The Coupled Cluster Method in Hamiltonian Lattice Field Theory

The coupled cluster or exp S form of the eigenvalue problem for lattice Hamiltonian QCD (without quarks) is investigated. A new construction prescription is given for the calculation of the relevant coupled cluster matrix elements with respect to an orthogonal and independent loop space basis. The method avoids the explicit introduction of gauge group coupling coefficients by mapping the eigenvalue problem onto a suitable set of character functions, which allows a simplified procedure. Using appropriate group theoretical methods, we show that it is possible to set up the eigenvalue problem for eigenstates having arbitrary lattice momentum and lattice angular momentum.Comment: LaTeX, no figur

The Coupled Cluster Method in Hamiltonian Lattice Field Theory: SU(2) Glueballs

The glueball spectrum within the Hamiltonian formulation of lattice gauge theory (without fermions) is calculated for the gauge group SU(2) and for two spatial dimensions. The Hilbert space of gauge-invariant functions of the gauge field is generated by its parallel-transporters on closed paths along the links of the spatial lattice. The coupled cluster method is used to determine the spectrum of the Kogut-Susskind Hamiltonian in a truncated basis. The quality of the description is studied by computing results from various truncations, lattice regularisations and with an improved Hamiltonian. We find consistency for the mass ratio predictions within a scaling region where we obtain good agreement with standard lattice Monte Carlo results.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Productive characterisation in iberian pig varieties. I: preliminar study of grow and weight in premontanera and montanera periods

The productive behaviour of seven varieties belonging to the Iberian Pig Breed and three crosses F1 among them have been studied with a view of the preliminary productive characterisation of the breed. 1159 animals have been used, all of then castrated males with similar age. Six quantitative variables refereed to weight and growing concerning the prenatural feeding (premontanera) and natural feeding (montanera) periods were analysed. From our results we have concluded a mean weight of beginning of prenatural-feeding period near 53 kg, a mean weight of beginning of naturalfeeding period of 116 kg and a slaughter weight around 164 kg. The mean daily gain oscillated between 337 grams/day for the beginning of prenatural-feeding period and 586 for the beginning of natural-feeding period. The mean carcass yield was 83.37 p.100. We have to stand out the significative differences found among all the studies varieties for the studied variables, confirming the big genetic variability present in the breed and the existence of clear specialisation of the varieties. In the prenatural-feeding period the Lampiño variety stand out clearly of the other, while in the natural feeding period is the Torbiscal variety which shown the best behaviour.Se estudia el comportamiento de siete variedades del cerdo Ibérico y tres cruces F1 entre variedades con vistas a la caracterización productiva preliminar de la raza. Para ello se utilizaron 1159 animales, todos ellos machos castrados y de edades similares, donde se analizaron seis variables cuantitativas referidas a pesos y crecimientos en los periodos de premontanera y montanera. De los resultados obtenidos concluimos un peso de entrada a la premontanera medio en la raza próximo a los 53 kg, un peso a la entrada en montanera en torno a 116 kg y un peso de matanza alrededor de 164 kg. Las ganancias medias diarias oscilaron entre 337 g/día para el periodo de premontanera hasta 586 g/día de media en el periodo de montanera. El rendimiento a la canal medio fue del 83,37 p.100. Por otra parte, señalamos las diferencias altamente significativas entre las variedades para todas las variables estudiadas lo que confirma la gran variabilidad genética presente en la raza y la existencia de claras especializaciones productivas de las distintas variedades. En el periodo premontanera destaca claramente la variedad Lampiño frente al resto de variedades mientras que en el periodo de montanera es la variedad Torbiscal la que muestra un comportamiento superior

Reproductive characterisation of various pig breed from iberian origin. I. Descriptive analysis

