String effects in SU(2) lattice gauge theory

We discuss the effective string picture for the confining regime of lattice gauge theories at zero and finite temperature. We present results of extensive Monte Carlo simulations - performed with the Luscher and Weisz algorithm - for SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in 2+1 dimensions. We also address the issue of "string universality" by comparing our results with those obtained in other lattice gauge theories.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, Lattice2003(topology

Efecto del cambio climático sobre problemas fitosanitarios en caña de azúcar, maní y algodón: un abordaje binacional.

La roya marrón y la roya anaranjada de la caña de azúcar, la viruela tardía del maní y el picudo del algodonero son problemas fitosanitarios actuales y potenciales para estos cultivos industriales tanto en Argentina como en Brasil. En Argentina no se han realizado estudios sobre el efecto del cambio climático en cultivos que ocupan actualmente áreas bien definidas, con perspectivas de expandirse a otras áreas agroecológicas, generando flujos de patógenos y plagas en macroregiones abarcando ambos países. Para ello se elaboró un proyecto interinstitucional entre INTA y EMBRAPA cuyo objetivo principal es evaluar el impacto del cambio climático sobre enfermedades y plagas de cultivos de importancia para la agroindustria de Argentina y Brasil, intentando el desarrollo de alternativas de adaptación para su control en los escenarios climáticos futuros. La investigación y discusión en red entre Argentina y Brasil es una oportunidad indispensable para evitar esfuerzos innecesarios, integrando los resultados obtenidos con los diferentes cultivos de importancia para la agroindustria

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Flavanones from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) Leaf Phytocomplexes: Identification of Licoflavanone as a Modulator of NF-kB/MAPK Pathway

Inflammation represents an adaptive response generated by injuries or harmful stimuli. Natural remedies represent an interesting alternative to traditional therapies, involving several biochemical pathways. Besides, the valorization of agrochemical wastes nowadays seems to be a feasible way to reduce the health spending and improve the accessibility at bioactive natural compounds. In this context, the chemical composition of three Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) leaf extracts, obtained through maceration or ultrasound-assisted method (fresh and dried leaves) was investigated. A guided fractionation obtained three main components: pinocembrin, glabranin and licoflavanone. All the extracts showed similar antioxidant properties, evaluated by 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) or 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) Diammonium Salt (ABTS) assay, while, among the isolated compounds, licoflavanone exhibited the best antioxidant activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts and the purified compounds was investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Extract C and licoflavanone showed a good anti-inflammatory activity without affecting cell viability, as they decreased nitrite levels even when used at 12.5 μg/mL (p < 0.005) and 50 μM concentration (p < 0.001), respectively. Interestingly, licoflavanone markedly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase 2/inducible nitric oxide synthase (COX-2/iNOS) expression levels (p < 0.001). A modulation of nuclear factor kappa B/mitogen-activated protein kinases (NF-kB/MAPK) pathway underlay such behavior, highlighting the potential of this natural compound as a new scaffold in anti-inflammatory drug research

Relativistic gravitational collapse in comoving coordinates: The post-quasistatic approximation

A general iterative method proposed some years ago for the description of relativistic collapse, is presented here in comoving coordinates. For doing that we redefine the basic concepts required for the implementation of the method for comoving coordinates. In particular the definition of the post-quasistatic approximation in comoving coordinates is given. We write the field equations, the boundary conditions and a set of ordinary differential equations (the surface equations) which play a fundamental role in the algorithm. As an illustration of the method, we show how to build up a model inspired in the well known Schwarzschild interior solution. Both, the adiabatic and non adiabatic, cases are considered.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures; updated version to appear in Int. J. Modern Phys.

Finite temperature results on the 2d Ising model with mixed perturbation

A numerical study of finite temperature features of thermodynamical observables is performed for the lattice 2d Ising model. Our results support the conjecture that the Finite Size Scaling analysis employed in the study of integrable perturbation of Conformal Field Theory is still valid in the present case, where a non-integrable perturbation is considered.Comment: 9 pages, Latex, added references and improved introductio

High Reliability Prototype Quadrupole for the Next Linear Collider

Abstract-- The Next Linear Collider (NLC) will require over 5600 magnets, each of which must be highly reliable and/or quickly repairable in order that the NLC reach its 85 % overall availability goal. A multidiscipline engineering team was assembled at SLAC to develop a more reliable electromagnet design than historically had been achieved at SLAC. This team carried out a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on a standard SLAC quadrupole magnet system. They overcame a number of longstanding design prejudices, producing 10 major design changes. This paper describes how a prototype magnet was constructed and the extensive testing carried out on it to prove full functionality with an improvement in reliability. The magnet’s fabrication cost will be compared to the cost of a magnet with the same requirements made in the historic SLAC way. The NLC will use over 1600 of these 12.7 mm bor

Boundary and Interface CFTs from the Conformal Bootstrap

40 pages, many figures v2: new results on 3d O(N) bulk spectrum added, one appendix eliminated, typos corrected, references updated. v3: two references to high precision Monte Carlo data added; they nicely agree with our bootstrap calculations. Matches published version. v4: results for the extraordinary transition for N=2,3 removed: see added noteWe explore some consequences of the crossing symmetry for defect conformal field theories, focusing on codimension one defects like flat boundaries or interfaces. We study surface transitions of the 3d Ising and other O(N) models through numerical solutions to the crossing equations with the method of determinants. In the extraordinary transition, where the low-lying spectrum of the surface operators is known, we use the bootstrap equations to obtain information on the bulk spectrum of the theory. In the ordinary transition the knowledge of the low-lying bulk spectrum allows to calculate the scale dimension of the relevant surface operator, which compares well with known results of two-loop calculations in 3d. Estimates of various OPE coefficients are also obtained. We also analyze in 4-epsilon dimensions the renormalization group interface between the O(N) model and the free theory and check numerically the results in 3d