Charged Brownian particles: Kramers and Smoluchowski equations and the hydrothermodynamical picture

We consider a charged Brownian gas under the influence of external and non-uniform electric, magnetic and mechanical fields, immersed in a non-uniform bath temperature. With the collision time as an expansion parameter, we study the solution to the associated Kramers equation, including a linear reactive term. To the first order we obtain the asymptotic (overdamped) regime, governed by transport equations, namely: for the particle density, a Smoluchowski- reactive like equation; for the particle's momentum density, a generalized Ohm's-like equation; and for the particle's energy density, a MaxwellCattaneo-like equation. Defining a nonequilibrium temperature as the mean kinetic energy density, and introducing Boltzmann's entropy density via the one particle distribution function, we present a complete thermohydrodynamical picture for a charged Brownian gas. We probe the validity of the local equilibrium approximation, Onsager relations, variational principles associated to the entropy production, and apply our results to: carrier transport in semiconductors, hot carriers and Brownian motors. Finally, we outline a method to incorporate non-linear reactive kinetics and a mean field approach to interacting Brownian particles. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimal moment to change pressure regulator and sprayer kit on center pivot irrigation machines: a theoretical proposal

A theoretical model was developed in order to determine the optimal moment for substituting the sprayer and pressure regulator kit on a center pivot irrigation machine. The model is based on the hypothesis that pressure regulator and sprayer deterioration decrease irrigation uniformity. To compensate the deficit that happens at under irrigated areas, an increase on irrigation depth is required. The model considers: additional water consumption and energy costs, maintenance and labor costs, as well as yield losses associated with under or over irrigated areas. The sum of all these components is compared to buying and installing a new spray kit cost, allowing the farmer to decide the best moment to renovate the sprayer and pressure regulator kits on a center pivot irrigation machine based on economic criteria.

Effects of methylmercury on electric organ discharges in the weak electric fish Gymnotus sylvius

Methylmercury (MeHg) is present in the environment because of natural and anthropogenic causes. MeHg can reach the central nervous system (CNS) and cause neurological damage in humans and animals. Electric organ discharges (EODs) in the weak electric fish Gymnotus sylvius are produced by the electric organ and modulated by the CNS. These discharges are used for electrolocation and communication. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary MeHg exposure on EOD rate in G. sylvius. An oscilloscope was used to record the EOD rate. Two treatments were investigated: chronic MeHg administration (4 μg/kg MeHg every 2 days, with a total of nine dietary exposures to MeHg) and acute MeHg administration (a single dose of 20 μg/kg MeHg). The control data for both treatments were collected every 2 days for 18 days, with a total of nine sessions (day 1 until day 18). Data of fish exposed to MeHg were collected every 2 days, totaling nine sessions (day 19 until day 36). Chronic treatment significantly increased the EOD rate in G. sylvius (p<.05), especially with the final treatment (day 32 until day 36). Acute treatment resulted in an initial increase in the EOD rate, which was maintained midway through the experiment (day 26 until day 30 p<.05). The present study provides the first insights into the effects of MeHg on EODs in weak electric fish. The EOD rate is a novel response of the fish to MeHg administration.

Teste de deterioração controlada para avaliação do vigor de sementes de milho (Zea mays L.)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Morfologia da testa e potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja

Pós-graduação em Agronomia - FCAV

Minimum Evaporation Model of Dermatological Delivery Systems. Lamellar Liquid Crystal Formulations Containing Brazilian Nut (Bertholletia excelsa HBK) Vegetable Oil and Guarana Glycolic Extract

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Quantum-classical correspondence and the role of the dipole function in molecular dissociation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Energetic and economic analysis of a Brazilian compact cogeneration system: Comparison between natural gas and biogas

Cogeneration may be defined as the simultaneous production of electric power and useful heat from the burning of a single fuel. This technique of combined heat and power production has been applied in both the industrial and tertiary sectors. It has been mainly used because of its overall efficiency, and the guarantee of electricity with a low level of environmental impact. The compact cogeneration systems using internal combustion engine as prime movers are thoroughly applied because of the good relationship among cost and benefit obtained in such devices. The cogeneration system of this study consists of an internal combustion engine using natural gas or biogas as fuel, combined with two heat exchangers and an absorption chiller utilising water-ammonia as working mixture. This work presents an energetic and economic comparison between natural gas and biogas as fuel used for the system proposed. The results are useful to identify the feasible applications for this system, such as residential sector in isolated areas, hotels, universities etc. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proteins, Pathogens, and Failure at the Composite-Tooth Interface

