Unification of SU(2)xU(1) Using a Generalized Covariant Derivative and U(3)

A generalization of the Yang-Mills covariant derivative, that uses both vector and scalar fields and transforms as a 4-vector contracted with Dirac matrices, is used to simplify and unify the Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model. Since SU(3) assigns the wrong hypercharge to the Higgs boson, it is necessary to use a special representation of U(3) to obtain all the correct quantum numbers. A surplus gauge scalar boson emerges in the process, but it uncouples from all other particles.Comment: 12 pages, no figures. To be published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Pseudogap and the specific heat of high TcT_c superconductors

The specific heat of a two dimensional repulsive Hubbard model with local interaction is investigated. We use the two-pole approximation which exhibits explicitly important correlations that are sources of the pseudogap anomaly. The interplay between the specific heat and the pseudogap is the main focus of the present work. Our self consistent numerical results show that above the occupation $n_T\approx 0.85$, the specific heat starts to decrease due to the presence of a pseudogap in the density of states. We have also observed a two peak structure in the specific heat. Such structure is robust with respect to the Coulomb interaction $U$ but it is significantly affected by the occupation $n_T$. A detailed study of the two peak structure is carried out in terms of the renormalized quasi-particle bands. The role of the second nearest neighbor hopping on the specific heat behavior and on the pseudogap, is extensively discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Solid State Communication

Specific heat of a non-local attractive Hubbard model

The specific heat of an attractive (interaction $G<0$) non-local Hubbard model is investigated. We use a two-pole approximation which leads to a set of correlation functions. In particular, the correlation function $\ $plays an important role as a source of anomalies in the normal state of the model. Our results show that for a giving range of$G$and$\delta$where$\delta=1-n_T$($n_T=n_{\uparrow}+n_{\downarrow}$), the specific heat as a function of the temperature presents a two peak structure. Nevertehelesss, the presence of a pseudogap on the anti-nodal points$(0,\pm\pi)$and$(\pm\pi,0)$ eliminates the two peak structure, the low temperature peak remaining. The effects of the second nearest neighbor hopping on the specific heat are also investigated.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Detection of very-high-energy gamma-ray emission from the vicinity of PSR B1706-44 with H.E.S.S

The energetic pulsar PSR B1706-44 and the adjacent supernova remnant (SNR) candidate G 343.1-2.3 were observed by H.E.S.S. during a dedicated observational campaign in 2007. A new source of very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission, HESS J1708-443, was discovered with its centroid at RA(J2000) = 17h08m10s and Dec(J2000) = -44d21', with a statistical error of 3 arcmin on each axis. The VHE gamma-ray source is significantly more extended than the H.E.S.S. point-spread function, with an intrinsic Gaussian width of 0.29 +/- 0.04 deg. Its energy spectrum can be described by a power law with a photon index Gamma = 2.0 +/- 0.1 (stat) +/- 0.2 (sys). The integral flux measured between 1-10 TeV is ~17% of the Crab Nebula flux in the same energy range. The possible associations with PSR B1706-44 and SNR G343.1-2.3 are discussed.Comment: 4+ pages, 2 figures; v1 submitted to ICRC Proceedings on 15 May 2009; v2 has additional references and minor change

Temporary use of a coastal ecosystem by the fish, Pomadasys corvinaeformis (Perciformes: Haemulidae), at Guaratuba Bay, Brazil

