Nonergodic behavior of the clean Bose-Hubbard chain

We study ergodicity breaking in the clean Bose-Hubbard chain for small hopping strength. We see the existence of a non-ergodic regime by means of indicators as the half-chain entanglement entropy of the eigenstates, the average level spacing ratio, {the properties of the eigenstate-expectation distribution of the correlation and the scaling of the Inverse Participation Ratio averages.} We find that this ergodicity breaking {is different from many-body localization} because the average half-chain entanglement entropy of the eigenstates obeys volume law. This ergodicity breaking appears unrelated to the spectrum being organized in quasidegenerate multiplets at small hopping and finite system sizes, so in principle it can survive also for larger system sizes. We find that some imbalance oscillations in time which could mark the existence of a glassy behaviour in space are well described by the dynamics of a single symmetry-breaking doublet and {quantitatively} captured by a perturbative effective XXZ model. We show that the amplitude of these oscillations vanishes in the large-size limit. {Our findings are numerically obtained for systems with $L < 12$. Extrapolations of our scalings to larger system sizes should be taken with care, as discussed in the paper.Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures, extensively revised version published in Physical Review B, Eq. (21) in the correct for

Clonagem de genes ureG putativos de Glomus intraradices e atividades de urease em raízes micorrízicas arbusculares de tabaco

Even though the major benefit of arbuscular mycorrhizae is the increased uptake of phosphate from the soil solution and translocation to the plant, changes in the activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen (N) metabolism have been detected in mycorrhizal roots. Using differential display of reverse-transcripts of tobacco roots not-inoculated or inoculated with Glomus intraradices (Gi), we have cloned two partial cDNAs (NtGi2 and NtGi3). The presence of a conserved CobW/HypB/UreG domain and phylogenetic analyses suggest that NtGi2 and NtGi3 encode isoforms of urease accessory protein G (ureG) highly similar to ureG from fungi. The steady state levels of the putative ureG transcripts were shown to be higher in roots colonized by Gi, as compared to non-mycorrhizal controls. Urease activities were also determined in tobacco roots inoculated with Glomus clarum (Gc) or Gi and grown in substrate containing 50, 100 or 150 mg N kg-1 in the form of ammonium sulfate (N-AMS) or urea (N-URE). Urease activities were shown to be induced in mycorrhizal roots fertilized with 100 mg N-AMS kg-1. In Gc-colonized roots fertilized with N-URE, induction of urease activities was observed at the lowest N concentration. In contrast, at the highest N-URE concentration, suppression of urease activities was observed in Gc and Gi-colonized roots, as compared to non-mycorrhizal controls. Urease activities in roots were modulated by soil N availability and source, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation.Muito embora o maior benefício de micorrizas arbusculares seja o incremento na absorção de fosfato da solução do solo e translocação para a planta, alterações nas atividades de enzimas envolvidas no metabolismo de nitrogênio (N) têm sido detectadas em raízes micorrizadas. Usando differential display of reverse-transcripts de raízes de tabaco não-inoculadas ou inoculadas com Glomus intraradices (Gi), dois cDNAs parciais (NtGi2 e NtGi3) foram clonados. A presença de um domínio CobW/HypB/UreG conservado e a análise filogenética sugerem que NtGi2 e NtGi3 codificam isoformas de proteínas acessórias da urease G (ureG) altamente similares a ureG de fungos. Os níveis de transcritos dos genes ureG putativos foram mais elevados em raízes colonizadas por Gi, em relação ao controle não-micorrizado. As atividades de urease foram determinadas em raízes de tabaco inoculadas com Glomus clarum (Gc) ou Gi e cultivadas em substrato contendo 50, 100 ou 150 mg N kg-¹, na forma de sulfato de amônio (N-AMS) ou uréia (N-URE). As atividades de ureases foram induzidas em raízes micorrizadas cultivadas com 100 mg N-AMS kg-¹. Em raízes colonizadas por Gc e cultivadas com N-URE, a indução das atividades de urease foi observada na concentração mais baixa de N. Em contraste, na concentração mais elevada de N-URE, supressão das atividades de urease em raízes colonizadas por Gc e Gi, em relação aos controles não-micorrizados, foi observada. As atividades de urease nas raízes foram moduladas pela disponibilidade e fonte de N no solo, e pela inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares.FAPESPCNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Internal Disinhibition Predicts Weight Regain Following Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance

Objective: The disinhibition scale of the Eating Inventory predicts weight loss outcome; however, it may include multiple factors. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the disinhibition scale and determine how its factors independently relate to long-term weight loss outcomes. Research Methods and Procedures: Exploratory factor analysis of the disinhibition scale was conducted on 286 participants in a behavioral weight loss trial (TRIM), and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on 3345 members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), a registry of successful weight loss maintainers. Multivariate regressions were used to examine the relationships between the disinhibition scale factors and weight over time in both samples. Results: Using baseline data from TRIM, two factors were extracted from the disinhibition scale: 1) an internal factor that described eating in response to internal cues, such as feelings and thoughts; and 2) an external factor that described eating in response to external cues, such as social events. This factor structure was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis in the NWCR. In TRIM, internal disinhibition significantly predicted weight loss at 6 months (p = 0.03) and marginally significantly predicted weight loss at 18 months (p = 0.06), with higher levels of internal disinhibition at baseline predicting less weight loss; external disinhibition did not predict weight loss at any time-point. In NWCR, internal disinhibition significantly predicted one-year weight change (p = 0.001), while external disinhibition did not. Discussion: These results suggest that it is the disinhibition of eating in response to internal cues that is associated with poorer long-term weight loss outcomes

