Consistent Gravitationally-Coupled Spin-2 Field Theory

Inspired by the translational gauge structure of teleparallel gravity, the theory for a fundamental massless spin-2 field is constructed. Accordingly, instead of being represented by a symmetric second-rank tensor, the fundamental spin-2 field is assumed to be represented by a spacetime (world) vector field assuming values in the Lie algebra of the translation group. The flat-space theory naturally emerges in the Fierz formalism and is found to be equivalent to the usual metric-based theory. However, the gravitationally coupled theory, with gravitation itself described by teleparallel gravity, is shown not to present the consistency problems of the spin-2 theory constructed on the basis of general relativity.Comment: 16 pages, no figures. V2: Presentation changes, including addition of a new sub-section, aiming at clarifying the text; version accepted for publication in Class. Quantum Grav

Diluted planar ferromagnets: nonlinear excitations on a non-simply connected manifold

We study the behavior of magnetic vortices on a two-dimensional support manifold being not simply connected. It is done by considering the continuum approach of the XY-model on a plane with two disks removed from it. We argue that an effective attractive interaction between the two disks may exist due to the presence of a vortex. The results can be applied to diluted planar ferromagnets with easy-plane anisotropy, where the disks can be seen as nonmagnetic impurities. Simulations are also used to test the predictions of the continuum limit.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Exclusive Breastfeeding After 40 Years of Age – Where Are We Going?

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hodge Dual for Soldered Bundles

In order to account for all possible contractions allowed by the presence of the solder form, a generalized Hodge dual is defined for the case of soldered bundles. Although for curvature the generalized dual coincides with the usual one, for torsion it gives a completely new dual definition. Starting from the standard form of a gauge lagrangian for the translation group, the generalized Hodge dual yields precisely the lagrangian of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity, and consequently also the Einstein-Hilbert lagrangian of general relativity.Comment: 8 pages, no figures. Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics

Validation of High-Fidelity Numerical Simulations of Acoustic Liners Under Grazing Flow

High-fidelity numerical simulations with the lattice-Boltzmann method are carried out to characterize the response of an acoustic liner in the presence and in the absence of grazing flow. The liner’s impedance is numerically computed with different methods, i.e. in-situ, mode matching and Prony-like Kumaresan-Tufts, and the results are compared against experimental data, measured in the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) liner test rig, and the Goodrich semiempirical model. The no-flow results show a reasonable agreement with the semiempirical model but some differences with respect to the experimental educed results are present. It is found that, even in the absence of grazing flow, when applying the in-situ method, there are large variations of the local impedance depending on the sampling location on the face sheet. In presence of grazing flow, simulations with acoustic plane wave propagating in the same direction and in the direction opposite to the mean flow are carried out. Results show that, with the current grid resolution, the numerical educed impedance still overestimates the experimental one particularly at low frequencies, while better agreement is obtained with the in-situ numerical estimation, for both cases. The effects of the grazing flow on the local impedance measurements show high influence of near-orifice wake development. A drastic reduction of the effective percentage of open area is observed when there is grazing flow, as a result of the formation of vortices in the orifices of the liner

Severidade da queima das folhas e quantificação de fenóis solúveis totais e lagnina solúveil em cultivares de cenoura.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a severidade da doença em cultivares tradicionais de cenoura (Brasília, BRS Planalto, Juliana, BRS Esplanada, Branca Lunar, Amarela Solar e Londrina) em campo, bem com quantificar as concentrações de fenóis solúveis totais e lignina solúvel nas folhas.Resumo 1265

Effectiveness of intensive physiotherapy for gait improvement in stroke: systematic review

