Local star formation triggered by supernova shocks in magnetized diffuse neutral clouds

In this work, considering the impact of a supernova remnant (SNR) with a neutral magnetized cloud we derived analytically a set of conditions that are favourable for driving gravitational instability in the cloud and thus star formation. Using these conditions, we have built diagrams of the SNR radius, R(SNR), versus the initial cloud density, n(c), that constrain a domain in the parameter space where star formation is allowed. This work is an extension to previous study performed without considering magnetic fields (Melioli et al. 2006, hereafter Paper I). The diagrams are also tested with fully three-dimensional MHD radiative cooling simulations involving a SNR and a self-gravitating cloud and we find that the numerical analysis is consistent with the results predicted by the diagrams. While the inclusion of a homogeneous magnetic field approximately perpendicular to the impact velocity of the SNR with an intensity similar to 1 mu G within the cloud results only a small shrinking of the star formation zone in the diagram relative to that without magnetic field, a larger magnetic field (similar to 10 mu G) causes a significant shrinking, as expected. Though derived from simple analytical considerations these diagrams provide a useful tool for identifying sites where star formation could be triggered by the impact of a supernova blast wave. Applications of them to a few regions of our own Galaxy (e.g. the large CO shell in the direction of Cassiopeia, and the Edge Cloud 2 in the direction of the Scorpious constellation) have revealed that star formation in those sites could have been triggered by shock waves from SNRs for specific values of the initial neutral cloud density and the SNR radius. Finally, we have evaluated the effective star formation efficiency for this sort of interaction and found that it is generally smaller than the observed values in our own Galaxy (SFE similar to 0.01-0.3). This result is consistent with previous work in the literature and also suggests that the mechanism presently investigated, though very powerful to drive structure formation, supersonic turbulence and eventually, local star formation, does not seem to be sufficient to drive global star formation in normal star-forming galaxies, not even when the magnetic field in the neutral clouds is neglected.

Neutral Aminopeptidase and Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Activities in Plasma of Monosodium Glutamate Obese and Food-deprived Rats

Biometric parameters, glycemia and activity levels of plasma neutral aminopeptidase (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) were measured in monosodium glutamate obese and food-deprived rats (MSG-FD), to analyze the involvement of these enzymes in such situations. Plasma APN was distinguished as sensitive (PSA) (K(m) = 7.8 x 10(-5) mol/l) and predominantly insensitive (APM) (K(m) = 21.6 x 10(-5) mol/l) to puromycin, whereas DPPIV was sensitive (DPPIV-DS) (K(m) = 0.24 x 10(-5) mol/l) and predominantly insensitive (DPPIV-DI) (K(m) = 7.04 x 10(-5) mol/l) to diprotin A. Although unchanged in the MSG and food-deprived animals, APM activity levels were closely correlated with body mass, Lee index, and mass of retroperitoneal fat pad in the food deprived, but not in the MSG animals. DPPIV-DI activity levels decreased by 33% and were correlated with body mass, Lee index, and mass of periepididymal fat pad in the food-deprived MSG rats. These data suggest that APM and DPPIV-DI are respectively related to the downregulation of somatostatin in food-deprived rats, and to the recovery of energy balance in MSG obese rats during food deprivation.

Craniometric Similarities Within and Between Human Populations in Comparison with Neutral Genetic Data

The statement that pairs of individuals from different populations are often more genetically similar than pairs from the same population is a widespread idea inside and outside the scientific community. Witherspoon et al. [""Genetic similarities within and between human populations,"" Genetics 176:351-359 (2007)] proposed an index called the dissimilarity fraction (omega) to access in a quantitative way the validity of this statement for genetic systems. Witherspoon demonstrated that, as the number of loci increases, omega decreases to a point where, when enough sampling is available, the statement is false. In this study, we applied the dissimilarity fraction to Howells`s craniometric database to establish whether or not similar results are obtained for cranial morphological traits. Although in genetic studies thousands of loci are available, Howells`s database provides no more than 55 metric traits, making the contribution of each variable important. To cope with this limitation, we developed a routine that takes this effect into consideration when calculating. omega Contrary to what was observed for the genetic data, our results show that cranial morphology asymptotically approaches a mean omega of 0.3 and therefore supports the initial statement-that is, that individuals from the same geographic region do not form clear and discrete clusters-further questioning the idea of the existence of discrete biological clusters in the human species. Finally, by assuming that cranial morphology is under an additive polygenetic model, we can say that the population history signal of human craniometric traits presents the same resolution as a neutral genetic system dependent on no more than 20 loci.

