Maximal Commutative Subalgebras Invariant for CP-Maps: (Counter-)Examples

We solve, mainly by counterexamples, many natural questions regarding maximal commutative subalgebras invariant under CP-maps or semigroups of CP-maps on a von Neumann algebra. In particular, we discuss the structure of the generators of norm continuous semigroups on B(G) leaving a maximal commutative subalgebra invariant and show that there exists Markov CP-semigroups on M_d without invariant maximal commutative subalgebras for any d>2.Comment: After the elemenitation in Version 2 of a false class of examples in Version 1, we now provide also correct examples for unital CP-maps and Markov semigroups on M_d for d>2 without invariant masa

Neutrino mixing and masses in a left-right model with mirror fermions

In the framework of a left-right model containing mirror fermions with gauge group SU(3)$_{C} \otimes SU(2)_{L} \otimes SU(2)_{R} \otimes U(1)_{Y^\prime}$, we estimate the neutrino masses, which are found to be consistent with their experimental bounds and hierarchy. We evaluate the decay rates of the Lepton Flavor Violation (LFV) processes $\mu \rightarrow e \gamma$, $\tau \rightarrow \mu \gamma$ and $\tau \rightarrow e\gamma$. We obtain upper limits for the flavor-changing branching ratios in agreement with their present experimental bounds. We also estimate the decay rates of heavy Majorana neutrinos in the channels $N \rightarrow W^{\pm} l^{\mp}$, $N \rightarrow Z \nu_{l}$ and $N \rightarrow H \nu_{l}$, which are roughly equal for large values of the heavy neutrino mass. Starting from the most general Majorana neutrino mass matrix, the smallness of active neutrino masses turns out from the interplay of the hierarchy of the involved scales and the double application of seesaw mechanism. An appropriate parameterization on the structure of the neutrino mass matrix imposing a symmetric mixing of electron neutrino with muon and tau neutrinos leads to Tri-bimaximal mixing matrix for light neutrinos.Comment: Accepted by European Physical Journal

Neutrino masses and mixing parameters in a left-right model with mirror fermions

In this work we consider a left-right model containing mirror fermions with gauge group SU(3)$_{C} \otimes SU(2)_{L} \otimes SU(2)_{R} \otimes U(1)_{Y^\prime}$. The model has several free parameters which here we have calculated by using the recent values for the squared-neutrino mass differences. Lower bound for the mirror vacuum expectation value helped us to obtain crude estimations for some of these parameters. Also we estimate the order of magnitude of the masses of the standard and mirror neutrinos.Comment: 13 pages, version submitted to European Physical Journal

Effect of Pioglitazone on the Fructose-Induced Abdominal Adipose Tissue Dysfunction

Aim. To test the potential role of PPARγ in the endocrine abdominal tissue dysfunction induced by feeding normal rats with a fructose rich diet (FRD) during three weeks. Methodology. Adult normal male rats received a standard commercial diet (CD) or FRD, (10% in drinking water) without or with pioglitazone (PIO) (i.p. 0.25mg/Kg BW/day; CD-PIO and FRD-PIO). Thereafter, we measured circulating metabolic, endocrine, and oxidative stress (OS) markers, abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) mass, leptin (LEP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) tissue content/expression, and leptin release by isolated adipocytes incubated with different concentrations of insulin. Results. Plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, TBARS, LEP, and PAI-1 levels were higher in FRD rats; PIO coadministration fully prevented all these increments. AAT adipocytes from FRD rats were larger, secreted a higher amount of LEP, and displayed decreased sensitivity to insulin stimulation; these effects were significantly ameliorated by PIO. Whereas AAT LEP and PAI-1 (mRNA) concentrations increased significantly in FRD rats, those of insulin-receptor-substrate- (IRS-) 1 and IRS-2 were reduced. PIO coadministration prevented FRD effects on LEP, PAI-1, and IRS-2 (fully) and IRS-1 (partially) mRNAs in AAT. Conclusion. PPARγ would play a relevant role in the development of the FRD-induced metabolicendocrine dysfunction

