gas in the world, operators look to find economical yet fairly accurate solutions to develop accurate reservoir models of their wells given the complex nature of unconventional reservoirs. Due to extremely low permeability and heterogeneity along with its complex fracture networks, it becomes an extremely difficult problem to model and predict the fluid flow behavior of producing wells. Currently, many operators across the region generate RTA (Rate Transient Analysis) models to forecast production and track well performance along the lifespan of the well. With RTA being a solution that was well applied to conventional oil wells with success, the solution was modified to fit the uncertain nature of unconventional shale plays such as the Marcellus Shale. When doing such, the problem of modeling complex fracture networks generated during hydraulic fracturing of the well is simplified along with adding certain assumptions of parameters are used to generate a model. This process paired with the use of history matching which generates numerous cases altering the unknown parameters until the wells historical production data and simulated production is matched, deeming a “correct model.” The following study analyzes in depth the use of RTA in unconventional shale reservoirs and the current methodology of combining assumptions with history matching in order to develop reservoir “model matches.” In doing so, the workflow provided by IHS Harmony, a popular RTA model software, will be used to demonstrate user bias and the variance in model results on repeated wells. The workflow consists of using the Blasingame Fracture Typecurve, Agarwal Fracture Typecurve, and Wattenbarger Typecurve as a guide into the analytical models. Once these analyses are completed, the analytical models URM (Unconventional Reservoir Module) Superposition Time and FMB (Flowing Material Balance) are used to generate a drainage area and matrix permeability for the numerical model. Finally, the Multiphase Numerical Model tool will be used in order to develop a model match after iterating on fracture half-length and dimensionless fracture conductivity. The following study will work to highlight user bias in completing these models through several wells. In doing such models of the same accuracy in regard to production history were found after using vastly different reservoir engineering assumptions such as fracture efficiency

Interactions of the Striatal Gene Rhes with the Dopaminergic System in Rodents

Mice that are incapable of expressing the small G protein Rhes have been generated and have shown to have abnormalities in behaviors mediated by the striatum, a region in which Rhes is highly expressed. Moreover, conditions that result in dopamine supersensitivity and a breakdown in D1/D2 synergism in rodents, consistently decrease rhes mRNA in striatum. Thus, Rhes may play have relevance in dopamine signal modulation. For evaluating the role of Rhes in anxiety, stereotypy and basal motor activity, adult male and female wild-type (WT) mice, Rhes knockout (KO) mice, and mice heterozygous for the KO and WT alleles (Het) were tested. There was no genotype differences in the distance traveled in the open field. However, female KO mice showed lower anxiety than either WTs or Hets, based on the quantity of time spent in the periphery vs. the central area of the open field (p\u3c0.05). With respect to striatally-mediated motor stereotypy, the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine elicited a significant greater response in male KO and Het compared to WTs (p\u3c0.05). In previous studies of D1/D2 synergism, it has been consistently found in rats and mice that when D2 receptors alone are stimulated, there is an early and brief, D1 independent peak in stereotypy that disappears by 20 minutes. In the present study, this effect was more intense in male KO mice compared to the other two genotypes during the interval between 5 and 10 minutes (p\u3c0.05). The current findings favor the hypothesis that the GTP-binding protein Rhes interacts with as yet unidentified cellular proteins to buffer the transduction of synaptic dopamine signals into intracellular responses. Decreased or loss of Rhes therefore results in increased DA signal transduction

Diseño de un sistema de información interactivo retroalimentable para la República Democrática del Congo (RDC) - África

El presente artículo muestra los resultados de la fase inicial del proyecto: 'Diseño e implementación de un sistema de información interactivo retroalimentable aplicado al fortalecimiento de competencias comunicativas en comunidades lejanas de la República Democrática del Congo-África, utilizando nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (NTIC)'. Este proyecto pretende potenciar las estrategias de globalización, internacionalización e impacto social de la educación, apoyando las labores de formación que ejercen los misioneros de la Consolata, en regiones apartadas de la República Democrática del Congo. Aparte de la componente académica, la implementación del sistema permitirá apoyar el desarrollo socio-económico de la región, a través de programas de autopromoción, cultura y fortalecimiento de la democracia en este lejano país

