Bound states of attractive Bose-Einstein condensates in shallow traps in two and three dimensions

Using variational and numerical solutions of the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation for attractive interaction (with cubic or Kerr nonlinearity), we show that a stable bound state can appear in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a localized exponentially screened radially symmetric harmonic potential well in two and three dimensions. We also consider an axially symmetric configuration with zero axial trap and a exponentially screened radial trap so that the resulting bound state can freely move along the axial direction like a soliton. The binding of the present states in shallow wells is mostly due to the nonlinear interaction with the trap playing a minor role. Hence, these BEC states are more suitable to study the effect of the nonlinear force on the dynamics. We illustrate the highly nonlinear nature of breathing oscillations of these states. Such bound states could be created in BECs and studied in the laboratory with present knowhow.

Bose-Einstein condensates with inhomogeneous scattering length in one and two dimensions

We report on investigations of the properties of bright solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates in the presence of point-like spatial inhomogeneities, in one and two dimensions. By considering an analytical variational approach and full numerical simulations, we describe such processes due to interactions between the soliton and the inhomogeneity as the trapping, reflection, and transmission of bright matter solitons. We also study the critical number of particles as a function of the magnitude of the impurity.

An environmentally friendly reflectometric method for ranitidine determination in pharmaceuticals and human urine

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of a potentiometric mefenamate ion sensor for the determination of mefenamic acid in pharmaceuticals and human blood serum

The characteristics, performance, and application of a novel and simple electrode, namely Pt vertical bar Hg vertical bar Hg-2(MF)(2)vertical bar Graphite, where MF stands for mefenamate ion, are described. This electrode responds to MF with sensitivity of (58.9 +/- 0.7) mV decade(-1) over the range 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-2) mol L-1 at pH 6.0-9.0 and a detection limit of 6.2 x 10(-7) mol L-1. The electrode is easily constructed at a relatively low cost with fast response time (within 10-25 s) and can be used for a period of 4 months without significant change in its performance characteristics. The proposed sensor displayed good selectivity for mefenamate in the presence of several substances, especially concerning carboxylate and inorganic anions. The potentiometric sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mefenamic acid in pharmaceuticals and human serum samples. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Penetration of 38% hydrogen peroxide into the pulp chamber in bovine and human teeth submitted to office bleach technique

This study evaluated the pulp chamber penetration of peroxide bleaching agent in human and bovine teeth after office bleach technique. All the teeth were sectioned 3 mm apical of the cement-enamel junction and were divided into 2 groups, A (70 third human molars) and B (70 bovine lateral incisors), that were subdivided into A1 and B1 restored by using composite resin, A2 and B2 by using glass ionomer cement, and A3 and B3 by using resin-modified glass ionomer cement; A4, A5, B4, and B5 were not restored. Acetate buffer was placed in the pulp chamber, and the bleaching agent was applied for 40 minutes as follows: A1-A4 and B1-B4, 38% hydrogen peroxide exposure and A5 and B5, immersion into distilled water. The buffer solution was transferred to a glass tube in which leuco crystal violet and horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of the blue solution was determined by spectrophotometer and converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Dunnett, Kruskal-Wallis, and Tukey tests (5%). A higher level of hydrogen peroxide penetrated into the pulp chamber in resin-modified glass ionomer cements in bovine (0.79 +/- 0.61 mu g) and human (2.27 +/- 0.41 mu g) groups. The bleaching agent penetration into the pulp chamber was higher in human teeth for any experimental situation. The penetration of the hydrogen peroxide depends on restorative materials, and under the conditions of this study human teeth are more susceptible to penetration of bleaching agent into the pulp chamber than bovine teeth.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL SIMILARITY BETWEEN BAT AND HUMAN MAST-CELL SECRETORY GRANULES

Mast cells in the tongue of the bat (Artibeus lituratus) show a well-developed Golgi area and abundant mitochondria in the granule-free perinuclear cytoplasm. Rough endoplasmic reticulum profiles, free ribosomes, mitochondria, bundles of filaments and a great number of secretory granules are found throughout the remaining cytoplasm. The granules, of various shapes and sizes, are simple containing an electron-dense, homogeneous matrix, coarse particles or cylindrical scrolls, or combinations (cylindrical scrolls with either electron-dense, homogeneous matrix or coarse particle contents). Up to now, scroll-containing granules have been considered to be a unique feature of human mast cells.

