Orientation dynamics of weakly Brownian particles in periodic viscous flows

Evolution equations for the orientation distribution of axisymmetric particles in periodic flows are derived in the regime of small but non-zero Brownian rotations. The equations are based on a multiple time scale approach that allows fast computation of the relaxation processes leading to statistical equilibrium. The approach has been applied to the calculation of the effective viscosity of a thin disk suspension in gravity waves.Comment: 16 pages, 7 eps figures include

Faceted anomalous scaling in the epitaxial growth of semiconductor films

We apply the generic dynamical scaling theory (GDST) to the surfaces of CdTe polycrystalline films grown in glass substrates. The analysed data were obtained with a stylus profiler with an estimated resolution lateral resolution of $l_c=0.3 \mu$m. Both real two-point correlation function and power spectrum analyses were done. We found that the GDST applied to the surface power spectra foresees faceted morphology in contrast with the self-affine surface indicated by the local roughness exponent found via the height-height correlation function. This inconsistency is explained in terms of convolution effects resulting from the finite size of the probe tip used to scan the surfaces. High resolution AFM images corroborates the predictions of GDST.Comment: to appear in Europhysics Letter

Analysis of Ethane Emission Trends from Active Goaf Seals at Mandalong Mine

Monitoring of active goaf seals at Mandalong Mine shows anomalous levels of ethane concentrations. Currently ethane concentrations exceeding 250 ppm have been experienced from 30 to 32 C/T seals of MG8 with the remainder of the panel averaging 50 - 100 ppm. Active goaf seals for MG7 and MG9 average 50 - 100 ppm and 80 - 100 ppm, respectively. For most mines these concentrations of ethane would be assumed to indicate a spontaneous combustion event; however no carbon monoxide is being recorded and a sympathetic relationship with methane indicates that the measured ethane is due to gas desorption. This paper presents the results from the mine showing trends in ethane emissions from the active goaf seals to date, and shows how this historical data can be used to predict expected ethane concentrations in the active goaf of MG10

Spin-orbit mode transfer via a classical analog of quantum teleportation

We translate the quantum teleportation protocol into a sequence of coherent operations involving three degrees of freedom of a classical laser beam. The protocol, which we demonstrate experimentally, transfers the polarisation state of the input beam to the transverse mode of the output beam. The role of quantum entanglement is played by a non-separable mode describing the path and transverse degrees of freedom. Our protocol illustrates the possibility of new optical applications based on this intriguing classical analogue of quantum entanglement.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Respiratory hospital admission risk near large composting facilities

AbstractBackgroundLarge-scale composting can release bioaerosols in elevated quantities, but there are few studies of health effects on nearby communities.MethodsA cross-sectional ecological small area design was used to examine risk of respiratory hospital admissions within 2500m of all 148 English large-scale composting facilities in 2008–10. Statistical analyses used a random intercept Poisson regression model at Census Output Area (COA) level (mean population 310). Models were adjusted for age, sex, deprivation and tobacco sales.ResultsAnalysing 34,963 respiratory hospital admissions in 4656 COAs within 250–2500m of a site, there were no significant trends using pre-defined distance bands of >250–750m, >750–1500m and >1500–2500m. Using a continuous measure of distance, there was a small non-statistically significant (p=0.054) association with total respiratory admissions corresponding to a 1.5% (95% CI: 0.0–2.9%) decrease in risk if moving from 251m to 501m. There were no significant associations for subgroups of respiratory infections, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.ConclusionThis national study does not provide evidence for increased risks of respiratory hospital admissions in those living beyond 250m of an outdoor composting area perimeter. Further work using better measures of exposure and exploring associations with symptoms and disease prevalence, especially in vulnerable groups, is recommended to support regulatory approaches

Fuzzy logic as a decision-making support system for the indication of bariatric surgery based on an index (OBESINDEX) generated by the association between body fat and body mass index

Background: A Fuzzy Obesity Index (OBESINDEX) for use as an alternative in bariatric surgery indication (BSI) is presented. The search for a more accurate method to evaluate obesity and to indicate a better treatment is important in the world health context. BMI (body mass index) is considered the main criteria for obesity treatment and BSI. Nevertheless, the fat excess related to the percentage of Body Fat (%BF) is actually the principal harmful factor in obesity disease that is usually neglected. This paper presents a new fuzzy mechanism for evaluating obesity by associating BMI with %BF that yields a fuzzy obesity index for obesity evaluation and treatment and allows building up a Fuzzy Decision Support System (FDSS) for BSI.

Methods: Seventy-two patients were evaluated for both BMI and %BF. These data are modified and treated as fuzzy sets. Afterwards, the BMI and %BF classes are aggregated yielding a new index (OBESINDEX) for input linguistic variable are considered the BMI and %BF, and as output linguistic variable is employed the OBESINDEX, an obesity classification with entirely new classes of obesity in the fuzzy context as well is used for BSI.

Results: There is a gradual, smooth obesity classification and BSI when using the proposed fuzzy obesity index when compared with other traditional methods for dealing with obesity.

Conclusion: The BMI is not adequate for surgical indication in all the conditions and fuzzy logic becomes an alternative for decision making in bariatric surgery indication based on the OBESINDEX

Mining archaeology sites at the Alto Minho region (Northern Portugal) - a management perspective

[Abstract] Archaeological mining sites in northern Portugal include a few roman gold mines in shear zones and the tin and tungsten mining of the first half of the XX century, widespread through the entire Alto Minho region, and related to residual-granite mineralization. Pre-roman vestiges of mineral resources disposal are restricted to Pleistocene industries, without known mining evidences. Better preserved sites represent the tin and tungsten period from which, some testimony of local peculiar technologies, are remaining. From a land use point of view, the preservation of old excavations and ruined plants may be in equilibrium with new mining projects for the mineral resources potential and new forms of tourism regional offe

Efeito da complementação alimentar no pós-parto sobre o desempenho produtivo de cabritos Sem Raça Definida (SRD).

A presente pesquisa foi desenvolvida numa fazenda particular em Pe- trolina- PE, no período de maio a novembro de 1995, e objetivou avaliar o efeito da complementação alimentar de matrizes sem raça definida (SRD) sobre o desem- penho produtivo dos cabritos criados em caatinga não cercada. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos (T1 : pas- tagem nativa (PN); T2: PN + 25% de NDT e T3 PN + 50% de NDT) e 16 repetições cada. A complementação alimentar foi à base de feno de leucena (Leucaena leu- cocephala (Lam.) de Wit) e raspa de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) forne- cida a partir do primeiro dia pós-parto. Para os três tratamentos, os pesos médios observados para os cabritos, do nascimento aos 168 dias de idade, foram estatis- ticamente iguais (P>0,05). A taxa geral de mortalidade de crias aos 112 dias de idade foi de 20,41 %o Não foi possível observar efeito dos tratamentos na taxa de sobrevivência das crias, uma vez que, as causas mais comuns de desaparecimen- to dos animais são roubos e predadores