Observation of single-diffractive WW production with CMS: a feasibility study

We present a study of single-diffractive $W$-boson production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=14$~TeV, $pp \to Xp$ with $X$ including a $W$ boson, with the CMS detector. We discuss the feasibility of observing this process with an integrated effective luminosity for single interactions of 100~pb$^{-1}$.We present a study of single-diffractive $W$-boson production in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=14$ TeV, $pp \to Xp$ with $X$ including a $W$ boson, with the CMS detector. We discuss the feasibility of observing this process with an integrated effective luminosity for single interactions of 100 pb$^{-1}$

Corn cob lightweight concrete for non-structural applications

A lightweight concrete using granulated corn cob (without corn) as an aggregate is proposed in this research work. Taking into account that corn cob, after extracting the corn, is generally considered an agricultural waste, an interesting economic and sustainable benefit may result by using it as a building material. Therefore, it can be an alternative sustainable lightweight aggregate solution in comparison to the most currently applied ones such as expanded clay, particles of cork, particles of expanded polystyrene (EPS), among others. The density, the compressive strength and the thermal insulation properties of a corn cob concrete were experimentally quantified. An expanded clay concrete was also studied as reference. The main results obtained are presented and discussed showing that the proposed corn cob concrete may have the adequate material properties required for a lightweight concrete for non-structural application purposes

Dynamics of bovine intramammary infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci on four farms

The objectives of this study were to compare the impact of different coagulase-negative species (CNS) on udder health measured in terms of individual quarter milk somatic cell count (SCC) and duration of intramammary infection, and to get some insight into most likely routes of infection for different CNS species. This longitudinal observational study was performed on four farms that were sampled at 4-week intervals for a total of 12 visits each. Quarters infected with CNS were followed through time with milk samples being submitted for bacteriological culture and SCC determination. PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region and sequencing of the sodA and rpoB genes were used for species allocation. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to assess strain identity. The percentage of quarters affected per farm varied between 6 and 35%, with the most frequently isolated CNS species being Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by Staph. simulans, Staph. chromogenes and Staph. haemolyticus. It was possible to follow 111 intramammary infections due to CNS through time. Duration of infection had a mean of 188 d and was not significantly different between CNS species. Geometric mean quarter SCC overall was 132 000 cells/ml and was also not significantly different between CNS species. Despite the possibility of a different epidemiology of infection, the impact in terms of udder health seems to be similar for different CNS species

Camada de regularização com agregado de granulado de caroço da espiga de milho

Um conjunto de construções antigas localizadas na região de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal, apresentam caroços de espiga de milho incorporados na camada de enchimento de paredes exteriores de tabique. Esta descoberta tem vindo a estimular o estudo do potencial da aplicação na construção civil deste resíduo agrícola. Um trabalho de investigação preliminar permitiu concluir que este produto natural apresenta uma microestrutura e uma condutibilidade térmica que lhe conferem um interesse de aplicação no contexto do isolamento térmico. Este trabalho de investigação está centrado no estudo do potencial da aplicação de granulado de caroço de espiga de milho como agregado para argamassa ou betão leve de camada de regularização / enchimento. Para o efeito, um trabalho experimental foi desenvolvido de forma a aferir algumas propriedades físicas, mecânicas e de comportamento térmico deste material compósito. Amostras com agregado de argila expandida também foram fabricadas e ensaiadas de forma a funcionarem como referência. Com este trabalho de investigação pretende-se contribuir para uma construção mais sustentável e amiga do ambiente

Silk bilayer scaffolds can induce fast integration with subchondral bone and support cartilage repair

Publicado em : J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2014; 8 (Suppl. 1)Introduction: Osteochondral defect (OCD) regeneration presents major challenges in orthopedics. Since healing of cartilage and bone should be simultaneously considered, ideal scaffolds should be those that can mimic both tissues properties. In this study, bilayered silk and silk-nano calcium phosphate (Silk/Silk-NanoCaP) scaffolds with tailored mechanical properties were developed for OCD tissue engineering application. Materials and methods: Aqueous silk solution (16%) was prepared.1 Nano calcium phosphate particles (16%) were synthesized in the silk solution (Silk-NanoCaP).2 The bony layer was prepared by addition of NaCl particles (500–1000 lm) into the Silk-NanoCaP suspension. After drying for 2 days and salt-leaching overnight, silk solution was added on top of the bony layer using the same procedure to produce the chondral layer. The !nal scaffolds were evaluated through in vitro culture of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (RBMSCs) for 2 weeks, and in vivo implantation in a rabbit knee OCD for 4 weeks. Results: The RBMSCs cultured in the scaffolds presented increasing viability from day 1 to day 7 by MTS assay. Good adhesion and migration of the RBMSCs in the scaffolds were achieved, as observed under the scanning electron microscope. Cell proliferation was observed from day 7 to day 14 as determined by DNA quanti!cation. The bony layer induced higher alkaline phosphatase level as compared to the chondral layer, in osteogenic condition. Histological analysis (H&E) showed that the bilayered scaffolds integrated well with the host tissue, after 4 weeks of implantation in a critical size OC defect (Fig. 1). Abundant new bone formation was detected in the Silk-NanoCaP layer. Cartilage regeneration occurred in the silk layer. Discussion and conclusions: The bilayered scaffolds favored the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of RBMSCs. The bony layer of the bilayered scaffolds possessed osteoconductive properties. The bilayered scaffolds were biocompatible in vitro and in vivo. These scaffolds also induced both subchondral bone regeneration and supported cartilage regeneration, thus showing great promise in OCD regeneration. Acknowledgments: The authors thank FCT projects Tissue2Tissue and OsteoCart, and the FP7 Programme POLARIS. Yan LP was awarded a FCT PhD scholarship. Investigador FCT program (IF/00423/2012) and (IF/00411/2013) are also greatly acknowledged. Disclosure: The authors declare that there is no con"ict of interest

Oxitocina endovenosa na profilaxia activa da hemorragia pós-parto em cesariana: perspectiva anestésica

Após o esvaziamento uterino e expulsão da placenta a vasoconstrição produzida pela contracção uterina constitui o principal mecanismo de hemostase. A oxitocina é um peptídeo natural comercializado sob a forma sintética (Syntocinon®), actua por estimulação das contracções uterinas e é utilizada no terceiro estadio do trabalho de parto para a profilaxia da hemorragia pós-parto. Os autores procedem à revisão dos respectivos mecanismos de acção, farmacocinética, farmacodinâmica, efeitos adversos e de questões relacionadas com os regimes terapêuticos normalmente praticado

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF HOLSTEIN COW’S FACE TO RESOURCE OF FAN IN FREE-STALL

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do recurso de ventilação sobre a fisiologia de vacas Holandesas alojadas em free-stall, durante o verão do sudeste brasileiro. Foram utilizadas 20 vacas Holandesas submetidas a dois tratamentos: controle e ventilação. Os parâmetros ambientais registrados foram temperatura e umidade relativa do ar e temperatura de globo negro. As variáveis fisiológicas avaliadas foram temperatura retal e frequência respiratória. Para obtenção das estatísticas descritivas utilizou-se a metodologia de quadrados mínimos. Apesar das diferenças estatísticas obtidas para as variáveis fisiológicas, as mesmas não foram biologicamente efetivas e indicaram que os animais se encontravam em conforto térmico