First detection of kobuvirus in farm animals in Brazil and the Netherlands.

Animal kobuviruses have been described in pigs, cattle, sheep and bats in countries in Asia and Europe. The virus can be detected in fecal and serum samples of infected animals with or without diarrhea, but most of the clinical as well as epidemiological features of kobuvirus infection are still unknown. This study reports the first detection of kobuvirus in farm animals from Brazil and the Netherlands and the molecular analysis of the detected strains. In Brazil, 53% (61/115) of the pigs (suckling, weaned and sows) were shedding porcine kobuvirus in feces, while in the Netherlands 16.7% (3/18) of the tested weaned pigs were infected. Kobuviruses detected in fecal samples of pigs in Brazil showed association (p = 0.0002) with diarrhea. In pig serum, kobuvirus was detected at different ages (3, 21, 36, 60, 75, and 180 days), with an overall rate of 76.7% (23/30). The sequencing of amplicons detected in serum of pigs of different ages suggested reinfection and no persistent infection. Kobuvirus was also detected in sheep and cattle feces from Brazil and the Netherlands, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of Brazilian and Dutch kobuviruses from pig, cattle and sheep revealed genetic variability, particularly in one strain detected in sheep feces, which was more closely related to human Aichi virus. The molecular and phylogenetic analyses performed with other published kobuvirus strains and the strains presented in this study, showed that, in most of the cases, kobuvirus seems to group according to host species, but not to geographical region of origin. The data presented in this study contribute to the comprehension of kobuvirus epidemiology and also to the molecular identification of kobuvirus strains circulating worldwide

The Complex Topology of Chemical Plants

We show that flowsheets of oil refineries can be associated to complex network topologies that are scale-free, display small-world effect and possess hierarchical organization. The emergence of these properties from such man-made networks is explained as a consequence of the currently used principles for process design, which include heuristics as well as algorithmic techniques. We expect these results to be valid for chemical plants of different types and capacities.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures and 1 tabl

The Importance of Slow-roll Corrections During Multi-field Inflation

We re-examine the importance of slow-roll corrections during the evolution of cosmological perturbations in models of multi-field inflation. We find that in many instances the presence of light degrees of freedom leads to situations in which next to leading order slow-roll corrections become significant. Examples where we expect such corrections to be crucial include models in which modes exit the Hubble radius while the inflationary trajectory undergoes an abrupt turn in field space, or during a phase transition. We illustrate this with two examples -- hybrid inflation and double quadratic inflation. Utilizing both analytic estimates and full numerical results, we find that corrections can be as large as 20%. Our results have implications for many existing models in the literature, as these corrections must be included to obtain accurate observational predictions -- particularly given the level of accuracy expected from CMB experiments such as PlanckComment: v1: 21 pages, 3 figures, 1 appendix. v2: clarifications to {\S}{\S}2.1, 3.1 and 4, {\S}5.3 added, references added, results unchanged. Matches published version in JCA

Flocculation of Arthrospira maxima for improved harvesting

The 6th International Conference on Energy and Environment ResearchThe environmental impacts associated with the burning of fossil fuels coupled with growing concerns about security of energy supply, motivated the search for more sustainable forms of energy production, among which came microalgae for biofuels production. However, the commercial production of microalgae biofuels is still not competitive compared to fossil fuels, as it is necessary to solve some process bottlenecks, among which biomass harvesting, that is the focus of this work. Hence, this work intends to study the harvesting of microalga Arthrospira maxima through flocculation by pH variation and/or addition of CaCl2 as flocculant. Thus, it is described the effect of pH variation (in the range 6 to 12), followed by the addition of flocculant, on the harvesting efficiency. Results show that by pH increase over 10 using NaOH, or by flocculation using CaCl2 at a concentration of 0.2-2.0 g/L and at a 1:30 ratio (v/v) of CaCl2/microalgae culture, it is possible to effectively harvest this microalga.Authors thank the financial support of the project IF/01093/2014/CP1249/CT0003 and research grants IF/01093/2014 and SFRH/BPD/112003/2015 funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES, and project UID/EQU/00305/2013 - Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology — CIETI. This work was financially supported by: project UID/EQU/00511/2019 — Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy — LEPABE funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939 (Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy — LEPABE, UID/EQU/00511/2013) funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020-POCI and by national funds through FCT; Project “LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION” - NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000005, funded by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).N/

Effect of a mixture of caffeine and nicotinamide on the solubility of vitamin (B2) in aqueous solution

