Signature of a Cosmic String Wake at z=3z=3

In this paper, we describe the results of N-body simulation runs, which include a cosmic string wake of tension $G\mu= 4 \times 10^{-8}$ on top of the usual $\Lambda CDM$ fluctuations. To obtain a higher resolution of the wake in the simulations compared to previous work, we insert the effects of the string wake at a lower redshift and perform the simulations in a smaller volume. A curvelet analysis of the wake and no-wake maps is applied, indicating that the presence of a wake can be extracted at a three-sigma confidence level from maps of the two-dimensional dark matter projection down to a redshift of $z=3$.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures; We have improved the analysis and results. The text now agrees with the published versio

Unstable and elusive superconductors

We briefly review earlier and report original experimental results in the context of metastable or possible superconducting materials. We show that applied electric field induces conducting state in Copper Chloride (CuCl) whose characteristics resemble behavior of sliding charge-density-wave(s) (CDW). We discuss whether the sliding CDW or collective transport of similar ordered charge phase(s) may account for the problem of "high-temperature superconductivity" observed in this and other materials, including Cadmium Sulfide (CdS), metal-ammonia solutions, polymers, amorphous carbon and tungsten oxides. We also discuss a local superconductivity that occurs at the surface of graphite and amorphous carbon under deposition of foreign atoms/molecules.Comment: Invited review article published in a special edition on Superconducting Materials in honor of the 95th birthday year of Ted Geballe, edited by M. B. Maple, J. Hirsch, and F. Marsigli

Initial development and production of CO2 in colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens during the claustral foundation

Queens in the genus Atta are solely responsible for fungus cultivation and for care of herself and her offspring. Only few studies have investigated their nests in the claustral foundation and it is unknown the production rate of expelled carbon dioxide and/or of oxygen consumption in the initial colonies of leaf-cutting ants. Thus, we have studied the development of 50 initial colonies of Atta sexdens, and production of expelled carbon dioxide under laboratory conditions. The number of eggs was counted one week after nest foundation on the seventh day, the larvae counted on day 28, and the pupae between days 42 and 49. The workers emerged on the 63rd and 70th day. The CO2 concentration increased steeply in the 42nd days (20.60 ± 8.36%) and 49th days (15,37 ± 13,11 %), at 42nd days,  and subsequently returned to lower values, for example, 3.35±2.84% at week seven. The present study is the first to present CO2 emission data in initial nests, in their claustral foundation under laboratory conditions

Uncovering the expression patterns of chimeric transcripts using surveys of affymetrix GeneChips.

BACKGROUND: A chimeric transcript is a single RNA sequence which results from the transcription of two adjacent genes. Recent studies estimate that at least 4% of tandem human gene pairs may form chimeric transcripts. Affymetrix GeneChip data are used to study the expression patterns of tens of thousands of genes and the probe sequences used in these microarrays can potentially map to exotic RNA sequences such as chimeras. RESULTS: We have studied human chimeras and investigated their expression patterns using large surveys of Affymetrix microarray data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. We show that for six probe sets, a unique probe mapping to a transcript produced by one of the adjacent genes can be used to identify the expression patterns of readthrough transcripts. Furthermore, unique probes mapping to an intergenic exon present only in the MASK-BP3 chimera can be used directly to study the expression levels of this transcript. CONCLUSIONS: We have attempted to implement a new method for identifying tandem chimerism. In this analysis unambiguous probes are needed to measure run-off transcription and probes that map to intergenic exons are particularly valuable for identifying the expression of chimeras

The impact of the smoke free law on the number of car crashes related with alcohol consumption

I study the effects of the changes on the tobacco control laws in the United States on the number of car crashes related with alcohol consumption. Understanding how these law changes affected the number of fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver can shed light on the link between alcohol and tobacco .I explore the timing of adoption in different states in a difference-in-differences framework to identify the results. I observe a significant decrease in alcohol related accidents two years after anti-tobacco policies, however this reduction seems not be associated with the smoke free laws in bars and restaurants because I also observe the same consequence in the number of car crashes not related with alcohol consumption. Thus, there is a reduction on the overall total car crashes after the application of the smoke free laws but it is not an unintended consequence due to the relationship between drinking and smoking

Projeto biotecnologia : uma parceria empresa-universidade no ensino médio como ferramenta para proporcionar educação científica de qualidade

O Colégio Bandeirantes, uma escola particular de São Paulo-Brasil, desenvolve desde 1998 um projeto interdisciplinar com alunos do Ensino Médio – Projeto Biotecnologia. O projeto é extracurricular e anual . O objetivo principal do projeto é promover, a partir de parceria com a universidade pública, uma educação científica com significativos conhecimentos básico e específico, tanto teóricos como práticos, em biotecnologia. Utiliza-se também o TELEDUC, um espaço virtual com ferramentas de ensino à distância que possibilitam a organização das atividades e monitoria de cada participante. A parceria empresa-universidade inclui consultoria e palestras remuneradas, visitas a laboratórios e estágio aos alunos com melhor desempenho. A avaliação dos alunos é feita com questionários, entrevistas, análise de textos, apresentações orais e prova escrita individual

