Analysis of magnetic and structural properties in La0.6Sr 0.4MnO3 ferromagnetic particles under the influence of mechanical ball milling effect

We have investigated the magnetic, structural and morphological properties of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 (LSMO-40) manganite particles, synthesized by solid state reaction method. The resulting LSMO-40 powders were milled in air atmosphere during 3, 6 and 12 hours, by using a planetary ball milling. Samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy – SEM and magnetization measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field. A Rietveld analysis was carried on each XRD pattern, and was observed a reduction in crystallite average size (Dv) with increased ball milling time, tM. This is associated with a decrease in particle size. A characteristic rhombohedral crystal structure for the LSMO-40 phase was identified (space group R3C), independent of the milling time of the powders. However, from SEM microstructure was observed more homogeneity in the grain distribution by milling process. The results of magnetic characterization, showed that samples with higher tM (smaller grain size), presented the lowest value of the saturation magnetization, which is attributed to surface effects that induce magnetically disordered states with decreasing particle sizes. This magnetic anisotropy surface is evidenced also on the changes of coercive fields, HC, measured at low temperatures, which increased with increasing tM

Scalar Field Dark Matter: behavior around black holes

We present the numerical evolution of a massive test scalar fields around a Schwarzschild space-time. We proceed by using hyperboloidal slices that approach future null infinity, which is the boundary of scalar fields, and also demand the slices to penetrate the event horizon of the black hole. This approach allows the scalar field to be accreted by the black hole and to escape toward future null infinity. We track the evolution of the energy density of the scalar field, which determines the rate at which the scalar field is being diluted. We find polynomial decay of the energy density of the scalar field, and use it to estimate the rate of dilution of the field in time. Our findings imply that the energy density of the scalar field decreases even five orders of magnitude in time scales smaller than a year. This implies that if a supermassive black hole is the Schwarzschild solution, then scalar field dark matter would be diluted extremely fastComment: 15 pages, 21 eps figures. Appendix added, accepted for publication in JCA

ADENOCARCINOMA TÚBULOVELLOSO DE LA PELVIS RENAL. A PROPÓSITO DE UN CASO.

Arch Esp Urol. 2006 Nov;59(9):916-9. [Tubulovillous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis. Case report] [Article in Spanish] Palacios A, Lima O, Massó P, Osório L, Versos R, Soares J, Marcelo F. Servicio de Urología, Hospital Geral de Santo Antonio, Porto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract OBJECTIVE: To present a case of tubulovillous renal pelvis adenocarcinoma. METHODS/RESULTS: An 81 year-old patient presented at Emergency Department with sepsis. CT scan showed a staghorn calculus with signs suggestive of pyonefrosis. A nephrectomy was performed and pathological exam revealed tubulovillous renal pelvis adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Renal pelvis adenocarcinoma is a rare disease. It is usually accompanied by chronic urinary infections, on inflammatory state and staghorn calculi. The best therapeutic option is nephrectomy and the prognosis is poor. PMID: 17190219 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLIN

Probing 3D and NLTE models using APOGEE observations of globular cluster stars

Hydrodynamical (or 3D) and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) effects are known to affect abundance analyses. However, there are very few observational abundance testsof 3D and NLTE models. We developed a new way of testing the abundance predictions of 3D and NLTE models, taking advantage of large spectroscopic survey data. We use a line-by-line analysis of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) spectra (H band) with the Brussels Automatic Code for Characterizing High accUracy Spectra (BACCHUS). We compute line-by-line abundances of Mg, Si, Ca, and Fe for a large number of globular cluster K giants in the APOGEE survey. We compare this line-by-line analysis against NLTE and 3D predictions. While the 1D-NLTE models provide corrections in the right direction, there are quantitative discrepancies between different models. We observe a better agreement with the data for the models including reliable collisional cross-sections. The agreement between data and models is not always satisfactory when the 3D spectra are computed in LTE. However, we note that for a fair comparison, 3D corrections should be computed with self-consistently derived stellar parameters, and not on 1D models with identical stellar parameters. Finally, we focus on 3D and NLTE effects on Fe lines in the H band, where we observe a systematic difference in abundance relative to the value from the optical. Our results suggest that the metallicities obtained from the H band are more accurate in metal-poor giants. More atomic data and extended self-consistent 3D-NLTE computations need to be made. The method we have developed for testing 3D and NLTE models could be extended to other lines and elements, and is particularly suited for large spectroscopic surveys.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted in A&

