Time dependent transformations in deformation quantization

We study the action of time dependent canonical and coordinate transformations in phase space quantum mechanics. We extend the covariant formulation of the theory by providing a formalism that is fully invariant under both standard and time dependent coordinate transformations. This result considerably enlarges the set of possible phase space representations of quantum mechanics and makes it possible to construct a causal representation for the distributional sector of Wigner quantum mechanics.Comment: 16 pages, to appear in the J. Math. Phy

A new proof of the Herman-Avila-Bochi formula for Lyapunov exponents of SL(2,R)-cocycles

We study the geometry of the action of SL(2,R) on the projective line in order to present a new and simpler proof of the Herman-Avila-Bochi formula. This formula gives the average Lyapunov exponent of a class of 1-families of SL(2,R)-cocycles.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure

Generalized Weyl-Wigner map and Vey quantum mechanics

The Weyl-Wigner map yields the entire structure of Moyal quantum mechanics directly from the standard operator formulation. The covariant generalization of Moyal theory, also known as Vey quantum mechanics, was presented in the literature many years ago. However, a derivation of the formalism directly from standard operator quantum mechanics, clarifying the relation between the two formulations is still missing. In this paper we present a covariant generalization of the Weyl order prescription and of the Weyl-Wigner map and use them to derive Vey quantum mechanics directly from the standard operator formulation. The procedure displays some interesting features: it yields all the key ingredients and provides a more straightforward interpretation of the Vey theory including a direct implementation of unitary operator transformations as phase space coordinate transformations in the Vey idiom. These features are illustrated through a simple example.Comment: 15 pages, LaTe

Implementation and Performance Analysis of a Low Resolution OFDM System Prototype With Low Cost Hardware

The present work focus on the implementation and analyze of performance of a low-resolution OFDM system prototype with low-cost hardware. A software defined radio (SDR) system was chosen in this implementation due to its various advantages over a traditional radio system. Among the options of SDR devices available, the use of universal software radio peripherals (USRP) was avoided due to its high cost, despite its popularity in this field of research. Alternatively, a combination of two low-cost SDRs, "Hackrf One" and "RTL- SDR Blog V3" with the GNU Radio, a popular, free and open source radio software, were used. Thus, it was possible to emulate the behavior of a low resolution ADC in the receiver, characterize its performance and estimate its energy savings. This allowed us to determine the feasibility of building a component with the analog-to-digital conversion function with few bits of resolution. We conclude that the performance of an ADC with at least 5 bits of resolution is pretty reasonable and that this reduction in the number of bits, in comparison to 8-bit ADC, represents a fairly expressive energy saving

Generic dynamics of 4-dimensional C2 Hamiltonian systems

We study the dynamical behaviour of Hamiltonian flows defined on 4-dimensional compact symplectic manifolds. We find the existence of a C2-residual set of Hamiltonians for which every regular energy surface is either Anosov or it is in the closure of energy surfaces with zero Lyapunov exponents a.e. This is in the spirit of the Bochi-Mane dichotomy for area-preserving diffeomorphisms on compact surfaces and its continuous-time version for 3-dimensional volume-preserving flows

Analytical and numerical analysis of the behaviour of RC beams flexural strengthened with CFRP

Experimental research regarding the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) structures with Carbon Fibre Reinforced (CFRP) systems using the Externally Bonded Reinforcing (EBR) and the Near Surface Mounted (NSM) techniques has been carried out at the University of Minho. Considering the experimental results of this research, the performance of the ACI and fib formulations for the EBR flexural strengthening was appraised in this paper. The same was done in terms of NSM technique adopting for the CFRP debonding strain a value that is 70% of the CFRP ultimate strain, according to the recommendations of the ACI Committee 440. However, the experimental results show that the CFRP debonding strain is dependent on the CFRP percentage and existing longitudinal steel reinforcement ratio. To estimate an equation for the prediction of the CFRP debonding strain, which takes into account these parameters, a numerical model was applied to the simulation of the tests carried out.(undefined

Multivariate geostatistical analysis of stable isotopes in Portuguese varietal extra virgin olive oils

