Eikonal zeros in the momentum transfer space from proton-proton scattering: An empirical analysis

By means of improved empirical fits to the differential cross section data on $pp$ elastic scattering at $19.4 \le\sqrt{s}\le 62.5$ GeV and making use of a semi-analytical method, we determine the eikonal in the momentum transfer space (the inverse scattering problem). This method allows the propagation of the uncertainties from the fit parameters up to the extracted eikonal, providing statistical evidence that the imaginary part of the eikonal (real part of the opacity function) presents a zero (change of signal) in the momentum space, at $q^2 \approx 7 \pm 1$ GeV$^2$. We discuss the implication of this change of signal in the phenomenological context, showing that eikonal models with one zero provide good descriptions of the differential cross sections in the full momentum transfer range, but that is not the case for models without zero. Empirical connections between the extracted eikonal and results from a recent global analysis on the proton electric form factor are also discussed, in special the Wu-Yang conjecture. In addition, we present a critical review on the $pp$ differential cross section data presently available at high energies.Comment: Two references and some misprints corrected, 22 pages; final version to be published in Eur.Phys. J. C (2008

PT-symmetry from Lindblad dynamics in a linearized optomechanical system

We analyze a lossy linearized optomechanical system in the red-detuned regime under the rotating wave approximation. This so-called optomechanical state transfer protocol provides effective lossy frequency converter (quantum beam-splitter-like) dynamics where the strength of the coupling between the electromagnetic and mechanical modes is controlled by the optical steady-state amplitude. By restricting to a subspace with no losses, we argue that the transition from mode-hybridization in the strong coupling regime to the damped-dynamics in the weak coupling regime, is a signature of the passive parity-time (PT) symmetry breaking transition in the underlying non-Hermitian quantum dimer. We compare the dynamics generated by the quantum open system (Langevin or Lindblad) approach to that of the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian, to characterize the cases where the two are identical. Additionally, we numerically explore the evolution of separable and correlated number states at zero temperature as well as thermal initial state evolution at room temperature. Our results provide a pathway for realizing non-Hermitian Hamiltonians in optomechanical systems at a quantum level

Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy: A Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Tissues

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a second‐order non‐linear optical process produced in birefringent crystals or in biological tissues with non‐centrosymmetric structure such as collagen or microtubules structures. SHG signal originates from two excitation photons which interact with the material and are “reconverted” to form a new emitted photon with half of wavelength. Although theoretically predicted by Maria Göpert‐Mayer in 1930s, the experimental SHG demonstration arrived with the invention of the laser in the 1960s. SHG was first obtained in ruby by using a high excitation oscillator. After that starting point, the harmonic generation reached an increasing interest and importance, based on its applications to characterize biological tissues using multiphoton microscopes. In particular, collagen has been one of the most often analyzed structures since it provides an efficient SHG signal. In late 1970s, it was discovered that SHG signal took place in three‐dimensional optical interaction at the focal point of a microscope objective with high numerical aperture. This finding allowed researchers to develop microscopes with 3D submicron resolution and an in depth analysis of biological specimens. Since SHG is a polarization‐sensitive non‐linear optical process, the implementation of polarization into multiphoton microscopes has allowed the study of both molecular architecture and fibrilar distribution of type‐I collagen fibers. The analysis of collagen‐based structures is particularly interesting since they represent 80% of the connective tissue of the human body. On the other hand, more recent techniques such as pulse compression of laser pulses or adaptive optics have been applied to SHG microscopy in order to improve the visualization of features. The combination of these techniques permit the reduction of the laser power required to produce efficient SHG signal and therefore photo‐toxicity and photo‐damage are avoided (critical parameters in biomedical applications). Some pathologies such as cancer or fibrosis are related to collagen disorders. These are thought to appear at molecular scale before the micrometric structure is affected. In this sense, SHG imaging has emerged as a powerful tool in biomedicine and it might serve as a non‐invasive early diagnosis technique

Sustainable development aspects of biodiesel production and application in Brazil

