Swap Operators and Electric Charges of Fermions

Electric Charges operator (ECO) in phase space formulation, proposed by Zenczykowski, is expressed in terms of a swap operator, in some expressions for possible physical interpretations. An expression of an ECO in terms of a swap operator makes sense to the eigenvalues of the swap operator. An ECO including all the fermions of the standard model (SM) is constructed.Comment: 10 pages, some minor changes and more precision in the conclusion. To appear in International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics (IJTAP

A New Species of Extinct Oryzomyine Rodent From the Quaternary of Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles

An extinct new species of Oryzomyine rodent, known since 1936 from the cave of Grot van Hato on the island of Curaçao, is described from abundant new specimens collected from owl-pellet deposits at three localities on the island

Patched receptors sense, interpret and establish an epidermal Hedgehog signalling gradient

By employing the sensitivity of single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridisation (smFISH) we have precisely quantified the levels and defined the temporal and spatial distribution of Hedgehog signalling activity during embryonic skin development, and uncovered that there is a Hedgehog signalling gradient along the proximal-distal axis of developing hair follicles. In order to explore the contribution of Hedgehog receptors Ptch1 and Ptch2 in establishing the epidermal signalling gradient, we quantitated the level of pathway activity generated in Ptch1 and Ptch1;Ptch2-deficient skin and defined the contribution of each receptor to regulation of the levels of Hedgehog signalling identified in wild-type skin. Moreover, we show that both the cellular phenotype and level of pathway activity featured in Ptch1;Ptch2-deficient cells faithfully recapitulates the Peak level of endogenous Hedgehog signalling detected at the base of developing follicles, where the concentration of endogenous Shh is predicted to be highest. Taken together, these data demonstrate that both Ptch1 and Ptch2 play a crucial role in sensing the concentration of Hedgehog ligand and regulating the appropriate dose-dependent response

Comparison between french and portuguese sensory evaluation applied on wool light fabrics

In the frame of bilateral collaboration, the same samples made of wool and dedicated to men suits (light fabrics) have been tested through sensory evaluation panel that has been developed in France (Mulhouse) and Portugal (Guimarães). In this paper, the obtained results have been analyzed, discussed, simulated and differences obtained have been statistically analyzed. It is appeared that for some samples the two panels have highlighted the same marking or the same trends and for others the evaluations have been really different. An analysis, attribute per attribute, have been carried out and it has been shown that some attributes have not been evaluated in the same manner depending on the nationality of the panelists.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Crime and gambling disorders: A systematic review

It is generally believed that there is an instrumental relationship between problem gambling and crime such that some gamblers resort to illegal activity to recoup financial shortfalls resulting from their gambling. However, a clear understanding of the risk factors for the commission of crimes beyond financial stresses is absent in the literature. The aim of this review was to identify the nature of crimes perpetrated by problem gamblers and the factors that contribute to the commission of gambling-related crimes. A systematic review adhering to guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement searching eight databases – PsycINFO, Westlaw AU, Heinonline, Legal Source via Ebsco, Legaltrac via Gale, PubMed, Scopus, and Medline – was conducted. A total of 21 papers were included after screening and application of exclusion criteria. All studies examined reported crimes committed by problem gamblers, with a validated assessment tool measuring problem gambling. The review provided evidence that gambling-related crime typically consists of non-violent, income-generating offences. However, it also revealed that problem gamblers may commit violent crimes at a higher than expected rate, which may have been concealed by deliberate and unintentional under-reporting of gambling-related crimes. The causal relationship between problem gambling and violent crime, however, remains uncertain. Based on this review, suggestions are offered for the evaluation of perpetrators of gambling-related crime on a case-by-case basis, to better understand the relationship between gambling and crime and facilitate more frequent application of therapeutic jurisprudence in future.This work was supported by funding provided by the School of Psychology, Science Faculty, the University of Sydney. This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award [DE1060100459] awarded to Dr. Sally Gainsbury

Evaluation of the Mixed Effects of Some Indigenous Strains of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Maize Seedlings Under Greenhouse Conditions

