Nonlinear Transformation for a Class of Gauged Schroedinger Equations with Complex Nonlinearities

In the present contribution we consider a class of Schroedinger equations containing complex nonlinearities, describing systems with conserved norm $|\psi|^2$ and minimally coupled to an abelian gauge field. We introduce a nonlinear transformation which permits the linearization of the source term in the evolution equations for the gauge field, and transforms the nonlinear Schroedinger equations in another one with real nonlinearities. We show that this transformation can be performed either on the gauge field $A_\mu$ or, equivalently, on the matter field $\psi$. Since the transformation does not change the quantities $|\psi|^2$ and $F_{\mu\nu}$, it can be considered a generalization of the gauge transformation of third kind introduced some years ago by other authors. Pacs numbers: 03.65.-w, 11.15.-qComment: 4pages, two columns, RevTeX4, no figure

Negotiating the riskscapes of convenience food

Summary: Addressing the spatial dimensions of risk, this paper examines the multiple ways that consumers negotiate the ëriskscapesí associated with the consumption of convenience food. It explores how convenience food poses a range of risks and potential ways of mitigating those risks. Drawing on empirical research from Germany and the UK, the paper demonstrates how food risks should be contextualized within the practices of everyday life and how consumer understandings of risk differ from expert risk assessments. The paper locates a number of different sites within the riskscape associated with convenience food, going beyond the focus on food safety and security that are the main concerns of health authorities and government advisors. Deicit models of food risk are criticised and alternatives are proposed that emphasise the socially embedded nature of risk within the practices of everyday life

Tropical ulcer in Natal

No Abstrac

Cognitive control mechanisms revealed by ERP and fMRI: Evidence from repeated task-switching

We investigated the extent to which a common neural mechanism is involved in task set-switching and response withholding, factors that are frequently confounded in task-switching and go/no-go paradigms. Subjects' brain activity was measured using event-related electrical potentials (ERPs) and event-related functional MRI (fMRI) neuroimaging in separate studies using the same cognitive paradigm. Subjects made compatible left/right keypress responses to left/right arrow stimuli of 1000 msec duration; they switched every two trials between responding at stimulus onset (GO task-green arrows) and stimulus offset (WAIT task-red arrows). Withholding an immediate response (WAIT vs. GO) elicited an enhancement of the frontal N2 ERP and lateral PFC activation of the right hemisphere, both previously associated with the "no-go" response, but only on switch trials. Task-switching (switch vs. nonswitch) was associated with frontal N2 amplification and right hemisphere ventrolateral PFC activation, but only for the WAIT task. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was the only brain region to be activated for both types of task switch, but this activation was located more rostrally for the WAIT than for the GO switch trials. We conclude that the frontal N2 ERP and lateral PFC activation are not markers for withholding an immediate response or switching tasks per se, hut are associated with switching into a response-suppression mode. Different regions within the ACC may be involved in two processes integral to task-switching: processing response conflict (rostral ACC) and overcoming prior response suppression (caudal ACC)

Melatonin for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in Parkinson's disease : a randomised controlled trial

Background Melatonin may reduce REM-sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), though robust clinical trials are lacking. Objective To assess the efficacy of prolonged-release (PR) melatonin for RBD in PD. Methods Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial with an 8-week intervention and 4-week observation pre- and postintervention (ACTRN12613000648729). Thirty PD patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were randomized to 4 mg of prolonged-release melatonin (Circadin) or matched placebo, ingested orally once-daily before bedtime. Primary outcome was the aggregate of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder incidents averaged over weeks 5 to 8 of treatment captured by a weekly diary. Data were included in a mixed-model analysis of variance (n = 15 per group). Results No differences between groups at the primary endpoint (3.4 events/week melatonin vs. 3.6 placebo; difference, 0.2; 95% confidence interval = -3.2 to 3.6; P = 0.92). Adverse events included mild headaches, fatigue, and morning sleepiness (n = 4 melatonin; n = 5 placebo). Conclusion Prolonged-release melatonin 4 mg did not reduce rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in PD. (c) 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Phase field analysis of eutectic breakdown.

