Cuscuton kinks and branes

In this paper, we study a peculiar model for the scalar field. We add the cuscuton term in a standard model and investigate how this inclusion modifies the usual behavior of kinks. We find the first order equations and calculate the energy density and the total energy of the system. Also, we investigate the linear stability of the model, which is governed by a Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue equation that can be transformed in an equation of the Shcr\"odinger type. The model is also investigated in the braneworld scenario, where a first order formalism is also obtained and the linear stability is investigated.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures; content added; to appear in NP

Identification of fullerene-like CdSe nanoparticles from optical spectroscopy calculations

Semiconducting nanoparticles are the building blocks of optical nanodevices as their electronic states, and therefore light absorption and emission, can be controlled by modifying their size and shape. CdSe is perhaps the most studied of these nanoparticles, due to the efficiency of its synthesis, the high quality of the resulting samples, and the fact that the optical gap is in the visible range. In this article, we study light absorption of CdSe nanostructures with sizes up to 1.5 nm within density functional theory. We study both bulk fragments with wurtzite symmetry and novel fullerene-like core-cage structures. The comparison with recent experimental optical spectra allows us to confirm the synthesis of these fullerene-like CdSe clusters

P-248 Futility and utility of two-stage hepatectomy

Meeting abstract in the European-Society-for-Medical-Oncology (ESMO) 21st World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Compact Vortices

We study a family of Maxwell-Higgs models, described by the inclusion of a function of the scalar field that represent generalized magnetic permeability. We search for vortex configurations which obey first-order differential equations that solve the equations of motion. We first deal with the asymptotic behavior of the field configurations, and then implement a numerical study of the solutions, the energy density and the magnetic field. We work with the generalized permeability having distinct profiles, giving rise to new models, and we investigate how the vortices behave, compared with the solutions of the corresponding standard models. In particular, we show how to build compact vortices, that is, vortex solutions with the energy density and magnetic field vanishing outside a compact region of the plane.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures; v2, motivation and references adde

First Order Formalism for Generalized Vortices

This work develops a procedure to find classes of Lagrangian densities that describe generalizations of the Abelian Maxwell-Higgs, the Chern-Simons-Higgs and the Maxwell-Chern-Simons-Higgs models. The investigation focuses on the construction of models that support vortices that obey the stressless condition and lead to first order differential equations which are compatible with the equations of motion. The results induce the appearance of constraints that restrict the choice of the Lagrangian densities, but help us to introduce an auxiliary function that allows to calculate the energy without knowing the explicit form of the solutions.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figures; new version, to appear in NP

Monitoring biofilm formation by using cyclic voltametry: effect of the experimental conditions on biofilm removal and activity

The effect of experimental conditions on cyclic voltammetry experiments on platinum electrodes covered with biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens for 2 hours was investigated. Results show that recycling the potencial stabilizes the shape of the cyclic voltammogram after 130 cycles, but the observation of this electrode by epifluorescence microscopy showed that cells are still adhered to the platinum surface. Some experimental conditions were changed during the electrochemical measurements – sweep rate, pH of the buffer and applied potential range. Some of these parameters had a strong impact on the bacteria that are adhered to the surface, increasing the death and removal in some circumstances.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Pseudoacromegaly-A challenging entity in the endocrine clinic: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Pseudoacromegaly encompasses conditions with features of acromegaly/gigantism, but no growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) excess. We aimed to review published pseudoacromegaly cases evaluated due to clinical suspicion of acromegaly. DESIGN/PATIENTS: PubMed/Medline search was conducted to identify reported pseudoacromegaly cases, which were systematically reviewed to ensure they met eligibility criteria: (1) presentation suggestive of acromegaly; (2) acromegaly excluded based on normal GH, IGF-1 and/or GH suppression on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-GH); (3) diagnosis of the pseudoacromegaly condition was established. Data were retrieved from each case and analysed collectively. RESULTS: Of 76 cases, 47 were males, mean ages at presentation and at first acromegaloid symptoms were 28 ± 16 and 17 ± 10 years, respectively. Most common conditions were pachydermoperiostosis (47%) and insulin-mediated pseudoacromegaly (IMP) (24%). Acromegaloid facies (75%) and acral enlargement (80%) were the most common features. Measurement of random GH was reported in 65%, IGF-1 in 79%, OGTT-GH in 51%. GH excess was more frequently excluded based on two tests (53%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 30 patients, with pituitary adenoma or hyperplasia being reported in eight and three patients, respectively. Investigations differed between cases managed by endocrine and non-endocrine specialists, the former requesting more often IGF-1, OGTT-GH and pituitary MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoacromegaly is a challenging entity that may be encountered by endocrinologists. Pachydermoperiostosis and IMP are the conditions most often mimicking acromegaly. Adequate assessment of GH/IGF-1 is crucial to exclude acromegaly, which may be better performed by endocrinologists. Pituitary incidentalomas are common and require careful judgement to prevent unnecessary pituitary surgery