Onset voltage shift due to non-zero Landau ground state level in coherent magnetotransport

Coherent electron transport in double-barrier heterostructures with parallel electric and magnetic fields is analyzed theoretically and with the aid of a quantum simulator accounting for 3-dimensional transport effects. The onset-voltage shift induced by the magnetic field in resonant tunneling diodes, which was previously attributed to the cyclotron frequency $w_c$ inside the well is found to arise from an upward shift of the non-zero ground (lowest) Landau state energy in the entire quantum region where coherent transport takes place. The spatial dependence of the cyclotron frequency is accounted for and verified to have a negligible impact on resonant tunneling for the device and magnetic field strength considered. A correction term for the onset-voltage shift arising from the magnetic field dependence of the chemical potential is also derived. The Landau ground state with its nonvanishing finite harmonic oscillator energy $\hbar w_c /2$ is verified however to be the principal contributor to the onset voltage shift at low temperatures.Comment: 13 pages, and 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Desigualdades regionais na mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero no Brasil: tendências e projeções até o ano 2030

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a tendência temporal da mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero no Brasil e calcular uma projeção até o ano de 2030. Foram analisados os óbitos ocorridos no Brasil de 1996 a 2010 (Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade). Foram realizadas análises das tendências da mortalidade por meio da regressão Joinpoint, e para o cálculo das projeções foi utilizado o Nordpred. Para o Brasil, a tendência é de redução (APC = 1, 7% IC95%-2, 2; -1, 1 p < 0, 05), sendo significativa nas regiões centro oeste (APC = -1, 3% ao ano), sudeste (APC =-3, 3%) e sul (APC = -3, 9%). As regiões norte e nordeste apresntam tendência de estabilidade. Os estados do Acre (APC = -6, 5%) e Rio Grande do Sul (APC = -4, 1%) apresentaram as maiores tendências de redução. Na análise das projeções de mortalidade, haverá uma redução das taxas no Brasil a partir do primeiro período projetado, sendo mais marcante para a região sul. As taxas de mortalidade até o ano 2030 serão explicadas, em maior medida, pela redução dos risco para a doença. A mortalidade por câncer de colo de útero apresenta tendência de redução, todavia está desigualmente distribuída no Brasil, com as regiões norte e nordeste apresentando as maiores taxas. The scope of this article is to analyze the temporal trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazil and calculate the projection of mortality through to the year 2030. Deaths that occurred within the 1996-2010 period were analyzed (Mortality Information System). Mortality trend analysis utilized the Joinpoint regression, while Nordpred was utilized for the calculation of projections. For Brazil, decreasing trends were identified (APC = 1.7% CI95%-2.2; -1.1 p < 0.05). The Midwest region presented a significant reduction trend (APC = -1.3% per year), along with the Southeast (APC = -3.3%) and South (APC = -3.9%) regions. The North and Northeast regions presented stable trends. The states of Acre (APC = -6.5%) and Rio Grande do Sul (APC = -4.1%) presented the most pronounced reduction trends. Analysis of the mortality projections revealed a reduction in mortality rates, starting from the first projected period, with a considerable reduction for the South region. Mortality rates through to the year 2030 are explained, principally, by reductions in the riskof the disease. Cervical cancer mortality presents reducing trends, however these are unequally distributed throughout the country, where the North and Northeast regions present the highest mortality rates

Properties and microstructure of alkali-activated red clay brick waste

Sintered red clay ceramic is used to produce hollow bricks which are manufactured in enormous quantities in Spain. They also constitute a major fraction of construction and demolition waste. The aim of this research was to investigate the properties and microstructure of alkali-activated cement pastes and mortars produced using red clay brick waste. The work shows that the type and concentration of alkali activator can be optimised to produce mortar samples with compressive strengths up to 50 MPa after curing for 7 days at 65 C. This demonstrates a new potential added value reuse application for this important waste material.The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for supporting this study through Project GEOCEDEM BIA 2011-26947, and to FEDER funding. They also thank the Institute for Science and Technology of Concrete - ICITECH, for providing the means to carry out this investigation; and Universitat Jaume I, for supporting this research through the research stay granted.Reig Cerdá, L.; Tashima, MM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Cheeseman, C.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2013). Properties and microstructure of alkali-activated red clay brick waste. Construction and Building Materials. 43:98-106. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.01.031S981064

