Effective Maxwell's equations in general periodic microstructures

We study the time harmonic Maxwell equations in a meta-material consisting of perfect conductors and void space. The meta-material is assumed to be periodic with period $\eta > 0$; we study the behaviour of solutions $(E^{\eta}, H^{\eta})$ in the limit $\eta \to 0$ and derive an effective system. In geometries with a non-trivial topology, the limit system implies that certain components of the effective fields vanish. We identify the corresponding effective system and can predict, from topological properties of the meta-material, whether or not it permits the propagation of waves

Bone Mineral Density Measurements, Bone Markers and Serum Vitamin D Concentrations in Men with Chronic Non-Cirrhotic Untreated Hepatitis C

Introduction: the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and its consequent cirrhosis has been associated with bone fragility. Whether CHC may cause bone and mineral abnormalities in the absence of hepatocellular dysfunction is still unknown. in this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and low BMD measurements in men with non-cirrhotic CHC. Risk factors for low BMD and fractures were also investigated.Methods: Morphometric vertebral fractures and BMD measurements were performed in 60 non-cirrhotic untreated men with CHC and 59 healthy controls, matched for age and gender, weight and current smoking. Serum CTx, calcium, phosphate, intact PTH, alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D (25OHD) concentrations were measured in all participants. Clinical risk factors for low BMD and fractures were evaluated by a structured questionnaire as well as details regarding HCV infection.Results: Trochanter and total femur BMD were significantly lower in CHC patients as compared to healthy men (p = 0.04). in men 50 years and older, the prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly higher among CHC patients (p = 0.01). Lower levels of physical activities and more often report of prolonged immobilization were observed among CHC patients (p<0.05). Liver inflammation and fibrosis, viral load and genotype did not correlate with BMD measurements. Bone markers and 25OHD concentrations were similar in both groups. Only a few vertebral fractures were observed.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that non-cirrhotic untreated CHC patients have lower BMD at the femur as compared to healthy men in spite of the absence of significant bone and mineral abnormalities.Rheumatology Division at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (Unifesp/EPM)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Rheumatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Dipterofauna do arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco, Brasil)

Este trabalho registra alguns dípteros da ilha de Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco, Brasil), apresentando a riqueza das espécies e sua abundância. O material examinado foi coletado em julho de 1973. Oito famílias de Diptera, em um total de 11.515 indivíduos foram estudadas. Entre as famílias encontradas as sete seguintes são novos registros: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Fanniidae, Stratiomyidae, Sepsidae, Otitidae e Tabanidae. As três primeiras e os Sarcophagidae (previamente registrada) foram identificadas até o nível de espécie. As famílias mais abundantes foram Sepsidae e Calliphoridae com mais de 80% do total coletado, tendo Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius, 1775) como espécie dominante

A new species of miogryllus saussure, 1877 and new record of miogryllus piracicabensis piza, 1960 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from state of rio grande do sul, Brazil, with calling song and chromosome complement

In this paper we describe a new species of Miogryllus cricket collected from the grasses at urban area of the municipality of Itaqui, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites morphology, calling song parameters and chromosome complement. We also provide a new record for Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960 to the southern Brazil, improving calling song and karyotype information for this species. The type-material and vouchers are deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP). © 2017 Magnolia Press

A new species of miogryllus saussure, 1877 and new record of miogryllus piracicabensis piza, 1960 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from state of rio grande do sul, Brazil, with calling song and chromosome complement

In this paper we describe a new species of Miogryllus cricket collected from the grasses at urban area of the municipality of Itaqui, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites morphology, calling song parameters and chromosome complement. We also provide a new record for Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960 to the southern Brazil, improving calling song and karyotype information for this species. The type-material and vouchers are deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP). © 2017 Magnolia Press

FIGURES 23–28 in A new species of Miogryllus Saussure, 1877 and new record of Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with calling song and chromosome complement

FIGURES 23–28. Male morphological characteristics of Miogryllus piracicabensis Piza, 1960. 23, 24, 25—habitus after alcohol fixation, in dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively; 26—head, lateral view; 27—supranal plate; 28—subgenital plate

Biochemical bone markers and laboratory tests of bone and mineral metabolism in CHC men and healthy controls.

<p>*Student t-test</p

Bone mass measurements in CHC patients and healthy controls.

<p>*Student t-test</p

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data