Second Order Gauge Theory

A gauge theory of second order in the derivatives of the auxiliary field is constructed following Utiyama's program. A novel field strength $G=\partial F+fAF$ arises besides the one of the first order treatment, $F=\partial A-\partial A+fAA$. The associated conserved current is obtained. It has a new feature: topological terms are determined from local invariance requirements. Podolsky Generalized Eletrodynamics is derived as a particular case in which the Lagrangian of the gauge field is $L_{P}\propto G^{2}$. In this application the photon mass is estimated. The SU(N) infrared regime is analysed by means of Alekseev-Arbuzov-Baikov's Lagrangian.Comment: 27 pages. No figure. Final versio

Shear viscosity of hot scalar field theory in the real-time formalism

Within the closed time path formalism a general nonperturbative expression is derived which resums through the Bethe-Salpter equation all leading order contributions to the shear viscosity in hot scalar field theory. Using a previously derived generalized fluctuation-dissipation theorem for nonlinear response functions in the real-time formalism, it is shown that the Bethe-Salpeter equation decouples in the so-called (r,a) basis. The general result is applied to scalar field theory with pure lambda*phi**4 and mixed g*phi**3+lambda*phi**4 interactions. In both cases our calculation confirms the leading order expression for the shear viscosity previously obtained in the imaginary time formalism.Comment: Expanded introduction and conclusions. Several references and a footnote added. Fig.5 and its discussion in the text modified to avoid double counting. Signs in Eqs. (45) and (53) correcte

The Electroweak Phase Transition on Orbifolds with Gauge-Higgs Unification

The dynamics of five dimensional Wilson line phases at finite temperature is studied in the one-loop approximation. We show that at temperatures of order T \sim 1/L, where L is the length of the compact space, the gauge symmetry is always restored and the electroweak phase transition appears to be of first order. Particular attention is devoted to the study of a recently proposed five dimensional orbifold model (on S1/Z2) where the Wilson line phase is identified with the Higgs field (gauge-Higgs unification). Interestingly enough, an estimate of the leading higher-loop ``daisy'' (or ``ring'') diagram contributions to the effective potential in a simple five dimensional model, seems to suggest that the electroweak phase transition can be studied in perturbation theory even for Higgs masses above the current experimental limit of 114 GeV. The transition is still of first order for such values of the Higgs mass. If large localized gauge kinetic terms are present, the transition might be strong enough to give baryogenesis at the electroweak transition.Comment: 35 pages, 34 figures; v2: discussion on higher loop contributions improved, two figures added, minor correction

Stability analysis of agegraphic dark energy in Brans-Dicke cosmology

Stability analysis of agegraphic dark energy in Brans-Dicke theory is presented in this paper. We constrain the model parameters with the observational data and thus the results become broadly consistent with those expected from experiment. Stability analysis of the model without best fitting shows that universe may begin from an unstable state passing a saddle point and finally become stable in future. However, with the best fitted model, There is no saddle intermediate state. The agegraphic dark energy in the model by itself exhibits a phantom behavior. However, contribution of cold dark matter on the effective energy density modifies the state of teh universe from phantom phase to quintessence one. The statefinder diagnosis also indicates that the universe leaves an unstable state in the past, passes the LCDM state and finally approaches the sable state in future.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure

The Great Markarian 421 Flare of 2010 February: Multiwavelength Variability and Correlation Studies

We report on variability and correlation studies using multiwavelength observations of the blazar Mrk 421 during the month of 2010 February, when an extraordinary flare reaching a level of ∼27 Crab Units above 1 TeV was measured in very high energy (VHE) γ-rays with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) observatory. This is the highest flux state for Mrk 421 ever observed in VHE γ-rays. Data are analyzed from a coordinated campaign across multiple instruments, including VHE γ-ray (VERITAS, Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov), high-energy γ-ray (Fermi-LAT), X-ray (Swift, Rossi X-ray Timing Experiment, MAXI), optical (including the GASP-WEBT collaboration and polarization data), and radio (Metsahovi, Owens Valley Radio Observatory, University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory). Light curves are produced spanning multiple days before and after the peak of the VHE flare, including over several flare "decline" epochs. The main flare statistics allow 2 minute time bins to be constructed in both the VHE and optical bands enabling a cross-correlation analysis that shows evidence for an optical lag of ∼25-55 minutes, the first time-lagged correlation between these bands reported on such short timescales. Limits on the Doppler factor (δ ⪆ 33) and the size of the emission region (δ-1RB≲ 3.8 × 1013cm) are obtained from the fast variability observed by VERITAS during the main flare. Analysis of 10 minute binned VHE and X-ray data over the decline epochs shows an extraordinary range of behavior in the flux-flux relationship, from linear to quadratic to lack of correlation to anticorrelation. Taken together, these detailed observations of an unprecedented flare seen in Mrk 421 are difficult to explain with the classic single-zone synchrotron self-Compton model.</p

