Heavy-light quark pseudoscalar and vector mesons at finite temperature

The temperature dependence of the mass, leptonic decay constant, and width of heavy-light quark peseudoscalar and vector mesons is obtained in the framework of thermal Hilbert moment QCD sum rules. The leptonic decay constants of both pseudoscalar and vector mesons decrease with increasing $T$, and vanish at a critical temperature $T_c$, while the mesons develop a width which increases dramatically and diverges at $T_c$, where $T_c$ is the temperature for chiral-symmetry restoration. These results indicate the disappearance of hadrons from the spectral function, which then becomes a smooth function of the energy. This is interpreted as a signal for deconfinement at $T=T_c$. In contrast, the masses show little dependence on the temperature, except very close to $T_c$, where the pseudoscalar meson mass increases slightly by 10-20 %, and the vector meson mass decreases by some 20-30

Subclinical signs of retinal involvement in hereditary angioedema

To explore retinal abnormalities using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and OCT‐angiography (OCT‐A) in a highly selective cohort of patients with type I hereditary angioedema (HAE). This prospective case‐control study included 40 type I HAE patients and 40 age‐/sex‐matched healthy subjects (HC). All participants underwent SD‐OCT‐scanning of retinal posterior pole (PP), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and optic nerve head (ONH). Superficial/deep capillary density was analyzed by OCT‐A. A total of 80 eyes from 40 HAE and 40 eyes from HC were evaluated. The pRNFL was thicker in HAE than in HC in nasal superior (p < 0.0001) and temporal quadrants (p = 0.0005 left, p = 0.003 right). The ONH thickness in HAE patients was greater than in HC in the nasal (p = 0.008 left, p = 0.01 right), temporal (p = 0.0005 left, p = 0.003 right), temporal inferior (p = 0.007 left, p = 0.0008 right), and global (p = 0.005 left, p = 0.007 right) scans. Compared to HC, HAE showed a lower capillary density in both superficial (p = 0.001 left, p = 0.006 right) and deep (p = 0.008 left, p = 0.004 right) whole images, and superficial (p = 0.03 left) and deep parafoveal (p = 0.007 left, p = 0.005 right) areas. Our findings documented subclinical retinal abnormalities in type I HAE, supporting a potential role of the retinal assessment by SD‐ OCT/OCT‐A as a useful tool in the comprehensive care of HAE patients

Tomografia por impedância elétrica e seus possíveis usos na agropecuária.

bitstream/CNPDIA/10189/1/PA26_98.pd

Lindane and Endosulfan Sulfate Isomers in Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) Oyster Populations in Lagoon Systems from Central Gulf of Mexico

The aim of this study was to determine Lindane and Endosulfan Sulfate isomers in Crassostrea virginica oyster populations (Gmelin, 1791) in the Mandinga and Alvarado lagoon systems located in the central Gulf of Mexico. Samples were taken from the main oyster banks of each lagoon system, during the three representative seasons of the region, wet, dry and north winds. By means of free diving, 30 commercial size oysters (7 ± 3 cm) were collected in four oyster banks or stations of the Mandinga lagoon system, totaling 360 organisms, while in the Alvarado lagoon system there were a total of 90 oysters during the annual cycle. Concentration of lindane and endosulfan sulfate isotopes in C. virginica was performed with a gas chromatograph (Thermo Electron Model Trace GC Ultra 115V, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc©, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México) with an Electron capture detector. Results showed that in the Alvarado Lagoon system mean concentrations of C. virginica oysters for lindane pesticide were 4.11 ± 3.83 ng⋅g-1, whereas for the Mandinga lagoon system, were 8.69 ± 5.15 ng⋅g-1. Endosulfan sulfate showed the highest average concentration in the Mandinga lagoon system with 24.68 ± 1.20 ng ⋅g-1. In addition, the endosulfan sulfate presents differences in its spatial distribution; high concentration levels in the Mandinga lagoon system whereas the lindane heterogeneity at all sampling points in both lagoons. Values of concentrations and relationships between compounds suggest recent contributions that could correspond to the excessive fluctuations of water discharged into the lagoon caused by the atypical rains of the year of sampling. It was concluded that endosulfan sulfate and lindane show concentration in all the points of sampling in both lagoons

