On the Quantum Phase Operator for Coherent States

In papers by Lynch [Phys. Rev. A41, 2841 (1990)] and Gerry and Urbanski [Phys. Rev. A42, 662 (1990)] it has been argued that the phase-fluctuation laser experiments of Gerhardt, B\"uchler and Lifkin [Phys. Lett. 49A, 119 (1974)] are in good agreement with the variance of the Pegg-Barnett phase operator for a coherent state, even for a small number of photons. We argue that this is not conclusive. In fact, we show that the variance of the phase in fact depends on the relative phase between the phase of the coherent state and the off-set phase $\phi_0$ of the Pegg-Barnett phase operator. This off-set phase is replaced with the phase of a reference beam in an actual experiment and we show that several choices of such a relative phase can be fitted to the experimental data. We also discuss the Noh, Foug\`{e}res and Mandel [Phys.Rev. A46, 2840 (1992)] relative phase experiment in terms of the Pegg-Barnett phase taking post-selection conditions into account.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Typographical errors and misprints have been corrected. The outline of the paper has also been changed. Physica Scripta (in press

Investigating the role of anticipatory reward and habit strength in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Aims: To determine the rates and associated illness characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients who describe their symptoms as either rewarding or habitual. Methods: Seventy-three treatment-seeking OCD patients had their dominant compulsive behavior assessed with a structured interview (the Temporal Impulsive-Compulsive Scale–Revised) to track the progression of rewarding (ie, gain in positive affect), aversive (ie, decrease in negative affect), and neutral (or non-affective) states and a self-report scale (the Self-Report Habit Index) to evaluate their habitual features. Additional measures included structured diagnostic interviews for axis I and II disorders, measures of OCD symptoms severity, and a battery of instruments to comprehensively assess relevant aspects of sensitivity to reward and fear. Results: Almost half (49%) of our OCD patients (particularly washers) endorsed that they anticipated obtaining a reward (ie, positive affect) from the enactment of their dominant compulsive behavior. Washers stood out in that their positive affects during and after compulsive behaviors were highly (and positively) correlated with duration of illness. In contrast, habit strength did not differ between washers, checkers, and arrangers, although it also correlated with duration of illness among checkers. Furthermore, the severity of OCD and comorbidity with impulse control disorders predicted up to 35% of the variance in the habit strength of OCD behaviors. Conclusion: Compulsive washing may be more clearly characterized by problems in reward processing. In contrast, duration of checking, severity of OCD, and comorbidity with impulse control disorders shape compulsive behaviors by imparting them with habitual tendencies

Effect of different tillage systems on the soil chemical variables under vegetable production.

Abstract 04579

Microrganismos benéficos em biofertilizantes.

"É possível afirmar que o uso de biofertilizantes pode auxiliar no crescimento de diversas culturas agrícolas, além de mitigar muitos dos impactos ambientais negativos dos sistemas agrícolas convencionais."bitstream/item/171456/1/digitalizar0248.pd

Carbono orgânico total e suas frações físicas em latossolo vermelho cultivado com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar os teores de carbono orgânico total (COT) e suas frações físicas em um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico cultivado com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas há seis anos

Carbono das substancias húmicas em latossolo vermelho cultivado com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar os teores de carbono das substâncias húmicas em um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico típico cultivado com hortaliças em sistemas conservacionistas há cinco anos

The Classification of Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders in the ICD-11

Background To present the rationale for the new Obsessive–Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRD) grouping in the Mental and Behavioural Disorders chapter of the Eleventh Revision of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), including the conceptualization and essential features of disorders in this grouping. Methods Review of the recommendations of the ICD-11 Working Group on the Classification for OCRD. These sought to maximize clinical utility, global applicability, and scientific validity. Results The rationale for the grouping is based on common clinical features of included disorders including repetitive unwanted thoughts and associated behaviours, and is supported by emerging evidence from imaging, neurochemical, and genetic studies. The proposed grouping includes obsessive–compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hypochondriasis, olfactory reference disorder, and hoarding disorder. Body-focused repetitive behaviour disorders, including trichotillomania and excoriation disorder are also included. Tourette disorder, a neurological disorder in ICD-11, and personality disorder with anankastic features, a personality disorder in ICD-11, are recommended for cross-referencing. Limitations Alternative nosological conceptualizations have been described in the literature and have some merit and empirical basis. Further work is needed to determine whether the proposed ICD-11 OCRD grouping and diagnostic guidelines are mostly likely to achieve the goals of maximizing clinical utility and global applicability. Conclusion It is anticipated that creation of an OCRD grouping will contribute to accurate identification and appropriate treatment of affected patients as well as research efforts aimed at improving our understanding of the prevalence, assessment, and management of its constituent disorders

Carbono orgânico total e suas frações em solo manejado distintamente e cultivado com melão em ambiente protegido.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a evolução dos teores de carbono orgânico total (COT) e de suas frações físicas em diferentes etapas do ciclo produtivo do melão (Cucumis melo L.) amarelo em ambiente protegido, foi conduzido, no setor de campos experimentais da Embrapa Hortaliças, um experimento em casa de vegetação com melão tutorado e cultivo em solo manejado distintamente

Atributos de fertilidade em solo manejado distintamente e cultivado com melão em ambiente protegido.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a evolução de alguns atributos de fertilidade em diferentes etapas do ciclo produtivo do melão (Cucumis melo L.) amarelo em ambiente protegido, foi conduzido um experimento em casa de vegetação com melão tutorado e cultivo em solo manejado distintamente