Oscillation for a second-order neutral differential equation with impulses

We consider a certain type of second-order neutral delay differential systems and we establish two results concerning the oscillation of solutions after the system undergoes controlled abrupt perturbations (called impulses). As a matter of fact, some particular non-impulsive cases of the system are oscillatory already. Thus, we are interested in finding adequate impulse controls under which our system remains oscillatory. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On the dominance of roots of characteristic equations for neutral functional differential equations

We present a sufficient condition for a zero of a function that arises typically as the characteristic equation of a linear functional differential equations of neutral type, to be simple and dominant. This knowledge is useful in order to derive the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of such equations. A simple characteristic equation, arisen from the study of delay equations with small delay, is analyzed in greater detail. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurement of Rydberg state lifetimes using cold trapped neutral atoms

In this paper, I review some recent high-precision Rydberg state lifetime measurements using a cold-trapped sample of neutral atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. The measurements were performed in rubidium for the S, P and D states varying the principal quantum number from n = 26 to 45 using the field ionization technique. The experimental results were compared with quantum mechanical calculations and good agreement was observed. This is an important demonstration of how cold atomic samples can be used to perform high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain.

NIELSEN COINCIDENCE THEORY OF FIBRE-PRESERVING MAPS AND DOLD`S FIXED POINT INDEX

Let M -> B, N -> B be fibrations and f(1), f(2): M -> N be a pair of fibre-preserving maps. Using normal bordism techniques we define an invariant which is an obstruction to deforming the pair f(1), f(2) over B to a coincidence free pair of maps. In the special case where the two fibrations axe the same and one of the maps is the identity, a weak version of our omega-invariant turns out to equal Dold`s fixed point index of fibre-preserving maps. The concepts of Reidemeister classes and Nielsen coincidence classes over B are developed. As an illustration we compute e.g. the minimal number of coincidence components for all homotopy classes of maps between S(1)-bundles over S(1) as well as their Nielsen and Reidemeister numbers.

Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli of Neurospora crassa neutral trehalase as an active enzyme

Neutral trehalase from Neurospora crassa was expressed in Escherichia coli as a polypeptide of similar to 84 kDa in agreement with the theoretical size calculated from the corresponding cDNA. The recombinant neutral trehalase, purified by affinity chromatography exhibited a specific activity of 80-150 mU/mg protein. Optima of pH and temperature were 7.0 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was absolutely specific for trehalose, and was quite sensitive to incubation at 40 degrees C. The recombinant enzyme was totally dependent on calcium, and was inhibited by ATP, copper, silver, aluminium and cobalt. K(M) was 42 mM, and V(max) was 30.6 nmol of glucose/min. The recombinant protein was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, but not significantly activated. Immunoblotting with polyclonal antiserum prepared against the recombinant protein showed that neutral trehalase protein levels increased during exponential phase of N. crassa growth and dropped at the stationary phase. This is the first report of a neutral trehalase produced in E. coli with similar biochemical properties described for fungi native neutral trehalases, including calcium-dependence. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiple stages of detergent-erythrocyte membrane interaction-A spin label study

The various stages of the interaction between the detergent Triton X-100 (TTX-100) and membranes of whole red blood cells (RBC) were investigated in a broad range of detergent concentrations. The interaction was monitored by RBC hemolysis-assessed by release of intracellular hemoglobin (Hb) and inorganic phosphate- and by analysis of EPR spectra of a fatty acid spin probe intercalated in whole RBC suspensions, as well as pellets and supernatants obtained upon centrifugation of detergent-treated cells. Hemolysis finished at ca. 0.9 mM TTX-100. Spectral analysis and calculation of order parameters (S) indicated that a complex sequence of events takes place, and allowed the characterization of various structures formed in the different stages of detergent-membrane interaction. Upon reaching the end of cell lysis, essentially no pellet was detected, the remaining EPR signal being found almost entirely in the supernatants. Calculated order parameters revealed that whole RBC suspensions, pellets, and supernatants possessed a similar degree of molecular packing, which decreased to a small extent up to 2.5 mM detergent. Between 3.2 and 10 mM TTX-100, a steep decrease in S was observed for both whole RBC suspensions and supernatants. Above 10 mM detergent, S decreased in a less pronounced manner and the EPR spectra approached that of pure TTX-100 micelles. The data were interpreted in terms of the following events: at the lower detergent concentrations, an increase in membrane permeability occurs: the end of hemolysis coincides with the lack of pellet upon centrifugation. Up to 2.5 mM TTX-100 the supernatants consist of a (very likely) heterogeneous population of membrane fragments with molecular packing similar to that of whole cells. As the detergent concentration increases, mixed micelles are formed containing lipid and/or protein, approaching the packing found in pure TTX-100 micelles. This analysis is in agreement with the models proposed by Lasch (Biochim. Biophys Acta 1241 (1995) 269-292) and by Le Maire and coworkers (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1508 (2000) 86-111). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cationic and neutral phenylmercury(II) complexes with heterocyclic thione ligands. X-ray structures of [HgPh(dmpymtH)][BF(4)] center dot H(2)O and [{HgPh}(2)(mu-dtu)]

The neutral complex [HgPh(dmpymt)] 1 (dmpymtH = 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-2(1H)-thione) reacts with HBF(4) to give the cationic complex [HgPh(dmpymtH)][BF(4)] 2. The X-ray molecular structure of the later revealed a [2+1] coordination sphere about the mercury(II) atom (C-Hg-S and Hg center dot center dot center dot N). In the dinuclear complex [(HgPh)(2)(mu-dtu)] 3 [dtuH(2) = 2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedithione or dithiouracil] the coordination spheres are also [2+1] although dissimilar regarding the Hg center dot center dot center dot N secondary bonds. NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C and (199)Hg) studies were undertaken in solution and the results discussed in the light of the X-ray structures. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Estimating Relative Risk Aversion, Risk-Neutral and Real-World Densities using Brazilian Real Currency Options

