Vacuum effects on massive spinor fields: S-1 x R-3 topology

The aim of this work was to investigate the role played by an external field on the Casimir energy density for massive fermions under S-1 x R-3 topology. Both twisted- and untwisted-spin connections are considered and the calculation in a closed form is performed using an alternative approach based on the combination of the analytic regularization method and the Euler-Maclaurin summation formula. It is shown that no mass scale appears in the final result and, therefore, Casimir effect arises only from the boundary conditions and vacuum fluctuations induced by the coupling with the external field.

Regulation of breathing and body temperature of a burrowing rodent during hypoxic-hypercapnia

Burrowing mammals usually have low respiratory sensitivity to hypoxia and hypercapnia. However, the interaction between ventilation (V), metabolism and body temperature (Tb) during hypoxic-hypercapnia has never been addressed. We tested the hypothesis that Clyomys bishopi, a burrowing rodent of the Brazilian cerrado, shows a small ventilatory response to hypoxic-hypercapnia, accompanied by a marked drop in Tb and metabolism. V, Tb and O-2 consumption (VO2) of C. bishopi were measured during exposure to air, hypoxia (10% and 7% O-2), hypercapnia (3% and 5% CO2) and hypoxic-hypercapnia (10% O-2 + 3% CO2). Hypoxia of 7% but not 10%, caused a significant increase in V, and a significant drop in Tb. Both hypoxic levels decreased VO2 and 7% O-2 significantly increased V/VO2. Hypercapnia of 5%, but not 3%, elicited a significant increase in V, although no significant change in Tb, VO2 or V/VO2 was detected. A combination of 10% O-2 and 3% CO2 had minor effects on V and Tb, while VO2 decreased and V/VO2 tended to increase. We conclude that C. bishopi has a low sensitivity not only to hypoxia and hypercapnia, but also to hypoxic-hypercapnia, manifested by a biphasic ventilatory response, a drop in metabolism and a tendency to increase V/VO2. The effect of hypoxic-hypercapnia was the summation of the hypoxia and hypercapnia effects, with respiratory responses tending to have hypercapnic patterns while metabolic responses, hypoxic patterns. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zel'dovich's method of perturbation theory in quantum mechanics

Many years ago Zel'dovich showed how the Lagrange condition in the theory of differential equations can be utilized in the perturbation theory of quantum mechanics. Zel'dovich's method enables us to circumvent the summation over intermediate states. As compared with other similar methods, in particular the logarithmic perturbation expansion method, we emphasize that this relatively unknown method of Zel'dovich has a remarkable advantage in dealing with excited stares. That is, the ground and excited states can all be treated in the same way. The nodes of the unperturbed wavefunction do not give rise to any complication.

Exploring potentialities of the HR-CS FAAS technique in the determination of Ni and Pb in mineral waters

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dos desvios das médias dos grupos contemporâneos aos modelos animais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar a reparametrização de um modelo de desvios das médias dos grupos contemporâneos até um modelo animal não-restrito (equações dos modelos mistos de Lush - EMML). Aplicando restrições sobre as EMML, foi obtido o modelo animal segundo Henderson (equações dos modelos mistos de Henderson - EMMH). Para obter as EMMH, restrições do tipo X'A-1λ aH = 0 foram impostas e estas geraram a necessidade de pressuposições fortes, como ausência de seleção, para que as propriedades das EMMH pudessem ser provadas. Para diferentes situações examinadas, as restrições foram confirmadas. O somatório destas restrições pode ser erroneamente interpretado como propriedade das soluções de um modelo animal de que os animais-base tenham a soma dos seus valores genéticos igual a zero.

