SU(3) mass-splittings of heavy-baryons in QCD

We extract directly (for the first time) the charmed (C = 1) and bottom (B = -1) heavy-baryons (spin 1/2 and 3/2) mass-splittings due to SU(3) breaking using double ratios of QCD spectral sum rules (QSSR) in full QCD, which are less sensitive to the exact value and definition of the heavy quark mass, to the perturbative radiative corrections and to the QCD continuum contributions than the simple ratios commonly used for determining the heavy baryon masses. Noticing that most of the mass-splittings are mainly controlled by the ratio kappa <(S) over bars >/<(d) over bard > of the condensate, we extract this ratio, by allowing 1 sigma deviation from the observed masses of the Xi(c.b) and of the Omega(c). We obtain: kappa = 0.74(3), which improves the existing estimates: kappa = 0.70(10) from light hadrons. Using this value, we deduce M(Omega b) = 6078.5(27.4) MeV which agrees with the recent CDF data but disagrees by 2.4 sigma with the one from D0. Predictions of the Xi(Q)` and of the spectra of spin 3/2 baryons containing one or two strange quark are given in Table 2. Predictions of the hyperfine splittings Omega(Q)* - Omega(Q) and Xi(Q)* - Xi(Q) are also given in Table 3. Starting for a general choice of the interpolating currents for the spin 1/2 baryons, our analysis favours the optimal value of the mixing angle b similar or equal to (-1/5-0) found from light and non-strange heavy baryons. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Renal ischemia in rats: Mitochondria function and laser autofluorescence

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is the major cause of organ dysfunction or even nonfunction following transplantation. It can attenuate the long-term survival of transplanted organs. To evaluate the severity of renal ischemia injury determined by histology, we applied laser(442 nm and 532 nm) induced fluorescence (LIF), mitochondria respiration, and membrane swelling to evaluate 28 Wistar rats that underwent left kidney warm ischemia for 20, 40, 60, or 80 minutes. LIF performed before ischemia (control) was repeated at 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes thereafter. We harvested left kidney tissue samples immediately after LIF determination for histology and mitochondrial analyses: state 3 and 4 respiration, respiration control rate (RCR), and membrane swelling. The association of optic spectroscopy with histological damage showed: LIF, 442 nm (r(2) = 0.39, P < .001) and 532 nm, (r(2) = 0.18, P = .003); reflecting laser/fluorescence-induced, 442 nm (r(2) = 0.20, P = .002) and 532 nm (r(2) = 0.004, P = .67). The associations between mitochondria function and tissue damage were: state 3 respiration (r(2) = 0.43, P = .0004), state 4 respiration (r(2) = 0.03, P = 0.38), RCR (r(2) = 0.28, P = .007), and membrane swelling (r(2) = 0.02, P = .43). The intensity of fluorescence emitted by tissue excited by laser, especially at a wave length of 442 nm, was determined in real time. Mitochondrial state 3 respiration and respiratory control ratio also exhibited good correlations with the grade of ischemic tissue damage.

You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me: Covenant in Faith and History

