PACCE: Perl Algorithm to Compute Continuum and Equivalent Widths

We present Perl Algorithm to Compute continuum and Equivalent Widths (pacce). We describe the methods used in the computations and the requirements for its usage. We compare the measurements made with pacce and "manual" ones made using iraf splot task. These tests show that for SSP models the equivalent widths strengths are very similar (differences <0.2A) for both measurements. In real stellar spectra, the correlation between both values is still very good, but with differences of up to 0.5A. pacce is also able to determine mean continuum and continuum at line center values, which are helpful in stellar population studies. In addition, it is also able to compute the uncertainties in the equivalent widths using photon statistics. The code is made available for the community through the web at http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~riffel/software.html.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Getting beta-alpha without penguins

Oscillation effects in B0 -> Ks D0 and related processes are considered to determine delta=beta-alpha+pi. We suggest that D0 decays to CP eigenstates used in concert with inclusive D0 decays provide a powerful method for determining delta cleanly i.e. without any complication from penguin processes. The CP asymmetry is expected to be <=40% for D0 decays to non-CP eigenstates and <=80% for decays to CP eigenstates. This method can lead to a fairly accurate determination of delta with O(10^8-10^9) B-mesons.Comment: 4 pages 1 figure; Version 2: minor changes; references added; Some changes in response to Referee Comment

ISML: an interface specification meta-language

In this paper we present an abstract metaphor model situated within a model-based user interface framework. The inclusion of metaphors in graphical user interfaces is a well established, but mostly craft-based strategy to design. A substantial body of notations and tools can be found within the model-based user interface design literature, however an explicit treatment of metaphor and its mappings to other design views has yet to be addressed. We introduce the Interface Specification Meta-Language (ISML) framework and demonstrate its use in comparing the semantic and syntactic features of an interactive system. Challenges facing this research are outlined and further work proposed

Kullback-Leibler and Renormalized Entropy: Applications to EEGs of Epilepsy Patients

Recently, renormalized entropy was proposed as a novel measure of relative entropy (P. Saparin et al., Chaos, Solitons & Fractals 4, 1907 (1994)) and applied to several physiological time sequences, including EEGs of patients with epilepsy. We show here that this measure is just a modified Kullback-Leibler (K-L) relative entropy, and it gives similar numerical results to the standard K-L entropy. The latter better distinguishes frequency contents of e.g. seizure and background EEGs than renormalized entropy. We thus propose that renormalized entropy might not be as useful as claimed by its proponents. In passing we also make some critical remarks about the implementation of these methods.Comment: 15 pages, 4 Postscript figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. E, 199

Prophylactic treatment with vitamins C and B2 for methotrexate-induced gastrointestinal mucositis

Mucositis is a common side-effect of chemotherapy treatment, inducing alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota. Redox active compounds, such as vitamins B2 and C, have been shown to reduce inflammation and enhance the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the gut. We therefore aimed to (1) validate the ability of these compounds to promote bacterial cell growth in vitro, and (2) determine their prophylactic efficacy in a rat model of methotrexate (MTX)-induced mucositis. Bacterial growth curves were performed to assess the growth kinetics of bacteria exposed to Vitamins C and B2 (0.5 mM). Male wistar rats (150–200 g) received vitamins B2 (12 mg/day) and C (50 mg/day) via daily oral gavage (from day −1 to day 10). MTX (45 mg/Kg) was administrated via I.V. injection (N = 4–8/group) on day 0. Body weight, water/food consumption and diarrhea were assessed daily. Blood and faecal samples were collected longitudinally to assess citrulline levels (mucositis biomarker) and gut microbiota composition. Vitamins C/B2 enhanced the in vitro growth of anaerobic bacteria Blautia coccoides and Roseburia intestinalis. Contrarily to vitamin B2, in vivo administration of Vitamin C significantly attenuated clinical symptoms of mucositis. Despite their influence on the composition of the gut microbiota, both vitamins did not modulate the course of MTX-induced mucositis, as accessed by plasma citrulline. Vitamins B2 and C enhanced anaerobic bacterial growth in vitro, however their ability to mitigate MTX-induced mucositis was limited.Ana Rita da Silva Ferreira, Hannah R. Wardill, Rick Havinga, Wim J. E. Tissing and Hermie J. M. Harmse

