The Sub-Surface Structure of a Large Sample of Active Regions

We employ ring-diagram analysis to study the sub-surface thermal structure of active regions. We present results using a large number of active regions over the course of Solar Cycle 23. We present both traditional inversions of ring-diagram frequency differences, with a total sample size of 264, and a statistical study using Principal Component Analysis. We confirm earlier results on smaller samples that sound speed and adiabatic index are changed below regions of strong magnetic field. We find that sound speed is decreased in the region between approximately r=0.99R_sun and r=0.995R_sun (depths of 3Mm to 7Mm), and increased in the region between r=0.97R_sun and r=0.985R_sun (depths of 11Mm to 21Mm). The adiabatic index is enhanced in the same deeper layers that sound-speed enhancement is seen. A weak decrease in adiabatic index is seen in the shallower layers in many active regions. We find that the magnitudes of these perturbations depend on the strength of the surface magnetic field, but we find a great deal of scatter in this relation, implying other factors may be relevant.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Characterization And Sensory Preference Of Fermented Dairy Beverages Prepared With Different Concentrations Of Whey And Araticum Pulp

The objective of this study was to develop a fermented dairy beverage flavored with araticum pulp, assess its physicochemical characteristics, microbiological quality, and sensory preference by the consumer. Araticum pulp was prepared using two different methods: with or without bleaching (50 °C/5 minutes). Formulations of fermented dairy beverages consisting of whey (50%), standardized pasteurized milk (50%), and seven different concentrations of bleached araticum pulp (5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0% w/v) were prepared. In addition, seven formulations of fermented dairy beverage, without adding araticum pulp, and consisting of varying proportions of whey (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100%) were developed. In all formulations, thickeners/stabilizers were added. All araticum pulp samples (with and without bleach) and fermented dairy beverages (with and without araticum pulp) were analyzed for the relevant physicochemical properties: pH, titratable acidity, acidity of pulp, acidity of fermented beverage, moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, total solids, and caloric values. Microbiological counts of coliforms at 35 °C and 45 °C in the pulp and beverage, and molds and yeasts and Salmonella sp. in the pulp were obtained. Additionally, sensory analysis regarding preferences of the different fermented dairy beverage formulations was also performed. The araticum pulp samples without bleach, showed higher values of pH, moisture, protein, total fiber, and ascorbic acid, as compared to bleached pulp samples, while bleached araticum pulp showed higher values for other physicochemical parameters. Microbiological results showed that all pulps and fruitdairy beverages were suitable for consumption. It was found that there was no significant consumer preference between different fermented beverage formulations, according to the different percentages of pulp. However, the formulations consisting of 40, 50, 60, and 70% whey were preferred over the one consisting of 100% whey.3764011402

Efeito da deficiência de energia na dieta sobre a população de protozoários ciliados do rúmen de bovinos

Ten young rumen-cannulated crossbred steers were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (C; n=4), which was fed a balanced diet for daily weight gain of 900g; and a pronounced energy-deprived group (PED; n=6), receiving 30% less of the required energy for maintenance. After 140 days of these alimentary regimes, rumen fluid and urine samples were collected for biochemical and functional tests, before feeding and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after feeding. The energy-deprivation diet caused a significant reduction in the number of Entodinium, Eodinium, Isotricha, Dasytricha, Eremoplastron, Eudiplodinium, Metadinium, Charonina, Ostracodinium, and Epidinium protozoa. There was no effect of the time of sampling in both groups on the total number of ciliates in rumen fluid. A higher number of protozoan forms in binary division were recorded in the control group, at the 6th and 9th hours after feeding (P<0.019). There was a high positive correlation between the total count of protozoans in rumen fluid and glucose fermentation, ammonia, and urinary allantoin excretion index; and a negative correlation between the total count of protozoa and metilene blue reduction, and a medium correlation between the total count of protozoa and total volatile fatty acids concentration. The determination of the protozoa populations does not imply in the use of complex and hard-to-execute techniques, although it is time consuming and needs practice. This exam particularly helps in clinical expected diagnosis.Foram utilizados 10 novilhos mestiços com cânula ruminal, distribuídos em dois grupos: no grupo controle (C; n=4) receberam dieta balanceada para ganho diário de 900g; no grupo tratado com carência pronunciada de energia (CP; n=6), receberam dieta com 30% a menos do nível de mantença em energia. Após 140 dias sob esses regimes de alimentação, foram coletadas amostras do fluido ruminal e urina, para realização de provas bioquímicas e funcionais, antes e às 1, 3, 6 e 9 horas após o fornecimento do alimento. A carência energética resultou em diminuição significativa na quantidade dos protozoários Entodinium, Eodinium, Isotricha, Dasytricha, Eremoplastron, Eudiplodinium, Metadinium, Charonina, Ostracodinium e Epidinium. Não houve efeito da hora de coleta sobre o total de ciliados nos grupos C e CP. Maior número de formas em divisão binária foi registrado no grupo C, na sexta e nona horas pós-alimentação (P<0,019). Observaram-se altas correlações positivas entre a contagem total de protozoários e a fermentação de glicose, amônia e o índice de excreção urinária de alantoína e negativa entre a contagem total de protozoários e a redução do azul de metileno, e correlação média entre a contagem total de protozoários e os ácidos graxos voláteis totais. A determinação da população de protozoários do rúmen é um método simples de avaliação, além de que particularmente auxilia o diagnóstico clínico da função ruminal

