A quantum theory for the excitation spectrum of a rectangular Andreev billiard

We consider a N - S box system consisting of a rectangular conductor coupled to a superconductor. The Green functions are constructed by solving the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations at each side of the interface, with the pairing potential described by a step-like function. Taking into account the mismatch in the Fermi wave number and the effective masses of the normal metal - superconductor and the tunnel barrier at the interface, we use the quantum section method in order to find the exact energy Green function yielding accurate computed eigenvalues and the density of states. Furthermore, this procedure allow us to analyze in detail the nontrivial semiclassical limit and examine the range of applicability of the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization method.

Effect of density on population development in the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum

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

Perdas de grãos e distribuição de palha na colheita mecanizada de soja

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

Controle estatístico aplicado ao processo de colheita mecanizada diurna e noturna de cana-de-açúcar

The system of mechanized harvesting can seek process improvements using quality tools that can assist in reducing losses, damaged ratoons and increase the longevity of sugarcane crop. Therefore, the objective this study was to detect the effective control of the variability of losses and damage to ratoon and identify whether they are within acceptable standards. Thus, 40 points were sampled in two periods of harvest, diurnal and nocturnal, in rectangular grids (55 x 45 m) for determining visible losses (whole and shattered billets, fixed and loose piece, stump and shrapnel), using frames of 10 m(2). Also, we measured the height of cut and degree of damage to ratoon (without damage, partial injury and fragmentation). The statistic used was descriptive variables for the loss of sugarcane during the diurnal (D) and nocturnal (N) periods, analysis of variance using the F test at 5% probability and the Tukey test for comparison of the mean, also using the statistical control through charts process. There was no difference to ratoon damage. In the process of harvest, losses of whole and shattered billets by grinding were considered under control, so as losses from the stump. on the other hand, the losses of fixed piece, shrapnel and whole-cane were not controlled. The cutting height and total losses were higher during the nocturnal harvest. The charts were shown to be effective for the evaluation of control process of diurnal and nocturnal harvests.

Macro- and microstructural organization of the rabbit's celiac-mesenteric ganglion complex (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The macro- and microstructures of the rabbit celiac-mesenteric ganglion complex are described in 20 young animals. We found ten celiac ganglia, twenty-seven cranial mesenteric ganglia and eleven celiac-mesenteric ganglia. The celiac ganglia had a rectangular shape in nine cases (90%) and a circular one in one case (10%). The cranial mesenteric ganglia presented triangular (66.7%), rectangular (11.1%), L-shape (18.5%) and semilunar (3.7%) arrangements. The celiac-mesenteric ganglia were organized in three patterns: a single left celiac-mesenteric ganglion having a caudal portion (72.7%); celiac-mesenteric ganglia without a caudal portion (18.2%) and a single celiac-mesenteric ganglion with two portions: left and right (9.1%).The microstructure was investigated in nine celiac-mesenteric ganglia. The results showed that the celiac-mesenteric ganglion is actually a ganglion complex constituted of an agglomerate of ganglionic units separated by nerve fibers, capillaries and septa of connective tissue. Using the semi-thin section method we described the cellular organization of the celiac-mesenteric ganglion complex. Inside of each ganglionic unit, there were various cell types: principal ganglion neurons (PGN), glial cells (satellite cells) and SIF cells (small intensely fluorescent cells or small granular cells), which are the cytologic basis for each ganglionic unit of the rabbit's celiac-mesenteric ganglion complex.

Morphological description of Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão, 1908 (Acari: Ixodidae) larvae and nymphs

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

Physical environment modulates the behavioral responses induced by chemical stimulation of dorsal periaqueductal gray in mice

In order to investigate the relationship between behaviors elicited by chemical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dorsal PAG) and spontaneous defensive behaviors to a predator, the excitatory amino acid D,L-homocysteic acid (5 nmol in 0.1 mu l), was infused into the dorsal PAG and behavioral responses of mice were evaluated in two different situations, a rectangular novel chamber or the Mouse Defense Test Battery (MDTB) apparatus. During a 1-min period following drug infusion, more jumps were made in the chamber than in the MDTB runway but running time and distance traveled were significantly higher in the runway. Animals were subsequently tested using the standard MDTB procedure (anti-predator avoidance, chase and defensive threat/attack). No drug effects on these measures were significant. In a further test in the MDTB apparatus, the pathway of the mouse during peak locomotion response was blocked 3 times by the predator stimulus (anesthetized rat) to determine if the mouse would avoid contact. Ninety percent of D,L-homocysteic treated animals made direct contact with the stimulus (rat), indicating that D,L-homocysteic-induced running is not guided by relevant (here, threat) stimuli. These results indicate that running as opposed to jumping is the primary response in mice injected with D,L-homocysteic into the dorsal PAG when the environment enables flight. However, the lack of responsivity to the predator during peak locomotion suggests that D,L-homocysteic-stimulation into the dorsal PAG does not induce normal antipredator flight. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Processing and hygrothermal effects on viscoelastic behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites

Fiber reinforced epoxy composites are used in a wide variety of applications in the aerospace field. These materials have high specific moduli, high specific strength and their properties can be tailored to application requirements. In order to screening optimum materials behavior, the effects of external environments on the mechanical properties during usage must be clearly understood. The environmental action, such as high moisture concentration, high temperatures, corrosive fluids or ultraviolet radiation (UV), can affect the performance of advanced composites during service. These factors can limit the applications of composites by deteriorating the mechanical properties over a period of time. Properties determination is attributed to the chemical and/or physical damages caused in the polymer matrix, loss of adhesion of fiber/resin interface, and/or reduction of fiber strength and stiffness. The dynamic elastic properties are important characteristics of glass fiber reinforced composites (GRFC). They control the damping behavior of composite structures and are also an ideal tool for monitoring the development of GFRC's mechanical properties during their processing or service. One of the most used tests is the vibration damping. In this work, the measurement consisted of recording the vibration decay of a rectangular plate excited by a controlled mechanism to identify the elastic and damping properties of the material under test. The frequency amplitude were measured by accelerometers and calculated by using a digital method. The present studies have been performed to explore relations between the dynamic mechanical properties, damping test and the influence of high moisture concentration of glass fiber reinforced composites (plain weave). The results show that the E' decreased with the increase in the exposed time for glass fiber/epoxy composites specimens exposed at 80 degrees C and 90% RH. The E' values found were: 26.7, 26.7, 25.4, 24.7 and 24.7 GPa for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of exposure, respectively. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.

Debris, Roughness and Friction of Stainless Steel Archwires Following Clinical Use

Objective: To investigate the degree of debris, roughness, and friction of stainless steel orthodontic archwires before and after clinical use.Materials and Methods: For eight individuals, two sets of three brackets (n = 16) each were bonded from the first molar to the first premolar. A passive segment of 0.019- x 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire was inserted into the brackets and tied by elastomeric ligature. Debris level (via scanning electron microscopy), roughness, and frictional force were evaluated as-received and after 8 weeks of intraoral exposure. Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Spearman correlation tests were used for statistical analysis at the .05 level of significance.Results: There were significant increases in the level of debris (P = .0004), roughness of orthodontic wires (P = .002), and friction (P = .0001) after intraoral exposure. Significant positive correlations (P < .05) were observed between these three variables.Conclusion: Stainless steel rectangular wires, when exposed to the intraoral environment for 8 weeks, showed a significant increase in the degree of debris and surface roughness, causing an increase in friction between the wire and bracket during the mechanics of sliding. (Angle Orthod. 2010;80:521-527.)

Comparação entre pericárdio bovino preservado em glicerina e malha de poliéster no reparo de falhas da parede abdominal em ratos

OBJETIVO: Comparar uma malha comercial de poliéster com o pericárdio bovino preservado em glicerina na reconstituição de defeitos da parede abdominal. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 30 ratos, divididos em dois grupos eqüitativos. Efetuou-se uma excisão retangular de 2,5 x 2 cm, incluindo toda a musculatura abdominal e peritônio. No grupo I a parede abdominal foi reparada com malha de poliéster e no grupo II com pericárdio bovino conservado em glicerina. Os animais foram sacrificados aos 15, 60 e 90 dias de pós-operatório, sendo o local cirúrgico avaliado macroscópica e histologicamente. RESULTADOS: Os animais do grupo I apresentaram aderências mais severas e em maior número quando comparados aos do grupo II; porém, sem comprometimento funcional. A análise histológica revelou incorporação dos tecidos aos implantes, com maior resposta fibroblástica nos animais do grupo I. CONCLUSÃO: A malha de poliéster oferece maior resistência estrutural e resposta fibroblástica mais intensa; contudo, promove grande quantidade de aderências às vísceras abdominais, quando comparada ao pericárdio bovino.

Facoemulsificação por córnea clara no meridiano mais curvo

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o efeito da facoemulsificação com incisão em córnea clara no meridiano mais curvo sobre a magnitude do astigmatismo ceratométrico pré-operatório. Mapear a magnitude do astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido por incisões nas posições nasal (N), temporal (T), temporal superior (TS) e temporal inferior (TI). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo ceratométrico prospectivo em 48 olhos de 48 pacientes, submetidos a facoemulsificação com incisão do meridiano mais curvo. As medidas ceratométricas foram realizadas no pré-operatório e um mês após a realização da cirurgia. O astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido foi determinado pelo método das coordenadas retangulares em 10 passos, modificado. RESULTADOS: Foram operados 21 olhos direitos e 27 olhos esquerdos e, de acordo com a posição das incisões em córnea clara, foram divididos em: 16 olhos N, 4 olhos T, 22 olhos TS, 6 olhos TI. A média da ametropia cilíndrica pré-operatória foi de 1,06D ± 0,65 e a pós-operatória de 0,89D ± 0,80. Houve diminuição estatisticamente significativa no astigmatismo corneal preexistente (p=0,016). A média total de astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido foi de 0,94D ± 0,56. em relação aos grupos o astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido foi de 1,06D ± 0,66 em N, 0,87D ± 0,20 em T, 0,95D ± 0,55 em TS e 0,61D ± 0,25 em TI. Não houve diferença estatística com relação ao astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido nos grupos N, T, TS e TI (p=0,426). CONCLUSÃO: A técnica se mostrou efetiva na redução do astigmatismo ceratométrico pré-operatório. A média do astigmatismo cirurgicamente induzido foi de 1,06D ± 0,66 em N, 0,95D ± 0,55 em TS, 0,61D ± 0,25 em T e 0,87D ± 0,20 em TI.

Morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa do surto de crescimento puberal

OBJETIVOS: determinar a morfologia das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais representativa dos estágios de pré-pico, pico e pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento estatural, definidos previamente pelos centros de ossificação do primeiro dedo em radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar. MÉTODOS: foram utilizadas 120 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 106 pacientes selecionados da clínica de Ortodontia Preventiva e Interceptiva da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-UNESP e Profis/HRAC-USP que apresentavam as correspondentes radiografias carpais ou do dedo polegar. As telerradiografias foram divididas em três grupos de 40 radiografias, de acordo com os estágios maturacionais pré-pico, pico e pós-pico, definidos pela imagem do primeiro dedo. A morfologia dos corpos das 3ª e 4ª vértebras cervicais foi determinada por dois examinadores devidamente calibrados em dois tempos diferentes. CONCLUSÕES: concluiu-se que o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior reta foi representativo do estágio de pré-pico, independentemente da vértebra analisada. Já o formato retangular horizontal com borda inferior curva, especialmente se encontrado em C4, ou o formato quadrado com borda inferior reta caracterizaram o pico de velocidade de crescimento. O formato quadrado ou, principalmente, o retangular vertical com borda inferior curva determinaram o estágio de pós-pico de velocidade de crescimento da adolescência.

Estudo qualitativo fotoelástico do sistema de forças gerado pela mola T de retração com diferentes pré-ativações

OBJETIVO: avaliar o sistema de forças gerado pela mola T utilizada para fechamento de espaços. MÉTODOS: por meio do método experimental fotoelástico, avaliou-se a mola T utilizada no fechamento de espaços com duas variações de pré-ativação em sua porção apical, sendo uma com 30º e a outra com 45º. As molas foram confeccionadas com fio retangular de titânio-molibdênio (TMA) de secção 0,017 x 0,025, centralizadas no espaço interbraquetes de 27mm e ativadas em 5,0mm, 2,5mm e posição neutra. Para melhor confiabilidade dos resultados, os testes foram repetidos em três modelos fotoelásticos igualmente reproduzidos e confeccionados pelo mesmo operador. Para compreensão dos resultados, as franjas fotoelásticas visualizadas no polariscópio foram fotografadas e analisadas qualitativamente. RESULTADOS: por meio da análise qualitativa da ordem de franjas no modelo fotoelástico, notou-se que, nas extremidades de retração e ancoragem, a mola T com 30º de ativação apical apresentou um acúmulo de energia discretamente maior para o sistema de forças liberado.

Avaliação qualitativa em modelo experimental fotoelástico do sistema de força gerado pela mola T centralizada com pré-ativações preconizadas por Burstone

OBJETIVO: avaliar o sistema de forças gerado pela mola T centralizada no espaço interbraquete, com pré-ativação preconizada por Burstone. MÉTODOS: utilizando-se modelos fotoelásticos, a mola T com pré-ativações preconizadas por Burstone, confeccionada com fio retangular de titânio-molibdênio (TMA) de secção 0,017x 0,025, centralizada e com ativação de 6mm, 3mm e em posição neutra. Para melhor confiabilidade dos resultados, os testes foram repetidos em três modelos igualmente duplicados e confeccionados pelo mesmo operador. Utilizou-se uma distância interbraquetes de 27mm. Para compreensão dos resultados, as franjas foram visualizadas através do polariscópio, fotografadas e analisadas qualitativamente. RESULTADOS: por meio da análise qualitativa da ordem de franjas no modelo fotoelástico, notou-se que, nas extremidades de retração e ancoragem, ambas apresentaram simetria no sistema de força, em toda extensão radicular.

Orthodontic movement of teeth with intraosseous defects: histologic and histometric study in dogs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologically, in dogs, the periodontal healing of 1-walled intraosseous defects in teeth that were subjected to orthodontic movement toward the defects. The defects were surgically created bilaterally at the mesial aspects of the maxillary second premolars and distal aspects of the mandibular second premolars of 4 mongrel dogs. One week after creating the defects, an orthodontic appliance was installed, and the teeth were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: those in the test group received a titanium-molybdenum alloy rectangular wire spring that performed a controlled tipping root movement, and those in the control group received a passive stainless steel wire. Active orthodontic movement of the test teeth lasted 2 months and was followed by a stabilization period of another 2 months, after which the animals were killed. Throughout the study, routine daily plaque control was performed on the dogs with a topical application of a 2% chlorhexicline gel. The results showed no difference between the groups, with some regularization of the defects and periodontal regeneration limited to the apical portion of the defects. Histometric analysis showed a significant difference in bone height; on average, it was 0.53 mm smaller in the test group. It was concluded that orthodontic movement does not interfere with the healing of 1-walled intraosseous defects, with the exception of the linear extent of new bone apposition.