In the United States, composites accounted for nearly 70% of the 173.2 million composite and amalgam restorations placed in 2006 (Kingman et al., 2012), and it is likely that the use of composite will continue to increase as dentists phase out dental amalgam. This trend is not, however, without consequences. The failure rate of composite restorations is double that of amalgam (Ferracane, 2013). Composite restorations accumulate more biofilm, experience more secondary decay, and require more frequent replacement. In vivo biodegradation of the adhesive bond at the composite-tooth interface is a major contributor to the cascade of events leading to restoration failure. Binding by proteins, particularly gp340, from the salivary pellicle leads to biofilm attachment, which accelerates degradation of the interfacial bond and demineralization of the tooth by recruiting the pioneer bacterium Streptococcus mutans to the surface. Bacterial production of lactic acid lowers the pH of the oral microenvironment, erodes hydroxyapatite in enamel and dentin, and promotes hydrolysis of the adhesive. Secreted esterases further hydrolyze the adhesive polymer, exposing the soft underlying collagenous dentinal matrix and allowing further infiltration by the pathogenic biofilm. Manifold approaches are being pursued to increase the longevity of composite dental restorations based on the major contributing factors responsible for degradation. The key material and biological components and the interactions involved in the destructive processes, including recent advances in understanding the structural and molecular basis of biofilm recruitment, are described in this review. Innovative strategies to mitigate these pathogenic effects and slow deterioration are discussed.

Congestion Effects on Regional & System Emission and Consumers Allocated Cost

This paper considers the congestion effects on emission and consumers' allocated cost. In order to consider some environmental and operational effects of congestion, an environmental constrained active-reactive optimal power flow (AROPF) considering capability curve is presented. On outage conditions, the total cost of the system will increase. On the other hand in power systems, the operating cost and system emission have conflicted objectives, then it may be concluded that the outage in the system may lead to a total emission decrease. In this paper the famous Aumann-Shapley method is used as a pricing methodology. Two case studies such as 14-bus and US-bus IEEE test systems are conducted. Results demonstrate that, although the line outage in power systems leads to increase the total cost, the amount of emission depending on the place where the outage occurs can be more than, less than or equal to the normal conditions' emission. Also results show that although from power sellers' standpoint the well-known Aumann-Shapley method is a precise pricing method to cover the incurred cost with an acceptable error that can show the real effect of congestion on consumers' cost, from consumers' standpoint it is not a good method for cost allocation, because some consumers will face with an increase in cost and the others will face with a decrease on their cost.

Hopping-tunneling model to describe electric charge injection at metal/organic semiconductor heterojunctions

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

Anti-dementia medications: current prescriptions in clinical practice and new agents in progress

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

Evaluation of effective nucleon-nucleon potential and description of α-cluster type nuclei in restricted dynamics approach

The application of the Restricted Dynamics Approach in nuclear theory, based on the approximate solution of many-particle Schrödinger equation, which accounts for all conservation laws in many-nucleon system, is discussed. The Strictly Restricted Dynamics Model is used for the evaluation of binding energies, level schemes, E2 and Ml transition probabilities as well as the electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole momenta of light a-cluster type nuclei in the region 4 ≤ A ≤ 40. The parameters of effective nucleonnucleon interaction potential are evaluated from the ground state binding energies of doubly magic nuclei 4He, 16O and 40Ca.

Methods for evaluating the physiological potential of scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) seeds

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

Deterioração controlada para avaliar o potencial fisiológico de sementes de beterraba

Sementes de hortaliças quase sempre apresentam elevado valor comercial, motivo pelo qual devem ter o potencial fisiológico eficientemente avaliado. O teste de deterioração controlada é um dos recomendados para avaliação do vigor de sementes pequenas, como as de beterraba. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar o melhor procedimento para a condução de referido teste em sementes de beterraba e sua relação com a emergência de plântulas em campo. Foram utilizados sete lotes de sementes da cultivar Top Tall Early Wonder, adquiridos no comércio. Após lavagem em água corrente, as sementes foram submetidas aos testes de germinação, velocidade de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, emergência de plântulas em campo, velocidade de emergência e deterioração controlada (temperaturas de 41 e 45ºC, teores de água de 22, 24 e 26% e períodos de exposição de 12, 24 e 36 horas). As combinações 41ºC/24%/12 h, 41ºC/24%/36 h, 41ºC/26%/36 h e 45ºC/24%/24 h apresentaram potencial para uso na avaliação do vigor de sementes de beterraba. No entanto, sob as combinações de 41°C/24%/12 h ou 45°C/24%/24 h reduziu-se o tempo de condução do teste.