Surface effects on moving vortices in superconducting stripes

Size and surface dynamical effects are investigated in thin superconducting stripes with variable width. We perform numerical simulations of the vortex dynamics, with the inclusion of the surface confining potential and a random distribution of pinning centers. To fully characterize the vortex flow, we calculate the differential resistance, the transverse diffusion coefficient, the structure factor and the intensity of the Bragg peaks, as functions of the transport force. We found that surface effects induce a premature ordering of the flux line lattice, and the system displays plastic and smectic behavior only in a very narrow range of forces. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic variation within and among species of genus Arachis, section Rhizomatosae

The genus Arachis is endemic to South America and comprises 80 species, 69 of which have already been described and eleven not yet published. The genus includes the cultivated peanut ( A. hypogaea) and several forage species, the most important ones being A. glabrata and A. pintoi. Accessions of section Rhizomatosae, including three tetraploid species 2n = 4x = 40 (A. glabrata, A. pseudovillosa and A. nitida nom. nud.) and one diploid species 2n = 2x = 20 (A. burkartii), were evaluated using RAPD markers to assay genetic variability within and among species. The ten random primers used yielded a total of 113 polymorphic bands. The data were scored as the presence or absence of each band in each sample. A distance matrix and dendrogram were obtained using Link's coefficient and the neighbor-joining method. Most accessions analyzed grouped into two major clusters: the first comprised most accessions of A. glabrata and accessions of A. nitida, and the second cluster comprised accessions of A. burkartii. Arachis pseudovillosa and a few accessions of A. glabrata and A. nitida were placed between these major clusters. The diploid and tetraploid species were grouped quite separately, suggesting that the tetraploids did not originate from the diploid species analyzed.

Random amplification of polymorphic DNA reveals clonal relationships among enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from non-human primates and humans

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli ( EPEC) strains are important agents of infantile diarrhea all over the world, gaining even greater importance in developing countries. EPEC have also been isolated from various animal species, but most isolates belong to serotypes that differ from those recovered from humans. However, it has been demonstrated that several isolates from non- human primates belong to the serogroups and/ or serotypes related to those implicated in human disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic differences between thirteen strains isolated from non- human primates and the same number of strains isolated from human infections. Human isolates belonged to the same serogroup/ serotype as the monkey strains and the evaluation was done by analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA. Dendrogram analysis showed that there was no clustering between human and monkey strains. Human and non- human isolates of the EPEC serotypes O127:H40 and O128:H2 shared 90 and 87% of their bands, respectively, indicating strong genomic similarity between the strains, leading to the speculation that they may have arisen from the same pathogenic clone. To our knowledge, this study is the first one comparing genomic similarity between human and non- human primate strains and the results provide further evidence that monkey EPEC strains correlate with human EPEC, as suggested in a previous investigation.

Magnesium sulphate given topically by iontophoresis for viability of random skin flaps in rats

Our aim was to assess the effects of magnesium sulphate given by iontophoresis on the viability of random skin flaps in rats. Endovenous magnesium sulphate is used to treat pre-eclampsia and diseases of blood vessels. Iontophoresis is an electrotherapeutic method which has shown satisfactory results in controlling ischaemia within the boundaries of the area in which it was given. Forty-five adult male Wistar rats, weighing 300 to 440 g were randomly divided into three groups of 15 animals each: random skin flap (control); random skin flap treated with magnesium sulphate without electrical stimulation; and random skin flap treated with magnesium sulphate with electrical stimulation of 4 mA for 20 minutes. The treatments were applied immediately after the operation and repeated on the following two days. The percentage of necrotic area was measured on the seventh postoperative day using a paper template. For each group, the mean percentage of flap necrosis was as follows: control, 46%; magnesium sulphate without electrical stimulation, 34%; and magnesium sulphate with electrical stimulation, 42%. There was no significant difference among the groups (p=0.18). Magnesium sulphate given by iontophoresis does not increase the viability of random skin flaps in rats.

