Intersubband excitations at finite temperatures and their roles in different quasi-one-dimensional systems

We theoretically study many-body excitations in three different quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) electron systems: (i) those formed on the surface of liquid Helium; (ii) in two coupled semiconductor quantum wires; and (iii) Q1D electrons embedded in polar semiconductor-based quantum wires. Our results show intersubband coupling between higher subbands and the two lowest subbands affecting even the lower energy intersubband plasmons on the liquid Helium surface. Concerning the second system, we show a pronounced extra peak appearing in the intersubband impurity spectral function for temperatures as high as 20 K. We finally show coupled intersubband plasmon-phonon modes surviving for temperatures up to 300 K.

STM probing of local oscillations of the Fano-Kondo effect: a Doniach-Sunjic approach for the Kondo peak

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis, spectral and thermal studies on pyrazolate-bridged palladium(II) coordination polymers

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and thermal behavior of pyrazolate-bridged palladium complexes [Pd(mu-Pz)(2)](n) (1), [Pd(mu-mPz)(2)](n) (2), [Pd(mu-dmPz)(2)](n) (3), [Pd(mu-IPz)(2)](n) (4) {pyrazolate (Pz(-)), 4-methylpyrazolate (mPz(-)), 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate (dmPz(-)), 4-iodopyrazolate (IPz(-))} have been described in this work. The exobidentate coordination mode of pyrazolato ligands in 1-4 was inferred on basis of IR spectroscopic evidences. TG investigations indicated that the introduction of substituents at the 4 position in the pyrazolyl moiety into coordination polymers do not affect significantly their thermal stability, whereas at the 3 and 5 position reduced the stability of the main chain. Metal palladium was the final product of the thermal decompositions, which was identified by X-ray powder diffraction.

Blood glucose responses in humans mirror lactate responses for individual anaerobic threshold and for lactate minimum in track tests

The equilibrium point between blood lactate production and removal (La-min(-)) and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) protocols have been used to evaluate exercise. During progressive exercise, blood lactate [La-](b), catecholamine and cortisol concentrations, show exponential increases at upper anaerobic threshold intensities. Since these hormones enhance blood glucose concentrations [Glc](b), this study investigated the [Glc] and [La-](b) responses during incremental tests and the possibility of considering the individual glucose threshold (IGT) and glucose minimum;(Glc(min)) in addition to IAT and La-min(-) in evaluating exercise. A group of 15 male endurance runners ran in four tests on the track 3000 m run (v(3km)); IAT and IGT- 8 x 800 m runs at velocities between 84% and 102% of v(3km); La-min(-) and Glc(min) - after lactic acidosis induced by a 500-m sprint, the subjects ran 8 x 800 m at intensities between 87% and 97% of v(3km); endurance test (ET)- 30 min at the velocity of IAT. Capillary blood (25 mu l) was collected for [La-](b) and [Glc](b) measurements. The TAT and IGT were determined by [La-](b) and [Glc](b) kinetics during the second test. The La-min(-) and Glc(min) were determined considering the lowest [La-] and [Glc](b) during the third test. No differences were observed (P < 0.05) and high correlations were obtained between the velocities at IAT [283 (SD 19) and IGT 281 (SD 21)m. min(-1); r = 0.096; P < 0.001] and between La,, [285 (SD 21)] and Glc(min) [287 (SD 20) m. min(-1) = 0.77; P < 0.05]. During ET, the [La-](b) reached 5.0 (SD 1.1) and 5.3 (SD 1.0) mmol 1(-1) at 20 and 30 min, respectively (P > 0.05). We concluded that for these subjects it was possible to evaluate the aerobic capacity by IGT and Glc(min), as well as by IAT and La-min(-).