In this work is approached the reproductive characterisation of the varieties of the Iberian pig within a European project titled European gene banking project for pig genetic resources. We have analysed a total of 600 parturition’s belonging to the Iberian pig varieties: Entrepelado, Lampiño, Mamellado, Retinto, Silvela, Torbiscal, Portugues and the Manchado de Jabugo breed. We have calculated the descriptive statistics and a variance analysis between the different populations together to homogeneity tests a posteriori (Duncan test). The results indicate that exist signifficative differences for all the variables between the studied populations, resulting the Manchado de Jabugo and Torbiscal as populations that present the best reproductive behaviour, the Lampiño variety as population with the lowest reproductive indices, remaining the other populations with intermediate values.En este trabajo se aborda la caracterización reproductiva de las variedades del cerdo Ibérico dentro de un proyecto europeo denominado European gene banking project for pig genetic resources. Se analizan un total de 600 partos pertenecientes a las variedades del cerdo Ibérico: Entrepelado, Lampiño, Mamellado, Retinto, Silvela, Torbiscal, Portugués y la raza Manchado de Jabugo. Se calculan los estadísticos descriptivos y un análisis de varianza entre las distintas poblaciones junto a las correspondientes pruebas de homogeneidad de medias a posteriori (test de Duncan). Los resultados indican que existen diferencias significativas para todas las variables entre las poblaciones estudiadas, resultando la raza Manchado de Jabugo y Torbiscal como poblaciones que presentan el mejor comportamiento reproductivo, la variedad Lampiño como población de más bajos índices reproductivos, quedando el resto con ratios intermedias

Mutivariate analysis between pig populations from iberian origin based in reproductive parameters

In this work we present a multivariate analysis between various Iberian pig varieties and the Manchado de Jabugo as representative of the Pig populations of Iberian origin exploited in Spain in extensive production systems. For them we have studied a sample of 558 parturition belonging to the records of the kernel of control of yields of the selection program of the Breeders Association of the Iberian Pig (AECERIBER) and to the conservation program of the Manchado de Jabugo. They were calculated the Mahalanobis distance between populations and was accomplis-hed the corresponding cluster basing us on the reproductive parameters number of total piglets, number of born piglets alive and number of weaned piglets. Our results indicate for these populations according to the variables studied the high Mahalanobis distances existence between the Manchado de Jabugo breed as compared to all the varieties of the Iberian pig, and some distances moderated between the variety Torbiscal respect to the rest of the Iberian pig varieties.En este trabajo presentamos un análisis multivariante entre diversas variedades del cerdo Ibérico y la raza Manchado de Jabugo como representantes de las poblaciones porcinas de origen Ibérico explotadas en España en sistemas de producción extensivos. Para ellos hemos estudiado una muestra de 558 partos pertenecientes a los registros del núcleo de control de rendimientos del programa de selección de la Asociación de Criadores del Cerdo Ibérico (AECERIBER) y al programa de conservación del Manchado de Jabugo. Se calcularon las distancias de Mahalanobis entre poblaciones y se realizó el correspondiente dendograma basándonos en los parámetros reproductivos número de lechones total, número de lechones nacidos vivos y número de lechones destetados. Según las variables estudiadas se observa la existencia de elevadas distancias de Mahalanobis entre la raza Manchado de Jabugo frente a todas las variedades del cerdo Ibérico, y unas distancias moderadas entre la variedad Torbiscal respecto al resto de estirpes del cerdo Ibérico

Caracterización de las variedades minoritarias del cerdo ibérico por la aptitud sexual del macho. Proyecto inicial

El presente proyecto se propone abordar un criterio absolutamente novedoso para la caracterización de los animales domésticos mediante la utilización de variables relacionadas con la aptitud reproductiva, algo que está especialmente relacionado con la productividad de los animales de ciclo corto dedicados a la producción cárnica. La metodología propuesta a continuación se aplicará a 24 animales en cada fase de estudio en que se utilizarán distintas variedades de cerdo ibérico. Actualmente estamos trabajando con el primer lote de animales, concretamente las variedades Manchado de Jabugo, Retinto y Torbiscal. La caracterización reproductiva abordará cuatro ópticas diferentes. Primeramente se realizarán evaluaciones de características anatómicas externas del aparato reproductor del macho (circunferencia escrotal, volumen, forma e implantación testicular). En segundo lugar se tipificarán los aspectos relacionados con el comportamiento sexual del macho referido tanto a sus actitudes para la monta natural como para la inseminación artificial. En tercer lugar se estudiarán las características del semen (aspectos físicos y morfológicos). Finalmente, se constituirá un banco de germoplasma de cerdos Ibéricos, donde se almacenarán dosis de semen de las diversas variedades de cerdo Ibérico para conservación o intercambio entre investigadores y ganaderos, así como su utilización en programas de inseminación artificial o mejora genética

