Action of the chemical agent fipronil on the reproductive process of semi-engorged females of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae). Ultrastructural evaluation of ovary cells

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

Action of andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) on Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi-engorged females: Morphophysiological evaluation of reproductive system

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

Cytotoxic effects of andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) in reproductive system of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi-engorged females

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

Quantum coherent tunneling between two atomic-molecular Bose-Einstein condensates

We study the quantum coherent tunneling dynamics of two weakly coupled atomic-molecular Bose-Einstein condensates (AMBEC). A weak link is supposed to be provided by a double-well trap. The regions of parameters where the macroscopic quantum localization of the relative atomic population occurs are revealed. The different dynamical regimes are found depending on the value of nonlinearity, namely, coupled oscillations of population imbalance of atomic and molecular condensate, including irregular oscillations regions, and macroscopic quantum self trapping regimes. Quantum means and quadrature variances are calculated for population of atomic and molecular condensates and the possibility of quadrature squeezing is shown via stochastic simulations within P-positive phase space representation method. Linear tunnel coupling between two AMBEC leads to correlations in quantum statistics.

Quantum description of spin tunneling in magnetic molecules

Starting from a phenomenological Hamiltonian originally written in terms of angular momentum operators we derive a new quantum angle-based Hamiltonian that allows for a discussion on the quantum spin tunneling. The study of the applicability of the present approach, carried out in calculations with a soluble quasi-spin model, shows that we are allowed to use our method in the description of physical systems such as the Mn12-acetate molecule, as well as the octanuclear iron cluster, Fe8, in a reliable way. With the present description the interpretation of the spin tunneling is seen to be direct, the spectra and energy barriers of those systems are obtained, and it is shown that they agree with the experimental ones. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantum states, thermodynamic limits, and entropy in M theory

We discuss the matching of the BPS part of the spectrum for a (super) membrane, which gives the possibility of getting the membrane's results via string calculations. In the small coupling limit of M theory the entropy of the system coincides with the standard entropy of type IIB string theory (including the logarithmic correction term). The thermodynamic behavior at a large coupling constant is computed by considering M theory on a manifold with a topology T-2 x R-9. We argue that the finite temperature partition functions (brane Laurent series for p not equal 1) associated with the BPS p-brane spectrum can be analytically continued to well-defined functionals. It means that a finite temperature can be introduced in brane theory, which behaves like finite temperature field theory. In the limit p --> 0 (point particle limit) it gives rise to the standard behavior of thermodynamic quantities.

Finite-volume form factors in semi-classical approximation

A semi-classical approach is used to obtain Lorentz covariant expressions for the form factors between the kink states of a quantum field theory with degenerate vacua. Implemented on a cylinder geometry it provides an estimate of the spectral representation of correlation functions in a finite volume. Illustrative examples of the applicability of the method are provided by the sine-Gordon and the broken phi(4) theories in 1 + 1 dimensions. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

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

Algebraic properties of Rogers-Szego functions: I. Applications in quantum optics

By means of a well-established algebraic framework, Rogers-Szego functions associated with a circular geometry in the complex plane are introduced in the context of q-special functions, and their properties are discussed in detail. The eigenfunctions related to the coherent and phase states emerge from this formalism as infinite expansions of Rogers-Szego functions, the coefficients being determined through proper eigenvalue equations in each situation. Furthermore, a complementary study on the Robertson-Schrodinger and symmetrical uncertainty relations for the cosine, sine and nondeformed number operators is also conducted, corroborating, in this way, certain features of q-deformed coherent states.

Renormalizability of generalized quantum electrodynamics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Suppression of TNF- induced NFB activity by gallic acid and its semi-synthetic esters: possible role in cancer chemoprevention

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

Chlorophyll fluorescence of tropical tree species in a semi-deciduous forest gap

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

Optical studies of the correlation between interface disorder and the photoluminescence line shape in GaAs/InGaP quantum wells

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

Crescimento e desempenho de linhagens de aves pescoço pelado criadas em sistema semi-confinado

Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar o crescimento e desempenho de duas linhagens de aves pescoço pelado. Foram utilizadas 400 aves, distribuídas em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, os tratamentos consistiram de um esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (linhagens x sexo), com cinco repetições de 20 aves cada. Foram utilizadas aves Pescoço Pelado das linhagens Sasso e ISA Label. As aves receberam rações formuladas à base de milho e de farelo de soja para atender às exigências nutricionais. Foi determinado o ganho de peso (GP), o consumo de ração (CR) e a conversão alimentar (CA) aos 28, 56 e 84 dias de idade e o rendimento de carcaça e de partes aos 84 dias de idade. Não foi observada interação entre sexo e linhagem (P>0,05) para nenhuma das variáveis de desempenho analisadas. Para CR e GP houve diferenças significativas (P<0,05) entre as linhagens e entre os sexos nos três períodos. As aves da linhagem Sasso apresentaram desempenho superior à ISA Label. em relação aos parâmetros descritos da equação de Gompertz, as aves da linhagem Sasso apresentaram maior peso à maturidade (Pm) e tempo em que a taxa de crescimento é máxima (t*) e menor taxa de maturidade (b), indicando que as aves da linhagem ISA Label foram mais precoces para atingir a idade de máximo crescimento. As fêmeas demonstraram melhor aptidão para rendimento de peito e os machos para o rendimento de coxa e de sobra-coxa.

Influence of condensed tannins from Brazilian semi-arid legumes on ruminal degradability, microbial colonization and ruminal enzymatic activity in Saanen goats

The present study aimed at determining the influence of condensed tannins present in the Brazilian legume species Mimosa hostilis, Mimosa caesalpinifolia and Bauhinia cheilantha on ruminal degradability, microbial colonization and enzymatic activity. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to reduce the astringency and concentration of soluble condensed tannins. Four ruminally-cannulated Saanen goats (60 +/- 8 kg BW) were fed, in two experimental periods, with a hay diet based on the studied legumes treated or non-treated with PEG. Voluntary intake, microbial colonization, DM, CP, NDF, and ruminal degradability of PEG treated and non-treated forage leaves, as well as pH, ammonia and 1,4 P-endoglucanase activity of the rumen content were evaluated. Astringency and soluble tannin concentration of the studied legumes were reduced by approximately 70% and 50%, respectively, with PEG treatment. Average DM intake was higher for the treated diet (16.76 g DM/kg BW/day against 13.06 g DM/kg BW/day). Percentile values for degradation parameters and for potential and effective degradabilities of DM, CP and NDF were also affected by the tannins, but at different intensities. Electron microscopic observations of ruminally-incubated legume leaves showed a more effective microbial colonization of PEG-treated leaves for all legume species. A decrease in pH and an increase in ammonia concentration and in endoglucanase activity in the ruminal content was also observed for PEG-treated diets at all sampling periods. Condensed tannins of the studied legume species have influenced the adhesion conditions, colonization and enzymatic activity of the microbial ecosystem, and consequently the ruminal degradation of the different dietary fractions. For this reason, the reduction in condensed tannin would be of great importance to improve the nutrition of ruminant feeding of these species. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.