Potentialities and practical limitations of absolute neutron dosimetry using thin films of uranium and thorium applied to the fission track dating

Neutron dosimetry using natural uranium and thorium thin films makes possible that mineral dating by the fission-track method can be accomplished, even when poor thermalized neutron facilities are employed. In this case, the contributions of the fissions of (235)U, (238)U and (232)Th induced by thermal, epithermal and fast neutrons to the population of tracks produced during irradiation are quantified through the combined use of natural uranium and thorium films.If the Th/U ratio of the sample is known, only one irradiation (where the sample and the films of uranium and thorium are present) is necessary to perform the dating. However, if that ratio is unknown, it can be determined through another irradiation where the mineral to be dated and both films are placed inside a cadmium box.Problems related with film manufacturing and calibration are discussed. Special attention is given to the utilization of thin films having very low uranium content. The problems faced suggest that it may be better to substitute these films by uranium doped standard glasses calibrated with thicker uranium films (thickness greater than 1.5 x 10(13) mu m).

A PC compatible Brazilian software for obtaining thermal histories using apatite fission track analysis

In this work a software developed in the Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin, IFGW, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil for obtaining thermal histories using apatite fission track analysis is presented. This software works in Microsoft-Windows environment. It will be freely disposable in the web site of the Departamento de Raios Cosmicos, IFGW, UNICAMP. Thermal histories obtained through this software are compared with those deduced using Monte Trax the software compatible with Apple Macintosh developed by Gallagher. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

The end magnets of the IFUSP race-track microtron booster

The end magnets of the IFUSP race-track microtron booster, second stage of the electron accelerator under construction at the Linear Accelerator Laboratory, are presented. They deflect, focus and return the beam to the accelerating section. Details about the project are discussed, Poisson code was used to give the final geometry of the end magnets. The end magnets incorporate auxiliary pole pieces (clamps) which create a reverse fringe field region that avoids the beam vertical defocusing and reduces the horizontal displacement produced by extended fringe fields (EFF). The small gap height used for the clamps provided reverse field distributions with fringe fields of short extensions, avoiding the traditional use of inactive clamps. Measurements and calculations concerning particle trajectories and reverse field distribution are presented. The floating wire technique, employing an original procedure to register orbits, was used to corroborate the calculated beam trajectories and represents a good experimental option in the lack of the accelerator beam. The experimental results showed agreement of about 0.1% with the calculations.

Holographic imaging with multimode, large free spectral range lasers in photorefractive sillenite crystals

The holographic imaging of rigid objects with diode lasers emitting in many wavelengths in a sillenite Bi12TiO20 photorefractive crystal is both theoretically an experimentally investigated. It is shown that, due to the multi-wavelength emission and the typically large free spectral range of this light source, contour fringes appear on the holographic image corresponding to the surface relief, even in single-exposure recordings. The influence of the number of emitted modes on the fringe width is analysed, and the possible applications of the contour fringes in the field of optical metrology are pointed out.

Relationships and significance of lactate minimum, critical velocity, heart rate deflection and 3 000 m track-tests for running

The running velocities associated to lactate minimum (V-lm), heart rate deflection (V-HRd), critical velocity (CV), 3000 M (V-3000) and 10000 m performance (V-10km) were compared. Additionally the ability of V-lm and VHRd on identifying sustainable velocities was investigated.Methods. Twenty runners (28.5 +/- 5.9 y) performed 1) 3000 m running test for V3000; 2) an all-out 500 in sprint followed by 6x800 m incremental bouts with blood lactate ([lac]) measurements for V-lm; 3) a continuous velocity-incremented test with heart rate measurements at each 200 m for V-HRd; 4) participants attempted to 30 min of endurance test both at V-lm(ETVlm) and V-HRd(ETVHRd). Additionally, the distance-time and velocity-1/time relationships produced CV by 2 (500 m and 3000 m) or 3 predictive trials (500 m, 3000 m and distance reached before exhaustion during ETVHRd), and a 10 km race was recorded for V-10km.Results. The CV identified by different methods did not differ to each other. The results (m(.)min(-1)) revealed that V-.(lm) (281 +/- 14.8)< CV (292.1 +/- 17.5)=V-10km (291.7 +/- 19.3)< V-HRd (300.8 +/- 18.7)=V-3000 (304 +/- 17.5) with high correlation among parameters (P < 0.001). During ETVlm participants completed 30 min of running while on the ETVHRd they lasted only 12.5 +/- 8.2 min with increasing [lac].Conclusion. We evidenced that CV and Vim track-protocols are valid for running evaluation and performance prediction and the parameters studied have different significance. The V-lm reflects the moderate-high intensity domain (below CV), can be sustained without [lac] accumulation and may be used for long-term exercise while the V-HRd overestimates a running intensity that can be sustained for long-time. Additionally, V-3000 and V-HRd reflect the severe intensity domain (above CV).

