Constraining the nuclear gluon distribution in eA processes at RHIC

A systematic determination of the gluon distribution is of fundamental interest in understanding the parton structure Of nuclei and the QCD dynamics. Currently, the behavior of this distribution at small x (high energy) is completely undefined. In this Letter we analyze the possibility of constraining the nuclear effects present in Xg(A) using the inclusive observables which would be measured in the future electron-nucleus collider at RHIC. We demonstrate that the Study of nuclear longitudinal and charm structure functions allows to estimate the magnitude of shadowing and antishadowing effects in the nuclear gluon distribution. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with the positions of nearby active galactic nuclei

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory provide evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of the cosmic rays with the highest-energies, which are correlated with the positions of relatively nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) [Pierre Auger Collaboration, Science 318 (2007) 938]. The correlation has maximum significance for cosmic rays with energy greater than similar to 6 x 10(19) eV and AGN at a distance less than similar to 75 Mpc. We have confirmed the anisotropy at a confidence level of more than 99% through a test with parameters specified a priori, using an independent data set. The observed correlation is compatible with the hypothesis that cosmic rays with the highest-energies originate from extra-galactic sources close enough so that their flux is not significantly attenuated by interaction with the cosmic background radiation (the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz`min effect). The angular scale of the correlation observed is a few degrees, which suggests a predominantly light composition unless the magnetic fields are very weak outside the thin disk of our galaxy. Our present data do not identify AGN as the sources of cosmic rays unambiguously, and other candidate sources which are distributed as nearby AGN are not ruled out. We discuss the prospect of unequivocal identification of individual sources of the highest-energy cosmic rays within a few years of continued operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Furan interaction with the Si(001)-(2 x 2) surface: structural, energetics, and vibrational spectra from first-principles

In this work we employ the state of the art pseudopotential method, within a generalized gradient approximation to the density functional theory, to investigate the adsorption process of furan on the silicon (001) surface. A direct comparison of different adsorption structures with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), and high resolution spectroscopy experimental data allows us to identify the [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction as the most probable adsorbate. In addition, theoretical scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) images are presented, with a view to contributing to further experimental investigations.

Observation of the antimatter helium-4 nucleus

High-energy nuclear collisions create an energy density similar to that of the Universe microseconds after the Big Bang(1); in both cases, matter and antimatter are formed with comparable abundance. However, the relatively short-lived expansion in nuclear collisions allows antimatter to decouple quickly from matter, and avoid annihilation. Thus, a high-energy accelerator of heavy nuclei provides an efficient means of producing and studying antimatter. The antimatter helium-4 nucleus ((4)(He) over bar), also known as the anti-alpha ((alpha) over bar), consists of two antiprotons and two antineutrons (baryon number B = -4). It has not been observed previously, although the alpha-particle was identified a century ago by Rutherford and is present in cosmic radiation at the ten per cent level(2). Antimatter nuclei with B -1 have been observed only as rare products of interactions at particle accelerators, where the rate of antinucleus production in high-energy collisions decreases by a factor of about 1,000 with each additional antinucleon(3-5). Here we report the observation of (4)<(He) over bar, the heaviest observed antinucleus to date. In total, 18 (4)(He) over bar counts were detected at the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC; ref. 6) in 10(9) recorded gold-on-gold (Au+Au) collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 200 GeV and 62 GeV per nucleon-nucleon pair. The yield is consistent with expectations from thermodynamic(7) and coalescent nucleosynthesis(8) models, providing an indication of the production rate of even heavier antimatter nuclei and a benchmark for possible future observations of (4)(He) over bar in cosmic radiation.

Energy and system size dependence of phi meson production in Cu plus Cu and Au plus Au collisions

