Model Theory of Holomorphic Functions

This thesis is concerned with a conjecture of Zilber: that the complex field expanded with the exponential function should be `quasi-minimal'; that is, all its definable subsets should be countable or have countable complement. Our purpose is to study the geometry of this structure and other expansions by holomorphic functions of the complex field without having first to settle any number-theoretic problems, by treating all countable sets on an equal footing. We present axioms, modelled on those for a Zariski geometry, defining a non-first-order class of ``quasi-Zariski'' structures endowed with a dimension theory and a topology in which all countable sets are of dimension zero. We derive a quantifier elimination theorem, implying that members of the class are quasi-minimal. We look for analytic structures in this class. To an expansion of the complex field by entire holomorphic functions $\mathcal{R}$ we associate a sheaf $\mathcal{O}^{\scriptscriptstyle{\mathcal{R}}}$ of analytic germs which is closed under application of the implicit function theorem. We prove that $\mathcal{O}^{\scriptscriptstyle{\mathcal{R}}}$ is also closed under partial differentiation and that it admits Weierstrass preparation. The sheaf defines a subclass of the analytic sets which we call $\mathcal{R}$-analytic. We develop analytic geometry for this class proving a Nullstellensatz and other classical properties. We isolate a condition on the asymptotes of the varieties of certain functions in $\mathcal{R}$. If this condition is satisfied then the $\mathcal{R}$-analytic sets induce a quasi-Zariski structure under countable union. In the motivating case of the complex exponential we prove a low-dimensional case of the condition, towards the original conjecture

The Discovery of a Spatially-Resolved Supernova Remnant in M31 with Chandra

Chandra observations of M31 allow the first spatially resolved X-ray image of a supernova remnant (SNR) in an external spiral galaxy. CXOM31 J004327.7+411829 is a slightly elongated ring-shaped object with a diameter of ~11'' (42 pc). In addition, the X-ray image hints that the chemical composition of the SNR is spatial dependent. The X-ray spectrum of the SNR can be well fitted with a Raymond-Smith model or a non-equilibrium ionization model. Depending on the spectral model, the 0.3-7 keV luminosity is between 3.2x10^36 erg/s and 4.5x10^37 erg/s. The age of the SNR is estimated to be 3210-22300 years and the number density of ambient gas is ~0.003-0.3 cm^-3. This suggests that the local interstellar medium around the SNR is low.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; accepted for publication in ApJ

Providing effective trauma care: the potential for service provider views to enhance the quality of care (qualitative study nested within a multicentre longitudinal quantitative study)

Objective: To explore views of service providers caring for injured people on: the extent to which services meet patients’ needs and their perspectives on factors contributing to any identified gaps in service provision

RESISTÊNCIA CAMPONESA: A LUTA POR TERRA E EDUCAÇÃO

Este artigo pretende analisar de maneira breve o percurso do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra e seu engajamento e organização coletiva na luta pela terra, considerando a educação como parte do processo de formação da resistência camponesa. Para atingir o objetivo proposto será realizada pesquisa bibliográfica fundamentada no materialismo histórico dialético referencial teórico que nos possibilitará analisar as contradições que permeiam e justificam o enfrentamento dos movimentos sociais do campo ao modo de produção capitalista. Como resultado final pretendemos descrever algumas considerações sobre a importância da educação na formação da consciência de classe e sua contribuição para a continuidade da luta dos camponeses por terra, educação e reforma agrária

A criminalização dos movimentos sociais do campo e o papel da mídia na manutenção dos interesses capitais/ The criminalization of social movements in the field and the role of the media in maintaining capital interests

Este artigo pretende analisar a criminalização midiática dos Movimentos Sociais do Campo a partir da investigação histórica em recortes de jornais disponibilizados no Arquivo Nacional de Informações dos anos de 1950 a 1985 e compará-los as notícias de jornais atuais e sua abordagem quanto a luta pela terra e reforma agrária, bandeira explicita do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra. Deste modo, o percurso da análise fundamenta-se na teoria do Materialismo Histórico dialético, ferramenta pela qual buscou-se verificar quais elementos estão envolvidos na desqualificação dos movimentos sociais do campo pela mídia jornalística e quais os interesses estão mediados na produção da representação simbólica e ideológica que criminaliza a manifestação destes movimentos no cenário brasileiro. Como resultados percebemos que a mídia tem grande impacto na formação de opinião da sociedade e nas massas, porém neste território fica explícito que a mídia normalmente utiliza seus mecanismos de persuasão para defender os interesses da classe dominante e da hegemonia capitalista. 

