Klein Bottles and Simple Currents

The standard Klein bottle coefficient in the construction of open descendants is shown to equal the Frobenius-Schur indicator of a conformal field theory. Other consistent Klein bottle projections are shown to correspond to simple currents. These observations enable us to generalize the standard open string construction from C-diagonal parent theories to include non-standard Klein bottles. Using (generalizations of) the Frobenius-Schur indicator we prove positivity and integrality of the resulting open and closed string state multiplicities for standard as well as non-standard Klein bottles.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. References added, minor error correcte

Comparative analgesia between acupuncture and dipyrone in odontalgia

The aim of this study was to assess whether the effectiveness of acupuncture is similar to the use of analgesics in the management of toothache. The research included 56 volunteers who were divided into 4 groups: Real Acupuncture group, Placebo Acupuncture group, Real Dipyrone group, and Placebo Dipyrone group. The interventions of the study were performed before the dental care. Inclusion criteria were toothache of pulpal origin with pain scale (Visual Analogue Scale) above 4, absence of medication for the pain, and aged over 18 years. The Real Acupuncture volunteers received a session of acupuncture using piercing needles, while volunteers from the Placebo Acupuncture group received an acupuncture session using non-piercing sham needles. Volunteers from the Real Dipyrone group received a dipyrone tablet and the Placebo Acupuncture group received a tablet with no active ingredient. Before any therapeutic intervention, we collected samples from the volunteers’ saliva to analyze the salivary cortisol, the volunteers rated the intensity of their pain using VAS, and we measured their energy level by the Ryodoraku method. After 20 minutes of treatment, all the volunteers’ analysis parameters were collected again. The Real Acupuncture group presented a greater reduction of VAS than the reduction obtained by the Real Dipyrone group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for the salivary cortisol and energy level variables. It can be concluded that acupuncture was more effective in reducing odontalgia than the dipyrone and that it can be an alternative for odontalgia management126182191CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ133752/2017-8The authors thank Espaço da Escrita—Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa—UNICAMP, for the language services provided and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq – n° 133752/2017-8) and Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e Extensão (FAEPEX – n° 1032/2017) for the financial suppor

An Emergent-Based Approach for Deriving Business/IT Alignment Models and Measures through IS Enactment

Business/IT Alignment is an information systems research field with a long existence and a high number of researchers and represents a central thinking direction over the entanglement between business and information systems. It aims to achieve a paradigm, on which there is a high degree of visibility and availability of information about the information systems sociomateriality. Complex-networks constitute an approach to the study of the emergent properties of complex-systems that strongly focuses and relies on models and measures, through which the system interdependence is built. Several characteristics of complex-networks are: structural or functional topology; domain independent; quantification of elements’ relationships; visibility and capture of emergent properties. We introduce a set of models and measures through the dimensions of a profiling framework illustrated with an exploratory case

Open Descendants of Non-Diagonal Invariants

The open descendants of simple current automorphism invariants are constructed. We consider the case where the order of the current is two or odd. We prove that our solutions satisfy the completeness conditions, positivity and integrality of the open and closed sectors and the Klein bottle constraint (apart from an interesting exception). In order to do this, we derive some new relations between the tensor Y and the fixed point conformal field theory. Some non-standard Klein bottle projections are considered as well.Comment: 21 pages, LaTe

Relationship Between Fluoride Levels In The Public Water Supply And Dental Fluorosis

