Godel type solution in teleparallel gravity

The stationary cosmological model without closed timelike curves of Godel type is obtained for the ideal dust matter source within the framework of the teleparallel gravity. For a specific choice of the teleparallel gravity parameters, this solution reproduces the causality violating stationary Godel solution in general relativity, in accordance with the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity. The relation between the axial-vector torsion and the cosmic vorticity is clarified. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The energy of Bianchi type I and II universes in teleparallel gravity

For certain models, the energy of the universe, which includes the energy of both matter and the gravitational fields, is obtained by using the quasi-local energy-momentum in teleparallel gravity. It is shown that, in the case of the Bianchi type I and II universes, not only the total energy but also the quasi-local energy-momentum for any region vanishes independently of the three dimensionless coupling constants of teleparallel gravity.

Search for pair produced fourth-generation up-type quarks in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV with a lepton in the final state

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

On the V-type asteroids outside the Vesta family - II. Is (21238) 1995 WV7 a fragment of the long-lost basaltic crust of (15) Eunomia?

Context. The V-type asteroids are associated with basaltic composition. Apart from ( 1459) Magnya, an asteroid that is clearly dynamically and mineralogically unconnected to the Vesta family, all currently known V-type asteroids are either members of the Vesta family, or are hypothesized to be former members of the dynamical family that migrated to their current orbital positions. The recent identification of ( 21238) 1995 WV7 as a V-type asteroid introduces the possibility that a second basaltic asteroid not connected with the Vesta family exists. This asteroid is on the opposite side of the 3: 1 mean motion resonance with respect to Vesta, and it would be very unlikely that a member of the Vesta family of its size (D > 5km) migrating via either the Yarkovsky effect or repeated close encounters with Vesta survived the passage through such a resonance.Aims. In this work we investigate the possibility that ( 21238) 1995 WV7 originated as a fragment of the parent body of the Eunomia family and then migrated via the interplay of the Yarkovsky effect and some powerful nonlinear secular resonances, such as the (s - s(6)) - ( g(5) - g(6)). If (15) Eunomia is, as claimed, a differentiated object whose originally pyroxene-enriched crust layer was lost in a collision that either created the Eunomia family or preceded its formation, can (21238) be a fragment of its long-lost basaltic crust that migrated to the current position?Methods. We mapped the phase space around (21238) and determined which of the nonlinear secular resonances that we identified are stronger and more capable of having caused the current difference in proper i between (21238) and members of the Eunomia family. We simulated the Yarkovsky effect by using the SWIFT-RMVSY integrator.Results. Our results suggest that it is possible to migrate from the Eunomia dynamical family to the current orbital location of ( 21238) via the interplay of the Yarkovsky effect and the (s - s6) - (g5 - g6) nonlinear secular resonance, on time-scales of at least 2.6 Gyr.Conclusions. (15) Eunomia might be the third currently known parent body for V-type asteroids.

High frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis in Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1

A clinical study of Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was performed in a multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis Program called CEPAN (Center of Research and Service in Neurofibromatosis). Among 55 patients (60% females, 40% males) who met the NIH criteria for the diagnosis of NF1, 98% had more than six café-au-lait patches, 94.5% had axillary freckling, 45% had inguinal freckling, and 87.5% had Lisch nodules. Cutaneous neurofibromas were observed in 96%, and 40% presented plexiform neurofibromas. A positive family history of NF1 was found in 60%, and mental retardation occurred in 35%. Some degree of scoliosis was noted in 49%, 51% had macrocephaly, 40% had short stature, 76% had learning difficulties, and 2% had optic gliomas. Unexpectedly high frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis were observed, probably reflecting the detailed clinical analysis methods adopted by the Neurofibromatosis Program. These same patients were screened for mutations in the GAP-related domain/GRD (exons 20-27a) by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Four different mutations (Q1189X, 3525-3526delAA, E1356G, c.4111-1G>A) and four polymorphisms (c.3315-27G>A, V1146I, V1317A, c.4514+11C>G) were identified. These data were recently published.