We study the beam-energy and system-size dependence of phi meson production (using the hadronic decay mode phi -> K(+) K(-)) by comparing the new results from Cu + Cu collisions and previously reported Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 62.4 and 200 GeV measured in the STAR experiment at RHIC. Data presented in this Letter are from mid-rapidity (vertical bar y vertical bar < 0.5) for 0.4 < p(T) < 5 GeV/c. At a given beam energy, the transverse momentum distributions for phi mesons are observed to be similar in yield and shape for Cu + Cu and Au + Au colliding systems with similar average numbers of participating nucleons. The phi meson yields in nucleus-nucleus collisions, normalized by the average number of participating nucleons, are found to be enhanced relative to those from p + p collisions. The enhancement for phi mesons lies between strange hadrons having net strangeness = 1 (K(-) and <(A)over bar>) and net strangeness = 2 (Xi). The enhancement for phi mesons is observed to be higher at root s(NN) = 200 GeV compared to 62.4 GeV. These observations for the produced phi(s (s) over bar) mesons clearly suggest that, at these collision energies, the source of enhancement of strange hadrons is related to the formation of a dense partonic medium in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions and cannot be alone due to canonical suppression of their production in smaller systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of Eu(2)O(3) doping on Ta(2)O(5) crystal growth by the laser-heated pedestal technique

High energy band gap hosts doped with lanthanide ions are suitable for optical devices applications To study the potential of Ta(2)O(5) as a host compound pure and Eu(2)O(3)-doped Ta(2)O(5) crystal fibers were grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth technique in diameters ranging from 250 to 2600 pm and in lengths of up to 50 mm The axial temperature gradient at the solid/liquid interface of pure Ta(2)O(5) fibers revealed a critical diameter of 2200 gm above which the fiber cracks X-ray diffraction measurements of the pure Ta(2)O(5) single crystals showed a monoclinic symmetry and a growth direction of [1 (1) over bar 0] An analysis of the pulling rate as a function of the fiber diameter for Eu(2)O(3)-doped Ta(2)O(5) fibers indicated a well defined region in which constitutional supercooling is absent Photoluminescence measurements of pure Ta(2)O(5) crystals using excitation above the band gap (3 8 eV) were dominated by a broad unstructured green band that peaked at 500 nm Three Eu(3+)-related optical centers were identified in the doped samples with nominal concentrations exceeding 1 mol% Two of these centers were consistent with the ion in the monoclinic phase with different oxygen coordinations The third one was visible in the presence of the triclinic phase (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Experimental and theoretical investigation of molecular structure and conformation of the 4-isopropylthioxanthone

In this study, the molecular structure and conformational analyses of the 4-isopropylthioxanthone (4-ITX) are reported according to experimental and theoretical results. The compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric P (1) over bar space group with only one molecule in the asymmetric unit, presenting the most stable conformation, in which the three fused-rings adopt a planar geometry, and the isopropyl group assumes a torsional angle with less sterical hindrance. The structural and conformational analyses were performed using theoretical calculations such as Hartree-Fock (HF), DFT method in combination with 6-311G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) and the results were compared with infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The supramolecular assembly of 4-ITX is kept by non-classical C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds and weak interactions such as pi-pi stacking. 4-ITX was also studied by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic properties of the 4-ITX showed the long-wavelength maximum shifts towards high energy when the solvent polarity increases. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Direct Kinetic Observation of the Chemiexcitation Step in Peroxyoxalate Chemiluminescence

A high-energy intermediate in the peroxyoxalate reaction can be accumulated at room temperature under specific reaction conditions and in the absence of any reducing agent in up to micromolar concentrations. Bimolecular interaction of this intermediate, accumulated in the reaction of oxalyl chloride with hydrogen peroxide, with an activator (highly fluorescent aromatic hydrocarbons with low oxidation potential) added in delay shows unequivocally that this intermediate is responsible for chemiexcitation of the activator. Activation parameters for the unimolccular decomposition of this intermediate (Delta H(double dagger) = 11.2 kcal mol(-1); Delta S(double dagger) = -23.2 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) and for its bimolecular reaction with 9,10-diphenylanthracene (Delta H(double dagger) = 4.2 kcal mol(-1); Delta S(double dagger) = -26.9 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) show that this intermediate is much less stable than typical 1,2-dioxetanes and 1,2-dioxetanones and demonstrate its highly favored interaction with the activator. Therefore, it can be inferred that structural characterization of the high-energy intermediate in the presence of an activator must be highly improbable. The observed linear free-energy correlation between the catalytic rate constants and the oxidation potentials of several activators definitely confirms the occurrence of the chemically initiated electron-exchange luminescence (CIEEL) mechanism in the chemiexcitation step of the peroxyoxalate system.

