Minimally non-local nucleon-nucleon potentials with chiral two-pion exchange including Δ\Delta's

We construct a coordinate-space chiral potential, including $\Delta$-isobar intermediate states in its two-pion-exchange component. The contact interactions entering at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-next-to-leading orders ($Q^2$ and $Q^4$, respectively, $Q$ denoting generically the low momentum scale) are rearranged by Fierz transformations to yield terms at most quadratic in the relative momentum operator of the two nucleons. The low-energy constants multiplying these contact interactions are fitted to the 2013 Granada database, consisting of 2309 $pp$ and 2982 $np$ data (including, respectively, 148 and 218 normalizations) in the laboratory-energy range 0--300 MeV. For the total 5291 $pp$ and $np$ data in this range, we obtain a $\chi^2$/datum of roughly 1.3 for a set of three models characterized by long- and short-range cutoffs, $R_{\rm L}$ and $R_{\rm S}$ respectively, ranging from $(R_{\rm L},R_{\rm S})=(1.2,0.8)$ fm down to $(0.8,0.6)$ fm. The long-range (short-range) cutoff regularizes the one- and two-pion exchange (contact) part of the potential.Comment: 32 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication as a Regular Article in Physical Review

High Performance Compostable Biocomposites Based on Bacterial Polyesters Suitable For Injection Molding and Blow Extrusion

This work deals with the design, preparation and characterization of composites based on Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] and lignocellulosic filler suitable for the production of compostable and biodegradable biocomposites that mimic the thermo-mechanical and processing characteristics commonly found in those polymeric materials specially designed for injection molding and blow extrusion. The best formulation in terms of processability, thermo-mechanical properties and biodegradation behavior under mature compost conditions was the biocomposite that contained 42.8 % by wt. of Poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyvalerate] as the major component, 5 % by wt. of lignocellulosic filler, 10 % by wt. of tributyl citrate plasticizer, 30 % by wt. of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), 10 % by wt. of Poly(vinyl acetate), 0.2 % by wt. of Joncryl ADR-4368C a chain extender, 1 % by wt. of a primary antioxidant mix, and 1 % by wt. of nucleating agents

Minimally Nonlocal Nucleon-Nucleon Potentials With Chiral Two-Pion Exchange Including Δ Resonances

We construct a coordinate-space chiral potential, including Δ -isobar intermediate states in its two-pion-exchange component up to order Q3 (Q denotes generically the low momentum scale). The contact interactions entering at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-next-to-leading orders (Q2 and Q4 , respectively) are rearranged by Fierz transformations to yield terms at most quadratic in the relative momentum operator of the two nucleons. The low-energy constants multiplying these contact interactions are fitted to the 2013 Granada database, consisting of 2309 pp and 2982 np data (including, respectively, 148 and 218 normalizations) in the laboratory-energy range 0–300 MeV. For the total 5291 pp and np data in this range, we obtain a χ2 /datum of roughly 1.3 for a set of three models characterized by long- and short-range cutoffs, RL and RS , respectively, ranging from (RL ,RS)=(1.2, 0.8) fm down to (0.8,0.6) fm. The long-range (short-range) cutoff regularizes the one- and two-pion exchange (contact) part of the potential

The role of salt abuse on risk for hypercalciuria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Elevated sodium excretion in urine resulting from excessive sodium intake can lead to hypercalciuria and contribute to the formation of urinary stones. The aim of this study was to evaluate salt intake in patients with urinary lithiasis and idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between August 2007 and June 2008, 105 lithiasic patients were distributed into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 55): patients with IH (urinary calcium excretion > 250 mg in women and 300 mg in men with normal serum calcium); Group 2 (n = 50): normocalciuric patients (NC). Inclusion criteria were: age over 18 years, normal renal function (creatinine clearance ≥ 60 ml/min), absent proteinuria and negative urinary culture. Pregnant women, patients with intestinal pathologies, chronic diarrhea or using corticoids were excluded. The protocol of metabolic investigation was based on non-consecutive collection of two 24-hour samples for dosages of: calcium, sodium, uric acid, citrate, oxalate, magnesium and urinary volume. Food intake was evaluated by the three-day dietary record quantitative method, and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sodium intake was evaluated based on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The distribution in both groups as regards mean age (42.11 ± 10.61 vs. 46.14 ± 11.52), weight (77.14 ± 16.03 vs. 75.99 ± 15.80), height (1.64 ± 0.10 vs. 1.64 <b>± plusorminus </b>0.08) and BMI (28.78 ± 5.81 vs. 28.07 ± 5.27) was homogeneous. Urinary excretion of calcium (433.33 ± 141.92 vs. 188.93 ± 53.09), sodium (280.08 ± 100.94 vs. 200.44.93 ± 65.81), uric acid (880.63 ± 281.50 vs. 646.74 ± 182.76) and magnesium (88.78 ± 37.53 vs. 64.34 ± 31.84) was significantly higher in the IH group (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in calcium intake between the groups, and there was significantly higher salt intake in patients with IH than in NC.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study showed that salt intake was higher in patients with IH as compared to NC.</p

