Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Backreaction on the luminosity-redshift relation from gauge invariant light-cone averaging

Using a recently proposed gauge invariant formulation of light-cone averaging, together with adapted ``geodesic light-cone" coordinates, we show how an ``induced backreaction" effect emerges, in general, from correlated fluctuations in the luminosity distance and covariant integration measure. Considering a realistic stochastic spectrum of inhomogeneities of primordial (inflationary) origin we find that both the induced backreaction on the luminosity-redshift relation and the dispersion are larger than naïvely expected. On the other hand the former, at least to leading order and in the linear perturbative regime, cannot account by itself for the observed effects of dark energy at large-redshifts. A full second-order calculation, or even better a reliable estimate of contributions from the non-linear regime, appears to be necessary before firm conclusions on the correct interpretation of the data can be drawn.
Vertical instability in TCV: comparison of experimental and theoretical growth rates

Growth rates of the axisymmetric mode in vertically elongated plasmas in the Tokamak a Configuration Variable (TCV) are measured and compared with numerically calculated growth rates for the reconstructed equilibria. This comparison is made over a range of discharge parameters including elongation, triangularity and vertical position within the vacuum vessel. Growth rates increase with respect to increasing elongation, decreasing triangularity and increasing vertical distance from the top of the vacuum vessel, as expected. The agreement between the growth rates measured in the experiment and the numerically determined growth rates is excellent, in particular for the full linear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, which accounts for the non-rigid motion of strongly shaped plasma cross-sections
Osmotic and Ionic Regulation : Cells and Animals

Osmoregulation: Some Principles of Water and Solute Transport, D.C. Dawson and X. Liu Volume Regulation and Osmosensing in Animal Cells, K. Choe and K. Strange The Contractile Vacuole Complex and Cell Volume Control in Protozoa, R.D. Allen, T. Tominaga, and Y. Naitoh Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Molluscs, L. Deaton Osmoregulation in Annelids, R.L. Preston Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Aquatic Arthropods, G. Charmantier, M. Charmantier-Daures, and D. Towle Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Insects, K.W. Beyenbach and P.M. Piermarini Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Fishes, D.H. Evans and J.B. Claiborne Osmotic and Ion Regulation in Amphibians, S.D. Hillyard, N. Mobjerg, S. Tanaka, and E. Hviid Larsen Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Reptiles, W.H. Dantzler and S.D. Bradshaw Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Birds, E.J. Braun Osmotic and Ionic Regulation in Mammals, R.K. H. Kinne and M.L. Zeidel Index
Potential energy curve of the X 2u+ resonance state of F2- computed by CAP/CI

Calculations of resonance energies and widths of the X 2u+ state of F2- were carried out. Configuration interaction was used to solve the Schrödinger equation for a molecular electronic Hamiltonian augmented by a complex absorbing potential (CAP/CI). Several technical aspects of this method are briefly discussed. The crossing point of the anionic curve of this state with the ground state of F2 is determined as the point where the resonance width vanishes. Based on this, the electron affinity of atomic fluorine is reproduced with satisfactory precision. Finally, our results are compared to those of several preceding studies and an outlook to further continuation of this project is given.
Colour centres in germanosilicate glass and optical fibres

This review presents the state of the art of the study of germanium-related colour centres in silica glass and silica-based fibres. Most attention is concentrated on the dominant colour centres such as the Ge-related oxygen-deficient centres and paramagnetic Ge(n) centres, all of them having ultraviolet absorption bands. The hypothetical models and formation mechanisms proposed so far for these colour centres are discussed in detail. The origins of the models and formation mechanisms and their weak and strong points are analysed. The origin of the less well studied Ge-related colour centres in the visible spectral range (GeH, GeX, drawing-dependent defects) is also discussed.
Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in heart failure: a little applied recommendation.

