Derived Subgroups of Fixed Points in Profinite Groups

The main result of this paper is the following theorem. Let q be a prime, A an elementary abelian group of order q^3. Suppose that A acts as a coprime group of automorphisms on a profinite group G in such a manner that C_G(a)' is periodic for each nontrivial element a in A. Then G' is locally finite.Comment: To appear in Glasgow Mathematical Journal (2011). 11 page

To adopt is to adapt: The process of implementing the ICF with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team in England

Copyright @ 2012 Informa Plc. The article can be accessed from the link below.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Purpose: The success of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) depends on its uptake in clinical practice. This project aimed to explore ways the ICF could be used with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team and identify key learning from the implementation process. Method: Using an action research approach, iterative cycles of observe, plan, act and evaluate were used within three phases: exploratory; innovatory and reflective. Thematic analysis was undertaken, using a model of immersion and crystallisation, on data collected via interview and focus groups, e-mail communications, minutes from relevant meetings, field notes and a reflective diary. Results: Two overall themes were determined from the data analysis which enabled implementation. There is a need to: (1) adopt the ICF in ways that meet local service needs; and (2) adapt the ICF language and format. Conclusions: The empirical findings demonstrate how to make the ICF classification a clinical reality. First, we need to adopt the ICF as a vehicle to implement local service priorities e.g. to structure a multidisciplinary team report, thus enabling ownership of the implementation process. Second, we need to adapt the ICF terminology and format to make it acceptable for use by clinicians.This study is funded by The Elizabeth Casson Trust. This article is made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund

Analytical Multi-kinks in smooth potentials

In this work we present an approach which can be systematically used to construct nonlinear systems possessing analytical multi-kink profile configurations. In contrast with previous approaches to the problem, we are able to do it by using field potentials which are considerably smoother than the ones of Doubly Quadratic family of potentials. This is done without losing the capacity of writing exact analytical solutions. The resulting field configurations can be applied to the study of problems from condensed matter to brane world scenarios

Identidade de métodos analíticos para quantificação dos teores totais de Zn e Cu em fertilizantes minerais e materiais secundários.

Resumo: A pesquisa na área de fertilidade e nutrição de plantas evolui na busca de métodos analíticos para solos, plantas e fertilizantes que sejam práticos, rápidos e com custos acessíveis, sendo fundamental a avaliação dos métodos alternativos em relação aos métodos oficiais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se há identidade analítica entre os métodos HCl (oficial MAPA) e USEPA 3051A na quantificação dos teores totais de Zn e Cu em fertilizantes minerais e materiais secundários segundo os critérios estatísticos propostos por Leite e Oliveira (2002). A extração de Zn e Cu pelo método HCl a quente em sistema aberto foi segundo o descrito em Brasil (2007b), enquanto que a extração dos mesmos elementos no método USEPA 3051A foi com HNO3 e forno de microondas (sistema fechado) segundo o descrito em USEPA (2008). Os teores extraídos foram comparados pelo teste F da ANOVA e a identidade entre os métodos foi avaliada segundo o procedimento estatístico proposto por Leite e Oliveira (2002). O método USEPA 3051A apresentou maior capacidade de extração de Zn e Cu das fontes, principalmente naquelas com teores mais elevados desses elementos, sendo a taxa de recuperação do método USEPA 3051A em relação ao HCl de 106% para Zn e 116% para Cu. Os métodos apresentaram identidade na capacidade de extração de Zn e Cu nos fertilizantes minerais e materiais secundários. Conclui-se que o método HCl pode ser substituído pelo método USEPA 3051A na quantificação dos teores totais de Zn e Cu em fertilizantes minerais e materiais secundários

Leaf-, panel- and latex-expressed sequenced tags from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) under cold-stressed and suboptimal growing conditions: the development of gene-targeted Functional markers for stress response.

Hevea brasiliensis is a native species of the Amazon Basin of South America and the primary source of natural rubber worldwide. Due to the occurrence of South American Leaf Blight disease in this area, rubber plantations have been extended to suboptimal regions. Rubber tree breeding is time-consuming and expensive, but molecular markers can serve as a tool for early valuation, thus reducing time and costs. In this work, we constructed six different cDNA libraries with the aim of developing gene-targeted molecular markers for the rubber tree. A total of 8,263 reads were assembled, generating 5,025 unigenes that were analyzed; 912 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) represented new transcripts, and two sequences were highly up-regulated by cold stress. These unigenes were scanned for microsatellite (SSR) regions and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In total, 169 novel EST-SSR markers were developed; 138 loci were polymorphic in the rubber tree, and 98 % presented transferability to six other Hevea species. Locus duplication was observed in H. brasil-iensis and other species. Additionally, 43 SNP markers in 13 sequences that showed similarity to proteins involved in stress response, latex biosynthesis and developmental processes were characterized. cDNA libraries are a rich source of SSR and SNP markers and enable the identification of new transcripts. The new markers developed here will be a valuable resource for linkage mapping, QTL identification and other studies in the rubber tree and can also be used to evaluate the genetic variability of other Hevea species, which are valuable assets in rubber tree breeding