Effects Of Non-parabolicity And In-plane Magnetic Fields On The Cyclotron Effective Mass And G -factor In Gaas-(ga,al)as Quantum Wells

The envelope-function approach is used to theoretically study the effects of in-plane magnetic fields on the cyclotron effective mass and Landé g -factor associated to conduction electrons in single GaAs-(Ga,Al)As quantum wells. Non-parabolic and anisotropy effects are included in the calculations within the Ogg-McCombe effective Hamiltonian to describe the electron states in the semiconductor heterostructure. The electronic structure and both the cyclotron effective mass and Landé g -factor were obtained, by expanding the corresponding envelope wave functions in terms of harmonic-oscillator wave functions, as functions of the in-plane magnetic field, cyclotron orbit-center position, and quantum-well widths. This procedure allows us to consider the different terms in the Hamiltonian on equal footing, avoiding therefore the use of approximate methods to obtain the envelope wave functions and the corresponding energy spectrum. 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Self-similarity And Anti-self-similarity Of The Effective Landé G Factor In Gaas-(ga,al)as Fibonacci Superlattices Under In-plane Magnetic Fields

A theoretical study of the effects of in-plane magnetic fields on the Landé g factor associated to conduction electrons in GaAs-(Ga,Al)As Fibonacci superlattices is presented. We have used the Ogg-McCombe effective Hamiltonian, which includes nonparabolic and anisotropy effects, in order to describe the electron states in the Fibonacci heterostructure. We have expanded the corresponding electron envelope wave functions in terms of harmonic-oscillator wave functions, and obtained the Landé g factor for magnetic fields related by even powers of the golden mean τ=(1+5)2. Theoretical results for GaAs-(Ga,Al)As Fibonacci superlattices, under magnetic-field values scaled by τ2n, clearly exhibit a self-similar (for even n) or anti-self-similar (for odd n) behavior for the Landé g factors, as appropriate. © 2006 The American Physical Society.743Merlin, R., Bajema, K., Clarke, R., Juang, F.Y., Bhattacharya, P.K., (1985) Phys. Rev. Lett., 55, p. 1768. , PRLTAO 0031-9007 10.1103/PhysRevLett.55.1768Wang, Y.Y., Maan, J.C., (1989) Phys. Rev. B, 40, p. 1955. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.40.1955Toet, D., Potemski, M., Wang, Y.Y., Maan, J.C., Tapfer, L., Ploog, K., (1991) Phys. Rev. Lett., 66, p. 2128. , PRLTAO 0031-9007 10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2128Maan, J.C., Chitta, V., Toet, D., Potemski, M., Ploog, K., (1992) Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences, 101, p. 549. , edited by G. Landwehr (Springer, BerlinBruno-Alfonso, A., Oliveira, L.E., De Dios-Leyva, M., (1995) Appl. Phys. Lett., 67, p. 536. , APPLAB 0003-6951 10.1063/1.115180Bruno-Alfonso, A., Reyes-Gómez, E., Oliveira, L.E., De Dios-Leyva, M., (1995) J. Appl. Phys., 78, p. 15. , JAPIAU. 0021-8979. 10.1063/1.360240De Dios-Leyva, M., Bruno-Alfonso, A., Reyes-Gómez, E., Oliveira, L.E., (1995) J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 7, p. 9799. , JCOMEL. 0953-8984. 10.1088/0953-8984/7/50/014Nielsen, M.A., Chuang, I.L., (2000) Quantum Computation and Quantum Information, , Cambridge University Press, CambridgeSalis, G., Kato, Y.K., Ensslin, K., Driscol, D.C., Gossard, A.C., Awschalom, D.D., (2001) Nature (London), 414, p. 619. , NATUAS 0028-0836 10.1038/414619aZutic, I., Fabian, J., Das Sarma, S., (2004) Rev. Mod. Phys., 76, p. 323. , RMPHAT 0034-6861 10.1103/RevModPhys.76.323Engel, H.-A., Loss, D., (2005) Science, 309, p. 586. , SCIEAS 0036-8075 10.1126/science.1113203Hermann, C., Weisbuch, C., (1977) Phys. Rev. B, 15, p. 823. , PLRBAQ 0556-2805 10.1103/PhysRevB.15.823Le Jeune, P., Robart, D., Marie, X., Amand, T., Brosseau, M., Barrau, J., Kalevich, V., Rodichev, D., (1997) Semicond. Sci. Technol., 12, p. 380. , SSTEET 0268-1242 10.1088/0268-1242/12/4/006Malinowski, A., Harley, R.T., (2000) Phys. Rev. B, 62, p. 2051. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.62.2051Sapega, V.F., Ruf, T., Cardona, M., Ploog, K., Ivchenko, E.L., Mirlin, D.N., (1994) Phys. Rev. B, 50, p. 2510. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.50.2510Medeiros-Ribeiro, G., Pinheiro, M.V.B., Pimentel, V.L., Marega, E., (2002) Appl. Phys. Lett., 80, p. 4229. , APPLAB 0003-6951 10.1063/1.1483112Hanson, R., Witkamp, B., Vandersypen, L.M.K., Willems Van Beveren, L.H., Elzerman, J.M., Kouwenhoven, L.P., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, p. 196802. , PRLTAO 0031-9007 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.196802Rashba, E.I., Efros, A.L., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, p. 126405. , PRLTAO 0031-9007 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.126405De Sousa, R., Das Sarma, S., (2003) Phys. Rev. B, 68, p. 155330. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.68.155330Prado, S.J., Trallero-Giner, C., Alcalde, A.M., Lopez-Richard, V., Marques, G.E., (2004) Phys. Rev. B, 69, p. 201310. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.69.201310Destefani, C.F., Ulloa, S.E., (2005) Phys. Rev. B, 71, p. 161303. , PRBMDO 0163-1829 10.1103/PhysRevB.71.161303Ogg, N.R., (1966) Proc. Phys. Soc. London, 89, p. 431. , PPSOAU 0370-1328 10.1088/0370-1328/89/2/326McCombe, B.O., (1969) Phys. Rev., 181, p. 1206. , PHRVAO 0031-899X 10.1103/PhysRev.181.1206Braun, M., Rössler, U., (1985) J. Phys. C, 18, p. 3365. , JPSOAW. 0022-3719. 10.1088/0022-3719/18/17/013Golubev, V.G., Ivanov-Omskii, V.I., Minervin, I.G., Osutin, A.V., Polyakov, D.G., (1985) Sov. Phys. JETP, 61, p. 1214. , SPHJAR 0038-5646De Dios-Leyva, M., Reyes-Gómez, E., Perdomo-Leiva, C.A., Oliveira, L.E., (2006) Phys. Rev. B, 73, p. 085316. , PRBMDO. 0163-1829. 10.1103/PhysRevB.73.085316Li, E.H., (2000) Physica e (Amsterdam), 5, p. 215. , PELNFM 1386-9477 10.1016/S1386-9477(99)00262-3Dresselhaus, G., (1955) Phys. Rev., 100, p. 580. , PHRVAO 0031-899X 10.1103/PhysRev.100.58

