PRESENCE AND PREVALENCE OF BD (BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIAN WOODLAND VERNAL POOLS

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a virulent chytrid fungus responsible for dramatic amphibian declines, has been detected in the northwestern and southeastern regions of Pennsylvania. However, little environmental Bd testing has been performed in central Pennsylvania, particularly in the unique and speciose habitats of woodland vernal pools. Our study included sampling in four vernal pools over a period of three months during amphibian breeding periods. Skin swabs were taken from three caudate and two anuran species, during the course of late winter and spring migrations (n = 143). Low Bd zoospore equivalent loads were detected in only a few individuals, in three of the five species but in all four vernal pools sampled. No significant trends were seen between zoospore loads and ambient temperature or migration timing across the species sampled

Quasiclassical calculation of spontaneous current in restricted geometries

Calculation of current and order parameter distribution in inhomogeneous superconductors is often based on a self-consistent solution of Eilenberger equations for quasiclassical Green's functions. Compared to the original Gorkov equations, the problem is much simplified due to the fact that the values of Green's functions at a given point are connected to the bulk ones at infinity (boundary values) by ``dragging'' along the classical trajectories of quasiparticles. In finite size systems, where classical trajectories undergo multiple reflections from surfaces and interfaces, the usefulness of the approach is no longer obvious, since there is no simple criterion to determine what boundary value a trajectory corresponds to, and whether it reaches infinity at all. Here, we demonstrate the modification of the approach based on the Schophol-Maki transformation, which provides the basis for stable numerical calculations in 2D. We apply it to two examples: generation of spontaneous currents and magnetic moments in isolated islands of d-wave superconductor with subdominant order-parameters s and d_{xy}, and in a grain boundary junction between two arbitrarily oriented d-wave superconductors. Both examples are relevant to the discussion of time-reversal symmetry breaking in unconventional superconductors, as well as for application in quantum computing.Comment: 6 pages, Submitted for publication in the proceedings of MS+S2002 conference, Japa

Aspectos clínicos e funcionais de distúrbios músculo-esqueletais entre trabalhadores ativos

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate musculoskeletal disorders among active industrial workers. METHODS: The study was carried out in São Carlos, Southeastern Brazil, in 2005. One hundred and thirty-four female workers were physically evaluated and answered questions about their physical symptoms, filled out a pain scale and gave responses in the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and the Work Ability Index questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively, and in correlation tests and through applying logistic regression. The outcome was evaluated in relation to the perceptions of pain, symptoms, physical assessment, ability to work and disability. RESULTS: Clinical evaluations and sick leave presented positive correlations with the subjective variables. The Work Ability Index presented a negative correlation with the physical disability index (r=-0.69). Symptoms reported at the time of the assessment presented a good correlation with the results from the pain scale and the clinical findings. Previous sick leave showed an association with disability (OR=1.13; 95% CI:1.08;1.18). CONCLUSION: Symptom reports and pain scales may be useful for assessing current conditions at the time of evaluating individuals with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, as they are easier to apply. In more severe cases of such injuries, clinical and functional evaluations and questionnaires such as those relating to ability to work and disability are preferable. Precise and specific evaluations of these disorders may contribute towards fairer legal and administrative decisions.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os distúrbios osteomusculares entre trabalhadores ativos da indústria. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi realizado em São Carlos, SP, em 2005. Cento e trinta e quatro trabalhadoras foram fisicamente avaliadas e responderam a questões sobre sintomas físicos, escala de dor e aos questionários: de Incapacidade Oswestry e o Índice de Capacidade para o Trabalho. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente, em testes de correlação e regressões foram aplicados. O desfecho foi avaliado em relação à percepção de dor, sintomas, avaliação física, capacidade para o trabalho e incapacidade. RESULTADOS: Avaliações clínicas e afastamentos apresentaram correlações positivas com os aspectos subjetivos avaliados. O índice de capacidade para o trabalho apresentou correlação negativa com o índice de incapacidade física (r=-0,69). Sintomas no momento da avaliação apresentaram boa correlação com resultados da escala de dor e achados clínicos. Afastamentos prévios mostraram associação com incapacidade (OR=1,13; IC 95%:1,08;1,18). CONCLUSÕES: Relato de sintomas e escala de dor podem ser úteis para avaliar condições presentes no momento da avaliação em indivíduos com distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho, pois são mais simples de aplicar. Em casos mais severos de lesões, avaliações clínicas e funcionais e questionários, tais como capacidade para o trabalho e incapacidade são preferíveis. Avaliações precisas e específicas desses distúrbios podem contribuir para decisões administrativas e legais mais justas