The effect of caffeine (CAF) and nicotinamide (NMD) on the solubility of a vitamin B2 derivative (FMN) has been evaluated for mixtures containing either a single hydrotrope (CAF or NMD) or the two hydrotropes simultaneously. A model for analysis of ternary systems, which takes into account all possible complexes between the molecules, has been developed and tested with experimental NMR data on the three-component mixture FMN–CAF–NMD. The results indicate that special attention should be given to the concentration of a hydrotropic agent used to enhance the solubility of a particular drug. A decrease in the efficacy of solubility of the vitamin on addition of large amounts of hydrotropic agent is expected in the two-component systems due to the increased proportion of self-association of the hydrotrope. It is found that a mixture of two hydrotropic agents leads to an increase in the solubility of the vitamin in three-component compared to the two-component system. Rather than using just one hydrotropic agent, it is proposed that a strategy for optimising the solubility of aromatic drugs is to use a mixture of hydrotropic agents

A Remark on Lorentz Violation at Finite Temperature

We investigate the radiatively induced Chern-Simons-like term in four-dimensional field theory at finite temperature. The Chern-Simons-like term is temperature dependent and breaks the Lorentz and CPT symmetries. We find that this term remains undetermined although it can be found unambiguously in different regularization schemes at finite temperature.Comment: To appear in JHEP, 8 pages, 1 eps figure, minor changes and references adde

On the consistency of the three-dimensional noncommutative supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We study the one-loop quantum corrections to the U(N) noncommutative supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in three spacetime dimensions (NCSYM$_3$). We show that the cancellation of the dangerous UV/IR infrared divergences only takes place in the fundamental representation of the gauge group. Furthermore, in the one-loop approximation, the would be subleading UV and UV/IR infrared divergences are shown to vanish.Comment: 8 pages and 2 figure

Comparison Of Bone Quantity By Ultrasound Measurements Of Phalanges Between White And Black Children Living In Paraná,brazil, With Europeans

