Theory of superconductor with kappa close to 1/sqrt{2}

As was firstly shown by E. Bogomolny, the critical Ginzburg-Landay (GL) parameter kappa =1/sqrt{2} at which a superconductor changes its behavior from type-I to type-II, is the special highly degenerate point where Abrikosov vortices do not interact and therefore all vortex states have the same energy. Developing a secular perturbation theory we studied how this degeneracy is lifted when kappa is slightly different from 1\sqrt{2} or when the GL theory is extended to the higher in T-Tc terms. We constructed a simple secular functional, that depends only on few experimentally measurable phenomenological parameters and therefore is quite efficient to study the vortex state of superconductor in this transitional region of kappa. Basing on this, we calculated such vortex state properties as: critical fields, energy of the normal-superconductor interface, energy of the vortex lattice, vortex interaction energy etc. and compared them with previous results that were based on bulky solutions of GL equations.Comment: Revtex, 14 pages, 4 postscript pictures embedded in the tex

Impact of Anti-Inflammatory Agents on the Gene Expression Profile of Stimulated Human Neutrophils: Unraveling Endogenous Resolution Pathways

Adenosine, prostaglandin E2, or increased intracellular cyclic AMP concentration each elicit potent anti-inflammatory events in human neutrophils by inhibiting functions such as phagocytosis, superoxide production, adhesion and cytokine release. However, the endogenous molecular pathways mediating these actions are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined their impact on the gene expression profile of stimulated neutrophils. Purified blood neutrophils from healthy donors were stimulated with a cocktail of inflammatory agonists in the presence of at least one of the following anti-inflammatory agents: adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS 21680, prostaglandin E2, cyclic-AMP-elevating compounds forskolin and RO 20-1724. Total RNA was analyzed using gene chips and real-time PCR. Genes encoding transcription factors, enzymes and regulatory proteins, as well as secreted cytokines/chemokines showed differential expression. We identified 15 genes for which the anti-inflammatory agents altered mRNA levels. The agents affected the expression profile in remarkably similar fashion, suggesting a central mechanism limiting cell activation. We have identified a set of genes that may be part of important resolution pathways that interfere with cell activation. Identification of these pathways will improve understanding of the capacity of tissues to terminate inflammatory responses and contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies based on endogenous resolution

Tratamento de dados climáticos de Santa Maria, RS, para análise de desempenho térmico de edificações

Resumo O tratamento e a disponibilização de dados climáticos para projeto de edificações são importantes para seu desempenho térmico e eficiência energética. O Ano Climático de Referência (TRY), o Ano Meteorológico Típico (TMY2), a carta bioclimática, arquivos EPW e CVS, diagrama de ventos e o dia típico de projeto são os tratamentos mais comuns. Para Santa Maria - RS, algumas destas sistematizações já existiam, porém para um período de oito anos. O objetivo do estudo foi tratar e analisar dados climáticos para Santa Maria, complementando estudos anteriores, ampliando a base de dados para doze anos e atualizando seu tratamento. O estudo baseou-se em bibliografia científica e metodologias que vêm sendo empregadas por vários pesquisadores. Os resultados apontam maior desconforto por frio. A radiação solar é bem distribuída ao longo do ano, indicando aquecimento solar passivo, no inverno, e sombreamento, no verão. O arquivo TMY2 gerado no estudo tem comportamento similar ao TRY-INMET (2012) e apresenta diferenças mais significativas quando comparado ao SWERA. Observou-se a importância das orientações norte e nordeste, para aquecimento solar, e leste, para ventilação. Os métodos apresentados podem ser aplicados a outras localidades com dados horários disponíveis