Interactions of the Striatal Gene Rhes with the Dopaminergic System in Rodents

Mice that are incapable of expressing the small G protein Rhes have been generated and have shown to have abnormalities in behaviors mediated by the striatum, a region in which Rhes is highly expressed. Moreover, conditions that result in dopamine supersensitivity and a breakdown in D1/D2 synergism in rodents, consistently decrease rhes mRNA in striatum. Thus, Rhes may play have relevance in dopamine signal modulation. For evaluating the role of Rhes in anxiety, stereotypy and basal motor activity, adult male and female wild-type (WT) mice, Rhes knockout (KO) mice, and mice heterozygous for the KO and WT alleles (Het) were tested. There was no genotype differences in the distance traveled in the open field. However, female KO mice showed lower anxiety than either WTs or Hets, based on the quantity of time spent in the periphery vs. the central area of the open field (p\u3c0.05). With respect to striatally-mediated motor stereotypy, the mixed D1/D2 agonist apomorphine elicited a significant greater response in male KO and Het compared to WTs (p\u3c0.05). In previous studies of D1/D2 synergism, it has been consistently found in rats and mice that when D2 receptors alone are stimulated, there is an early and brief, D1 independent peak in stereotypy that disappears by 20 minutes. In the present study, this effect was more intense in male KO mice compared to the other two genotypes during the interval between 5 and 10 minutes (p\u3c0.05). The current findings favor the hypothesis that the GTP-binding protein Rhes interacts with as yet unidentified cellular proteins to buffer the transduction of synaptic dopamine signals into intracellular responses. Decreased or loss of Rhes therefore results in increased DA signal transduction

Uma revisão da relação entre a ludopatia, o transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, e a doença de Parkinson

Purpose: For the present review, publications in the field of gambling disorder that deal with its relationships with others, mainly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) were consulted. Methods: The current revision includes a total of 63 references published between 1987 and 2017. It included human stud­ies and revisions regarding the comorbidity of gambling disorder with ADHD or PD. The search terms included: gambling disorder, gambling disorder comorbidity, gambling disorder and adhd, gambling disor­der and pd, gambling disorder and impulsivity. The present review fo­cused on the link among gambling disorder and ADHD or PD, because there were a large number of publications related to these disorders. For organization purpose the current work was split into two main parts: 1) Revision of previous scientific reviews about gambling dis­order, and 2) Overview and conclusions of experimental work about gambling disorder. Conclusions: The principal conclusions of the cur­rent review are: 1) subjects with a gambling disorder have a higher in­cidence of ADHD(and also of attention deficit disorder [ADD]), 2) the presence of ADHD in subjects that suffer of gambling disorder implies more challenges for the health care system, and 3) PD treatments that increase the agonism of dopamine type of receptor are related to an elevated probability for developing a gambling problem or an impulse control disorder.Objetivo: para la presente revisión, se consultaron publicaciones en el campo de la ludopatía que tratan de sus relaciones con otros trastornos, principalmente el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) y la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Método: la presente revisión tiene en cuenta 63 referencias publicadas entre 1987 y 2017 y tuvo en cuenta estudios en humanos y revisiones sobre la comorbilidad de la ludopatía con el TDAH o la EP. Los términos de la búsqueda incluyeron: ludopatía, comorbilidad de la ludopatía, ludopatía y TDAH, ludopatía y EP, ludopatía e impulsividad. Esta revisión se centró en el vínculo entre la ludopatía y el TDAH o la EP, puesto que existía un gran número de publicaciones relacionadas con estos trastornos. Para su organización, el presente trabajo se dividió en dos partes principales: 1) el análisis de revisiones científicas anteriores sobre la ludopatía y 2) el resumen y las conclusiones del trabajo experimental sobre la ludopatía. Conclusiones: las conclusiones principales de esta revisión son: 1) los sujetos con ludopatía tienen una mayor incidencia del TDAH (y también del trastorno de déficit de atención [TDA]), 2) la presencia del TDAH en sujetos que sufren de ludopatía implica más retos para el sistema de salud y 3) los tratamientos de la EP que aumentan el agonismo del receptor tipo dopamina están relacionados con una probabilidad elevada de desarrollar un problema de juego o un trastorno de control de impulsos.Objetivo: para esta revisão, foram consultadas publicações no campo da ludopatia que tratam de suas relações com outros transtornos, principalmente o transtorno por déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH) e a doença de Parkinson (DP). Método: esta revisão inclui um total de 63 referências publicadas entre 1987 e 2017, e considerou estudos em humanos e revisões sobre a comorbilidade da ludopatia com o TDAH ou a DP. Os termos de busca foram: ludopatia, comorbilidade da ludopatia, ludopatia e TDAH, ludopatia e DP, ludopatia e impulsividade. Além disso, esteve focada no vínculo entre a ludopatia e o TDAH ou a DP, visto que existia um grande número de publicações relacionadas com esses transtornos. Para sua organização, o presente trabalho foi dividido em duas partes principais: 1) a revisão de revisões científicas anteriores sobre a ludopatia e 2) o resumo e as conclusões do trabalho experimental sobre a ludopatia. Conclusões: as conclusões principais desta revisão são: 1) os sujeitos com ludopatia têm maior incidência do TDAH (e também do transtorno de déficit de atenção [TDA]); 2) a presença do TDAH em sujeitos que sofrem de ludopatia implica mais desafios para o sistema de saúde e 3) os tratamentos da DP que aumentam o agonismo do receptor tipo dopamina estão relacionados com uma probabilidade elevada de desenvolver um problema de jogo ou um transtorno de controle de impulsos