The objective of this study was to determine bone quantity by ultrasound measurements of the proximal fnger phalanges (AD-SoS = amplitude-dependent speed of sound) of healthy Brazilian schoolchildren living in Paraná, Brazil, and to compare these values with European populations. The sample was composed of 1356 Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders (660 males, 696 females), aged 6 to 11 years, divided into white (840) and black (516) groups and compared to age- and gender-matched Europeans. AD-SoS of the schoolchildren increased significantly with age for both genders. Significantly higher AD-SoS values were observed for the white children (1916 ± 58) compared to their black counterparts (1898 ± 72) and for the female gender (1920 ± 61) compared to the male gender (1898 ± 66). Overall, the AD-SoS outcomes for females were similar to those of European studies. However, the AD-SoS of the Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders and skin colors was lower than that reported for children in Poland. AD-SoS outcomes for Brazilian schoolboys were similar to those obtained in Italian studies and were lower than those of the Spanish children. In conclusion, Brazilian schoolchildren of both genders and skin colors showed lower bone quantities than Polish children and Spanish males, and levels similar to Italian children and Spanish females.4310976981Mora, S., Gilsanz, V., Establishment of peak bone mass (2003) En-docrinol Metab Clin North Am, 32, pp. 39-63Silva, C.C., Goldberg, T.B., Teixeira, A.S., Dalmas, J.C., Bone mineralization among male adolescents: Critical years for bone mass gain (2004) J Pediatr, 80, pp. 461-467Habicht, J.P., Martorell, R., Yarbrough, C., Malina, R.M., Klein, R.E., Height and weight standards for preschool children. How relevant are ethnic differences in growth potential? (1974) Lancet, 1, pp. 611-614WHO Working Group (1986) Bull World Health Organ, 64, pp. 929-941. , Use and interpretation of anthropometric indicators of nutri-tional statusCauley, J.A., Lui, L.Y., Stone, K.L., Hillier, T.A., Zmuda, J.M., Hochberg, M., Longitudinal study of changes in hip bone mineral density in Caucasian and African-American women (2005) J Am Geriatr Soc, 53, pp. 183-189Neuner, J.M., Zhang, X., Sparapani, R., Laud, P.W., Nattinger, A.B., Racial and socioeconomic disparities in bone density testing before and after hip fracture (2007) J Gen Intern Med, 22, pp. 1239-1245Leder, B.Z., Araujo, A.B., Travison, T.G., McKinlay, J.B., Racial and ethnic differences in bone turnover markers in men (2007) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 92, pp. 3453-3457Travison, T.G., Araujo, A.B., Esche, G.R., McKinlay, J.B., The relationship between body composition and bone mineral content: Threshold effects in a racially and ethnically diverse group of men (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 29-38Travison, T.G., Beck, T.J., Esche, G.R., Araujo, A.B., McKinlay, J.B., Age trends in proximal femur geometry in men: Variation by race and ethnicity (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 277-287Hill, D.D., Cauley, J.A., Sheu, Y., Bunker, C.H., Patrick, A.L., Baker, C.E., Correlates of bone mineral density in men of African ancestry: The Tobago bone health study (2008) Osteoporos Int, 19, pp. 227-234INEP (Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Edu-cacionais Anísio Teixeira) Mostre Sua Raça, , http://inep.gov.br/imprensa/noticias/censo/escolar/news05_05.htm, declare sua cor, Accessed July 26, 2010Ribeiro, R.R., Guerra-Junior, G., de Barros-Filho, A., Bone mass in schoolchildren in Brazil: The effect of racial miscegenation, pubertal stage, and socioeconomic differences (2009) J Bone Miner Metab, 27, pp. 494-501Baroncelli, G.I., Federico, G., Bertelloni, S., de Terlizzi, F., Cadossi, R., Saggese, G., Bone quality assessment by quantitative ultrasound of proximal phalanxes of the hand in healthy subjects aged 3-21 years (2001) Pediatr Res, 49, pp. 713-718Gimeno, B.J., Azcona San Julián, C., Sierrasesúmaga Ariznabarreta, L., Bone mineral density determination by os-teosonography in healthy children and adolescents: Normal values (2001) An Esp Pediatr, 54, pp. 540-546Vignolo, M., Brignone, A., Mascagni, A., Ravera, G., Biasotti, B., Aicardi, G., Infuence of age, sex, and growth variables on phalangeal quantitative ultrasound measures: A study in healthy children and adolescents (2003) Calcif Tissue Int, 72, pp. 681-688Vignolo, M., Parodi, A., Mascagni, A., Torrisi, C., de Terlizzi, F., Aicardi, G., Longitudinal assessment of bone quality by quantitative ultrasonography in children and adolescents (2006) Ultrasound Med Biol, 32, pp. 1003-1010Halaba, Z.P., Quantitative ultrasound measurements at hand phalanges in children and adolescents: A longitudinal study (2008) Ultrasound Med Biol, 34, pp. 1547-1553Pena, S.D.J., Bortolini, M.C., Pode a genética defnir quem deve se benefciar das cotas universitárias e demais ações afr- mativas? (2004) Estud Av, 18, pp. 31-50Pena, S.D.J., Bastos-Rodrigues, L., Pimenta, J.R., Bydlowski, S.P., DNA tests probe the genomic ancestry of Brazilians (2009) Braz J Med Biol Res, 42, pp. 870-876Telles, E., (2003) Racismo À Brasileira: Uma Nova Perspectiva Soci-ológica, , Rio De Janeiro: Relume Dumará, Fundação FordOliveira, F., Ser negro no Brasil: Alcances e limites (2004) Estud Av, 18, pp. 57-60Gilsanz, V., Skaggs, D.L., Kovanlikaya, A., Sayre, J., Loro, M.L., Kaufman, F., Differential effect of race on the axial and appendicular skeletons of children (1998) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 83, pp. 1420-1427Nelson, D.A., Simpson, P.M., Johnson, C.C., Barondess, D.A., Kleerekoper, M., The accumulation of whole body skeletal mass in third- and fourth-grade children: Effects of age, gender, ethnicity, and body composition (1997) Bone, 20, pp. 73-78Bell, N.H., Shary, J., Stevens, J., Garza, M., Gordon, L., Edwards, J., Demonstration that bone mass is greater in black than in white children (1991) J Bone Miner Res, 6, pp. 719-723Rupich, R.C., Specker, B.L., Lieuw, A.F., Ho, M., Gender and race differences in bone mass during infancy (1996) Calcif Tissue Int, 58, pp. 395-397Abrams, S.A., O'Brien, K.O., Liang, L.K., Stuff, J.E., Differences in calcium absorption and kinetics between black and white girls aged 5-16 years (1995) J Bone Miner Res, 10, pp. 829-833Bryant, R.J., Wastney, M.E., Martin, B.R., Wood, O., McCabe, G.P., Morshidi, M., Racial differences in bone turnover and calcium metabolism in adolescent females (2003) J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 88, pp. 1043-1047Jaime, P.C., Latorre, M.R., Florindo, A.A., Tanaka, T., Zerbini, C.A., Dietary intake of Brazilian black and white men and its relationship to the bone mineral density of the femoral neck (2006) São Paulo Med J, 124, pp. 267-270Bhattoa, H.P., Bettembuk, P., Ganacharya, S., Balogh, A., Prevalence and seasonal variation of hypovitaminosis D and its relationship to bone metabolism in community dwelling postmenopausal Hungarian women (2004) Osteoporos Int, 15, pp. 447-451Wuster, C., Albanese, C., de Aloysio, D., Duboeuf, F., Gambac-Ciani, M., Gonnelli, S., Phalangeal osteosonogrammetry study: Age-related changes, diagnostic sensitivity, and discrimination power (2000) J Bone Miner Res, 15, pp. 1603-1614. , The Phalangeal Osteosonogrammetry Study Grou

