CPT theorem in a (5+1) Galilean space-time

We extend the 5-dimensional Galilean space-time to a (5+1) Galilean space-time in order to define a parity transformation in a covariant manner. This allows us to discuss the discrete symmetries in the Galilean space-time, which is embedded in the (5+1) Minkowski space-time. We discuss the Dirac-type field, for which we give the 8\times 8 gamma matrices explicitly. We demonstrate that the CPT theorem holds in the (5+1) Galilean space-time.Comment: 11 pages, 0 figur

Caspase-2-mediated cell death is required for deleting aneuploid cells

Caspase-2, one of the most evolutionarily conserved of the caspase family, has been implicated in maintenance of chromosomal stability and tumour suppression. Caspase-2 deficient (Casp2-/-) mice develop normally but show premature ageing-related traits and when challenged by certain stressors, succumb to enhanced tumour development and aneuploidy. To test how caspase-2 protects against chromosomal instability, we utilized an ex vivo system for aneuploidy where primary splenocytes from Casp2-/- mice were exposed to anti-mitotic drugs and followed up by live cell imaging. Our data show that caspase-2 is required for deleting mitotically aberrant cells. Acute silencing of caspase-2 in cultured human cells recapitulated these results. We further generated Casp2C320S mutant mice to demonstrate that caspase-2 catalytic activity is essential for its function in limiting aneuploidy. Our results provide direct evidence that the apoptotic activity of caspase-2 is necessary for deleting cells with mitotic aberrations to limit aneuploidy.S Dawar, Y Lim, J Puccini, M White, P Thomas, L Bouchier-Hayes, D R Green, L Dorstyn and S Kuma

Performance Of A Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber Exposed To The WANF Neutrino Beam

We present the results of the first exposure of a Liquid Argon TPC to a multi-GeV neutrino beam. The data have been collected with a 50 liters ICARUS-like chamber located between the CHORUS and NOMAD experiments at the CERN West Area Neutrino Facility (WANF). We discuss both the instrumental performance of the detector and its capability to identify and reconstruct low multiplicity neutrino interactions.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures. Submitted for publication to Physical Review

CO2 capture at high temperature and low concentration on Li4SiO4 based sorbents

Solid sorbents based on lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) have shown promise for CO2 capture at high temperature. Improved sorption properties can be obtained by appropriate doping. In this study, different promoted Li4SiO4-based sorbents were prepared by addition of potassium carbonate and binary/ternary alkali (Li, K and Na) carbonate eutectic mixtures. The CO2 sorption properties of the sorbents were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) at different temperatures in the range between 500 and 600 °C and at low CO2 partial pressure (0.04 atm). The results showed that all the promoters used noticeably improved the CO2 sorption capacity in comparison to no-promoted Li4SiO4. At the optimum sorption temperature of 580 °C, Li4SiO4 with addition of 30 wt% of K2CO3 showed the best CO2 adsorption proprieties with sorption capacities of 230 mg CO2/g sorbent corresponding to a conversion of about 80 %. Besides this sample maintained its original capacity during multiple CO2 sorption/desorption cycles

Knowledge and practices regarding child development among primary healthcare professionals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding child development among physicians working in primary healthcare units. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at primary healthcare units in Embu, São Paulo, Brazil. Study procedures: 1) Evaluation of knowledge: test consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions on child development applied to all 31 physicians who were providing pediatric care at the primary healthcare units; 2) Evaluation of practices: semi-structured interview applied to a sample of 154 mothers/caregivers of children aged up to 36 months during follow-up visits at primary healthcare units in the municipality. For the comparisons of categorical variables (evaluation/advices about development in visits of children at different ages), the chi-square test was employed. RESULTS: The mean number of correct responses among physicians was 14.8. The error rate for seven questions was greater than 30% (sensory development, language acquisition, physiology of the nervous system, clinical and laboratory diagnosis of congenital infections and innate errors of metabolism) and the rate of correct responses was greater than 85% for four questions (motor and personal-social development markers, risk factors and genetic syndromes). Regarding practices, in 69 (45%) visits, the doctor asked the mother/caregiver's opinion about the child's development; in 80 (52%), the mother/caregiver said that the doctor assessed the development; and in 64 (42%), the mother/caregiver said that the doctor advised them on practices for child's stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Faulty knowledge and practices regarding child development were identified among primary care professionals, indicating the need for continued education.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento e as práticas sobre desenvolvimento infantil de médicos que atuam em Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS). MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, descritivo, realizado nas UBS de Embu (SP). Procedimentos do estudo: 1) avaliação do conhecimento por teste contendo 20 questões de múltipla escolha sobre desenvolvimento da criança aplicado a 31 médicos (universo) que prestam assistência pediátrica em UBS; 2) avaliação das práticas - entrevista semiestruturada aplicada para uma amostra de 154 mães/cuidadores que acompanhavam crianças com idade menor ou igual a 36 meses em consulta médica agendada em UBS do município. Para comparação de variáveis categóricas (avaliação/orientações sobre desenvolvimento em consultas de crianças de diferentes faixas etárias), utizou-se o qui-quadrado. RESULTADOS: A média de acertos dos médicos foi de 14,8 questões; sete questões apresentaram índices de erros superiores a 30% (desenvolvimento sensorial, aquisição de linguagem, fisiologia do sistema nervoso, diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial de infecções congênitas, erros inatos do metabolismo) e quatro questões apresentaram acertos acima de 85% (marcos do desenvolvimento motor, pessoal-social, fatores de risco e síndrome genética). Quanto às práticas, em 69 (45%) consultas o médico perguntou a opinião da mãe/cuidador sobre o desenvolvimento da criança, em 80 (52%) a mãe/cuidador referiu que o médico fez alguma pergunta e/ou avaliou o desenvolvimento e em 64 (42%) orientou sobre como estimular a criança. CONCLUSÕES: Identificaram-se falhas de conhecimento e nas práticas dos profissionais referentes ao desenvolvimento da criança, o que indica a necessidade de implementar educação permanente.UNIFESP Curso de MedicinaUNIFESP Projeto DesenvolverSecretaria Municipal de Saúde do EmbuUNIFESP Departamento de Pediatria Disciplina de Pediatria Geral e ComunitáriaUNIFESP, Curso de MedicinaUNIFESP, Projeto DesenvolverUNIFESP, Depto. de Pediatria Disciplina de Pediatria Geral e ComunitáriaSciEL

