Determination of the spin of new resonances in electroweak gauge boson pair production at the LHC

The appearance of spin-1 resonances associated with the electroweak symmetry breaking sector is expected in many extensions of the standard model. We analyze the CERN Large Hadron Collider potential to probe the spin of possible new charged and neutral vector resonances through the purely leptonic processes pp -> Z' -> l(+) l'(-) E(T), and pp -> W' -> l'(+/-) l(+) l(-) E(T), with l, l' = e or mu. We perform a model-independent analysis and demonstrate that the spin of the new states can be determined with 99% C. L. in a large fraction of the parameter space where these resonances can be observed with 100 fb(-1). We show that the best sensitivity to the spin is obtained by directly studying correlations between the final state leptons, without the need of reconstructing the events in their center-of-mass frames.

KDP/PEDOT: PSS mixture as a new alternative in the fabrication of pressure sensing devices

In this work we studied the mixture of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), a commercial polymer, with monobasic potassium phosphate (KDP), a piezoelectric salt, as a possible novel material in the fabrication of a low cost, easy-to-make,flexible pressure sensing device. The mixture between KDP and PEDOT: PSS was painted in a flexible polyester substrate and dried. Afterwards, I x V curves were carried out. The samples containing KDP presented higher values of current in smaller voltages than the PEDOT: PSS without KDP. This can mean a change in the chain arrays. Other results showed that the material responds to directly applied pressure to the sample that can be useful to sensors fabrication. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adoption and use of precision agriculture technologies in the sugarcane industry of So Paulo state, Brazil

Precision agriculture (PA) technologies are being applied to crops in Brazil, which are important to ensure Brazil`s position in agricultural production. However, there are no studies available at present to indicate the extent to which PA technologies are being used in the country. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to investigate how the sugar-ethanol industry in So Paulo state, which produces 60% of the domestic sugarcane, is adopting and using these techniques. For this purpose, primary data were used, which were obtained from a questionnaire sent to all companies operating in the sugar-ethanol industry in the region. The aim was to determine to what extent these companies are adopting and using PA technologies, and also to promote a more in-depth discussion of the topic within the sugar-ethanol industry. Information was obtained on the features of the companies, on sources of information that they use for adopting these technologies, on their impacts on these companies and on obstacles hindering their adoption. The main conclusions of this research suggest that companies that adopt and use PA practices reap benefits, such as managerial improvements, higher yields, lower costs, minimization of environmental impacts and improvements in sugarcane quality.

A new polymorphism in the Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) gene is associated with increased ovulation rate and prolificacy in homozygous sheep

P>Brazilian Santa Ines (SI) sheep are very well-adapted to the tropical conditions of Brazil and are an important source of animal protein. A high rate of twin births was reported in some SI flocks. Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP15) are the first two genes expressed by the oocyte to be associated with an increased ovulation rate in sheep. All GDF9 and BMP15 variants characterized, until now, present the same phenotype: the heterozygote ewes have an increased ovulation rate and the mutated homozygotes are sterile. In this study, we have found a new allele of GDF9, named FecGE (Embrapa), which leads to a substitution of a phenylalanine with a cysteine in a conservative position of the mature peptide. Homozygote ewes presenting the FecGE allele have shown an increase in their ovulation rate (82%) and prolificacy (58%). This new phenotype can be very useful in better understanding the genetic control of follicular development; the mechanisms involved in the control of ovulation rate in mammals; and for the improvement of sheep production.

New taxa in the Eriophyidae (Acari, Prostigmata) from forest trees in southern Brazil

Two new genera and five new species of Eriophyidae from forest trees in southern Brazil are described, namely: Juxtacolopodacus n. gen., Juxtacolopodacus phalakros n. sp. from Mollinedia clavigera Tul. (Monimiaceae); Procalacarus perporosus n. sp., from Randia armata (Sw.) (Rubiaceae); Scolotosus Flechtmann & Keifer, n. gen., Scolotosus centrolobii Flechtmann & Keifer, n. sp., from Centrolobium robustum Mart. (Leguminosae); Scolotosus hartfordi n. sp., from Centrolobium tomentosum Guill. (Leguminosae), and Metaculus tanythrix n. sp., from Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae).

