Production of optical phase space vortices with non-locally distributed mode converters

Optical vortices have been observed in a wide variety of optical systems. They can be observed directly in the wavefront of optical beams, or in the correlations between pairs of entangled photons. We present a novel optical vortex which appears in a non-local plane of the two-photon phase space, composed of a single degree of freedom of each photon of an entangled pair. The preparation of this vortex can be viewed as a "non-local" or distributed mode converter. We show how these novel optical vortices of arbitrary order can be prepared in the spatial degrees of freedom of entangled photons.Comment: To appear in upcoming special issue "Orbital Angular Momentum" of the Journal of Optic

Blockade of adenosine A2A receptors prevents protein phosphorylation in the striatum induced by cortical stimulation

©2006 Society for NeurosciencePrevious studies have shown that cortical stimulation selectively activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and immediate early gene expression in striatal GABAergic enkephalinergic neurons. In the present study, we demonstrate that blockade of adenosine A2A receptors with caffeine or a selective A2A receptor antagonist counteracts the striatal activation of cAMP– protein kinase A cascade (phosphorylation of the Ser845 residue of the glutamate receptor 1 subunit of the AMPA receptor) and mitogenactivated protein kinase (ERK1/2 phosphorylation) induced by the in vivo stimulation of corticostriatal afferents. The results indicate that A2A receptors strongly modulate the efficacy of glutamatergic synapses on striatal enkephalinergic neurons.This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Department of Health and Human Services

Alimentos e alimentação de ovinos e caprinos no semi-árido brasileiro.

A baixa qualidade e a escassez de forragem, especialmente durante a seca estacional, agravadas pelas doenças que normalmente acometem os rebanhos, são os principais fatores limitantes para a produtividade animal no Nordeste Semi-Árido. De modo geral, nos sistemas de produção extensivos os ganhos obtidos durante o período de relativa abundância pouco mais fazem que repor a condição corporal perdida durante o período de escassez. Ao longo das últimas décadas, estudos desenvolvidos pela Embrapa e seus diversos parceiros têm apontado alternativas para a redução, ou mesmo para a eliminação das perdas verificadas durante o período seco, garantindo incrementos no desempenho animal. Dentre estas, merecem destaque a melhoria das pastagens nativas, a suplementação alimentar (feno, silagem, subprodutos da agricultura e da agroindústria e concentrados protéicos e energéticos), além do cultivo de forrageiras com propósitos específicos (pastagens irrigadas, bancos de proteína etc.). O uso racional dos recursos forrageiros permite elevar a eficiência dos sistemas de produção, indicando o potencial para a competitividade da pecuária nordestina no cenário nacional. Entretanto, necessário se torna uma ampla disseminação dos novos conhecimentos entre os técnicos e produtores envolvidos com o agronegócio da caprinocultura e da ovinocultura. O presente trabalho reúne informações sobre o manejo e sobre o valor nutritivo dos diversos recursos forrageiros disponíveis no semi-árido. Objetiva, no âmbito geral, destacar os novos conhecimentos com vistas a inserir o produtor nordestino no competitivo mercado de produtos derivados dos pequenos ruminantes domésticos.bitstream/CNPC/20675/1/doc67.pd

Wear mechanisms in functionally graded aluminium matrix composites: Effect of the presence of an aqueous solution

Functionally graded aluminium matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles are attractive materials for a broad range of engineering applications in the automotive, aircraft, sports, military and aerospace industries, whenever a superior combination of surface and bulk mechanical properties are required. In general, these materials are developed for the production of high wear resistant components. Also, often this kind of mechanical part operates in the presence of aggressive environments, such as marine atmospheres. In this work, aluminium composites with functionally graded properties, obtained by centrifugal cast, are characterised by reciprocating pin-on-plate sliding wear tests against nodular cast iron. Three different volume fractions of SiC reinforcing particles in each functionally graded material were considered. Sliding experiments were performed with and without the presence of a lubricant (3% NaCl aqueous solution). All tests were carried out at room temperature, under a normal load of 10N and constant frequency (1 Hz) and stroke (6 mm). In the case of the lubricated tests, electrochemical parameters (corrosion potential) were monitored during sliding. The worn surfaces as well as the wear debris were characterised by SEM/EDS. Friction values were in the order of 0.42 for unlubricated conditions, but varied between 0.22 and 0.37 when the aqueous solution was present. Relatively high wear rates (over 110-6 gm-1) were obtained in both unlubricated and lubricated sliding. The volume fraction of SiC particles exerted a net effect on the tribological response of the composites, although conditioned by the presence or absence of the aqueous solution. A deleterious effect of the chloride aqueous solution on the degradation of the matrix, leading to the pull-out of SiC particles induced by the dissolution of the matrix/particle interface was evidenced. Observation of the worn surface morphology indicated that the presence of the lubricant modifies the protective action promoted by the combined effect of the presence of reinforcing particles as load bearing elements and the formation of adherent iron-rich tribolayers. The evolution of the corrosion potential during the sliding action is in accordance to the degradation mechanisms proposed for these systems.(undefined

Upper Paleozoic Dikes of the Marão Mountain (Northern Portugal); results of intra orogenic Extension?

