Aeolian transport layer

We investigate the airborne transport of particles on a granular surface by the saltation mechanism through numerical simulation of particle motion coupled with turbulent flow. We determine the saturated flux $q_{s}$ and show that its behavior is consistent with a classical empirical relation obtained from wind tunnel measurements. Our results also allow to propose a new relation valid for small fluxes, namely, $q_{s}=a(u_{*}-u_{t})^{\alpha}$, where $u_{*}$ and $u_{t}$ are the shear and threshold velocities of the wind, respectively, and the scaling exponent is $\alpha \approx 2$. We obtain an expression for the velocity profile of the wind distorted by the particle motion and present a dynamical scaling relation. We also find a novel expression for the dependence of the height of the saltation layer as function of the wind velocity.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Aerobic Exercise and Eucalyptus Globulus: Cardio-affective effects on recovery and stress

Introduction: It is necessary to investigate the interrelation between physical exercise and aromatherapy, regarding cardiovascular and affective functions of human. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and eucalyptus essential oil (EO) in cardiovascular and affective responses.Methods: Twelve adults (19-39 years) performed in a randomized order in different days: 1. AE session; 2. Inhalation of EO session; 3. AE + EO session and; 4. Control session. In each session remained at rest over 15min plus 5min to inhaling EO or blank air in Control session. The AE was 15 min run/walk at 80-85% of maximum heart rate. After recovery (30 min) the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) was applied. At rest, recovery and during CPT were measured cardiovascular and affective variables.Results: The variation of systolic blood pressure in the CPT was attenuated by AE +EO (12.3 ± 14.9 mmHg) and EO (12.6 ± 6.7 mmHg) compared to Control (17.3 ± 6.5 mmHg; P < 0.05). AE + EO increased pleasure in recovery (1′ = 1.2 ± 1.9 pts and 30′= 0.6 ± 1.1 pts) and reduced displeasure in stress (-3.4 ± 1.7 pts) when compared to Control in recovery (1′= -0.5 ± 1.4 pts and 30′= -0.7 ± 1.5 pts, respectively; P < 0.05) and stress (-4.6 ± 1.8 pts; P < 0.05).Conclusions: We conclude that aerobic exercise and eucalyptus essential oil attenuated cardiovascular responses and modulated the affect on recovery and stress

Landau theory of bi-criticality in a random quantum rotor system

We consider here a generalization of the random quantum rotor model in which each rotor is characterized by an M-component vector spin. We focus entirely on the case not considered previously, namely when the distribution of exchange interactions has non-zero mean. Inclusion of non-zero mean permits ferromagnetic and superconducting phases for M=1 and M=2, respectively. We find that quite generally, the Landau theory for this system can be recast as a zero-mean problem in the presence of a magnetic field. Naturally then, we find that a Gabay-Toulouse line exists for $M>1$ when the distribution of exchange interactions has non-zero mean. The solution to the saddle point equations is presented in the vicinity of the bi-critical point characterized by the intersection of the ferromagnetic (M=1) or superconducting (M=2) phase with the paramagnetic and spin glass phases. All transitions are observed to be second order. At zero temperature, we find that the ferromagnetic order parameter is non-analytic in the parameter that controls the paramagnet/ferromagnet transition in the absence of disorder. Also for M=1, we find that replica symmetry breaking is present but vanishes at low temperatures. In addition, at finite temperature, we find that the qualitative features of the phase diagram, for M=1, are {\it identical} to what is observed experimentally in the random magnetic alloy $LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4$.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figure

Centaurus A: The Nearest Blazar?

Abstract. Centaurus A (NGC5128), at a distance of 3.4 Mpc is the nearest Active Galaxy, classified as a low luminosity Fanaroff-Riley class I object. Although the central source is completely obscured at optical wavelengths, VLBI studies at radio frequencies show an unresolved core and an asymmetric jet at sub-parsec scales. Kinematical studies of the jet components show subluminal expansion velocities, which together with the jet-counterjet intensity ratio implies that the jet direction forms a large angle with the line of sight (50 o to 80 o ). The nuclear emission is highly variable at all wavelengths, from radio to γ-rays. Single dish radio observations showed that the stronger, long duration outbursts (months to years) present a correlation at radio and X-rays, although it is not clear whether the emission mechanism is synchrotron radiation at both frequencies or if the inverse Compton process dominates at high energies. Moreover, no information is available about the correlation between the emission at these two frequencies at shorter timescales (days and hours), due to the lack of short term monitoring at radio frequencies. In this work we report 43 GHz monitoring of Cantaurus A at the Itapetinga Radio Observatory during the last year, with daily resolution during a three-month period. We found very large variations (factor of two) within a few days, which puts Centaurus A in the blazar category. These variations were superimposed to a continuous rise in flux density that lasted until the end of 2003, when it started a fast decline. No apparent correlation with the All Sky Monitor (ASM/RXTE) data was found at these short timescales

Common Representation of Information Flows for Dynamic Coalitions

We propose a formal foundation for reasoning about access control policies within a Dynamic Coalition, defining an abstraction over existing access control models and providing mechanisms for translation of those models into information-flow domain. The abstracted information-flow domain model, called a Common Representation, can then be used for defining a way to control the evolution of Dynamic Coalitions with respect to information flow

Identification of common variants associated with human hippocampal and intracranial volumes

