4,253 research outputs found
Anatomical and histochemical analysis of vegetative organs of Vernonia ferruginea Less. (Asteraceae)
Vernonia ferruginea Less. is a perennial shrub species, present in several regions of Brazil, especially in the savanna. It is popularly used as a phytotherapic. This fact justifies the need to anatomically characterize the plant for its accurate identification and to conduct histochemical studies with the aim of identifying the chemical nature of its cellular constituents. The species-specific data will contribute significantly to pharmaceutical quality control and also provide information about the sites of specific chemical compounds. Samples of V. ferruginea vegetative organs were collected and submitted to the usual plant anatomy and histochemical techniques. The leaves are anfihipoestomática with anomocytic stomata; have tector and glandular trichomes that store essential oils. The stem has collateral-type vascular bundles arranged in a eustele structure; it also has glandular and tector trichomes. The root has brachysclereids, endoderm with various chemical compounds and vascular bundles having axial elements and rays. Few differences were found in the structure of vegetative organs in relation to other species of the genus, confirming the importance of the details shown.Key words: Plant anatomy, assapeixe-branco, essential oils
Elastic properties of graphyne-based nanotubes
Graphyne nanotubes (GNTs) are nanostructures obtained from rolled up graphyne
sheets, in the same way carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are obtained from graphene
ones. Graphynes are 2D carbon-allotropes composed of atoms in sp and sp2
hybridized states. Similarly to conventional CNTs, GNTs can present different
chiralities and electronic properties. Because of the acetylenic groups (triple
bonds), GNTs exhibit large sidewall pores that influence their mechanical
properties. In this work, we studied the mechanical response of GNTs under
tensile stress using fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and density
functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results show that GNTs mechanical
failure (fracture) occurs at larger strain values in comparison to
corresponding CNTs, but paradoxically with smaller ultimate strength and
Young's modulus values. This is a consequence of the combined effects of the
existence of triple bonds and increased porosity/flexibility due to the
presence of acetylenic groups
Pion and Vector Meson Form Factors in the Kuperstein-Sonnenschein holographic model
We study phenomenological aspects of the holographic model of chiral symmetry
breaking recently introduced by Kuperstein and Sonnenschein (KS). As a first
step, we calculate the spectrum of vector and axial-vector mesons in the KS
model. We numerically compute various coupling constants of the mesons and
pions. Our analysis indicates that vector meson dominance is realized in this
model. The pion, vector meson and axial-vector meson form factors are obtained
and studied in detail. We find good agreement with QCD results. In particular,
the pion form factor closely matches available experimental data.Comment: v1: 27 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables; v2: minor changes, added more
general discussion of vector meson dominance; v3: minor changes and
additions, version accepted for publication in JHE
Effect of cadmium on the morphology and anatomy of Salvinia auriculata
This study aimed to evaluate the morphological and anatomical changes of Salvinia auriculata exposed to different concentrations 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 μM of cadmium (Cd) and its effect on plant growth. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Plant Anatomy of the IF Goiano/Rio Verde Campus, Goiás. Cd free samples of S. auriculata, was obtained from the Aquários Plantados  company, located in Belo Horizonte. The material was grown hydroponically for 20 days and after the experimental period, the leaf samples were fixed, including in historesin, cut to 5 μm thick thick, stained with toluidine blue and the images were obtained in an optical microscope. The toxic effects of Cd on S. auriculata was observed at lowest concentration with the appearance of chlorotic and necrotic spots. Microscopic analysis showed increased height and width of the aerenchyma gaps, mesophyll and a reduction in abaxial surface epidermal cells, due to increased doses of this metal. It was observed that S. auriculata is a plant sensitive to Cd, and thus indicated for environmental monitoring.Key words: Ecological, aquatic species, pollution
Tactical Voting in Plurality Elections
How often will elections end in landslides? What is the probability for a
head-to-head race? Analyzing ballot results from several large countries rather
anomalous and yet unexplained distributions have been observed. We identify
tactical voting as the driving ingredient for the anomalies and introduce a
model to study its effect on plurality elections, characterized by the relative
strength of the feedback from polls and the pairwise interaction between
individuals in the society. With this model it becomes possible to explain the
polarization of votes between two candidates, understand the small margin of
victories frequently observed for different elections, and analyze the polls'
