Black Hole masses for 14 gravitational lensed quasars

We estimate black hole masses (M$_{\rm BH}$) for 14 gravitationally lensed quasars using the Balmer lines along with estimates based on MgII and CIV emission lines for four and two of them, respectively. We compare with results obtained for other lensed quasars. We use spectroscopic data from the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), Magellan and the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to measure the FWHM of the broad emission lines. Combined with the bolometric luminosity measured from the spectra energy distribution, we estimate M$_{\rm BH}$ including uncertainties from microlensing and variability. We obtain MBH using the single-epoch method from the H$\alpha$ and/or H$\beta$ broad emission lines for 14 lensed quasars, including the first estimates for QJ0158-4325, HE0512-3329 and WFI2026-4536. The masses are typical of non-lensed quasars of similar luminosity, and the implied Eddington ratios are typical. We have increased the sample of lenses with estimates of MBH by 60%.Comment: 16 pages. Submitted to A&

Isolamento de rotavírus de cães assintomáticos no Brasil

Relata-se o isolamento de rotavírus, a partir de material fecal de dois cães assintomáticos, no Brasil. A ocorrência de rotavírus foi pesquisada em amostras fecais de nove cães assintomáticos, provenientes do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses do município de Osasco, SP. Duas das nove amostras analisadas, por eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida, foram positivas. O isolamento de rotavírus foi realizado em linhagem de células MA-104, com adição de 10,0µg/mL de tripsina ao meio de manutenção, e confirmado pelo eletroferótipo característico de grupo

High temperature vapor pressure and the critical point of potassium

The vapor pressure of potassium was experimentally determined from 2100 deg F up to-its critical temperature. An empirical equation of the form ln P = A + B/T + C ln T + DT/sup 1.5/ was found to best fit the data. A critical pressure of 2378.2 plus or minus 4.0 psia (161.79 plus or minus 0.27 ata) was measured. The corresponding critical temperature, extrapolated from the pressure-- temperature curve, is 4105.4 plus or minus 5 deg R (2280.8 plus or minus 3 deg K). The technique employed was tae pressure tube method developed earlier in this laboratory and used for determining the vapor pressure of rubidium and cesium. This method measures tae critical pressure directly, as well as the vapor pressure st lower temperatures. (4 tables, 6 figures, 26 references) (auth

Intermediate coupling fixed point study in the overscreened regime of generalized multichannel SU(N) Kondo models

We study a generalized multichannel single-impurity Kondo model, in which the impurity spin is described by a representation of the SU(N) group which combines bosonic and fermionic degrees of freedom. The impurity spin states are described by Abrikosov pseudofermions, and we make use of a method initiated by Popov and Fedotov which allows a proper handling of the fermionic constraint. The partition function is derived within a path integral approach. We use renormalization group techniques to calculate the $\beta$ scaling function perturbatively in powers of the Kondo coupling constant, which is justified in the weak coupling limit. The truncated expansion is valid in the overscreened (Nozieres-Blandin) regime, for an arbitrary SU(N) group and any value of the parameters characterizing the impurity spin representation. The intermediate coupling fixed point is identified. We derive the temperature dependence of various physical quantities at low T, controlled by a unique critical exponent, and show that the physics of the system in the overscreened regime governed by the intermediate coupling fixed point is characterized by a non-Fermi liquid behavior. Our results are in accordance with those obtained by other methods, as Bethe ansatz and boundary conformal field theory, in the case of various impurity spin symmetries. We establish in a unified way that the Kondo models in which the impurity spin is described successively by a fundamental, symmetric, antisymmetric and mixed symmetry representation yield all the same low-energy physics in the overscreened regime. Possible generalizations of the analysis we present to the case of arbitrary impurity spin representations of SU(N) are also discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures, REVTeX; final version accepted for publicatio

SU(N) Evolution of a Frustrated Spin Ladder

Recent studies indicate that the weakly coupled spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet with next nearest neighbor frustration supports massive spinons when suitably tuned. The straightforward SU(N) generalization of the low energy ladder Hamiltonian yields two independent SU(N) Thirring models with N-1 multiplets of massive ``spinon'' excitations. We study the evolution of the complete set of low-energy dynamical structure factors using form factors. Those corresponding to the smooth (staggered) magnetizations are qualitatively different (the same) in the N=2 and N>2 cases. The absence of single-particle peaks preserves the notion of spinons stabilized by frustration. In contrast to the ladder, we note that the N=infinity limit of the four chain magnet is not a trivial free theory.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex, 5 figures; SU(N) approach clarifie

Comparative study of lipid and fatty acid composition in different tissues of wild and cultured female broodstock of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

The aim of this study was to compare the total lipid (TL) content, the lipid class (LC) composition and their associated fatty acids from muscle, liver and ovary of wild and cultured mature females of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), in order to obtain information to formulate a more suitable diet for this species broodstock. TL content in muscle and liver was higher in cultured fish than in wild fish, mainly due to TG accumulation, while the ovary TL content was higher in wild fish. Regarding to fatty acids profile, the percentage of 18:1n-9 in TL and TG was lower in ovaries and muscle of cultured fish than in wild ones. Cultured fish displayed lower proportion of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA) and higher proportions of 18:2n-6 and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) than wild specimens for all tissues in TL and LC. In contrast, differences in the proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) between both groups were found only in some tissues and in some LC, being in those cases higher in wild fish. In consequence, cultured fish presented a lower DHA/EPA ratio and a higher EPA/ARA ratio with respect to wild fish. These results suggest that 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 and essential fatty acids (EFA), especially EPA and ARA, are not supplied in the appropriate proportions in the diet of cultured fish and could negatively affect their reproductive performance