Evaluation of the Spreading of Isolated Bacterias from Dental Consulting-Room using RAPD Technique

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biopolymer Random Laser Consisting of Rhodamine 6G and Silica Nanoparticles Incorporated to Bacterial Cellulose

We demonstrate random lasing action in a biopolymer that has large potential for medical applications. The novel random laser consists of nanofibers of bacterial cellulose impregnated with silica nanoparticles and Rhodamine 6G.

Padrões de distribuição de líquidos obtidos com bicos TF-VS4, TJ60-11006 e TQ15006 em mesa de prova

The performance of a spray boom can be evaluated from its individual nozzle distribution patterns determined in a patternator (test table), as discussed by Perecin et al. (1994). The distribution pattern of three nozzle types obtained in a patternator at six heights were compared in order to propose a formula for determining the variation coefficient. The simulation of a spray boom was conducted from individual nozzle distribution patterns, and obtained the random variation coefficients (RVC) and the systematic variation coefficients (SVC). The results showed good performance of the TF-SV4 nozzles, with CV smaller than 10%, for nozzle spacing as large as 50 cm. The TQ15006 nozzles showed high variability in the central region of the distribution pattern, resulting in high CV from nozzle spacings as narrow as 25 cm. The TJ60-11006 behaved as intermediate between TF-VS4 and TQ15006. The formula proposed for determining the variation coefficient is [(RVC) 2+(SVC) 2] 1/2.

Properties of BaBi2Ta2O9 thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition technique for dynamic random-access memory applications

We report on the properties of BaBi2Ta2O9 (BBT) thin films for dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and integrated capacitor applications. Crystalline BBT thin films were successfully fabricated by the chemical solution deposition technique on Pt-coated Si substrates at a low annealing temperature of 650°C. The films were characterized in terms of structural, dielectric, and insulating properties. The electrical measurements were conducted on Pt/BBT/Pt capacitors. The typical measured small signal dielectric constant and dissipation factor, at 100 kHz, were 282 and 0.023, respectively, for films annealed at 700°C for 60 min. The leakage current density of the films was lower than 10-9 A/cm2 at an applied electric field of 300 kV/cm. A large storage density of 38.4 fC/μm2 was obtained at an applied electric field of 200 kV/cm. The high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and low leakage current density suggest the suitability of BBT thin films as dielectric layer for DRAM and integrated capacitor applications.

Acid and fermented silage characterization and determination of apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein for pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Three types of raw materials including commercial waste from saltwater (SW), freshwater fish (FW) and tilapia fillet residue (FR) were used to produce fish silage by either acid digestion (2% formic acid and 2% sulfuric acid) or anaerobic fermentation (5% of Lactobacillus plantarum and 15% sugar cane molasses). Six test diets were used in digestibility trials prepared with 70% reference diet and 30% of each experimental silage. These diets were fed to juvenile pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (146 g average weight) in triplicate. Fish were kept in 500-L tanks and feces collected by manual extrusion. It was observed for both processes that SW waste always had the highest moisture content and lowest fat and ash. Highest crude protein levels were found in silages from commercial fish waste (SW and FW) made from whole fish unfit for human consumption. However, apparent digestibility coefficients did not vary among diets (P > 0.05). Although values did not differ statistically, fermented silage consistently displayed higher digestibility coefficients compared to acid silage. The silages exhibited relatively high protein digestibility (72.5-80.0%), thus suggesting the feasibility of using fish industry by-products in aquaculture feeds.

