Homoclinic Signatures of Dynamical Localization

It is demonstrated that the oscillations in the width of the momentum distribution of atoms moving in a phase-modulated standing light field, as a function of the modulation amplitude, are correlated with the variation of the chaotic layer width in energy of an underlying effective pendulum. The maximum effect of dynamical localization and the nearly perfect delocalization are associated with the maxima and minima, respectively, of the chaotic layer width. It is also demonstrated that kinetic energy is conserved as an almost adiabatic invariant at the minima of the chaotic layer width, and that the system is accurately described by delta-kicked rotors at the zeros of the Bessel functions J_0 and J_1. Numerical calculations of kinetic energy and Lyapunov exponents confirm all the theoretical predictions.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, enlarged versio

X-ray flares on the UV Ceti-type star CC Eridani: a "peculiar" time-evolution of spectral parameters

Context: Weak flares are supposed to be an important heating agent of the outer layers of stellar atmospheres. However, due to instrumental limitations, only large X-ray flares have been studied in detail until now. Aims: We used an XMM-Newton observation of the very active BY-Dra type binary star CC Eri in order to investigate the properties of two flares that are weaker than those typically studied in the literature. Methods: We performed time-resolved spectroscopy of the data taken with the EPIC-PN CCD camera. A multi-temperature model was used to fit the spectra. We inferred the size of the flaring loops using the density-temperature diagram. The loop scaling laws were applied for deriving physical parameters of the flaring plasma. We also estimated the number of loops involved in the observed flares. Results: A large X-ray variability was found. Spectral analysis showed that all the regions in the light curve, including the flare segments, are well-described by a 3-T model with variable emission measures but, surprisingly, with constant temperatures (values of 3, 10 and 22 MK). The analysed flares lasted ~ 3.4 and 7.1 ks, with flux increases of factors 1.5-1.9. They occurred in arcades made of a few tens of similar coronal loops. The size of the flaring loops is much smaller than the distance between the stellar surfaces in the binary system, and even smaller than the radius of each of the stars. The obtained results are consistent with the following ideas: (i) the whole X-ray light curve of CC Eri could be the result of a superposition of multiple low-energy flares, and (ii) stellar flares can be scaled-up versions of solar flares.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

General exact theory of autoresonance in nonautonomous systems

A general exact theory of autoresonance (self-sustained resonance) in both dissipative and Hamiltonian nonautonomous systems is presented. The equations that together govern the autoresonance solutions and excitations are derived with the aid of a variational principle concerning the power functional. The theory is applied to Duffing oscillators to obtain exact analytical expressions for autoresonance excitations and solutions which explain all the phenomenological and approximate results arising from the previous approach to autoresonance phenomena.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX; figures adde

The effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on stress response in rabbits

[EN] The present study analyzed the effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on physiological stress response of commercial rabbits in Aragón (Spain). A total of 156 animals were sampled in a 2x2x3 factorial design testing two transport times: short, 1 hour (1hT) and long, 7 hours (7hT), in two different seasons: hot, during summer (HT) and cold during winter (CT), and three different positions on the truck: upper, middle or lower decks in multi-floor cages on rolling stands (MFRS-top, MFRS-middle and MFRS-bottom). Three replicates were performed per treatment. Blood samples were taken at sticking during slaughter to compare hematocrite, corticosterone, glucose, lactate and Creatine Kinase (CK) levels as well as the ultimate pH of the carcass (pH24). Corticosterone and CK levels were highest in 1hT rabbits. With respect to season, colder temperatures increased corticosterone, while warmer temperatures increased CK (P<0.001). Regarding position on the truck, MFRS-middle and bottom rabbits had higher levels of glucose, corticosterone and CK. The pH24 values were within normal ranges for all treatments but slightly higher for animals transported in winter. In general, transport time and season were significant stressors for commercial rabbits, due to the effects on their physiological states. Position on the truck seems to have an effect on stress response to transport in rabbits. However, pH24, which is considered one of the main parameters of welfare measurements, was not affected by transport time or position on the truck.Our project was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (CICYT AGL-2002-01346). The authors wish to thank CUIN S.L. in Villanueva de Gállego and the associations MADECUN and ASESCU for their collaboration.Liste, M.; María, GA.; García-Belenguer, S.; Chacón, G.; Gazzola, P.; Villarroel, M. (2008). The effect of transport time, season and position on the truck on stress response in rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 16(4). doi:10.4995/wrs.2008.618SWORD16

Tratamiento con nicergolina de dos casos de disfunción cognitiva en perros geriátricos

Dos perros con signos de disfunción cognitiva fueron tratados con nicergolina. El objetivo era poder mejorar el aporte sanguíneo al cerebro y retrasar los efectos propios del síndrome. En ambos casos se observó una mejora ostensible de su conducta. La nicergolina puede se útil en el tratamiento sintomático del síndrome.

