Charge orders, magnetism and pairings in the cuprate superconductors

We review the recent developments in the field of cuprate superconductors with the special focus on the recently observed charge order in the underdoped compounds. We introduce new theoretical developments following the study of the antiferromagnetic (AF) quantum critical point (QCP) in two dimensions, in which preemptive orders in the charge and superconducting (SC) sectors emerged, that are in turn related by an SU(2) symmetry. We consider the implications of this proliferation of orders in the underdoped region, and provide a study of the type of fluctuations which characterize the SU(2) symmetry. We identify an intermediate energy scale where the SU(2) pairing fluctuations are dominant and argue that they are unstable towards the formation of a Resonant Peierls Excitonic (RPE) state at the pseudogap (PG) temperature $T^{*}$. We discuss the implications of this scenario for a few key experiments.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figure

Quantum statistical correlations in thermal field theories: boundary effective theory

We show that the one-loop effective action at finite temperature for a scalar field with quartic interaction has the same renormalized expression as at zero temperature if written in terms of a certain classical field $\phi_c$, and if we trade free propagators at zero temperature for their finite-temperature counterparts. The result follows if we write the partition function as an integral over field eigenstates (boundary fields) of the density matrix element in the functional Schr\"{o}dinger field-representation, and perform a semiclassical expansion in two steps: first, we integrate around the saddle-point for fixed boundary fields, which is the classical field $\phi_c$, a functional of the boundary fields; then, we perform a saddle-point integration over the boundary fields, whose correlations characterize the thermal properties of the system. This procedure provides a dimensionally-reduced effective theory for the thermal system. We calculate the two-point correlation as an example.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figur

Teratoma Sacrococcígeo:Caso Clínico

O teratoma sacrococcígeo, embora raro, é a neoplasia mais frequentemente diagnosticada no período neonatal. O diagnóstico é geralmente estabelecido após o nascimento, apesar do uso da ultrassonografia obstétrica permitir um número crescente de sinalizações pré -natais. O principal diagnóstico diferencial é o mielomeningocelo. A monitorização de marcadores tumorais sugestivos da presença de células malignas de um tumor do saco vitelino associado, tal como a alfa- -fetoproteína, e a ressecção precoce do tumor são recomendáveis. Apresenta -se o caso clínico de um recém -nascido do sexo feminino a quem foi detectado ao nascimento uma massa sacrococcígea. A ressonância magnética nuclear admitiu tratar -se de um teratoma sacrococcígeo e o valor de alfa -fetoproteína era normal para a idade da doente. Foi realizada ressecção total do tumor com remoção do cóccix e confi rmado o diagnóstico em estudo anátomo -patológico. A reavaliação posterior da criança revelou um valor decrescente da alfa -fetoproteína, ausência de défi ces motores e um bom aspecto cosmético. A apresentação deste caso clínico pretende realçar a importância do diagnóstico precoce, fundamental para a abordagem terapêutica adequada e melhor prognóstico

Improving the Knowledge on Seismogenic Sources in the Lower Tagus Valley for Seismic Hazard Purposes

The Lower Tagus Valley, that includes the metropolitan area of Lisbon, has been struck by several earthquakes which produced significant material damage and loss of lives. Their exact location remains unknown. Our goal is to shed some light into the seismogenic sources in the area using seismic reflection and geological data. In areas with no seismic coverage, potential-field data interpretation was carried out. Seismicity was overlaid to the potential seismogenic structures and high-resolution data was acquired in order to confirm which structures have been active into the Quaternary. Three major fault-zones affecting the Neogene were identified: V. F. Xira, Samora-Alcochete and Pinhal Novo. For the first fault, strong evidences suggest it is active. The other two fault-zones and other structures previously unknown can be correlated with several epicentres. Empirical relationships between maximum moment magnitude and fault area indicate that MW > 6.5 earthquakes can be expected for the larger structures