Introduction: Stroke is one of the leading causes of functional disability worldwide. Approximately 80% of post-stroke subjects have motor changes. Improvement of gait pattern is one of the main objectives of physiotherapists intervention in these cases. The real challenge in the recovery of gait after stroke is to understand how the remaining neural networks can be modified, to be able to provide response strategies that compensate for the function of the affected structures. There is evidence that intensive training, including physiotherapy, positively influences neuroplasticity, improving mobility, pattern and gait velocity in post-stroke recovery. Objectives: Review and analyze in a systematic way the experimental studies (RCT) that evaluate the effects of Intensive Physiotherapy on gait improvement in poststroke subjects. Methodology: Were only included all RCT performed in humans, without any specific age, that had a clinical diagnosis of stroke at any stage of evolution, with sensorimotor deficits and functional gait changes. The databases used were: Pubmed, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) and CENTRAL (Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials). Results: After the application of the criteria, there were 4 final studies that were included in the systematic review. 3 of the studies obtained a score of 8 on the PEDro scale and 1 obtained a score of 4. The fact that there is clinical and methodological heterogeneity in the studies evaluated, supports the realization of the current systematic narrative review, without meta-analysis. Discussion: Although the results obtained in the 4 studies are promising, it is important to note that the significant improvements that have been found, should be carefully considered since pilot studies with small samples, such as these, are not designed to test differences between groups, in terms of the effectiveness of the intervention applied. Conclusion: Intensive Physiotherapy seems to be safe and applicable in post-stroke subjects and there are indications that it is effective in improving gait, namely speed, travelled distance and spatiotemporal parameters. However, there is a need to develop more RCTs with larger samples and that evaluate the longterm resultsN/

Serum serotonin levels and bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by bone loss, increased levels of serotonin have been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for circulating serotonin as a regulator of osteoblastogenesis, inhibiting bone formation. Thus, we measured serum serotonin levels (SSL) in a Portuguese sample of 205 RA patients and related these to anthropometric variables, disease parameters, serum bone biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at several sites (total proximal femur, lumbar spine, left hand, and left second proximal phalange). SSL were inversely associated with body mass index (BMI) in RA women (r = − 0.218; p = 0.005), independent of exposure to biologics and/or bisphosphonates. Among biologic naïves, there was an inverse association between SSL and osteoprotegerin in RA women (r = − 0.260; p = 0.022). Serum β-CTX and dickkopf-1 were strongly associated with SSL in RA men not treated with bisphosphonates (r = 0.590; p < 0.001/r = 0.387; p = 0.031, respectively). There was also an inverse association between SSL and sclerostin in RA men (r = − 0.374; p < 0.05), stronger among biologic naïve or bisphosphonates-unexposed RA men. In crude models, SSL presented as a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD in RA women as well as in postmenopausal RA women. After adjustment for BMI, disease duration, and years of menopause, SSL remained a significant negative predictor of total proximal femur BMD only in postmenopausal RA women. Our data reinforce a role, despite weak, for circulating serotonin in regulating bone mass in RA patients, with some differences in terms of gender and anatomical sites.Associação Nacional de Reumatologia, the study sponsor, had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication

Caracterização de tipos polínicos transportados por abelhas em sistemas agroflorestais com dendê (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. - Arecaceae).

Diante da expansão econômica da dendeicultura no Brasil, a Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, em parceria com a empresa Natura, implementou Sistemas Agroflorestais (SAFs) nas zonas de ocorrência do dendê na localidade de Quatro-Bocas, Tomé-Açu/PA. A partir do Projeto?Sistemas Agroflorestais na Agricultura Familiar?, tendo como estudo integrante o subcomponente biodiversidade, objetivou-se identificar os grãos de pólen transportados por abelhas nesses SAFs, com o intuito de colaborar com informações acerca das preferências alimentares das abelhas em diferentes ambientes. As abelhas foram coletadas com armadilhas aromáticas em três sistemas com dendê, intitulados biodiversos, e em áreas adjacentes aos SAFs, denominadas de capoeira e pastagem degradada, acondicionadas em frascos de vidro contendo ácido acético e enviadas à equipe de Palinologia do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Por meio de sucessivas lavagens com ácido acético, os grãos de pólen foram removidos da superfície corporal dos animais e processados quimicamente pelo método de acetólise. Posteriormente, foram medidos, descritos e fotomicrografados em microscopia de luz. A partir do material analisado foi possível separar três grupos polínicos: pólen dos sistemas biodiversos; pólen da área de capoeira e pólen da área de pastagem degradada (ambas adjacentes aos sistemas biodiversos). Nos biodiversos foram identificados os tipos polínicos Anacardiaceae, Burseraceae e Convolvulaceae; na capoeira verificaram-se os tipos Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae e Fabaceae e na pastagem degradada os tipos Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae e Rutaceae. A família Anacardiaceae foi a melhor representada, destacando os gêneros Anacardium e Tapirira, como os mais frequentes em todas as três áreas, família esta considerada de grande valor apícolaEditores técnicos: Roberto Porro, Milton Kanashiro, Maria do Socorro Gonçalves Ferreira, Leila Sobral Sampaio e Gladys Ferreira de Sousa