Tidal Energy Potential in the Center Zone of the Colombian Pacific Coast

Introduction: Tidal energy is evidencing interest worldwide because it can be accurately estimated due to the cyclical behavior of the tides. This energy can be extracted from differences in sea level height through the use of gates and turbines of a reservoir (tidal power plant), or extracted from tidal currents through a grid of reversible horizontal axis microturbines as proposed in this study. Thus, the Colombian Pacific region has the opportunity to implement microturbines in strategic areas with the challenge of optimizing them to extract energy with local tidal heights up to 4 m and current velocities up to 1.5 m/s. Objective: Calculate the energy potentials from tidal currents in the central zone of the Colombian Pacific coast obtained through hydrodynamic modeling (Delft3D) validated it with in situ information. Methodology: The present study starts from level 1 of technological development (Technology Readiness Levels, TRL) till reaching the TRL 2. Then, the research performed a documentary review of national and international experiences related to tidal energy, evidencing the great opportunity that Colombia has to take advantage of this type of energy and join to the growing international interest in the development of clean and renewable energies. In addition, this study characterized the tidal heights and did calculations of energy potentials from tidal currents in the Colombian Pacific derived from hydrodynamic modeling (Delft3D) validated with measured in situ data. The results of this study encourage the application of these technologies in Colombia and represents a contribution to the fulfillment of the UN sustainable development objectives (Affordable and non-polluting energy, SDG 7). Results: From the 4 analysis points, the point B (Buenaventura) registered the highest accumulated potential for electricity generation per month (31,546.56 Wh / month). The maximum tidal heights at points A, B, C and D during 2018 were 1.88 m. Furthermore, the mean velocity range at points A, B, C and D was 0.28 m/s to 0.54 m/s, and the maximum velocity for these points were 0.54 m/s, 0.49 m/s, 0.31 m/s and 0.28 m/s respectively. Then, by means of 5 tidal microturbines with a reversible horizontal axis of 1 m sweep area for the point of highest potential (B), it is possible to generate electrical energy to meet the electrical consumption of a house, and with 544 microturbines the consumption of 99 houses. The tidal farm (544 microturbines) would require an area of 2079.36 m2 (e.g. 45.6 m x 45.6 m) and an average depth of 5 m; these requirements are feasible to be met because of the study area characteristics. Conclusions: This research determined the tidal energy potential in the central zone of the Colombian Pacific for 4 points of interest, (A, B, C and D) and the highest potentials were found in points A and B located in Bahía Málaga and Buenaventura respectively. In addition, the minimum velocities, the duration of these and the diurnal tidal regime (12 h) were analyzed, and it was found that points A and B showed the lowest times (1 h and 2 h) of minimum velocity, evidencing a capacity of daily electricity generation of 22 h and 20 h respectively. In consideration of the obtained results, this research shows the opportunity to perform studies for promoting the development of reversible horizontal-axis microturbines for the exploitation of tidal energy. The generated energy could be supplied to communities with access difficulties to the electricity distribution network, what would reduce poverty and the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) due to the burning of fossil and plant-based fuels (firewood).   