Noise and ultraviolet divergences in the dynamics of the chiral condensate in QCD

The time evolution of the matter produced in high energy heavy-ion collisions seems to be well described by relativistic viscous hydrodynamics. In addition to the hydrodynamic degrees of freedom related to energy-momentum conservation, degrees of freedom associated with order parameters of broken continuous symmetries must be considered because they are all coupled to each other. of particular interest is the coupling of degrees of freedom associated with the chiral symmetry of QCD. Quantum and thermal fluctuations of the chiral fields act as noise sources in the classical equations of motion, turning them into stochastic differential equations in the form of Ginzburg-Landau-Langevin (GLL) equations. Analytic solutions of GLL equations are attainable only in very special circumstances and extensive numerical simulations are necessary, usually by discretizing the equations on a spatial lattice. However, a not much appreciated issue in the numerical simulations of GLL equations is that ultraviolet divergences in the form of lattice-spacing dependence plague the solutions. The divergences are related to the well-known Rayleigh-Jeans catastrophe in classical field theory. In the present communication we present a systematic lattice renormalization method to control the catastrophe. We discuss the implementation of the method for a GLL equation derived in the context of a model for the QCD chiral phase transition and consider the nonequilibrium evolution of the chiral condensate during the hydrodynamic flow of the quark-gluon plasma.

Numerical simulation of Ginzburg-Landau-Langevin equations

This work is concerned with non-equilibrium phenomena, with focus on the numerical simulation of the relaxation of non-conserved order parameters described by stochastic kinetic equations known as Ginzburg-Landau-Langevin (GLL) equations. We propose methods for solving numerically these type of equations, with additive and multiplicative noises. Illustrative applications of the methods are presented for different GLL equations, with emphasis on equations incorporating memory effects.

Gap solitons in superfluid boson-fermion mixtures

Using coupled equations for the bosonic and fermionic order parameters, we construct families of gap solitons (GSs) in a nearly one-dimensional Bose-Fermi mixture trapped in a periodic optical-lattice (OL) potential, the boson and fermion components being in the states of the Bose-Einstein condensation and Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer superfluid, respectively. Fundamental GSs are compact states trapped, essentially, in a single cell of the lattice. Full families of such solutions are constructed in the first two band gaps of the OL-induced spectrum, by means of variational and numerical methods, which are found to be in good agreement. The families include both intragap and intergap solitons, with the chemical potentials of the boson and fermion components falling in the same or different band gaps, respectively. Nonfundamental states, extended over several lattice cells, are constructed too. The GSs are stable against strong perturbations.

CHOLESTEROL MODULATION OF LIPID PROTEIN INTERACTIONS IN LIVER MICROSOMAL MEMBRANE - A SPIN LABEL STUDY

ESR spectra of spin probes were used to monitor lipid-protein interactions in native and cholesterol-enriched microsomal membranes. In both systems composite spectra were obtained, one characteristic of bulk bilayer organization and another due to a motionally restricted population, which was ascribed to lipids in a protein microenvironment. Computer spectral subtractions revealed that cholesterol modulates the order/mobility of both populations in opposite ways, i.e., while the lipid bilayer region gives rise to more anisotropic spectra upon cholesterol enrichment, the spectra of the motionally restricted population become indicative of increased mobility and/or decreased order. These events were evidenced by measurement of both effective order parameters and correlation times. The percentages of the motionally restricted component were invariant in native and cholesterol-enriched microsomes. Variable temperature studies also indicated a lack of variation of the percentages of both spectral components, suggesting that the motionally restricted one was not due to protein aggregation. The results correlate well with the effect of cholesterol enrichment on membrane-bound enzyme kinetics and on the behavior of fluorescent probes [Castuma & Brenner (1986) Biochemistry 25, 4733-4738]. Several hypothesis are put forward to explain the molecular mechanism of the cholesterol-induced spectral changes.

Population dynamics of Lucilia eximia (Dipt., Calliphoridae)

The theoretical dynamics of experimental populations of Lucilia eximia was investigated as an attempt to understand its population biology. Specifically the population dynamics of L. eximia was analysed by means of a mathematical model that incorporates fecundity and survival as density-dependent demographic parameters in discrete time. The sensitivity of these parameters to changes in the magnitude was also investigated. The mathematical model applied to experimental populations of L. eximia predicts a theoretical one-point equilibrium for immatures. The population dynamics of L. eximia is compared to the dynamics of Chrysomya species and Cochliomyia macellaria.

Hybrid reflections in InGaP/GaAs(001) by synchrotron radiation multiple diffraction

Hybrid reflections (HRs) involving substrate and layer planes (SL type) [Morelhao et al., Appl. Phys. Len. 73 (15), 2194 (1998)] observed in Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE) grown InGaP/GaAs(001) structures were used as a three-dimensional probe to analyze structural properties of epitaxial layers. A set of (002) rocking curves (omega-scan) measured for each 15 degrees in the azimuthal plane was arranged in a pole diagram in phi for two samples with different layer thicknesses (#A -58 nm and #B - 370 nm) and this allowed us to infer the azimuthal epilayer homogeneity in both samples. Also, it was shown the occurrence of (1 (1) over bar3) HR detected even in the thinner layer sample. Mappings of the HR diffraction condition (omega:phi) allowed to observe the crystal truncation rod through the elongation of HR shape along the substrate secondary reflection streak which can indicate in-plane match of layer/substrate lattice parameters. (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Non-transposed three-phase line analyses with a single real transformation matrix