Objective: To assess the prevalence of dental flourosis among schoolchildren subjected to different fluoride concentrations in the public water supply of their cities. Methods: The sample comprised 386 seven-year-old schoolchildren living in two municipalities in the State of São Paulo that practiced external control over the fluoridation of the water from 1998 to 2002: one with homogenous fluoride concentration and the other with oscillating concentration. Dental fluorosis was determined by dry examination of the upper permanent incisors using Dean's index. Scores classified as questionable were considered to represent fluorosis. Sociodemographic variables and questions regarding oral health were assessed using a structured questionnaire sent to the children's parents or the adults responsible for these children. Correlates of fluorosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05). Results: Both municipalities presented a mild degree of fluorosis. The prevalence of fluorosis in the municipality with oscillating fluoride content in the water was 31.4%, and it was 79.9% in the municipality with homogenous fluoride content. The prevalence of fluorosis was associated with the municipality with homogeneous fluoride levels in the water (OR=8.33, 95% CI: 5.15; 13.45) and with not owning a car (OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.27;3.49). Conclusions: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was higher in the city with better control of fluoride levels in the water supply, however, this higher prevalence was not related with children's satisfaction with the appearance of their teeth.415732739Aoba, T., Fejerskov, O., Dental fluorosis: Chemistry and biology (2002) Crit Rev Oral Biol Med, 13 (2), pp. 155-170Bårdsen, A., Risk periods associated with the development of dental fluorosis in maxillary permanent central incisors: A meta-analysis (1999) Acta Odontol Scand, 57 (5), pp. 247-256Clark, D.C., Berkowitz, J., The influence of various fluoride exposures on the prevalence of esthetic problems resulting from dental fluorosis (1997) J Public Health Dent, 57 (3), pp. 144-149Clark, D.C., Hann, H.J., Williamson, M.F., Berkowitz, J., Influence of exposure to various fluoride technologies on the prevalence of dental (1994) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 22 (6), pp. 461-464Cypriano S, Sousa MLR, Rihs LB, Wada RS. Prevalência e severidade da fluorose dentária em Piracicaba, SP, Brasil. RPG Rev Pos Grad. 2004;11(1):67-73Evans, R.W., Stamm, J.W., An epidemiological estimate of the critical period during which human maxillary central incisors are most susceptible to fluorosis (1991) J Publ Health Dent, 51 (4), pp. 251-259Fejerskov, O., Manji, F., Baelum, V., The nature and mechanisms of dental fluorosis in man (1990) J Dent Res, p. 69. , Spec No:692-700Frazão, P., Peverari, A.C., Forni, T.I., Mota, A.G., Costa, L.R., Fluorose dentária: Comparação de dois estudos de prevalência (2004) Cad Saude Publica, 20 (4), pp. 1050-1058Horowitz, H.S., Grand Rapids: The public health story (1989) J Public Health Dent, 49 (1), pp. 62-63Hosmer, D.W., Lemeshow, S., (1989) Applied logistic regression, , New York: John Wiley & Sons;Mackay, T.D., Thomsom, W.M., Enamel defects and dental caries among Southland children (2005) N Z Dent J, 101 (2), pp. 35-43Maltz, M., Silva, B.B., Relação entre cárie, gengivite e fluorose e nível sócio-econômico em escolares (2001) Rev Saude Publica, 35 (2), pp. 170-176Narvai, P.C., Fluoretação da água: Heterocontrole no município de São Paulo no período de 1990-1999 (2000) Rev Bras Ondontol Saude Coletiva, 1 (2), pp. 50-56Nunn, J.H., Ekanayake, L., Rugg-Gunn, A.J., Saparamadu, K.D., Assessment of enamel opacities in children in Sri Lanka and England using a photographic method (1993) Community Dent Health, 10 (2), pp. 175-188Levantamento Epidemiológico básico de saúde bucal: Manual de instruções (1991) São Paulo: Editora, , Organização Mundial da Saúde, 3 ed, Santos;Tabari, E.D., Ellwood, R., Rugg-Gunn, A.J., Evans, D.J., Davies, R.M., Dental fluorosis in permanent incisor teeth in relation to water fluoridation, social deprivation and toothpaste use in infancy (2000) Br Dent J, 189 (4), pp. 216-220(1962) Public Health Service: Drinking water standards 1962, p. 956. , United States Public Health Service, Washington: Government Printing Office;, Public Health Service PublicationVan Nieuwenhuysen, J.P., Carvalho, J.C., D'Hoore, W., Caries reduction in Belgian 12-year-old children related to socioeconomic status (2002) Acta Odontol Scand, 60 (2), pp. 123-128(1997) Bucal health surveys: Basic methods, , World Health Organization, 4. ed. Geneva;World Health Organization. Fluorides and Oral Health. Geneva1994. (Who Technical Report Series, 846

