Searching for planar signatures in WMAP

We search for planar deviations of statistical isotropy in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data by applying a recently introduced angular-planar statistics both to full-sky and to masked temperature maps, including in our analysis the effect of the residual foreground contamination and systematics in the foreground removing process as sources of error. We confirm earlier findings that full-sky maps exhibit anomalies at the planar (l) and angular (l) scales (l; l) = (2; 5); (4; 7); and (6; 8), which seem to be due to unremoved foregrounds since this features are present in the full-sky map but not in the masked maps. on the other hand, our test detects slightly anomalous results at the scales (l; l) = (10; 8) and (2; 9) in the masked maps but not in the full-sky one, indicating that the foreground cleaning procedure (used to generate the full-sky map) could not only be creating false anomalies but also hiding existing ones. We also find a significant trace of an anomaly in the full-sky map at the scale (l; l) = (10; 5), which is still present when we consider galactic cuts of 18.3% and 28.4%. As regards the quadrupole (l = 2), we find a coherent over-modulation over the whole celestial sphere, for all full-sky and cut-sky maps. Overall, our results seem to indicate that current CMB maps derived from WMAP data do not show significant signs of anisotropies, as measured by our angular-planar estimator. However, we have detected a curious coherence of planar modulations at angular scales of the order of the galaxy's plane, which may be an indication of residual contaminations in the full-and cut-sky maps.

Searching for squeezed particle-antiparticle correlations in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Squeezed correlations of particle-antiparticle pairs were predicted to exist if the hadron masses were modified in the hot and dense medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Although well-established theoretically, they have not yet been observed experimentally. We suggest here a clear method to search for such a signal by analyzing the squeezed correlation functions in terms of measurable quantities. We illustrate this suggestion for simulated phi phi pairs at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) energies.

Protease inhibition activity of extracts from Salicaceae species from Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Rain Forest and of an enriched fraction of clerodane diterpenes (casearins)

Considerando o uso popular de Casearia sylvestris Sw., Salicaceae, para o tratamento de problemas gástricos e resultados pré-clínicos que mostraram potencial atividade anti-ulcerogênica, foi realizado um screening farmacológico para avaliar a atividade biológica de outras espécies de Salicaceae. Para isso, foi utilizado um ensaio de inibição de proteases como um modelo farmacológico molecular para screening de extratos com atividade anti-ulcerogênica. Os extratos etanólico e aquoso dos galhos e folhas de C. gossypiosperma, C. decandra e C. rupestris mostraram inibição da atividade da pepsina em aproximadamente 50% com a concentração de 1 μg/mL. Curiosamente, C. obliquoa e Flacourtia ramontchi não apresentaram atividade sobre a pepsina, mas seus extratos mais apolares mostraram atividade inibitória sobre a subtilisina. A fração enriquecida de diterpenos clerodânicos mostrou atividade inibitória (42,75%) sobre a pepsina com a concentração de 1 μg/mL, mas não sobre a subtilisina (23,76%). Os resultados obtidos com os extratos e folhas das espécies testadas mostraram um padrão de atividade diferente sobre os dois tipos de proteases, a pepsina e a subtilisina, as quais estão relacionadas com diferentes tipos de atividades biológicas. Ainda mais, os resultados com a fração enriquecida de diterpenos clerodânicos sugerem que estas substâncias podem estar relacionadas com a atividade do extrato bruto de C. sylvestris.

Parental care in the buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita) in wild and captive groups

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identification of polymorphisms in the 5 '-untranslated region of the TAFI gene: relationship with plasma TAFI levels and risk of venous thrombosis