Effects of motor imagery training of Parkinson's disease: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Background Gait disorders in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may be associated with alterations in the motor control system and aggravated by psychoemotional and cognitive issues. Therapeutic strategies aimed at self-perception and motor regulation seem to be promising. Motor imagery (MI) has been shown to be one of these strategies, but there is still no clear evidence of its applicability in this population. The aim of this trial is to determine the effects of motor-imagery training on the gait and electroencephalographic activity of individuals with PD. Methods/design The sample will consist of 40 individuals, aged between 45 and 75 years, in the mild and moderate phase of the disease, with the ability to generate voluntary mental images. They will be assessed for cognitive level, degree of physical disability, mental-image clarity, kinematic gait variables, electroencephalographic activity and mobility. Next, subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG will perform motor imagery and gait, while the CG will only engage in gait exercises. Twelve training sessions will be conducted lasting up to 90 min each, three times a week, for 4 weeks. The subjects will be reassessed on the kinematic variables of gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility at 1, 7 and 30 days after the final training session. Discussion The results may provide an important advance in neurological rehabilitation where an easy-access and low-cost intervention may help to improve gait, electroencephalographic activity and mobility in individuals with PD

Strain-dependent Optical Emission In In1 - Xgaxas/inp Quantum Wells

InGaAs/InP strained-layer modulation -doped quantum wells were studied by photoluminescence. The combination of the built-in strain and the quantum confinement in this system leads to a strong valence band mixing yielding direct and indirect band gap structures. We demonstrate that the optical emission line shape is strongly dependent on the valence band dispersion and it is a good method to distinguish between direct and indirect structures. The application of an external biaxial tensile strain to the samples provides an additional evidence of direct-to-indirect band gap transition in strained heterostructures.641515330111533014Gershoni, D., Vandenberg, J.M., Hamm, R.A., Temkin, H., Panish, M.B., (1987) Phys. Rev. B, 36, p. 1320Gershoni, D., Temkin, H., Vandenberg, J.M., Chu, S.N.G., Hamm, R.A., Panish, M.B., (1988) Phys. Rev. Lett., 60, p. 448Gershoni, D., Temkin, H., Panish, M.B., Hamm, R.A., (1989) Phys. Rev. B, 39, p. 5531Chao, C.Y.-P., Chuang, S.L., (1992) Phys. Rev. B, 46, p. 4110Sugawara, M., Okazaki, N., Fujii, T., Yamazaki, S., (1993) Phys. Rev. B, 48, p. 8102Michler, P., Hangleiter, A., Moritz, A., Fuchs, G., Härle, V., Scholz, F., (1993) Phys. Rev. B, 48, p. 111991Triques, A.L.C., Brum, J.A., (1995) Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors, Vancouver, Canada, 1994, 2, pp. 1328-1331. , edited by D.J. Lockwood (World Scientific)Weihofen, R., Weiser, G., Starck, Ch., Simes, R.J., (1995) Phys. Rev. B, 51, p. 4296Dalfors, J., Lundström, R., Holtz, P.O., Radamson, H.H., Monemar, B., Wallin, J., Landgren, G., (1997) Appl. Phys. Lett., 71, p. 503Hosea, T.J.C., Rowland, G., (1998) Supercond. Sci. Technol., 13, p. 207Tudury, H.A.P., Ribeiro, E., Iikawa, F., Brum, J.A., Bernussi, A.A., Carvalho W., Jr., Gobbi, A., unpublishedBastard, G., Brum, J.A., (1986) IEEE J. Quantum Electron., 22, p. 1625Bastard, G., (1992) Wave Mechanics Applied to Semiconductor Heterostructures, , Les Editions de Physique, ParisBaptizmanskii, V.V., Novak, I.I., Titovets, Yu.F., (1979) Sov. Phys. Solid State, 21, p. 1915Liarokapis, E., Richter, W., (1992) Meas. Sci. Technol., 3, p. 347Thewalt, M.L.W., Harrison, D.A., Reinhart, C.F., Wolk, J.A., Lafontaine, H., (1997) Phys. Rev. Lett., 79, p. 26