Preference incorporation in MOEA/D using an outranking approach with imprecise model parameters

Multi-objective Optimization Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) face numerous challenges when they are used to solve Many-objective Optimization Problems (MaOPs). Decomposition-based strategies, such as MOEA/D, divide an MaOP into multiple single-optimization sub-problems, achieving better diversity and a better approximation of the Pareto front, and dealing with some of the challenges of MaOPs. However, these approaches still require one to solve a multi-criteria selection problem that will allow a Decision-Maker (DM) to choose the final solution. Incorporating preferences may provide results that are closer to the region of interest of a DM. Most of the proposals to integrate preferences in decomposition-based MOEAs prefer progressive articulation over the “a priori” incorporation of preferences. Progressive articulation methods can hardly work without comparable and transitive preferences, and they can significantly increase the cognitive effort required of a DM. On the other hand, the “a priori” strategies do not demand transitive judgements from the DM but require a direct parameter elicitation that usually is subject to imprecision. Outranking approaches have properties that allow them to suitably handle non-transitive preferences, veto conditions, and incomparability, which are typical characteristics of many real DMs. This paper explores how to incorporate DM preferences into MOEA/D using the “a priori” incorporation of preferences, based on interval outranking relations, to handle imprecision when preference parameters are elicited. Several experiments make it possible to analyze the proposal's performance on benchmark problems and to compare the results with the classic MOEA/D without preference incorporation and with a recent, state-of-the-art preference-based decomposition algorithm. In many instances, our results are closer to the Region of Interest, particularly when the number of objectives increases

