Noncommutative geometry, topology and the standard model vacuum

As a ramification of a motivational discussion for previous joint work, in which equations of motion for the finite spectral action of the Standard Model were derived, we provide a new analysis of the results of the calculations herein, switching from the perspective of Spectral triple to that of Fredholm module and thus from the analogy with Riemannian geometry to the pre-metrical structure of the Noncommutative geometry. Using a suggested Noncommutative version of Morse theory together with algebraic $K$-theory to analyse the vacuum solutions, the first two summands of the algebra for the finite triple of the Standard Model arise up to Morita equivalence. We also demonstrate a new vacuum solution whose features are compatible with the physical mass matrix.Comment: 24 page

Differential mesenteric fat deposition in bovines fed on silage or concentrate is independent of glycerol membrane permeability

© The Animal Consortium 2011In the meat industry, the manipulation of fat deposition in cattle is of pivotal importance to improve production efficiency, carcass composition and ultimately meat quality. There is an increasing interest in the identification of key factors and molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of specific fat depots. This study aimed at elucidating the influence of breed and diet on adipose tissue membrane permeability and fluidity and their interplay on fat deposition in bovines. Two Portuguese autochthonous breeds, Alentejana and Barrosã, recognized as late- and early-maturing breeds, respectively, were chosen to examine the effects of breed and diet on fat deposition and on adipose membrane composition and permeability. Twenty-four male bovines from these breeds were fed on silage-based or concentrate-based diets for 11 months. Animals were slaughtered to determine their live slaughter and hot carcass weights, as well as weights of subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots. Mesenteric fat depots were excised and used to isolate adipocyte membrane vesicles where cholesterol content, fatty acid profile as well as permeability and fluidity were determined. Total accumulation of neither subcutaneous nor visceral fat was influenced by breed. In contrast, mesenteric and omental fat depots weights were higher in concentrate-fed bulls relative to silage-fed animals. Membrane fluidity and permeability to water and glycerol in mesenteric adipose tissue were found to be independent of breed and diet. Moreover, the deposition of cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids, which may influence membrane properties, were unchanged among experimental groups. Adipose membrane lipids from the mesenteric fat depot of ruminants were rich in saturated fatty acids, and unaffected by polyunsaturated fatty acids dietary levels. Our results provide evidence against the involvement of cellular membrane permeability to glycerol on fat accumulation in mesenteric fat tissue of concentrate-fed bovines, which is consistent with the unchanged membrane lipid profile found among experimental groups.This study was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through grant PTDC/CVT/2006/66114 and individual fellowships to Ana P. Martins (SFRH/BD/2009/65046), Ana S. H. Costa (SFRH/BD/2009/61068) and Susana V. Martins (SFRH/BPD/2009/63019). Paula A. Lopes is a researcher from the program ‘‘Ciência 2008’’ from FC

High-field Electron Spin Resonance of Cu_{1-x}Zn_{x}GeO_{3}

High-Field Electron Spin Resonance measurements were made on powder samples of Cu_{1-x}Zn_{x}GeO_{3} (x=0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.05) at different frequencies (95, 110, 190, 220, 330 and 440 GHz) at low temperatures. The spectra of the doped samples show resonances whose positions are dependent on Zn concentration, frequency and temperature. The analysis of intensity variation of these lines with temperature allows us to identify them as originating in transitions within states situated inside the Spin Peierls gap. A qualitative explanation of the details of the spectra is possible if we assume that these states in the gap are associated with "loose" spins created near the Zn impurities, as recently theoreticaly predicted. A new phenomenon of quenching of the ESR signal across the Dimerized to Incommensurate phase-boundary is observed.Comment: 4 pages, 5 ps figures in the text, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Effect of Electrolyte Balance in Low-Protein Diets on Broiler Performance and Tibial Dyschondroplasia Incidence

A proper dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) is essential to ensure an optimum acid-base equilibrium and broiler performance. In low-CP diets, this balance can be affected by reduction of soybean meal and inclusion of high levels of synthetic amino acids. Although, some studies have related low-protein diets supplemented with amino acids and DEB, these relations are not well explained, because some research demonstrates confusion about the deficiency and balance of nutrients. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the DEB effects of diets with low levels of protein supplemented with amino acids on broiler performance and bone development. Results indicated that DEB and CP content influenced broiler chick performance in the starter and growing periods. There was no significant effect due to the interaction between DEB and CP content for tibial dyschondroplasia incidence (TD) or in bone breaking resistance during the growing period of either experiment. The incidence of TD was reduced with 253 mEq/kg DEB in the starter period

Of?p stars: a class of slowly rotating magnetic massive stars

Only 5 Of?p stars have been identified in the Galaxy. Of these, 3 have been studied in detail, and within the past 5 years magnetic fields have been detected in each of them. The observed magnetic and spectral characteristics are indicative of organised magnetic fields, likely of fossil origin, confining their supersonic stellar winds into dense, structured magnetospheres. The systematic detection of magnetic fields in these stars strongly suggests that the Of?p stars represent a general class of magnetic O-type stars.Comment: Proceedings of IAUS 272: Active OB star

Intervalo de partos em rebanho Nelore na Amazônia Oriental.

O estudo foi conduzido para avaliar intervalo de partos (IDP) na raça Nelore, utilizando 578 dados de intervalo de partos de animais criados em regime de pasto, no período de 1988 a 1996. Para as análises estatísticas dos dados, foi usado o Programa SAS (Statistical Analysis System). Foram incluídos no modelo o efeito aleatório do pai da vaca, os efeitos fixos de grupo genético da cria anterior, de ano do parto anterior e do mês do parto anterior e as interações entre grupo genético anterior e mês do parto anterior, grupo genético anterior e ano do parto anterior, além da idade da vaca ao parto como covariável. O IDP foi influenciado pelo pai da vaca e pelo ano do parto anterior. A média estimada por quadrado mínimo e seu respectivo erro-padrão (EP) e coeficiente de variação (CV) foram 431,83 ± 142,76 dias e 33,06%, respectivamente. O intervalo de partos, além do efeito de pai, sofreu influência de ambiente. O desempenho reprodutivo do rebanho estudado, para as condições de clima tropical, pode ser considerado como satisfatório, estando de acordo com os parâmetros obtidos por outros autores em diferentes regiões

Período de serviço em rebanho nelore na Amazônia Oriental.

Os animais avaliados foram criados em regime de pasto, sem suplementação na época da estiagem, no período compreendido entre 1988 e 1996. Foram analisadas 587 observações de período de serviço (PS), obtidas dos arquivos do Escritório Técnico Regional da ABCZ, em Fortaleza - CE e dos registros zootécnicos da Fazenda Entre Rios. Para as análises estatísticas, foi usado o Programa SAS (Statistical Analysis System, 1990), por meio do procedimento GLM. Foram incluídos no modelo o efeito aleatório do pai da vaca, os efeitos fixos de grupo genético da cria anterior, do mês e do ano do parto anterior e as interações entre grupo genético anterior e mês do parto anterior, grupo genético anterior e ano do parto anterior, além da idade da vaca ao parto como covariável. O PS foi influenciado apenas pelo efeito do pai da vaca. A média estimada por quadrado mínimo e seu respectivo erro-padrão (EP) e coeficiente de variação (CV) foram 146,51 ± 43,05 dias e 97,63%, respectivamente. O período de serviço de praticamente cinco meses é longo, em se tratando de rebanho submetido à inseminação artificial, mesmo em regime de pasto. Os resultados elevados de EP e CV podem ser atribuídos à grande variabilidade da característica em estudo, que é extremamente influenciada por variações decorrentes do ambiente

Electron-Phonon Interactions in C28_{28}-derived Molecular Solids

We present {\it ab initio} density-functional calculations of molecular solids formed from C$_{28}$-derived closed-shell fullerenes. Solid C$_{28}$H$_4$ is found to bind weakly and exhibits many of the electronic structure features of solid C$_{60}$ with an enhanced electron-phonon interaction potential. We show that chemical doping of this structure is feasible, albeit more restrictive than its C$_{60}$ counterpart, with an estimated superconducting transition temperature exceeding those of the alkali-doped C$_{60}$ solids.Comment: Lower quality postscript file for Figure 1 is used in the manuscript in order to meet submission quota for pre-print server. Higher quality postscript file available from author: [email protected] This article has been updated to reflect changes incorporated during the peer review process. It is published in PRB 70, 140504(R) 200