Scattering and bound states of spin-0 particles in a nonminimal vector double-step potential

The problem of spin-0 particles subject to a nonminimal vector double-step potential is explored in the context of the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau theory. Surprisingly, one can never have an incident wave totally reflected and the transmission amplitude has complex poles corresponding to bound states. The interesting special case of bosons embedded in a sign potential with its unique bound-state solution is analyzed as a limiting case.Comment: 1 figur

Hypothalamic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Of Overtrained Mice After Recovery

knowing the relationship between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inflammation and based on the fact that downhill running-based overtraining (OT) model increases hypothalamus levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines, we verified the effects of three OT protocols on the levels of BiP, pIRE-1 (Ser734), pPERK (Thr981), pelF2alpha (Ser52), ATF-6 and GRP-94 proteins in the mouse hypothalamus after two weeks of recovery. Methods: the mice were randomized into control (CT), overtrained by downhill running (OTR/down), overtrained by uphill running (OTR/up) and overtrained by running without inclination (OTR) groups. After 2-week total recovery period (i.e., week 10), hypothalamus was removed and used for immunoblotting. Results: The OTR/down group exhibited high levels of BiP and ATF6. The other OT protocols showed higher levels of pPERK (Th981) and pelf-2alpha (Ser52) when compared with the CT group. Conclusion: The current results suggest that after a 2-week total recovery period, the overtrained groups increased partially their ER stress protein levels, but without hypothalamic inflammation, which characterizes a physiological condition related to an adaptation mechanism.2

Alterations In The Achilles Tendon After Inflammation In Surrounding Tissue

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the Achilles tendon of rats after induction of localized inflammation in the rat paw. Methods: In our study three groups were used: inflamed group with carrageenan in rat paw (G1); saline group (G2) and control group (G3). After 4 hours the animals were euthanized and the Achilles tendon removed. Results: No significant differences were observed in the analysis of non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline in the groups but a tendency of reduction was verified in G1. As regards the organization of collagen molecules, no differences were observed between groups. With respect to MMPs activity, a stronger presence of the active isoform of MMP-2 in G1 was observed, suggesting that the remodeling was occurring. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that the inflammatory process in rat paw may affect the remodeling of tendons located near the inflamed site.205266269Maffulli, N., Kader, D., Tendinopathy of tendo Achillis (2002) J Bone Joint Surg Br, 84 (1), pp. 1-8Maffulli, N., Rupture of the Achilles tendon (1999) J Bone Joint Surg Am, 81 (7), pp. 1019-1036Järvinen, T.A., Kannus, P., Maffulli, N., Khan, K.M., Achilles tendon disorders: etiology and epidemiology (2005) Foot Ankle Clin, 10 (2), pp. 255-266Oliveira, F.S., Pinfildi, C.E., Parizoto, N.A., Liebano, R.E., Bossini, P.S., Garcia, E.B., Effect of low level laser therapy (830 nm) with different therapyregimes on the process of tissue repair in partial lesion calcaneous tendon (2009) Lasers Surg Med, 41 (4), pp. 271-276Karousou, E., Ronga, M., Vigetti, D., Passi, A., Maffulli, N., Collagens, proteoglycans, MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMPs in human Achilles tendon rupture (2008) Clin Orthop Relat Res, 466 (7), pp. 1577-1582Riley, G., Matrix metalloproteinase activities and their relationship with collagen remodelling in tendon pathology (2002) Matrix Biol, 21 (2), pp. 185-195Dario, B.E., Barquilha, G., Marques, R.M., Lesões esportivas: um estudo com atletas de basquetebol Bauruense (2010) Rev Bras Cienc Esporte, 31 (3), pp. 205-215Vieira, C.P., Aro, A.A., Almeida, M.S., de Mello, G.C., Antunes, E., Pimentel, E.R., Effects of acute inflammation induced in the rat paw on the deep digital flexor tendon (2012) Connect Tissue Res, 53 (2), pp. 160-168Tillander, B., Franzén, L.E., Nilsson, E., Norlin, R., Carrageenan-induced subacromial bursitis caused changes in the rat's rotator cuff (2001) J Orthop Res, 19 (3), pp. 441-447Winter, C.A., Risley, E.A., Nuss, G.W., Carrageenin-induced edema in hind paw of the rat as an assay for antiiflammatory drugs (1962) Proc Soc Exp Biol Med, 111, pp. 544-547Bradford, M.M., A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding (1976) Anal Biochem, 72, pp. 248-254Farndale, R.W., Buttle, D.J., Barrett, A.J., Improved quantitation and discrimination of sulphated glycosaminoglycans by use of dimethylmethylene blue (1986) Biochim Biophys Acta, 883 (2), pp. 173-177Marqueti, R.C., Parizotto, N.A., Chriguer, R.S., Perez, S.E., Selistre-de-Araujo, H.S.A., ndrogenic-anabolic steroids associated with mechanical loading inhibit matrix metallopeptidase activity and affect the remodeling of the achilles tendon in rats (2006) Am J Sports Med, 34 (8), pp. 1274-1280Vidal, B.C., Mello, M.L., Supramolecular order following binding of the dichroic birefringent sulfonic dye Ponceau SS to collagen fibers (2005) Biopolymers, 78 (3), pp. 121-128Riley, G., Tendinopathy:from basic science to treatment (2008) Nat Clin Pract Rheumatol, 4 (2), pp. 82-89Szabo, K.A., Ablin, R.J., Singhingh, G., Matrix metalloproteinases and the immune response (2004) Clin Appl Immun Rev, 4, pp. 295-319Chakraborti, S., Mandal, M., Das, S., Mandal, A., Chakraborti, T., Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases: an overview (2003) Mol Cell Biochem, 253 (1-2), pp. 269-285Magra, M., Maffulli, N., Matrix metalloproteases: a role in overuse tendinopathies (2005) Br J Sports Med, 39 (11), pp. 789-791Clutterbuck, A.L., Harris, P., Allaway, D., Mobasheri, A., Matrix metalloproteinases in inflammatory pathologies of the horse (2010) Vet J, 183 (1), pp. 27-38Marsolais, D., Duchesne, E., Côté, C.H., Frenette, J., Inflammatory cells do not decrease the ultimate tensile strength of intact tendons in vivo and in vitro: protective role of mechanical loading (2007) J Appl Physiol, 102 (1), pp. 11-1

