A nonequilibrium renormalization group approach to turbulent reheating

We use nonequilibrium renormalization group (RG) techniques to analyze the thermalization process in quantum field theory, and by extension reheating after inflation. Even if at a high scale $\Lambda$ the theory is described by a non-dissipative $\lambda\phi^{4}$ theory, the RG running induces nontrivial noise and dissipation. For long wavelength, slowly varying field configurations, the noise and dissipation are white and ohmic, respectively. The theory will then tend to thermalize to an effective temperature given by the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures; to appear in J. Phys. A; more detailed account of the calculation of the noise and dissipation kernel

Pulsed electric field processing of red grapes (cv. Rondinella): Modifications of phenolic fraction and effects on wine evolution

Pulsed electric field (PEF) is a non-thermal technology able to promote color and polyphenols extraction from grape skins. Most of the publications about PEF in winemaking report data concerning international varieties, poorly considering minor cultivars and the medium/long-term effects of the treatment on wine composition during storage. PEF was applied at different specific energies (2, 10, and 20 kJ kg\u20131) on grapes of the low-color red cv. Rondinella, after crushing-destemming. Pressing yield, the evolution of color, and total phenolic index (TPI) were measured during skin maceration. Moreover, the wines were characterized for basic compositional parameters, color, anthocyanin profile, phenolic composition (glories indices), metal content (Fe, Cr, and Ni), and sensory characters, two and twelve months after the processing, in comparison with untreated samples and pectolytic enzymes (PE). PEF did not affect fermentation evolution, nor did it modify wine basic composition or metal content. Treatments at 10 and 20 kJ kg\u20131 led to higher color and TPI in wines, in comparison to PE, because of increased content of anthocyanins and tannins. The sensory evaluation confirmed these findings. Modifications remained stable in wines after twelve months. Glories indices and vitisin A content highlighted greater potential stability of wine color in PEF-treated wines

Copper deficiency anemia after bariatric surgery

Copper is a trace mineral essential to hematopoiesis and to the structure and function of the nervous system. Copper acts as a ligand to ferroxidase II, which oxidizes iron, allowing it to be mobilized and transported from the hepatic stores to the bone marrow to be used in erythropoiesis..Copper deficiency is a rare cause of anemia, leukopenia, and myeloneuropathy. In this report we describe a case of a 49 year-old overweight Caucasian woman who was referred June 2008 to the Obesity Outpatient Clinic at UNIFESP for evaluation of muscular pain and weakness in both legs, fatigue and chronic anemia. The past medical history included Scopinaro Surgery for severe obesity in November 2004 when her weight was approximately 180 Kg (BMI 68.6 kg/m2). She lost considerable weight after surgery, with her weight being stable around 80 kg (BMI 30). Because of clinical manifestations of sub nutrition, protein and vitamin deficiencies and severe anemia, which lead to several hospital admissions, in February 2008 she was submitted to another surgery from conversion of the gastrointestinal surgical Scopinaro procedure to that performed by Capella. She also had a history of hypothyroidism, hyperuricemia and panic syndrome, requiring specific medications, beyond parenteral iron and B12 vitamin therapies for anemia. Physical examination revealed a bilateral edema and no other abnormality. Laboratory tests revealed hypoalbuminemia and hypochromic megaloblastic anemia with normal serum levels of B12 vitamin, iron and ferritin. Due to the persistence of the neurologic symptoms and anemia in spite of adequate iron and B12 vitamin therapies, the hypothesis of copper deficiency was considered and a low serum level of 40μg/dl was found. An oral supplementation with high doses of copper resulted in evident clinical and laboratorial improvements after eight weeks of therapy. The diagnosis of copper deficiency has to be part of the differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained neurologic symptoms, anemia, and leukopenia, especially in those who underwent to previous gastrointestinal surgery

Phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) in fetuses and stillbirth with natural infection.

Projeto: 03.09.00.046

Potential for Lung Recruitment and Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch in Patients With the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome From Coronavirus Disease 2019

OBJECTIVES: Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 develop the acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring admission to the ICU. This study aimed to describe specific pathophysiological characteristics of acute respiratory distress syndrome from coronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN: Prospective crossover physiologic study. SETTING: ICU of a university-affiliated hospital from northern Italy dedicated to care of patients with confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019. PATIENTS: Ten intubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019. INTERVENTIONS: We performed a two-step positive end-expiratory pressure trial with change of 10\u2009cm H2O in random order. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At each positive end-expiratory pressure level, we assessed arterial blood gases, respiratory mechanics, ventilation inhomogeneity, and potential for lung recruitment by electrical impedance tomography. Potential for lung recruitment was assessed by the recently described recruitment to inflation ratio. In a subgroup of seven paralyzed patients, we also measured ventilation-perfusion mismatch at lower positive end-expiratory pressure by electrical impedance tomography. At higher positive end-expiratory pressure, respiratory mechanics did not change significantly: compliance remained relatively high with low driving pressure. Oxygenation and ventilation inhomogeneity improved but arterial CO2 increased despite unchanged respiratory rate and tidal volume. The recruitment to inflation ratio presented median value higher than previously reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients but with large variability (median, 0.79 [0.53-1.08]; range, 0.16-1.40). The FIO2 needed to obtain viable oxygenation at lower positive end-expiratory pressure was significantly correlated with the recruitment to inflation ratio (r = 0.603; p = 0.05). The ventilation-perfusion mismatch was elevated (median, 34% [32-45%] of lung units) and, in six out of seven patients, ventilated nonperfused units represented a much larger proportion than perfused nonventilated ones. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from coronavirus disease 2019, potential for lung recruitment presents large variability, while elevated dead space fraction may be a specific pathophysiological trait. These findings may guide selection of personalized mechanical ventilation settings