Fricke and polymer gel 2D dosimetry validation using Monte Carlo simulation

Complexity in modern radiotherapy treatments demands advanced dosimetry systems for quality control. These systems must have several characteristics, such as high spatial resolution, tissue equivalence, three-dimensional resolution, and dose-integrating capabilities. In this scenario, gel dosimetry has proved to be a very promising option for quality assurance. In this study, the feasibility of Fricke and polymer gel dosimeters suitably shaped in form of thin layers and optically analyzed by visible light transmission imaging has been investigated for quality assurance in external radiotherapy. Dosimeter irradiation was carried out with a 6-MV photon beam (CLINAC 600C). The analysis of the irradiated dosimeters was done using two-dimensional optical transmission images. These dosimeters were compared with a treatment plan system using Monte Carlo simulations as a reference by means of a gamma test with parameters of 1 mm and 2%. Results show very good agreement between the different dosimetric systems: in the worst-case scenario, 98% of the analyzed points meet the test quality requirements. Therefore, gel dosimetry may be considered as a potential tool for the validation of other dosimetric systems.Fil: Vedelago, José Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Chacón Obando, D.. Universidad Nacional. Physics Department; Costa Rica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Malano, Francisco Mauricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Conejeros, R.. Servicio de Radioterapia, Icos. Temuco, Chile;Fil: Figueroa, R.. Universidad de la Frontera; ChileFil: Garcia, D.. Servicio de Imagenes por Resonancia Magnética; ChileFil: González, G.. Servicio de Imagenes por Resonancia Magnética; ChileFil: Romero, Marcelo Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Santibañez, M.. Servicio de Imagenes por Resonancia Magnética; ChileFil: Strumia, Miriam Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Velásquez, J.. Servicio de Radioterapia; ChileFil: Mattea, Facundo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Química Orgánica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Valente, M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad de La Frontera. Departamento de Ciencias Físicas; Chil

Composición, propiedades, estabilidad y comportamiento térmico del aceite de semilla de tamarindo (Tamarindus indica)

The composition, thermal stability and phase behavior of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed oil were analyzed to contribute to the exploration of their potential uses. The oil was extracted from the kernel of the tamarind seed with hexane, and its main physical, chemical and thermal properties were analyzed by infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, DSC, and TGA. The results showed that the tamarind seed had a 3.76 ± 0.20% oil with a saponification index of 174.80 ± 9.87 mg KOH/g and the major fatty acids were lignoceric (20.15%), oleic (18.99%) and palmitic (11.99%). Stearic, behenic, linoleic, arachidic, and other fatty acids were also present. TGA and DSC showed that in an inert atmosphere, the triacylglycerols of tamarind seed oil (TSO) are decomposed in a single stage that starts at 224.1 °C and in an air atmosphere in three stages, initiating its decomposition at 218 °C. The TSO showed crystallization and fusion curves with a single maximum peak with Tonset and Toffset of 20.16 and ?38.8 °C and ?22.2 and 28.6 °C, respectively. The solid fat profile of the oil showed a semi-solid and liquid consistency in the ambient temperature range. The composition, thermal and phase behavior showed that TSO is potentially useful for alimentary, pharmacological, and cosmetological purposes.La composición, estabilidad y comportamiento térmico del aceite de semilla de tamarindo (Tamarindus indica) fueron analizadas con el fin de contribuir al conocimiento de sus potenciales usos. El aceite fue extraído del núcleo de la semilla con hexano y analizado mediante sus principales propiedades físicas, químicas y térmicas mediante espectrometría infrarroja, cromatografía de gases, espectroscopia de masas, calorimetría (DSC) y termogravimetría (TGA). Los resultados mostraron que las semillas del tamarindo tuvieron un contenido de aceite de 3,76 ± 0,20%, con un índice de saponificación de 174,80 ± 9,87mg KOH/g y ácidos grasos mayoritarios: Lignocérico (20,15%), oleico (18,99%), palmítico (11,99%) y en cantidades menores los ácidos esteárico, behénico, linoleico y araquídico, entre otros. El análisis mediante TGA y DSC mostró que la temperatura inicial de descomposición del aceite fue de 224,1 °C en una sola etapa en atmósfera inerte y en atmósfera de aire fue a 218 °C en tres etapas. El aceite mostró curvas de cristalización y fusión con un solo máximo, iniciándose y finalizando estos cambios de fase a 20,16 y -38,8 °C, and -22,2 y 28,6 °C, respectivamente. Estas propiedades mostraron que el aceite de la semilla de tamarindo tiene potenciales aplicaciones en alimentos y productos farmacológicos y cosméticos