The validity of critical speed determined from track cycling for identification of the maximal lactate steady state

The objective of this study was to determine the critical speed (CS) for track cycling and to assess whether a lactate steady state occurs at this speed. Fourteen competitive cyclists performed the following tests on an official cycling track (333.3 m): 1) incremental test for determination of the intensity corresponding to 4 mM of blood lactate (onset of blood lactate accumulation, OBLA) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max); 2) CS: 3 maximal bouts for distances of 2, 4 and 6 km executed in random order and with a period of recovery of 40 to 50 min between bouts. CS was determined for each subject from the linear regression between the distance and the time taking to cycle it; 3) Endurance test in which subjects were instructed to pedal at 100% of their individually determined CS for 30 min. At the 10(th) and 30(th) min (or upon exhaustion), 25 mul of blood were collected from ear lobe for later analysis of blood lactate [Lac]b. An increase less than or equal to1 mM between 10 and 30 min of exercise was considered as the criterion for the occurrence of the lactate steady state. CS (49.6 +/- 8.6 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 36.9 +/- 2.7 km.h(-1)) was significantly higher than OBLA (43.7 8.0 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 35.24 +/- 2.6 km.h(-1)) although the two parameters were highly correlated (r=0.97). During the endurance test, only 8 of the 14 subjects completed the 30 min period at CS. of these 8 subjects, only 2 presented a lactate steady state. Time to exhaustion at CS was 20.3 +/- 1.6 min for the remaining 6 subjects. The 12 subjects who did not reach a lactate steady state presented mean [Lac]b values of 7.4 +/- 1.3 mM at 10 min and of 9.4 +/- 1.9 mM at the end of the test (exhaustion), characterizing an exercise intensity of high lactacidemia. on the basis of the present results, we can conclude that CS determined by a track cycling test seems to overestimate the intensity of the maximal lactate steady state for most subjects.

ADSORBATE SPECTRAL DENSITY FOR A GENERALIZED ANDERSON-NEWNS HAMILTONIAN

We discuss adsorbate-metal electrostatic interaction in the Anderson-Newns model.

Spectral redistribution of waveguided emission in BEH-PPV films

We report on spectral redistribution of the photoluminescence (PL) emission from the edge of thin-film planar waveguides of the conjugated polymer BEH-PPV [Poly(2,5-bis(2'-ethyl-hexyl)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] induced by self-absorption in the polymer film. The PL spectra present drastic changes and displace to longer wavelengths with increasing self-absorption. We observe an enhancement of the absolute PL intensity at longer wavelengths, which was interpreted as due to re-emission of self-absorbed photons. The significant efficiency for the PL re-emission suggests the use of self-absorption as a mechanism for tuning the emission into the near infrared.