Global interactions between firms and universities: Global Innovation Networks as first steps towards a Global Innovation System

This paper aims to broaden the horizon as well as to shed further light on the studies of interaction between firms and universities in a global context. Its starting point is thus a review of two different strands of the literature on innovation. First, the literature on interaction by Klevorick et al (1995) and Nelson (1993), and second, the more recent literature on Global Innovation Networks (GINs) by Ernst ( 2006) and The Economist Intelligence Unit ( 2007). These strands share a common problem: each has a blind spot in relation to the core focus of the other strand. The literature on interaction does not consider the international dimension in any depth, and the GINs literature does not integrate the university dimension adequately. This paper addresses the common weakness through a combination of the two approaches, searching for interactions between firms and universities globally. In doing so, the paper also puts forward a tentative framework on global interaction between firms and universities.interactions between firms and universities, National Innovation Systems, Global Innovation Networks.

Nitrogen and potassium fertilization of Aster ericoides cultivated in greenhouse

O Aster ericoides é uma flor de corte recentemente introduzida no Brasil com grande potencial de produção e aceitação pelo mercado consumidor, mas são escassas as informações sobre o manejo da adubação, prática fundamental para desenvolvimento e qualidade da planta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar adubações nitrogenadas e potássicas na produção e absorção de nutrientes pelo Aster ericoides (White Master) cultivado em Latossolo Amarelo eutrófico em condições de estufa. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento de blocos completos em esquema fatorial (4x4) com 4 doses de N (0; 50; 75 e 100 kg ha-1 N), 4 doses de K (0; 52; 78; 104 kg ha-1 K2O) e 4 repetições no segundo ciclo da planta. A população foi de 400 mil plantas por hectare. Após 105 dias, foram colhidas dez hastes de cada parcela. A produção de matéria seca de hastes e folhas, número de flores por haste, número de ramificações laterais por haste não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos. A dose de 46 kg ha-1 de N proporcionou máxima produção de matéria seca de flores (19,40 g planta-1) e a adubação com potássio não influenciou as características avaliadas. Estes resultados mostraram que é preciso ser cauteloso com as altas adubações de N e K no solo estudado para não reduzir a produção de matéria seca de flores. Mais estudos sobre a fertilização nitrogenada e potássica devem ser realizados para definir a recomendação de doses adequadas para o cultivo de Aster ericoides em condições tropicais.The Aster ericoides is a cut flower crop recently introduced into Brazil. It has great production potential and acceptation by consumer market but exist little information about fertilization management, essential to its development and quality. In this work we evaluated the nitrogen and potassium fertilization on dry matter yield and nutrient absorption by Aster ericoides (White Master) growing in a Typic Hapludox soil under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design factorial scheme (4 x 4) with 4 rates of N (0; 50; 75 and 100 kg ha-1 N), 4 rates of K (0; 52; 78; 104 kg ha-1 K2O) and 4 replicates at second cycle of culture. The population was maintained at 400,000 plants per hectare. After 105 days, ten stems of each plot were harvested. The stem and leaf dry matter production, number of flowers in each stem and number of principal lateral shoots in each stem were not influenced by treatments. The rate of 46 kg ha-1 of N resulted in maximum flower dry matter production (19.40 g plant-1) and potassium fertilization did not influence the evaluated characteristics. These results showed how necessary it is to be careful with N and K fertilization in this type of soil, to avoid reduced flower dry matter production. More studies about nitrogen and potassium fertilization should be done to define adequate recommendations for Aster ericoides planting under tropical conditions

Longitudinal Analysis Of Patents On Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is epidemiologically relevant worldwide because it is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer. This study aims to present the mapping of technologies related to colorectal cancer. The search took place during the months of May and June 2019. The Leans database was used, which collects global patent information. The search occurred through the term "colorectal cancer", inserted in the title or abstract fields. Patents with publication date between January 1, 2000 and June 1, 2019 were selected. Only the patents granted and those filed were filtered (patent application; granted patent). A total of 6,850 patents were identified, of which 5,445 (79.48%) correspond to patents filed and 1,405 (20.51%) are patents granted in the period from 2000 to 2019. In 2000, 47 patents on colorectal cancer were published. The quantitative growth of technologies filed and granted was constant. In 2017 there was a total of 911 applications, indicating a growth of 1938.29% in relation to the year 2000. The first patent of the period was on the APC gene mutation, associated with colorectal cancer in families of Ashkenazi Jews, developed by Laken and collaborators (2000), and belongs to Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. It can be concluded that the mapping of patents is important to trace a panorama of the world technological advance, as well as it can also be used as an instrument to identify scientific articles that cite patents developed in a given time space