Effect of the type of environmental stress on the emergence of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) and maize (Zea mays L.) seeds with different levels of vigor

Sowing is a critical time in the cycle of a crop and the seeds are frequently exposed to adverse conditions that may compromise the establishment of seedlings in the field. on this basis, the objective of the present study was to determine the effect of types of environmental stress on the emergence of sunflower, maize and soybean seeds with different levels of vigor. High vigor seeds were artificially aged in order to obtain medium and low vigor seeds and then they were sown in clay soil in plastic boxes and submitted to the following types of environmental stress during the germination process : 1) high temperature (35degreesC), 2) low temperature (15 or 18degreesC), 3) water excess (Psi > -0.0001 MPa), 4) water deficiency (Psi approximately equal to -1.1; -1.2 and -0.6 MPa for sunflower, maize and soybean, respectively), 5) sowing at a depth of 7 cm and 6) pathogenic infection of sunflower seeds with Alternaria helianthi, of maize seeds with Fusarium moniliforme and of soybean seeds with Colletotrichum dematium, var. truncata. The results were compared to those obtained with controls sown under optimal condition. It was concluded that: 1) the effect of seed vigor on emergence depends on the type of enviromental stress to which the seeds are exposed, 2) the stress to which the the seeds demonstrated highest sensitivity varied with species and 3) high temperature stress was the one that most impaired the emergence of the three species.

Use of a carbon paste electrode modified with spinel-type manganese oxide as a potentiometric sensor for lithium ions in flow injection analysis

A potentiometric sensor constructed from a mixture of 25% (m/m) spinel-type manganese oxide (lambda-MnO2), 50% (m/m) graphite powder and 25% (m/m) mineral oil is used for the determination of lithium ions in a flow injection analysis system. Experimental parameters, such as pH of the carrier solution, flow rate, injection sample volume, and selectivity for Li+ against other alkali and alkaline-earth ions and the response time of this sensor were investigated. The sensor response to lithium ions was linear in the concentration range 8.6 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-2) mol L-1 with a slope 78.9 +/- 0.3 mV dec(-1) over a wide pH range 7 - 10 (Tris buffer), without interference of other alkali and alkaline-earth metals. For a flow rate of 5.0 mL min(-1) and a injection sample volume of 408.6 muL, the relative standard deviation for repeated injections of a 5.0 x 10(-4) mol L-1 lithium ions was 0.3%.

5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID-INDUCED ALTERATIONS OF OXIDATIVE-METABOLISM IN SEDENTARY AND EXERCISE-TRAINED RATS

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a heme precursor that accumulates in acute intermittent porphyria patients and lead-exposed individuals, has previously been shown to autoxidize with generation of reactive oxygen species and to cause in vitro oxidative damage to rat liver mitochondria. We now demonstrate that chronically ALA-treated rats (40 mg/kg body wt every 2 days for 15 days) exhibit decreased mitochondrial enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, citrate synthase) in liver and soleus (type I, red) and gastrocnemius (type IIb, white) muscle fibers. Previous adaptation of rats to endurance exercise, indicated by augmented (cytosolic) CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and (mitochondrial) Mn-SOD activities in several organs, does not protect the animals against liver and soleus mitochondrial damage promoted by intraperitoneal injections of ALA. This is suggested by loss of citrate synthase and Mn-SOD activities and elevation of serum lactate levels, concomitant to decreased glycogen content in soleus and the red portion of gastrocnemius (type IIa) fibers of both sedentary and swimming-trained ALA-treated rats. In parallel, the type IIb gastrocnemius fibers, which are known to obtain energy mainly by glycolysis, do not undergo these biochemical changes. Consistently, ALA-treated rats under swimming training reach fatigue significantly earlier than the control group. These results indicate that ALA may be an important prooxidant in vivo.

Conductivity mechanism analysis at high temperature in bismuth titanate: A single crystal with sillenite-type structure

Conductivity behavior of the Bi12TiO20 single crystal was investigated by the electric modulus spectroscopy, which was carried out in the frequency range from 5 Hz to 13 MHz and at temperatures higher than 400 degrees C. The resistance curve exhibits a set of properties correlated to a negative temperature coefficient thermistor. In the temperature range investigated, the characteristic parameter (,8) of the thermistor is equal to 4834 degrees C. Temperature coefficients of the resistance (a) were derived being equal to -3.02 x 10(-2) degrees C-1 at 400 degrees C and equal to -9.86 x 10(-3) degrees C-1 at 700 degrees C. The nature of the electric relaxation phenomenon and magnitude dc conductivity are approached. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.

Thermal study of cyclopalladated complexes of the type [Pd-2(dmba)(2)X-2(bpe)] - (X=NO3-, Cl-, N-3(-), NCO-, NCS-; bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene)

The synthesis, characterization and thermal analysis of the novel cyclometallated compounds [Pd-2(dmba)(2)Cl-2(mu-bpe)] (1), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(N-3)(2)(mu-bpe)] (2), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(NCO)(2)(mu-bpe)] (3), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(SCN)(2)(mu-bpe)] (4), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(NO3)(2)(mu-bpe)] (5) (bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene; dmba=N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) are described. The thermal stability of [Pd-2(dmba)(2)X-2(mu-bpe)] complexes varies in the sequence 1 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 5. The final residues of the thermal decompositions were characterized as metallic palladium by X-ray powder diffraction.