In this paper I have attempted to explore "covenant" in faith and history, as it extends throughout the entire framework of the Bible and the entire history of the people who produced it. With such a monstrous topic, a comprehensive analysis of the material could take a lifetime to do it justice. Therefore, I have taken a very specific approach to the material in order to investigate the evolution of covenant from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) to the Christian Scriptures (New Testament). I have made every effort to approach this thesis as a text-based, non-doctrinal discussion. However, having my own religious convictions, it has, at times, been difficult to recognize and escape my biases. Nevertheless, I am confident that this final product is, for the most part, objective and free from dogmatism. Of course, I have brought my own perspective and understanding to the material, which may be different from the reader's, so there may be matters of interpretation on which we differ, but c 'est fa vie in the world of religious dialogue. The structure of this paper is symmetrical: Part I examines the traditions of the Torah and the Prophets; Part II, the Gospels and Paul's letters. I have balanced the Old Testament against the New Testament (the Torah against the Gospels; the Prophets against Paul) in order to give approximately equal weight to the two traditions, and establish a sense of parallelism in the structure of my overall work. A word should also be said about three matters of style. First, instead of the customary Christian designation of time as B.C. or A.D., I have opted to use the more modem B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) notations. This more recent system is less traditional; however, more acceptable in academic and, certainly, more appropriate for a non-doctrinal discussion. Second, in the body of this paper I have chosen to highlight several texts using a variety of colors. This highlighting serves (1) to call the reader's attention to specific passages, and (2) to compare the language and imagery of similar texts. All highlighting has been added to the texts at my own discretion. Finally, the divine name, traditionally vocalized as "Yahweh," is a verbal form of the Hebrew "to be," and means, approximately, "I am who I am." This name was considered too holy to pronounce by the ancient Israelites, and, the word adonai ("My LORD") was used in its stead. In respect of this tradition, I have left the divine name in its original Hebrew form. Accordingly, should be read as "the LORD" throughout this paper. All Hebrew and Greek translations, where they occur, are my own. The Greek translations are based on the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

Genetic differentiation between sympatric populations of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis

Little is known about genetic exchanges in natural populations of bacteria of the spore-forming Bacillus cereus group, because no population genetics studies have been performed with local sympatric populations. We isolated strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and B. cereus from small samples of soil collected at the same time from two separate geographical sites, one within the forest and the other at the edge of the forest. A total of 100 B. cercus and 98 B. thuringiensis strains were isolated and characterized by electrophoresis to determine allelic composition at nine enzymatic loci. We observed genetic differentiation between populations of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. Populations of a given Bacillus species-B. thuringiensis or B. cereus-were genetically more similar to each other than to populations of the other Bacillus species. Hemolytic activity provided further evidence of this genetic divergence, which remained evident even if putative clones were removed from the data set. Our results suggest that the rate of gene flow was higher between strains of the same species, but that exchanges between B. cereus and B. thuringiensis were nonetheless possible. Linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed sufficient recombination for B. cereus populations to be considered panmictic units. In B. thuringiensis, the balance between clonal proliferation and recombination seemed to depend on location. Overall, our data indicate that it is not important for risk assessment purposes to determine whether B. cereus and B. thuringiensis belong to a single or two species. Assessment of the biosafety of pest control based on B. thuringiensis requires evaluation of the extent of genetic exchange between strains in realistic natural conditions.

Casearia sylvestris na permeabilidade gástrica à sacarose em equinos submetidos a protocolo de indução de úlcera gástrica

Estudos em animais de laboratório sugerem um efeito antiulcerogênico do extrato de Casearia sylvestris. Esse extrato ainda não foi estudado para a profilaxia e/ou o tratamento de úlceras gástricas em equinos. Para avaliar a influência do extrato de C. sylvestris na permeabilidade gástrica à sacarose, seis equinos adultos foram submetidos a modelo de indução de úlceras gástricas. Os animais foram submetidos ao teste de permeabilidade à sacarose antes e ao término do protocolo de restrição alimentar intermitente, para detecção de ulceração gástrica. Durante os sete dias da indução, os animais foram submetidos a tratamentos diários via sondagem nasogástrica com extrato de C. sylvestris (9mg kg-1 de peso corpóreo) ou veículo (ágar). Após intervalo de 32 dias em piquete, para permitir a cicatrização das úlceras induzidas, cada animal foi submetido novamente ao protocolo de indução de úlcera gástrica, e os tratamentos foram alternados. Dessa forma, cada animal foi submetido a ambos os tratamentos em períodos distintos. A concentração de sacarose na urina foi determinada para cada amostra obtida, por cromatografia líquida de alto desempenho e detecção amperométrica pulsátil. Não foram observadas alterações nos exames clínicos e hemogramas. O tratamento com o extrato de C. sylvestris evitou o aumento da concentração de sacarose urinária (P<0,05) quando comparado ao veículo, sugerindo um efeito antiulcerogênico gástrico em equinos. Estudos mais amplos incluindo gastroscopia são necessários para avaliar a possibilidade de usar o extrato para a profilaxia e/ou o tratamento das úlceras gástricas em equinos.