Stable isotope contents of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are known to reflect the geo-climatic conditions under which olives grown. This study aims to unravel the correlation between some of the main geographic variables and the isotopic composition of different Portuguese varietal extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples. Thus, the isotopic composition (δ13C, δ18O and δ2H) of 38 EVOO samples from 11 olive varieties from 2 Portuguese regions (Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes) was studied using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Multivariate analysis indicated that bulk δ13C, δ2H and δ18O values were enough to significantly (P < 0.05) predict altitude, latitude, longitude, temperature, rainfall, and sea distance. This work showed that the assessment of EVOO isotopic composition give information not only on the geographic origin, but also on the environmental conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bulk isotopic composition of Portuguese EVOOs.This work was funded by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and National Funds through Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under Project “Por3O - Portuguese Olive Oil Omics for traceability and authenticity - PTDC/AGRPRO/2003/2014, and by National Funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the Projects UIDB/05183/2020 and UID/AGR/00690/2019. Pedro N. Jiménez-Morillo is acknowledged for statistical assistance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Revisiting 30 years of biofunctionalization and surface chemistry of inorganic nanoparticles for nanomedicine

FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, Project no. 626386 PEst-OE/SAU/U10009/2011-14 MAT2011-26851-C02-01In the last 30 years we have assisted to a massive advance of nanomaterials in material science. Nanomaterials and structures, in addition to their small size, have properties that differ from those of larger bulk materials, making them ideal for a host of novel applications. The spread of nanotechnology in the last years has been due to the improvement of synthesis and characterization methods on the nanoscale, a field rich in new physical phenomena and synthetic opportunities. In fact, the development of functional nanoparticles has progressed exponentially over the past two decades. This work aims to extensively review 30 years of different strategies of surface modification and functionalization of noble metal (gold) nanoparticles, magnetic nanocrystals and semiconductor nanoparticles, such as quantum dots. The aim of this review is not only to provide in-depth insights into the different biofunctionalization and characterization methods, but also to give an overview of possibilities and limitations of the available nanoparticles.publishersversionpublishe

Entropic Gravity, Phase-Space Noncommutativity and the Equivalence Principle

We generalize E. Verlinde's entropic gravity reasoning to a phase-space noncommutativity set-up. This allow us to impose a bound on the product of the noncommutative parameters based on the Equivalence Principle. The key feature of our analysis is an effective Planck's constant that naturally arises when accounting for the noncommutative features of the phase-space.Comment: 12 pages. Version to appear at the Classical and Quantum Gravit

Squaraine dyes derived from indolenine and benzo[e]indole as potential fluorescent probes for HSA detection and antifungal agents

Four squaraine dyes derived from 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine and 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole with different combinations of barbituric groups attach to the central ring, having ester groups and alkyl chains in the nitrogen atoms of heterocyclic rings were synthesized. These dyes were fully characterized and their photophysical behavior was studied in ethanol and phosphate-buffered saline solution. Absorption and emission bands between 631 and 712 nm were detected, with the formation of aggregates in aqueous media, which is typical of this class of dyes. Tests carried out with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran allowed us to verify the ability of the dyes to produce singlet oxygen. The interaction of synthesized dyes with human serum albumin (HSA) was also evaluated, being demonstrated a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and protein concentration. The antifungal potential of the dyes against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay. In order to test the photosensitizing capacity of the synthesized dyes, tests were carried out in the dark and with irradiation, using a custom-built light-emitting diode that emits close to the absorption wavelength of the studied dyes. The results showed that the interaction of dyes with HSA and the antifungal activity depends on the different structural modifications of the dyes.We thanks to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte (CCDR-N) and FEDER (European Fund for Regional Development)-COMPETEQREN-EU for financial support to the research centers CQ/UM (UIDB/00686/2020), CBMA (UID/BIA/04050/2020), CQ/VR (UID/QUI/UI0616/2019) and CICSUBI (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007491), as well as PhD grants to V.S.D.G. (UMINHO/BD/43/2016) and J.C.C.F. (SFRH/BD/133207/2017)