X-ray Point Sources in The Central Region of M31 as seen by Chandra

We report on \chandra observations of the central region of M31. By combining eight \chandra ACIS-I observations taken between 1999 and 2001, we have identified 204 X-ray sources within the central $\sim 17'\times17'$ region of M31, with a detection limit of $\sim 2\times10^{35}$\lum. Of these 204 sources, 22 are identified with globular clusters, 2 with supernova remnants, 9 with planetary nebula, and 9 as supersoft sources. By comparing individual images, about 50% of the sources are variable on time scales of months. We also found 13 transients, with light curves showing a variety of shapes. We also extracted the energy spectra of the 20 brightest sources; they can be well fit by a single power-law with a mean photon index of 1.8. The spectral shapes of 12 sources are shown to be variable, suggesting that they went through state changes. The luminosity function of all the point sources is consistent with previous observations (a broken power-law with a luminosity break at $1.7\times10^{37}$\lum). However, when the X-ray sources in different regions are considered separately, different luminosity functions are obtained. This indicates that the star-formation history might be different in different regions.Comment: 42 pages, 9 figures, ApJ, accepted, Higher-resolution figures available on reques

Comparative analysis reveals a role for TGF-β in shaping the residency-related transcriptional signature in tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells.

Tissue-resident CD8+ memory T (TRM) cells are immune cells that permanently reside at tissue sites where they play an important role in providing rapid protection against reinfection. They are not only phenotypically and functionally distinct from their circulating memory counterparts, but also exhibit a unique transcriptional profile. To date, the local tissue signals required for their development and long-term residency are not well understood. So far, the best-characterised tissue-derived signal is transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which has been shown to promote the development of these cells within tissues. In this study, we aimed to determine to what extent the transcriptional signatures of TRM cells from multiple tissues reflects TGF-β imprinting. We activated murine CD8+ T cells, stimulated them in vitro by TGF-β, and profiled their transcriptomes using RNA-seq. Upon comparison, we identified a TGF-β-induced signature of differentially expressed genes between TGF-β-stimulated and -unstimulated cells. Next, we linked this in vitro TGF-β-induced signature to a previously identified in vivo TRM-specific gene set and found considerable (>50%) overlap between the two gene sets, thus showing that a substantial part of the TRM signature can be attributed to TGF-β signalling. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis further revealed that the altered gene signature following TGF-β exposure reflected transcriptional signatures found in TRM cells from both epithelial and non-epithelial tissues. In summary, these findings show that TGF-β has a broad footprint in establishing the residency-specific transcriptional profile of TRM cells, which is detectable in TRM cells from diverse tissues. They further suggest that constitutive TGF-β signaling might be involved for their long-term persistence at tissue sites

How do people conceptualise the reuse of medicines? An interview study

Objectives: To capture people’s beliefs about medicines reuse and to map the determinants of intentions to reuse medicines in the future. Methods: Participants were recruited through an advert placed in the university’s community newsletter reaching 15,000 households. Adults wishing to participate were interviewed using opportunistic sampling, with recruitment continuing until data saturation. Participants were interviewed face-to-face by two researchers using a semi-structured interview schedule based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Interview transcripts were analysed by thematic analysis with the themes classified according to the TPB. The University’s research ethics committee approval was obtained. Key findings: Nineteen participants were interviewed. The potential economic and environmental benefits of medicines reuse were juxtaposed with stability and safety worries. Participants trusted pharmacists to quality-assure returned medicines, but wondered if they had the time and storage space to dedicate to medicines reuse. Environmentalists were seen as the main proponents of medicines reuse with drug manufacturers, some taxpayers, and parents seen as the main opponents. The physical characteristics of reused medicines, and quality assurance and logistics of reuse processes were seen to enable / obstruct engagement in medicines reuse. A working definition of medicines reuse as a behaviour was developed. Conclusions: People could potentially agree to reuse medicines if their concerns are addressed and the process is well defined and managed. This is a qualitative study with a small number of participants meaning the results may not be generalizable. The themes generated will enable a structured questionnaire to be developed for quantifying broader views