Energy Efficiency through Thermal Energy Storage - Evaluation of the Possibilities for the Swedish Building Stock, Phase 1

As a first step in assessing the potential of thermal energy storage in Swedish buildings, the current situation of the Swedish building stock and different storage methods are discussed in this paper. Overall, many buildings are from the 1960’s or earlier having a relatively high energy demand, creating opportunities for large energy savings. The major means of heating are electricity for detached houses and district heating for multi dwelling houses and premises. Cooling needs are relatively low but steadily increasing, emphasizing the need to consider energy storage for both heat and cold. The thermal mass of a building is important for passive storage of thermal energy but this has not been considered much when constructing buildings in Sweden. Instead, common ways of storing thermal energy in Swedish buildings today is in water storage tanks or in the ground using boreholes, while latent thermal energy storage is still very uncommon.

High performance green buildings

This work aims to study and analyze strategies and measures to improve energy performance in residential and service buildings, in order to minimize energy losses and energy consumption. Due to the high energy dependence of European Union (EU), including Portugal and Slovenia, and high percentage of energy consumption in the building sector, there was a need to adopt strategies at European level with ambitious goals. This came to force EU - Member States to take measures to achieve the proposed targets for energy consumption reduction. To this end, EU - Member States have adapted the laws to their needs and formed specialized agencies and qualified experts on energy certification, which somehow evaluate buildings according to their performance. In this study, the external characteristics of the building in order to meet its thermal needs and from there to survey the existing and possible constructive solutions to be used at the envelope will be examined, in order to increase comfort and reduce the need of use technical means of air conditioning. The possibility of passive heating and ventilation systems also will be discussed. These techniques are developed in parallel with the deployment and design of the building. In this manner, to reduce the energy consumption, various techniques and technologies exploit natural resources. Thus, appear the more sustainable and efficient buildings, so-called Green Buildings have been appeared. The study ends with the identification of measures used in several buildings, proving the economic return in the medium to long term, as well as the satisfaction of their users.

Efeito da moagem de alta energia na microestrutura e nas propriedades magnéticas do compósito wc-10%p.Co

This work a studied the high energy milling effect in microstructure and magnetic properties of the WC-10wt.%Co composite. The composite powders were prepared by mechanical mixed and milled at 2 hours, 100 hours, 200 hours and 300 hours in planetary milling. After this process the composite were compacted in stainless steel die with cylindrical county of 10 mm of diameter, at pressure 200 Mpa and sintered in a resistive furnace in argon atmosphere at 1400 oC for 5 min. The sintered composite were cutted, inlaid, sandpapered, and polished. The microestrutural parameters of the composite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, optical microscopy, hardness, magnetic propriety and Rietveld method analyze. The results shows, with milling time increase the particle size decrease, it possibility minor temperature of sintering. The increase of milling time caused allotropic transformation in cobalt phase and cold welding between particles. The cold welding caused the formation of the particle composite. The X-ray diffraction pattern of composite powders shows the WC peaks intensity decrease with the milling time increase. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the composite sintered samples shows the other phases. The magnetic measurements detected a significant increase in the coercitive field and a decrease in the saturation magnetization with milling time increase. The increase coercitive field it was also verified with decrease grain size with milling time increase. For the composite powders the increase coercitive field it was verified with particle size reduction and saturation magnetization variation is relate with the variation of free cobalt. The Rietveld method analyze shows at milling time increase the mean crystalline size of WC, and Co-cfc phases in composite sintered sample are higher than in composite powders. The mean crystallite size of Co-hc phase in composite powders is higher than in composite sintered sample. The mean lattice strains of WC, Co-hc and Co-cfc phases in composite powders are higher than in composite sintered samples. The cells parameters of the composite powder decrease at milling time increase this effect came from the particle size reduction at milling time increase. In sintered composite the cells parameters is constant with milling time increase