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is associated with frequent decompensation and admissions to the emergency service. Influenza (INF) and Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccinations are recommended in the guidelines, however, respiratory infections are the third leading cause of hospitalization in heart failure. OBJECTIVE To assess the frequency of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF in government healthcare units. METHODS An observational study carried out in Teresópolis, a mountain region in Rio de Janeiro, employed three strategies: (I) study of requests for vaccine against INF and/or PNM in the Health Department of Teresópolis between 2004 and 2006; (II) direct inquiry to 61 patients with heart failure treated in primary care about their vaccination status against INF and PNM; (III) direct inquiry about their vaccination status against INF and PNM to 81 patients with decompensated chronic heart failure treated in the only emergency service open to the public. RESULTS In strategy I, INF and/or PNM vaccination was 15.3% of those with indications for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The median time between indication and vaccination was 32 days. In strategy II, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF, aged > 60, was 23.1% and 24.6% against PMN at all ages. In strategy III, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF was 35.8% and against PNM was 2.5%. CONCLUSION The rate of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF is very low and even lower in those with decompensated HF treated in emergency services.
Resonant trispectrum and a dozen more primordial N-point functions

We compute all N-point primordial curvature correlation functions from inflation at tree-level up to N of order ten or more depending on the choice of parameters. This is achieved for resonant inflationary models in which the inflaton potential has a periodic modulation on top of a slow-roll flat term. These models find a natural UV completion in string theory implementation of axion monodromy. Key to the success of our computation is the observation that gravitational interactions among the perturbations can be neglected, which we argue is justified for any model of single-field inflation with parametrically large non-Gaussianity. We provide a comprehensive review and detailed derivations of known consistency relations for squeezed and collinear limits, and generalize them to any N-point function.
[Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and its relation to nutritional status in older people].

INTRODUCTION the Mediterranean diet (MD) and model quality diet is associated with a reduction in mortality and an improvement in quality of life in elderly. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and lifestyles with the degree of adherence to the DM in elderly Methods: Sample consists of 60 subjects who attended the nursing consultation of a scepter health of Alicante with an index greater than 24.9 body mass. The frequency questionnaire food consumption MEDIS-FFQ questionnaire PREDIMED adherence to the Mediterranean diet and anthropometric assessment was used. RESULTS 83.3% of the population were overweight compared to 16.7% obesity, no significant differences between sexes. The percentage of body fat was 40.3% in women and 29.5% in men (p = 0.001). 65.2% of the women had cardiovascular risk compared with 81.8% of men (p = 0.001). It was observed under compliance with dietary recommendations in whole grains, fruits and nuts. Subjects with low adherence to the DM had higher rates of obesity (OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 0.89-2.40), increased consumption of snuff (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.05-2.60) and alcohol (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 0.91-2.55), increased waist-hip ratio (OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 1.3-4.9) and higher percentage of body fat (OR = 5.3; 95% CI, 1.02-6.48). CONCLUSION Subjects with good adherence (DM) had a lower waist-hip ratio and a lower percentage of body fat.
Cosmological bounds on pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons

We review the cosmological implications of a relic population of pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons (pNGB) with an anomalous coupling to two photons, often called axion-like particles (ALPs). We establish constraints on the pNGB mass and two-photon coupling by considering big bang nucleosynthesis, the physics of the cosmic microwave background, and the diffuse photon background. The bounds from WMAP7 and other large-scale-structure data on the effective number of neutrino species can be stronger than the traditional bounds from the primordial helium abundance. These bounds, together with those from primordial deuterium abundance, constitute the most stringent probes of early decays.
Constraining the expansion rate of the Universe using low-redshift ellipticals as cosmic chronometers

