Combining exclusive semi-leptonic and hadronic B decays to measure |V_ub|

The Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V_ub| can be extracted from the rate for the semi-leptonic decay B -> pi + l + antineutrino_l, with little theoretical uncertainty, provided the hadronic form factor for the B -> pi transition can be measured from some other B decay. In here, we suggest using the decay B -> pi J\psi. This is a color suppressed decay, and it cannot be properly described within the usual factorization approximation; we use instead a simple and very general phenomenological model for the b d J\psi vertex. In order to relate the hadronic form factors in the B -> pi J\psi and B -> pi + l + antineutrino_l decays, we use form factor relations that hold for heavy-to-light transitions at large recoil.Comment: Latex, 7 pages, no figure

Identification and characterization of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins

Aspergillus flavus is the main producer of the well known carcinogenic aflatoxins. The presence of this fungus and aflatoxins is of huge concern in terms of food safety. The identification of A. flavus is not straightforward due to similarities with closely related species (e.g. A. parasiticus and A. nomius). Also, from the biochemical point of view the closely-related species are able to produce different mycotoxins. In order to clarify the differentiation between species the identification schemes is revisited. Selective media, data from mycotoxins production and molecular biology tools are discussed in order to clarify the concept of A. flavus species.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Neonatal pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency due to a R302H mutation in the PDHA1 gene: MRI findings

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency is one of the most common causes of congenital lactic acidosis. Correlations between the genetic defect and neuroimaging findings are lacking. We present conventional and diffusion-weighted MRI findings in a 7-day-old male neonate with PDH deficiency due to a mosaicism for the R302H mutation in the PDHA1 gene. Corpus callosum dysgenesis, widespread increased diffusion in the white matter, and bilateral subependymal cysts were the main features. Although confirmation of PDH deficiency depends on specialized biochemical analyses, neonatal MRI plays a role in evaluating the pattern and extent of brain damage, and potentially in early diagnosis and clinical decision making

Características físico-químicas de extratos de arroz integral, quirera de arroz e soja.

Extratos hidrossolúveis são bebidas de origem vegetal, que possuem apelo comercial nutricional, quanto aos aspectos de saúde, como ausência de gorduras animais e altos teores de minerais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar as características físico-químicas de extratos hidrossolúveis de arroz integral, quirera de arroz e soja. As análises (em triplicata) foram: pH, teor de sólidos solúveis, umidade, cinzas, proteínas, lipídeos, carboidratos totais, cálcio, magnésio, cobre, manganês, ferro, zinco e valor energético. O extrato de quirera de arroz apresentou o maior teor de carboidratos (3,17 g 100 g-1) e o menor teor de cinzas (0,58 g 100 g-1), proteínas (0,73 g 100 g-1), lipídeos (0,41 g 100 g-1) e valor energético (17,28 kcal 100 g-1), enquanto o extrato de arroz integral apresentou o maior valor de pH (6,77) e valores intermediários de cálcio (1,2 mg 100 g-1) e magnésio (1,69 mg 100 g-1). O extrato de soja se destacou com maiores valores de todos os minerais, cinzas (0,84 g 100 g-1), proteínas (2,51 g 100 g-1), lipídeos (1,05 g 100 g-1) e valor energético (68,34 kcal 100 g-1), porém, menor valor de carboidratos (2,62 g 100 g-1). Apesar do menor valor nutricional, quando comparado ao extrato de soja, os extratos de arroz integral ou de quirera de arroz são alternativas alimentares viáveis à substituição do leite ou do extrato de soja, para pessoas que possuam intolerância à lactose e/ou alergia às proteínas da soja

Detecting New Physics from CP-violating phase measurements in B decays

The standard CKM model can be tested and New Physics detected using only CP-violating phase measurements in B decays. This requires the measurement of a phase factor which is small in the Standard Model, in addition to the usual large phases $\beta$ and $\gamma$. We also point out that identifying violations of the unitarity of the CKM matrix is rather difficult, and cannot be done with phase measurements alone.Comment: 6 pages, Latex, no figure

Elaboração de cookies utilizando farinha mista extrusada de arroz e feijão.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar biscoitos tipo cookie utilizando-se farinhas mistas extrusadas de grãos quebrados de arroz e bandinha de feijão carioca

Qualidade de biscoitos formulados com diferentes teores de farinha de casca de pequi.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de biscoitos tipo cookie, formulados com diferentes níveis de farinha de casca de pequi (FCP), em substituição à farinha de trigo (FT). Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com controle mais quatro tratamentos (12,5%; 25%; 37,5%; e 50% de substituição de FT por FCP), e quatro repetições. Foram analisados: aceitabilidade, cor (luminosidade), composição centesimal, valor energético e teores de alguns minerais de cada amostra

Constraining the CKM Parameters using CP Violation in semi-leptonic B Decays

We discuss the usefulness of the CP violating semi-leptonic asymmetry a_{SL} not only as a signal of new physics, but also as a tool in constraining the CKM parameters. We show that this technique could yield useful results in the first years of running at the B factories. We present the analysis graphically in terms of M_{12}, the dispersive part of the B-Bbar mixing amplitude. This is complementary to the usual unitarity triangle representation and often allows a cleaner interpretation of the data.Comment: 15 pages REVTEX, 7 figure

Food mycology : from the fork to the farm

Filamentous fungi are ubiquitous in nature and are responsible for producing mycotoxins in agricultural crops. Fungi and mycotoxins are considered generally as being natural and unavoidable [1]. The control and detection of mycotoxins is a continuous process in commodity production. Since mycotoxins can become established and remain within the commodity anywhere throughout the production, storage, transportation and processing chain, there is a need to study all the food chain: from the fork to the farm. The control over the presence of mycotoxins involves several competencies, such as taxonomy skills, ability to evaluate mycotoxins production by fungi, and ability to quantify mycotoxins in commodities. The prevention of mycotoxin formation is achieved by influencing environmental conditions through management of agricultural practices prior to harvest. After harvest, two overriding factors for storage are water activity (aw) and temperature. Control over these parameters may lead to the prevention of fungi growth and of mycotoxins accumulation. Strategies followed to have control over the presence of mycotoxins in commodities will be illustrated by presenting case studies: (i) ochratoxin A in wine; and (ii) aflatoxins in maize and in nuts