Macro- and microstructure of the superior cervical ganglion in dogs, cats and horses during maturation

The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) provides sympathetic input to the head and neck, its relation with mandible, submandibular glands, eyes (second and third order control) and pineal gland being demonstrated in laboratory animals. In addition, the SCG's role in some neuropathies can be clearly seen in Horner's syndrome. In spite of several studies published involving rats and mice, there is little morphological descriptive and comparative data of SCG from large mammals. Thus, we investigated the SCG's macro- and microstructural organization in medium (dogs and cats) and large animals (horses) during a very specific period of the post-natal development, namely maturation (from young to adults). The SCG of dogs, cats and horses were spindle shaped and located deeply into the bifurcation of the common carotid artery, close to the distal vagus ganglion and more related to the internal carotid artery in dogs and horses, and to the occipital artery in cats. As to macromorphometrical data, that is ganglion length, there was a 23.6% increase from young to adult dogs, a 1.8% increase from young to adult cats and finally a 34% increase from young to adult horses. Histologically, the SCG's microstructure was quite similar between young and adult animals and among the 3 species. The SCG was divided into distinct compartments (ganglion units) by capsular septa of connective tissue. Inside each ganglion unit the most prominent cellular elements were ganglion neurons, glial cells and small intensely fluorescent cells, comprising the ganglion's morphological triad. Given this morphological arrangement, that is a summation of all ganglion units, SCG from dogs, cats and horses are better characterized as a ganglion complex rather than following the classical ganglion concept. During maturation (from young to adults) there was a 32.7% increase in the SCG's connective capsule in dogs, a 25.8% increase in cats and a 33.2% increase in horses. There was an age-related increase in the neuronal profile size in the SCG from young to adult animals, that is a 1.6-fold, 1.9-fold and 1.6-fold increase in dogs, cats and horses, respectively. on the other hand, there was an age-related decrease in the nuclear profile size of SCG neurons from young to adult animals (0.9-fold, 0.7-fold and 0.8-fold in dogs, cats and horses, respectively). Ganglion connective capsule is composed of 2 or 3 layers of collagen fibres in juxtaposition and, as observed in light microscopy and independently of the animal's age, ganglion neurons were organised in ganglionic units containing the same morphological triad seen in light microscopy. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PRESYNAPTIC AND POSTSYNAPTIC MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN TETANIC FADE INDUCED BY PANCURONIUM IN THE ISOLATED RAT MUSCLE

The mechanisms underlying the fade of the tetanic contraction induced by pancuronium were studied in vitro by means of myographical and electrophysiological techniques in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat. Pancuronium (0.5 mu mol/l) induced a complete fade of the tetanic contraction while leaving the twitch unaffected. At the same concentration it decreased the amplitude and increased the tetanic rundown of trains of endplate potentials (e.p.ps) evoked in the frequency of 50 Hz. The electrophysiological changes induced by pancuronium were due to decreases in both quantal sizes and quantal contents of the e.p.ps. The former effect was the result of a postsynaptic competitive action and the latter of a presynaptic inhibitory action of that compound. The decrease in quantal. content affected the e.p.ps starting from the first in the train and became larger during the generation of the sequence of e.p.ps. This intensified their tetanic rundown. It is concluded that the fade of the tetanic contraction induced by pancuronium is due to a summation of pre- and postsynaptic actions and, therefore, not only to an increase in the tetanic rundown of e.p.ps. Possible explanations for the distinct abilities of neuromuscular blockers in affecting tetani and twitches in a differential manner are also discussed.

Interaction between areas of the central nervous system in the control of water intake and arterial pressure in rats

1. Water intake induced by injection of 0.2 M-NaCl into the lateral preoptic area was increased by the injection of angiotensin II into the subfornical organ of rats. The injection of hypertonic saline solution into the subfornical organ increased water intake. However, the increase was lower than when the solution was injected into the lateral preoptic area. The injection of 4 μg angiotensin II into the lateral preoptic area further augmented this effect. 2. Injection of angiotensin II into the subfornical organ caused a rise in blood pressure which preceded the thirst-inducing effect. The injection of 0.2 M NaCl into the subfornical organ caused no changes in blood pressure, whereas the injection of angiotensin II into the lateral preoptic area caused some increase. 3. Dehydration of the lateral preoptic area by means of 0.2 M NaCl in combination with intravenous infusion of angiotensin II caused a summation of effects in terms of the water intake, without changing cardiovascular alterations induced by the infusion of angiotensin II. A summation of effects in the water intake, but not in blood pressure, was also observed when 0.5 M NaCl was infused intravenously in combination with the injection of angiotensin II into the subfornical organ and into the lateral preoptic area. 4. The results indicate that there are interactions between the subfornical organ and lateral preoptic area in the regulation of cardiovascular and thirst mechanisms.