Morphometry and ultra-structure of the intestinal mucosa of broilers fed different additives

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the use of different growth promoters on the morphometry and ultra-structure of the intestinal mucosa of 42-day-old broilers. A total number of 36 male Cobb broilers was distributed in a randomized experimental design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, with 3 prebiotic and 3 probiotic sources in the feed, summing up 9 treatments, with 4 replicates each. There was a significant interaction (P<0.01) among the studied factor for villi height (VH) in all intestinal segments, and for crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum and the ileum. In the duodenum, higher villi were obtained in the control group, with the combination of B. subtilis and prebiotics, and with the single use of MOS+OA. No VH differences were observed between the control group and those fed prebiotics. In the jejunum, the highest villi were obtained with the use of the bacterial pool, followed by the control group, and by the use of B. subtilis. Higher villi were also obtained in the control group and in the groups fed MOS, when B. subtilis was used in combination with prebiotics, and when the bacterial pool was used individually or in combination with MOS. In the ileum, the highest villi were obtained with the individual use of B. subtilis, and when MOS+OA or MOS were individually used or in combination with the bacterial pool. As to duodenal CID, deeper crypts were observed in the control group and in those fed B. subtilis or MOS+OA. In the ileum, deeper crypts were also found in the control group and those fed B. subtilis. Deeper crypts were also found when the bacterial pool was individually used or in combination with MOS+OA, and with the individual use of MOS. It was concluded that the use of growth promoters was beneficial to Increase intestinal villi height when Bacillus subtilis was used in combination with prebiotics. The other growth promoters (MOS+OA, MOS, and bacterial pool), can be individually used in most situations. The tested growth promoters did not influence intestinal villi density.

Phosphate fertilization and phosphorus forms in an Oxisol under no-till

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

Microrganismos do solo produtores de fosfatases em diferentes sistemas agrícolas

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

Voltammetric performance and application of a sensor for sodium ions constructed with layered birnessite-type manganese oxide

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

New geopolymeric binder based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC)

This paper provides information about the synthesis and mechanical properties of geopolymers based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC). FCC was alkali activated with solutions containing different SiO2/Na2O ratios. The microstructure and mechanical properties were analysed by using several instrumental techniques. FCC geopolymers are mechanically stable, yielding compressive strength about 68 MPa when mortars are cured at 65 degrees C during 3 days. The results confirm the viability of producing geopolymers based on FCC. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sliding mode for detection and accommodation of computation time delay fault

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

Fungal infections of the mucous membrane

A clinical review of three potentially severe fungal diseases, which are characterized in many cases by mucosal involvement, is presented. They are paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and mucormycosis. Mucosal involvement for paracoccidioidomycosis and rhinocerebral mucormycosis is frequent. Thus, oral involvement may provide early clue for diagnosis. In paracoccidioidomycosis, the mucosal lesion classically shows superficial ulcers with granular appearance and hemorrhagic points, usually on lips, palate, and jugal mucosa. In mucormycosis, necrosis of the palate followed for purulent discharge is a hallmark of rhinocerebral disease. Treatment with amphotericin B desoxycholate or the new second-generation triazoles is highly efficacious.

