Electromagnetic structure and weak decay of pseudoscalar mesons in a light-front QCD-inspired model

We study the scaling of the $^3S_1-^1S_0$ meson mass splitting and the pseudoscalar weak decay constants with the mass of the meson, as seen in the available experimental data. We use an effective light-front QCD-inspired dynamical model regulated at short-distances to describe the valence component of the pseudoscalar mesons. The experimentally known values of the mass splittings, decay constants (from global lattice-QCD averages) and the pion charge form factor up to 4 [GeV/c]$^2$ are reasonably described by the modelComment: 27 Pages, 7 eps figures,use revtex

Weak decay constant of pseudscalar meson in a QCD-inspired model

We show that a linear scaling between the weak decay constants of pseudoscalar and the vector mesons masses is supported by the available experimental data. The decay constant scale as $f_m/f_{pi}=M_V/M_{\rho}$ (f_m is decay constant and M_V vector meson ground state mass). This simple form is justified within a renormalized light-front QCD-inpired model for quark-antiquark bound states.Comment: 4 pages, use revtex style. To appear "Brazilian Journal of Physics (2003)

Nonzero orbital angular momentum superfluidity in ultracold Fermi gases

We analyze the evolution of superfluidity for nonzero orbital angular momentum channels from the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) to the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) limit in three dimensions. First, we analyze the low energy scattering properties of finite range interactions for all possible angular momentum channels. Second, we discuss ground state ($T = 0$) superfluid properties including the order parameter, chemical potential, quasiparticle excitation spectrum, momentum distribution, atomic compressibility, ground state energy and low energy collective excitations. We show that a quantum phase transition occurs for nonzero angular momentum pairing, unlike the s-wave case where the BCS to BEC evolution is just a crossover. Third, we present a gaussian fluctuation theory near the critical temperature ($T = T_{\rm c}$), and we analyze the number of bound, scattering and unbound fermions as well as the chemical potential. Finally, we derive the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau functional near $T_{\rm c}$, and compare the Ginzburg-Landau coherence length with the zero temperature average Cooper pair size.Comment: 28 pages and 24 figure

Comparison of two rapid descriptive sensory techniques for profiling and screening of drivers of liking of sorghum breads.

Rapid descriptive methods have emerged as a relatively simple alternative for screening the sensory attributes of products that drive their liking, and may contribute to identify sorghum genotypes with potential for development of gluten-free breads with higher consumer acceptance. Two rapid techniques, Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) and Optimized Descriptive Profile (ODP), were herein compared on their ability to describe, discriminate and identify the drivers of liking of sorghum breads. Gluten-free bread formulations were developed using flours from selected sorghum genotypes (CMSS005, BR 501, BRS 332, BRS 330, BRS 305 and 1167048), besides commercial sorghum and rice flours. A semi-trained panel (n = 18) evaluated the samples using the ODP method, whereas consumers (n = 124) completed the CATA questionnaire and rated the liking in a 9-point hedonic scale. A total of 24 and 11 sensory descriptors were perceived by assessors as different among samples for CATA and ODP, respectively, with color and appearance-related attributes critical to discriminate samples in CATA, whereas flavor and texture descriptors had also prominent contribution in ODP. A similar pattern of sample distribution was noticed for both methods, which were shown to be highly and positively correlated (RV = 0.92, p < 0.002). Genotypes influenced the consumer perception of sorghum breads, being the BRS 332 and the CMSS005 breads among the most and the least accepted samples for either consumer segment, respectively. While 10 drivers of liking were identified by CATA, including ?appearance of whole flour breads?, ?uniform alveoli?, ?neutral flavor? and ?soft aroma?, in ODP 'crumb color', 'crust color', 'spots' and traditional bread aroma? drove bread acceptance. In summary, both methods were successfully applied and provided similar pattern of sample discrimination, whereas the attributes used for sample characterization, as well as those identified as drivers of liking were generally different. The ODP offers a simpler option for a quantitative perspective, while CATA remains as an easy method considering qualitative aspects, being clearly faster than ODP