An ACO-based Hyper-heuristic for Sequencing Many-objective Evolutionary Algorithms that Consider Different Ways to Incorporate the DM's Preferences

Many-objective optimization is an area of interest common to researchers, professionals, and practitioners because of its real-world implications. Preference incorporation into Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) is one of the current approaches to treat Many-Objective Optimization Problems (MaOPs). Some recent studies have focused on the advantages of embedding preference models based on interval outranking into MOEAs; several models have been proposed to achieve it. Since there are many factors influencing the choice of the best outranking model, there is no clear notion of which is the best model to incorporate the preferences of the decision maker into a particular problem. This paper proposes a hyper-heuristic algorithm—named HyperACO—that searches for the best combination of several interval outranking models embedded into MOEAs to solve MaOPs. HyperACO is able not only to select the most appropriate model but also to combine the already existing models to solve a specific MaOP correctly. The results obtained on the DTLZ and WFG test suites corroborate that HyperACO can hybridize MOEAs with a combined preference model that is suitable to the problem being solved. Performance comparisons with other state-of-the-art MOEAs and tests for statistical significance validate this conclusion

Anisotropic thermally activated diffusion in percolation systems

We present a study of static and frequency-dependent diffusion with anisotropic thermally activated transition rates in a two-dimensional bond percolation system. The approach accounts for temperature effects on diffusion coefficients in disordered anisotropic systems. Static diffusion shows an Arrhenius behavior for low temperatures with an activation energy given by the highest energy barrier of the system. From the frequency-dependent diffusion coefficients we calculate a characteristic frequency $\omega_{c}\sim 1/t_{c}$, related to the time $t_c$ needed to overcome a characteristic barrier. We find that $\omega_c$ follows an Arrhenius behavior with different activation energies in each direction.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Evaluación de sistemas de producción y alimentación bovina (Quindío-Colombia).

Se realizó una encuesta en 50 explotaciones ganaderas en el departamento de Quindio (Colombia) cubriendo aspectos: físicos (altura m.s.n.m.), socio-económicos (precio de leche, uso de mano de obra), manejo de forrajes (area de pastos mejorados), manejo animal (sistemas de crianza de terneros), alimentación (uso de concentrados, pasto de corte), parámetros de productividad (producción por vaca, carga animal). Los objetivos básicos del trabajo, fueron describir y caracterizar los sistemas de producción y evaluar técnicamente las formas de alimentación tradicional utilizadas. Para el primer objetivo se emplearon las técnicas para análisis multivariante de datos: análisis factorial y análisis de conglomerados ((cluster), de la cual se obtuvo la tipificación de los productores en 4 grupos de fincas con caractersticas productivas y socio-agroenonómicas diferentes. Para cada grupo se obtuvo un modelo esquemático del sistema de producción respectivo. La evaluación alimentaria se realizó con modelos sencillos para el cálculo de raciones en vacas en producción, vacas secas, novillas y terneros, empleando en el modelo dietas típicas utilizadas en los diferentes sistemas de producción. Al analizar las dietas se encontraton tendencias dentro de la muestra en estudio tales como: deficiencias de energía en el aporte nutricional de las dietas para las vacas en producción, bajos niveles de producción de leche/vaca y bajas ganancias de peso para animales en crecimiento. También se encontró en la zona de estudio costosos sistemas de crianza para terneros, manejo irracional del componente forrajero: praderas - pasto de corte y utilización ineficiente de subproductos y recursos no convencionales de alta disponibilidad para la alimentación de bovinos.;A partir del análisis integrado de los aspectos estudiados, se proponen recomendaciones prácticas dirigidas al asistente técnico e instituciones tendientes a solucionar los problemas encontrados y con el criterio de reducir costos de producción y aumentar productividad/ha en las finca

The biology and behavior of the longhorned beetle, Dectes texanus on sunflower and soybean