Subclinical microvascular changes in ANCA-vasculitides: the role of optical coherence tomography angiography and nailfold capillaroscopy in the detection of disease-related damage

Background both cardiovascular and complement-mediated disorders might lead to microvascular damages in anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV). We aimed at investigating, for the first time, subclinical microvascular abnormalities with non-invasive techniques in AAV patients by analyzing both retinal and nailfold capillary changes. Retinal plexi were investigated using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), while nailfold capillary changes by video-capillaroscopy (NVC). Potential correlations between microvessels' abnormalities and disease damage were also explored.MethodsAn observational study was conducted on consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria of defined diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), age & GE; 18 & LE; 75 yrs, and no ophthalmological disorders. Disease activity was assessed by Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), damage by Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI), and poorer prognosis by the Five Factor Score (FFS). Quantitative analysis of vessel density (VD) was performed by OCT-A in both superficial and deep capillary plexi. figures and detailed analysis from NVC were performed for all subjects in the study.ResultsIncluded AAV patients (n = 23) were compared with 20 age/sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Retinal VD in superficial whole and parafoveal plexi resulted significantly decreased in AAV compared to HC (P = 0.02 and P = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, deep whole and parafoveal vessel density was strongly reduced in AAV than HC (P & LE; 0.0001 for both). In AAV patients, significant inverse correlations occurred between VDI and OCTA-VD in both superficial (parafoveal, P = 0.03) and deep plexi (whole, P = 0.003, and parafoveal P = 0.02). Non-specific NVC pattern abnormalities occurred in 82% of AAV patients with a similar prevalence (75%) in HC. In AAV, common abnormalities were edema and tortuosity in a comparable distribution with HC. correlations between NVC changes and OCT-A abnormalities have not been described.ConclusionSubclinical microvascular retinal changes occur in patients with AAV and correlate with the disease-related damage. In this context, the OCT-A can represent a useful tool in the early detection of vascular damage. AAV patients present microvascular abnormalities at NVC, whose clinical relevance requires further studies

Differential X-ray attenuation in MA-XRF analysis for a non-invasive determination of gilding thickness

When investigating gilded artifacts or works of art, the determination of the gilding thickness plays a significant role in establishing restoration protocols or conservation strategies. Unfortunately, this is done by cross-sectioning the object, a destructive approach not always feasible. A non-destructive alternative, based on the differential attenuation of fluorescence radiation from the sample, has been developed in the past years, but due to the intrinsic random nature of X-rays, the study of single or few spots of an objects surface may yield biased information. Furthermore, considering the effects of both porosity and sample inhomogeneities is a practice commonly overlooked, which may introduce systematic errors. In order to overcome these matters, here we propose the extrapolation of the differential-attenuation method from single-spot X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements to macro-XRF (MA-XRF) scanning. In this work, an innovative algorithm was developed for evaluating the large amount of data coming from MA-XRF datasets and evaluate the thickness of a given overlapping layer over an area. This approach was adopted to study a gilded copper-based buckle from the sixteenth to seventeenth century found in Rome. The gilded object under investigation was also studied by other analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Previous results obtained from SEM-EDS were used to confront the data obtained with the proposed methodology and validate it. MA-XRF elemental distribution maps were fundamental in identifying and choosing sampling areas to calculate the thickness of the gilding layer, avoiding lead islands present in the sample that could negatively influence the results. Albeit the large relative standard deviation, the mean thickness values fell within those found in literature and those obtained from previous studies with SEM-EDS. Surface fissure has been found to deeply affect the results obtained, an aspect that is often disregarded