Background and Objectives. Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) plays an important role in hemostasis, functioning as a potent fibrinolysis inhibitor. TAFI gene variations may contribute to plasma TAFI levels and thrombotic risk.Design and Methods. We sequenced a 2083-bp region of the 5 ' -regulatory region of the TAFI gene in 127 healthy subjects searching for variations, and correlated identified polymorphisms with plasma TAFI levels. TAFI polymorphisms were examined as risk factors for venous thrombosis by determining their prevalence in 388 patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and in 388 controls.Results. Seven novel polymorphisms were identified: -152 A/G, -438 A/G, -530 C/T, -1053 T/C, -1102 T/G, -1690 G/A, and -1925 T/C. -152 A/G, -530 C/T and -1925 T/C were found to be in strong linkage disequilibrium, as were the -438 A/G, -1053 T/C, -1102 T/G and -1690 G/A, Plasma TAFI levels were higher in -43866/-1053CC/-1102GG/-1690AA homozygotes than In -438AG/-1053TC/-1102TG/-1690GA heterozygotes, and -438AA/-1053TT/-1102TT/-1690GG homozygotes had the lowest TAFI levels (p=0.0003). TAFI concentrations in -152AA/-530CC/-1925TT homozygotes were somewhat higher but not significantly different from levels observed for -152AG/-530CT/-1925TC heterozygotes, Taken in combination, -438AG/-1053TC/-1102TG/-1690GA and -438AA/-1053TT/-1102TT/-1690GG yielded an OR for DVT of 0.8 (95%CI: 0.6-1). in subjects aged < 35 years the OR was 0.7 (95%CI: 0.5-1.1), the OR for -152AG/-530CT/-1925TC was 1 (95%CI: 0.5-2.2) in the whole group of patients and controls, whereas in subjects aged <35 years the OR was 0.1 (95%CI: 0.02-0.9).Interpretation and Conclusions. Polymorphisms in the TAFI promoter determine plasma antigen levels and may influence the risk of venous thrombophilia. <(c)>2001, Ferrata Storti Foundation.

Test systems and mathematical models for transmission network expansion planning

The data of four networks that can be used in carrying out comparative studies with methods for transmission network expansion planning are given. These networks are of various types and different levels of complexity. The main mathematical formulations used in transmission expansion studies-transportation models, hybrid models, DC power flow models, and disjunctive models are also summarised and compared. The main algorithm families are reviewed-both analytical, combinatorial and heuristic approaches. Optimal solutions are not yet known for some of the four networks when more accurate models (e.g. The DC model) are used to represent the power flow equations-the state of the art with regard to this is also summarised. This should serve as a challenge to authors searching for new, more efficient methods.

NEST and EGGS of THE MARSH ANTWREN (STYMPHALORNIS ACUTIROSTRIS): THE ONLY MARSH-DWELLING THAMNOPHILID

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Toucans ( Ramphastidae) and hornbills ( Bucerotidae) as ant followers.

Toucans, especially species of the group Ramphastos vitellinus, occasionally follow armies of ants in tropical forests, on the look out for prey disturbed by the ants. Two methods of searching are used: examining the ground or the lianas and trunks. In contrasts, forest hornbills, (white crested hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus), frequently follow ant armies in Africa. After waiting poised in an erect position, they leap forward towards the ground or at the trunk, sometimes reaching up into the leaves.-translated by C.Wilson

Searching for leptoquarks in electron-photon collisions

We study the production of composite scalar leptoquarks in eγ colliders, and we show that an e+e- machine operating in its eγ mode is the best way to look for these particles in e+e- collisions, due to the hadronic content of the photon.

Burial history and porosity evolution of Brazilian upper Jurassic to tertiary sandstone reservoirs

The parameter time-depth index (TDI) is applied in this study to quantify empirically the influence of burial history on sandstone porosity evolution. The TDI, expressed in kilometers per million years of age, is defined as the area in the burial history diagram enclosed by the burial curve of the reservoir and the axes of the diagram. In practice, reservoir depths during burial history are integrated at regular time intervals of 1 m.y. The calculations exclude present-day bathymetry or paleobathymetry. Sandstone reservoirs from several sedimentary basins along the Brazilian continental margin (Santos, Campos, Espírito Santo, Cumuruxatiba, Recôncavo, Sergipe, Alagoas, and Potiguar) were analyzed to investigate the evolution of porosity against TDI. These Upper Jurassic to Tertiary sandstones lie in depths of 700 to 4900 m, and are hydrocarbon charged (oil or gas). Average porosities of most of these reservoirs were obtained from core analysis, and a few porosity data were taken from well log interpretations. Detrital constituents of the sandstones are mainly quartz, feldspar, and granitic/gneissic rock fragments. Sandstones were grouped into three main reservoir types, based on composition (detrital quartz content) and grain sorting: Type I (average quartz content <50%) are very coarse grained to conglomeratic, poorly to very poorly sorted lithic arkoses. Rock fragments are mainly granitic/gneissic and coarse grained. Type II (average quartz content ranging from 50% to 70%) are fine- to coarse-grained (pebbles absent or occurring in small percentages), moderately sorted arkoses. Type III (average quartz content >80%) are fine to coarse, moderately to poorly sorted quartz arenites or subarkoses. Plots of average porosity against depth show great dispersion in porosity values; such dispersion is mostly due to differences in the reservoir burial histories. However, plotting porosity values against the TDI for individual reservoir types produces well-defined trends. The decrease in porosity is less marked in Type III reservoirs, intermediate in Type II, and faster in Type I. Such plots suggest that it is possible to make relatively accurate porosity predictions based on reservoir TDI, texture, and composition,: within the constraints of reservoir depth/age and basin tectonics analyzed in this study.

