Charge-density waves in one-dimensional Hubbard superlattices

We study the formation of charge density waves (CDW's) in one-dimensional Hubbard superlattices, modeled by a repeated pattern of repulsive (U>0) and free (U=0) sites. By means of Lanczos diagonalizations for the ground state, we calculate the charge structure factor. Our results show that while the superlattice structure affects the modulation of the charge density waves, the periodicity can still be predicted through an effective density. We also show that, for a fixed repulsive layer thickness, the periodicity of the CDW is an oscillatory function of the free layer thickness.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Charge-density waves in the Hubbard chain: evidence for 4k_F instability

Charge density waves in the Hubbard chain are studied by means of finite-temperature Quantum Monte Carlo simulations and Lanczos diagonalizations for the ground state. We present results both for the charge susceptibilities and for the charge structure factor at densities \rho=1/6 and 1/3; for \rho=1/2 (quarter filled) we only present results for the charge structure factor. The data are consistent with a 4k_F instability dominating over the 2k_F one, at least for sufficiently large values of the Coulomb repulsion, U. This can only be reconciled with the Luttinger liquid analyses if the amplitude of the 2k_F contribution vanishes above some U^*(\rho).Comment: RevTeX, 4 two-column pages with 7 colour figures embedded in tex

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

Quantitative evaluation of acidity tolerance of root nodule bacteria Avaliação quantitativa da tolerância de rizóbios à acidez

Quantification of acidity tolerance in the laboratory may be the first step in rhizobial strain selection for the Amazon region. The present method evaluated rhizobia in Petri dishes with YMA medium at pH 6.5 (control) and 4.5, using scores of 1.0 (sensitive, "no visible" growth) to 4.0 (tolerant, maximum growth). Growth evaluations were done at 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 day periods. This method permits preliminary selection of root nodule bacteria from Amazonian soils with statistical precision. Among the 31 rhizobia strains initially tested, the INPA strains 048, 078, and 671 presented scores of 4.0 at both pHs after 9 days of growth. Strain analyses using a less rigorous criterion (growth scores higher than 3.0) included in this highly tolerant group the INPA strains 511, 565, 576, 632, 649, and 658, which grew on the most diluted zone (zone 4) after 9 days. Tolerant strains still must be tested for nitrogen fixation effectiveness, competitiveness for nodule sites, and soil persistence before their recommendation as inoculants.<br>A quantificação da tolerância à acidez em testes de laboratório pode ser o primeiro passo na seleção de estirpes de rizóbios para a Amazônia. O presente método avaliou isolamentos de rizóbios em placas de Petri contendo meio YMA com pHs 6,5 (controle) e 4,5, usando notas de 1,0 (sensíveis, sem crescimento visual), até 4,0 (tolerantes, máximo crescimento). As avaliações foram realizadas aos 6, 9, 12, 15 e 18 dias de crescimento. O método permite selecionar preliminarmente, rizóbios isolados de solos da Amazônia, com precisão estatística. Entre as 31 estirpes inicialmente testadas, as estirpes INPA 048, 078 e 671 apresentaram notas iguais a 4,0 em ambos os pHs testados após os 9 dias de crescimento. Ao se analisar as estirpes usando um sistema menos rigoroso (nota de crescimento acima de 3,0), foi possível incluir também neste grupo, as estirpes INPA 511, 565, 576, 632, 649 e 658, que cresceram na zona mais diluída (zona 4) após 9 dias. As estirpes tolerantes devem ser testadas para eficácia na fixação de nitrogênio, competição por sítios de nódulos e persistência no solo antes de serem recomendadas para o uso em inoculantes comerciais

Influência do transporte e mudança de local de manejo nas variáveis fisiológicas e produtivas de cabras Alpinas Physiologic and productive responses of Alpine goats submitted to transportation to a new dairy location

Estudaram-se o efeito do transporte e a mudança de local de manejo sobre a produção e a composição do leite e sobre as variáveis fisiológicas, utilizando-se 12 cabras da raça Alpina em final de lactação. Semanalmente, foram mensuradas a produção e composição do leite e a contagem de células somáticas, além do volume do leite residual após administração de ocitocina. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue para dosagem hormonal (cortisol) e enzimática (glicose) no plasma no dia do transporte: antes (7h10min) e após (8h20min, 8h30min e 10h30min) o transporte. Nas três semanas subsequentes ao transporte, também foram colhidas amostras de sangue às 8h20min. Obtiveram-se teores mais elevados (P<0,05) de cortisol e glicose após o transporte e a mudança de local de manejo, e menor produção de leite (P<0,05) um dia após o evento. Porcentagem de gordura (P<0,05) e contagem de células somáticas apresentaram diferenças significativas (P<0,05) após o transporte. Os resultados permitem concluir que o transporte é um agente estressor que pode, momentaneamente, influenciar a produção animal.<br>The effects of transportation and reallocation on milk production and composition and physiological responses were studied in 12 late-lactation Alpine goats. Weekly, somatic cell count, milk production and composition, and residual milk volume (after administration of oxytocin) were monitored. Blood samples were taken for hormonal (cortisol) and enzymatic dosages (glucose) in plasma on the day of transportation: before (7h10min) and after transportation (8h20min, 8h30min, and 10h30min). During the three weeks after transportation, blood samples were also taken at 8h20min. Higher levels (P<0.05) of cortisol and glucose after transportation and reallocation were observed and milk yield was significantly lower (P<0.05) one day after them. Milk fat percentage and somatic cell count (P<0.05) were higher after transportation. Results allow concluding that transportation is a stressor agent that may momentarily influence animal production