Identification and Exploitation of Inadvertent Spectral Artifacts in Digital Audio

We show that modulation products from local oscillators in a variety of commercial camcorders are coupled into the recorded audio track, creating narrow band time invariant spectral features. These spectral features, left largely intact by transcoding, compression and other forms of audiovisual post processing, can encode characteristics of specific camcorders used to capture the audio files, including the make and model. Using data sets both downloaded from YouTube and collected under controlled laboratory conditions we demonstrate an average probability of detection (Pd) approaching 0.95 for identification of a specific camcorder in a population of thousands of similar recordings, with a probability of false alarm (Pfa) of about 0.11. We also demonstrate an average Pd of about 0.93 for correct association of make and model of camcorder based on comparison of audio spectral features extracted from random YouTube downloads compared to a reference library of spectral features captured from known makes and models of camcorders, with a Pfa of 0.06. The method described can be used independently or synergistically with image plane-based techniques such as those based upon Photo Response Non-Uniformity

Distance protection algorithm for multiterminal HVDC systems using the Hilbert–Huang transform

Multiterminal high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems still need advances in terms of protection in order to improve their reliability. In this context, the distance protection can play a major role by adding selectivity to the existing DC fault detection algorithms. Hence, the present work proposes a non-unit DC distance protection algorithm that uses the frequency of the DC voltage transient oscillation to estimate the distance of the fault. The DC voltage transient frequency is extracted using the Hilbert–Huang transform and compared with a pre-defined frequency/distance curve. The technique was evaluated by simulating faults in a four-terminal symmetric monopole multiterminal HVDC system. In the simulation environment the algorithm was fully selective for faults within the first protection zone and had a correct operation rate of 94% or more for faults located in the second protection zone. To further validate the presented technique, the proposed algorithm was embedded in a digital signal controller, running in real-time. In all performed tests in hardware, the faults were correctly detected and identified as being internal or external. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm could be used in real-world applications, in conjunction with fault detection techniques, adding selectivity to multiterminal DC protection schemes

Belief heterogeneity and survival in incomplete markets

In complete markets economies (Sandroni [16]), or in economies with Pareto optimal outcomes (Blume and Easley [10]), the market selection hypothesis holds, as long as traders have identical discount factors. Traders who survive must have beliefs that merge with the truth. We show that in incomplete markets, regardless of traders’ discount factors, the market selects for a range of beliefs, at least some of which do not merge with the truth. We also show that impatient traders with incorrect beliefs can survive and that these incorrect beliefs impact prices. These beliefs may be chosen so that they are far from the truth

Experiências de adubação mineral e orgânica com Capim Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst.)

Kikuio grass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst) is beyond any doubt, a pasture very important for farm animals; since its chemical composition is very similar to that of alfalfa, the present field trial was carried out; a randomized block design with 8 treatments was selected as follows: 1 N - P - K - Ca - Mg (complete manuring) 2 N - P - K - Ca----- (without Mg) 3 N - P - K-------Mg (without Ca) 4 ----P - K - Ca - Mg (without N) 5 N------K - Ca Mg (without P) 6 N - P - Ca - Mg (without K) 7 organic matter (without mineral fertilizers) 8 control Nitrogen was applied as NaN03 (topdressed) and as ammonium sulfate; P2O5 was given as superphosphate associated to bonemeal; K2O was applied as muriate, CaO as "sambaquis" (oyster shells); MgO was given as MgSO4 (topdressed). The source of organic matter was farmyard manure. As far yields are concerned the following observations were made: 1. treatment n. 7 was superior to all others; 2. considering the mineral fertilizers, good responses were due to N and P2O5; 3. the control yield was exceedingly poor, being inferior to all the others treatments; The chemical analyses revealed that: 1. the protein content decreased accordingly to this order: 7, 6, 5 and 1; treatment 4 (without N) gave the lowest protein content; 2. treatment n. 4 produced the highest fat content; treatment no. 7 ranked second; no. 8 gave the lowest fat content; 3. crude fiber: highest - treatment 7; lowest - 8; 4. ashes: the ashes content was higher in treatment 5; proprobably because the most abundant element in the ashes is K, the ash content of treatment 6 (no K) was very low; 5. non nitrogenous substances (determined by difference) - high in treatment 8 and low in treatment 7; 6. mineral elements in the ashes - the element omitted from a given treatment was very low in the grasses therein obtained; this shows the relative poverty of the soil in that element. As general remark the Authors suggest the use of farmyard manure in the fertilization of Kikuio grass; farmyard manure could probably substitute wither green manure or compost