Equivalence between Zwanziger's horizon function and Gribov's no-pole ghost form factor

The ghost form factor entering the Gribov no-pole condition is evaluated till the third order in the gauge fields. The resulting expression turns out to coincide with Zwanziger's horizon function implementing the restriction to the Gribov region in the functional integral.Comment: 9 pp. No figures. Final version to appear in Physics Letters

Radiative processes as a condensation phenomenon and the physical meaning of deformed canonical structures

Working with well known models in $(2+1)D$ we discuss the physics behind the deformation of the canonical structure of these theories. A new deformation is constructed linking the massless scalar field theory with the self-dual theory. This is the exact dual of the known deformation connecting the Maxwell theory with the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory. Duality is used to establish a web of relations between the mentioned theories and a physical picture of the deformation procedure is suggested.Comment: revtex4 file, 16 page

Control of polarization and mode mapping of small volume high Q micropillars

We show that the polarization of the emission of a single quantum dot embedded within a microcavity pillar of elliptical cross section can be completely controlled and even switched between two orthogonal linear polarizations by changing the coupling of the dot emission with the polarized photonic modes. We also measure the spatial profle of the emission of a series of pillars with different ellipticities and show that the results can be well described by simple theoretical modeling of the modes of an infinite length elliptical cylinder

Monopoles in the presence of the Chern-Simons term via the Julia-Toulouse approach

We study $QED_3$ with magnetic-like defects using the Julia-Toulouse condensation mechanism (JTM). By a careful treatment of the symmetries we suggest a geometrical interpretation for distinct debatable issues in the MCS-monopole system: (i) the induction of the non-conserved electric current together with the Chern-Simons term (CS), (ii) the deconfinement transition and, (iii) the computation of the fermionic determinant in the presence of Dirac string singularities. The JTM leads to proper interpretation of the non-conserved current as originating from Dirac brane symmetry breaking. The mechanism behind this symmetry breaking is clarified. The physical origin of the deconfinement transition becomes evident in the low energy effective theory induced by the JTM. The proper procedure to compute the fermionic determinant in the presence of Dirac branes will be presented. A byproduct of this approach is the possible appearance of statistical transmutation and the clarification for the different quantization rules for the topological mass.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, references added, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

U(1) effective confinement theory from SU(2) restricted gauge theory via the Julia-Toulouse Approach

We derive an U(1) effective theory of color confinement by applying the so-called Julia-Toulouse Approach for defects condensation to the SU(2) restricted gauge theory defined by means of the Cho decomposition of the non-abelian connection. Cho's geometric construction naturally displays the topological degrees of freedom of the theory and can be used to put the Yang-Mills action into an abelianized form under certain conditions. On the other hand, the use of the Julia-Toulouse prescription to deal with the monopole condensation leads to an effective action describing the phase whose dynamics is dominated by the magnetic condensate. The effective theory we found describes the interaction between external electric currents displaying a short-range Yukawa interaction plus a linear confinement term that governs the long distance physics.Comment: 7 page

A study of the zero modes of the Faddeev-Popov operator in Euclidean Yang-Mills theories in the Landau gauge in d=2,3,4 dimensions

Examples of normalizable zero modes of the Faddeev-Popov operator in SU(2) Euclidean Yang-Mills theories in the Landau gauge are constructed in d=2,3,4 dimensions.Comment: 18 pages. Text modifications. References added. Version accepted for publication in the EPJ

Prostate Cancer Pathologic Stage Pt2b (2002 Tnm Staging System): Does It Exist?