Conclusions: It was determined that the tidal energy potential in the central zone of the Colombian Pacific for 4 points of interest, (A, B, C and D) and the highest potentials were found in points A and B located in Bahía Málaga and Buenaventura respectively. In consideration of the results obtained, this research shows the opportunity performe studies for promoting the development of microturbines for electricity generation from tidal energy. The generated energy would supply to communities with difficulties in accessing the networks of electricity distribution, thus reducing poverty and the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) due to the burning of fossil fuels and of vegetable origin (firewood).Introducción: La energía de las mareas está evidenciando un interés a nivel mundial porque se puede estimar con precisión debido al comportamiento cíclico de las mareas. Esta energía puede extraerse de las diferencias en la altura del nivel del mar mediante el uso de compuertas y turbinas de un embalse (planta de energía mareomotriz), o extraerse de las corrientes de marea a través de una red de microturbinas reversibles de eje horizontal como se propone en este estudio. Así, la región del Pacífico colombiano tiene la oportunidad de implementar microturbinas en áreas estratégicas con el desafío de optimizarlas para extraer energía con alturas de marea locales de hasta 4 m y velocidades de corriente de hasta 1.5 m/s. Objetivo: Calcular los potenciales energéticos de las corrientes de marea en la zona central de la costa pacífica colombiana obtenidos mediante modelado hidrodinámico (Delft3D) validado con información in situ. Metodología: El presente estudio parte del nivel 1 de desarrollo tecnológico (Niveles de desarrollo tecnológico, TRL en inglés) hasta llegar a TRL 2. Luego, la investigación realizó una revisión documental de experiencias nacionales e internacionales relacionadas con la energía mareomotriz, evidenciando la gran oportunidad que tiene Colombia para aprovechar este tipo de energía y sumarnos al creciente interés internacional por el desarrollo de energías limpias y renovables. Además, este estudio caracterizó las alturas de las mareas y realizó cálculos de potenciales energéticos a partir de corrientes de marea en el Pacífico colombiano derivados de modelos hidrodinámicos (Delft3D) validados con datos medidos in situ. Los resultados de este estudio incentivan la aplicación de estas tecnologías en Colombia y representan un aporte al cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la ONU (Energía asequible y no contaminante, ODS 7). Resultados: De los 4 puntos de análisis, el punto B (Buenaventura) registró el mayor potencial acumulado de generación eléctrica por mes (31,546.56 Wh/mes). Las alturas máximas de marea en los puntos A, B, C y D durante 2018 fueron de 1.88 m. Además, el rango de velocidad media en los puntos A, B, C y D fue de 0.28 m/s a 0.54 m/s, y la velocidad máxima para estos puntos fue de 0.54 m/s, 0.49 m/s, 0.31 m/s y 0.28 m/s respectivamente. Luego, mediante 5 microturbinas mareales con eje horizontal reversible de 1 m de área de barrido para el punto de mayor potencial (B), es posible generar energía eléctrica para cubrir el consumo eléctrico de una casa, y con 544 microturbinas el consumo de 99 casas. La granja de mareas (544 microturbinas) requeriría un área de 2079.36 m2 (por ejemplo, 45.6 m x 45.6 m) y una profundidad media de 5 m; estos requisitos son factibles de cumplir debido a las características del área de estudio. Conclusiones: Esta investigación determinó el potencial energético de las mareas en la zona central del Pacífico colombiano para 4 puntos de interés, (A, B, C y D) y los mayores potenciales se encontraron en los puntos A y B ubicados en Bahía Málaga y Buenaventura respectivamente. Además, se analizaron las velocidades mínimas, la duración de estas y el régimen de mareas diurno (12 h), y se encontró que los puntos A y B mostraron los tiempos más bajos (1 h y 2 h) de velocidad mínima, evidenciando una capacidad de generación eléctrica diaria de 22 h y 20 h respectivamente. En consideración a los resultados obtenidos, esta investigación muestra la oportunidad de realizar estudios para promover el desarrollo de microturbinas reversibles de eje horizontal para el aprovechamiento de la energía mareomotriz. La energía generada podría ser suministrada a comunidades con dificultades de acceso a la red de distribución eléctrica, lo que reduciría la pobreza y la emisión de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI) por la quema de combustibles fósiles y vegetales (leña)