41 research outputs found
Dual embedding of the Lorentz-violating electrodinamics and Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization
Modifications of the electromagnetic Maxwell Lagrangian in four dimensions
have been considered by some authors. One may include an explicit massive term
(Proca) and a topological but not Lorentz-invariant term within certain
observational limits.
We find the dual-corresponding gauge invariant version of this theory by
using the recently suggested gauge embedding method. We enforce this
dualisation procedure by showing that, in many cases, this is actually a
constructive method to find a sort of parent action, which manifestly
establishes duality. We also use the gauge invariant version of this theory to
formulate a Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization and present a detailed discussion
on the excitation spectrum.Comment: 8 page
Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and functional analysis of axonal regeneration through peripheral nerve grafts containing Schwann cells expressing BDNF, CNTF or NT3
Objective To establish reference values for activated coagulation time (ACT) in normal cats and dogs, by visual assessment of clot formation using the MAX-ACTTM tube.
Subjects We recruited 43 cats and 50 dogs for the study; 11 cats and 4 dogs were excluded from the statistical analysis because of abnormalities on clinical examination or laboratory testing including anaemia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), or insufficient plasma volume for comprehensive laboratory coagulation testing.
Procedure Blood samples were collected via direct venipuncture for MAX-ACT, packed cell volume/total solids, manual platelet estimation and PT/APTT measurement. Blood (0.5 mL) was mixed gently in the MAX-ACT tube at 37°C for 30 s, then assessed for clot formation every 5 to 10 s by tipping the tube gently on its side and monitoring for magnet movement. The endpoint was defined as the magnet lodging in the clot. The technique was tested with 10 dogs by collecting two blood samples from the same needle insertion and running a MAX-ACT on each simultaneously.
Results In normal cats the mean MAX-ACT was 66 s (range 55–85 s). In normal dogs the mean was 71 s (range 55–80 s). There was no statistical difference between the first and second samples collected from the same needle insertion.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance In both cats and dogs, a MAX-ACT result >85 s should be considered abnormal and further coagulation testing should be performed. Additionally, failure to discard the first few drops of the sample does not appear to significantly affect results
Ascomycetous yeast species recovered from grapes damaged by honeydew and sour rot
Aims: To identify ascomycetous yeasts recovered from sound and damaged
grapes by the presence of honeydew or sour rot.
Methods and Results: In sound grapes, the mean yeast counts ranged from
3.20 ± 1.04 log CFU g-1 to 5.87 ± 0.64 log CFU g-1. In honeydew grapes, the
mean counts ranged from 3.88 ± 0.80 log CFU g-1 to 6.64 ± 0.77 log CFU g-1.
In sour rot grapes counts varied between 6.34 ± 1.03 and 7.68 ± 0.38 log
CFU g-1. Hanseniaspora uvarum was the most frequent species from sound
samples. In both types of damage, the most frequent species were Candida vanderwaltii,
H. uvarum and Zygoascus hellenicus. The latter species was recovered
in high frequency because of the utilization of the selective medium DBDM
(Dekkera ⁄ Brettanomyces differential medium). The scarce isolation frequency of
the wine spoilage species Zygosaccharomyces bailii (in sour rotten grapes) and
Zygosaccharomyces bisporus (in honeydew affected grapes) could only be
demonstrated by the use of the selective medium ZDM (Zygosaccharomyces
differential medium).
Conclusions: The isolation of several species only from damaged grapes indicates
that damage constituted the main factor determining yeast diversity. The
utilization of selective media is required for eliciting the recovery of potentially
wine spoilage species.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The impact of damaged grapes in the yeast ecology of grapes has been underestimate
Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018
Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe
Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study
A41 Use of SMS texts for facilitating access to online alcohol interventions: a feasibility study
In: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 2017, 12(Suppl 1): A4
Improved tree height estimation of secondary forests in the Brazilian Amazon
This paper presents a novel approach for estimating the height of individual trees in secondary forests at two study sites: Manaus (central Amazon) and Santarém (eastern Amazon) in the Brazilian Amazon region. The approach consists of adjusting tree height-diameter at breast height (H:DBH) models in each study site by ecological species groups: pioneers, early secondary, and late secondary. Overall, the DBH and corresponding height (H) of 1,178 individual trees were measured during two field campaigns: August 2014 in Manaus and September 2015 in Santarém. We tested the five most commonly used log-linear and nonlinear H:DBH models, as determined by the available literature. The hyperbolic model: H = a.DBH/(b+DBH) was found to present the best fit when evaluated using validation data. Significant differences in the fitted parameters were found between pioneer and secondary species from Manaus and Santarém by F-test, meaning that site-specific and also ecological-group H:DBH models should be used to more accurately predict H as a function of DBH. This novel approach provides specific equations to estimate height of secondary forest trees for particular sites and ecological species groups. The presented set of equations will allow better biomass and carbon stock estimates in secondary forests of the Brazilian Amazon