Test of Factorization Hypothesis from Exclusive Non-leptonic B decays

We investigate the possibility of testing factorization hypothesis in non-leptonic exclusive decays of B-meson. In particular, we considered the non factorizable \bar{B^0} -> D^{(*)+} D_s^{(*)-} modes and \bar{B^0} -> D^{(*)+} (\pi^-, \rho^-) known as well-factorizable modes. By taking the ratios BR(\bar{B^0}-> D^{(*)+}D_s^{(*)-})/BR(\bar{B^0}-> D^{(*)+}(\pi^-,\rho^-)), we found that under the present theoretical and experimental uncertainties there's no evidence for the breakdown of factorization description to heavy-heavy decays of the B meson.Comment: 11 pages; submitted to PR

Model Independent Analysis of the Forward-Backward Asymmetry for the B→K1μ+μ−B\to K_{1}\mu^{+}\mu^{-} Decay

The sensitivity of the zero position of the forward backward asymmetry $\mathcal{A}_{FB}$ for the exclusive $B\rightarrow K_{1}(1270)\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decay is examined by using most general non-standard 4-fermion interactions. Our analysis shows that the zero position of the forward backward asymmetry is very sensitive to the sign and size of the Wilson coefficients corresponding to the new vector type interactions, which are the counter partners of the usual Standard Model operators but have opposite chirality. In addition to these, the other significant effect comes from the interference of Scalar-Pseudoscalar and Tensor type operators. These results will not only enhance our theoretical understanding about the axial vector mesons but will also serve as a good tool to look for physics beyond the SM.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, Published version that appears in EPJ

INFLUENCE OF STEROID SEXUAL HORMONES ON SKELETIZATION TIME OF WISTAR RATS

The establishment of the postmortem interval is one of the most complicated and difficult tasks in forensic investigation because of many factors that affect this process (temperature, humidity, aerobic and anaerobic conditions, presence of microorganisms and soil conditions). Body intrinsic factors frequently not are related to de body decomposition. To investigate if the skeletonization process is under interference of sexual steroid hormones an experimental investigation with Wistar rats was done (30 male and 60 females divided in sub-groups at different hormonal phases). The animals were raised until they reach body weight between 350 and 450g, when were killed in a CO2 chamber and buried. Analysis of the environmental (temperature, humidity and rain) and corporal factors (body weight and body fat) showed that variation in these factors did not interfere on the skeletonization process. After the exhumation, only the male control group for testosterone showed complete skeletonization. The castrated males with no testosterone reposition and the castrated males with testosterone reposition showed minimum skeletonization. All female groups showed partial skeletonization. Analysis of the putrefaction residues from the groups with partial and minimum skeletonization showed the presence of the characteristic fatty acids of adipocere composition. Considering that both animal groups (males and females) were buried at the same place, under the same environmental and body conditions, during the same time interval, it is possible to conclude that sexual steroid hormones are responsible for the observed difference in body decomposition, being testosterone the main intervenient factor in this process. Besides, the experimental model also evidenced its potential use for future studies in the process of adipocere formation.  A estimativa do tempo de morte é um dos problemas mais complicados e difíceis da Medicina Legal devido aos diversos fatores que interferem nesse processo (temperatura,umidade, condições aeróbica e anaeróbica, presença de microrganismos e condições do solo). Fatores intrínsecos ao corpo freqüentemente não são relacionados à decomposição corporal. Para investigar se o processo de esqueletização sofre interferência dos hormônios esteróides sexuais foi realizado um trabalho experimental com ratos Wistar (30 machos e 60 fêmeas divididos em subgrupos em diferentes fases hormonais). Os animais foram cuidados até atingirem o peso entre 350 e 450g, quando foram mortos em câmara de CO2 e sepultados. A análise dos fatores ambientais (temperatura, umidade do ar e chuvas) e corporais (peso e gordura corporal) mostrou que a variação destes não interferiu no processo de esqueletização. Após as exumações, apenas o grupo de machos controles para testosterona apresentou esqueletização completa. Os machos castrados sem reposição de testosterona e os machos castrados com reposição de testosterona apresentaram esqueletização mínima. Todos os grupos das fêmeas apresentaram esqueletização parcial. A análise dos resíduos de putrefação dos grupos com esqueletização mínima e parcial evidenciou a presença de ácidos graxos característicos da composição de adipocera. Considerando-se que os dois grupos de animais (machos e fêmeas) foram sepultados no mesmo local, sob as mesmas condições ambientais e corporais, durante o mesmo intervalo de tempo, é possível concluir que os hormônios esteróides sexuais são responsáveis pela diferença observada na decomposição corpórea, sendo a testosterona o principal interveniente neste processo. Além disso, o modelo experimental também evidenciou o potencial de utilização para ser utilizado futuramente em estudos do processo de formação de adipocera. 

Rare Decays of \Lambda_b->\Lambda + \gamma and \Lambda_b ->\Lambda + l^{+} l^{-} in the Light-cone Sum Rules

Within the Standard Model, we investigate the weak decays of $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda + \gamma$ and $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda + l^{+} l^{-}$ with the light-cone sum rules approach. The higher twist distribution amplitudes of $\Lambda$ baryon to the leading conformal spin are included in the sum rules for transition form factors. Our results indicate that the higher twist distribution amplitudes almost have no influences on the transition form factors retaining the heavy quark spin symmetry, while such corrections can result in significant impacts on the form factors breaking the heavy quark spin symmetry. Two phenomenological models (COZ and FZOZ) for the wave function of $\Lambda$ baryon are also employed in the sum rules for a comparison, which can give rise to the form factors approximately 5 times larger than that in terms of conformal expansion. Utilizing the form factors calculated in LCSR, we then perform a careful study on the decay rate, polarization asymmetry and forward-backward asymmetry, with respect to the decays of $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda \gamma$, $\Lambda l^{+}l^{-}$.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figures, some typos are corrected and more references are adde