WMAP Constraints on a Quintessence Model

We use the results from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) for the locations of peaks and troughs of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) power spectrum, together with constraints from large-scale structure, to study a quintessence model in which the pure exponential potential is modified by a polynomial factor. Our analysis, in the $(\Omega_m, h, n_s)$ cosmological parameters space shows that this quintessence model is favoured compared to $\Lambda$CDM for $n_s\approx 1$ and relatively high values of early quintessence; for $n_s<1$, quintessence and $\Lambda$CDM give similar results, except for high values of early quintessence, in which case $\Lambda$CDM is favoured.Comment: 3 pages. Talk presented by N. M. C. Santos at the Tenth Marcel Grossmann Meeting on General Relativity, Rio de Janeiro, July 200

Quantum Process Estimation via Generic Two-Body Correlations

Performance of quantum process estimation is naturally limited to fundamental, random, and systematic imperfections in preparations and measurements. These imperfections may lead to considerable errors in the process reconstruction due to the fact that standard data analysis techniques presume ideal devices. Here, by utilizing generic auxiliary quantum or classical correlations, we provide a framework for estimation of quantum dynamics via a single measurement apparatus. By construction, this approach can be applied to quantum tomography schemes with calibrated faulty state generators and analyzers. Specifically, we present a generalization of "Direct Characterization of Quantum Dynamics" [M. Mohseni and D. A. Lidar, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 170501 (2006)] with an imperfect Bell-state analyzer. We demonstrate that, for several physically relevant noisy preparations and measurements, only classical correlations and small data processing overhead are sufficient to accomplish the full system identification. Furthermore, we provide the optimal input states for which the error amplification due to inversion on the measurement data is minimal.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Prospects for the rapid detection of mealiness in apples by nondestructive NMR relaxometry

The potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry for quantitative evaluation of apple mealiness has been investigated. The degree of "mealiness" was defined by several mechanical techniques, including penetration, compression and shear rupture as well as by the BRIX (soluble solids) and juiciness levels. These data were correlated with both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and NMR water proton transverse relaxation time measurements on a fruit-by-fruit basis. It was found that increasing mealiness caused a systematic increase in the transverse relaxation rate. The potential for rapid, on-line NMR/MRI detection of apple mealiness is discussed

Microencapsulación de compuestos de actividad biologica

La microencapsulación de compuestos de actividad biológica (ADN, fármacos, proteínas, probióticos, enzimas, etc.), desde el punto de vista tecnológico podría definirse como el proceso de recubrimiento de dichos compuestos, bajo la forma de moléculas, partículas sólidas o glóbulos líquidos, con materiales de distinta naturaleza, para dar lugar a partículas de tamaño micrométrico. Uno de los polímeros naturales más utilizados para la producción de microesferas es el quitosano. Diversos métodos han sido propuestos para la producción de microcápsulas divididos en tres grupos: procesos físicos, procesos químicos y procesos físico-químicos. En el presente trabajo se ensayaron distintas metodologías para la producción de microesferas y micropartículas de quitosano. Según la metodología empleada se obtuvieron distintos tipos de esferas en lo que respecta a tamaño y densidad. Las micropartículas obtenidas se evaluaron mediante microscopía óptica, electrónica de barrido, así como se realizó la evaluación de su estabilidad y liberación del agente encapsulado

Can Ω−→Ξ−γ\Omega^- \to \Xi^- \gamma be sensitive to new physics beyond the Standard Model ?

We investigate the impact of new physics beyond the Standard Model to the $s \rightarrow d \gamma$ process, which is responsible for the short-distance contribution to the radiative decay \Otogamma. We study three representative extensions of the Standard Model, namely a one-family technicolor model, a two Higgs doublet model and a model containing scalar leptoquarks. When constraints arising from the observed $b \to s \gamma$ transition and the upper limit on $D^0 - \bar{D}^0$ mixing are taken into account, we find no significant contributions of new physics to the $s \to d \gamma$ process.Comment: 9 pages, RevTex, no figure

Propriedades tecnológicas de bactérias ácido lácticas e staphilococcaceae isoladas da microbiota de embutidos cárneos artesanais na região Sul/Brasil.

Projeto/Plano de Ação: 03.08.06.009

Visao retrospectiva do melhoramento genetico do algodoeiro moco (Gossypium hirsutum r. marie galante Hutch) no nordeste do Brasil.

bitstream/item/33387/1/VISAO-RETROSPECTIVA.pd

A low CMB variance in the WMAP data

We have estimated the CMB variance from the three-year WMAP data, finding a value which is significantly lower than the one expected from Gaussian simulations using the WMAP best-fit cosmological model, at a significance level of 98.7 per cent. This result is even more prominent if we consider only the north ecliptic hemisphere (99.8 per cent). Different analyses have been performed in order to identify a possible origin for this anomaly. In particular we have studied the behaviour of single radiometers and single year data as well as the effect of residual foregrounds and 1/f noise, finding that none of these possibilities can explain the low value of the variance. We have also tested the effect of varying the cosmological parameters, finding that the estimated CMB variance tends to favour higher values of $n_s$ than the one of the WMAP best-fit model. In addition, we have also tested the consistency between the estimated CMB variance and the actual measured CMB power spectrum of the WMAP data, finding a strong discrepancy. A possible interpretation of this result could be a deviation from Gaussianity and/or isotropy of the CMB.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures. Some new tests added. Section 5 largely modified. Accepted for publication in MNRA