Hydroacoustics as a tool to examine the effects of Marine Protected Areas and habitat type on marine fish communities

Abstract Hydroacoustic technologies are widely used in fisheries research but few studies have used them to examine the effects of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We evaluate the efficacy of hydroacoustics to examine the effects of closure to fishing and habitat type on fish populations in the Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP), Mexico, and compare these methods to Underwater Visual Censuses (UVC). Fish density, biomass and size were all significantly higher inside the CPNP (299%, 144% and 52% respectively) than outside in non-MPA control areas. These values were much higher when only accounting for the reefs within the CPNP (4715%, 6970% and 97% respectively) highlighting the importance of both habitat complexity and protection from fishing for fish populations. Acoustic estimates of fish biomass over reef-specific sites did not differ significantly from those estimated using UVC data, although acoustic densities were less due to higher numbers of small fish recorded by UVC. There is thus considerable merit in nesting UVC surveys, also providing species information, within hydroacoustic surveys. This study is a valuable starting point in demonstrating the utility of hydroacoustics to assess the effects of coastal MPAs on fish populations, something that has been underutilised in MPA design, formation and management

The PROP1 2-Base Pair Deletion Is a Common Cause of Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) has an incidence of approximately 1 in 8000 births. Although the proportion of familial CPHD cases is unknown, about 10% have an affected first degree relative. We have recently reported three mutations in the PROP1 gene that cause CPHD in human subjects. We report here the frequency of one of these mutations, a 301–302delAG deletion in exon 2 of PROP1, in 10 independently ascertained CPHD kindreds and 21 sporadic cases of CPHD from 8 different countries. Our results show that 55% (11 of 20) of PROP1 alleles have the 301–302delAG deletion in familial CPHD cases. Interestingly, although only 12% (5 of 42) of the PROP1 alleles of our 21 sporadic cases were 301–302delAG, the frequency of this allele (in 20 of 21 of the sporadic subjects given TRH stimulation tests) was 50% (3 of 6) and 0% (0 of 34) in the CPHD cases with pituitary and hypothalamic defects, respectively. Using whole genome radiation hybrid analysis, we localized the PROP1 gene to the distal end of chromosome 5q and identified a tightly linked polymorphic marker, D5S408, which can be used in segregation studies. Analysis of this marker in affected subjects with the 301–302delAG deletion suggests that rather than being inherited from a common founder, the 301–302delAG may be a recurring mutation

State-of-the-art energetic and morphological modelling of the launching site of the M87 jet

M87 has been the target of numerous astronomical observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, and very long baseline interferometry has resolved an edge-brightened jet1,2,3,4. However, the origin and formation of its jets remain unclear. In our current understanding, black holes (BH) are the driving engine of jet formation5, and indeed the recent Event Horizon Telescope observations revealed a ring-like structure in agreement with theoretical models of accretion onto a rotating Kerr BH6. In addition to the spin of the BH being a potential source of energy for the launching mechanism, magnetic fields are believed to play a key role in the formation of relativistic jets7,8. A priori, the spin, a⋆, of the BH in M87⋆ is unknown; however, when accounting for the estimates of the X-ray luminosity and jet power, values of |a_{*}| ≳ 0.5 appear favoured6. Besides the properties of the accretion flow and the BH spin, the radiation microphysics including the particle distribution (thermal6 and non-thermal^{9,10}) as well as the particle acceleration mechanism11 play a crucial role. We show that general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and general relativistic radiative transfer calculations can reproduce the broadband spectrum from the radio to the near-infrared regime and simultaneously match the observed collimation profile of M87, thus allowing us to set rough constraints on the dimensionless spin of M87* to be 0.5 ≲ a⋆ ≲ 1.0, with higher spins being possibly favoured

Elisa based on recombinant mpb70 and p27 for detection of antibodies against mycobacterium bovis.

