On the coupling of the self-dual field to dynamical U(1) matter and its dual theory

We consider arbitrary U (1) charged matter non-minimally coupled to the self-dual field in d = 2 + 1. The coupling includes a linear and a rather general quadratic term in the self-dual field. By using both Lagragian gauge embedding and master action approaches we derive the dual Maxwell Chern-Simons-type model and show the classical equivalence between the two theories. At the quantum level the master action approach in general requires the addition of an awkward extra term to the Maxwell Chern-Simons-type theory. Only in the case of a linear coupling in the self-dual field can the extra term be dropped and we are able to establish the quantum equivalence of gauge invariant correlation functions in both theories.

INFLUENCE OF DIETARY-PROTEIN INTAKE AND RECOMBINANT HUMAN SOMATOTROPIN ADMINISTRATION ON GROWTH AND BODY-COMPOSITION OF JUVENILE TAMBACU (A PIARACTUS-MESOPOTAMICUS X COLOSSOMA-MACROPOMUM CROSS)

This experiment was undertaken to study the interaction between level of dietary protein and recombinant human somatotropin (rhGH) administration on performance and body composition of juvenile tambacu (a crossbred Brazilian fish). A total of 72 juvenile tambacu, initially weighing and measuring (mean +/- s.e.m.) 23 +/- 2 g and 9 +/- 0.5 cm, respectively, were randomly divided into 18 groups of 4 fish each. Water temperature was 28 degrees C. Triplicate groups received one of two levels of dietary protein (15 and 30% as fed basis) and one of 3 doses of rhGH (0, 2 and 4 mu g/g) via intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 6 weeks, using a randomized complete block design. Somatotropin was noted to stimulate linear and body weight gain. The higher protein level supported increased growth in weight and length, but there was no interaction between protein level and rhGH dose for either parameter. Protein efficiency ratio and percentage protein deposited showed higher values on diets containing 15% protein. Somatotropin treatment did not significantly affect body composition, but there was a trend towards improved protein retention and reduced carcass lipid. In conclusion, the results of this experiment suggest that rhGH is able to stimulate linear gain in tambacu.

Response of L-alanine and 2-methylalanine minidosimeters for K-Band (24 GHz) EPR dosimetry

Minidosimeters of L-alanine and 2-methylalanine (2MA) were prepared and tested as potential candidates for small radiation field dosimetry. To quantify the free radicals created by radiation a K-Band (24 GHz) EPR spectrometer was used. X-rays provided by a 6 MV clinical linear accelerator were used to irradiate the minidosimeters in the dose range of 0.5-30 Gy. The dose-response curves for both radiation sensitive materials displayed a good linear behavior in the dose range indicated with 2MA being more radiation sensitive than L-alanine. Moreover, 2MA showed a smaller LLD (lower limit detection) value. The proposed system minidosimeter/K-Band spectrometer was able to detect 10 Gy EPR spectra with good signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The overall uncertainty indicates that this system shows a good performance for the detection of dose values of 20 Gy and above, which are dose values typically used in radiosurgery treatments. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laser weld: microstructure and corrosion study of Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloy of the dental application

The laser Welding process was introduced into dentistry by the end of the 1980s, resulting on a great impulse to that area with the development of cheaper and smaller equipment, using simpler technique. This allowed greater use of that process on the confection of prostheses compared to the brazing process since the heat source for that process is a concentrated light beam of high power, which minimizes distortion problems on the prosthetic pieces. Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloy used on the confection of dental implant prostheses was observed before and after subjection to the laser welding process. The microstructure was analyzed with the. use of optic microscopy and the corrosion resistance was studied by the traditional electrochemical techniques and by electrochemical impedance, under environmental conditions simulating the aggressiveness found in the mouth cavity. A structural change was detected on the weld area, which presented a refined microstructure deriving from the high-speed cooling. The base metal out of the weld area presented a fusion coarse microstructure. The electrochemical essays showed differences on the potentiodynamic polarization behavior in both weld and metal base areas, indicating superior corrosion resistance in the weld area. The impedance spectra were characterized by capacitive distorted components, presenting linear impedance in the low frequencies area. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

An adaptation of the dual-affine interior point method for the surface flatness problem

This paper presents an adaptation of the dual-affine interior point method for the surface flatness problem. In order to determine how flat a surface is, one should find two parallel planes so that the surface is between them and they are as close together as possible. This problem is equivalent to the problem of solving inconsistent linear systems in terms of Tchebyshev's norm. An algorithm is proposed and results are presented and compared with others published in the literature. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bound states of the Dirac equation for a class of effective quadratic plus inversely quadratic potentials

The Dirac equation is exactly solved for a pseudoscalar linear plus Coulomb-like potential in a two-dimensional world. This sort of potential gives rise to an effective quadratic plus inversely quadratic potential in a Sturm-Liouville problem, regardless the sign of the parameter of the linear potential, in sharp contrast with the Schrodinger case. The generalized Dirac oscillator already analyzed in a previous work is obtained as a particular case. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic and evolutionary aspects of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis reveal a long coexistence with animal hosts that explain several biological features of the pathogen

