Renormalization-group constraints on Yukawa alignment in multi-Higgs-doublet models

We write down the renormalization-group equations for the Yukawa-coupling matrices in a general multi-Higgs-doublet model. We then assume that the matrices of the Yukawa couplings of the various Higgs doublets to right-handed fermions of fixed quantum numbers are all proportional to each other. We demonstrate that, in the case of the two-Higgs-doublet model, this proportionality is preserved by the renormalization-group running only in the cases of the standard type-I, II, X, and Y models. We furthermore show that a similar result holds even when there are more than two Higgs doublets: the Yukawa-coupling matrices to fermions of a given electric charge remain proportional under the renormalization-group running if and only if there is a basis for the Higgs doublets in which all the fermions of a given electric charge couple to only one Higgs doublet.

Assessment of fungal contamination in a group of Lisbon's gymnasiums with a swimming pool

The study’s main purpose was the assessment of the environmental fungal contamination, the exploration of possible associations between related environmental variables and the study of the relationship between fungal contamination of air and surfaces. A descriptive study was developed based upon air and surfaces monitoring for fungal contamination in ten indoor gymnasiums with a swimming pool located in Lisbon’s urban area. Fifty 200 litres air samples and 120 surface swabs were collected. Surfaces samples were collected before and after cleaning and disinfection and temperature and relative humidity values were registered during the collection period. Twenty five different species of fungi were identified in the air samples, being the three most commonly isolated genera the following: Cladosporium (36.6%), Penicillium (19.0%) and Aspergillus (10.2%). Thirty-seven different species of fungi were identified in the surface samples. Fusarium sp. was the most frequent genera before (19.1%) and after (17.2%) cleaning and disinfection. There was a significant association between the numbers of visitors and the fungal contamination determined in the surface samples (p<0.05). There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the contamination encountered in the air samples and the one registered in the surface samples and between the fungal contamination and the temperature or relative humidity measured on location. The data obtained enabled the assessment of the establishment’s fungal contamination and led the authors to conclude, consequently, that physical activity, which generally promotes health, can in fact be challenged by this factor.

From efficiency to optimality in proportional reinsurance under group correlation

Based on our recent discovery of closed form formulae of efficient Mean Variance retentions in variable quota-share proportional reinsurance under group correlation, we analyzed the influence of different combination of correlation and safety loading levels on the efficient frontier, both in a single period stylized problem and in a multiperiod one.

Children visual screening protocol: validation by a focus group panel of experts

Screening programs, particularly the inclusion of specific orthoptic tests to detect visual abnormalities, varies among countries. This study aims to: 1) describes expert perception of issues related with children visual screening; 2) identify specific orthoptic tests to detect visual abnormalities in children visual screening.

5' and 3' UTR thymidylate synthase polymorphisms modulate the risk of colorectal cancer independently of the intake of methyl group donors

Thymidylate synthase, as a rate-limiting step in DNA synthesis, catalyses the conversion of dUMP into dTMP using 5,10-methylenotetrahydrofolate as the methyl donor. Two polymorphisms have been described in this gene: a repeat polymorphism in the 5' promoter enhancer region (3R versus 2R) and a 6 bp deletion in the 3' unstranslated region. Both of these may affect protein levels. The present case control study was aimed at investigating the influence of these two polymorphisms on the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as their potential interaction with folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 intake. A total of 196 cases and 200 controls, matched for age and sex distribution, were included in the study. No association was found between CRC and the 28 bp repeat polymorphism, but it was observed that individuals with the 6 bp/del and del/del genotypes had a significantly lower risk of developing the disease (OR=0.47; 95% CI 0.30-0.72). A combined genotype (2R/2R; 6 bp/del+del/del) was also found, which was associated with an even lower risk of developing of the disease (OR=0.42; 95% CI 0.26-0.69). No significant interaction between these polymorphisms and vitamin intake was observed. These results indicate for the first time that the 6 bp/del allele might be a protective factor in the development of CRC, independent of the intake of methyl group donors.