The objective of the study was to evaluate the joint effects of three groups of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Glomeraceae, Acaulosporaceae and Diversisporaceae) on the growth of Maize Seedlings. The mycorrhizal fungi were isolated by the wet sieving method through decreasing sieve (300 µm, 125 µm, 63 µm and 38 µm) followed by centrifugation on a sucrose gradient. The growth tests were evaluated in greenhouse conditions for 40 days. After opening a planting hole, two maize (2000 SYNEE-W) seeds, one coated with AMF and the other not coated (Control) were introduced into the planting hole for each treatment. Data on different parameters were evaluated. The results of this study revealed that the maximum heights, the largest noose diameters and the largest numbers of leaves were obtained with treatment "Acaulosporaceae + 50% NPK-Urea" having 20.55% and 17.04% respectively and 11.77% for that of the control. The produced biomass and the leaf area of the maize plants were improved by the treatment "Glomeraceae+ 50NPK-Urea" with a respective increase of 54.97% for fresh above biomass (FAB), 42.94% for fresh underground biomass (FUB) and 55.23% for the leaf area compared with the control. Also, very high frequency of mycorrhiza was recorded with treatment "Glomeraceae" while the largest numbers of mycorrhiza spores and intensity were recorded with treatment "Acaulosporaceae". These results augur the possibility of using these mixed AMF bio-products as organic fertilizers to improve maize productivity in Benin

Correlation Between Iodine Status and Dysfunctional Parameters of the Thyroid Gland of Djidja Schoolchildren

Iodine is reported to be one of the main trace mineral constituting thyroid hormones. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between urinary iodine concentration status and dysfunctional parameters of the thyroid gland of schoolchildren in central Benin. In our study we selected 108 schoolchildren to whom we performed T3, T4, TSH, iodine and thyroid volume tests. The determination of the morning urinary iodine (iodine) in Djidja schoolchildren gave satisfactory results to 72% thus declaring our study area as a zone of non-iodine dietary deficiency. The hormone assay results are favorable at a rate of 92% and corresponds to hypothyroidism. In fact, TSH are high in 85% of the study population, T3 are in their case low in 93% of our study population and finally T4 are lower in the 100% of individuals in the study population. But these results are not in agreement with the iodine obtained. Indeed, in the study environment, the population is forced to drink some water rich in fluoride. Fluorine is an iodine antagonist that it can easily substitute, disrupting the production of T3, T4 and TSH hormones. To end, the calculated thyroid echography volumes are for the most part normal volumes with a rate of 45.37 for boys and 35.19 for girls

Cantique de Noel

Second edition of Cantique de Noël, also known as O Holy Night, composed by Adolphe Adam, for solo voice and organ accompaniment. The lyrics are taken from the poem Minuet, chrétiens by Placide Cappeau, and the orchestration of this edition was composed by Victorin Joncières. The piece was first performed by the noted opera singer Emily Laurey. The cover illustration is a lithograph by A. Barbizet.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/imri_sheetmusic/1033/thumbnail.jp

ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF COLA ACUMINATA USED IN BENIN

Objective: The aim of this study was to make a phytochemical screening and measure some biological activities of Cola acuminata's seeds and leaves extracts.Methods: The secondary metabolite was detected by the method based on coloring and precipitation differential reactions. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were assessed in vitro by the macrodillution and solid medium agar diffusion method. 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the tested extracts of which larval cytotoxicity was studied.Results: Our data revealed that the seeds contain more polyphenols than the leaves. The seeds extracts displayed a good antibacterial activity against both reference strains and food Staphylococcus strains. The inhibition diameters varied from 7±2.82 to 21.5±4.94 mm. The smallest Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) on the food strains (0.08 mg/ml) is twice less than the reference strains one (0.15 mg/ml), this observation is contrary to the Minimum Bactericidal concentrations (MBC). Susceptibility of fungal strains varies according to the extracts (p = 0.0016). The seeds ethyl acetate extracts had the best antioxidant activity with DPPH and ABTS methods. The Lethal Doses (LD50) showed that no extract was toxic.Conclusion: Cola acuminata seeds are richer than the leaves in compounds with biological activities. These two organs have interesting antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant activity variables depending to the extracts. The seeds have better biological activity than the leaves.Â