Judd-Ofelt analysis of Pr3+ ions in fluoroindate glasses: Influence of odd third order intensity parameters

In this work an analysis of the Judd-Ofelt phenomenological Ωλ intensity parameters for the Pr3+ ion in fluoroindate glass is made. Different Pr3+ concentrations, namely 1, 2, 3 and 4 mol% are used. The experimental oscillator strengths have been determined from the absorption spectra. A consistent set of parameters is obtained only with the inclusion of odd rank third order intensity parameters and if the band at 21 470 cm-1 is assigned to the 3H4 → 3P1 transition and the 1I6 component is incorporated in the 3H4 → 3P2 transition at 22 700 cm-1.

4f-4f intensities of the Tm3+ ions in fluoroindate glasses: the influence of third-order effects through odd intensity parameters

In this work an analysis of the phenomenological Omega(lambda) intensity parameters for the Tm3+ ion in fluoroindate glass is made using the standard Judd-Ofelt theory, and a modified oscillator strength taking into account odd-order contributions is utilized. Different sets of phenomenological intensity parameters Omega(lambda) (lambda=1,2,3,4,5,6) are discussed. The set of better quality is used to analyze the influence of third-order effects through odd intensity parameters in the new approximation. Fluoroindate glasses of compositions (40-x)InF3-20ZnF(2)-20SrF(2)-16BaF(2)-2GdF(3)-2NaF-xTmF(3) with x=1, 2 and 3 mol% were prepared, and the absorption spectra at room temperature in the spectral range from 300 to 2500 nm were obtained. The experimental oscillator strengths determined from the area under the absorption band are compared to the calculated ones. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. S.A.

RINEX_HO: second- and third-order ionospheric corrections for RINEX observation files

When GNSS receivers capable of collecting dual-frequency data are available, it is possible to eliminate the first-order ionospheric effect in the data processing through the ionosphere-free linear combination. However, the second- and third-order ionospheric effects still remain. The first-, second- and third-order ionospheric effects are directly proportional to the total electron content (TEC), although the second- and third-order effects are influenced, respectively, by the geomagnetic field and the maximum electron density. In recent years, the international scientific community has given more attention to these kinds of effects and some works have shown that for high precision GNSS positioning these effects have to be taken into consideration. We present a software tool called RINEX_HO that was developed to correct GPS observables for second- and third-order ionosphere effects. RINEX_HO requires as input a RINEX observation file, then computes the second- and third-order ionospheric effects, and applies the corrections to the original GPS observables, creating a corrected RINEX file. The mathematical models implemented to compute these effects are presented, as well as the transformations involving the earth's magnetic field. The use of TEC from global ionospheric maps and TEC calculated from raw pseudorange measurements or pseudoranges smoothed by phase is also investigated.

Second and Third Order Ionospheric Effects on GNSS Positioning: A Case Study in Brazil

The Global Positioning System (GPS) transmits signals in two frequencies. It allows the correction of the first order ionospheric effect by using the ionosphere free combination. However, the second and third order ionospheric effects, which combined may cause errors of the order of centimeters in the GPS measurements, still remain. In this paper the second and third order ionospheric effects, which were taken into account in the GPS data processing in the Brazilian region, were investigated. The corrected and not corrected GPS data from these effects were processed in the relative and precise point positioning (PPP) approaches, respectively, using Bernese V5.0 software and the PPP software (GPSPPP) from NRCAN (Natural Resources Canada). The second and third order corrections were applied in the GPS data using an in-house software that is capable of reading a RINEX file and applying the corrections to the GPS observables, creating a corrected RINEX file. For the relative processing case, a Brazilian network with long baselines was processed in a daily solution considering a period of approximately one year. For the PPP case, the processing was accomplished using data collected by the IGS FORT station considering the period from 2001 to 2006 and a seasonal analysis was carried out, showing a semi-annual and an annual variation in the vertical component. In addition, a geographical variation analysis in the PPP for the Brazilian region has confirmed that the equatorial regions are more affected by the second and third order ionospheric effects than other regions.

Nonresonant third-order nonlinearity of antimony glasses at telecom wavelengths

We report measurements of the nonresonant nonlinear refractive index n(2) in antimony glasses at telecom wavelengths. The measurements were performed using the Z-scan technique with a 130 fs pulsed laser operating at five wavelengths in the range of 1400-1600 nm. Values of n(2)approximate to 10(-15) cm(2)/W were measured and a negligible two-photon absorption coefficient (< 0.003 cm/GW) was estimated for all glasses compositions. The samples present a good figure of merit for ultrafast all-optical switching. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Nonresonant third-order nonlinear properties of NaPO3-WO3-Bi2O3 glasses in the near infrared

nonlinear (NL) refractive index, n(2), of NaPO3-WO3-Bi2O3 glass with different relative amounts of the constituents was measured at 1064 and 800 nm using the Z-scan and the thermally managed eclipse Z-scan techniques, respectively. The values of n(2) >= 10(-15) cm(2)/W and negligible NL absorption coefficient were determined. The large values of the NL refractive index and the very small NL absorption indicate that these materials have large potential for all-optical switching applications. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3212972]

Near-infrared third-order nonlinearity of PbO-GeO(2) films containing Cu and Cu(2)O nanoparticles

We report measurements of the nonlinear (NL) refractive index n(2) of lead-germanium films (LGFs) containing Cu and Cu(2)O nanoparticles (NPs). The thermally managed eclipse Z-scan technique with 150 fs pulses from a laser operating at 800 nm was used. The NL refractive index measured, n(2)=6.3x10(-12) cm(2)/W has electronic origin and the NL absorption coefficient alpha(2) is smaller than 660 cm/GW. The figure of merit n(2)/lambda alpha(2) is enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude in comparison with the result for the LGFs without the copper based NPs. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

Spectroscopic study of the interaction of Nd3+ with amino acids: Phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters

We have studied the bevahior of the phenomenological 4f-4f intensity parameters in compounds of the Nd ion with glycine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, DL-malic acid and Aspartame™ in aqueous solution, as a function of the pK values and partial charges on the oxygens of the carboxylate groups of these molecules. The results are discussed and qualitatively interpreted in terms of the forced electric dipole and dynamic coupling mechanisms of the 4f-4f intensities, thus indicating that the forced electric dipole mechanism is dominant.