A tuberculose bovina é uma importante enfermidade causada pela bactéria Mycobacterium bovis. Testes de tuberculinização intradérmica e abate de animais infectados levaram à redução da incidência da tuberculose bovina em muitos países. Entretanto, são necessários métodos maispráticos e eficientes com maior sensibilidade e especificidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foidesenvolver um teste imunoenzimático (ELISA), utilizando as proteínas recombinantes MPB70 e p27 de M. bovis, que possibilitasse detectar anticorpos contra esta bactéria em bovinos. A sensibilidade e especificidade observadas foram, respectivamente, de 88,7por cento e 94,6por cento para o ELISA-MPB70 e de 98,1por cento e 91,9por cento para o ELISA-p27. O uso de testes sorológicos, como o ELISA com MPB70 e p27 recombinantes, juntamente com testes celulares, pode resolver algunsproblemas relacionados ao diagnóstico da tuberculose bovina tais como os resultados inconclusivos e a ausência de detecção de animais anérgicos em estágios avançados da infecção

Tasa de deserción consolidada por cohortes y perfiles de deserción diferenciados por facultades. Estudio de caso: universidad de caldas (Colombia)

La deserción de los estudiantes del sistema educativo es un fracaso en cadena que afecta al estudiante, su familia, la institución, el sistema educativo y la sociedad. Su intervención debe partir desde el conocimiento de los factores particulares que llevan al abandono del estudiante del sistema educativo. El presente estudio expone la obtención de indicadores de deserción consolidados para las cohortes del quinquenio 2008-2012 de los diferentes programas de pregrado de la Universidad de Caldas (Manizales-Colombia), además describe la incidencia de ciertas variables sociodemográficas en la deserción institucional. La información base es obtenida de la plataforma gubernamental del Sistema para la Prevención de la Deserción en las Instituciones de Educación Superior –SPADIES. De la misma se toman las cantidades absolutas y relativas de estudiantes que han desertado del sistema, permitiendo la obtención de indicadores consolidados de la deserción tanto a nivel institucional como de los programas referentes a nivel nacional. Los resultados arrojan que para el quinquenio referenciado han ocurrido un total de 4347 abandonos de la institución, lo que corresponde a una tasa de deserción del 40%, seis puntos porcentuales por debajo del valor registrado a nivel nacional para el mismo periodo. Entre los factores asociados a la deserción se encuentra que el desempeño del estudiante en las pruebas estandarizadas realizadas a todos los estudiantes de Media Vocacional (pruebas ICFES) evidencia una directa relación con la permanencia del estudiante, mientras que otras variables como género, escolaridad de la madre, ingresos familiares, naturaleza del colegio y periodo de ingreso a la universidad, influyen de manera diferente en las tasas de deserción por facultades, lo que genera perfiles diferenciados del estudiante desertor. Finalmente, se hace un cuestionamiento sobre cómo los procesos de admisión a la universidad se han convertido en reproductores de las desigualdades sociales en el país