The habitat of the mycelial saprobic form of Paracoccidio ides brasiliensis, which produces the infectious propagula, has not been determined and has proven difficult for mycologists to describe. The fungus has been rarely isolated from the environment, the disease has a prolonged latency period and no outbreaks have been reported. These facts have precluded the adoption of preventive measures to avoid infection. The confirmation of natural infections in nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) with P. brasiliensis, in high frequency and wide geographic distribution, has opened new avenues for the study and understanding of its ecology. Armadillos belong to the order Xenarthra, which has existed in South America ever since the Paleocene Era (65 million years ago), when the South American subcontinent was still a detached land, before the consolidation of what is now known as the American continent. on the other hand, strong molecular evidence suggests that P. brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi - such as Blastomyces dermatitidis, Coccidioides immitis and Histoplasma capsulatum - belong to the family Onygenaceae sensu Into (order Onygenales, Ascomycota), which appeared around 150 million years ago.P. brasiliensis ecology and relation to its human host are probably linked to the fungal evolutionary past, especially its long coexistence with and adaptation to animal hosts other than Homo sapiens, of earlier origin. Instead of being a blind alley, the meaning of parasitism for dimorphic pathogenic fungi should be considered as an open two-way avenue, in which the fungus may return to the environment, therefore contributing to preserve its teleomorphic (sexual) and anamorphic (asexual) forms in a defined and protected natural habitat. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adubação nitrogenada e idade de corte na produção de matéria seca do capim-elefante no Cerrado

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the application of N fertilizer and the cutting age on the dry biomass production of elephant grass. The experiment was performed with the variety Paraiso and planted in a Ferralsol in 2008 in the district of Gurupi (State of Tocantins). Four different rates of urea application were tested (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha(-1)) and harvests were made at 120, 150 or 180 days after germination (DAG) of the setts. The dry matter and total N accumulation were evaluated. Dry matter production increased with dose of N, the greatest effect being observed at 180 DAG. There was a linear increase in dry matter (R-2 = 0.75**) and N accumulation (R-2 = 0.96**) permitting a productivity of 34 t ha(-1) of dry matter and an accumulation of 471 kg N ha(-1). The N utilization efficiency (biomass production per unit of applied N) increased with plant age. The higher efficiency of N use favored the quality of biomass production for energy production owing to the higher fibre content.

Relação lisina digestível: proteína digestível em rações para tilápias-do-nilo

This study was carried out to determine the best digestible protein/digestible lysine ratio that should be present in feed fed to Nile tilapias. Two hundred and sixteen tilapias (11.0 +/- 0.43g) were distributed in 36 fish tanks (205 L) at a density of 6 fish/tank. Twelve feeds were formulated with three different digestible protein (DP) levels 22.0; 26.0 and 30.0% (based on digestible amino acids) and four different lysine percentages of 4.5; 6.0; 7.5 or 9.0% in relation to digestible protein. The fish were fed ad libtum during a 60-day period. There was significant effect of the digestible protein and digestible lysine ratio on weight gain, because the increase in lysine levels in feeds with 26 and 30% DP promoted linear increase in this parameter. The best values for feed conversion were obtained at the levels 26 and 30% DP that increased the daily consumption of digestible protein. The lysine level caused a linear reduction in feed conversion and linear increase in the protein efficiency rate. The results suggested that the 26% DP level might be used in ration to feed Nile tilapia juveniles; however, these should contain digestible amino acids and the digestible lysine/digestible protein ratio should be 6.0%. However, for levels higher than 26% DP, a maximum digestible lysine level of 7.5% DP improved weight gain for the species.

ENERGY GENERATION EXPANSION PLANNING MODEL CONSIDERING EMISSIONS CONSTRAINTS

The generation expansion planning (GEP) problem consists in determining the type of technology, size, location and time at which new generation units must be integrated to the system, over a given planning horizon, to satisfy the forecasted energy demand. Over the past few years, due to an increasing awareness of environmental issues, different approaches to solve the GEP problem have included some sort of environmental policy, typically based on emission constraints. This paper presents a linear model in a dynamic version to solve the GEP problem. The main difference between the proposed model and most of the works presented in the specialized literature is the way the environmental policy is envisaged. Such policy includes: i) the taxation of CO(2) emissions, ii) an annual Emissions Reduction Rate (ERR) in the overall system, and iii) the gradual retirement of old inefficient generation plants. The proposed model is applied in an 11-region to design the most cost-effective and sustainable 10-technology US energy portfolio for the next 20 years.