In Vivo Induction of P‑Glycoprotein Function can be Measured with [18F]MC225 and PET

P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) is an efflux pump located at the blood−brain barrier (BBB) that contributes to the protection of the central nervous system by transporting neurotoxic compounds out of the brain. A decline in P-gp function has been related to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. P-gp inducers can increase the P-gp function and are considered as potential candidates for the treatment of such disorders. The P-gp inducer MC111 increased P-gp expression and function in SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma and colo-320 cells, respectively. Our study aims to evaluate the P-gp inducing effect of MC111 in the whole brain in vivo, using the P-gp tracer [18F]MC225 and positron emission tomography (PET). Eighteen Wistar rats were treated with either vehicle solution, 4.5 mg/kg of MC111 (low-dose group), or 6 mg/kg of MC111 (high-dose group). Animals underwent a 60 min dynamic PET scan with arterial-blood sampling, 24 h after treatment with the inducer. Data were analyzed using the 1-tissue-compartment model and metabolite-corrected plasma as the input function. Model parameters such as the influx constant (K1) and volume of distribution (VT) were calculated, which reflectthe in vivo P-gp function. P-gp and pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) expression levels of the whole brain were assessed using western blot. The administration of MC111 decreased K1 and VT of [18F]MC225 in the whole brain and all of the selected brain regions. In the high-dose group, whole-brain K1 was decreased by 34% (K1-high-dose = 0.20 ± 0.02 vs K1-control = 0.30 ± 0.02; p &lt; 0.001) and in the low-dose group by 7% (K1-low-dose = 0.28 ± 0.02 vs K1-control = 0.30 ± 0.02; p = 0.42) compared to controls. Whole-brain VT was decreased by 25% in the high-dose group (VT-high-dose = 5.92 ± 0.41 vs VT-control = 7.82 ± 0.38; p &lt; 0.001) and by 6% in the low-dose group (VT-low-dose = 7.35 ± 0.38 vs VT-control = 7.82 ± 0.37; p = 0.38) compared to controls. k2 values did not vary after treatment. The treatment did not affect the metabolism of [18F]MC225. Western blot studies using the whole brain tissue did not detect changes in the P-gp expression, however, preliminary results using isolated brain capillaries found an increasing trend up to 37% in treated rats. The decrease in K1 and VT values after treatment with the inducer indicates an increase in the P-gp functionality at the BBB of treated rats. Moreover, preliminary results using brain endothelial cells also sustained the increase in the P-gp expression. In conclusion, the results verify that MC111 induces P-gp expression and function at the BBB in rats. An increasing trend regarding the P-gp expression levels is found using western blot and an increased P-gp function is confirmed with [18F]MC225 and PET

Métodos cualitativos a dos milenios de su surgimiento. Un acercamiento a las perspectivas educacional y salubrista.

With the general aim of identifying the qualitative methods that would facilitate a closer approach in the praxis to the educative and salubrista perspective, a scrutiny was realized with specialists from the inductive and deductive methods and logical historical. The selected qualitative methods that are analyzed are: observation, phenomenological, ethnographic, action research and biographical method. A comparative summary of the advantages known or not to be explored of each method for the educational field and for the health, from its emergence until the present according to bibliographical references, is presented. It reaffirms the need to go deeper into the use of qualitative methods in the field of health through the exploration and application of its potentialities. Con la finalidad general de identificar los métodos cualitativos que facilitarían un mayor acercamiento en la praxis a la perspectiva educacional y salubrista, se realizó un escrutinio con especialistas a partir de los métodos inductivo y deductivo e histórico lógico. Los métodos cualitativos seleccionados que se analizan son: la observación, el fenomenológico, el etnográfico, la investigación-acción y el método biográfico. Se expone un resumen comparativo de las ventajas conocidas o por explorar de cada método para el ámbito educacional y para la salud, desde su surgimiento hasta el presente según referencias bibliográficas. Se reafirma la necesidad de profundizar más en el uso de los métodos cualitativos en el ámbito de la  salud a través de la exploración y aplicación de sus potencialidades. 

