12,322 research outputs found
Higher-Derivative Two-Dimensional Massive Fermion Theories
We consider the canonical quantization of a generalized two-dimensional
massive fermion theory containing higher odd-order derivatives. The
requirements of Lorentz invariance, hermiticity of the Hamiltonian and absence
of tachyon excitations suffice to fix the mass term, which contains a
derivative coupling. We show that the basic quantum excitations of a
higher-derivative theory of order 2N+1 consist of a physical usual massive
fermion, quantized with positive metric, plus 2N unphysical massless fermions,
quantized with opposite metrics. The positive metric Hilbert subspace, which is
isomorphic to the space of states of a massive free fermion theory, is selected
by a subsidiary-like condition. Employing the standard bosonization scheme, the
equivalent boson theory is derived. The results obtained are used as a
guideline to discuss the solution of a theory including a current-current
interaction.Comment: 23 pages, Late
Extended-release niacin increases anti-apolipoprotein A-I antibodies that block the antioxidant effect of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol: the EXPLORE clinical trial.
Extended-release niacin (ERN) is the most effective agent for increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Having previously identified anti-HDL antibodies, we investigated whether ERN affected the antioxidant capacity of HDL and whether ERN was associated with the production of antibodies against HDL (aHDL) and apolipoprotein A-I (aApoA-I).
METHODS:
Twenty-one patients older than 18 years, with HDL-C ≤40 mg dl-1 (men) or ≤50 mg dl-1 (women) were randomly assigned to receive daily ERN (n = 10) or placebo (n = 11) for two sequential 12-week periods, with 4 weeks of wash-out before cross-over. Primary outcome was change of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and secondary outcomes were changes in aHDL and aApoA-I antibodies. Clinical Trial Unique Identifier: EudraCT 2006-006889-42.
RESULTS:
The effect of ERN on PON1 activity was nonsignificant (coefficient estimate 20.83 U l-1 , 95% confidence interval [CI] -9.88 to 51.53; P = 0.184). ERN was associated with an increase in HDL-C levels (coefficient estimate 5.21 mg dl-1 , 95% CI 1.16 to 9.25; P = 0.012) and its subclasses HDL2 (coefficient estimate 2.46 mg dl-1 , 95% CI 0.57 to 4.34; P = 0.011) and HDL3 (coefficient estimate 2.73 mg dl-1 , 95% CI 0.47 to 4.98; P = 0.018). ERN was significantly associated with the production of aApoA-I antibodies (coefficient estimate 0.25 μg ml-1 , 95% CI 0.09-0.40; P = 0.001). aApoA-I titres at baseline were correlated with decreased PON activity.
CONCLUSIONS:
The rise in HDL-C achieved with ERN was not matched by improved antioxidant capacity, eventually hampered by the emergence of aApoA-I antibodies. These results may explain why Niacin and other lipid lowering agents fail to reduce cardiovascular risk.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
On fermionic tilde conjugation rules and thermal bosonization. Hot and cold thermofields
A generalization of Ojima tilde conjugation rules is suggested, which reveals
the coherent state properties of thermal vacuum state and is useful for the
thermofield bosonization. The notion of hot and cold thermofields is introduced
to distinguish different thermofield representations giving the correct normal
form of thermofield solution for finite temperature Thirring model with correct
renormalization and anticommutation properties.Comment: 13 page
Ice Age Epochs and the Sun's Path Through the Galaxy
We present a calculation of the Sun's motion through the Milky Way Galaxy
over the last 500 million years. The integration is based upon estimates of the
Sun's current position and speed from measurements with Hipparcos and upon a
realistic model for the Galactic gravitational potential. We estimate the times
of the Sun's past spiral arm crossings for a range in assumed values of the
spiral pattern angular speed. We find that for a difference between the mean
solar and pattern speed of Omega_Sun - Omega_p = 11.9 +/- 0.7 km/s/kpc the Sun
has traversed four spiral arms at times that appear to correspond well with
long duration cold periods on Earth. This supports the idea that extended
exposure to the higher cosmic ray flux associated with spiral arms can lead to
increased cloud cover and long ice age epochs on Earth.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
The association between atypical femoral fractures and biphosphonates: review of the literature
ntrodução: Os bifosfonatos são a principal classe farmacológica usada na terapia anti-reabsortiva para a Osteoporose.
Apesar da sua eficácia comprovada, vários trabalhos recentes sugeriram uma associação entre estes fármacos e o aparecimento
de fraturas atípicas do fémur (FA). Materiais e Métodos: Os autores efetuaram uma revisão da literatura relativa a esta temá-
tica na língua inglesa e portuguesa. Foram revistos 426 resumos e selecionados 94 artigos para revisão final. Resultados: A
mudança dos critérios na definição e a qualidade dos estudos realizados são os principais limitadores na compreensão desta
associação. Apesar de haver uma associação aparente entre estes fármacos e as FA, a intensidade desta é menos clara. Por
outro lado os bifosfonatos têm décadas de experiência clínica, com vários ensaios clínicos e metanálises a demonstrar a sua
eficácia a prevenir uma proporção muito mais significativa de fraturas osteoporóticas. Conclusões: Os bifosfonatos continuam
a ser a escolha de primeira linha no tratamento da Osteoporose. São necessários mais estudos por forma a estabelecer com
clareza a relação entre os bifosfonatos e FA e que elucidem como controlar e prevenir este fenómeno.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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