An exact master equation for the system-reservoir dynamics under the strong coupling regime and non-Markovian dynamics

In this paper we present a method to derive an exact master equation for a bosonic system coupled to a set of other bosonic systems, which plays the role of the reservoir, under the strong coupling regime, i.e., without resorting to either the rotating-wave or secular approximations. Working with phase-space distribution functions, we verify that the dynamics are separated in the evolution of its center, which follows classical mechanics, and its shape, which becomes distorted. This is the generalization of a result by Glauber, who stated that coherent states remain coherent under certain circumstances, specifically when the rotating-wave approximation and a zero-temperature reservoir are used. We show that the counter-rotating terms generate fluctuations that distort the vacuum state, much the same as thermal fluctuations.Finally, we discuss conditions for non-Markovian dynamics

Causal Stability Ranking

Genotypic causes of a phenotypic trait are typically determined via randomized controlled intervention experiments. Such experiments are often prohibitive with respect to durations and costs. We therefore consider inferring stable rankings of genes, according to their causal effects on a phenotype, from observational data only. Our method allows for efficient design and prioritization of future experiments, and due to its generality it is useable for a broad spectrum of applications

Different serological cross-reactivity of Trypanosoma rangeli forms in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected patients sera

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease is caused by <it>Trypanosoma cruzi </it>which currently infects approximately 16 million people in the Americas causing high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of American trypanosomiasis relies on serology, primarily using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with <it>T. cruzi </it>epimastigote forms. The closely related but nonpathogenic <it>Trypanosoma rangeli </it>has a sympatric distribution with <it>T. cruzi </it>and is carried by the same vectors. As a result false positives are frequently generated. This confounding factor leads to increased diagnostic test costs and where false positives are not caught, endangers human health due to the toxicity of the drugs used to treat Chagas disease.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, serologic cross-reactivity between the two species was compared for the currently used epimastigote form and the more pathologically relevant trypomastigote form, using IFA and immunoblotting (IB) assays. Our results reveal an important decrease in cross reactivity when <it>T. rangeli </it>culture-derived trypomastigotes are used in IFA based diagnosis of Chagas disease. Western blot results using sera from both acute and chronic chagasic patients presenting with cardiac, indeterminate or digestive disease revealed similar, but not identical, antigenic profiles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study addressing the serological cross-reactivity between distinct forms and strains of <it>T. rangeli </it>and <it>T. cruzi </it>using sera from distinct phases of the Chagasic infection. Several <it>T. rangeli</it>-specific proteins were detected, which may have potential as diagnostic tools.</p

Resíduo micropulverizado da moagem a seco de milho não afeta biodisponibilidade de zinco em ratos.

Trabalho apresentado no XV Congresso Latinoamericano de Nutricion e XVI Jornadas de la Sociedad Chilena de Nutrición, 2009, Santiago do Chile

A não associação entre adesão medicamentosa e o controle glicêmico em participantes diabéticos do ELSA-Brasil

Introdução: A adesão medicamentosa tem sido apontada como um problema relevante para a prática clínica, pois tem sido atribuída ao insucesso do controle metabólico em diabéticos. Objetivo: Investigar a adesão à medicação e sua relação com o controle glicêmico de diabéticos do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). Método: Estudo seccional com dados da linha de base do ELSA-Brasil, 2008-2010. Amostra com 1242 diabéticos autorreferidos, com dados obtidos mediante entrevista e exames bioquímicos. As variáveis constituíram a hemoglobina glicada como desfecho, a adesão ao medicamento como exposição e covariáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, quanto aos hábitos de vida, alimentar e nutricional, e tipo de medicação. Para a análise foi utilizada ANOVA ou Kruskal-Wallis e regressão logística multinomial tendo como padrão o controle glicêmico e p < 5%. Resultados: Apresentavam sobrepeso e obesidade 82,8%, 56,2% consumiam bebida alcoólica, 96,6% eram inativos, quase um terço com dieta acima de 3.000 calorias, 54,2% com hemoglobina glicada &#8805; 6,5%, e quase 70% estavam com glicemia de jejum &#8805; 126 mg/dl e somente 40% apresentaram adesão medicamentosa elevada. Aumentou a chance de hemoglobina glicada elevada no sexo masculino (OR: 1,393; IC: 1,051-1,846); raça/cor preta (OR: 1,739; IC: 1,219-2,481) e parda (OR: 1,569; IC: 1,137-2,165); nível médio de ocupação (OR: 1,627; IC: 1,024-2,584); não ter plano de saúde (OR: 1,467; IC: 1,096- 1,965); uso de insulina isolada (OR: 7,341; IC: 3,556-15,154) ou associada com hipoglicemiante oral (OR: 7,579; IC: 3,956-14,520); RCQ alterado (OR: 1,867; IC: 1,191-2,928); hábito de fumar (OR: 1,730; IC: 1,093-2,738) e autoavaliação de saúde ruim/muito ruim (OR: 2,374; IC: 1,167-4,827). Conclusão: As variáveis associadas ao controle metabólico foram relacionadas aos determinantes sociais da saúde, ao estilo de vida e principalmente aquelas relacionadas à condição de saúde como o uso de insulina e a autoavaliação da saúde

Poliploidia em seringueira: III - Estudo comparativo entre clones diplóides e novos poliplóides putativos em condições de jardim clonal.

Foram avaliadas a produção de borracha e o vigor das plantas em clones putativos de Hevea brasiliensis (Fx 3864 pl e Fx 985 pl)

Progression of myopathology in Kearns-Sayre syndrome

We report on the progression of myopathology by comparing two biopsies from a patient with a Kearns-Sayre-Syndrome. The first biopsy was taken in 1979 and showed 10% ragged-red fibers. Myopathic changes were slight including internal nuclei and fiber splitting in 10% of the fibers. Electron microscopy revealed typical mitochondrial abnormalities with regard to number and shape. In 1989 a second biopsy was performed for an extended analysis of mitochondrial DNA. This time less than 5% of all fibers were ragged-red. Severe myopathic changes could be detected which so far has rarely been reported in mitochondrial cytopathy

Prevalence of high blood pressure in 122, 053 adolescents: A systematic review and meta-regression

Several studies have reported high prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adolescents. To perform: i) systematically review the literature on the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) in adolescents; ii) analyze the possible methodological factors associated with HBP; and iii) compare the prevalence between developed and developing countries. We revised 10 electronic databases up to August 11, 2013. Only original articles using international diagnosis of HBP were considered. The pooled prevalence's of HBP were estimated by random effects. Meta-regression analysis was used to identify the sources of heterogeneity across studies. Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and total of 122,053 adolescents included. The pooled-prevalence of HBP was 11.2%, 13% for boys, and 9.6% for girls (P < 0.01). Method of measurement of BP and year in which the survey was conducted were associated with heterogeneity in the estimates of HBP among boys. The data indicate that HBP is higher among boys than girls, and that the method of measurement plays an important role in the overall heterogeneity of HBP value distributions, particularly in boys

Self-Forces on Electric and Magnetic Linear Sources in the Space-Time of a Cosmic String

In this paper we calculate the magnetic and electric self-forces, induced by the conical structure of a cosmic string space-time, on a long straight wire which presents either a constant current or a linear charge density. We also show how these self-forces are related by a Lorentz tranformation and, in this way, explain what two different inertial observers detect in their respective frames.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, to be published in Phys. Rev. D