Genotype x environment interaction for age at first calving in Brazilian and Colombian Holsteins

The objective was to determine whether there is a genotype x environment interaction for age at first calving (AFC) in Holstein cattle in Brazil and Colombia. Data included 51,239 and 25,569 first-lactation records from Brazil and Colombia, respectively. Of 4230 sires in the data, 530 were North American sires used in both countries. Analyses were done using the REML bi-trait animal model, and AFC was considered as a distinct characteristic in each country. Fixed effects of contemporary group (herd-calving year), sire genetic group, and cow genetic group, and random effects of animal and residual variation were included in the model. Average AFC in Brazil and Colombia were 29.5 ± 4.0 and 32.1 ± 3.5 mo, respectively. Additive and residual genetic components and heritability coefficient for AFC in Brazil were 2.21 mo 2, 9.41 mo 2, and 0.19, respectively, whereas for Colombia, they were 1.02 mo 2, 6.84 mo 2, and 0.13, respectively. The genetic correlation of AFC between Brazil and Colombia was 0.78, indicating differences in ranking of sires consistent with a genotype x environment interaction. Therefore, in countries with differing environments, progeny of Holstein sires may calve at relatively younger or older ages compared with contemporary herdmates in one environment versus another.

Behavior of the PMD coefficient of optical links under influence of mechanical and thermal effects

This papers presents results on the variation of the PMD coefficient of optical links under influence of mechanical tests, such as tensile strength, bending and compression, and also during the application of a thermal cycle. Results revealed that the link coefficient is more influenced by the application of a tension load and also suffers significant variation under strong temperature changes. Copyrigth © SBMO.

Precision of yule-walker methods for the arma spectral model

In this work a new method is proposed of separated estimation for the ARMA spectral model based on the modified Yule-Walker equations and on the least squares method. The proposal of the new method consists of performing an AR filtering in the random process generated obtaining a new random estimate, which will reestimate the ARMA model parameters, given a better spectrum estimate. Some numerical examples will be presented in order to ilustrate the performance of the method proposed, which is evaluated by the relative error and the average variation coefficient.

P3L-3 Viscosity measurement of Newtonian liquids using the complex reflection coefficient

This work presents the implementation of the ultrasonic shear reflectance method for viscosity measurement of Newtonian liquids using wave mode conversion from longitudinal to shear waves and vice-versa. The method is based on measuring the complex reflection coefficient (magnitude and phase) at a solid-liquid interface. Viscosity measurements were made in the range from 1 to 3.5MHz at 22.5°C for automotive oil (SAE40) and at 15°C for olive oil. Moreover, measurements of the olive oil were also conducted in the range from 15 to 30°C at 3.5MHz. The experimental results agree with those provided by a rotational viscometer. © 2006 IEEE.

Cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Leptodactylus species from rural and urban environments (Anura, Amphibia)

Cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses carried out in the species Leptodactylus podicipinus, L. ocellatus, L. labyrinthicus, and L. fuscus from rural and urban habitats of the northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil, showed that the karyotypes (2n = 22), constitutive heterochromatin distribution and nucleolus organizer region (NOR) location did not differ between the populations from the two environments. The in situ hybridization with an rDNA probe confirmed the location of the NORs on chromosome 8 revealing an in tandem duplication of that region in one of the chromosomes of L. fuscus. DAPI showed that part of the C-band-positive heterochromatin is rich in AT, including that in the proximity the NORs in L. podicipinus and L. ocellatus. The molecular analyses showed that the two populations (urban and rural) of L. podicipinus and L. fuscus are similar from a genetic point of view. The urban and rural populations of species L. ocellatus and L. labyrinthicus showed differences in genetic structures, probably due to urbanization which interferes with the dispersion of those frogs. The marked differences observed between the two populations of L. ocellatus can be representing the cryptic condition of the species. Unweighted pair-group method of analysis and genetic distance analysis detected the genetic proximity between L. ocellatus and L. fuscus. The results indicate that there was no reduction in the genetic diversity in the populations from the urban environment; however, the survival of these frogs would not be guaranteed in the case of an increase in human impact especially for populations of L. labyrinthicus and L. ocellatus. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Biometria e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de diferentes matrizes de Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. Ex A. DC.) Stand I.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)