We present a new methodology to determine the expansion history of the Universe analyzing the spectral properties of early-type galaxies (ETG), based on the study of the redshift dependence of the 4000 Å break. In this paper we describe the method, explore its robustness using theoretical synthetic stellar population models, and apply it using a SDSS sample of ∼ 14 000 ETGs. Our motivation to look for a new technique has been to minimize the dependence of the cosmic chronometer method on systematic errors. In particular, as a test of our method, we derive the value of the Hubble constant H0 = 72.6 ±2.9(stat)±2.3(syst) km Mpc-1s-1 (68% confidence), which is not only fully compatible with the value derived from the Hubble key project, but also with a comparable error budget. Using the SDSS, we also derive, assuming w = constant, a value for the dark energy equation of state parameter w = -1 ±0.2(stat)±0.3(syst). Given the fact that the SDSS ETG sample only reaches z ∼ 0.3, this result shows the potential of the method. In future papers we will present results using the high-redshift universe, to yield a determination of H(z) up to z ∼ 1.
Acoustic measurements of the thermodynamic temperature between the triple point of mercury and 380 K

We have measured the differences between the Kelvin thermodynamic temperature and the temperature of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 on nine isotherms between the triple point of mercury and 380 K, by means of a primary acoustic thermometer. For the present measurements the standard uncertainty of (T − T90) ranges from 0.9 mK at 234 K to 1.7 mK at 380 K. The experimental method is based on the measurement of the acoustic resonance frequencies of an argon-filled spherical cavity and the microwave resonance frequencies of the same cavity when evacuated. The present results agree within the remarkably small combined uncertainties with both NIST acoustic thermometry ([1] Moldover M R et al 1999 J. Res. Natl Inst. Stand. Technol. 104 11–46; [2] Strouse G F et al 2002 Progress in primary acoustic thermometry at NIST: 273 K to 505 K 8th Temperature Symp. (Chicago, 21–24 October 2002)) and UCL acoustic thermometry ([3] Ewing M B and Trusler J P M 2000 J. Chem. Thermodyn. 32 1229–55) in the overlapping temperature range.
Propagation Characteristics of Ultrahigh-Δ Optical Waveguide on Silicon-on-Insulator Substrate

A submicron rectangular waveguide with a relative refractive index difference Δ of 45% was fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate, and its propagation characteristics were evaluated using the Fabry-Perot resonance method. The propagation loss was of the order of 10 cm-1, and was dominated by light scattering at rough interfaces. However, a large modal effective index of more than 4.5 and a low bend loss of less than 1 dB at a 0.5-µm-radius bend were also observed. These results suggest the potential of an ultrasmall and high-density lightwave circuit, which accepts the relatively large propagation loss.
The possible contribution of gravity measurements to the difference between the NIST and NRC watt balance results

We report on a 2012 comparison of gravity used to determine the Planck constant by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) watt balances. The results provide verification of the gravity values used in recently published discrepant Planck constant determinations that play a vital role in the redefinition effort of the International System of Units (SI) and set an upper limit of 10 parts in 109 on the relative uncertainty contribution of gravity observations to future Planck constant determinations by the NIST and NRC watt balances.
Investigation of the composite structure of peak 5 in the thermoluminescent glow curve of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) using optical bleaching

The composite structure of glow peak 5 in LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100), has been investigated using optical bleaching by 310 nm (4 eV) light. The decay of composite peak 5 and the growth of peak 4 are described by two exponential components of the same mean lives for both peaks. Using computerized glow curve deconvolution and contrary to previous investigations, it is determined that peak 4 does not decrease in intensity at long bleaching times and is therefore not associated with the 4 eV absorption band. The fast and slow components of the exponential decay are associated with the bleaching of peaks 5a and 5, respectively. Optical bleaching as a function of the temperature of post-irradiation annealing reveals that the conversion efficiency of peak 5a to peak 4 is very high, at a constant value of approximately 30%, whereas the conversion efficiency of peak 5 is no greater than a few per cent. The behaviour of the conversion efficiency as a function of the temperature of the post-irradiation anneal is explained in the framework of the spatially correlated trapping centre/luminescent (TC/LC) centre model. In this model, the TL of peak 5a results from the geminate recombination of a locally trapped electron-hole pair: peak 5 results from recombination via electron diffusion in the conduction band following thermal release of a singly-trapped electron in the TC/LC structure. Peak 4 arises from a singly-trapped hole in the TC/LC structure. The high conversion efficiency of peak 5a to peak 4 arises from direct optical ionization of the electron in the electron-hole pair, leaving behind a singly-trapped hole (glow peak 4), a direct mechanism not subject to competitive processes. Optical ionization of the `singly-trapped' electron (peak 5), however, can lead to peak 4 only via a multi-stage mechanism involving charge carrier transport in the conduction band, a mechanism subject to competitive processes, which leads to an order-of-magnitude decrease in the observed efficiency
Influence of temperature treatment on the electrical properties of low-density polyethylene