[Abstract] In the Marão mountain occur hercynian mafic veins cutting the Schistose Formation of the Landeilian age. The geochemistry of these rocks present high concentrations on Ti ,P, Zr, Nb, Ba, and REE (Ti O2= 1.23-1,39 %, P2O5= 1.32-1,60 %, Zr = 565-641 ppm, Nb= 33-46 ppm, Ba = 2531-3219 ppm, ΣREE = 295-430 ppm) and indicate significant REE fractionation (CeN/ Y bN= 10.46) similar to that reported for alkaline mafic rocks. These characteristics and their patterns in THOMPSON (1984) diagram are typical of alkaline rocks. The dikes intrusion occurred in a late stage of the tectonic evolution of the Centro-Iberian autochthon prior to the granitic magmatic phase. Their intrusion was facilitated, either by the reorientation of the stress field due to the emplacement of the NW Iberian nappe complex or local extensions common in transpressive regimes. This geodynamical context could produce the generation of alkaline magmatism due to partial melting of the upper mantle, induced by adiabatical decompression in the major crustal NW-SE shear zones

Physical, chemical and topographic characterization of titanium surface oxide layers fabricated by anodic oxidation

Titanium and titanium alloys have been widely used in orthopeadics and dental implants because of their excellent properties such as low modulus, good fatigue strength, good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. However, their poor wear resistance still limits their application. When inserted in the oral environment dental implants are under a complex degradation phenomenon as a result of the combined action of chemical and mechanical solicitations, which can result in its failure. The relatively poor wear resistance of titanium may be improved by surface modification, namely by anodic oxidation. Also, as suggested by recent works carried out using animal models, bone regeneration may be enhanced by acting on the surface topography of the implant, essentially if the an oxide is present at the surface. The present study aims to investigate the surface properties of the anodic oxide films created on c.p. Ti. Oxide films were prepared by anodization (potentiostatic mode) in citric acid with different molar concentration and different applied voltages. The thickness, composition, structure and topography of the prepared films were investigated by XRD, RBS, and AFM. Also electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to characterize the original native oxide film before anodization, in comparison with the oxide film after anodic oxidation treatment. AFM results demonstrate substantial differences on film topography, with an enhancement on surface roughness. Also, changes on structure, thickness and chemical composition of the anodic oxide layers influences the electrochemical characteristics of the films

Viridans streptococcus endocarditis associated with spondylodiscitis.

Rev Port Cardiol. 2004 May;23(5):723-8. Viridans streptococcus endocarditis associated with spondylodiscitis. [Article in English, Portuguese] Luz A, Castro A, Ribeiro R, Bernardo L, Carvalho H, Bernardo A, Gomes L. SourceServiço de Cardiologia e Medicina 2 do Hospital Geral de Santo António, Porto, Portugal. [email protected] Abstract The authors report a case of a 78-year-old male, admitted to the Hospital with fever, lumbar pain and a systolic murmur. Viridans streptococcus endocarditis associated with spondylodiscitis was diagnosed. Images and results of the exams are presented. This case is compared with similar studies in the literature. PMID: 15279456 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Chaperone Concentration Changes and Increased Proteolysis in the Pathway to Disease

Transthyretin amyloidosis is a conformational pathology characterized by the extracellular formation of amyloid deposits and the progressive impairment of the peripheral nervous system. Point mutations in this tetrameric plasma protein decrease its stability and are linked to disease onset and progression. Since non-mutated transthyretin also forms amyloid in systemic senile amyloidosis and some mutation bearers are asymptomatic throughout their lives, non-genetic factors must also be involved in transthyretin amyloidosis. We discovered, using a differential proteomics approach, that extracellular chaperones such as fibrinogen, clusterin, haptoglobin, alpha-1-anti-trypsin and 2-macroglobulin are overrepresented in transthyretin amyloidosis. Our data shows that a complex network of extracellular chaperones are over represented in human plasma and we speculate that they act synergistically to cope with amyloid prone proteins. Proteostasis may thus be as important as point mutations in transthyretin amyloidosis