Potenciar a consciência fonológica de crianças pré-escolares em contexto naturalístico

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ciências da Educação Especialidade Intervenção Precoce

The influence of experience and training in a group of novice observers: a jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis

Purpose - The study evaluates the pre- and post-training lesion localisation ability of a group of novice observers. Parallels are drawn with the performance of inexperienced radiographers taking part in preliminary clinical evaluation (PCE) and ‘red-dot’ systems, operating within radiography practice. Materials and methods - Thirty-four novice observers searched 92 images for simulated lesions. Pre-training and post-training evaluations were completed following the free-response the receiver operating characteristic (FROC) method. Training consisted of observer performance methodology, the characteristics of the simulated lesions and information on lesion frequency. Jackknife alternative FROC (JAFROC) and highest rating inferred ROC analyses were performed to evaluate performance difference on lesion-based and case-based decisions. The significance level of the test was set at 0.05 to control the probability of Type I error. Results - JAFROC analysis (F(3,33) = 26.34, p < 0.0001) and highest-rating inferred ROC analysis (F(3,33) = 10.65, p = 0.0026) revealed a statistically significant difference in lesion detection performance. The JAFROC figure-of-merit was 0.563 (95% CI 0.512,0.614) pre-training and 0.677 (95% CI 0.639,0.715) post-training. Highest rating inferred ROC figure-of-merit was 0.728 (95% CI 0.701,0.755) pre-training and 0.772 (95% CI 0.750,0.793) post-training. Conclusions - This study has demonstrated that novice observer performance can improve significantly. This study design may have relevance in the assessment of inexperienced radiographers taking part in PCE or commenting scheme for trauma.

Letter names and sounds: their implications for the phonetisation process

Our aim was to analyse the impact of the characteristics of words used in spelling programmes and the nature of instructional guidelines on the evolution from grapho-perceptive writing to phonetic writing in preschool children. The participants were 50 5-year-old children, divided in five equivalent groups in intelligence, phonological skills and spelling. All the children knew the vowels and the consonants B, D, P, R, T, V, F, M and C, but didn’t use them on spelling. Their spelling was evaluated in a pre and post-test with 36 words beginning with the consonants known. In-between they underwent a writing programme designed to lead them to use the letters P and T to represent the initial phonemes of words. The groups differed on the kind of words used on training (words whose initial syllable matches the name of the initial letter—Exp. G1 and Exp. G2—versus words whose initial syllable is similar to the sound of the initial letter—Exp. G3 and Exp. G4). They also differed on the instruction used in order to lead them to think about the relations between the initial phoneme of words and the initial consonant (instructions designed to make the children think about letter names—Exp. G1 and Exp. G3 —versus instructions designed to make the children think about letter sounds—Exp. G2 and Exp. G4). The 5th was a control group. All the children evolved to syllabic phonetisations spellings. There are no differences between groups at the number of total phonetisations but we found some differences between groups at the quality of the phonetisations.

Relatório de estágio

Resumo I (Prática Pedagógica) - O Estágio do Ensino Especializado realizado no presente ano lectivo foi elaborado na Academia de Música de Lisboa em três turmas. Vários foram os desafios encontrados no decorrer do ano lectivo, como por exemplo a instabilidade das turmas, a falta do quadro na sala em algumas aulas e a pouca experiência anterior na área de docência. A realização deste estágio permitiu experimentar actividades e estratégias aprendidas nas disciplinas do mestrado e estimulou uma atitude de reflexão regular sobre as escolhas pedagógicas elaboradas e sobre a resposta dos alunos. Também o feedback dos professores da Unidade Curricular de Didáctica do Ensino Especializado foi essencial na consciencialização de aspectos que teriam que ser mudados na minha abordagem do ensino: fazer actividades mais formativas e menos avaliativas, dar mais feedback, não avançar para outro nível enquanto uma tarefa ainda não estiver consolidada, não modificar as instruções tão rapidamente, ter cuidado com a apresentação visual das células rítmicas e pensar em soluções para quando os alunos estão cansados. Foi também importante reflectir sobre os planos de aula realizados ao longo do ano e sobre o que não seria realizado da mesma forma, nomeadamente na introdução de células rítmicas, introdução de funções harmónicas e cadências. Durante este ano foi feito um esforço para melhorar estes aspectos, no entanto ainda não foi possível implementar todas as mudanças. De qualquer modo, esta reflexão é um bom ponto de partida para o planeamento do próximo ano e um exemplo da atitude que deve acompanhar-me durante toda a minha actividade enquanto docente.

Group-to-group bidirectional Wi-Fi direct communication with two relay nodes

The current capabilities of mobile phones in terms of communication, processing and storage, enables its use to form autonomous networks of devices that can be used in case of collapse or inexistent support from a communication infrastructure. In this paper, we propose a network configuration of nodes that provides high-speed bidirectional device-to-device communication, with symmetrical data transfer rates, in Wi-Fi Direct multi-group scenarios, without using performance hindering broadcasts. Copyright © 2015 ICST.