Electron scattering and effects of sources of light on photoconductivity of SnO2 coatings prepared by sol-gel

Electro-optical properties of sol-gel derived 2 mol% antimony or niobium doped tin dioxide films have been measured. The electron density has been calculated considering all the relevant scattering mechanisms and experimental conductivity data measured in the range -197 to 25 degrees C. The results support the hypothesis that both ionised impurity scattering and grain boundary scattering have comparable effects in the resistivity of coatings, for free electron density congruent to 5 x 10(18) cm(-3). We have measured variation of photoconductivity excitation with wavelength using xenon and deuterium lamp as light sources. Results show that the main band in the photoconductivity spectrum is dependent on the spectral light source emission, the excitation peak reaching 5 eV (deuterium lamp). This band is due to the recombination process involving oxygen species and photogenerated electron-hole pairs. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Evidence for a respiratory component, similar to mammalian respiratory sinus arrhythmia, in the heart rate variability signal from the rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus

Autonomic control of heart rate variability and the central location of vagal preganglionic neurones (VPN) were examined in the rattlesnake ( Crotalus durissus terrificus), in order to determine whether respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) occurred in a similar manner to that described for mammals. Resting ECG signals were recorded in undisturbed snakes using miniature datalogging devices, and the presence of oscillations in heart rate (f(H)) was assessed by power spectral analysis (PSA). This mathematical technique provides a graphical output that enables the estimation of cardiac autonomic control by measuring periodic changes in the heart beat interval. At fH above 19 min(-1) spectra were mainly characterised by low frequency components, reflecting mainly adrenergic tonus on the heart. By contrast, at f(H) below 19 min(-1) spectra typically contained high frequency components, demonstrated to be cholinergic in origin. Snakes with a f(H) > 19 min(-1) may therefore have insufficient cholinergic tonus and/or too high an adrenergic tonus acting upon the heart for respiratory sinus arrhythmia ( RSA) to develop. A parallel study monitored f(Hd) simultaneously with the intraperitoneal pressures associated with lung inflation. Snakes with a fH < 19 min(-1) exhibited a high frequency (HF) peak in the power spectrum, which correlated with ventilation rate (f(V)). Adrenergic blockade by propranolol infusion increased the variability of the ventilation cycle, and the oscillatory component of the f(H) spectrum broadened accordingly. Infusion of atropine to effect cholinergic blockade abolished this HF component, confirming a role for vagal control of the heart in matching f(H) and f(V) in the rattlesnake. A neuroanatomical study of the brainstem revealed two locations for vagal preganglionic neurones (VPN). This is consistent with the suggestion that generation of ventilatory components in the heart rate variability (HRV) signal are dependent on spatially distinct loci for cardiac VPN. Therefore, this study has demonstrated the presence of RSA in the HRV signal and a dual location for VPN in the rattlesnake. We suggest there to be a causal relationship between these two observations.

Durango apatite fission-track dating using length-based age corrections and neutron fluence measurements by natural thorium thin films and natural U-doped glasses calibrated through natural uranium thin films

In this work, we present an approach for neutron fluence measurements based on natural thorium thin films and natural uranium-doped glasses calibrated through natural uranium thin films to be used for dating with the Fission-Track Method (FTM). This neutron dosimetry approach allows the employment of FTM even when dating is carried out using low neutron themalization facilities. Besides, it makes possible the determination of the Th/U ratio of the mineral to be dated. Durango apatite which is often employed in FTM as an age standard was analyzed. This apatite presented a fairly high Th/U ratio, 29.9 +/- 1.7. Th fissions were 18%, 12% and 10% of the total for irradiations where thermal to fast neutron flux ratios were 2.4, 4.4 and 5,2, respectively. These results show that Th fission must be considered for this apatite, when not well-thermalized irradiation facilities are used. The ratio between spontaneous and induced track length, L(S)/L(1), close to 0.89, indicates a certain amount of rejuvenation of the age of Durango apatite. Therefore, its apparent age should be corrected, the application of a technique based on track-length measurements produced a corrected age of 29.7 +/- 1.1 Ma, consistent with the independent reference age of this apatite (31.4 +/- 0.5 Ma). This result represents a support for viability of the neutron dosimetry approach studied in this work for FTM.(C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.