Crystal structure of BaBi2Ta2O9

The crystal structure of the Aurivillius compound Bi2BaTa2O9 prepared via the chemical route was determined by direct methods using EXPO97, and refined using the Rietveld method with conventional X-ray diffraction data. The structure was found to be tetragonal (space group I4/mmm, number 139) and Z = 2, isomorphic of the Bi2BaNb2O9 reported by Blake and co-workers in the literature (1997). Two refinements were performed using the two asymmetry functions of DBWS-9807 (release 20/May/99). The unit cell for each case are: a = 3.932 22(6) Å, c = 25.5053(6) Å (RA) and a = 3.93250(7) Å, c = 25.5069(6) Å (RCF). The differences for atom positions, interatomic distances and angles are in the range of one standard deviation. Final agreements factors are: Rwp = 7.97%, S = 1.84, RBragg = 4.28%(RA), Rwp = 7.98%, S = 1.84, RBragg = 4.30% (RCF). The occupancies of Ba and Bi in site 2b were refined but constrained to have their summation equal to 1.00. The same constraints were applied to the Ba and Bi of the 4e site. The results show that on site 2b there are 70% of Ba and 30% of Bi and on the site 4e there are 82% of Bi and 18% of Ba. The charge equilibrium is maintained for one standard deviation of the site occupancies. © 2000 International Centre for Diffraction Data.

Yang-Mills action from open superstring field theory

We calculate the effective action for nonabelian gauge bosons up to quartic order using WZW-like open superstring field theory. After including level zero and level one contributions, we obtain with 75% accuracy the Yang-Mills quartic term. We then prove that the complete effective action reproduces the exact Yang-Mills quartic term by analytically performing a summation over the intermediate massive states. © SISSA/ISAS 2003.

Distribution line models analysis for loss calculation within three-phase three-wire power flow algorithms

Three-phase three-wire power flow algorithms, as any tool for power systems analysis, require reliable impedances and models in order to obtain accurate results. Kron's reduction procedure, which embeds neutral wire influence into phase wires, has shown good results when three-phase three-wire power flow algorithms based on current summation method were used. However, Kron's reduction can harm reliabilities of some algorithms whose iterative processes need loss calculation (power summation method). In this work, three three-phase three-wire power flow algorithms based on power summation method, will be compared with a three-phase four-wire approach based on backward-forward technique and current summation. Two four-wire unbalanced medium-voltage distribution networks will be analyzed and results will be presented and discussed. © 2004 IEEE.

Network reconfiguration and loss allocation for distribution systems with distributed generation

Distribution systems with distributed generation require new analysis methods since networks are not longer passive. Two of the main problems in this new scenario are the network reconfiguration and the loss allocation. This work presents a distribution systems graphic simulator, developed with reconfiguration functions and a special focus on loss allocation, both considering the presence of distributed generation. This simulator uses a fast and robust power flow algorithm based on the current summation backward-forward technique. Reconfiguration problem is solved through a heuristic methodology and the losses allocation function, based on the Zbus method, is presented as an attached result for each obtained configuration. Results are presented and discussed, remarking the easiness of analysis through the graphic simulator as an excellent tool for planning and operation engineers, and very useful for training. © 2004 IEEE.

