Gravity-Yang-Mills-Higgs unification by enlarging the gauge group

We revisit an old idea that gravity can be unified with Yang-Mills theory by enlarging the gauge group of gravity formulated as gauge theory. Our starting point is an action that describes a generally covariant gauge theory for a group G. The Minkowski background breaks the gauge group by selecting in it a preferred gravitational SU(2) subgroup. We expand the action around this background and find the spectrum of linearized theory to consist of the usual gravitons plus Yang-Mills fields charged under the centralizer of the SU(2) in G. In addition, there is a set of Higgs fields that are charged both under the gravitational and Yang-Mills subgroups. These fields are generically massive and interact with both gravity and Yang-Mills sector in the standard way. The arising interaction of the Yang-Mills sector with gravity is also standard. Parameters such as the Yang-Mills coupling constant and Higgs mass arise from the potential function defining the theory. Both are realistic in the sense explained in the paper.Comment: 61 pages, no figures (v2) some typos correcte

Epidemiological and transmissibility analysis of influenza A(H1N1)v in a southern hemisphere setting: Peru

We present a preliminary analysis of 1,771 confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1)v reported in Peru by 17 July including the frequency of the clinical characteristics, the spatial and age distribution of the cases and the estimate of the transmission potential. Age-specific frequency of cases was highest among school age children and young adults, with the lowest frequency of cases among seniors, a pattern that is consistent with reports from other countries. Estimates of the reproduction number lie in the range of 1.2 to 1.7, which is broadly consistent with previous estimates for this pandemic in other regions. Validation of these estimates will be possible as additional data become available

Características hematológicas y bioquímicas en pacientes con y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) sometidos a hemodiálisis durante un año de seguimiento

Objective: To report if there are hematologic and biochemical differences among patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Materials and methods: An observational, retrospective, cohort study of patients treated in the Renal Health Program at the Centro de Prevención de Enfermedad Renal S.A.C. (CENPER) in Lima, Peru. The hematologic and biochemical parameters of 3 patients with T2DM and 3 patients without T2DM undergoing HD were compared. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the lymphocyte percentage, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration (lower in diabetic patients), monocyte percentage, and neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (higher in diabetic patients). In the biochemical parameters, the only significant difference was found in the glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) value, which was higher in the diabetic patients compared with the non-diabetic patients (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Diabetes is an important factor linked to inflammation, anemia, lymphopenia and monocytosis in patients undergoing HD. The LMR was the most powerful marker of inflammation in this patient series. Larger-scale studies are required to verify this evidence.Objetivo: Reportar si existen diferencias hematológicas y bioquímicas entre los pacientes con y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) bajo tratamiento de hemodiálisis (HD). Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional de cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes atendidos por el Programa de Salud renal en el Centro de Prevención de Enfermedad Renal S.A.C (CENPER) de Lima, Perú. Se compararon los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos de 3 pacientes con DM2 y 3 pacientes sin DM2 sometidos a HD. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en el porcentaje de linfocitos, el cociente linfocito/ monocito (LMR), la concentración de hemoglobina y hematocrito (menor en pacientes diabéticos), en el porcentaje de monocitos y en el cociente neutrófilo/ linfocitos (NLR) (mayor en pacientes diabéticos). En los parámetros bioquímicos solo se encontró diferencia significativa en la transaminasa TGO que está más elevada en pacientes diabéticos comparados con pacientes no diabéticos (p<0.005). Conclusiones: Diabetes es un factor importante asociado con inflamación, anemia, linfopenia y monocitosis en pacientes sometidos a HD. LMR fue el marcador más potente de inflamación en esta serie de pacientes. Estudios a mayor escala son requeridos para corroborar esta evidencia

Georreferenciación de la base de datos del Museo de La Plata mediante el método Punto-Radio