Pomadasys corvinaeformis is Qne ofthe most abundant species found in Guaratuba Bay, an Atlantic coastal, estuarine ecosystem in Paraná, Brazil. We tested whether this species comprises a resident or migratorial population. Abundance, size distribution, and gonad development of individuaIs captured during the year show that pre-adults enter the system when salinities are greater (autumn and early winter). During this time, they are mostly associated with mangroves and adjacent areas. When salinities begin to fall (late spring and summer) these now maturing individuaIs return to the sea where they spawn. Thus, P. corvinaeformis is migratorial and estuarine-dependent and uses this area prior to sexual maturity. During the period in this bay, P. corvinaeformis presents a great plasticity of feeding habits, that include inainly Crustacea, MoIlusca and Thaliacea.Pomadasys corvinaeformis é uma das espécies de maior representatividade na ictiofauna da Baía de Guaratuba, litoral do Estado do Paraná. Este trabalho investigou se a espécie compõe ali uma população permanente, residente no sistema, ou se é migratória, fteqüentando-o apenas em épocas determinadas. Resultados de 12 meses sobre variações de abundância, distribuição de tamanho e aspectos reprodutivos indicam que indivíduos subadultos ingressam no sistema quando a salinidade é maior (outono, começo de inverno). Nesta época, os indivíduos utilizam a área de manguezal e suas adjacências. Quanto a salinidade começa a cair (final de primavera, verão), estes indivíduos agora em maturação gonadal retomam para o mar, onde desovam. P. corvinaeformis é, portanto, uma espécie migratória e estuarino-dependente que utiliza a Baía em período anterior ao de maturidade gonadal. Ali, apresenta uma dieta muito variada, constituída basicamente de Crustacea, MoIlusca e Thaliacea

Antigen Presentation and Autophagy in Teleost Adaptive Immunity

Infectious diseases are a burden for aquaculture. Antigen processing and presentation (APP) to the immune effector cells that fight pathogens is key in the adaptive immune response. At the core of the adaptive immunity that appeared in lower vertebrates during evolution are the variable genes encoding the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC class I molecules mainly present peptides processed in the cytosol by the proteasome and transported to the cell surface of all cells through secretory compartments. Professional antigen-presenting cells (pAPC) also express MHC class II molecules, which normally present peptides processed from exogenous antigens through lysosomal pathways. Autophagy is an intracellular self-degradation process that is conserved in all eukaryotes and is induced by starvation to contribute to cellular homeostasis. Self-digestion during autophagy mainly occurs by the fusion of autophagosomes, which engulf portions of cytosol and fuse with lysosomes (macroautophagy) or assisted by chaperones (chaperone-mediated autophagy, CMA) that deliver proteins to lysosomes. Thus, during self-degradation, antigens can be processed to be presented by the MHC to immune effector cells, thus, linking autophagy to APP. This review is focused on the essential components of the APP that are conserved in teleost fish and the increasing evidence related to the modulation of APP and autophagy during pathogen infection.Versión del editor2,46

A influência das atividades mineradoras na alteração do pH e da alcalinidade em águas fluviais: o exemplo do rio Capivari, região do carste paranaense.

As atividades de mineração causam vários tipos de impactos ao meio ambiente. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de impacto sobre recursos hídricos superficiais desenvolvidos numa bacia hidrográfica na região metropolitana de Curitiba (PR), onde se observaram modificações no pH e na alcalinidade nas águas do rio Capivari ocorridas num intervalo médio de doze anos. Foram avaliados 387 dias de amostragem da série 1986/1987 e 1.095 dias da série 1998/2000. Comparando-se as duas séries, observou-se que, ao longo deste período (1986-2000), a média do pH elevou-se, em média, 0,5 unidade, enquanto a alcalinidade aumentou em 15%. De 1980 a 2001, as áreas de mineração desta mesma bacia tiveram uma expansão de aproximadamente 47.000 m2/ano. Avaliações ao longo do rio revelaram, nos locais à jusante e mais próximos das pedreiras, que o pH apresenta valores mais altos, tornando-se alcalino, e a condutividade elétrica aumenta. Esses dados confirmam a hipótese de que a expansão das áreas de mineração provocaria alterações nos valores de pH e de alcalinidade das águas do rio Capivari

Caracterização do óleo de pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.).

O pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas L.), pertencente a familia Euphorbiaceae, e uma planta nativa da America tropical, naturalizada em partes tropicais e subtropicais da Africa e Asia. Sua distribuição geografica e bastante vasta devido a sua rusticidade, resistencia a longas estiagens, bem como a pragas e doencas, sendo adaptavel a condicoes edafoclimaticas muito variaveis. O fruto de J.curcas contem oleo viscoso que pode ser usado na industria de cosmeticos, como substituto do querosene, e na fabricacao de sabao e combustivel para motores diesel. Este trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar o oleo de pinhao manso segundo sua composicao quimica e parâmetros fisico-quimicos, tendo em vista sua utilizacao para a producao de biocombustivel..