Rare top decay t-> c l+l- as a probe of new physics

The rare top decay t-> c l+l-, which involves flavor violation, is studied as a possible probe of new physics. This decay is analyzed with the simplest Standard Model extensions with additional gauge symmetry formalism. The considered extension is the Left-Right Symmetric Model, including a new neutral gauge boson Z' that allows to obtain the decay at tree level through Flavor Changing Neutral Currents (FCNC) couplings. The neutral gauge boson couplings are considered diagonal but family non-universal in order to induce these FCNC. We find the $BR(t-> c l+l-)~10^{-13} for a range 1 TeV < M_{Z'} < 3 TeV.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

An immunohistochemical assessment of cellular proliferation markers in head and neck squamous cell cancers.

Prognostic information is essential for the evaluation, judgement and optimal treatment of patients with squamous cell cancers (SCCs) of the upper aerodigestive tract. Using immunohistochemical and flow cytometric techniques, we have studied the significance of cellular expression of the Ki-67 antigen, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the transferrin receptor (TFR) and DNA ploidy status in a prospective analysis of patients with SCCs of the head and neck region. All 42 fresh tumour samples (five well differentiated; 28 moderately differentiated; nine poorly differentiated) expressed both EGFR and TFR to varying degrees. Receptor expression was most marked on the peripheral invading margin of cancer cell islands although staining was also demonstrated in a random fashion within cellular islands and consistently along the basal cell layer of overlying stratified squamous epithelium. The percentage of cancer cells that reacted with the Ki-67 monoclonal antibody was assessed as low (less than 10%) in 15 samples (35.8%), intermediate (10-30%) in 19 samples (45.2%) and high (greater than 30%) in eight samples (19.0%). Eleven of 15 samples (73%) with a low percentage reactivity were DNA diploid, whereas seven of eight samples (87.5%) with a high percentage reactivity were DNA aneuploid. Poorly differentiated SCCs were significantly more often aneuploid than were either moderately or well differentiated tumours. Our results suggest that EGFR and TFR are widely distributed on SCCs, especially on proliferating cells at the invading tumour margin. In addition, there is a close spatial correlation between cells expressing EGFR, TFR and those expressing the Ki-67 antigen. Tumours in which the staining intensity for both EGFR and TFR was intense invariably expressed the Ki-67 antigen in a high proportion of cells. Further patient follow-up will be important in determining whether intense EGFR and TFR staining, combined with a high percentage reactivity with Ki-67 antibody and DNA aneuploidy, will ultimately define a subset of head and neck cancer patients with a poor clinical outcome

Ação larvicida de derivados arilsulfonilicos da (+)-canfora e da (+)-isopinocanfona sobre o carrapato Boophilus microplus.

Testou-se a atividade larvicida de 33 derivados arilsulfonílicos da (+)-cânfora e da (+)-isopinocanfona no carrapato B. microplus, na busca de princípios ativos menos tóxicos para o seu controle. Os produtos foram obtidos por clorossulfonação da (+)-cânfora e da (+)-isopinocanfona. Eles foram submetidos à solubilização e testados separadamente e em conjunto contra larvas de carrapato encerradas em envelopes contendo papéis impregnados e acondicionadas em estufa climatizada. A mortalidade média não atingiu 5% em todos os testes realizados, indicando que a clorossulfonação não é a rota de síntese mais adequada para a obtenção de derivados sintéticos com efeito larvicida sobre B. microplus. Os 33 produtos testados sob a forma de triagem biológica não podem ser considerados como potenciais acaricidas

Contestable adulthood: variability and disparity in markers for negotiating the transition to adulthood