Combining artificial intelligence and human problem solving: Proposing a new architecture for ITS's

This paper shows a comparative study between the Artificial Intelligence Problem Solving and the Human Problem Solving. The study is based on the solution by many ways of problems proposed via multiple-choice questions. General techniques used by humans to solve this kind of problems are grouped in blocks and each block is divided in steps. A new architecture for ITS - Intelligent Tutoring System is proposed to support experts' knowledge representation and novices' activities. Problems are represented by a text and feasible answers with particular meaning and form, to be rigorously analyzed by the solver to find the right one. Paths through a conceptual space of states represent each right solution.

Evaluation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis exoantigen in the detection of delayed dermal hypersensitivity in experimental and human paracoccidioidomycosis

The exoantigen of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis standardized by Camargo et al. [1] (AgR) was used to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro cell immune response of experimental animals and of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PBM). Fava Netto antigen (AgF) was tested in parallel as a control antigen. The study was conducted with mice and guinea pigs infected with P. brasiliensis or immunized with its fungal antigens, on patients with PBM and on their respective control groups. The cell immune response was analysed by skin tests, and by the macrophage and leucocyte migration inhibition tests (MMIT and LMIT) in the animals and in the patients, respectively. The skin test with AgR as paracoccidioidin was positive in infected or immunized mice and guinea pigs and negative in control animals. The skin tests with AgR (24 h) showed 96.7% positivity in patients with PBM and were negative in control individuals. Histopathological study of the in vivo tests in the different experimental models was consistent with a delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR). Immunohistochemical study of the skin tests of PBM patients demonstrated a predominance of T lymphocytes, confirming the nature of a DHR to the fungal antigens. The in vitro cell immune response showed variable results for the various experimental models, i.e. significant rates of MMIT in immunized mice, a tendency to positivity in infected guinea pigs, and the absence of migration inhibition in PBM patients. Taken together, the data indicate that the AgR is efficient as paracoccidioidin in the evaluation of DHR in PBM, with an optimum time of reading the test of 24 h.

Telomerase activity in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with carcinoma of the cervix: Correlation with histology and human papillomavirus

This study was undertaken to evaluate the telomerase activity both in the tumor and in the vaginal margins of radical hysterectomy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. Thirty-three patients with SCC of the cervix (study group) and 13 patients with uterine myoma (control group) were prospectively studied. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor or cervix, anterior vaginal margin (AVM), and posterior vaginal margin (PVM). The specimens were analyzed by histopathology, by a telomerase PCR-TRAP-ELISA kit, and by polymerase chain reaction using human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA. The telomerase activity was significantly higher in the tumor than in the benign cervix (P < 0.001). There was no difference in telomerase activity in the AVM and PVM in patients with cervical carcinoma compared to the control group. Telomerase activity was associated with the presence of histologic malignancy in the PVM of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy (P = 0.03). This association was not observed with the presence of HPV in AVM or PVM in the study group. Telomerase activity is a marker of histologic malignancy in patients with SCC of the cervix. There was no association between the telomerase activity and the presence of HPV in vaginal margins of patients submitted to radical hysterectomy. © 2006, Copyright the Authors.

Asset accumulation by the middle class and the poor in Latin America: political economy and governance dimensions

Includes bibliography

Influence of the construction bite vertical and horizontal dimensions on dentoskeletal structures induced by the Klammt appliance in Class II treatment

Aim: To evaluate the influence of construction bite in the dentoskeletal changes induced by Klammt Appliance. Methods: The sample consisted of 17 children, with Class II malocclusion and initial mean age of 8.5 years. The construction bite was obtained using an Exactobite on edge-toedge anteroposterior relationship with 3 mm interincisal clearance. The height of the acrylic was determined by initial overbite associated to interincisal clearance and measured with digital caliper. The amount of advancement was obtained and measured by initial overjet in the lateral radiography. Pearson's correlation, linear regression and ANOVA were used to determine the relationship between dentoskeletal and construction bite variables. Results: The increase in the height of the acrylic promotes a greater inhibition of the forward displacement of the nasal spine and reduction in the facial growth index. The increase in the mandibular advancement induces more downward displacement of nasal spine and pogonion; a counter-clockwise rotation of palatine plane; an increase in mandibular length, maxillary alveolar height and interincisal angle; a decrease in mandibular alveolar height, the intermaxillary discrepancy and overjet; and palatal tipping of upper incisors. Conclusions: The different dimensions of the construction bite influence the dentoskeletal changes induced by the appliance in Class II treatment.