La información contenida en las colecciones biológicas es de suma importancia para investigaciones y posee un particular valor para estudios sobre la biodiversidad. Un obstáculo importante para el uso de estos datos, es que la información de las localidades tradicionalmente se han registrado como descripciones textuales, a menudo basadas en nombres y situaciones que pueden cambiar con el tiempo, sin coordenadas geográficas, dificultando su uso en los Sistemas de Información Geográfico (SIG). La Georreferenciación de datos históricos en las Colecciones del Museo de La Plata, forma parte del Proyecto de Fortalecimiento (PF) de Bases de Datos de Colecciones del Museo, subsidiado por el Sistema Nacional de Datos Biológicos (SNDB) del MINCYT, cuya misión es conformar una base de datos unificada de información biológica. El PF tiene como objetivo la digitalización de la información contenida en lotes contemporáneos e históricos y la Georreferenciación de las localidades citadas en las respectivas etiquetas cuyo método utilizado para la georreferenciación es el de Punto Radio, el cual describe una localidad como la combinación de un par de coordenadas y una distancia desde ese punto. Obteniendo como resultado el enriquecimiento del patrimonio y optimización de la información de las Colecciones Biológicas del Museo de La Plata.The information contained in biological collections are very important for research and has a particular value in biodiversity studies. A major obstacle to the use of these data is that the information of the locations have traditionally been recorded as textual descriptions, often based on names and situations that may change over time, without geographical coordinates, making it difficult to use in systems Geographic Information (SIG). The Georeferencing historical data collections in the Museum of La Plata, is part the Project for Strengthening (PS) Database of Museum Collections, subsidized by the National Biological Data System (NBDS) of the MINCYT, whose mission is to create unified data base of biological information. The PS aims to digitization of information contained in contemporary and historical batch and the georeferencing process of localities cited in the respective labels, which method used for the georeferencing is the Punto Radio, describing a locality as the combination of a pair coordinate and distance from that point. Obtaining as a result the enrichment of the information and optimization of the Biological Collections of the Museum of La Plata.Eje: Manejo de Colecciones y Gestión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Georreferenciación de la base de datos del Museo de La Plata mediante el método Punto-Radio

La información contenida en las colecciones biológicas es de suma importancia para investigaciones y posee un particular valor para estudios sobre la biodiversidad. Un obstáculo importante para el uso de estos datos, es que la información de las localidades tradicionalmente se han registrado como descripciones textuales, a menudo basadas en nombres y situaciones que pueden cambiar con el tiempo, sin coordenadas geográficas, dificultando su uso en los Sistemas de Información Geográfico (SIG). La Georreferenciación de datos históricos en las Colecciones del Museo de La Plata, forma parte del Proyecto de Fortalecimiento (PF) de Bases de Datos de Colecciones del Museo, subsidiado por el Sistema Nacional de Datos Biológicos (SNDB) del MINCYT, cuya misión es conformar una base de datos unificada de información biológica. El PF tiene como objetivo la digitalización de la información contenida en lotes contemporáneos e históricos y la Georreferenciación de las localidades citadas en las respectivas etiquetas cuyo método utilizado para la georreferenciación es el de Punto Radio, el cual describe una localidad como la combinación de un par de coordenadas y una distancia desde ese punto. Obteniendo como resultado el enriquecimiento del patrimonio y optimización de la información de las Colecciones Biológicas del Museo de La Plata.The information contained in biological collections are very important for research and has a particular value in biodiversity studies. A major obstacle to the use of these data is that the information of the locations have traditionally been recorded as textual descriptions, often based on names and situations that may change over time, without geographical coordinates, making it difficult to use in systems Geographic Information (SIG). The Georeferencing historical data collections in the Museum of La Plata, is part the Project for Strengthening (PS) Database of Museum Collections, subsidized by the National Biological Data System (NBDS) of the MINCYT, whose mission is to create unified data base of biological information. The PS aims to digitization of information contained in contemporary and historical batch and the georeferencing process of localities cited in the respective labels, which method used for the georeferencing is the Punto Radio, describing a locality as the combination of a pair coordinate and distance from that point. Obtaining as a result the enrichment of the information and optimization of the Biological Collections of the Museum of La Plata.Eje: Manejo de Colecciones y Gestión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Georreferenciación de la base de datos del Museo de La Plata mediante el método Punto-Radio

La información contenida en las colecciones biológicas es de suma importancia para investigaciones y posee un particular valor para estudios sobre la biodiversidad. Un obstáculo importante para el uso de estos datos, es que la información de las localidades tradicionalmente se han registrado como descripciones textuales, a menudo basadas en nombres y situaciones que pueden cambiar con el tiempo, sin coordenadas geográficas, dificultando su uso en los Sistemas de Información Geográfico (SIG). La Georreferenciación de datos históricos en las Colecciones del Museo de La Plata, forma parte del Proyecto de Fortalecimiento (PF) de Bases de Datos de Colecciones del Museo, subsidiado por el Sistema Nacional de Datos Biológicos (SNDB) del MINCYT, cuya misión es conformar una base de datos unificada de información biológica. El PF tiene como objetivo la digitalización de la información contenida en lotes contemporáneos e históricos y la Georreferenciación de las localidades citadas en las respectivas etiquetas cuyo método utilizado para la georreferenciación es el de Punto Radio, el cual describe una localidad como la combinación de un par de coordenadas y una distancia desde ese punto. Obteniendo como resultado el enriquecimiento del patrimonio y optimización de la información de las Colecciones Biológicas del Museo de La Plata.The information contained in biological collections are very important for research and has a particular value in biodiversity studies. A major obstacle to the use of these data is that the information of the locations have traditionally been recorded as textual descriptions, often based on names and situations that may change over time, without geographical coordinates, making it difficult to use in systems Geographic Information (SIG). The Georeferencing historical data collections in the Museum of La Plata, is part the Project for Strengthening (PS) Database of Museum Collections, subsidized by the National Biological Data System (NBDS) of the MINCYT, whose mission is to create unified data base of biological information. The PS aims to digitization of information contained in contemporary and historical batch and the georeferencing process of localities cited in the respective labels, which method used for the georeferencing is the Punto Radio, describing a locality as the combination of a pair coordinate and distance from that point. Obtaining as a result the enrichment of the information and optimization of the Biological Collections of the Museum of La Plata.Eje: Manejo de Colecciones y Gestión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Scalar mesons moving in a finite volume and the role of partial wave mixing

