Maxwell-Chern-Simons vortices in a CPT-odd Lorentz-violating Higgs Electrodynamics

We have studied BPS vortices in a CPT-odd and Lorentz-violating Maxwell-Chern-Simons-Higgs (MCSH) electrodynamics attained from the dimensional reduction of the Carroll-Field-Jackiw-Higgs model. The Lorentz-violating parameter induces a pronounced behavior at origin (for the magnetic/electric fields and energy density) which is absent in the MCSH vortices. For some combination of the Lorentz-violating coefficients there always exist a sufficiently large winding number $n_{0}$ such that for all $$ the magnetic field flips its signal, yielding two well defined regions with opposite magnetic flux. However, the total magnetic flux remains quantized and proportional to the winding number.Comment: Revtex style, 8 page

Perivascular adipose tissue as a relevant fat depot for cardiovascular risk in obesity

Obesity is associated with increased risk of premature death, morbidity, and mortality from several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. However, this is not a straightforward relationship. Although several studies have substantiated that obesity confers an independent and additive risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death, there is significant variability in these associations, with some lean individuals developing diseases and others remaining healthy despite severe obesity, the so-called metabolically healthy obese. Part of this variability has been attributed to the heterogeneity in both the distribution of body fat and the intrinsic properties of adipose tissue depots, including developmental origin, adipogenic and proliferative capacity, glucose and lipid metabolism, hormonal control, thermogenic ability, and vascularization. In obesity, these depot-specific differences translate into specific fat distribution patterns, which are closely associated with differential cardiometabolic risks. The adventitial fat layer, also known as perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), is of major importance. Similar to the visceral adipose tissue, PVAT has a pathophysiological role in CVDs. PVAT influences vascular homeostasis by releasing numerous vasoactive factors, cytokines, and adipokines, which can readily target the underlying smooth muscle cell layers, regulating the vascular tone, distribution of blood flow, as well as angiogenesis, inflammatory processes, and redox status. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and discuss the role of PVAT within the scope of adipose tissue as a major contributing factor to obesity-associated cardiovascular risk. Relevant clinical studies documenting the relationship between PVAT dysfunction and CVD with a focus on potential mechanisms by which PVAT contributes to obesity-related CVDs are pointed out

Diabetic Foot Infection: Causative Pathogens and Empiric Antibiotherapy Considerations-The Experience of a Tertiary Center

Most moderate-to-severe diabetic foot infections (DFIs) require hospitalization with urgent surgical approach and administration of empiric antibiotherapy. To ensure optimal antibiotic coverage, regular microbiological background updates are imperative. The purpose is to characterize the microbiological profile and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the DFI causative pathogens isolated within a specialized DFI unit of a tertiary hospital, in order to establish evidence-based policies regarding empirical antibiotic use. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Microbiological cultures and corresponding antibiotic sensitivity tests collected from moderate-to-severe DFIs as a first approach to the hospitalized patient were retrieved and analyzed during a 12-month period. Two groups were analyzed: inpatients that had been previously followed at the diabetic foot clinic of the hospital and inpatients without a previous contact with the hospital services. A total of 125 isolates obtained from 87 patients were deemed for analysis. Globally, a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria was observed (60%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen. The global ratio of methicillin-sensitive S aureus to methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) was 1.3:1, with similar findings in both groups. According to the antibiotic sensitivity test results, and within the recommended empiric antibiotic regimens for DFI, piperacillin/tazobactam seems to be the most suitable option. Gram-positive bacteria prevail as the main isolates in DFIs. Screening for MRSA-specific risk factors is mandatory. When going for a first empiric therapy, piperacillin/tazobactam is recommended in this institution, and an anti-MRSA agent should be added early, if necessary. We encourage continuous monitoring for the bacterial prevalence in Portuguese diabetic foot centers as it is paramount for the decision making regarding DFI protocols.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MODELLING OF HYDRODYNAMICS AROUND AN IMPERMEABLE BREAKWATER: COMPARISON BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SPH NUMERICAL MODELING

This work presents the new developments and the validation of a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical model used in the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil - LNEC) for studies in coastal engineering processes. Although the model requires a high CPU time, it proved to be very promising in the simulation of complex flows, such as the wave-structure interaction and the wave breaking phenomenon. For the SPH model validation, physical modeling tests were performed in one LNEC’s flume to study the interaction between an impermeable structure and an incident regular wave. The comparison between numerical and experimental results, i.e. free surface elevation, overtopping volume and pressure, shows the good accuracy of the SPH model to reproduce the various phenomena involving on the wave propagation and interaction with the structure, namely the wave breaking, the wave overtopping and the pressure field on the structure

Distribuição espacial da cultura de café no Estado de São Paulo.