Interrelações entre minerais no solo, plantas forrageiras e tecido animal no norte de Mato Grosso 4. Zinco, magnésio, sódio e potássio

An experiment was conducted with samples from six farms in northearn Mato Grosso, Brazil, to study the interrelationships among levels of minerals in soil, forage, and animal tissues during the wet and dry seasons of the year. Soil extractable Zn levels were low in three out of six farms. Forage Zn levels were defficient in five farms. Levels of Zn in the liver were defficient in all six farms, being much lower (68 ppm) during the wet season than during the dry season (113 ppm). Magnesium levels in soil were low in one farm and adequated in five. Forage and animal tissue Mg levels were adequated in all six farms. Soil extractable sodium was normal and the salinity in all six farms was considered negligible. Forage sodium was highly defficient, being able to meet only between 14 to 30% of the animal requirements. Soil potassium levels were low in two out of six farms, but forage levels were adequate in all six farms to meet the requirement of grazing beef cattle.Levantamento das deficiências minerais de seis fazendas localizadas ao norte do Estado de Mato Grosso, tendo sido amostrados os solos, plantas forrageiras e tecido animal, nas estações seca e chuvosa. Foram constatadas deficiências de Zn no solo em três das seis fazendas estudadas. Cinco das seis fazendas apresentaram deficiência de zinco nas forrageiras. Os níveis de Zn no fígado dos animais foram deficientes em todas as seis fazendas, mas sendo muito mais deficientes ainda no período chuvoso (68 ppm) do que no período seco, (113 ppm). Os níveis de Mg nos solos foram mais baixos em apenas uma fazenda. Nas forrageiras e no tecido dos animais amostrados, os níveis de Mg foram normais. Os níveis de Na nos solos foram considerados normais, e a salinidade nas regiões estudadas foi considerada insignificante. Em todas as fazendas, as forrageiras mostraram-se altamente deficientes em Na, satisfazendo apenas entre 14 a 30% das exigências nutricionais dos bovinos. Os níveis de K nos solos mostraram-se deficientes em duas das seis fazendas estudadas. As forrageiras apresentaram níveis médios adequados às exigências nutricionais dos bovinos em todas as fazendas

Clinically relevant enhancement of human sperm motility using compounds with reported phosphodiesterase inhibitor activity

STUDY QUESTION: Can we identify compound(s) with reported phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDEI) activity that could be added to human spermatozoa in vitro to enhance their motility without compromising other sperm functions? SUMMARY ANSWER: We have identified several compounds that produce robust and effective stimulation of sperm motility and, importantly, have a positive response on patient samples. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: For &gt;20 years, the use of non-selective PDEIs, such as pentoxifylline, has been known to influence the motility of human spermatozoa; however, conflicting results have been obtained. It is now clear that human sperm express several different phosphodiesterases and these are compartmentalized at different regions of the cells. By using type-specific PDEIs, differential modulation of sperm motility may be achieved without adversely affecting other functions such as the acrosome reaction (AR). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This was a basic medical research study examining sperm samples from normozoospermic donors and subfertile patients attending the Assisted Conception Unit (ACU), Ninewells Hospital Dundee for diagnostic semen analysis, IVF and ICSI. Phase 1 screened 43 commercially available compounds with reported PDEI activity to identify lead compounds that stimulate sperm motility. Samples were exposed (20 min) to three concentrations (1, 10 and 100 µM) of compound, and selected candidates (n = 6) progressed to Phase 2, which provided a more comprehensive assessment using a battery of in vitro sperm function tests.  PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: All healthy donors and subfertile patients were recruited at the Medical Research Institute, University of Dundee and ACU, Ninewells Hospital Dundee (ethical approval 08/S1402/6). In Phase 1, poor motility cells recovered from the 40% interface of the discontinuous density gradient were used as surrogates for patient samples. Pooled samples from three to four different donors were utilized in order to reduce variability and increase the number of cells available for simultaneous examination of multiple compounds. During Phase 2 testing, semen samples from 23 patients attending for either routine diagnostic andrology assessment or IVF/ICSI were prepared and exposed to selected compounds. Additionally, 48 aliquots of prepared samples, surplus to clinical use, were examined from IVF (n = 32) and ICSI (n = 16) patients to further determine the effects of selected compounds under clinical conditions of treatment. Effects of compounds on sperm motility were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis. A modified Kremer test using methyl cellulose was used to assess sperm functional ability to penetrate into viscous media. Sperm acrosome integrity and induction of apoptosis were assessed using the acrosomal content marker PSA-FITC and annexin V kit, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In Phase 1, six compounds were found to have a strong effect on poor motility samples with a magnitude of response of ≥60% increase in percentage total motility. Under capacitating and non-capacitating conditions, these compounds significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the percentage of total and progressive motility. Furthermore, these compounds enhanced penetration into a cervical mucus substitute (P ≤ 0.05). Finally, the AR was not significantly induced and these compounds did not significantly increase the externalization of phosphatidylserine (P = 0.6, respectively). In general, the six compounds maintained the stimulation of motility over long periods of time (180 min) and their effects were still observed after their removal. In examinations of clinical samples, there was a general observation of a more significant stimulation of sperm motility in samples with lower baseline motility. In ICSI samples, compounds #26, #37 and #38 were the most effective at significantly increasing total motility (88, 81 and 79% of samples, respectively) and progressive motility (94, 93 and 81% of samples, respectively). In conclusion, using a two-phased drug discovery screening approach including the examination of clinical samples, 3/43 compounds were identified as promising candidates for further study. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This is an in vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating the results. Data for patients were from one assessment and thus the robustness of responses needs to be established. The n values for ICSI samples were relatively small. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: We have systematically screened and identified several compounds that have robust and effective stimulation (i.e. functional significance with longevity and no toxicity) of total and progressive motility under clinical conditions of treatment. These compounds could be clinical candidates with possibilities in terms of assisted reproductive technology options for current or future patients affected by asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia

Interaction between ascorbic acid and follicle-stimulating hormone maintains follicular viability after long-term in vitro culture of caprine preantral follicles

This study evaluates the effects of ascorbic acid and its interaction with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the morphology, activation, and in vitro growth of caprine preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1, 7, or 14 d in minimum essential medium (MEM) containing ascorbic acid (50 or 100 μg/mL), FSH (50 ng/mL), or both of these substances. Ovarian tissue that was either fresh (control) or cultured for 1, 7, or 14 d was processed for histological and ultrastructural evaluation. The results showed that after 14 d of culture, medium supplemented with 50 μg/mL of ascorbic acid alone or combined with FSH showed higher rates of follicular survival compared with MEM. After 7 d of culture, FSH, ascorbic acid at 50 μg/mL with or without FSH, and ascorbic acid at 100 μg/mL increased the percentage of follicular activation compared to fresh control. In addition, FSH alone significantly increased the percentage of growing follicles after 14 d. The combination of 50 μg/mL of ascorbic acid and FSH promoted a significant increase in oocyte and follicular diameter after 7 d of culture. Ultrastructural and fluorescent analysis confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 50 μg/mL of ascorbic acid and FSH after 14 d. In conclusion, the combination of 50 μg/mL of ascorbic acid and FSH maintained follicular integrity and promoted follicular activation and growth after long-term in vitro culture of caprine preantral follicles

Overview of fast on-board integrated battery chargers for electric vehicles based on multiphase machines and power electronics

The study provides an extensive overview of on-board integrated chargers for electric vehicles that are based on multiphase (more than three phases) machines and power electronics. A common attribute of all discussed topologies is that they do not require a charger as a separate device since its role is transferred to the already existing drivetrain elements, predominantly a multiphase machine and an inverter. The study demonstrates how additional degrees of freedom that exist in multiphase systems can be conveniently utilised to achieve torque-free charging operation. Therefore, although three-phase (or multiphase) currents flow through machines' stator windings, they do not generate any torque; thus the machines do not have to be mechanically locked. Cost and weight saving is achieved in this way, while the available space is increased. For each topology operating principles are explained, and its control elaborated in detail for both charging and vehicle-to-grid mode. Finally, the validity of theoretical considerations and control algorithms of some of the existing charging solutions is experimentally verified and experimental performance of all discussed topologies is compared