Susceptibilities of enterococcus faecalis biofilms to some antimicrobial medications

Enterococcus faecalis has bEnterococcus faecalis has been suggested to be an important etiological agent in endodontic failures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine- or antibiotics-based medications in eliminating E. faecalis biofilms. One-day and three-day biofilms of E. faecalis were induced on cellulose nitrate membrane filters. Each biofilm-containing membrane was thoroughly covered with 1 ml of the test medications and incubated for 1 day at 37°C. Treated biofilms were then aseptically transferred to vials containing a neutralizing agent in saline solution and vortexed. Suspensions were 10-fold diluted, seeded onto Mitis salivarius agar plates, and the colony-forming units counted after 48 h of incubation. There were significant differences between the formulations tested. The association of clindamycin with metronidazole significantly reduced the number of cells in 1-day biofilms. However of all medications tested, only 2% chlorhexidine-containing medications were able to thoroughly eliminate most of both 1-day and 3-day E. faecalis biofilms

EFFICIENCY INDEX USED TO ASSESS SHOULDER STRESS IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL PITCHERS THROUGHOUT A SIMULATED GAME

Shoulder distraction forces in softball pitching are known to have a positive impact on performance yet a negative impact on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in shoulder stress across innings pitched using Efficiency Arm-Stress Index (EASI) scores. Motion capture was used on collegiate softball pitchers pitching a simulated game. Peak shoulder distraction force was obtained using inverse dynamics procedures and used to calculate an EASI score (fastball velocity divided by peak shoulder distraction force in percent body weight). A RM·ANOVA revealed inning had no effect on EASI score (F[6,7]=1.28, p=0.286). Understanding a pitcher’s efficiency score may help shape individual pitching loads. Future work should investigate clinically meaningful changes in efficiency scores and mechanisms behind low efficiencies

Cr segregation and impact fracture in a martensitic stainless steel

The fracture surfaces of a 10.5 wt.% Cr martensitic stainless steel broken in Charpy tests have been investigated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The specimens have been examined in two different conditions: as-quenched and heat treated for 10 h at 700°C. The trends of Fe/Cr ratio vs. test temperature are similar to the sigmoidal curves of absorbed energy and, after both ductile and quasi-cleavage brittle fractures, such ratio is always significantly lower than the nominal value of the steel chemical composition. Cr segregation does not occur on a macroscopic scale but takes place in microscopic zones which represent weaker spots in the steel matrix and a preferred path for moving cracks. Small area (diameter 300 μm) XPS measurements evidenced a higher density of such microscopic zones in the inner part of probes; this is explained by the different diffusion length of Cr atoms in the external and inner parts during quenching from austenitic field which has been calculated through FEM simulations. No significant differences of Cr concentration were observed in fracture surfaces of probes with and without heat treatment. The results highlight how Cr segregation plays a role not only in the intergranular mode of fracture but also in the quasi-cleavage and ductile ones

What Distinguishes Weight-Loss Maintainers from the Treatment-Seeking Obese? Analysis of Environmental, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Variables in Diverse Populations

Background Understanding the factors that influence successful weight control is critical for developing interventions. Purpose The purpose of the study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of psychosocial, environmental, and behavioral variables in distinguishing weight-loss maintainers (WLM) from treatment-seeking obese (TSO). Methods WLM (n=167) had lost ≥10% of their maximum body weight, had kept the weight off for ≥5 years, and were now of normal weight. TSO-1 and TSO-2 had a history of dieting and body mass index ≥25. TSO-1 was predominantly Caucasian; TSO-2 was predominantly African-American. Bayesian model averaging was used to identify the variables that distinguished WLM from TSO-1 and TSO-2. Results The variables that most consistently discriminated WLM from TSO were more physical activity (ORs = 3.95 and 2.85), more dietary restraint (ORs = 1.63 and 1.41), and less dietary disinhibition (ORs = 0.69 and 0.83). Environmental variables, including the availability of physical activity equipment, TVs, and high-fat foods in the home, also distinguished WLM from TSO. Conclusions Obesity treatment should focus on increasing conscious control over eating, engaging in physical activity, and reducing disinhibition. Changes in the home environment may help facilitate these behavioral changes

In vitro faecal fermentation of Tritordeum breads and its effect on the human gut health

Spontaneous fermentation of Tritordeum flour enhances the nutritional potential of this hybrid cereal. However, the effect of consumption of Tritordeum sourdough bread (SDB) on gut health remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of in vitro digestion and faecal fermentation of SDB compared to that of traditional baker's yeast (BYB) Tritordeum bread. After 24-h anaerobic faecal fermentation, both SDB and BYB (1% w/v) induced an increase in the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium, Megasphaera, Mitsuokella, and Phascolarctobacterium genera compared to baseline, while concentrations of acetate and butyrate were significantly higher at 24 h for SDB compared to those for BYB. Integrity of intestinal epithelium, as assessed through in vitro trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay, was slightly increased after incubation with SDB fermentation supernatants, but not after incubation with BYB fermentation supernatants. The SDB stimulated in vitro mucosal immune response by inducing early secretion of inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, followed by downregulation of the inflammatory trigger through induction of anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression. Overall, our findings suggest that Tritordeum sourdough can modulate gut microbiota fermentation activity and positively impact the gut health