"ferveu, Queimou O Ser Da Erva": Knowledge Of Local Experts On Medicinal Plants In Southern Brazil ["ferveu, Queimou O Ser Da Erva": Conhecimentos De Especialistas Locais Sobre Plantas Medicinais Na Região Sul Do Brasil]

The aim of this study was to conduct an ethnobotanical survey focusing on the knowledge and use of medicinal plants by local experts from Lami community, located in the south region of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The methodology involved semi-structured interviews and guided excursions. For each citation the following data were recorded: botanical and vernacular name, therapeutic use, part used, preparation and administration form. The use value was calculated, as well as the corrected percentage of agreement concerning the main uses for each cited plant and the factor of consensus among informants for the different categories of the considered diseases. Knowledge about 141 medicinal species of 63 botanical families was recorded. The experts have an extensive knowledge including the use of native and exotic plants almost at the same proportion. Medicinal plants represent an important therapeutic option in the studied community. The associated use of traditional and conventional medicines, besides the forms of knowledge transmission and conservation are discussed in this paper.113282291Albuquerque, U.P., Andrade, L.H.C., Uso de recursos vegetais da caatinga: O caso do agreste do Estado de Pernambuco (Nordeste do Brasil) (2002) Interciencia, 27, pp. 336-345Almeida, C.F.C.B., Medicinal plants popularly used in the Xingó region (2006) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2 (15). , Disponível http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/2/1/15 Acesso em: 15 fev. 2008Alves, R.R.N., Rosa, I.M.L., Biodiversity, traditional medicine and public health: Where do they meet? (2007) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 3 (14). , http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/3/1/14, Disponível Acesso em: 15 fev. 2008Amorozo, M.C.M., Gély, A., Uso de plantas medicinais por caboclos do Baixo Amazonas, Barcarena, PA, Brasil (1988) Boletim Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, 4 (1), pp. 47-131Amorozo, M.C.M., Abordagem etnobotânica na pesquisa de plantas medicinais (1996) Plantas Medicinais: Arte e Ciência. Um Guia de Estudo Interdisciplinar, pp. 47-68. , DI STASI, L.C. (Ed.) São Paulo: UNESPAmorozo, M.C.M., Uso e diversidade de plantas medicinais em Santo Antonio do Leverger, MT, Brasil (2002) Acta Botanica Brasilica, 16 (2), pp. 189-203Amorozo, M.C.M., Pluralistic medical settings and medicinal plant use in rural communities, Mato Grosso, Brazil (2004) Journal of Ethnobiology, 24 (1), pp. 139-161Arruda Camargo, M.T.L.P., (1998) Lantas Medicinais e Rituais Afro-brasileiros. II: Estudo Etnofarmacobotânico, 232p. , São Paulo: ÍconeBegossi, A., Hanazaki, N., Tamashiro, J.Y., Medicinal plants and the Atlantic Forest (Brazil): Knowledge, use and conservation (2002) Human Ecology, 30, pp. 281-299Que Aprova a Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos e Dá Outras Providências, , http://www.planalto.gov.br/CCIVIL/decreto/D5813.htm, BRASIL. Decreto No 5.813, de 22 de Junho de 2006 Disponível Acesso em: 7 nov. 2007Di Stasi, L.C., Arte, ciência e magia (1996) Plantas Medicinais: Arte e Ciência. Um Guia de Estudo Interdisciplinar, pp. 15-21. , DI STASI, L.C. (Ed.). São Paulo: UNESPGarlet, T.M.B., Irgang, B.E., Plantas medicinais utilizadas na medicina por mulheres trabalhadoras rurais de Cruz Alta, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (2001) Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 4 (1), pp. 9-18Gazzaneo, L.R.S., Lucena, R.F.P.L., Albuquerque, U.P., Knowledge and use of medicinal plants by local specialists in an region of Atlantic Forest in the state of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil) (2005) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 1 (9). , http://www.ethnobiomed.com/Content/1/1/9, Disponível Acesso em: 13 nov. 2007Hanazaki, N., Leitão Filho, H.F., Begossi, A., Uso de recursos na Mata Atlântica: O caso da Ponta do Almada (1996) Interciencia, 21 (6), pp. 268-276Hanazaki, N., Diversity of plant uses in two Caiçara communities from Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil (2000) Biodiversity and Conservation, 9, pp. 597-615Hanazaki, N., Souza, V.C., Rodrigues, R.R., Ethnobotany of rural people from the boundaries of Carlos Botelho State Park, São Paulo State, Brazil (2006) Acta Botanica Brasilica, 20 (4), pp. 899-909Heinrich, M., Medicinal plants in Mexico: Healers' consensus and cultural importance (1998) Social Science and Medicine, 47 (11), pp. 1859-1871Hickel, H.T., Cidade rural-urbana (1999) Atlas Ambiental de Porto Alegre, p. 118. , MENEGAT, R. (Ed.). Porto Alegre: Ed. UFRGSJoshi, A.R., Joshi, K., Indigenous knowledge and uses of medicinal plants by local communities of the Kali Gandaki Watershed Area, Nepal (2000) Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 73, pp. 175-183Marodin, S.M., Baptista, L.R.M., O uso de plantas com fins medicinais no município de Dom Pedro de Alcântara, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (2001) Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 4 (1), pp. 57-68Negrelle, R.R.B., Estudo etnobotânico junto à Unidade Saúde da Família Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes: Subsídios para o estabelecimento de programa de fitoterápicos na Rede Básica de Saúde do Município de Cascavel (Paraná) (2007) Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 9 (3), pp. 6-22Negrelle, R.R.B., Fornazzari, K.R.C., Estudo etnobotânico em duas comunidades rurais (Limeira e Ribeirão Grande) de Guaratuba (Paraná, Brasil) (2007) Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 9 (2), pp. 36-54(2007) International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, , http://www.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online, ORGANIZAÇÃO MUNDIAL DE SAÚDE. Disponível Acesso em: 27 jan. 2008Patton, M.Q., (2001) Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods, 688p. , 3.ed. California: Sage PublicationsPilla, M.A.C., Amorozo, M.C.M., Furlan, A., Obtenção e uso das plantas medicinais no distrito de Martim Francisco, Município de Mogi-Mirim, SP, Brasil (2006) Acta Botanica Brasilica, 20 (4), pp. 789-802Pinto, E.P.P., Amorozo, M.C.M., Furlan, A., Conhecimento popular sobre plantas medicinais em comunidades rurais de mata atlântica - Itacaré, BA, Brasil (2006) Acta Botanica Brasilica, 20 (4), pp. 751-762Printes, R.C., (2002) Plano de Manejo Participativo Da Reserva Biológica Do Lami, 133p. , Porto Alegre: SMAM(2001) Política Intersetorial de Plantas Medicinais para O Rio Grande Do Sul, , http://www.sct.rs.gov.br/programas/fito-rs/politica%20intersetorial.htm, RIO GRANDE DO SUL. Disponível Acesso em: 7 dez. 2005Rossato, S.C., Leitão-Filho, H.F., Begossi, A., Ethnobotany of caiçaras of the Atlantic Forest Coast (Brazil) (1999) Economic Botany, 53 (4), pp. 387-395Schenkel, E.P., Plantas tóxicas (1999) Farmacognosia: Da Planta Ao Medicamento, pp. 755-788. , SIMÕES, C.M.O. et al. (Ed.). Porto Alegre: Ed.UFSC/Ed.UFRGSSimões, C.M.O., (1995) Plantas Da Medicina Popular No Rio Grande Do Sul, 174p. , 4.ed. Porto Alegre: Ed. UFRGSSimões, C.M.O., Spitzer, V., Óleos voláteis (1999) Farmacognosia: Da Planta Ao Medicamento, pp. 387-416. , SIMÕES, C.M.O. et al. (Ed.). Porto Alegre: Ed.UFSC/Ed.UFRGSSouza, A.A., Wiest, J.M., Atividade anti-bacteriana de Aloysia gratissima (Gill et Hook) Tronc. (garupá, erva santa), usada na medicina tradicional no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil (2007) Revista Brasileira de Plantas Medicinais, 9 (3), pp. 23-29Vanderbroek, I., Comparison of health conditions treated with traditional and biomedical health care in a Quechua community in rural Bolivia (2008) Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 4, p. 1. , http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/4/1/1, Disponível Acesso em: 2 mar. 2008Voeks, R.A., Tropical forest healers and habitat preference (1996) Economic Botany, 50 (4), pp. 381-40

"Ferveu, queimou o ser da erva": conhecimentos de especialistas locais sobre plantas medicinais na região Sul do Brasil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar levantamento etnobotânico sobre o conhecimento e uso de plantas medicinais por especialistas locais na comunidade do Lami, situada na região sul de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. A metodologia envolveu a aplicação de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e excursões guiadas. Para cada citação as seguintes informações foram registradas: nome botânico e vernacular, uso terapêutico, parte da planta utilizada, preparação e forma de administração. Foi calculado o valor de uso e a porcentagem de concordância quanto aos usos principais corrigida para cada planta citada, bem como o fator de consenso entre informantes para as diferentes categorias de doenças consideradas. Registrou-se o conhecimento sobre 141 espécies medicinais, pertencentes a 63 famílias botânicas. O conhecimento dos especialistas é bastante amplo e inclui o uso de plantas nativas e exóticas quase na mesma proporção. As plantas medicinais representam uma importante alternativa terapêutica na comunidade estudada. O uso associado das medicinas tradicional e convencional, bem como as formas de transmissão e conservação do conhecimento são também discutidos neste artigo