Stabilizing the intensity of a wave amplified by a beam of particles

The intensity of an electromagnetic wave interacting self-consistently with a beam of charged particles as in a free electron laser, displays large oscillations due to an aggregate of particles, called the macro-particle. In this article, we propose a strategy to stabilize the intensity by re-shaping the macro-particle. This strategy involves the study of the linear stability (using the residue method) of selected periodic orbits of a mean-field model. As parameters of an additional perturbation are varied, bifurcations occur in the system which have drastic effect on the modification of the self-consistent dynamics, and in particular, of the macro-particle. We show how to obtain an appropriate tuning of the parameters which is able to strongly decrease the oscillations of the intensity without reducing its mean-value

Phase transitions of quasistationary states in the Hamiltonian Mean Field model

The out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the Hamiltonian Mean Field (HMF) model is studied in presence of an externally imposed magnetic field h. Lynden-Bell's theory of violent relaxation is revisited and shown to adequately capture the system dynamics, as revealed by direct Vlasov based numerical simulations in the limit of vanishing field. This includes the existence of an out-of-equilibrium phase transition separating magnetized and non magnetized phases. We also monitor the fluctuations in time of the magnetization, which allows us to elaborate on the choice of the correct order parameter when challenging the performance of Lynden-Bell's theory. The presence of the field h removes the phase transition, as it happens at equilibrium. Moreover, regions with negative susceptibility are numerically found to occur, in agreement with the predictions of the theory.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Analytical results on the magnetization of the Hamiltonian Mean Field model

The violent relaxation and the metastable states of the Hamiltonian Mean-Field model, a paradigmatic system of long-range interactions, is studied using a Hamiltonian formalism. Rigorous results are derived algebraically for the time evolution of selected macroscopic observables, e.g., the global magnetization. The high and low energy limits are investigated and the analytical predictions are compared with direct $N$-body simulations. The method we use enables us to re-interpret the out-of-equilibrium phase transition separating magnetized and (almost) unmagnetized regimes

Resultados da experimentação de genótipos de trigo para aptidão a duplo propósito no Paraná, em 2000.

bitstream/item/84114/1/CNPT-BOL.-PESQ.-6-01.pd

Electrophysiological evaluation of the peripheral and central pathways in patients with achondroplasia before and during a lower-limb lengthening procedure

In this paper we review the spectrum of spinal and peripheral nerve involvement secondary to achon- droplasia. Alongside conventional and computerised imaging techniques, electrophysiological investiga- tion may represent a useful, non-invasive approach in this clinical setting. Somatosensory evoked poten- tials (SEPs) and magnetic stimulation are valuable tools for studying spinal cord function. Neurophysio- logical abnormalities show a good correlation with the lesion level. Imaging techniques indicate that multiple malformation can affect the patient at the same time and SEPs help to determine the main site of involvement. Interestingly, these techniques are more sensitive than clinical evaluation in document- ing neurological impairment in patients with achon- droplasia prior to the manifestation of unmistakable signs. Callotasi has became a widely used and accept- ed procedure for limb lengthening. Extensive length- ening can be safely performed in patients with achon- droplasia once neurological impairment has been ruled out. In our experience, the presence of elec- trophysiological abnormalities calls for a compre- hensive surgical re-evaluation of the traditional pro- cedure, and sometimes exclusion of patients. Peripheral nerve involvement may occur during limb lengthening, and continuous nerve monitoring pro- vides useful insights into the pathophysiology of nerve damage

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 are activated during implantation and placentation in sheep

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The progression of implantation and placentation in ruminants is complex and is regulated by interplay between sex steroids and local signaling molecules, many of which have immune function. Chemokines and their receptors are pivotal factors in implantation and vascularization of the placenta. Based on known critical roles for chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) during early pregnancy in other species, we hypothesized that CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 would increase in the endometrium and conceptus in response to implantation in ewes. The objectives of the current study were to determine if CXCL12 and CXCR4 were upregulated in: endometrium from pregnant compared to non-pregnant ewes and in, conceptuses, cotyledons, caruncles and intercaruncular tissue.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Tissues were collected from sheep on Days 12, 13, 14, and 15 of either the estrous cycle or pregnancy and from pregnant ewes on Days 35 and 50. Blood samples from jugular and uterine vein were also collected on all days. Conceptuses were collected from mature ewes on Days 13, 15, 16, 17, 21 and 30 of gestation. Real time PCR was used to determine relative mRNA concentrations for CXCL12 and CXCR4 and Western blot analysis was employed to confirm protein concentration.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Differences described are P < 0.05. In the endometrium, CXCR4 mRNA and protein was greater on Day 15 of pregnancy compared to the estrous cycle. CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA in conceptuses was greater on Days 21 and 30 compared to earlier days. CXCL12 mRNA was greater in cotyledons on Day 35 compared to Day 50. On Day 35 of gestation, CXCR4 was greater compared to Day 50 in caruncle and intercaruncular tissue. White blood cells obtained from jugular and uterine vein collection had the greatest mRNA concentration of CXCL12 on Day 35 of pregnancy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A comprehensive analysis of CXCL12 and CXCR4 expression in fetal and maternal tissues during early pregnancy is reported with noteworthy differences occurring during implantation and placentation in sheep. We interpreted these data to mean that the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway is activated during implantation and placentation in sheep and is likely playing a role in the communication between trophoblast cells and the maternal endometrium.</p