New geopolymeric binder based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC)

This paper provides information about the synthesis and mechanical properties of geopolymers based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC). FCC was alkali activated with solutions containing different SiO 2/Na 2O ratios. The microstructure and mechanical properties were analysed by using several instrumental techniques. FCC geopolymers are mechanically stable, yielding compressive strength about 68 MPa when mortars are cured at 65°C during 3 days. The results confirm the viability of producing geopolymers based on FCC. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.We acknowledge the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN) of the Spanish Government and FEDER funds (MAT-2011-19934 project) and the PROPG-UNESP "Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho", Brazil.Mitsuuchi Tashima, M.; Akasaki, JL.; Castaldelli, V.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Borrachero Rosado, MV. (2012). New geopolymeric binder based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC). Materials Letters. 80:50-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2012.04.051S50528

Oral Wild-Type Salmonella Typhi Challenge Induces Activation of Circulating Monocytes and Dendritic Cells in Individuals Who Develop Typhoid Disease.

A new human oral challenge model with wild-type Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) was recently developed. In this model, ingestion of 104 CFU of Salmonella resulted in 65% of subjects developing typhoid fever (referred here as typhoid diagnosis -TD-) 5-10 days post-challenge. TD criteria included meeting clinical (oral temperature ≥38°C for ≥12 h) and/or microbiological (S. Typhi bacteremia) endpoints. One of the first lines of defense against pathogens are the cells of the innate immune system (e.g., monocytes, dendritic cells -DCs-). Various changes in circulating monocytes and DCs have been described in the murine S. Typhimurium model; however, whether similar changes are present in humans remains to be explored. To address these questions, a subset of volunteers (5 TD and 3 who did not develop typhoid despite oral challenge -NoTD-) were evaluated for changes in circulating monocytes and DCs. Expression of CD38 and CD40 were upregulated in monocytes and DCs in TD volunteers during the disease days (TD-0h to TD-96h). Moreover, integrin α4β7, a gut homing molecule, was upregulated on monocytes but not DCs. CD21 upregulation was only identified in DCs. These changes were not observed among NoTD volunteers despite the same oral challenge. Moreover, monocytes and DCs from NoTD volunteers showed increased binding to S. Typhi one day after challenge. These monocytes showed phosphorylation of p38MAPK, NFkB and Erk1/2 upon stimulation with S. Typhi-LPS-QDot micelles. In contrast, monocytes from TD volunteers showed only a moderate increase in S. Typhi binding 48 h and 96 h post-TD, and only Erk1/2 phosphorylation. This is the first study to describe different activation and migration profiles, as well as differential signaling patterns, in monocytes and DCs which relate directly to the clinical outcome following oral challenge with wild type S. Typhi

Alkali activated materials based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC): Influence ofSiO2/Na2O and H2O/FCC ratio on mechanical strength and microstructure

Reuse of industrial and agricultural wastes as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete and mortar productions contribute to sustainable development. In this context, fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (spent FCC), a byproduct from the petroleum industry and petrol refineries, have been studied as SCM in blended Portland cement in the last years. Nevertheless, another environmental friendly alternative has been conducted in order to produce alternative binders with low CO2 emissions. The use of aluminosilicate materials in the production of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) is an on going research topic which can present low CO2 emissions associated. Hence, this paper studies some variables that can influence the production of AAM based on spent FCC. Specifically, the influence of SiO2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio on the mechanical strength and microstructure are assessed. Some instrumental techniques, such as SEM, XRD, pH and electrical conductivity measurements, and MIP are performed in order to assess the microstructure of formed alkali-activated binder. Alkali activated mortars with compressive strength up to 80 MPa can be formed after curing for 3 days at 65 C. The research demonstrates the potential of spent FCC to produce alkali-activated cements and the importance of SiO2/Na2O molar ratio and the H2O/spent FCC mass ratio in optimising properties and microstructure.Authors would like to thank to the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN) of the Spanish Government (BIA2011-26947) and to FEDER for funding, and also to the PROPG - UNESP "Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho'', Brazil.Mitsuuchi Tashima, M.; Akasaki, JL.; Melges, J.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Borrachero Rosado, MV. (2013). Alkali activated materials based on fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FCC): Influence ofSiO2/Na2O and H2O/FCC ratio on mechanical strength and microstructure. Fuel. 108:833-839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.02.052S83383910