Обеспечение точности обобщенной интервальной оценки качества изделий

Разработан метод интервальной оценки качества изделий, отличительной особенностью которого является получение весовых коэффициентов обобщенного показателя с использованием нечетких функций принадлежности гауссового типа. Их использование позволяет повысить точность и достоверность принятия решения при определении категории качества изделий различного целевого назначения в соответствии с вербально-числовой шкалой функции желательности Харрингтона.Розроблено метод інтервальної оцінки якості виробів, відмітною особливістю якого є отримання вагових коефіцієнтів узагальненого показника з використанням нечітких функцій приналежності гауссового типу. Їх використання дозволяє підвищити точність та вірогідність прийняття рішення під час визначення категорії якості виробів різного цільового призначення відповідно до вербально-числової шкали функції бажаності Харрінгтона.The method of interval estimation of the products’ quality, the distinctive feature of which is a receipt of gravimetric coefficients of the generalized index with the use of unclear membership functions of gauss type, is developed. Their usage allows to promote exactness and authenticity of decision-making at determination category of products’ quality of the different target destination in accordance with the verbally-numerical scale of desirability function of Harrington

Massive Clumps in the NGC 6334 Star Forming Region

We report observations of dust continuum emission at 1.2 mm toward the star forming region NGC 6334 made with the SEST SIMBA bolometer array. The observations cover an area of $\sim 2$ square degrees with approximately uniform noise. We detected 181 clumps spanning almost three orders of magnitude in mass (3\Msun$-6\times10^3$ \Msun) and with sizes in the range 0.1--1.0 pc. We find that the clump mass function $dN/d\log M$ is well fit with a power law of the mass with exponent -0.6 (or equivalently $dN/dM \propto M^{-1.6}$). The derived exponent is similar to those obtained from molecular line emission surveys and is significantly different from that of the stellar initial mass function. We investigated changes in the mass spectrum by changing the assumptions on the temperature distribution of the clumps and on the contribution of free-free emission to the 1.2 mm emission, and found little changes on the exponent. The Cumulative Mass Distribution Function is also analyzed giving consistent results in a mass range excluding the high-mass end where a power-law fit is no longer valid. The masses and sizes of the clumps observed in NGC 6334 indicate that they are not direct progenitors of stars and that the process of fragmentation determines the distribution of masses later on or occurs at smaller spatial scales. The spatial distribution of the clumps in NGC 6334 reveals clustering which is strikingly similar to that exhibited by young stars in other star forming regions. A power law fit to the surface density of companions gives $\Sigma\propto \theta^{-0.62}$.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables. To appear in the Astrophysical Journa

Azadirachtin effectivity in embryogenesis inhibition of Aegorhinus superciliosus (Guérin) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Raspberry is cultivated in the southern part of Chile mainly for export. Its fruit is severely affected by the raspberry weevil (RW) Aegorhinus superciliosus (Guérin), a Curculionidae native of Chile. Little is known about the biology RW and control measures. Conventional insecticides have been tried against the adult, however, their use has been hindered in the practice by the coincidence of the presence of the mature insect with flowering and fructification periods. Entomopathogenic fungi are being incorporated lately, but still not massively used. This work aimed to evaluate azadirachtin, using the commercial product Neem as a growth regulator. Six doses of Neem, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 ml/L of water, were applied under laboratory conditions, maintaining a check with no insecticide. RW adults stayed confined on the foliage of raspberry bushes treated with Neem during five days and in thirty days during egglaying. Number of eggs, number of emerged larva, percentage of born larva, effectiveness; effective half dose (DE50) and ninety effective dose (DE90) were determined. Neem treatments had significantly lower egg-laying amount, lower emergence of larvae and greater effectiveness, compared to the untreated check. The lowest egg-laying number was obtained with 2 ml of Neem, however, 5 ml of Neem resulted in the smallest number and percent of emerged larvae. DE50 and DE90 were found to be 0.0290 and 8.923 ml of Neem for liter of water, respectively. It was concluded that Neem can significantly alter egg-laying and embryogenesis of the RW.La frambuesa es una fruta de exportación, cuyo cultivo en el sur de Chile es afectado seriamente por el curculiónido Aegorhinus superciliosus (Guérin) o cabrito del frambueso (CF), insecto nativo de Chile. La biología del CF es poco conocida y también su control. Se ha intentado reducir al adulto con insecticidas convencionales; sin embargo, en la práctica se dificulta su uso por coincidir la presencia del insecto adulto con periodos de floración y cosecha de fruta. Recientemente se están incorporando hongos entomopatógenos, pero aún no se aplican masivamente. En este trabajo se experimentó con azadirachtina, utilizando el producto comercial Neem como regulador de crecimiento. Bajo condiciones de laboratorio se aplicaron seis dosis de Neem: 1 ml; 2 ml; 3 ml; 4 ml; 5 ml; 6 ml de Neem por litro de agua. Además, de un testigo sin insecticida. Los adultos del CF se mantuvieron confinados con follaje de frambueso tratados con Neem durante cinco días y en postura por treinta días. Durante este periodo se determinó: cantidad de huevos, cantidad de larvas emergidas, porcentaje de larvas nacidas, grado de eficacia, dosis media efectiva (DE50) y dosis noventa efectiva (DE90). Los tratamientos con Neem fueron significativamente diferentes al testigo, presentando menor postura, menor emergencia de larvas y mayor grado de efectividad. Con 2 ml de Neem se obtuvo la menor postura; sin embargo, la dosis de 5 ml de Neem presentó la menor cantidad de larvas emergidas y el menor porcentaje de emergencia de larvas. La DE50 se determinó en 0,0290 ml de Neem y la DE90 en 8,923 ml de Neem por litro de agua. Con los antecedentes expuestos se concluyó que el Neem tiene un efecto que altera la postura y la embriogénesis del CF