Building Risk-Neutral Densities (RND) from options data can provide market-implied expectations about the future behavior of a financial variable. And market expectations on financial variables may influence macroeconomic policy decisions. It can be useful also for corporate and financial institutions decision making. This paper uses the Liu et all (2007) approach to estimate the option-implied Risk-neutral densities from the Brazilian Real/US Dollar exchange rate distribution. We then compare the RND with actual exchange rates, on a monthly basis, in order to estimate the relative risk-aversion of investors and also obtain a Real-world density for the exchange rate. We are the first to calculate relative risk-aversion and the option-implied Real World Density for an emerging market currency. Our empirical application uses a sample of Brazilian Real/US Dollar options traded at BM&F-Bovespa from 1999 to 2011. The RND is estimated using a Mixture of Two Log-Normals distribution and then the real-world density is obtained by means of the Liu et al. (2007) parametric risktransformations. The relative risk aversion is calculated for the full sample. Our estimated value of the relative risk aversion parameter is around 2.7, which is in line with other articles that have estimated this parameter for the Brazilian Economy, such as Araújo (2005) and Issler and Piqueira (2000). Our out-of-sample evaluation results showed that the RND has some ability to forecast the Brazilian Real exchange rate. Abe et all (2007) found also mixed results in the out-of-sample analysis of the RND forecast ability for exchange rate options. However, when we incorporate the risk aversion into RND in order to obtain a Real-world density, the out-of-sample performance improves substantially, with satisfactory results in both Kolmogorov and Berkowitz tests. Therefore, we would suggest not using the “pure” RND, but rather taking into account risk aversion in order to forecast the Brazilian Real exchange rate.

Comparative study of the whisky aroma profile based on headspace solid phase microextraction using different fibre coatings

A dynamic headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry (GC–ITMS) method was developed and applied for the qualitative determination of the volatile compounds present in commercial whisky samples which alcoholic content was previously adjusted to 13% (v/v). Headspace SPME experimental conditions, such as fibre coating, extraction temperature and extraction time, were optimized in order to improve the extraction process. Five different SPME fibres were used in this study, namely, poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS),poly(acrylate)(PA),Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane)(CAR/PDMS),Carbowax-divinylbenzene(CW/DVB)and Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene (CAR/PDMS/DVB). The best results were obtained using a 75 m CAR/PDMS fibre during headspace extraction at 40◦C with stirring at 750rpm for 60min, after saturating the samples with salt. The optimised methodology was then appliedtoinvestigatethevolatilecompositionprofileofthreeScotchwhiskysamples—BlackLabel,BallantinesandHighlandClan.Approximately seventy volatile compounds were identified in the these samples, pertaining at several chemical groups, mainly fatty acids ethyl esters, higher alcohols, fatty acids, carbonyl compounds, monoterpenols, C13 norisoprenoids and some volatile phenols. The ethyl esters form an essential group of aroma components in whisky, to which they confer a pleasant aroma, with “fruity” odours. Qualitatively, the isoamyl acetate, with “banana” aroma,wasthemostinteresting.Quantitatively,significantcomponentsareethylestersofcaprilic,capricandlauricacids.Thehighestconcentration of fatty acids, were observed for caprilic and capric acids. From the higher alcohols the fusel oils (3-methylbutan-1-ol and 2.phenyletanol) are the most important ones.

Neutral Higgs bosons in the SU(3)(L)circle times U(1)(N) model

The SU(3)(L)circle times U(1)(N) electroweak model predicts new Higgs bosons beyond the one of the standard model. In this work we investigate the signature and production of neutral SU(3)(L)circle times U(1)(N) Higgs bosons in the e(-)e(+) Next Linear Collider and in the CERN Linear Collider . We compute the branching ratios of two of the SU(3)(L)circle times U(1)(N) neutral Higgs bosons and study the possibility to detect them and the Z' extra neutral boson of the model.

Distribution of neutral prilocaine in a phospholipid bilayer: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations

In this work, we report a 20-ns constant pressure molecular dynamics simulation of prilocaine (PLC), in amine-amide local anesthetic, in a hydrated liquid crystal bilayer of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine. The partition of PLC induces the lateral expansion of the bilayer and a concomitant contraction in its thickness. PLC molecules are preferentially found in the hydrophobic acyl chains region, with a maximum probability at similar to 12 angstrom from the center of the bilayer (between the C(4) and C(5) methylene groups). A decrease in the acyl chain segmental order parameter, vertical bar S-CD vertical bar, compared to neat bilayers, is found, in good agreement with experimental H-2-NMR studies. The decrease in vertical bar S-CD vertical bar induced by PLC is attributed to a larger accessible volume per lipid in the acyl chain region. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.