Efeito do período de fornecimento de ração semi-complexa na fase inicial, sobre o ganho de peso compensatório nas fases de crescimento e terminação

One hundred and twenty crossbred pigs (Large White x Landrace) weaned at an average age of 28 days, were used. Pigs were alloted to five dietary treatments according to weight, sex and litter as follows: T1- Simple diet (SD) during whole Starter phase (SP) (28-63 days); T2- Semi-complex diet (SCD) for the first seven days followed by a SD during 28 days of SP; T3- SCD for the first 14 days followed by SD during 21 days of SP; T4- SCD for the first 21 days followed by SD during 14 days of SP; T5- SCD during the entire SP. A completely randomized block design was used with six replications. At the end of the SP one castrated male and one female, weighing closest to the average live weight of the group, were transferred to growing-finishing pens and fed growing-finishing diets ad libitum until they reached approximately 90kg live weight. Increasing the period of feeding the semi-complex diet resulted in a linear increase in average daily feed intake and average daily gain during the first 28 days of the initial phase. However, when the entire initial phase was considered there was a linear increase only in daily feed intake. There were no differences in incidence and severity of diarrhea in SP or in the performance of pigs during the growing-finishing phases. There were was no differences in average daily gain among diets from weaning to 90 kg body weight. It was concluded that the advantage of the semi-complex starter diet tended to disappear as age increased.

Efeitos de diferentes densidades populacionais nas estações fria e quente do ano sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of broilers reared under different population densities in the cold and hot seasons of the year. Two identical experiments were conducted, one during the winter for 49 days, and the other during the summer where the chicks were slaughtered at 42 days of age. Commercial Hubbard broiler-type chicks were distributed in a randomized block design in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement with population densities of 10, 14, 18, and 22 birds/m 2, by sex, and with four replications. Feed intake was reduced with a progressive decrease of available space for the chicks, and it resulted in a linear decrease in weight gain. However, there was a linear increase in the live weight of broilers in kilograms per area of floor space, proportional to the increase of population density, without effect on the viability. The progressive increment in the population density reduced the observed feed/gain ratio during the total winter rearing period for both sexes. There was no effect of population density on this characteristic during the hot season of the year. Population density did not affect the carcass yield of chicks during the summer. However, there was a linear increase on carcass yield with an increase in population density in the winter. The males, at the age slaughtered, had higher weights, feed intakes, and better feed/gain ratios, and lower abdominal fat and higher live weight production in kilograms per floor area than females. However, the viable index for the males was lower. From the results obtained, there was a linear increase in the liveweight of broilers in kilograms per floor area, making it possible to rear broilers under higher population densities, independent of the season of the year, as well as the occurrence of a decrease in feed intake and weight gain of the chicks with a decrease of available space.

Sodium and chloride requirements of young broiler chickens fed corn-soybean diets (one to twenty-one days of age)

Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) nutritional requirements, dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), and their effects on acid-base balance, litter moisture, and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence for young broiler chickens were evaluated in two trials. One-day-old Cobb broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replicates, and 50 birds per experimental unit. Treatments used in both experiments were a basal diet with 0.10% Na+ (Experiment 1) or Cl- (Experiment 2) supplemented to result in diets with Na+ or Cl- levels of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 ,0.30, or 0.35%, respectively. In Experiment 1, results indicated an optimum Na+ requirement of 0.26%. Sodium levels caused a linear increase in arterial blood gas parameters, indicating an alkalogenic effect of Na+. The hypertrophic area of growth plate in the proximal tibiotarsi decreased with Na+ levels. The TD incidence decreased with increases in dietary Na+. Litter moisture increased linearly with sodium levels. In Experiment 2, the Cl- requirement was estimated as 0.25%. Chloride levels caused a quadratic effect (P ≤ 0.01) on blood gas parameters, with an estimated equilibrium [blood base excess (BE) = 0] at 0.30% of dietary CT-. No Cl- treatment effects (P ≥ 0.05) were observed on litter moisture or TD incidence. The best DEB for maximum performance was 298 to 315 mEq/kg in Experiment 1 and 246 to 264 mEq/kg in Experiment 2. We concluded that the Na+ and Cl- requirements for optimum performance of young broiler chickens were 0.28 and 0.25%, respectively.

On a nest of the Planalto Woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes platyrostris, with taxonomic and conservation notes

A pair of Planalto Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptes platyrostris) fed young in a nest cavity 6 m up in a wooded botanic garden of an old eucalyptus grove near São Paulo, Brazil, during October 1982. The pair often visited together at first, one (likely male) raising its head feathers as noted in other species of the genus. Feedings were less frequent at midday. Songs of the southeastern moist forest D. p. platyrostris were strikingly different from inland dry forest D. p. intermedius, despite intermediate specimens where the two rather distinctly colored forms come together. There are several poorly studied forms in interior dry forests, which need much more conservation effort.

Flutua_̧tiao populacional de formas aladas de Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Studies related with the flight activity of aphids captured with traps can be useful to predict the appearance of alate forms in the field. It is also useful to understand the population dynamics of those insects. This work was carried out at the Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, during the period from July 1997 to December 1999, aiming to determine the population curve of alate Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) in the region of Jaboticabal and the influence meteorological factors plays on it. The population survey was carried out in four places, and the alate aphids were sampled by yellow water traps. The influence of air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine brightness was verified using stepwise regression. The first captures of alate B. brassicae in the traps began at the end of June. In the region of Jaboticabal, the population curve of alate B. brassicae showed the highest frequency of flights during September. The appearance of alate forms in kale fields at initial stage of development was favored by maximum and minimum temperatures of 26.4°C and 13.5°C, respectively; relative humidity of 75.1%, and reduced rainfall.