Neste trabalho é analisada a distribuição espacial da cultura de café no Estado de São Paulo. O objetivo é subsidiar um plano de estratificação dos municípios produtores para fins de previsão de safra. Os métodos de análise espacial utilizados neste estudo são baseados nas estatísticas de Moran: índice global de associação espacial; índice local de associação espacial; e gráfico de espalhamento de Moran. Estes métodos permitem quantificar a dependência espacial de fenômenos geográficos e determinar a significância estatística dos agrupamentos espaciais. Foram utilizados dados do levantamento da Produção Agrícola Municipal - PAM - de 2004, produzidos pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - IBGE. O programa TerraView foi utilizado no cálculo dos índices e para visualização dos resultados. Os resultados indicam que é importante considerar a localização geográfica dos municípios, pois a produção de café apresentou dependência espacial e foram identificados agrupamentos de municípios com índices de associação espacial significantes. No futuro, será possível comparar a distribuição espacial do café com a de outras culturas agrícolas em São Paulo ou com a da mesma cultura em outros Estados, o que auxiliará no planejamento da estratificação, fase inicial da estimativa de área plantada.bitstream/CNPMA/7431/1/boletim_40.pd

Melanoma em Idade Pediátrica: Epidemiologia, Patogénese, Diagnóstico e Tratamento

Pediatric melanoma is the most common skin cancer in children. However, it is extremely rare this population, being even rarer in younger than 10 years of age. Its diagnosis is often difficult, due to its rarity and atypical presentations. There are three main subtypes of pediatric melanoma: Spitzoid melanoma, melanoma arising in a congenital melanocytic nevus and conventional melanoma. Congenital melanomas exist and are exceptionally rare, although they do not constitute a different subtype of melanoma. Spitzoid melanoma is the most common subtype affecting children younger than 11 years. Despite presenting with local aggressive features and frequent nodal involvement, it encompasses an excellent prognosis. The risk of malignant transformation of congenital melanocytic nevi varies widely accordingly to the projected adult size, number, and concomitant abnormalities found in the central nervous system. The surveillance and treatment of melanoma arising in a congenital melanocytic nevus is challenging, enclosing poor outcomes. In adolescents, the most common subtype is the conventional (adult-type). Contrary to the adult population, the majority of conventional pediatric melanoma arises from previous nevi but follows the general adult epidemiology and risk factors. Specific guidelines for management of pediatric melanoma do not exist and it is treated similarly to melanoma in the adult.O melanoma é o cancro cutâneo mais comum da idade pediátrica. No entanto, é extremamente raro nesta população, sendo ainda mais raro nas crianças com menos de 11 anos. O diagnóstico é frequentemente difícil, devido à sua raridade e apresentações atípicas. Existem três subtipos de melanoma em idade pediátrica: melanoma Spitzoide; melanoma que emerge de nevo melanocítico congénito e o melanoma convencional. O melanoma congénito pode ocorrer, embora seja excepcionalmente raro, não constituindo um subtipo distinto de melanoma. O melanoma Spitzoide é o subtipo mais comum que afecta crianças com idade inferior a 11 anos. Embora apresente características locais agressivas, com envolvimento ganglionar frequente, acarreta um prognóstico excelente. A ocorrência de transformação maligna de nevos melanocíticos congénitos apresenta uma grande variabilidade, de acordo com a sua dimensão, número e afeção concomitante do sistema nervoso central. A vigilância e tratamento desta transformação maligna é problemática, sendo associada a pobres resultados. Nos adolescentes, o subtipo de melanoma mais comum é o convencional (tipo adulto). Contrariamente à população adulta, a maioria dos melanomas pediátricos convencionais tem origem em nevos pré-existentes, seguindo a epidemiologia e factores de risco associados ao do adulto. Não existem orientações específicas para a gestão e tratamento do melanoma pediátrico, pelo que esta doença é tratada de forma semelhante ao melanoma do adulto

Reflectance of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for Xenon Scintillation Light

Gaseous and liquid xenon particle detectors are being used in a number of applications including dark matter search and neutrino-less double beta decay experiments. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is often used in these detectors both as electrical insulator and as a light reflector to improve the efficiency of detection of scintillation photons. However, xenon emits in the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region (175 nm) where the reflecting properties of PTFE are not sufficiently known. In this work we report on measurements of PTFE reflectance, including its angular distribution, for the xenon scintillation light. Various samples of PTFE, manufactured by different processes (extruded, expanded, skived and pressed) have been studied. The data were interpreted with a physical model comprising both specular and diffuse reflections. The reflectance obtained for these samples ranges from about 47% to 66% for VUV light. Fluoropolymers, namely ETFE, FEP and PFA were also measured

Alternativas para análise de dados de desempenho e classificação de tourinhos cruzados Charolês x Nelore testados em provas de ganho em peso!.

Dados de peso em seis idades e de ganho médio diário em oito períodos de tourinhos 21/32 Charolês + 11/32 Nelore, testados em provas de gartho em peso, foram analisados para avaliar alternativas para avaliação e classificação dos animais. Os valores genéticos aditivos diretos (VGP) foram preditos e os valores fenotípicos (VFA), ajustados para os efeitos fixos, também foram obtidos. As correlações de Spearman entre os VGP e os VFA variaram entre 0,44 e 0,93, dependendo da característica e do ano de nascimento dos animais. As acurácias dos VGP diretos aumentaram com o aumento do número de animais com dados utilizados e sempre foram superiores as acurácias estimadas para os VF A. Assim, espera-se que o progresso genético obtido por meio da seleção de tourinhos com base nos VGP seja maior que aquele obtido pela seleção baseada nos VFA