In transmission line transient analyses, a single real transformation matrix can obtain exact modes when the analyzed line is transposed. For non-transposed lines, the results are not exact. In this paper, non-symmetrical and non transposed three-phase line samples are analyzed with a single real transformation matrix application (Clarke's matrix). Some interesting characteristics of this matrix application are: single, real, frequency independent, line parameter independent, identical for voltage and current determination. With Clarke's matrix use, mathematical simplifications are obtained and the developed model can be applied directly in programs based on time domain. This model works without convolution procedures to deal with phase-mode transformation. In EMTP programs, Clarke's matrix can be represented by ideal transformers and the frequency dependent line parameters can be represented by modified-circuits. With these representations, the electrical values at any line point can be accessed for phase domain or mode domain using the Clarke matrix or its inverse matrix. For symmetrical and non-transposed lines, the model originates quite small errors. In addition, the application of the proposed model to the non-symmetrical and non-transposed three phase transmission lines is investigated. ©2005 IEEE.

Information and mechanical models of intelligence: What can we learn from cognitive science?

The impact of new advanced technology on issues that concern meaningful information and its relation to studies of intelligence constitutes the main topic of the present paper. The advantages, disadvantages and implications of the synthetic methodology developed by cognitive scientists, according to which mechanical models of the mind, such as computer simulations or self-organizing robots, may provide good explanatory tools to investigate cognition, are discussed. A difficulty with this methodology is pointed out, namely the use of meaningless information to explain intelligent behavior that incorporates meaningful information. In this context, it is inquired what are the contributions of cognitive science to contemporary studies of intelligent behavior and how technology may play a role in the analysis of the relationships established by organisms in their natural and social environments. © John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Dynamic behavior of cluster observables for the 2d Ising model

We present results of our numerical study of the critical dynamics of percolation observables for the two-dimensional Ising model. We consider the (Monte Carlo) short-time evolution of the system with small initial magnetization and heat-bath dynamics. We find qualitatively different dynamic behaviors for the magnetization M and for Ω, the so-called strength of the percolating cluster, which is the order parameter of the percolation transition. More precisely, we obtain a (leading) exponential form for Ω as a function of the Monte Carlo time t, to be compared with the power-law increase encountered for M at short times. Our results suggest that, although the descriptions in terms of magnetic or percolation order parameters may be equivalent in the equilibrium regime, greater care must be taken to interpret percolation observables at short times.

Analyzing the effect of homogeneous frustration in protein folding

The energy landscape theory has been an invaluable theoretical framework in the understanding of biological processes such as protein folding, oligomerization, and functional transitions. According to the theory, the energy landscape of protein folding is funneled toward the native state, a conformational state that is consistent with the principle of minimal frustration. It has been accepted that real proteins are selected through natural evolution, satisfying the minimum frustration criterion. However, there is evidence that a low degree of frustration accelerates folding. We examined the interplay between topological and energetic protein frustration. We employed a Cα structure-based model for simulations with a controlled nonspecific energetic frustration added to the potential energy function. Thermodynamics and kinetics of a group of 19 proteins are completely characterized as a function of increasing level of energetic frustration. We observed two well-separated groups of proteins: one group where a little frustration enhances folding rates to an optimal value and another where any energetic frustration slows down folding. Protein energetic frustration regimes and their mechanisms are explained by the role of non-native contact interactions in different folding scenarios. These findings strongly correlate with the protein free-energy folding barrier and the absolute contact order parameters. These computational results are corroborated by principal component analysis and partial least square techniques. One simple theoretical model is proposed as a useful tool for experimentalists to predict the limits of improvements in real proteins. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tribocorrosion behaviour of anodic treated titanium surfaces intended for dental implants

Tribocorrosion plays an important role in the lifetime of metallic implants. Once implanted, biomaterials are subjected to micro-movements in aggressive biological fluids. Titanium is widely used as an implant material because it spontaneously forms a compact and protective nanometric thick oxide layer, mainly TiO2, in ambient air. That layer provides good corrosion resistance, and very low toxicity, but its low wear resistance is a concern. In this work, an anodizing treatment was performed on commercial pure titanium to form a homogeneous thick oxide surface layer in order to provide bioactivity and improve the biological, chemical and mechanical properties. Anodizing was performed in an electrolyte containing β-glycerophosphate and calcium acetate. The influence of the calcium acetate content on the tribocorrosion behaviour of the anodized material was studied. The concentration of calcium acetate in the electrolyte was found to largely affect the crystallographic structure of the resulting oxide layer. Better tribocorrosion behaviour was noticed on increasing the calcium acetate concentration. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Inclusão do efeito da frequência nas equações de estado de linhas bifásicas: análise no domínio do tempo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo por simulação computacional da interação entre polieletrólitos fracos e macroíons esféricos

Pós-graduação em Biofísica Molecular - IBILCE

Caracterização de filmes finos de YBa2Cu3O7-x e La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 produzidos via síntese química

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Método do hamiltoniano termodinamicamente equivalente para sistemas de muitos corpos

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