Objective: In the 1997 TNM staging system, tumors were classified into a single subdivision: T2a, and bilateral tumor involvement (T2b). In the 2002 TNM staging system, tumors are subclassified as T2a (less than one half of one lobe involvement), T2b (more than one half of one lobe involvement), and T2c (bilateral involvement). A recent study questioned the existence of a true pathologic pT2b tumor. The aim of our study is to verify this question. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 224 men submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy. The surgical specimens were histologically evaluated by complete embedding and whole-mount processing. Tumor extent was evaluated by a point-count method. The surgical specimens were staged according to the 2002 TNM staging system. Results: Using the 2002 TNM criteria, the surgical specimens were class ified as pT2a, 28 (12.50%); pT2b, 0 (0%); pT2c, 138 (61.61%); pT3a, 30 (13.39%); and, pT3b, 28 (12.50%). Using the point-count method for tumor extent evaluation, the minimum and maximum total points obtained in unilateral tumors were 192 and 368 points, respectively; the most extensive unilateral tumor showed 68 positive points (less than half the minimum total point-count). Conclusions: Using the point-count method for tumor extent, our study questions a real existence for pathologic stage pT2b tumors (unilateral tumors involving greater than one-half of one lobe).3214347(1997) TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours, pp. 170-173. , International Union Against Cancer (UICC): 5th ed, Sobin LH, Wittekind Ch (ed.), New York, Wiley-Liss(2002) TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours, pp. 184-187. , International Union Against Cancer (UICC): 6th ed, Sobin LH, Wittekind Ch (ed.), New York, Wiley-LissEichelberger, L.E., Cheng, L., Does pT2b cancer exist? Critical appraisal of the 2002 TNM classification of prostate carcinoma (2004) Cancer., 100, pp. 2573-2576Mostofi, F.K., Price Jr., E.B., (1973) Tumors of the Male Genital System, Atlas of Tumor Pathology, pp. 202-217. , Second Series, Fascicle 8. Washington DC, Armed Forces Institute of PathologyGleason, D.F., Mellinger, G.T., Prediction of prognosis for prostatic adenocarcinoma by combined histological grading and clinical staging (1974) J Urol., 111, pp. 58-64Gleason, D.F., Histologic grading of prostate cancer: A perspective (1992) Hum Pathol., 23, pp. 273-279Epstein, J.I., Carmichael, M., Walsh, P.C., Adenocarcinoma of the prostate invading the seminal vesicle: Definition and relation of tumor volume, grade and margins of resection to prognosis (1993) J Urol., 149, pp. 1040-1045Bostwick, D.G., Montironi, R., Evaluating radical prostatectomy specimens: Therapeutic and prognostic importance (1997) Virchows Arch., 430, pp. 1-16Billis, A., Magna, L.A., Ferreira, U., Correlation between tumor extent in radical prostatectomies and preoperative PSA, histological grade, surgical margins, and extraprostatic extension: Application of a new practical method for tumor extent evaluation (2003) Int Braz J Urol., 29, pp. 113-120Billis, A., Freitas, L.L., Magna, L.A., Samara, A.B., Ferreira, U., Prostate cancer with bladder neck involvement: Pathologic findings with application of a new practical method for tumor extent evaluation and recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy (2004) Int Urol Nephrol., 36, pp. 363-368Freedland, S.J., Partin, A.W., Epstein, J.I., Walsh, P.C., Biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy in men with pathologic organ-confined disease: pT2a versus pT2b (2004) Cancer, 100, pp. 1646-1649Rubin, M.A., Dash, A., Wei, J.T., Dunn, R., Sanda, M.G., Prostate cancer staging: Recommendations for modifying the 2002 AJCC pathology staging system based on accuracy in reflecting prognosis (2004) Mod Pathol., 17 (SUPPL. 1), pp. 174ACantrell, B.B., DeKlerk, D.P., Eggleston, J.C., Boitnott, J.K., Walsh, P.C., Pathological factors that influence prognosis in stage A prostatic cancer: The influence of extent versus grade (1981) J Urol., 125, pp. 516-520Humphrey, P.A., Vollmer, R.T., Percentage carcinoma as a measure of prostatic tumor size in radical prostatectomy tissues (1997) Mod Pathol., 10, pp. 326-333Renshaw, A.A., Chang, H., D'Amico, A.V., Estimation of tumor volume in radical prostatectomy specimens in routine clinical practice (1997) Am J Clin Pathol., 107, pp. 704-708Renshaw, A.A., Richie, J.P., Loughlin, K.R., Jiroutek, M., Chung, A., D'Amico, A.V., Maximum diameter of prostatic carcinoma is a simple, inexpensive, and independent predictor of prostate-specific antigen failure in radical prostatectomy specimens. Validation in a cohort of 434 patients (1999) Am J Clin Pathol., 111, pp. 641-644Humphrey, P.A., Vollmer, R.T., Intraglandular tumor extent and prognosis in prostatic carcinoma: Application of a grid method to prostatectomy specimens (1990) Hum Pathol., 21, pp. 799-804Carvalhal, G.F., Humphrey, P.A., Thorson, P., Yan, Y., Ramos, C.G., Catalona, W.J., Visual estimate of the percentage of carcinoma is an independent predictor of prostate carcinoma recurrence after radical prostatectomy (2000) Cancer., 89, pp. 1308-131

LAMINITE EM PORCAS DESCARTADAS PROVENIENTES DE GRANJAS COMERCIAIS DE SUÍNOS DO SUL DO BRASIL

Although laminitis has been reported in pigs, distal phalanx rotation detected by radiography has not been described yet in this species. Accordingly, this paper describes three cases of laminitis in sows from a Brazilian commercial swine unit, and a preliminary study on laminitis in culled sows from a slaughterhouse, based on radiographic evaluation. A farrow-to-finish unit located in a central swine production area in southern Brazil showed a history of locomotor alterations in sows. Three lame sows were selected for examination. They displayed typical clinical signs of laminitis. Their feet were radiographed, and all three showed distal phalanx deviation in at least one digit. In order to find out the possibility of laminitis occurrence in other farms, thirteen hind and five front feet from lame sows were collected in a slaughterhouse, and radiographed in lateromedial position. Eleven sows (61%) showed distal phalanx rotation of the third or the fourth digit, whereas eight of them (44%) showed this alteration in both digits. Osteolysis in five sows (28%) and periosteal proliferation in another four sows (11%) were observed. In conclusion, laminitis with distal phalanx rotation is present in Brazilian herds, and radiographic analysis may be an important diagnosis tool for the disease in vivo or at slaughterhouses.Embora a laminite tenha sido relatada em suínos, a rotação de falange distal detectada por radiografia ainda não foi descrita nessa espécie. O presente trabalho descreve três casos de laminite em porcas provenientes de uma granja comercial de suínos bem como relata um estudo preliminar sobre laminite em porcas de descarte em abatedouro, baseado em avaliações radiográficas. Uma granja de ciclo completo localizada em uma área de exploração suinícola do sul do Brasil mostrou histórico de alterações locomotoras em porcas. Três porcas com claudicação foram selecionadas para exame. Elas apresentavam sinais clínicos típicos de laminite. Seus membros foram radiografados e todas apresentaram rotação de falange distal em pelo menos um dígito. Para verificar a presença de laminite em outros rebanhos da região, treze membros pélvico e cinco membros torácicos de matrizes suínas foram colhidos em um abatedouro e radiografados em posição latero-medial. Onze porcas (61%) mostraram rotação de falange distal no terceiro ou no quarto dígito, enquanto oito delas (44%) mostraram essa alteração em ambos os dígitos. Foram observadas osteólises em cinco (28%) porcas e proliferação periosteal em quatro porcas (11%). Em conclusão, a laminite está presente em rebanhos suínos brasileiros, e a análise radiográfica constitui-se em uma importante ferramenta para o diagnóstico da doença in vivo ou em abatedouros

Elastase-2, a tissue alternative pathway for angiotensin II generation, plays a role in circulatory sympathovagal balance in mice

In vitro and ex vivo experiments indicate that elastase-2 (ELA-2), a chymotrypsin-serine protease elastase family member 2A, is an alternative pathway for angiotensin II (Ang II) generation. However, the role played by ELA-2 in vivo is unclear. We examined ELA-2 knockout (ELA-2KO) mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice and determined whether ELA-2 played a role in hemodynamics [arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR)], cardiocirculatory sympathovagal balance and baroreflex sensitivity. The variability of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and pulse interval (PI) for evaluating autonomic modulation was examined for time and frequency domains (spectral analysis), whereas a symbolic analysis was also used to evaluate PI variability. In addition, baroreflex sensitivity was examined using the sequence method. Cardiac function was evaluated echocardiographically under anesthesia. The AP was normal whereas the HR was reduced in ELA-2KO mice (425 ± 17 vs. 512 ± 13 bpm from WT). SAP variability and baroreflex sensitivity were similar in both strains. The LF power from the PI spectrum (33.6 ± 5 vs. 51.8 ± 4.8 nu from WT) and the LF/HF ratio (0.60 ± 0.1 vs. 1.45 ± 0.3 from WT) were reduced, whereas the HF power was increased (66.4 ± 5 vs. 48.2 ± 4.8 nu from WT) in ELA-2KO mice, indicating a shift toward parasympathetic modulation of HR. Echocardiographic examination showed normal fractional shortening and an ejection fraction in ELA-2KO mice; however, the cardiac output, stroke volume, and ventricular size were reduced. These findings provide the first evidence that ELA-2 acts on the sympathovagal balance of the heart, as expressed by the reduced sympathetic modulation of HR in ELA-2KO mice

Cosmokinetics: A joint analysis of Standard Candles, Rulers and Cosmic Clocks

We study the accelerated expansion of the universe by using the kinematic approach. In this context, we parameterize the deceleration parameter, q(z), in a model independent way. Assuming three simple parameterizations we reconstruct q(z). We do the joint analysis with combination of latest cosmological data consisting of standard candles (Supernovae Union2 sample), standard ruler (CMB/BAO), cosmic clocks (age of passively evolving galaxies) and Hubble (H(z)) data. Our results support the accelerated expansion of the universe.Comment: PDFLatex, 15 pages, 12 pdf figures, revised version to appear in JCA