In this paper an isotropic multi-phase-field model is extended to include the effects of anisotropy and the spontaneous nucleation of an absent phase. This model is derived and compared against a published single phase model. Results from this model are compared against results from other multi-phase models, additionally this model is used to examine the break down of a regular two dimensional eutectic into a single phase dendritic front

A prova de exercício cárdio-pulmonar e o prognóstico cirúrgico do cancro do pulmão

Resumo: Os autores procuram dar mais um contributo para a avaliação pré-operatória dos doentes com carcinoma de não pequenas células que vão ser sujeitos a cirurgia de ressecção pulmonar.Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo onde foi avaliado o resultado da cirurgia em termos de complicações ocorridas nos 30 dias a seguir à operação. Os autores definiram cada uma das complicações (óbito, enfarte do miocárdio, insuficiências respiratória, cardíaca e renal, embolia pulmonar, pneumonia e septicemia) e ainda analisaram 3 dessas complicações em separado (óbito, enfarte do miocárdio e insuficiência respiratória), as quais designaram por âfraco resultadoâ.Antes da cirurgia, foram avaliados 99 doentes (34 pneumectomias, 56 lobectomias, 6 bilobectomias e 3 ressecções atípicas) com espirometria (FEV1 em litros) e consumo de oxigénio no exercício máximo (VO2peak). Só 26 doentes tinham valores funcionais considerados borderline (FEV1 < 1,5 litros para lobectomia e < 2,0 litros para pneumectomia). Nos resultados apresentados observámos os seguintes valores médios: FEV1=2,06 litros; FEV1=80,4% do valor teórico; VO2peak=18,8 ml/kg/min ou 88,3% do valor teórico. Só existiram 4 óbitos (4%) e 21 doentes tiveram uma ou mais das complicações referenciadas.Os autores não encontraram relação significativa entre as complicações pós-operatórias e o FEV1 em litros. Verificaram ainda que o VO2peak em percentagem do valor teórico previa melhor um âfraco resultadoâ do que o mesmo parâmetro em valor absoluto.Em relação aos óbitos, um dos doentes tinha sido submetido a quimioterapia, o que dificultou a avaliação do desfecho. Nos restantes 3 óbitos, todos os doentes tinham um VO2peak < 62% do valor teórico. Dois dos 3 doentes com VO2peak < 50% tiveram um âfraco resultadoâ. Com VO2peak > 75% só 3 em 20 doentes é que tiveram um âfraco resultadoâ.Apesar de reconhecerem a necessidade de mais e maiores estudos, os autores concluem que VO2peak é importante para prever complicações como óbito, enfarte do miocárdio ou insuficiência respiratória, principalmente se é referido em percentagem do valor teórico. O limite âseguroâ situar-se-ia entre 50 e 60% do valor previsto

Relationships between livelihoods, well-being, and marine protected areas : evidence from a community survey, Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, Kenya

Funding information: UK Global Challenges Research Fund and Scottish Funding Council (projects 'Community Capabilities and Marine Protected Area Governance' and 'Mitigation of the effects of COVID-19 crisis in coastal Kenya XFC092').At a time of massive expansion of Marine Protected Areas, there is a need to learn more about their sustainability and success. This study draws on a framework which operationalizes three-dimensions of well-being: material, relational, and subjective, in order to measure the range of benefits and disbenefits experienced by local communities from protected areas. 308 respondents from two coastal Kenyan villages adjacent to the Watamu Marine National Reserve participated in a telephone survey in June and July 2020. The study recorded varying levels of dependency on the marine environment for the livelihoods of residents. A key finding of this study was that benefits reported by participants consistently exceeded disbenefits. A principal components analysis identified that the number of benefits and disbenefits experienced explained the most variance within the dataset. The benefits and disbenefits reported contributed to each dimension of human well-being. The highest ranked benefits reported contributed to subjective well-being (‘better health’, and ‘ability to enjoy a clean and healthy creek and ocean’), and the most frequently reported disbenefits related to relational and material well-being (for instance ‘increased conflict and social tension’ ‘increased poverty’, ‘fewer supplies of food’). Practical local conservation efforts can address relational disbenefits through better partnership working, and material disbenefits by supporting pro-conservation, alternative livelihoods. The findings demonstrate the relevance of understanding social trends for marine protected area governance and management. The paper offers insights into how fundamental relations between protected marine environments, livelihoods, and well-being may affect the perceptions and success of conservation initiatives amongst local communities.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe