Condensation of Vortex-Strings: Effective Potential Contribution Through Dual Actions

Topological excitations are believed to play an important role in different areas of physics. For example, one case of topical interest is the use of dual models of quantum cromodynamics to understand properties of its vacuum and confinement through the condensation of magnetic monopoles and vortices. Other applications are related to the role of these topological excitations, nonhomogeneous solutions of the field equations, in phase transitions associated to spontaneous symmetry breaking in gauge theories, whose study is of importance in phase transitions in the early universe, for instance. Here we show a derivation of a model dual to the scalar Abelian Higgs model where its topological excitations, namely vortex-strings, become manifest and can be treated in a quantum field theory way. The derivation of the nontrivial contribution of these vacuum excitations to phase transitions and its analogy with superconductivity is then made possible and they are studied here.Comment: 7 pages. Based on a talk given by R. O. Ramos at the Infrared QCD in Rio conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 5-9, 200

Functional Bosonization of Non-Relativistic Fermions in (2+1)(2+1) Dimensions

We analyze the universality of the bosonization rules in non-relativistic fermionic systems in $(2+1)d$. We show that, in the case of linear fermionic dispersion relations, a general fermionic theory can be mapped into a gauge theory in such a way that the fermionic density maps into a magnetic flux and the fermionic current maps into a transverse electric field. These are universal rules in the sense that they remain valid whatever the interaction considered. We also show that these rules are universal in the case of non-linear dispersion relations provided we consider only density-density interactions. We apply the functional bosonization formalism to a non-relativistic and non-local massive Thirring-like model and evaluate the spectrum of collective excitations in several limits. In the large mass limit, we are able to exactly calculate this spectrum for arbitrary density-density and current-current interactions. We also analyze the massless case and show that it has no collective excitations for any density-density potential in the Gaussian approximation. Moreover, the presence of current interactions may induce a gapless mode with a linear dispersion relation.Comment: 26 Pages, LaTeX, Final version to appear in International Journal of Modern Physics

FAAH rs324420 Polymorphism Is Associated with Performance in Elite Rink-Hockey Players

Funding Information: This research was supported by research found ICBAS-PDBiomedical Sciences-200203100 and Portuguese League Against Cancer—Northern Branch (LPCC-NRN).Genetic factors are among the major contributors to athletic performance. Although more than 150 genetic variants have been correlated with elite athlete status, genetic foundations of competition-facilitating behavior influencing elite performances are still scarce. This is the first study designed to examine the distribution of genetic determinants in the athletic performance of elite rink-hockey players. A total of 116 of the world’s top best rink-hockey players (28.2 ± 8.7 years old; more than 50% are cumulatively from the best four world teams and the best five Portuguese teams), who participated at the elite level in the National Rink-Hockey Championship in Portugal, were evaluated in anthropometric indicators/measurements, training conditions, sport experience and sport injuries history. Seven genetic polymorphisms were analyzed. Polymorphism genotyping was performed using the TaqMan® Allelic Discrimination Methodology. Rink-hockey players demonstrated significantly different characteristics according to sex, namely anthropometrics, training habits, sports injuries and genetic variants, such as Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) rs731236 (p < 0.05). The Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) rs324420 A allele was significantly associated with improved athletic performance (AA/AC vs. CC, OR = 2.80; 95% Cl, 1.23–6.35; p = 0.014; p = 0.008 after Bootstrap) and confirmed as an independent predictor among elite rink-hockey players (adjusted OR = 2.88; 95% Cl, 1.06–7.80; p = 0.038). Our results open an interesting link from FAAH-related biology to athletic performance.publishersversionpublishe

Tuberculosis in cattle slaughtered in the intermediate geographic region of Caicó, State of Rioi Grande do Norte, Brazil.

The bovine farming constitutes an economic and social activity of great importance for the State of Rio Grande do Norte, contributing for the creation of jobs and generation of income. However, factors related to the low technification of the activity on the part of the producers, the occurrence of a wide and intense drought in the last years and the presence of infectious diseases have caused significant damages to the breeders of animals in the State. Infectious diseases include tuberculosis, which is a zoonotic infection caused by Mycobacterium bovis, the primary host of which is cattle, but several domestic and wild mammal species, including humans, are also susceptible. The objective of the study was to determine the occurrence of tuberculosis in bovine slaughtered in two public slaughterhouses of the intermediate geographic region of Caicó, State of Rio Grande do Norte. Between November 2017 and August 2018, a total of 11,616 bovine carcasses underwent routine post-mortem inspection, with lesions suggestive of tuberculosis in one animal (0.009%). Samples of tissues located in the lung, heart and spleen were submitted to bacteriological culture and molecular diagnosis

Detection of Mycobacterium spp. in Coalho cheese commercialized in the city of Caicó-RN, Brazil.

Artisanal Coalho cheese is a popular dairy product, widely consumed in the Northeast region of Brazil, and is produced with raw or pasteurized milk. Microbial contamination of cheeses has very important consequences, both for the dairy industry, given the potential economic losses, and for public health, due to the risk of outbreaks of foodborne diseases. The present study aimed to detect Mycobaterium spp. in Coalho cheese commercialized in the city of Caicó-RN Brazil, using bacterial culture and molecular diagnosis. 50 samples of Coalho cheese obtained from local street market were analyzed, 35 of which were made from raw milk (artesanal cheese) and 15 with pasteurized milk (industrialized cheese)

Alterações hematológicas na leptospirose

30 cases of leptospirosis admitted to the Clinica de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo were studied for blood count alterations. 16 patients (53,3%) had a normal white blood cell count at the moment of admission. 12 patients (40%) presented a high white blood cell count and 2 (6,6%) had a low count. 29 patients (96,6%) had a high proportion of neutrophils and 25 patients (83,3%) presented a high number of immature forms. 24 patients had anemia. Thrombocytopenia was present in 26 patients (86.6%). The most characteristic changes found in bone marrow aspirate were the alterations of M: E ratio (myeloid - erythroid ratio) due to relative and/or absolute hyperplasia of the myeloid series, and/or relative and/or absolute hypoplasia of the erythroid series; erythropoiesis was predominantly microerythroblastic in many patients; mild to moderate plasmocytosis was found; and, regarding the intersticial series, increased macrophagic activity was noted. There was no direct correlation between the number of megakaryocytes and the blood platelet count, but there was a direct correlation between the bone marrow platelet production and blood platelet count. We believe that it is very difficult to have a good idea of the dynamic mechanisms that lead to medular platelet production in the presence of platelet consumption, through a random test of the bone marrow.Foram estudadas as alterações hematológicas de 30 pacientes com diagnóstico de leptospirose internados na Clínica de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sáo Paulo. Verificou-se que mais da metade dos pacientes 16 (53,3%) apresentavam contagem normal de leucócitos no momento da internação; 12 (40%) apresentavam leucócitos e 2 (6,6%) leucopenia. Vinte e cinco doentes (83,3%) apresentavam desvio à esquerda e 29 (96,6%) neutrofilia relativa. Vinte e quatro pacientes tiveram o diagnóstico de anemia. A plaquetopenia ocorreu em 26 (86,6%) dos doentes. Como alterações mais características no mielograma, ressaltamos a alteração da relação G/E (série Granulocítica/série Eritroblástica), às custas de hipercelula-ridade relativa e/ou absoluta da série granulocítica, e/ou hipocelularidade relativa e/ou absoluta da série vermelha; a eritropoese predominantemente microeritroblástica em vários doentes; o encontro de plasmocitose discreta ou moderada e, na série intersticial, o aumento da atividade macrofágica. A análise estatística da série megacariocitária do mielograma dos 30 pacientes revelou não existir relação de dependência significativa entre a celularidade da série megacariocitária e o número de plaquetas no sangue periférico; porém, verificou-se existência da relação de dependência entre a plaquetogênese medular e a contagem de plaquetas no sangue periférico. A possibilidade de haver inibição da plaquetogênese medular por algum produto bacteriano náo pode ser totalmente afastada, porém acreditamos que o exame estático da medula óssea não pode dar-nos uma idéia precisa do mecanismo dinâmico da formação de plaquetas na presença de "consumo periférico"

Sistema de criação de caprinos em unidades agrícolas familiares.

Instalações; Suplementação mineral; Fornecimento de água; Manejo alimentar; Manejo reprodutivo; Descarte orientado; Comercialização de animais; Manejo sanitário Fitoerapia - Outra forma alternativa para o controle da verminose; Evolução dos rebanhos caprinos nos sistesmas modelo e satélites.bitstream/item/36201/1/Doc85.pd

The Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in Elderly Cardiology Patients with Mild Excessive Iodine Intake in the Urban Area of São Paulo

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in elderly cardiac patients in an outpatient setting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 399 consecutive patients (268 women, age range 60-92 years) who were followed at Heart Institute were evaluated for thyroid dysfunction with serum free T4, TSH, anti-Peroxidase antibodies, urinary iodine excretion measurements and thyroid ultrasound. RESULTS: Hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical) was present in 29 patients (6.5%), whereas hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical) was found in 32 individuals (8.1%). Cysts were detected in 11 patients (2.8%), single nodules were detected in 102 (25.6%), and multinodular goiters were detected in 34 (8.5%). Hashimoto's thyroiditis was present in 16.8% patients, most of whom were women (83.6%). The serum TSH increased with age and was significantly higher (p= <0.01) in patients, compared to the normal control group. No significant differences in serum TSH and free T4 values were observed when patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) where compared with those without arrhythmia. The median urinary iodine levels were 210 µg/L (40-856 µg/L), and iodine levels were higher in men than in women (p<0.01). Excessive iodine intake (urinary iodine >300 µg/L) was observed in one-third of patients (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients have a higher prevalence of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism as well as thyroid nodules when compared with the general population. About one-third of the older patients had elevated urinary secretion of iodine and a higher prevalence of chronic Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is recommended that ultrasonographic studies, tests for thyroid function and autoimmunity should be evaluated in elderly patients