Criopreservación de semen de las variedades minoritarias del cerdo ibérico: resultados preliminares de la fertilidad "in vivo"

Resumen de la comunicación presentada al III Congreso Ibérico sobre Recursos Genéticos Animale

Economic evaluation of diagnosing and excluding ectopic pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy in women presenting in early pregnancy is often protracted, relying on costly investigations that are psychologically burdensome to the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the financial costs to the health services in Scotland of the current methods used to diagnose and exclude ectopic pregnancy, and compare these with that of a theoretical single diagnostic serum biomarker. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cost description analysis (with and without costs of diagnostic laparoscopy) of the healthcare costs incurred by all patients presenting to a large Scottish teaching hospital between June and September 2006 with pain and bleeding in early pregnancy, where ectopic pregnancy was not excluded. Additionally, a cost minimisation analysis was performed of the costs of current ectopic pregnancy investigations versus those of a theoretical single diagnostic serum biomarker. This included sensitivity analyses where the biomarker was priced at increasing values and assumed to have less than 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: 175 patients were eligible to be included in the analysis. 47% of patients required more than 3 visits to diagnose or exclude ectopic pregnancy. The total yearly cost for diagnosing and excluding ectopic pregnancy was £197K for the hospital stated, and was estimated to be £1,364K for Scotland overall. Using a theoretical diagnostic serum biomarker we calculated that we could save health services up to £976K (lowest saving £251K after subanalyses) every year in Scotland. CONCLUSIONS: Ectopic pregnancy is expensive to diagnose and exclude, and the investigation process is often long and might involve significant psychological morbidity. The development of a single diagnostic serum biomarker would minimise this morbidity and lead to significant savings of up to £1 million pounds per year in Scotland

The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey: Ultraluminous star-forming galaxies in a z=1.6 cluster

We analyze new SCUBA-2 submillimeter and archival SPIRE far-infrared imaging of a z = 1.62 cluster, Cl 0218.3–0510, which lies in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey/Ultra-Deep Survey field of the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey. Combining these tracers of obscured star-formation activity with the extensive photometric and spectroscopic information available for this field, we identify 31 far-infrared/submillimeter-detected probable cluster members with bolometric luminosities 1012 L ☉ and show that by virtue of their dust content and activity, these represent some of the reddest and brightest galaxies in this structure. We exploit ALMA submillimeter continuum observations, which cover one of these sources, to confirm the identification of a SCUBA-2-detected ultraluminous star-forming galaxy in this structure. Integrating the total star-formation activity in the central region of the structure, we estimate that it is an order of magnitude higher (in a mass-normalized sense) than clusters at z ~ 0.5-1. However, we also find that the most active cluster members do not reside in the densest regions of the structure, which instead host a population of passive and massive, red galaxies. We suggest that while the passive and active populations have comparable near-infrared luminosities at z = 1.6, MH ~ –23, the subsequent stronger fading of the more active galaxies means that they will evolve into passive systems at the present day that are less luminous than the descendants of those galaxies that were already passive at z ~ 1.6 (MH ~ –20.5 and MH ~ –21.5, respectively, at z ~ 0). We conclude that the massive galaxy population in the dense cores of present-day clusters were already in place at z = 1.6 and that in Cl 0218.3–0510 we are seeing continuing infall of less extreme, but still ultraluminous, star-forming galaxies onto a pre-existing structure