Left-right asymmetries and exotic vector-boson discovery in lepton-lepton colliders

By considering left-right (L-R) asymmetries we study the capabilities of lepton colliders in searching for new exotic vector bosons. Specifically we study the effect of a doubly charged bilepton boson and an extra neutral vector boson appearing in a 3-3-1 model on the L-R asymmetries for the processes e-e- → e-e-, μ-μ- → μ-μ- and e-μ- → e-μ- and show that these asymmetries are very sensitive to these new contributions and that they are in fact powerful tools for discovery of this sort of vector bosons.

Simple analytical expression for vector hypernuclear asymmetry in nonmesonic decay ofΛ 5He andΛ 12C

We present general explicit expressions for a shell-model calculation of the vector hypernuclear parameter in nonmesonic weak decay. We use a widely accepted effective coupling Hamiltonian involving the exchange of the complete pseudoscalar and vector meson octets (π, η, K, ρ, ω, K*). In contrast to the approximated formula widely used in the literature, we correctly treat the contribution of transitions originated from single-proton states beyond the s-shell. Exact and simple analytical expressions are obtained for the particular cases of Λ 5He and Λ 12C, within the one-pion-exchange model. Numerical computations of the asymmetry parameter, aΛ, are presented. Our results show a qualitative agreement with other theoretical estimates but also a contradiction with recent experimental determinations. Our simple analytical formulas provide a guide in searching the origin of such discrepancies, and they will be useful for helping to solve the hypernuclear weak decay puzzle.

Electromyographic analysis of the rectus abdominis muscle in pelvic retroversion and the decrease of the lower limbs

We often face Patients searching for rehabilitation for lower back disorders during the physiotherapeutic routine, and it is known that the abdominal muscle, specially the rectus abdominis muscle, aid the stabilization of the pelvis. Therefore, this paper analyzes the electrical activity of the rectus abdominis muscle in the pelvic retroversion in dorsal decubitus and in orthostatic position and in the lowering of the lower limbs. 30 healthy students, male and female, 17-40 yr, divided into two groups - Group 1: 15 volunteers (pelvic balance); Group 2 (pelvic unbalance) took part in this study. The electrical activity of the right and left supra-umbilical and infra-umbilical portions of the rectus abdominis muscle was detected. The mean RMS values from three attempts ftom the electromyographic traces were usedfor the analysis of the electrical activity. The RMS value was submitted to the normalization process. The data were submitted to statistic treatment by the Friedman test, and the analyses of the means and standard deviation towards a level of significance of 95%. The results demonstrated that the portions of the rectus abdominis muscle presented low electrical activity for the groups studiedfor pelvic retroversion either in dorsal decubitus or and orthostatic position. However, the decreasing movement of the lower limbs towards the portions of the rectus abdominis muscle presented more significant electrical activity whereas the lower portions presented higher activity than the higher ones for Group 2.

How to drag with a worn-out mouse? Searching for social justice through collaboration

We consider what a concern for social justice in terms of social inclusion might mean for teacher education, both practising and prospective, with particular reference to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in mathematics education taking place at a borderland school. Our discussion proceeds through the following steps: (1) We explore what a borderland position might denote to address what social inclusion might mean. (2) We consider the significance of mathematics education and the use of ICT for processes of social inclusion. (3) We briefly refer to the Interlink Network, as many of our observations emerge as reflections on this project. (4) We present different issues that will be of particular importance with respect to teacher education if we want to establish a mathematics education for social inclusion. These issues concern moving away from the comfort zone, establishing networks, identifying new approaches, moving beyond prototypical research, and getting in contact. This brings us to (5) final considerations, where we return to the notion of social justice. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.

Testing gaussianity, homogeneity, and isotropy with the cosmic microwave background

We review the basic hypotheses which motivate the statistical framework used to analyze the cosmic microwave background, and how that framework can be enlarged as we relax those hypotheses. In particular, we try to separate as much as possible the questions of gaussianity, homogeneity, and isotropy from each other. We focus both on isotropic estimators of nongaussianity as well as statistically anisotropic estimators of gaussianity, giving particular emphasis on their signatures and the enhanced cosmic variances that become increasingly important as our putative Universe becomes less symmetric. After reviewing the formalism behind some simple model-independent tests, we discuss how these tests can be applied to CMBdata when searching for large-scale anomalies. Copyright © 2010 L. Raul Abramo and Thiago S. Pereira.