Intra and Inter-Population Morphological Variation of Shape and Size of the Chilean Magnificent Beetle, Ceroglossus chilensis in the Baker River Basin, Chilean Patagonia

The alteration of habitat generates different degrees of stress in insects. It has been suggested that the degrees of phenotypic disturbances reflect the ability of an individual to overcome the effects of stress. The Baker River Basin in the Aysén Region, Chilean Patagonia has a very fragmented landscape, due to the destruction of the native forest and the use of land for agriculture and animal husbandry. This alteration should generate different degrees of disturbances in the insect communities, whose effects may be quantified by geometric morphometric tools. We analyzed morphological differences in 244 males and 133 females of the the Chilean magnificent beetle, Ceroglossus chilensis (Eschscholtz) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) collected in January, 2007, in mixed forests of Nothofagus dombeyi Mirbel (Ørsted) (Fagales: Nothofagaceae) and N. nitida Hofmus and in Second-growth forest of N. pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser. Males were generally wider in the pronotum, while females had wider abdominal sternites. Although there were significant differences in shape and size between mature forests and second-growth forest, these were less significant among the sites within each type of vegetal formation. Individuals had more shape variations in the mature forest. We suggest that differences in shape are due at least in part to the isolation of the habitat. The differences found between sexes raises the question of how morphological variations and sexual dimorphism may be affected spatially by natural selection

Chicamocha Canyon Geopark project: A novel strategy for the socio-economic development of Santander (Colombia) through geoeducation, geotourism and geoconservation

The proposed Chicamocha Canyon Geopark project is starting its way for nomination as a UNESCO Global Geopark under the recognition of the Global Geoparks Network. This paper aims to present the justifications of establishing this geopark. It also assesses the potential role of a geopark figure in Santander as an urgent measure to promote the geoconservation of the Chicamocha Canyon territory. The success of this project will not only improve the living conditions of local communities, but also will be a reference model in terms of geological conservation at national and international level. The Chicamocha Canyon, where is proposed to develop this project, has a great potential for the development of the tourism industry due to climatic conditions of the region, besides possessing a rich cultural and natural heritage that needs to be enhanced and protected. Undoubtedly, this initiative should satisfy all the requirements to be a UNESCO Global Geopark, which include a delimited area that defines a territory, the occurrence of geological features of international importance with scientific, educational and aesthetic value, the presence of other types of heritage such as archaeological sites, as well as a proper access infrastructure that favors the socio-economic development of the region. In order to guarantee the successful consolidation of the proposed geopark within the defined territory, this initiative must count the strong support of the local communities and must involve stakeholders such as government authorities, academic and research institutions, and local businesses

Evaluation of Digestible lysine levels in diets with high energy density for finishing pigs

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the effects of different levels of digestible lysine in diets with high energy density on productive performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. Materials and Methods. Seventy crossbred barrows (initial body weight of 83.36 kg) were used and allotted in a randomized block design with five treatments, seven replications and two pigs per experimental unit. Pigs were fed ad libitum with diets containing 3.5 kcal/kg of ME and five levels of digestible lysine (0.46, 0.52, 0.58, 0.64 and 0.70%) during four weeks. Final live weight (FLW), daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), daily lysine intake (DLI), and the amount of lysine per body weight gain (DLI/DWG), were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from each pig to determine urea nitrogen concentration (UN) in serum and slaughtered to evaluate quantitative and qualitative carcass characteristics. Results. The FLW increased linearly (p<0.05).There were no differences among treatments for DFI, DWG, FC, carcass characteristics and UN. The DLI and DLI/DWG varied significantly (p<0.001) and increased linearly (p<0.001) with each lysine level. Pigs that consumed the limiting diet in lysine (0.46%) showed less DLI and DLI/DWG (p<0.001) than pigs fed the other diets. Conclusions. The amount of DLI/DWG increased with the evaluated levels of digestible lysine in diets with high energy density, without effects on productive performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs.   RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos de diferentes niveles de lisina digestible en dietas con alta densidad energética sobre el desempeño productivo y características de la canal de cerdos en finalización. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 70 cerdos (peso inicial de 83.36 kg) mestizos castrados, distribuidos en un diseño de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos, siete repeticiones y dos cerdos por unidad experimental. Los cerdos fueron alimentados ad libitum con dietas que contenían 3.5 Mcal/kg de energía metabolizable y cinco niveles de lisina digestible (0.46, 0.52, 0.58, 0.64 y 0.70%) durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron: peso vivo final (PVF), consumo diario de alimento (CDA), ganancia diaria de peso (GDP), conversión de alimento (CA), consumo diario de lisina (CDLis) y la cantidad de lisina por peso ganado (CDLis/GDP). Al final de experimento, se extrajeron muestras de sangre de todos los cerdos para determinar la concentración de nitrógeno ureico (NU) en suero sanguíneo y luego se sacrificaron para evaluar las características cualitativas y cuantitativas de la canal. Resultados. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos para CDA, GDP, CA, características de la canal y NU. El PVF incrementó linealmente (p<0.05). El CDLis y la CDLis/GDP variaron significativamente (p<0.001) e incrementaron linealmente (p<0.001) con cada nivel de lisina. Los cerdos que consumieron la dieta limitante en lisina (0.46%) mostraron menor consumo y CDLis/GDP (p<0.001) que los cerdos alimentados con las otras dietas. Conclusiones. Los niveles de lisina digestible evaluados en dietas con alta densidad energética aumentan la CDLis/GDP, sin efectos sobre el desempeño productivo y las características de la canal de los cerdos en finalización