Strange quark condensate from QCD sum rules to five loops

It is argued that it is valid to use QCD sum rules to determine the scalar and pseudoscalar two-point functions at zero momentum, which in turn determine the ratio of the strange to non-strange quark condensates $R_{su} = \frac{}{}$ with ($q=u,d$). This is done in the framework of a new set of QCD Finite Energy Sum Rules (FESR) that involve as integration kernel a second degree polynomial, tuned to reduce considerably the systematic uncertainties in the hadronic spectral functions. As a result, the parameters limiting the precision of this determination are $\Lambda_{QCD}$, and to a major extent the strange quark mass. From the positivity of $R_{su}$ there follows an upper bound on the latter: $\bar{m_{s}} (2 {GeV}) \leq 121 (105) {MeV}$, for $\Lambda_{QCD} = 330 (420) {MeV} .$Comment: Minor changes to Sections 2 and

Calcium Citrate Versus Calcium Carbonate in the Management of Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Clinical Trial

In hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT), calcium supplementation is virtually always required, although the disease is likely to be associated with an increased risk of nephrolithiasis. The use of calcium citrate (Ca-Cit) theoretically could have a positive impact on the nephrolithiasis risk because citrate salts are used to reduce this risk. Our objective was to evaluate the potential therapeutic advantage of Ca-Cit in comparison with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in HypoPT, on nephrolithiasis risk factors, as well as to their ability to maintain desirable serum calcium levels. We also evaluated these preparations on quality of life (QOL). This randomized, double-blind, crossover trial recruited 24 adults with postsurgical chronic hypoparathyroidism at Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome. Participants were randomized 1:1 to Ca-Cit or CaCO3 for 1 month and then crossed over to the other treatment for another month. The primary outcomes were changes in albumin-adjusted serum calcium and in ion activity product of calcium oxalate levels (AP[CaOx] index). Secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in SF-36 survey score, fatigue score, constipation, and adverse events. No difference in terms of AP(CaOx) index was observed between the two groups. However, Ca-Cit was associated with a significant reduction in the oxalate/creatinine ratio compared with CaCO3 (-2.46 mmol/mol [SD 11.93] versus 7.42 mmol/mol [SD 17.63], p = 0.029). Serum calcium and phosphorus concentration was not different between the two calcium preparations. Ca-Cit was associated with less constipation (p = 0.047). No difference was found in QOL scores. Although Ca-Cit did not modify the AP(CaOx) index when compared with CaCO3, it was associated with a reduction in urinary oxalate excretion that could have a potential beneficial effect on nephrolithiasis risk. These results are likely to have clinical implications in HypoPT, particularly those who do not tolerate CaCO3 and those affected by nephrolithiasis. A longer-term experience is needed to confirm these findings. (c) 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)

Study o f archaeological pottery from Paraná State em ploying nuclear non destructive techniques

Fragmentos de cerâmica indígena da região de Londrina, norte do estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil, pertencentes à coleção arqueológica do Museu “Padre Carlos Weiss” foram estudados por EDXRF, RBS e Transmissão de Raios Gama. Além da composição química da pasta cerâmica, também foi possível detectar alguns elementos dos vestígios da decoração plástica. Foram obtidas as composições quantitativas das pastas cerâmicas e comparadas com os resultados de análise química por espectroscopia de emissão atômica. Os fragmentos também foram analisados por transmissão de raios gama para inspecionar sua estrutura interna e homogeneidade. A análise densitométrica mostra claramente pastas cerâmicas bastante diferenciadas, tanto em homogeneidade como em densidade, sendo posssível a caracterização de algumas técnicas de manufatura da pasta, como a inclusão de pequenos fragmentos cerâmicos como antiplásticoIndian ceramic fragments from the region of Londrina, at the north of Paraná state, south of Brazil, belonging to the “Padre Carlos Weiss” Museum archaeological collection, were studied by EDXRF, RBS and Gamma Ray Transmission.Besides ceramic pastes’ elements, it was also possible to detect some elements of the plastic decoration remains. Quantitative determination of the pastes composition was obtained and compared with chemical analysis by atomic emission spectroscopy. The fragments were also analyzed by gamma ray transmission in order to inspect their internal structure and homogeneity. The densitometric analysis clearly showed very differentiated ceramic pastes, both in homogeneity and density, being possible the characterization of some ceramic paste manufacture techniques, as the inclusion of small ceramic fragments as antiplasti