Scalar perturbation spectra from warm inflation

We present a numerical integration of the cosmological scalar perturbation equations in warm inflation. The initial conditions are provided by a discussion of the thermal fluctuations of an inflaton field and thermal radiation using a combination of thermal field theory and thermodynamics. The perturbation equations include the effects of a damping coefficient $\Gamma$ and a thermodynamic potential $V$. We give an analytic expression for the spectral index of scalar fluctuations in terms of a new slow-roll parameter constructed from $\Gamma$. A series of toy models, inspired by spontaneous symmetry breaking and a known form of the damping coefficient, lead to a spectrum with $n_s>1$ on large scales and $n_s<1$ on small scales.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, RevTeX 4, revised with extra figure

Synergistic warm inflation

We consider an alternative warm inflationary scenario in which $n$ scalar fields coupled to a dissipative matter fluid cooperate to produce power--law inflation. The scalar fields are driven by an exponential potential and the bulk dissipative pressure coefficient is linear in the expansion rate. We find that the entropy of the fluid attains its asymptotic value in a characteristic time proportional to the square of the number of fields. This scenario remains nearly isothermal along the inflationary stage. The perturbations in energy density and entropy are studied in the long--wavelength regime and seen to grow roughly as the square of the scale factor. They are shown to be compatible with COBE measurements of the fluctuations in temperature of the CMB.Comment: 13 pages, Revtex 3 To be published in Physical Review

Benefícios Da Adequação Postural Em Cadeira De Rodas E Fatores Que Interferem Em Sua Utilização: Uma Revisão Sistemática

Seating and positioning are an assistive technology resource that aims to improve functional performance in the wheelchair. The aim of this paper was to find in the literature studies that addressed the benefits of seating and positioning in a wheelchair and factors that interfere with the prescription and use of this technology. Articles found that discuss the benefits addressed: the functionality and respiratory function; the pressure ulcer prevention; and user satisfaction and the family with assistive technology. Articles discussing the factors linked to prescription and use of adapting wheelchairs are those that address the environmental factors, components and wheelchair accessories. There are factors involved in the prescription process to achieve its benefits through its use, the prescribed process must have an interdisciplinary and biopsychosocial approach applied individually to each patient.5218119

Major electrocardiographic abnormalities according to the Minnesota coding system among Brazilian adults (from the ELSA-Brasil cohort study)

The electrocardiogram is a simple and useful clinical tool; nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in the Latin American population. This study aims to evaluate the major electrocardiographic abnormalities according to the Minnesota coding system in Brazilian adults, stratified by gender, age, race, and cardiovascular risk factors. Data from 14,424 adults (45.8% men, age 35 to 74 years) were obtained at baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), according to standardized protocol. The electrocardiogram were obtained with the Burdick Atria 6100 machine, stored on Pyramis System, automatically coded according to the Minnesota coding system by the Glasgow University software and then manually revised. Major abnormalities were more prevalent in men than women (11.3% and 7.9%, p &lt;0.001). These differences were consistent through the different age groups, race, and number of cardiovascular risk factors. Electrocardiographic major abnormalities were more prevalent in black participants for both men (black: 15.1%, mixed: 10.4%, white: 11.1%, p = 0.001) and women (black: 10%, mixed: 7.6%, white: 7.2%, p = 0.004). In conclusion, in this large sample of Brazilian adults, the prevalence of major electrocardiographic abnormalities was higher among men, the elderly, black, and among people with more cardiovascular risk factors

Field theoretic approach to metastability in the contact process

A quantum field theoretic formulation of the dynamics of the Contact Process on a regular graph of degree z is introduced. A perturbative calculation in powers of 1/z of the effective potential for the density of particles phi(t) and an instantonic field psi(t) emerging from the quantum formalism is performed. Corrections to the mean-field distribution of densities of particles in the out-of-equilibrium stationary state are derived in powers of 1/z. Results for typical (e.g. average density) and rare fluctuation (e.g. lifetime of the metastable state) properties are in very good agreement with numerical simulations carried out on D-dimensional hypercubic (z=2D) and Cayley lattices.Comment: Final published version; 20 pages, 5 figure