Random regression models using Legendre polynomials or linear splines for test-day milk yield of dairy Gyr (Bos indicus) cattle

Studies investigating the use of random regression models for genetic evaluation of milk production in Zebu cattle are scarce. In this study, 59,744 test-day milk yield records from 7,810 first lactations of purebred dairy Gyr (Bos indicus) and crossbred (dairy Gyr × Holstein) cows were used to compare random regression models in which additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were modeled using orthogonal Legendre polynomials or linear spline functions. Residual variances were modeled considering 1, 5, or 10 classes of days in milk. Five classes fitted the changes in residual variances over the lactation adequately and were used for model comparison. The model that fitted linear spline functions with 6 knots provided the lowest sum of residual variances across lactation. On the other hand, according to the deviance information criterion (DIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC), a model using third-order and fourth-order Legendre polynomials for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, respectively, provided the best fit. However, the high rank correlation (0.998) between this model and that applying third-order Legendre polynomials for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects, indicates that, in practice, the same bulls would be selected by both models. The last model, which is less parameterized, is a parsimonious option for fitting dairy Gyr breed test-day milk yield records. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Fermion localization on branes with generalized dynamics

In this letter we consider a specific model of braneworld with nonstandard dynamics diffused in the literature, specifically we focus our attention on the matter energy density, the energy of system, the Ricci scalar and the thin-brane limit. As the model is classically stable and capable of localize gravity, as a natural extension we address the issue of fermion localization of fermions on a thick brane constructed out from one scalar field with nonstandard kinetic terms coupled with gravity. The contribution of the nonstandard kinetic terms to the problem of fermion localization is analyzed. It is found that the simplest Yukawa coupling η ωφ ω supports the localization of fermions on the thick brane. It is shown that the zero mode for left-handed fermions can be localized on the thick brane depending on the values for the coupling constant η. Copyright © EPLA, 2013.

Divergences of generalized quantum electrodynamics on the Lorenz gauge

In this paper we study the Generalized Quantum Electrodynamics (GQED4) on the Lorenz gauge condition and show that divergences are still present in the theory. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.

Orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle and chain sequences

Szego{double acute} has shown that real orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle can be mapped to orthogonal polynomials on the interval [-1,1] by the transformation 2x=z+z-1. In the 80's and 90's Delsarte and Genin showed that real orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle can be mapped to symmetric orthogonal polynomials on the interval [-1,1] using the transformation 2x=z1/2+z-1/2. We extend the results of Delsarte and Genin to all orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle. The transformation maps to functions on [-1,1] that can be seen as extensions of symmetric orthogonal polynomials on [-1,1] satisfying a three-term recurrence formula with real coefficients {cn} and {dn}, where {dn} is also a positive chain sequence. Via the results established, we obtain a characterization for a point w(|w|=1) to be a pure point of the measure involved. We also give a characterization for orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle in terms of the two sequences {cn} and {dn}. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky quantization of the generalized scalar electrodynamics

This work comprises a study upon the quantization and the renormalizability of the generalized electrodynamics of spinless charged particles (mesons), namely, the generalized scalar electrodynamics (GSQED4). The theory is quantized in the covariant framework of the Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky method. Thereafter, the complete Green's functions are obtained through functional methods and a proper discussion on the theory's renormalizability is also given. Next, we present the computation and further discussion on the radiative correction at α order; and, as it turns out, an unexpected mP-dependent divergence on the mesonic sector of the theory is found. Furthermore, in order to show the effectiveness of the renormalization procedure on the present theory, we also give a diagrammatic discussion on the photon self-energy at α2 order, where we observe contributions from the meson self-energy function. Afterwards, we present the expressions of the counterterms and effective coupling of the theory, obtaining from the latter an energy range where the theory is defined by m2≤k2

Interlacing of zeros of orthogonal polynomials under modification of the measure

We investigate the mutual location of the zeros of two families of orthogonal polynomials. One of the families is orthogonal with respect to the measure dμ (x), supported on the interval (a, b) and the other with respect to the measure |x -c|τ|x -d|γdμ (x), where c and d are outside (a, b) We prove that the zeros of these polynomials, if they are of equal or consecutive degrees, interlace when either 0 < τ, γ ≤ 1 or γ = 0 and 0 < τ ≤ 2. This result is inspired by an open question of Richard Askey and it generalizes recent results on some families of orthogonal polynomials. Moreover, we obtain further statements on interlacing of zeros of specific orthogonal polynomials, such as the Askey-Wilson ones. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Generalized integral transform solution for hydrodynamically developing non-Newtonian flows in circular tubes

ABSTRACT: The Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) is applied to the solution of the momentum equations in a hydrodynamically developing laminar flow of a non-Newtonian power-law fluid inside a circular duct. A primitive variables formulation is adopted in order to avoid the singularity of the auxiliary eigenvalue problem in terms of Bessel functions at the centerline of the duct when the GITT approach is applied. Results for the velocity field and friction factor-Reynolds number product are computed for different power-law indices, which are tabulated and graphically presented as functions of the dimensionless coordinates. Critical comparisons with previous results in the literature are also performed, in order to validate the numerical codes developed in the present work and to demonstrate the consistency of the final results.

Analogia entre propriedades de alguns polinômios ortogonais em uma e em várias variáveis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Polynomials to model the growth of young bulls in performance tests

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Salivary carriage of periodontal pathogens in generalized aggressive periodontitis families

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

Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9+/-7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8+/-11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1+/-9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009). Conclusions: The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP.

Computer intensive methods for controlling bias in a generalized species diversity index

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Zeros of classical orthogonal polynomials of a discrete variable

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A Favard type theorem for orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle from a three term recurrence formula

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Monotonicity, interlacing and electrostatic interpretation of zeros of exceptional Jacobi polynomials

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)