MICROSCOPIC APPROACH TO IRREVERSIBLE THERMODYNAMICS .2. AN EXAMPLE FROM SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS

The general theory described in the preceding article [Phys. Rev. A 43, 6622 (1991)] based on the nonequilibrium-statistical-operator method, which provides mechano-statistical foundations for phenomenological irreversible thermodynamics, is applied to a specific problem. This is the case of a highly excited plasma in a semiconductor, where fluxes of mass and energy naturally appear, as well as other higher-order fluxes, as basic variables necessary for the description of the macroscopic state of the system. A criterion for the truncation of the basic set of variables is presented. The equations of motion for the macrovariables are derived for the case of a simple model. They have the structure of nonlinear and nonlocal transport equations, which fit into a natural extension of those of linear irreversible thermodynamics. In particular, Maxwell-Cattaneo-Vernotte-type equations of extended irreversible thermodynamics are recovered, having relaxation times and transport coefficients that may be calculated from the microscopic dynamics of the system composed of averages over the nonequilibrium ensemble.43126633664

MICROSCOPIC APPROACH TO IRREVERSIBLE THERMODYNAMICS .1. GENERAL-THEORY

In this paper we show how an extension of the nonequilibrium-statistical-operator method, relying upon the maximum-entropy principle set up by Jaynes [Am. J. Phys. 33, 391 (1965)], may be used to describe the time evolution of an arbitrary many-body system. The Gibbs space of the observables describing the macrostates of the system is extended to include not only the conserved variables, but additional ones whose origin is directly related to the microscopic nature of the system manifested in its Hamiltonian. This allows us to go beyond linear irreversible thermodynamics and enter into the domain of what is now known as extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT). Transport equations for the extended basic set of macrovariables are derived, showing that the Maxwell-Cattaneo-Vernotte equations of EIT are obtained. The relaxation times and transport coefficients contained therein can be calculated from the microscopic dynamics of the system averaged over an appropriate nonequilibrium coarse-grained probability density. Other outstanding features of the methods are emphasized and related to already-established results for nonequilibrium systems.43126622663

TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS (TLR) 2 AND 4 EXPRESSION OF KERATINOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH LOCALIZED AND DISSEMINATED DERMATOPHYTOSIS

There are few studies on the role of innate immune response in dermatophytosis. An investigation was conducted to define the involvement of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 in localized (LD) and disseminated (DD) dermatophytosis due to T. rubrum. Fifteen newly diagnosed patients, eight patients with LD and seven with DD, defined by involvement of at least three body segments were used in this study. Controls comprised twenty skin samples from healthy individuals undergoing plastic surgery. TLR2 and TLR4 were quantified in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. A reduced expression of TLR4 in the lower and upper epidermis of both LD and DD patients was found compared to controls; TLR2 expression was preserved in the upper and lower epidermis of all three groups. As TLR4 signaling induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils recruitment, its reduced expression likely contributed to the lack of resolution of the infection and the consequent chronic nature of the dermatophytosis. As TLR2 expression acts to limit the inflammatory process and preserves the epidermal structure, its preserved expression may also contribute to the persistent infection and limited inflammation that are characteristic of dermatophytic infections

Factors associated with unintended pregnancy in Brazil: cross-sectional results from the Birth in Brazil National Survey, 2011/2012

Background Unintended pregnancy, a pregnancy that have been either unwanted or mistimed, is a serious public health issue in Brazil. It is reported for more than half of women who gave birth in the country, but the characteristics of women who conceive unintentionally are rarely documented. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence and the association between unintended pregnancy and a set of sociodemographic characteristics, individual-level variables and history of obstetric outcomes. Methods Birth in Brazil is a cross-sectional study with countrywide representation that interviewed 23,894 women after birth. The information about intendedness of pregnancy was obtained after birth at the hospital and classified into three categories: intended, mistimed or unwanted. Multinomial regression analysis was used to estimate the associations between intendedness of a pregnancy, and sociodemographic and obstetric variables, calculating odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. All significant variables in the bivariate analysis were included in the multinomial multivariate model and the final model retaining variables that remained significant at the 5 % level. Results Unintended pregnancy was reported by 55.4 % of postpartum women. The following variables maintained positive and significant statistical associations with mistimed pregnancy: maternal age < 20 years (OR = 1.89, 95 % CI: 1.68–2.14); brown (OR = 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.27) or yellow skin color (OR = 1.56, 95 % CI: 1.05–2.32); having no partner (OR = 2.32, 95 % CI: 1.99–2.71); having no paid job (OR = 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.27); alcohol abuse with risk of alcoholism (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.50) and having had three or more births (OR = 2.01, 95 % CI: 1.63–2.47). The same factors were associated with unwanted pregnancy, though the strength of the associations was generally stronger. Women with three or more births were 14 times more likely to have an unwanted pregnancy, and complication in the previous pregnancies and preterm birth were 40 % and 19 % higher, respectively. Previous neonatal death was a protective factor for both mistimed (OR = 0.61, 95 % CI: 0.44–0.85) and unwanted pregnancy (OR = 0.44, 95 % CI: 0.34–0.57). Conclusions This study confirms findings from previous research about the influence of socioeconomic and individual risk factors on unintended pregnancy. It takes a new approach to the problem by showing the importance of previous neonatal death, preterm birth and complication during pregnancy as risk factors for unintended pregnancy