Cruzain inhibition by hydroxymethylnitrofurazone and nitrofurazone: investigation of a new target in Trypanosoma cruzi

Nitrofurazone (NF) and its derivative, hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH), have presented antichagasic activity. NFOH has higher activity and lower mutagenicity. The aim of this work was to assess whether NF and its derivative NFOH would also be inhibitors of cruzain, besides their trypanothione reductase inhibitory activity. In vitro cruzain inhibition tests were performed for both compounds, and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) for NF and NFOH presented values of 22.83 +/- 1.2 mu M and 10.55 +/- 0.81 mu M, respectively. AM1 semi-empirical molecular modeling studies were performed to understand the activity of the compounds, corroborating the observed cruzain inhibitory activity.

Diversity and Emotion: The New Frontiers in Organizational Behavior Research

This article provides a review of recent developments in two topical areas of research in contemporary organizational behavior: diversity and emotions. In the section called “Diversity,”we trace the history of diversity research, explore the definitions and paradigms used in treatments of diversity, and signal new areas of interest. We conclude that organizational behavior in the 21st century is evolving to embrace a more eclectic and holistic view of humans at work. In the section called “Emotions,” we turn our attention to recent developments in the study of emotions in organizations. We identify four major topics: mood theory, emotional labor, affective events theory (AET), and emotional intelligence, and argue that developments in the four domains have significant implications for organizational research, and the progression of the study of organizational behavior. As with the study of diversity, the topic of emotions in the workplace is shaping up as one of the principal areas of development in management thought and practice for the next decade. Finally, we discuss in our conclusion how these two areas are being conceptually integrated, and the implications for management scholarship and research in the contemporary world.

New techniques in nutritional assessment: body composition methods

New techniques in air-displacement plethysmography seem to have overcome many of the previous problems of poor reproducibility and validity. These have made body-density measurements available to a larger range of individuals, including children, elderly and sick patients who often have difficulties in being submerged underwater in hydrodensitometry systems. The BOD POD air-displacement system (BOD POD body composition system; Life Measurement Instruments, Concord, CA, USA) is more precise than hydrodensitometry, is simple and rapid to operate (approximately 1 min measurements) and the results agree closely with those of hydrodensitometry (e.g. +/-3.4% for estimation of body fat). Body line scanners employing the principles of three-dimensional photography are potentially able to measure the surface area and volume of the body and its segments even more rapidly (approximately 10 s), but the validity of the measurements needs to be established. Advances in i.r. spectroscopy and mathematical modelling for calculating the area under the curve have improved precision for measuring enrichment of (H2O)-H-2 in studies of water dilution (CV 0.1-0.9% within the range of 400-1000 mu l/l) in saliva, plasma and urine. The technique is rapid and compares closely with mass spectrometry (bias 1 (SD 2) %). Advances in bedside bioelectrical-impedance techniques are making possible potential measurements of skinfold thicknesses and limb muscle mass electronically. Preliminary results suggest that the electronic method is more reproducible (intra-and inter-individual reproducibility for measuring skinfold thicknesses) and associated with less bias (+ 12%), than anthropometry (+ 40%). In addition to these selected examples, the 'mobility' or transfer of reference methods between centres has made the distinction between reference and bedside or field techniques less distinct than in the past.

Early Control of PTH and FGF23 in Normophosphatemic CKD Patients: A New Target in CKD-MBD Therapy?

Background and objectives: Levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the phosphaturic hormone FGF23, a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family member, increase early in chronic kidney disease (CKD) before the occurrence of hyperphosphatemia. This short-term 6-wk dose titration study evaluated the effect of two phosphate binders on PTH and FGF23 levels in patients with CKD stages 3 to 4. Design, setting, participants, and measurements: Patients were randomized to receive over a 6-wk period either calcium acetate (n = 19) or sevelamer hydrochloride (n = 21). Results: At baseline, patients presented with elevated fractional excretion of phosphate, serum PTH, and FGF23. During treatment with both phosphate binders there was a progressive decline in serum PTH and urinary phosphate, but no change in serum calcium or serum phosphate. Significant changes were observed for FGF23 only in sevelamer-treated patients. Conclusions: This study confirms the positive effects of early prescription of phosphate binders on PTH control. Prospective and long-term studies are necessary to confirm the effects of sevelamer on serum FGF23 and the benefits of this decrease on outcomes. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 5: 286-291, 2010. doi: 10.2215/CJN.05420709