Study of a zirconium getter for purification of xenon gas

Oxygen, nitrogen and methane purification efficiencies for a common zirconium getter are measured in 1050 Torr of xenon gas. Starting with impurity concentrations near 10^{-6} g/g, the outlet impurity level is found to be less than 120*10^{-12} g/g for O2 and less than 950*10^{-12} g/g for N2. For methane we find residual contamination of the purified gas at concentrations varying over three orders of magnitude, depending on the purifier temperature and the gas flow rate. A slight reduction in the purifier's methane efficiency is observed after 13 mg of this impurity has been absorbed, which we attribute to partial exhaustion of the purifier's capacity for this species. We also find that the purifier's ability to absorb N2 and methane can be extinguished long before any decrease in O2 performance is observed, and slower flow rates should be employed for xenon purification due to the cooling effect that the heavy gas has on the getter.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Protective effect and economic impact of insecticide application methods on barley.

Avalia o efeito protetor de diferentes formas de aplicação de inseticida sobre a transmissão do nanismo amarelo em cultivares de cevada, bem como determina os custos de produção e o lucro líquido destes manejos. Os experimentos foram realizados durante as safras 2011 e 2012, tendo-se utilizado os seguintes manejos nas parcelas principais: T1, tratamento de sementes com inseticida (TS) + inseticida na parte aérea aplicado quinzenalmente; T2, apenas TS; T3, inseticida aplicado à parte aérea, quando foi atingido o nível de controle de afídeos (NC); T4, sem inseticida; e T5, TS + inseticida na parte aérea, quando o NC foi atingido. As subparcelas foram constituídas de diferentes cultivares de cevada: BRS Cauê, BRS Brau e MN 6021. Foram utilizados os inseticidas lambda&#8209;cialotrina (piretroide) e thiametoxam (neonicotinoide). Houve diferenças no índice de doença do nanismo amarelo em ambas as safras para os diferentes manejos, enquanto o dano ao rendimento de grãos foi influenciado pelo ano e pela população de afídeos. Os custos de produção e lucro líquido diferiram entre os tratamentos. Constatou-se que o tratamento de sementes com inseticida é suficiente para reduzir a epidemia do nanismo&#8209;amarelo em anos com baixa pressão populacional de afídeos; porém, em anos com maiores populações, a aplicação de inseticida à parte aérea também se torna necessária

A dynamical classification of the range of pair interactions

We formalize a classification of pair interactions based on the convergence properties of the {\it forces} acting on particles as a function of system size. We do so by considering the behavior of the probability distribution function (PDF) P(F) of the force field F in a particle distribution in the limit that the size of the system is taken to infinity at constant particle density, i.e., in the "usual" thermodynamic limit. For a pair interaction potential V(r) with V(r) \rightarrow \infty) \sim 1/r^a defining a {\it bounded} pair force, we show that P(F) converges continuously to a well-defined and rapidly decreasing PDF if and only if the {\it pair force} is absolutely integrable, i.e., for a > d-1, where d is the spatial dimension. We refer to this case as {\it dynamically short-range}, because the dominant contribution to the force on a typical particle in this limit arises from particles in a finite neighborhood around it. For the {\it dynamically long-range} case, i.e., a \leq d-1, on the other hand, the dominant contribution to the force comes from the mean field due to the bulk, which becomes undefined in this limit. We discuss also how, for a \leq d-1 (and notably, for the case of gravity, a=d-2) P(F) may, in some cases, be defined in a weaker sense. This involves a regularization of the force summation which is generalization of the procedure employed to define gravitational forces in an infinite static homogeneous universe. We explain that the relevant classification in this context is, however, that which divides pair forces with a > d-2 (or a < d-2), for which the PDF of the {\it difference in forces} is defined (or not defined) in the infinite system limit, without any regularization. In the former case dynamics can, as for the (marginal) case of gravity, be defined consistently in an infinite uniform system.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure; significantly shortened and focussed, additional references, version to appear in J. Stat. Phy