Uso de álcool e drogas por estudantes de medicina da Unesp

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a prevalência do uso de drogas por estudantes da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - Unesp, comparada com outras oito escolas médicas paulistas (uso na vida, nos últimos 12 meses e nos últimos 30 dias). A pesquisa foi realizada entre 1994 e 1995, com 5.227 estudantes do 1o ao 6o ano de graduação. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi usado um questionário de auto-respostas, anônimo, incluindo o questionário da Organização Mundial da Saúde para levantamento de uso de drogas e álcool. Setenta e um por cento (3.725) dos alunos responderam ao mesmo, e destes, 421 eram de Botucatu. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre escolas e, nos 30 dias anteriores ao preenchimento do questionário, a prevalência do uso de drogas para os estudantes de Botucatu foi a seguinte, com a variação entre outras escolas mostrada entre parênteses: álcool 50% (42-50%); tabaco 7% (7-13%); solventes 8% (7-12%); maconha 6% (6-16%); benzodiazepínicos (BZD) 3% (2-9%); cocaína 0,5% (0,2-4%); anfetaminas 1 % (0-1%). Embora tenha se encontrado um uso crescente de todas as drogas do 1o ao 6o ano, e em especial os BZD, os estudantes não aprovam este uso. A análise de regressão logística indicou que o uso de álcool e drogas foi favorecido por: a) ser homem; b) perder aulas sem razão e referir ou ter muito tempo livre nos finais de semana; e c) ter uma atitude favorável em relação ao uso de álcool e drogas. Diferentemente de outras escolas, na Unesp não houve diferenças estatisticamente significantes de gênero em relação ao uso de tranqüilizantes. No entanto, as mulheres iniciam uso mais precocemente e o fazem mais freqüentemente. Também as mulheres já faziam uso de maconha antes de entrar para a faculdade (30% mulheres X 10% homens), o contrário ocorrendo com solventes (50% homens X 2% mulheres), sendo essas diferenças estatisticamente significantes. CONCLUSÕES: Embora a pesquisa tenha focalizado o uso (não abuso ou dependência), os resultados sugerem a necessidade de as universidades estabelecerem uma política clara de orientação sobre uso de drogas e álcool para os estudantes, incluindo mudanças curriculares e programas de prevenção.

Nematode burdens and cellular responses in the abomasal mucosa and blood of Florida Native, Rambouillet and crossbreed lambs

This experiment was carried out to compare the worm burden and cellular responses in the abomasal mucosa and blood of Florida Native and Rambouillet lambs and also in animals produced by crosses of these two breeds (generations F1 and F2). Animals were exposed to infection by gastrointestinal nematodes on three different occasions. The first infection was natural, occurring while they were suckling lambs. After weaning, they were kept indoors for 53 days and then were allowed to graze a contaminated pasture for 50 days for a second natural infection. The third infection was an artificial challenge with 6000 Haemonchus contortus infective larvae. The highest mean fecal egg counts (FEC) values were found in Rambouillet lambs followed in decreasing order by F1, F2 and Florida Native lambs. Throughout the trial, most of the high mean packed cell volumes and plasma protein levels were recorded in the F2 lambs; in contrast, most of the low values were found in the Rambouillet lambs. During the natural infection period, the highest percentages of larvae in the fecal cultures of the lambs were Haemonchus. However, high percentages of Trichostrongylus larvae were found particularly in Florida Native lambs. The mean number of blood eosinophils increased after the artificial challenge, reached a peak 21 days after infection and then declined. The highest and lowest blood eosinophil means were recorded in F2 and Florida Native lambs, respectively. The H. contortus burden was significantly higher in Rambouillet and in F1 lambs than in Florida Native and F2 lambs (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were recorded among eosinophil, mast cell and globule leucocyte counts in the abomasal mucosa (p > 0.05). The highest correlation coefficient recorded at the end of this study was between FEC and worm burden (r = 0.7). These two parameters showed a moderate negative correlation with PCV, plasma protein and mast cell counts in the abomasal mucosa. The results obtained in this study indicate that crossbreeding Florida Native and Rambouillet sheep can be a rapid way to combine and improve the characteristics of these two breeds. The parasitological results were promising. however, more studies will be necessary to verify the impact of crossbreeding in other traits. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Metabolic responses to acute physical exercise in young rats recovered from fetal protein malnutrition with a fructose-rich diet

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