Identifying genetic variants influencing human brain structures may reveal new biological mechanisms underlying cognition and neuropsychiatric illness. The volume of the hippocampus is a biomarker of incipient Alzheimer\u27s disease and is reduced in schizophrenia, major depression and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Whereas many brain imaging phenotypes are highly heritable, identifying and replicating genetic influences has been difficult, as small effects and the high costs of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have led to underpowered studies. Here we report genome-wide association meta-analyses and replication for mean bilateral hippocampal, total brain and intracranial volumes from a large multinational consortium. The intergenic variant rs7294919 was associated with hippocampal volume (12q24.22; N = 21,151; P = 6.70 × 10(-16)) and the expression levels of the positional candidate gene TESC in brain tissue. Additionally, rs10784502, located within HMGA2, was associated with intracranial volume (12q14.3; N = 15,782; P = 1.12 × 10(-12)). We also identified a suggestive association with total brain volume at rs10494373 within DDR2 (1q23.3; N = 6,500; P = 5.81 × 10(-7))

Studies on variation of carotenoid-proteins content in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) storage root reveal implications for breeding and the use of induced mutations.

Carotenoid-Protein content in cassava storage root (CSR) is low but variable, and characterization of this variability is lacking. Accumulation of carotenoids occurs in chromoplast and depends on a broad class of proteins named carotenoid associated proteins (CAP), lipids and the biosynthesis of carotenoids. Twenty-nine landraces and progeny of 200 individuals were accessed for CAP and carotenoid content varied in two ways. First, related to landrace diversity, total buffer extractable proteins (TBEP), buffer insoluble proteins (BIP) and total carotenoid and ?-carotene content were assessed. Significant differences were observed in the tested genotypes. Secondly, analyses related to storage root tissue age were assessed by TBEP. This showed protein content decreased and total carotenoid content increased as secondary growth proceeds. Further carotenoid-proteins complex (CPC) identified in carotenoid contrasting landraces showed different proteins profile in SDS-PAGE with proteins size of 18 and 33 kDa in low carotenoid (IAC12.829) and 18-20-30-33 kDa in a high total carotenoid landrace (Cas74.1). Progeny analysis for TBEP and total carotenoid content confirmed the interdependence of carotenoid-proteins association by correlation analysis, estimated heritability of individual traits and grouping clones for carotenoid-proteins content. Results allow us to conclude that: natural carotenoid-protein content varies due to differential genetic background and storage root tissue age; carotenoid-protein complex showed variation in protein and carotenoid types; estimated heritability of proteins and carotenoids traits showed different values. The establishment of a genetic component allows future strategies including traditional breeding and the use of induced mutations to create novel variation for the nutritional improvement of cassava tubers

Stochastic Gravity: A Primer with Applications

Stochastic semiclassical gravity of the 90's is a theory naturally evolved from semiclassical gravity of the 70's and 80's. It improves on the semiclassical Einstein equation with source given by the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor of quantum matter fields in curved spacetimes by incorporating an additional source due to their fluctuations. In stochastic semiclassical gravity the main object of interest is the noise kernel, the vacuum expectation value of the (operator-valued) stress-energy bi-tensor, and the centerpiece is the (stochastic) Einstein-Langevin equation. We describe this new theory via two approaches: the axiomatic and the functional. The axiomatic approach is useful to see the structure of the theory from the framework of semiclassical gravity. The functional approach uses the Feynman-Vernon influence functional and the Schwinger-Keldysh close-time-path effective action methods which are convenient for computations. It also brings out the open systems concepts and the statistical and stochastic contents of the theory such as dissipation, fluctuations, noise and decoherence. We then describe the application of stochastic gravity to the backreaction problems in cosmology and black hole physics. Intended as a first introduction to this subject, this article places more emphasis on pedagogy than completeness.Comment: 46 pages Latex. Intended as a review in {\it Classical and Quantum Gravity

An exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial of knowledge translation strategies to support evidence-informed decision-making in local governments (The KT4LG study)

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity is the most prevalent and, arguably, politically complex child health problem internationally. Governments, communities and industry have important roles to play, and are increasingly expected to deliver an evidence-informed system-wide prevention program. However, efforts are impeded by a lack of organisational access to and use of research evidence. This study aims to identify feasible, acceptable and ideally, effective knowledge translation (KT) strategies to increase evidence-informed decision making in local governments, within the context of childhood obesity prevention as a national policy priority.Methods/Design: This paper describes the methods for KT4LG, a cluster randomised controlled trial which is exploratory in nature, given the limited evidence base and methodological advances. KT4LG aims to examine a program of KT strategies to increase the use of research evidence in informing public health decisions in local governments. KT4LG will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. The intervention program comprises a facilitated program of evidence awareness, access to tailored research evidence, critical appraisal skills development, networking and evidence summaries and will be compared to provision of evidence summaries alone in the control program. 28 local governments were randomised to intervention or control, using computer generated numbers, stratified by budget tertile (high, medium or low). Questionnaires will be used to measure impact, costs, and outcomes, and key informant interviews will be used to examine processes, feasibility, and experiences. Policy tracer studies will be included to examine impact of intervention on policies within relevant government policy documents.Discussion: Knowledge translation intervention studies with a focus on public health and prevention are very few in number. Thus, this study will provide essential data on the experience of program implementation and evaluation of a system-integrated intervention program employed within the local government public health context. Standardised programs of system, organisational and individual KT strategies have not been described or rigorously evaluated. As such, the findings will make a significant contribution to understanding whether a facilitated program of KT strategies hold promise for facilitating evidence-informed public health decision making within complex multisectoral government organisations.<br /