On the periodic orbits of the third-order differential equation x ′′′ − µx ′′ + x ′ − µx = εF (x, x ′ , x ′′)

In this paper we study the periodic orbits of the third-order differential equation x ′′′−µx ′′+ x ′ − µx = εF (x, x ′ , x ′′), where ε is a small parameter and the function F is of class C 2 .

Third-order nonlinearities and other properties of molybdenum lead-pyrophosphate glass

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estimation of genetic parameters for partial egg production periods by means of random regression models

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estimates of genetic parameters for scrotal circumference using random regression models in Nelore cattle

A total of 15,901 scrotal circumference (SC) records from 5300 Nelore bulls, ranging from 229 to 560 days of age, were used with the objective of estimating (co)variance functions for SC, using random regression models. Models included the fixed effects of contemporary group and age of dam at calving as covariable (linear and quadratic effects). To model the population mean trend, a third order Legendre polynomial on animal age was utilized. The direct additive genetic and animal permanent environmental random effects were modeled by Legendre polynomials on animal age, with orders of fit ranging from 1 to 5. Residual variances were modeled considering 1 (homogeneity of variance) or 4 age classes. Results obtained with the random regression models were compared to multi-trait analysis. (Co)variance estimates using multi-trait and random regression models were similar. The model considering a third- and fifth-order Legendre polynomials for additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, was the most adequate to model changes in variance of SC with age. Heritability estimates for SC ranged from 0.24 (229 days of age) to 0.47 (300 days of age), remained almost constant until 500 days of age (0.52), decreasing thereafter (0.44). In general, the genetic correlations between measures of scrotal circumference obtained from 229 to 560 days of age decreased with increasing distance between ages. For genetic evaluation scrotal circumference could be measured between 400 and 500 days of age. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic parameters for test-day yield of milk, fat and protein in buffaloes estimated by random regression models

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

Comparison of random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for milk production in Guzerat (Bos indicus) cows

Random regression models have been widely used to estimate genetic parameters that influence milk production in Bos taurus breeds, and more recently in B. indicus breeds. With the aim of finding appropriate random regression model to analyze milk yield, different parametric functions were compared, applied to 20,524 test-day milk yield records of 2816 first-lactation Guzerat (B. indicus) cows in Brazilian herds. The records were analyzed by random regression models whose random effects were additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual, and whose fixed effects were contemporary group, the covariable cow age at calving (linear and quadratic effects), and the herd lactation curve. The additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were modeled by the Wilmink function, a modified Wilmink function (with the second term divided by 100), a function that combined third-order Legendre polynomials with the last term of the Wilmink function, and the Ali and Schaeffer function. The residual variances were modeled by means of 1, 4, 6, or 10 heterogeneous classes, with the exception of the last term of the Wilmink function, for which there were 1, from 0.20 to 0.33. Genetic correlations between adjacent records were high values (0.83-0.99), but they declined when the interval between the test-day records increased, and were negative between the first and last records. The model employing the Ali and Schaeffer function with six residual variance classes was the most suitable for fitting the data. © FUNPEC-RP.

Genetic parameters for body weight in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Colombia using random regression models

The objective of this research was to estimate (co) variance functions and genetic parameters for body weight in Colombian buffalo populations using random regression models with Legendre polynomials. Data consisted of 34,738 weight records from birth to 900 days of age from 7815 buffaloes. Fixed effects in the model were contemporary group and parity order of the mother. Random effects were direct and maternal additive genetic, as well as animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. A cubic orthogonal Legendre polynomial was used to model the mean curve of the population. Eleven models with first to sixth order polynomials were used to describe additive genetic direct and maternal effects, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. The residual was modeled considering five variance classes. The best model included fourth and sixth order polynomials for direct additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, and third-order polynomials for maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. The direct heritability increased from birth until 120 days of age (0.32 +/- 0.05), decreasing thereafter until one year of age (0.18 +/- 0.04) and increased again, reaching 0.39 +/- 0.09, at the end of the evaluated period. The highest maternal heritability estimates (0.11 +/- 0.05), were obtained for weights around weaning age (weaning age range is between 8 and 9.5 months). Maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental variances increased from birth until about one year of age, decreasing at later ages. Direct genetic correlations ranged from moderate (0.60 +/- 0.060) to high (0.99 +/- 0.001), maternal genetic correlations showed a similar range (0.41 +/- 0.401 and 0.99 +/- 0.003), and all of them decreased as time between weighings increased. Direct genetic correlations suggested that selecting buffalos for heavier weights at any age would increase weights from birth through 900 days of age. However, higher heritabilities for direct genetic weights effects after 600 days of age suggested that selection for these effects would be more effective if done during this age period. A greater response to selection for maternal ability would be expected if selection used maternal genetic predictions for weights near weaning. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.