GRAVIDEZ NA ADOLESCÊNCIA: SIGNIFICADOS PARA A FAMÍLIA DE HOJE

This article presents the results of the study carried through with the objective to develop a theoretical model, whose central subjectis: the love and its components, and as sub subjects: the sensitivity, the perception, the interaction and the communication, among others, with the purpose to contribute for the strength of auto-esteem of a group of adolescents, with the support of its familiar groups and the health service team. It was carried through the implantation of workshops with the adolescents and the accompaniment of its familiar and agents of health. Forthe development of the work the information related to the demographic aspects had been collected and identified the risk and security factors of the group of adolescents, applied the self-esteem scale of Janda1 before and after application of the theoretical model. During the development of the theoretical model the participants had been interviewed. The results demonstrate the risks and security factors that live the adolescents in general, and had presented an addition to the values on self-esteem scale comparative with the initial measurement, the interviews revealed five categories related with the process of pregnancy lived by the adolescents: in search of identity; the familiar and social expectations interrupted; love and lovelessness in the interpersonal relations, influence of the feminine figure in the decisions, and the loving challenge as rescue of auto-esteem and expression of the feelings. The development of the workshops allowed the strengthening of the health agents with the pregnant adolescents through the sensitization and the reflection about the theme discussed, the concepts of the theoretical model of the loving challenge.El embarazo en la adolescente tiende a ser desaprobado en los contextos familiar y social, considerándose una conducta que se aleja de las expectativas familiares y sociales, lo que genera en la adolescente diferentes tipos de sentimientos. El presente artículo aborda la problemática de la familia frente a la adolescente embarazada, la cual se ha determinado a partir de la aplicación de un Modelo fundamentado en el amor 1. Estudio realizado con adolescentes grávidas de condición soioeconómica media baja de la ciudad de Cali. El estudio se realizó desde el enfoque cualitativoy de investigación acción y las adolescentes participantes estuvieron presentes desde del cuarto mes de gestación con edades entre 14 y 19 años, recolectando información relacionada con aspectos sociodemográficos; factores de riesgo y protectores; y entrevista en profundidad. Se aplicó el modelo a través de la implementación de talleres en los que tomaron parte además de las adolescentes los agentes de salud del área de influencia.Los hallazgos confirman los factores de riesgo y protectores que viven las adolescentes en general y las entrevistas en profundidad revelaron cinco categorías relacionadas con el proceso de embarazo vivido por las adolescentes y su familia: búsqueda de identidad, expectativas familiares y sociale interrumpidas, amor y desamor en las relaciones interpersonales, influencia de la figura femenina en las decisiones, y el desafío amoroso como rescate de autoestima y expresión de sentimientos. En este artículo nos referiremos a tres de ellas por considerarlas que son las que nos revelan con mayor detalle el significado de la gravidez en las adolescentes para la familia de hoy .Este artigo apresenta os resultados do estudo realizado com o objetivo de desenvolver um modelo teórico, cujo tema central é: o amor e seus componentes, e como sub temas: a sensibilidade, a percepção, a interação e a comunicação, entre outros, com a finalidade de contribuir para o fortalecimento da auto-estima de um grupo de adolescentes, com o apoio de seus grupos familiares e da equipe de saúde. Foi realizado através da implantação de oficinas com as adolescentes e do acompanhamento de seus familiares e de agentes de saúde. Para o desenvolvimentodo trabalho foram coletadas as informações relacionadas aos aspectos demográficos e se identificaram os fatores de risco e segurança do grupo de adolescentes, aplicou-se a escala de auto-estima de Janda 1 antes e após a aplicação do modelo. Durante o desenvolvimento do modelo foram realizadas entrevistas diretas com as participantes. Os achados demonstram os fatores de riscos e segurança que vivenciam as adolescentes em geral, e apresentaram um acréscimo aos valores da escala de auto-estima comparado com a medição inicial. As entrevistas diretas revelaram cinco categorias relacionadas com o processo de gravidez vivenciado pelas adolescentes: busca da identidade, EXPECTATIVAS FAMILIARES E SOCIAIS INTERROMPIDA, amor e desamor nas relações interpessoais, INFLUÊNCIA DA FIGURA FEMININA NAS DECISÕES, e o desafio amoroso como resgate da auto-estima e expressão dos sentimentos. O desenvolvimento das oficinas permitiu a interação dos agentes de saúde com as adolescentes grávidas através da sensibilização e a reflexão das temáticas abordadas, dos conceitos do modelo do desafio amoroso