The Evolution of Compact Binary Star Systems

We review the formation and evolution of compact binary stars consisting of white dwarfs (WDs), neutron stars (NSs), and black holes (BHs). Binary NSs and BHs are thought to be the primary astrophysical sources of gravitational waves (GWs) within the frequency band of ground-based detectors, while compact binaries of WDs are important sources of GWs at lower frequencies to be covered by space interferometers (LISA). Major uncertainties in the current understanding of properties of NSs and BHs most relevant to the GW studies are discussed, including the treatment of the natal kicks which compact stellar remnants acquire during the core collapse of massive stars and the common envelope phase of binary evolution. We discuss the coalescence rates of binary NSs and BHs and prospects for their detections, the formation and evolution of binary WDs and their observational manifestations. Special attention is given to AM CVn-stars -- compact binaries in which the Roche lobe is filled by another WD or a low-mass partially degenerate helium-star, as these stars are thought to be the best LISA verification binary GW sources.Comment: 105 pages, 18 figure

Therapeutic effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (at-RA) on an autoimmune nephritis experimental model: role of the VLA-4 integrin

BACKGROUND: Mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) induces an autoimmune nephritis in the Brown Norway (BN) rats characterized by anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies (anti-GBM Ab) deposition, proteinuria and a severe interstitial nephritis, all evident at day 13 of the disease. We assessed the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (at-RA) in this experimental model. At-RA is a vitamin A metabolite which has shown beneficial effects on several nephropathies, even though no clear targets for at-RA were provided. METHODS: We separated animals in four different experimental groups (HgCl(2), HgCl(2)+at-RA, at-RA and vehicle). From each animal we collected, at days 0 and 13, numerous biological samples: urine, to measure proteinuria by colorimetry; blood to determine VLA-4 expression by flow citometry; renal tissue to study the expression of VCAM-1 by Western blot, the presence of cellular infiltrates by immunohistochemistry, the IgG deposition by immunofluorescence, and the cytokines expression by RT-PCR. Additionally, adhesion assays to VCAM-1 were performed using K562 α4 transfectant cells. ANOVA tests were used for statistical significance estimation. RESULTS: We found that at-RA significantly decreased the serum levels of anti-GBM and consequently its deposition along the glomerular membrane. At-RA markedly reduced proteinuria as well as the number of cellular infiltrates in the renal interstitium, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines and VCAM-1 expression in renal tissue. Moreover, we reported here for the first time in an in vivo model that at-RA reduced, to basal levels, the expression of VLA-4 (α4β1) integrin induced by mercury on peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs). In addition, using K562 α4 stable transfectant cells, we found that at-RA inhibited VLA-4 dependent cell adhesion to VCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Here we demonstrate a therapeutic effect of at-RA on an autoimmune experimental nephritis model in rats. We report a significant reduction of the VLA-4 integrin expression on PBLs as well as the inhibition of the VLA4/VCAM1-dependent leukocyte adhesion by at-RA treatment. Thereby we point out the VLA-4 integrin as a target for at-RA in vivo

Searching for TeV Dark Matter in Irregular dwarf galaxies with HAWC Observatory

We present the results of dark matter (DM) searches in a sample of 31 dwarf irregular (dIrr) galaxies within the field of view of the HAWC Observatory. dIrr galaxies are DM dominated objects, which astrophysical gamma-ray emission is estimated to be negligible with respect to the secondary gamma-ray flux expected by annihilation or decay of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). While we do not see any statistically significant DM signal in dIrr galaxies, we present the exclusion limits ($95\%~\text{C.L.}$) for annihilation cross-section and decay lifetime for WIMP candidates with masses between $1$ and $100~\text{TeV}$. Exclusion limits from dIrr galaxies are relevant and complementary to benchmark dwarf Spheroidal (dSph) galaxies. In fact, dIrr galaxies are targets kinematically different from benchmark dSph, preserving the footprints of different evolution histories. We compare the limits from dIrr galaxies to those from ultrafaint and classical dSph galaxies previously observed with HAWC. We find that the contraints are comparable to the limits from classical dSph galaxies and $\thicksim2$ orders of magnitude weaker than the ultrafaint dSph limits.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figures, 3 table