The influence of temperature from 298 K to 353 K on the electrical conduction of low-density polyethylene is reported. Conduction current and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements show a correlation between the structural change due to the temperature treatment and the change in the activation energy of the conduction mechanism involved. When the temperature is greater than 318 K, an activation energy decrease from 0.94 eV to 0.68 eV and a DSC exothermic peak are observed. This temperature threshold is correlated with a facilitated detrapping of charges stored during polarization.
A chemical method for tin disulphide thin film deposition

Thin films of tin disulphide (SnS2) have been chemically deposited for the first time from an acidic bath, using sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3) as a sulphur source, onto glass, tin oxide-coated glass and titanium substrates. Their electrical, optical and photoelectrochemical properties have been studied. The chemically deposited SnS2 films are n-type semiconductors and the optical band gap is 2.35 eV. The room temperature resistivity is of the order of 103-104 Omega cm. As-deposited SnS2 films showed photovoltaic activity.
Pulsars as a source of the WMAP haze

The WMAP haze is an excess in the 22 to 93 GHz frequency bands of WMAP extending about 10 degrees from the galactic center. We show that synchrotron emission from electron-positron pairs injected into the interstellar medium by the galactic population of pulsars with energies in the 1 to 100 GeV range can explain the frequency spectrum of the WMAP haze and the drop in the average haze power with latitude. The same spectrum of high energy electron-positron pairs from pulsars, which gives rise to the haze, may also generate the observed excesses in AMS, HEAT and PAMELA. We discuss the spatial morphology of the pulsar synchrotron signal and its deviation from spherical symmetry, which may provide an avenue to determine the pulsar contribution to the haze.
De Sitter Galileon

We generalize the Galileon symmetry and its relativistic extension to a de Sitter background. This is made possible by studying a probe-brane in a flat five-dimensional bulk using a de Sitter slicing. The generalized Lovelock invariants induced on the probe brane enjoy the induced Poincaré symmetry inherited from the bulk, while living on a de Sitter geometry. The non-relativistic limit of these invariants naturally maintain a generalized Galileon symmetry around de Sitter while being free of ghost-like pathologies. We comment briefly on the cosmology of these models and the extension to the AdS symmetry as well as generic FRW backgrounds.
Functional CT imaging of angiogenesis in rabbit VX2 soft-tissue tumour

Functional parameters such as blood flow (BF), microvessel permeability surface area product (PS), blood volume (BV) and mean transit time (MTT) are physiological markers related to the changes associated with angiogenesis. In the current study we present a functional CT technique for the simultaneous measurement of these four functional parameters and the display of each parameter as a functional image over an entire tissue slice. New Zealand White rabbits with implanted VX2 thigh tumours were scanned using CT with contrast media injection. The ex vivo method of radioactive microspheres was used to evaluate the accuracy of BF measurements with the functional CT technique. There was a significant linear correlation (R = 0.96) between regional CT and microsphere-measured BF values, with a slope not significantly different from unity (0.98 ± 0.02, P < 0.0001). The precision of our CT technique was determined by the repeated scanning under steady-state conditions. The precision of CT-measured BF, PS, BV and MTT was 14%, 18%, 20% and 24%, respectively. In conclusion, BF can be measured accurately and BF, PS, BV and MTT reproducibly using our functional CT technique. Functional CT can be readily incorporated into existing imaging protocols to assess tumour angiogenesis.
In vitro Antifungal Effect of Caspofungin-Fluconazole Sequential Treatment Against Mixed Candida albicans and Candida glabrata Biofilm