Field tests for control of the mound-building termite Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar, 1832) (Isoptera, Termitidae)

Com a finalidade de combater o cupim de monte Cornitermes cumulans, importante espécie invasora, foram instalados dois campos experimentais. Experimento I: 60 ninhos foram escolhidos e medidos externamente. O ensaio constou de 6 tratamentos com 10 repetições: A) abamectina (50 cm³ CE 1,8%); B) silafluofem (200 cm³ CE 80%); C) silafluofem (400 cm³ CE 80%); D) fipronil (15g G 2%); E) fipronil (20g G 2%); F) clorpirifós (30g G 0,125%). Nos tratamentos A, B, C, as quantidades entre parênteses são da formulação comercial em 100 litros de água. Em D, E, F, são do granulado para cada ninho. Dos líquidos, usou-se um litro de calda por monte. A demolição dos montes deu-se após 103 dias da aplicação. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a abamectina e fipronil. Experimento II: Também neste ensaio os cupinzeiros foram 60, abrangendo 6 tratamentos com 10 repetições: A) fipronil (l0g G 2%); B) fipronil (15g G 2%); C) bendiocarbe (20g G 0,1%); D) bendiocarbe (20g G 0,5%); E) imidaclopride (0,15g G 70%); F) imidaclopride (0,30g G 70%). Em A, B, C, D, as quantidades de granulados são por ninho. Em E, F são de granulado dispersível em um litro de água, por ninho. A destruição dos cupinzeiros foi feita 148 e 149 dias após a aplicação. Os melhores resultados foram o fipronil e imidaclopride.Two field tests were carried out to evaluate the performance of several pesticides for the control of the mound termite pest in pastures. Experiment I: 60 mounds were selected and measured outside. There were 6 treatments with 10 replicátions: A) abamectin (50 cm³ 1.8% EC); B) silafluofen (200 cm³ 80% EC); C) silafluofen (400 cm³ 80% EC); D) fipronil (15g 2% G); E) fipronil (20g 2% G); F) chlorpirifos (30g 0.125% G). In A,B,C, the quantities between parenthesis are of the commercial formulation in 100 liters of water. In D,E,F, are of granular insecticides per mound. One liter of the liquids was used per nest. Demolition of the mounds were made 103 days after the application. The most efficient were abamectin and fipronil. Experiment II: Also 60 nests, with 6 treatments and 10 replicátions: A) fipronil (lOg 2% G); B) fipronil (15g 2% G); C) bendiocarb (20g 0.1% G); D) bendiocarh (20g 0.5% G); E) imidacloprid (0.15g 70% G); F) imidacloprid (0.30g 70% G). In A,B,C,D, the quantities of granular insecticides are by nest. In E,F, of dispersible granule in 1 liter of water, by nest. The demolition of the nests was made 148 and 149 days after the application. The most efficient were fipronil and imidacloprid

Nonlinear Excitation Of Ion-acoustic Modes By Rf Waves

We have detected a slow ion-acoustic wave propagating obliquely to the equilibrium magnetic field in a low-density, weakly ionized helium plasma produced by rf power in the linear mirror machine LISA. When an upper hybrid wave is launched perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, we have observed that the upper hybrid wave decays parametrically into another upper hybrid wave and a slow ion-acoustic wave. © 1992 The American Physical Society.45107640764

Effects of animal type, handling, and transportation conditions on beef cattle temperament pre-slaughter

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of animal type, on-farm handling, and transport conditions on temperament of beef cattle pre-slaughter. The study evaluated 4,061 cattle batches, averaging 49 animals, with a total of 199,026 cattle. Temperament was evaluated through a behavioral assessment carried out based on the temperament shown by cattle when approached by humans. One of three different temperament scores were assigned to each batch: calm, anxious, or excitable. Excitable temperament was reported in animals subjected to long transport time and distance and high loading density. The degree of carcass fatness was higher in calm animals, followed by anxious animals, with the excited temperament animals having the lowest carcass fatness degree. Older animals showed more excitable temperament, while younger animals showed calmer temperament. The excitable temperament was more evident in horned animals in relation to polled animals. Animal temperament was more reactive in batches with older cattle, low carcass fatness degree, and with more than 20% horned animals. Good handling and loading facilities and procedures at the farm contributed to adequate cattle temperament expression prior to slaughter