Phase Fluctuations and Vortex Lattice Melting in Triplet Quasi-One-Dimensional Superconductors at High Magnetic Fields

Assuming that the order parameter corresponds to an equal spin triplet pairing symmetry state, we calculate the effect of phase fluctuations in quasi-one-dimensional superconductors at high magnetic fields applied along the y (b') axis. We show that phase fluctuations can destroy the theoretically predicted triplet reentrant superconducting state, and that they are responsible for melting the magnetic field induced Josephson vortex lattice above a magnetic field dependent melting temperature Tm.Comment: 4 pages (double column), 1 eps figur

Live Quantitative Monitoring of Mineral Deposition in Stem Cells Using Tetracycline Hydrochloride

The final stage of in vitro osteogenic differentiation is characterized by the production of mineral deposits containing calcium cations and inorganic phosphates, which populate the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cell monolayer. Conventional histological techniques for the assessment of mineralization, such as Von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining, are end point techniques requiring cell fixation. Moreover, in both cases staining quantitation requires dye extraction, which irreversibly alters the ECM conformation and structure, therefore preventing the use of the sample for further analysis. In this study, the use of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) is proposed for the nondestructive staining, quantitation, and imaging of mineralizing bone-like nodules in live cultures of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured under osteogenic conditions. Overnight administration of TC to living cells was shown not to alter the metabolic activity or the progression of cell differentiation. When applied to differentiating cultures, cell exposure to serial doses of TC was found to produce quantifiable fluorescence emission specifically in osteogenic cultures. Incubation with TC enabled fluorescence imaging of mineralized areas in live cultures and the combination with other fluorophores using appropriate filters. These results demonstrate that serial TC administration over the differentiation time course provides a qualitative and quantitative tool for the monitoring and evaluation of the differentiation process in live cells

Anderson localization in Bose-Einstein condensates

The understanding of disordered quantum systems is still far from being complete, despite many decades of research on a variety of physical systems. In this review we discuss how Bose-Einstein condensates of ultracold atoms in disordered potentials have opened a new window for studying fundamental phenomena related to disorder. In particular, we point our attention to recent experimental studies on Anderson localization and on the interplay of disorder and weak interactions. These realize a very promising starting point for a deeper understanding of the complex behaviour of interacting, disordered systems.Comment: 15 pages review, to appear in Reports on Progress in Physic

Seleção precoce de famílias de irmãos-completos de batata.

Clonal selection is the preferred breeding method used in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). However this selection procedure is only efficient for more advanced generations and shows no good results when applied in the seedling up to the second clonal generation. This study assessed the feasibility of selection in early generations of full-sib potato families and compares the selection method among and within families with the combined selection under different selection intensities. Six experiments were conducted from the first (C1) until the third clonal generation (C3). In C1 a randomized complete block design with four replications of 25 plants was used. In the remaining generations RCB was employed with three replications of 10 plants. Genetic variances were lower between families than within families, for all traits, but the heritabilities between families were almost always larger. The expected gains from selection between and within families were superior to gains from the combined selection in any intensity of selection. The selection of families should have weaker intensity than selection among clones within families. The selection of families was more efficient when based on the average of environments

Space-like and time-like pion electromagnetic form factor and Fock state components within the Light-Front dynamics

The simultaneous investigation of the pion electromagnetic form factor in the space- and time-like regions within a light-front model allows one to address the issue of non-valence components of the pion and photon wave functions. Our relativistic approach is based on a microscopic vector meson dominance (VMD) model for the dressed vertex where a photon decays in a quark-antiquark pair, and on a simple parametrization for the emission or absorption of a pion by a quark. The results show an excellent agreement in the space like region up to -10 $(GeV/c)^2$, while in time-like region the model produces reasonable results up to 10 $(GeV/c)^2$.Comment: 74 pages, 11 figures, use revtex