Candidiasis is the most prevalence opportunistic fungal infection of humans, and invasive Candida infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in hospitalized and immunocompomised patients. Recent investigation revealed that simultaneous combination of caspofungin and fluconazole appeared to affect the quantity and cell architecture of C. albicans and C. glabrata mixed biofilm in vitro . The objective of this study was to further investigate the effect of caspofungin (CAS) sequentially combined with fluconazole (FLU) on the vitality and quantity of mixed C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilm. Viability of biofilms was evaluated by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-Vol. sulfophenyl)-5[(phenylamino)carbonyl)]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay and biomass of biofilm was assessed by crystal violet assay. The inhibitory effects of sequential CAS-FLU combinations on the biomass of biofilm were significantly declined when mixed biofilms were pretreated with FLU for a longer period of time over 3 h (p < 0.001), however, the vitality of FLU-pre exposed mixed biofilms in response to CAS-FLU combination treatment were not different. The biomass reduction effect of CAS-FLU combinations was dependent on the sequence of initial of drugs combination and the pre-exposure time. Conclusion, sequential CAS-FLU combinations treatment had an impact on the biomass but not viability of mixed C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilm.
A AUTO-ESTIMA EM ADOLESCENTES COM E SEM FISSURAS DE LÁBIO E/OU DE PALATO

O auto-conceito e um determinante importante da auto-estima, entre homens e mulheres, isto nos fez refletir sobre o processo de reabilitacao das pessoas portadoras de malformacao. Utilizamos para mensurar o nivel de auto-estima a escala de Janis e Field. Entrevistou-se 608 adolescentes sendo 235 com e 373 sem fissuras de labio e/ou de palato, entre idades de 17 a 20 anos e de ambos o sexos. Analisando os niveis de auto-estima concluimos que o grupo de adolescentes com fissuras se comporta de forma diferente do grupo sem fissura, ou seja, os portadores de fissuras exibem menores escores de auto-estima.
Composition and natural history of a Cerrado snake assemblage at Itirapina, São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil

Neotropical snake assemblages present high species richness and complex structures. The Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil, and was included among the 25 World's biodiversity hotspots. In southeastern Brazil, the remnant Cerrado areas have suffered intense destruction, and presently less than 2% of Cerrado natural vegetation remain in Sao Paulo state. Virtually no detailed study on Cerrado snakes was carried out in this region. The Itirapina region has one of the last well preserved remnants of open cerrado in Sao Paulo state. Our purpose in this work was the study of natural history and composition of the Cerrado snakes of Itirapina region. We performed an extensive field sampling combining six sampling methods in Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina and disturbed Cerrado areas in its surroundings (municipalities of Itirapina and Brotas), during 101 trips throughout 43 months, between September 1998 and March 2002, corresponding to 446 days of field sampling. We also collected additional data from museum specimens housed in scientific collections. We present data on size, general abundance, habitat and macrohabitat use, daily and seasonal activity, feeding, reproduction, and defense. We also compared the Itirapina snake assemblage with nine snake assemblages of Brazil, from Amazonia, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and other open habitats. We recorded a total of 36 snake species among 755 individuals found in the field and six records from scientific collections and literature, belonging to 25 genera and five families. The snake assemblage comparisons indicate that the Cerrado has its own identity regarding the snake composition. Although small (about 2,300 ha), the Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina encompasses well preserved and representative Cerrado physiognomic forms, which harbors a rich and typical Cerrado snake fauna. The occurrence of some species only inside the reserve also indicates that the Estacao Ecologica de Itirapina is of fundamental importance to the maintenance of Cerrado biodiversity.