Comunidad Internacional, Oriente Próximo y cultura de paz

Este número es el resultado del III Congreso de Cultura de Paz, titulado Comunidad Internacional, Oriente Próximo y cultura de paz, organizado por el Instituto de Estudios Internacionales y Europeos “Francisco de Vitoria” de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid y UNESCO-Getafe, y celebrado en el Campus de Getafe de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid los días 25, 26 y 27 de noviembre de 2013.Contiene: prólogo / Federico Mayor Zaragoza. -- Reflexiones sobre el uso de la fuerza y la protección internacional de los derechos humanos / Carlos Fernández Liesa. -- Sobre la responsabilidad de proteger (RP) y el uso legal de la fuerza (a propósito del conflicto en Siria [2011-2014]) / Cesáreo Gutiérrez Espada. -- Libre determinación de los pueblos y uso de la fuerza: MLNS, rebeldes, resistentes o terroristas / Félix Vacas Fernández. -- Armas de destrucción masiva en oriente próximo / Vicente Garrido Rebolledo. -- España ante el actual proceso de transformación política en el mundo árabe / Tomás López-Vilariño. -- Definiendo conceptos: Sufismo, Fundamentalismo, Salafismo, Islamismo y Wahabismo / Manuel González Hernández. -- Hacia una cultura de paz / Silvia Martínez Cantón

Organ-specific responses during brain death:increased aerobic metabolism in the liver and anaerobic metabolism with decreased perfusion in the kidneys

Hepatic and renal energy status prior to transplantation correlates with graft survival. However, effects of brain death (BD) on organ-specific energy status are largely unknown. We studied metabolism, perfusion, oxygen consumption, and mitochondrial function in the liver and kidneys following BD. BD was induced in mechanically-ventilated rats, inflating an epidurally-placed Fogarty-catheter, with sham-operated rats as controls. A 9.4T-preclinical MRI system measured hourly oxygen availability (BOLD-related R2*) and perfusion (T1-weighted). After 4 hrs, tissue was collected, mitochondria isolated and assessed with high-resolution respirometry. Quantitative proteomics, qPCR, and biochemistry was performed on stored tissue/plasma. Following BD, the liver increased glycolytic gene expression (Pfk-1) with decreased glycogen stores, while the kidneys increased anaerobic- (Ldha) and decreased gluconeogenic-related gene expression (Pck-1). Hepatic oxygen consumption increased, while renal perfusion decreased. ATP levels dropped in both organs while mitochondrial respiration and complex I/ATP synthase activity were unaffected. In conclusion, the liver responds to increased metabolic demands during BD, enhancing aerobic metabolism with functional mitochondria. The kidneys shift towards anaerobic energy production while renal perfusion decreases. Our findings highlight the need for an organ-specific approach to assess and optimise graft quality prior to transplantation, to optimise hepatic metabolic conditions and improve renal perfusion while supporting cellular detoxification