Phase shifts and resonance parameters can be obtained from finite-volume lattice spectra for interacting pairs of particles, moving with nonzero total momentum. We present a simple derivation of the method that is subsequently applied to obtain the pi pi and pi K phase shifts in the sectors with total isospin I=0 and I=1/2, respectively. Considering different total momenta, one obtains extra data points for a given volume that allow for a very efficient extraction of the resonance parameters in the infinite-volume limit. Corrections due to the mixing of partial waves are provided. We expect that our results will help to optimize the strategies in lattice simulations, which aim at an accurate determination of the scattering and resonance properties.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure

Combined In Silico, In Vivo, and In Vitro Studies Shed Insights into the Acute Inflammatory Response in Middle-Aged Mice

We combined in silico, in vivo, and in vitro studies to gain insights into age-dependent changes in acute inflammation in response to bacterial endotoxin (LPS). Time-course cytokine, chemokine, and NO2-/NO3- data from "middle-aged" (6-8 months old) C57BL/6 mice were used to re-parameterize a mechanistic mathematical model of acute inflammation originally calibrated for "young" (2-3 months old) mice. These studies suggested that macrophages from middle-aged mice are more susceptible to cell death, as well as producing higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, vs. macrophages from young mice. In support of the in silico-derived hypotheses, resident peritoneal cells from endotoxemic middle-aged mice exhibited reduced viability and produced elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and KC/CXCL1 as compared to cells from young mice. Our studies demonstrate the utility of a combined in silico, in vivo, and in vitro approach to the study of acute inflammation in shock states, and suggest hypotheses with regard to the changes in the cytokine milieu that accompany aging. © 2013 Namas et al

Changes in the Viral Distribution Pattern after the Appearance of the Novel Influenza A H1N1 (pH1N1) Virus in Influenza-Like Illness Patients in Peru

Background: We describe the temporal variation in viral agents detected in influenza like illness (ILI) patients before and after the appearance of the ongoing pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) in Peru between 4-January and 13-July 2009. Methods: At the health centers, one oropharyngeal swab was obtained for viral isolation. From epidemiological week (EW) 1 to 18, at the US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD) in Lima, the specimens were inoculated into four cell lines for virus isolation. In addition, from EW 19 to 28, the specimens were also analyzed by real time-polymerase-chainreaction (rRT-PCR). Results: We enrolled 2,872 patients: 1,422 cases before the appearance of the pH1N1 virus, and 1,450 during the pandemic. Non-pH1N1 influenza A virus was the predominant viral strain circulating in Peru through (EW) 18, representing 57.8% of the confirmed cases; however, this predominance shifted to pH1N1 (51.5%) from EW 19–28. During this study period, most of pH1N1 cases were diagnosed in the capital city (Lima) followed by other cities including Cusco and Trujillo. In contrast, novel influenza cases were essentially absent in the tropical rain forest (jungle) cities during our study period. The city of Iquitos (Jungle) had the highest number of influenza B cases and only one pH1N1 case. Conclusions: The viral distribution in Peru changed upon the introduction of the pH1N1 virus compared to previous months. Although influenza A viruses continue to be the predominant viral pathogen, the pH1N1 virus predominated over the other influenza A viruses

Design Thinking’s resources for in-situ co-design of mobile games

Location-based Mobile Games have been growing in popularity in recent years. But these are widely explored only for outdoor spaces, since it has the advantage of using GPS data to obtain the user's current location. There is no unified solution to sense the user’s location in indoor spaces; so, games for these spaces are little explored. The design of Location-based Mobile Games, in many cases, requires the participation of multidisciplinary teams; so, they are co-designed by a group of people. However, there is no clear way of knowing how this codesign should be conducted. The aim of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for in-situ co-design for indoor spaces on Location-based Mobile Games through the use of Design Thinking's resources. This conceptual framework could help facilitators with this kind of experience to consider what resources can be useful to this task. An experience of in-situ co-design of a Location-based Mobile Game for indoor spaces is presented using the proposed framework. In addition, a discussion is generated in relation to this kind of co-design