impact in American, Canadian, and Brazilian ballots. Moreover, the model
reproduces, quantitatively, the distribution of votes obtained in the Brazilian
mayor elections with two, three, and four candidates.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Coronavirus: COVID-19 transmission in Pacific small island developing states
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Background: Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have health care systems with a limited capacity to deal with pandemics, making them especially vulnerable to the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This paper examines the introduction, transmission, and incidence of COVID-19 into Pacific SIDS. Methods: Calculate the rate of transmission (the average number of new cases per day between the first recorded case and the most recent day) and connectivity (daily direct flights to the leading airport in each selected island group) using flight history and COVID-19 transmission data. Results: Correlational analyses show that connectivity is positively related with (a) first-case dates and (b) spread rate in Pacific SIDS. Conclusion: Connectivity plays a central role in the spread of COVID-19 in Pacific SIDS. The continued entry of people was a significant factor for spread within countries. Efforts to prevent transmission by closing borders reduced transmission but also created significant economic hardship because many Pacific SIDS rely heavily on tourism and international exchange. The findings highlight the importance of exploring the possibility that the COVID-19 spread rate may be higher than official figures indicate, and present pathways to mitigate socio-economic impacts. The practical implications of the findings reveal the vulnerability of Pacific SIDS to pandemics and the key role of connectivity in the spread of COVID-19 in the Pacific region
On the General Analytical Solution of the Kinematic Cosserat Equations
Based on a Lie symmetry analysis, we construct a closed form solution to the
kinematic part of the (partial differential) Cosserat equations describing the
mechanical behavior of elastic rods. The solution depends on two arbitrary
analytical vector functions and is analytical everywhere except a certain
domain of the independent variables in which one of the arbitrary vector
functions satisfies a simple explicitly given algebraic relation. As our main
theoretical result, in addition to the construction of the solution, we proof
its generality. Based on this observation, a hybrid semi-analytical solver for
highly viscous two-way coupled fluid-rod problems is developed which allows for
the interactive high-fidelity simulations of flagellated microswimmers as a
result of a substantial reduction of the numerical stiffness.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure
Scalar and vector mesons of flavor chiral symmetry breaking in the Klebanov-Strassler background
Recently, Dymarsky, Kuperstein and Sonnenschein constructed an embedding of
flavor D7- and anti-D7-branes in the Klebanov-Strassler geometry that breaks
the supersymmetry of the background, yet is stable. In this article, we study
in detail the spectrum of vector mesons in this new model of flavor chiral
symmetry breaking and commence an analytical analysis of the scalar mesons in
this setup.Comment: v1: 35 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, includes self-contained review of
DKS construction; v2: corrected signs in eqs. (2.22) and (2.23), improved
discussion of scalar mesons in section 3.2; v3: major revision of the results
on scalar mesons, version submitted to JHEP; v4: version accepted by JHE
The costs of preventing and treating chagas disease in Colombia
Background: The objective of this study is to report the costs of Chagas disease in Colombia, in terms of vector disease control programmes and the costs of providing care to chronic Chagas disease patients with cardiomyopathy.
Methods: Data were collected from Colombia in 2004. A retrospective review of costs for vector control programmes carried out in rural areas included 3,084 houses surveyed for infestation with triatomine bugs and 3,305 houses sprayed with insecticide. A total of 63 patient records from 3 different hospitals were selected for a retrospective review of resource use. Consensus methodology with local experts was used to estimate care seeking behaviour and to complement observed data on utilisation. Findings: The mean cost per house per entomological survey was of 2004), whereas the mean cost of spraying a house with insecticide was 46.4 and 1,028, whereas lifetime costs averaged $11,619 per patient. Chronic Chagas disease patients have limited access to healthcare, with an estimated 22% of patients never seeking care. Conclusion: Chagas disease is a preventable condition that affects mostly poor populations living in rural areas. The mean costs of surveying houses for infestation and spraying infested houses were low in comparison to other studies and in line with treatment costs. Care seeking behaviour and the type of insurance affiliation seem to play a role in the facilities and type of care that patients use, thus raising concerns about equitable access to care. Preventing Chagas disease in Colombia would be cost-effective and could contribute to prevent inequalities in health and healthcare.Wellcome Trus
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