Recent research has identified a discreet set of subjective markers that are seen as characterizing the transition to adulthood. The current study challenges this coherence by examining the disparity and variability in young people’s selection of such criteria. Four sentence-completion cues corresponding to four differentcontexts in which adult status might be contested were given to 156 British 16- to 17-year-olds. Their qualitative responses were analyzed to explore patterns whilst capturing some of their richness and diversity. An astonishing amount of variability emerged, both within and between cued contexts.The implications of this variability for how the transition to adulthood is experienced are explored. The argument is made that markers of the transition to adulthood are not merely reflective of the bio–psycho–social development of young people. Rather, adulthood here is seen as an essentially contested concept,located within the discursive interactional environment in which young people participate

Professionalism, golf coaching and a master of science degree

A distinction can be made between 'professionalisation', which is concerned with occupational status and standing, and 'professionalism,' which refers to matters of quality and standards of practice (especially specialized knowledge, ethics and altruism). The purpose of this stimulus article is to present key features of contemporary medical professionalism as a basis for critically reflecting on discourse associated with Tiger Woods' current coach, Sean Foley. It is suggested that that provision of a Master of Science degree in golf teaching/coaching would facilitate the development of 'professionalism' in golf coaches

Sensibilidade do carrapato Boophilus microplus a solventes.

A study was conducted to investigate the sensitivity of Boophilus microplus cattle ticks to different solvents. Larvae and engorged females of B. microplus were subjected to 7 solvents in 5 different concentrations in the presence and absence of olive oil. The utilization of olive oil did not produce different statistical results in the impregnated paper larval test. The same results were observed in the adult immersion test with hydrophilic compounds. The mean mortality caused by solvents was small in the larval test, and increased in immersion tests. Solvents with low molecular weight and viscosity such as alcohol and methyl alcohol did not affect the mortality of B. microplus in biological tests in concentrations below 76%.

Social trajectories or disrupted identities? : Changing and competing models of teacher professionalism under New Labour

Since the 1988 Education Reform Act, the teacher’s role in England has changed in many ways, a process which intensified under New Labour after 1997. Conceptions of teacher professionalism have become more structured and formalized, often heavily influenced by government policy objectives. Career paths have become more diverse and specialised. In this article, three post-1997 professional roles are given consideration as examples of these new specialised career paths: Higher Level Teaching Assistants, Teach First trainees and Advanced Skills Teachers. The article goes on to examine such developments within teaching, using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus to inform the analysis, as well as Bernstein’s theories of knowledge and identity. The article concludes that there has been considerable specialization and subsequent fragmentation of roles within the teaching profession, as part of workforce remodelling initiatives. However, there is still further scope for developing a greater sense of professional cohesion through social activism initiatives, such as the children's agenda. This may produce more stable professional identities in the future as the role of teachers within the wider children’s workforce is clarified

Efeito acaricida de óleos essenciais e concentrados emulsionáveis de Eucalyptus spp em Boophilus microplus

Realizou-se um estudo sobre a ação biocida de Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus e Eucalyptus staigeriana no carrapato Boophilus microplus, buscando-se a produção de acaricidas menos agressivos ao meio ambiente. Os óleos essenciais das três espécies e os concentrados emulsionáveis de E. globulus e E. staigeriana foram testados em cinco concentrações diferentes contra larvas e fêmeas ingurgitadas de B. microplus. Os óleos foram submetidos à análise por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG/EM), a fim de se investigar sua composição. O citronelal é o principal componente do óleo de E. citriodora, sendo responsável por sua ação acaricida. O mesmo ocorre com o 1,8-cineol em E. globulus. Em E. staigeriana existem várias substâncias que agem sinergicamente contra B. microplus. O óleo essencial de E. citriodora matou 100% dos carrapatos a uma concentração média de 17,5%, o de E. globulus a 15% e o de E. staigeriana a 12,5%. Os concentrados emulsionáveis de E. globulus mataram 100% dos carrapatos a uma concentração média de 9,9% e o de E. staigeriana a uma concentração de 3,9%. O desenvolvimento de produtos que possam ser testados a campo e comercializados a preços competitivos serão passos a serem seguidos. Os biocarrapaticidas têm um apelo comercial grande, permitindo controlar B. microplus de um modo menos agressivo ao meio ambiente