A study of a numerical solution of the steady two dimensions Navier-Stokes equations in a constricted channel problem by a compact fourth order method

We present a numerical solution for the steady 2D Navier-Stokes equations using a fourth order compact-type method. The geometry of the problem is a constricted symmetric channel, where the boundary can be varied, via a parameter, from a smooth constriction to one possessing a very sharp but smooth corner allowing us to analyse the behaviour of the errors when the solution is smooth or near singular. The set of non-linear equations is solved by the Newton method. Results have been obtained for Reynolds number up to 500. Estimates of the errors incurred have shown that the results are accurate and better than those of the corresponding second order method. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Almost strict total positivity and a class of Hurwitz polynomials

We establish sufficient conditions for a matrix to be almost totally positive, thus extending a result of Craven and Csordas who proved that the corresponding conditions guarantee that a matrix is strictly totally positive. Then we apply our main result in order to obtain a new criteria for a real algebraic polynomial to be a Hurwitz one. The properties of the corresponding extremal Hurwitz polynomials are discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Boundary of the rauzy fractal sets in R x C generated by P(x)=x(4)-x(3)-x(2)-x-1

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Charges and fluxes in Maxwell theory on compact manifolds with boundary

We investigate the charges and fluxes that can occur in higher-order Abelian gauge theories defined on compact space-time manifolds with boundary. The boundary is necessary to supply a destination to the electric lines of force emanating from brane sources, thus allowing non-zero net electric charges, but it also introduces new types of electric and magnetic flux. The resulting structure of currents, charges, and fluxes is studied and expressed in the language of relative homology and de Rham cohomology and the corresponding abelian groups. These can be organised in terms of a pair of exact sequences related by the Poincare-Lefschetz isomorphism and by a weaker flip symmetry exchanging the ends of the sequences. It is shown how all this structure is brought into play by the imposition of the appropriately generalised Maxwell's equations. The requirement that these equations be integrable restricts the world-volume of a permitted brane (assumed closed) to be homologous to a cycle on the boundary of space-time. All electric charges and magnetic fluxes are quantised and satisfy the Dirac quantisation condition. But through some boundary cycles there may be unquantised electric fluxes associated with quantised magnetic fluxes and so dyonic in nature.

Gap solitons in a model of a superfluid fermion gas in optical lattices

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

Gap solitons in fermion superfluids

We consider a dynamical model of a superfluid Fermi gas in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer regime trapped in a periodic optical lattice (OL) potential. The model is based on an equation for complex order parameter phi of the superfluid, which is derived from the relevant energy density and includes a self-repulsive term similar to phi(7/3). By means of the variational approximation (VA) and numerical simulations, we find families of stable one- and two-dimensional (I D and 2D) gap solitons (GSs) in this model. Chiefly, they are compact objects trapped in a single cell of the OL. Families of stable even and odd bound states of these GSs are also found in one dimension. A 3D GS family is constructed too, but solely within the framework of the VA. In the linear limit, the VA predicts an almost exact position of the left edge of the first band-gap in the OL-induced spectrum. The full VA provides an accurate description of families of I D and 2D fundamental GSs. We also demonstrate that a I D GS can be safely transported by an OL moving at a moderate velocity. (C) 2009 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A label-free immunosensor based on recordable compact disk chip for early diagnostic of the dengue virus infection

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Karyotype description and evidence of multiple sex chromosome system X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y in Potamotrygon aff. motoro and P. falkneri (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae) in the upper Paraná River basin, Brazil

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

Compact disks, a new source for gold electrodes. Application to the quantification of copper by PSA

In this work we describe a versatile and very sensitive way for copper quantification by potentiometric stripping analysis using gold electrodes obtained from recordable compact disks (CDs). This new source of electrodes (CDtrodes) shown similar performance to the commercial gold electrodes with superior versatility and lower cost. Recordable CDs contains a highly pure gold film with thickness between 50 and 100 nm and superficial area of ca. 100 cm(2). The working electrode developed was used successfully in stationary cell and many experimental parameters have been optimized. For copper, the detection limit attained was 30 ng L-1 (600 s deposition time) with remarkable precision (standard deviation of 1.8 % for 20 repetitive measurements using 25 mu gL(-1) of copper with 60 s of deposition time). The gold electrode developed was used for analysis of copper in sugar cane spirits and tap water samples. The results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

A case study of compact cogeneration using various fuels

A method for studying the technical and economic feasibility of absorption refrigeration systems in compact cogenerators is presented. The system studied consists of an internal combustion engine, an electric generator and a heat exchanger to recover residual heat from the refrigeration water and exhaust gases. As an application, a computer program simulates the cogeneration system in a building which already has 75 kW of installed electric power. The maximum electric and refrigeration demands are 45 kW and 76 kW respectively. This study simulates the system performance, utilizing diesel oil, sugar cane alcohol and natural gas as possible fuels. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V. Ltd.

Testing transposable elements as genetic drive mechanisms using Drosophila P element constructs as a model system

The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element constructs were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry(+) allele into populations homozygous for a ry(-) allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequencies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry(+) marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% introductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry(+) transposon occurred in several control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carrying ry(+) markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absence of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hybridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.

Comment on Casimir force in compact non-commutative extra dimensions and radius stabilization

We call attention to a series of mistakes in a paper by S. Nam recently published in this journal (J. High Energy Phys. 10 (2000) 044).

P-077. Myxoma of bone. Review of 17 cases

Myxoma of bone (fibromyxoma) is a slowly growing, locally invasive tumor that almost always occurs in the facial bones. The tumor has a potential to recur, but does not metastasize. The lesion is usually painless but causes slowly progressive swelling, sometimes resulting in severe facial deformity. Aim: Review of myxoma of bone experience in two institutions. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients with diagnose of myxoma/fibromyxoma of bone identified in the tumor registry of two referral cancer centers: Hospital Erasto Gaerntner (HEG), Curitiba, PR Brazil and University of Sao Paulo (UNESP), Aracaatuba Campus, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil. We reviewed the age, sex, ace, presenting symptoms, topography of lesion and treatment. Results: From January 1972 to July 2000 we found 17 patients from both institutions that met the diagnostic criteria; 15 from HEG and two from UNESP. The median age was 32 years (range 10-55 years). Eleven patients were male, 14 were white and three were black. Only three patients presented with local pain, the remaining were free of symptoms, presenting only with local tumor. The tumor affected the maxilla in 11 patients (six on the right), the mandible in five and the zygomatic bone in one. All patients were treated by excisional surgery and one patient received adjuvant radiation therapy. Nine patients needed reconstruction after the tumor excision. Five of them were reconstructed with local soft tissue flaps; two received iliac crest autologous bone graft; and two had a microvascularized autologous fibula graft. Conclusion: The myxoma of bone in our experience is a rare tumor and occurs more frequently in the maxilly bone in young males. These findings are consistent with the literature data.

Canonical P elements are transcriptionally active in the saltans group of Drosophila

Up to now, investigations of expression and regulation of P transposable element have been almost exclusively carried out with the Drosophila melanogaster canonical P element. Analyzing eight species of the saltans group, we detected transposase mRNA in germline tissues of D. saltans and D. prosaltans and repressor mRNA in somatic tissues of D. saltans and D. sturtevanti. Sequencing analysis suggested that these transcripts might belong to the canonical subfamily and that they can be transpositionally active only in D. saltans. dN and dS values of Adh and the P element suggested that the sequences found in D. saltans and D. prosaltans might have been present in the ancestor of the saltans subgroup and that the sequence found in D. sturtevanti might have been horizontally transferred from D. saltans.