Concerns about climate change effects have prompted many countries to search for solutions to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In the last few years biodiesel production has gained world attention, as it is seen as a sustainable and renewable energy source. Biodiesel is a natural substitute for diesel oil, and can be obtained from different oleaginous plants. However, there are worries about devastation of forests and biodiversity-rich areas to produce biodiesel. Even considering biodiesel as a promising solution, the impacts of its production must be carefully evaluated. This work examines the Brazilian scenario for biodiesel production and use as an automotive fuel. Native and adapted oleaginous in many Brazilian regions and their potentiality for biodiesel production are presented. Experimental results of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from a diesel power generator fuelled by blends of diesel oil and castor oil or soybean biodiesel are also presented

Superpixel-Based Optic Nerve Head Segmentation Method of Fundus Images for Glaucoma Assessment

Glaucoma disease is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. This progressive ocular neuropathy is mainly caused by uncontrolled high intraocular pressure. Although there is still no cure, early detection and appropriate treatment can stop the disease progression to low vision and blindness. In the clinical practice, the gold standard used by ophthalmologists for glaucoma diagnosis is fundus retinal imaging, in particular optic nerve head (ONH) subjective/manual examination. In this work, we propose an unsupervised superpixel-based method for the optic nerve head (ONH) segmentation. An automatic algorithm based on linear iterative clustering is used to compute an ellipse fitting for the automatic detection of the ONH contour. The tool has been tested using a public retinal fundus images dataset with medical expert ground truths of the ONH contour and validated with a classified (control vs. glaucoma eyes) database. Results showed that the automatic segmentation method provides similar results in ellipse fitting of the ONH that those obtained from the ground truth experts within the statistical range of inter-observation variability. Our method is a user-friendly available program that provides fast and reliable results for clinicians working on glaucoma screening using retinal fundus images

A study on disability glare vision in young adult subjects

The full assessment of the visual system must include the evaluation of the optical quality of the eye and neural visual functions. The objective evaluation of the retinal image quality is often carried out by computing the point spread function (PSF) of the eye. The central part of the PSF is associated with optical aberrations and the peripheral areas with scattering contributions. In that sense, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity function tests can be considered the perceptual neural response to those contributions characterizing the eye’s PSF. However, in natural viewing conditions, visual acuity tests may provide good vision while contrast sensitivity tests can reveal visual impairment in glare vision conditions, such as exposure to bright light sources or night driving conditions. Here we present an optical instrument for the study of disability glare vision under extended Maxwellian illumination to assess the contrast sensitivity function under glare conditions. The limit of the Total Disability Glare threshold, tolerance, and glare adaptation will be investigated as a function of the angular size of the glare source (GA) and the contrast sensitivity function in young adult subjects

Novel memory-based sensory approach to assess large-scale typicality: the case of mainland Portugal red wines

Twenty professional wine experts were asked to describe their prototypical construct of a representative young red wine from each of the 12 Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) of mainland Portugal. No samples were assessed; the experiment was based on memory alone by completion of 12 extended self-reported sensory questionnaires. Four large-scale areas were differentiated, the typicality being statistically validated and described from a sensory standpoint. Alcohol, acidity, bitterness, and astringency were cross-linked; the respective variations were correlated with published literature and expressed as key factors for the regional macroscale area differentiation. Bitterness and astringency were found to be sensory different and related on a geographical scale, as bitterness was primarily affected by inland/coastal influence; while astringency confirmed its customary north/south dependence that finding is to be considered a new understanding. Moreover, with the proposed methodology, it was possible to achieve a novel nationwide sensory characterization of PGIs, overcoming present day limitations on macroscale sensory research and sample representativeness. Results by uncalibrated prototypical memory assessment of single PGI Beira Atlântico were compared with the outcome of calibrated wine sampling assessment by local experts, using the same sensory questionnaire, and were found significantly correlated. The need for a calibration stage was found uneven regarding the overall group of scrutinized wine descriptors