The biology and behavior of the longhorned beetle Dectes texanus LeConte (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) was studied on two host plants that suffer economic losses from this pest; sunflower, Helianthus annuus, and soybean, Glycines max. Reciprocal crosses of D. texanus collected from the two plants all produced viable progeny, indicating that conspecific insects attack both crops. Pupae from soybean stalks weighed about 40% less than those from sunflower, and adults fed on soybean lived a mean of 23 days, compared to a mean of 53 days (males) and 76 days (females) for those fed sunflower. A female's larval host plant had no effect on her tendency to ovipuncture plants of either type in a greenhouse trial. A field-tested population collected exclusively from sunflower contained three types of females in similar proportions: those that laid eggs only on sunflower, those that laid only on soybean, and those that laid equally on both host plants. Females in field trials fed more on the plant they had fed on in the laboratory, but soybean-fed females fed more on soybean than did sunflower-fed females. Females fed soybean also made more ovipunctures on soybean plants in field trials than sunflower-fed females, but their responses to sunflower plants were similar. Females displayed higher total ovipositional activity when they encountered sunflower first in the field, and lower total activity when they encountered soybean first. Feeding scores were significantly correlated with ovipunctures and eggs on both plant types. We conclude that sunflower is the preferred host plant, although females will accept soybean when it is the only available food. The results suggest that D. texanus is still in the initial stages of a host range expansion with female host selection behavior demonstrating both genetic influences and phenotypic flexibility. Sunflower represents a nutritionally superior, ancestral host plant and relatively high fitness costs are still associated with utilization of the novel host plant, soybean, costs that may be offset by benefits such as reduced intraspecific competition. These potential benefits and their consequent implications for D. texanus host range evolution are hypothesized and discussed

Clinical and ultrasound thyroid nodule characteristics and their association with cytological and histopathological outcomes: A retrospective multicenter study in high-resolution thyroid nodule clinics

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a common finding. A high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic (HR-TNC) condenses all tests required for the evaluation of thyroid nodules into a single appointment. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes at HR-TNCs. Design and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study including data from four HR-TNCs in Spain. We evaluated fine-needle aspiration (FNA) indications and the association between clinical and ultrasound characteristics with cytological and histopathological outcomes. Results: A total of 2809 thyroid nodules were included; FNA was performed in 82.1%. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNA were more likely larger, isoechoic, with microcalcifications, and in younger subjects. The rate of nondiagnostic FNA was 4.3%. A solid component, irregular margins or microcalcifications, significantly increased the odds of Bethesda IV-V-VI (vs. Bethesda II). Irregular margins and a solid component were independently associated with increased odds of malignancy. Thyroid nodules <20 mm and ≥20–<40 mm had a 6.5-fold and 3.3-fold increased risk for malignancy respectively in comparison with those ≥40 mm. Conclusion: In this large multicenter study, we found that the presence of a solid component and irregular margins are factors independently related to malignancy in thyroid nodules. Since nodule size ≥40 mm was associated with the lowest odds of malignancy, this cut-off should not be a factor leading to indicate thyroid surgery. HR-TNCs were associated with a low rate of nondiagnostic FNA

Optimizing the DFCN Broadcast Protocol with a Parallel Cooperative Strategy of Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms

Proceeding of: 5th International Conference, EMO 2009, Nantes, France, April 7-10, 2009This work presents the application of a parallel coopera- tive optimization approach to the broadcast operation in mobile ad-hoc networks (manets). The optimization of the broadcast operation im- plies satisfying several objectives simultaneously, so a multi-objective approach has been designed. The optimization lies on searching the best configurations of the dfcn broadcast protocol for a given manet sce- nario. The cooperation of a team of multi-objective evolutionary al- gorithms has been performed with a novel optimization model. Such model is a hybrid parallel algorithm that combines a parallel island- based scheme with a hyperheuristic approach. Results achieved by the algorithms in different stages of the search process are analyzed in order to grant more computational resources to the most suitable algorithms. The obtained results for a manets scenario, representing a mall, demon- strate the validity of the new proposed approach.This work has been supported by the ec (feder) and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science inside the ‘Plan Nacional de i+d+i’ (tin2005-08818-c04) and (tin2008-06491-c04-02). The work of Gara Miranda has been developed under grant fpu-ap2004-2290.Publicad