Polystyrene-type resin used for peptide synthesis: application for anion-exchange and affinity chromatography

This paper deals with an unusual application for a copolymer of styrene-1 % divinylbenzene bearing high amount of aminomethyl groups for anion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The so-called aminomethyl resin (AMR), to date only employed for peptide synthesis, swelled appreciably in water and was used successfully to purify negatively charged peptides. By correlating swelling degree of beads with pH of the media, it was possible to estimate that the AMR amino group pK(a) is approximately 5.5. In addition, the synthesized acetyl-(NANP)(3)-AMR succeeded in the affinity interaction with large antibody molecules related to malaria transmission and raised previously against this dodecapeptide sequence. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High intensity social conflict in the Swiss albino mouse induces analgesia modulated by 5-HT1A receptors

Social conflict between mice produces analgesia in the attacked mouse. Both the magnitude and type (opioid or nonopioid) of this analgesia have been related to attack intensity and strain of mouse. In the present study low intensity social conflict (7 bites) did not produce analgesia, whereas high intensity - 30 and 60 bites interactions produced, respectively, short-lasting (5 min) and very short-lasting (1 min) analgesia in Swiss albino mice, when compared with nonaggressive interaction (0 bite). The 30 bites aggressive interaction induced analgesia (AIIA) was not affected by IP injection of either naloxone (5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg) or diazepam (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg). However, this attack-induced analgesia was reduced after IP administration of the 5-HT1A agonists, gepirone (0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg) and BAY R 1531 (0.01 mg/kg). These results indicate that the analgesia induced by 30 bites social conflict in Swiss albino mice does not involve opioid and GABA-benzodiazepine (GABA-BZD) mechanisms. In addition, they suggest that high-intensity social conflict activates serotonergic pain modulatory systems that act through 5-HT1A receptors. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V.

Effects of recovery type after a judo combat on blood lactate removal and on performance in an intermittent anaerobic task

Aim. The objective of this study was to verify the effects of active (AR) and passive recovery (PR) after a judo match on blood lactate removal and on performance in an anaerobic intermittent task (4 bouts of upper body Wingate tests with 3-min interval between bouts; 4WT).Methods. The sample was constituted by 17 male judo players of different competitive levels: A) National (Brazil) and International medallists (n. 5). B) State (São Paulo) medallists (n. 7). Q City (São Paulo) medallists (n. 5). The subjects were submitted to: 1) a treadmill test for determination of VO2peak and velocity at anaerobic threshold (VAT); 2) body composition; 3) a 5-min judo combat, 15-min of AR or PR followed by 4WT.Results. The groups did not differ with respect to: body weight, VO2peak, VAT, body fat percentage, blood lactate after combats. No difference was observed in performance between AR and PR, despite a lower blood lactate after combat (10 and 15 min) during AR compared to PR. Groups A and B performed better in the high-intensity intermittent exercise compared to athletes with lower competitive level (C).Conclusion. The ability to maintain power output during intermittent anaerobic exercises can discriminate properly judo players of different levels. Lactate removal was improved with AR when compared to PR but AR did not improve performance in a subsequent intermittent anaerobic exercise.

RH maps of bovine chromosomes 15 and 29: conservation of human chromosomes 11 and 5

Comparative mapping data on evolutionary conserved coding sequences and synteny maps between human and cattle are insufficient to define the extent and distribution of conserved segments between these two species, because the order of loci is often rearranged. A 5000-rad cattle whole-genome radiation hybrid (WG-RH) panel was constructed to provide high-resolution comparative maps and also to integrate linkage maps of microsatellites with evolutionary conserved genes and transcripts in a single ordered map. We used the WG-RH panel to construct radiation hybrid maps of bovine Chromosomes (Chrs) 15 and 29 (BTA15 and BTA29), integrating microsatellites from published linkage maps with selected genes. The comprehensive map of BTA15 consists of 24 markers. 13 of which were placed in the framework map. Eleven molecular markers compose the comprehensive map of BTA29. seven of which were placed in the framework map. We identified the homologous regions between bovine Chr 15 (BTA15) and human Chrs 5 and 11 (HSA5 and HSA11), as well as between BTA29 and HSA11, the present study demonstrates that WG-RH mapping is an efficient method for integrating multiple genetic maps into one map and for incorporating monomorphic Type I loci into ordered maps for comparison between species.