Vortices in a mesoscopic superconducting circular sector

In the present paper we develop an algorithm to solve the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations, by using the link variables technique, for circular geometries. In addition, we evaluate the Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy, the magnetization, and the number of vortices. This algorithm is applied to a circular sector. We evaluate the superconduting-normal magnetic field transition, the magnetization, and the superconducting density. Our results point out that, as we reduce the superconducting area, the nucleation field increases. Nevertheless, as the angular width of the circular sector goes to small values the asymptotic behavior is independent of the sample area. We also show that the value of the first nucleation field is approximately the same independently of the form of the circular sector. Furthermore, we study the nucleation of giant and multivortex states for the different shapes of the present geometry.

Design of a simple detection cell with extended optical path length for capillary electrophoresis: Application to multiresidue pesticide analysis

Absorbance detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE), offers an excellent mass sensitivity, but poor concentration detection limits owing to very small injection volumes (normally I to 10 nL). This aspect can be a limiting factor in the applicability of CE/UV to detect species at trace levels, particularly pesticide residues. In the present work, the optical path length of an on-column detection cell was increased through a proper connection of the column (75 mu m i.d.) to a capillary detection cell of 180 mu m optical path length in order to improve detectability. It is shown that the cell with an extended optical path length results in a significant gain in terms of signal to noise ratio. The effect of the increase in the optical path length has been evaluated for six pesticides, namely, carbendazim, thiabendazole, imazalil, procymidone triadimefon, and prochloraz. The resulting optical enhancement of the detection cell provided detection limits of ca. 0.3 mu g/mL for the studied compounds, thus enabling the residue analysis by CE/UV.

Low-altitude, near-polar and near-circular orbits around Europa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The temperature coefficient of the optical path length as a function of the temperature in different optical glasses

An interferometric technique was used to determine the temperature coefficient of the optical path length (dS/dT) as a function of the temperature in several optical glasses. The temperature range was between 25degreesC and 180degreesC. The studied samples included undoped and doped oxide glasses, such as low silica calcium aluminosilicate, phosphates, borates and also chalcogenides. The oxide glasses had dS/dT between 10 X 10(-6) K-1 and 20x10(-6) K-1, while for the chalcogenides, these were around 70 x 10(-6)K(-1). The results showed that dS/dTs increased with the temperature in all samples. For samples doped with Nd the dS/dT values were found to be independent of concentration. on the other hand, for the phosphate glass doped with Cr, dS/dT increased about 5% when compared with the Nd doped one. In conclusion, the used interferometric method, which is a considerably simpler and a lower cost technique, and is a useful tool to measure dS/dT in semi-transparent glasses as a function of the composition and temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inversion in the temperature coefficient of the optical path length close to the glass transition temperature in tellurite glasses

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Treatment of segmental tibial defects using acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening with circular external fixator

The aim of this study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening in the treatment of large segmental tibia defects induced in seven clinically normal dogs. A circular external fixator was assembled with one proximal 5/8-circle ring, one middle ring and one distal ring connected with three rods. Thirty per cent of the tibia and fibula were removed in the middle and distal parts of the diaphyses, between the middle and distal rings. Acute bone shortening with compression of proximal and distal segments was performed. A subperiosteal osteotomy was performed between the half-ring and middle ring. Bone distraction started 7 days after surgery; after lengthening, the apparatus was left in place for 14 weeks for consolidation of regenerated bone. The frame was removed at the end of this period, and the dogs observed for four more weeks. Functional results were considered excellent in two, good in three and fair in the other two dogs. Bone regeneration within the distraction gap was obtained 14 weeks after neutral fixation period. We concluded that acute bone shortening followed by gradual lengthening by Ilizarov method can be used to treat extensive tibial defects in dogs, although it presents limb temporary abnormal limb shape and unequal length as early disadvantages.

The highest intensity and the shortest duration permitting attainment of maximal oxygen uptake during cycling: effects of different methods and aerobic fitness level

The aims of this study were: (1) to verify the validity of previous proposed models to estimate the lowest exercise duration (T (LOW)) and the highest intensity (I (HIGH)) at which VO(2)max is reached (2) to test the hypothesis that parameters involved in these models, and hence the validity of these models are affected by aerobic training status. Thirteen cyclists (EC), eleven runners (ER) and ten untrained (U) subjects performed several cycle-ergometer exercise tests to fatigue in order to determine and estimate T (LOW) (ET (LOW)) and I (HIGH) (EI (HIGH)). The relationship between the time to achieved VO(2)max and time to exhaustion (T (lim)) was used to estimate ET (LOW). EI (HIGH) was estimated using the critical power model. I (HIGH) was assumed as the highest intensity at which VO2 was equal or higher than the average of VO(2)max values minus one typical error. T (LOW) was considered T (lim) associated with I (HIGH). No differences were found in T (LOW) between ER (170 +/- 31 s) and U (209 +/- 29 s), however, both showed higher values than EC (117 +/- 29 s). I (HIGH) was similar between U (269 +/- 73 W) and ER (319 +/- 50 W), and both were lower than EC (451 +/- 33 W). EI (HIGH) was similar and significantly correlated with I-HIGH only in U (r = 0.87) and ER (r = 0.62). ET (LOW) and T (LOW) were different only for U and not significantly correlated in all groups. These data suggest that the aerobic training status affects the validity of the proposed models for estimating I (HIGH).

NONDEGENERATE UMBILICS, THE PATH FORMULATION and GRADIENT BIFURCATION PROBLEMS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dressed coordinates: the path-integral approach

The recently introduced dressed coordinates are studied in the path-integral approach. These coordinates are defined in the context of a harmonic oscillator linearly coupled to massless scalar field and it is shown that in this model the dressed coordinates appear as a coordinate transformation preserving the path-integral functional measure. The analysis also generalizes the sum rules established in a previous work. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Path integrals on a flux cone

This paper considers the Schrodinger propagator on a cone with the conical singularity carrying magnetic flux (flux cone). Starting from the operator formalism, and then combining techniques of path integration in polar coordinates and in spaces with constraints, the propagator and its path integral representation are derived. The approach shows that effective Lagrangian contains a quantum correction term and that configuration space presents features of nontrivial connectivity.

Semiclassical approach to the decay of protons in circular motion under the influence of gravitational fields

We investigate the possible decay of protons in geodesic circular motion around neutral compact objects. Weak and strong decay rates and the associated emitted powers are calculated using a semiclassical approach. Our results are discussed with respect to distinct ones in the literature, which consider the decay of accelerated protons in electromagnetic fields. A number of consistency checks are presented along the paper.

A path integral approach to the full Dicke model with dipole-dipole interaction

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Path integral quantization of generalized quantum electrodynamics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Path integral approach to the full Dicke model

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Magnetic Field Line Escape: Comparison with Mean Free Path

In the present work, we determine the fraction of magnetic field lines that reach the tokamak wall leaving the plasma surrounded by a chaotic layer created by resonant perturbations at the plasma edge. The chaotic layer arises in a scenario where an integrable magnetic field with reversed magnetic shear is perturbed by an ergodic magnetic limiter. For each considered line, we calculate its connection length, i.e. the number of toroidal turns that the field lines complete before reaching the wall. We represent the results in the poloidal section in which the initial coordinates are chosen. We also estimate the radial profile of the fraction of field lines, for different temperatures, whose connection lengths are smaller than the electron collisional mean free path.