The type of shared activity shapes caregiver and infant communication

For the beginning language learner, communicative input is not based on linguistic codes alone. This study investigated two extralinguistic factors which are important for infants’ language development: the type of ongoing shared activity and non-verbal, deictic gestures. The natural interactions of 39 caregivers and their 12-month-old infants were recorded in two semi-natural contexts: a free play situation based on action and manipulation of objects, and a situation based on regard of objects, broadly analogous to an exhibit. Results show that the type of shared activity structures both caregivers’ language usage and caregivers’ and infants’ gesture usage. Further, there is a specific pattern with regard to how caregivers integrate speech with particular deictic gesture types. The findings demonstrate a pervasive influence of shared activities on human communication, even before language has emerged. The type of shared activity and caregivers’ systematic integration of specific forms of deictic gestures with language provide infants with a multimodal scaffold for a usage-based acquisition of language

Condições de vida e vocabulário receptivo em crianças de dois a cinco anos

OBJECTIVE: To assess the receptive vocabulary of children aged between two years and six months and five years and eleven months who were attending childcare centers and kindergarten schools. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in the municipality of Embu, Southeastern Brazil. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and analysis of factors associated with children's performance were applied. The sample consisted of 201 children of both genders, aged between two and six years. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis and logistic regression model. The dependent variable analyzed was test performance and the independent variables were child's age, mother's level of education and family socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: It was observed that 44.3% of the children had performances in the test that were below what would be expected for their age. The factors associated with the best performances in the test were child's age (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.6-3.5) and mother's education level (OR= 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3-7.4). CONCLUSIONS: Mother's education level is important for child's language development. Settings such as childcare and kindergarten schools are protective factors for child development in families of low income and education.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o vocabulário receptivo de crianças de dois anos e seis meses a cinco anos e 11 meses que freqüentam creches e pré-escolas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e analítico realizado no município de Embu, Estado de São Paulo. Utilizou-se o Teste de Vocabulário por Imagem Peabody e análise de fatores associados ao desempenho. A amostra foi constituída de 201 crianças de ambos os sexos, com idade entre dois e seis anos. Foram realizados análise multivariada e modelo de regressão logística. A variável dependente analisada foi o desempenho no teste e as variáveis independentes foram a idade da criança, tempo de escolaridade e série, e características sociodemográficas de suas famílias. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que 44,3% das crianças apresentaram desempenho inferior ao esperado para a idade no teste e os fatores associados ao melhor desempenho foram a idade da criança (OR=2,4; IC 95%: 1,6-3,5) e a escolaridade materna (OR=3,2; IC 95%: 1,3-7,4). CONCLUSÕES: A escolaridade maternal é importante no desenvolvimento de linguagem da criança. As instituições como creches e pré- escolas são fatores de proteção do desenvolvimento infantil em famílias de baixa renda e com baixa escolaridade.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de FonoaudiologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de FonoaudiologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Microbiological Valorisation of Bio-composites Based on Polylactic Acid and Wood Fibres

The use of wood fibres for production of bio-based composites has attracted interest in various application sectors ranging from packaging to automotive components and in other high value applications. In the course of the present research activity, several bio-based composites were developed using wood fibres with a compostable polymeric matrix such as polylactic acid (PLA) and a flexible biodegradable polymer such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The developed materials were used for the manufacture of several prototypes for food packaging (trays, boxes for refrigerated or frozen fish, egg box), agricultural applications (pots and yarns), automotive components (spoiler and seats) as well as containers for cosmetics and chemicals. Biodegradability and compostability are desired properties, allowing bio-recycling as end of life scenario, mainly for materials used in food packaging and agricultural applications. Thus, they may be recycled at the end of their life time service producing compost as a value-added by-product. Composting is the main option for bio-recycling but also other valuable pathways can be pursued. Because lignocellulose is one of the components of developed materials, several by-products such as enzymes, reducing sugars, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc. may be obtained from the bio-composites produced. Alternatively, the bio-composites can be also used for the production of yeast biomass. This is important as another recyclability way of the new produced materials. In the present research the bio-composites produced were investigated as substrates for the production of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, a potential source of single-cell protein (SCP), β-carotene, and Rhodotorula sp. as potential source of food and feed grade colorant. This is another more valuable alternative to the composting considering also that composting cannot be used to dispose of large quantities of bio-plastics, and in the future it will become more and more important to find alternative routes of valorisation for bio-plastics disposal