Network reconfiguration and loss allocation in a deregulated environment of distribution systems

Low flexibility and reliability in the operation of radial distribution networks make those systems be constructed with extra equipment as sectionalising switches in order to reconfigure the network, so the operation quality of the network can be improved. Thus, sectionalising switches are used for fault isolation and for configuration management (reconfiguration). Moreover, distribution systems are being impacted by the increasing insertion of distributed generators. Hence, distributed generation became one of the relevant parameters in the evaluation of systems reconfiguration. Distributed generation may affect distribution networks operation in various ways, causing noticeable impacts depending on its location. Thus, the loss allocation problem becomes more important considering the possibility of open access to the distribution networks. In this work, a graphic simulator for distribution networks with reconfiguration and loss allocation functions, is presented. Reconfiguration problem is solved through a heuristic methodology, using a robust power flow algorithm based on the current summation backward-forward technique, considering distributed generation. Four different loss allocation methods (Zbus, Direct Loss Coefficient, Substitution and Marginal Loss Coefficient) are implemented and compared. Results for a 32-bus medium voltage distribution network, are presented and discussed.

Bothropstoxin-I reduces evoked acetylcholine release from rat motor nerve terminals: Radiochemical and real-time video-microscopy studies

Understanding the biological activity profile of the snake venom components is fundamental for improving the treatment of snakebite envenomings and may also contribute for the development of new potential therapeutic agents. In this work, we tested the effects of BthTX-I, a Lys49 PLA2 homologue from the Bothrops jararacussu snake venom. While this toxin induces conspicuous myonecrosis by a catalytically independent mechanism, a series of in vitro studies support the hypothesis that BthTX-I might also exert a neuromuscular blocking activity due to its ability to alter the integrity of muscle cell membranes. To gain insight into the mechanisms of this inhibitory neuromuscular effect, for the first time, the influence of BthTX-I on nerve-evoked ACh release was directly quantified by radiochemical and real-time video-microscopy methods. Our results show that the neuromuscular blockade produced by in vitro exposure to BthTX-I (1 μM) results from the summation of both pre- and postsynaptic effects. Modifications affecting the presynaptic apparatus were revealed by the significant reduction of nerve-evoked [3H]-ACh release; real-time measurements of transmitter exocytosis using the FM4-64 fluorescent dye fully supported radiochemical data. The postsynaptic effect of BthTX-I was characterized by typical histological alterations in the architecture of skeletal muscle fibers, increase in the outflow of the intracellular lactate dehydrogenase enzyme and progressive depolarization of the muscle resting membrane potential. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the neuromuscular blockade produced by BthTX-I results from transient depolarization of skeletal muscle fibers, consequent to its general membrane-destabilizing effect, and subsequent decrease of evoked ACh release from motor nerve terminals. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluation of lines of boron, phosphorus and sulfur by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry for plant analysis

The wavelength-integrated absorbance (WIA) and summation of absorbance (∑ lines) of different lines were evaluated to enhance sensitivity and determine B, P and S in medicinal plants by HR-CS FAAS. The lowest LOD for B (0.5mgL-1) and P (13.7mgL-1) was obtained by integration of lines 249.773nm (3pixels) and 247.620nm (5pixels), respectively. The ∑ lines for CS at 257.595nm and 257.958nm furnished LOD=30.5mgL-1, ca. 10% lower than the LOD obtained for the WIA using 257.595nm and 5pixels. Data showed the advantage of WIA over ∑ lines to improve sensitivity for all analytes. Under optimized conditions, calibration curves in the 1.0-100mgL-1 B and 50.0-2000mgL-1 P, S ranges were consistently obtained. Results obtained with the HR-CS FAAS method were in agreement at 98% and 95% confidence level with certified values for B and P, respectively. And results for S were in accordance to non-certified values. Concentrations of B, P, and S in 12 medicinal plants analyzed by the proposed method varied within the 19.4-34.5mgkg-1 B, 719-3910mgkg-1 P and 1469-7653mgkg-1 S ranges. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.