Evidence for partial rotation alignment in proton emitting 121Pr

Abstract Using nonadiabatic quasiparticle calculations we reproduce the experimental half-life for proton radioactivity in 121Pr assuming that the decaying state has angular momentum J π = 7 / 2 − , thus showing for the first time clear evidence for partial rotation alignment in a proton emitting nucleus. The treatment of the pairing interaction in the BCS approach produces profound changes in the ordering of energy levels, and at high deformation, the state 7 / 2 − coming from the h 11 / 2 spherical shell becomes the bandhead

Tunneling Rate for Superparamagnetic Particles by the Instanton Method

We derive the tunneling rate for paramagnetic molecules in the context of a collective spin model. By means of path integral methods an analytical expression is derived. Given the very large spins in question (s ~ 3000 hbar), the observation of magnetization changes due to pure unitary tunnel effects is unlikely.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Transnational crime, cooperation and prosperity: a study about intellectual property rights and counterfeiting

Neste estudo procurar-se-á delimitar as implicações da contrafacção como uma ameaça económica para a sociedade e, em última instancia, para o poder político, estabelecendo uma relação entre esses impactos e o principal fim do Estado em assegurar segurança e prosperidade da sociedade. A analise ira incidir no espaço europeu uma vez que este tipo de crime transnacional afeta a principal estratégia comunitária de crescimento sustentado, baseado no fomento da inovação e do conhecimento. O objetivo será expor e confrontar a efetividade dos mecanismos de cooperação, como medidas preventivas e de combate a contrafação, assim como o seu impacto real na evolução deste crime transnacional dentro do espaço europeu.This article will try to outline the implications of counterfeiting as an economic threat in its implications to society and ultimately to political power, by establishing a relationship between these implications and the main purposes of the State in ensuring security and prosperity. The analysis will focus on the European Union, since this type of transnational crime affects the main EU strategy for sustainable growth based on fostering innovation and knowledge. The objetive is to present and confront the effectiveness of the cooperation mechanisms as preventive and anticounterfeiting measures, as well as their impact on the evolution of this transnational crime within Europe

Battery Manufacturing Resource Assessment to Minimise Component Production Environmental Impacts

A promising route to attain a reliable impact reduction of supply chain materials is based on considering circular economy approaches, such as material recycling strategies. This work aimed to evaluate potential benefits of recycling scenarios for steel, copper, aluminium and plastic materials to the battery manufacturing stage. Focused on this aim, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and the environmental externalities methodologies were applied to two battery study cases: lithium manganese oxide and vanadium redox flow (VRFB) batteries, based on a cradle-to-gate LCA approach. In general, the results provided an insight into the raw material handling route. Environmental impacts were diminished by more than 20% in almost all the indicators, due to the lower consumption of virgin materials related to the implemented recyclability route. Particularly, VRFB exhibited better recyclability ratio than the Li-ion battery. For the former, the key components were the periphery ones attaining around 70% of impact reduction by recycling steel. Components of the power subsystem were also relevant, reaching around 40% of environmental impact reduction by recycling plastic. The results also foresaw opportunities for membranes, key components of VRFB materials. Based on findings, recycling strategies may improve the total circularity performance and economic viability of the studied systems

Epidemiology and pathology of bovine schistosomiasis in Mozambique

AIM: To study the epidemiology and pathology of bovine schistosomiasis in Mozambique. BACKGROUND: - Bovine schistosomiasis is of great importance in Africa. It is caused by Schistosoma bovis; - In bovines the symptoms are similar to humans, mainly intestinal, hepato-splenic, vesical and genital; - It has been shown to be endemic through all Africa and in some Mediterranean countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iraque and Israel); - Hybrids of S. haematobium and S. bovis are known to infect humans.N/

Anti-cancer potential of Fasciola hepatica extracts

Fascioliasis is a food borne disease caused by infection with a liver fluke termed Fasciola (F.) hepatica. Fascioliasis, as a neglected tropical disease, commonly affects poor people from developing countries. It has been estimated that at least 2.6 million people are infected with fascioliasis worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, two other liver flukes Opistorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis) have been recognized as definitive causes of cancer (IARC, 2012). On the other hand even long-lasting and/ or repeated F. hepatica infections have not been associated with cancer, so far. There are any known causative associations between this parasite and cholangiocarcinoma or liver cancer.N/

Anti-cancer potential of Fasciola hepatica extracts

Fascioliasis is a food borne disease caused by infection with a liver fluke termed Fasciola (F.) hepatica. Fascioliasis, as a neglected tropical disease, commonly affects poor people from developing countries. It has been estimated that at least 2.6 million people are infected with fascioliasis worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, two other liver flukes Opistorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis) have been recognized as definitive causes of cancer (IARC, 2012). On the other hand even long-lasting and/ or repeated F. hepatica infections have not been associated with cancer, so far. There are any known causative associations between this parasite and cholangiocarcinoma or liver cancer.N/

Persistent currents in n-fold twisted Moebius strips

We investigate the influence of the topology on generic features of the persistent current in n-fold twisted Moebius strips formed of quasi one--dimensional mesoscopic rings, both for free electrons and in the weakly disordered regime. We find that there is no generic difference between the persistent current for untwisted rings and for Moebius strips with an arbitrary number of twists.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Antioxidant potential of individual or combined dietary supplements

An antioxidant may be defined as a substance that when present at low concentrations, compared with those of the oxidizable substrate, significantly delays or inhibits its oxidation [1]. Nowadays there are several commercial dietary supplements which claim for antioxidant activity. In this work, the antioxidant activity (AA) of 17 dietary supplements (Table 1) available in different formulations (pills, capsules or bags), was evaluated by in vitro assays: scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, reducing power (RP) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by preventing the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Furthermore, different combinations (8+10+17, 8+10, 8+17 and 10+17) of some samples were also tested in order to obtain potential synergistic effects. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to categorize the condensed formulations (pills and capsules), the infusion bags and the combined samples, according with their antioxidant activity. The Advanced Antioxidant Formula (AAF; sample 8) proved to have the highest antioxidant activity in all the assayed methods, either singly taken or included in mixtures. Furthermore, the mixtures containing this supplement revealed synergistic effects in 92% of the cases. The intake of antioxidant mixtures might provide some additional benefits

Dietary antioxidant supplements: benefits of their combined use

Several dietary supplements claim medicinal benefits due to their composition in hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules, natural extracts or synthetic compounds with antioxidant properties. In the present work, the antioxidant activity of selected supplements taken in pills, capsules or infusions were studied either individually or combined. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to categorize the condensed formulations (pills and capsules), infusion bags and combined samples according with their antioxidant activity measured by radical scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition using brain homogenates as models. AAF proved to have the highest antioxidant activity in all the assayed methods, either singly taken or included in mixtures. Furthermore, the mixtures containing this supplement revealed synergistic effects in 92% of the cases. The intake of antioxidant mixtures might provide some additional benefits