Estudo da sinterização de cavacos de aço ferritico

This research studies the sintering of ferritic steel chips from the machining process. Were sintered metal powder obtained from machining process chips for face milling of a ferritic steel. The chip was produced by machining and characterized by SEM and EDS, and underwent a process of high energy mill powder characterized also by SEM and EDS. Were constructed three types of matrixes for uniaxial compression (relation l / d greater than 2.5). The differences in the design of the matrixes were essentially in the direction of load application, which for cylindrical case axial direction, while for the rectangular arrays, the longer side. Two samples were compressed with different geometries, a cylindrical and rectangular with the same compaction pressure of 700 MPa. The samples were sintered in a vacuum resistive furnace, heating rate 20 °C / min., isotherm 1300 °C for 60 minutes, and cooling rate of 25 °C / min to room temperature. The starting material of the rectangular sample was further annealed up to temperature of 800 ° C for 30 min. Sintered samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and EDS. The sample compressed in the cylindrical matrix did not show a regular density reflecting in the sintered microstructure revealed by the irregular geometry of the pores, characterizing that the sintering was not complete, reaching only the second phase. As for the specimen compacted in the rectangular array, the analysis performed by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and EDS indicate a good densification, and homogeneous microstructure in their full extent. Additionally, the EDS analyzes indicate no significant changes in chemical composition in the process steps. Therefore, it is concluded that recycling of chips, from the processed ferritic steel is feasible by the powder metallurgy. It makes possible rationalize raw material and energy by manufacture of known properties components from chips generated by the machining process, being benefits to the environment

Performance and hormonal profile in broiler chickens fed with different energy levels during post restriction period

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de nanocompósito de resina epóxi com nanopartículas de sílica para revestimento de dutos para transporte de petróleo

The use of polymer based coatings is a promising approach to reduce the corrosion problem in carbon steel pipes used for the transport of oil and gas in the oil industry. However, conventional polymer coatings offer limited properties, which often cannot meet design requirements for this type of application, particularly in regard to use temperature and wear resistance. Polymer nanocomposites are known to exhibit superior properties and, therefore, offer great potential for this type of application. Nevertheless, the degree of enhancement of a particular property is greatly dependent upon the matrix/nanoparticle material system used, the matrix/nanoparticle interfacial bonding and also the state of dispersion of the nanoparticle in the polymer matrix. The objective of the present research is to develop and characterize polymer based nanocomposites to be used as coatings in metallic pipelines for the transportation of oil and natural gas. Epoxy/SiO2 nanocomposites with nanoparticle contents of 2, 4, and 8 wt % were processed using a high-energy mill. Modifications of the SiO2 nanoparticles‟ surfaces with two different silane agents were carried out and their effect on the material properties were investigated. The state of dispersion of the materials processed was studied using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) micrographs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also conducted to determine the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. In addition, the processed nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to investigate the effect of nanoparticles content and silane treatment on the viscoelastic properties and on the glass transition temperature. Finally, wear tests of the pin-on-disc type were carried out to determine the effects of the nanoparticles and the silane treatments studied. According to the results, the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles treated with silane increased the thermal stability, the storage modulus and Tg of the epoxy resin and decreased wear rate. This confirms that the interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer chains plays a critical role on the properties of the nanocomposites

Obtenção de pós de Nb a partir da redução aluminotérmica com ignição por plasma

The aluminothermic reduction consists in an exothermic reaction between a metallic oxide and aluminum to produce the metal and the scum. The extracted melted metal of that reaction usually comes mixed with particles of Al2O3 resulting of the reduction, needing of subsequent refine to eliminate the residual impure as well as to eliminate porosities. Seeking to obtain a product in powder form with nanometric size or even submicrometric, the conventional heat source of the reaction aluminothermic , where a resistor is used (ignitor) as ignition source was substituted, for the plasma, that acts more efficient way in each particle of the sample. In that work it was used as metallic oxide the niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) for the exothermal reaction Nb2O5 + Al. Amounts stoichiometric, substoichiometric and superestoichiometric of aluminum were used. The Nb2O5 powder was mixed with aluminum powder and milled in planetarium of high energy for a period of 6 hours. Those powders were immerged in plasm that acts in a punctual way in each particle, transfering heat, so that the reaction can be initiate and spread integrally for the whole volume of the particle. The mixture of Nb2O5 + Al was characterized through the particle size analysis by laser and X-ray diffraction (DRX) and the obtained product of reaction was characterized using the electronic microscopy of sweeping (MEV) and the formed phases were analyzed by DRX. Niobium powders with inferior sizes to 1 mm were obtained by that method. It is noticed, through the analysis of the obtained results, that is possible to accomplish the aluminothermic reduction process by plasma ignition with final particles with inferior sizes to the original oxide