Scanning Capacitance Spectroscopy on n\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e-p Asymmetrical Junctions in Multicrystalline Si Solar Cells

We report on a scanning capacitance spectroscopy (SCS) study on the n+-p junction of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. We found that the spectra taken at space intervals of ∼10 nm exhibit characteristic features that depend strongly on the location relative to the junction. The capacitance-voltage spectra exhibit a local minimum capacitance value at the electrical junction, which allows the junction to be identified with ∼10-nm resolution. The spectra also show complicated transitions from the junction to the n-region with two local capacitance minima on the capacitance-voltage curves; similar spectra to that have not been previously reported in the literature. These distinctive spectra are due to uneven carrier-flow from both the n- and p-sides. Our results contribute significantly to the SCS study on asymmetrical junctions

Variation of the adaptive substitution rate between species and within genomes

The importance of adaptive mutations in molecular evolution is extensively debated. Recent developments in population genomics allow inferring rates of adaptive mutations by fitting a distribution of fitness effects to the observed patterns of polymorphism and divergence at sites under selection and sites assumed to evolve neutrally. Here, we summarize the current state-of-the-art of these methods and review the factors that affect the molecular rate of adaptation. Several studies have reported extensive cross-species variation in the proportion of adaptive amino-acid substitutions (α) and predicted that species with larger effective population sizes undergo less genetic drift and higher rates of adaptation. Disentangling the rates of positive and negative selection, however, revealed that mutations with deleterious effects are the main driver of this population size effect and that adaptive substitution rates vary comparatively little across species. Conversely, rates of adaptive substitution have been documented to vary substantially within genomes. On a genome-wide scale, gene density, recombination and mutation rate were observed to play a role in shaping molecular rates of adaptation, as predicted under models of linked selection. At the gene level, it has been reported that the gene functional category and the macromolecular structure substantially impact the rate of adaptive mutations. Here, we deliver a comprehensive review of methods used to infer the molecular adaptive rate, the potential drivers of adaptive evolution and how positive selection shapes molecular evolution within genes, across genes within species and between species

Colonização oral fúngica em indivíduos diabéticos

Poster apresentado nas XXI Jornadas de Ciências Farmacêuticas do ISCSEM - Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz. 5-6 de Maio de 2015, Caparica

Oral Candida colonization in diabetic individuals non-carriers of dental prosthesis

Poster presented at the First International Congress of CiiEM - From Basic Sciences to Clinical Research. 27-28 November 2015, Egas Moniz, Caparica, Portuga

Berry's phase in the two-level model

We study the adiabatic evolution of a two-level model in the presence of an external classical electric field. The coupling between the quantum model and the classical field is taken in the electric dipole approximation. In this regime, we show the absence of geometric phases in the interacting two-level model in the presence of any periodic real time-dependent classical electric field. We obtain a conservative scalar potential in the calculation of Berry's phases of the instantaneous eigenstates of the model. For complex electric fields, we recover the existence of geometric phases. In particular, the geometric phases of the instantaneous eigenstates of the model in the presence of a positive or of a negative frequency component of the monochromatic electric field differ by an overall sign. As a check on our results, we map this interacting two-level model onto a spin-1/2 model under the action of a classical magnetic field. We confirm that the first one acquires Berry's phase only in the rotating wave approximation [RWA].Comment: 11 pages, no figur

Impact of surface sizing on inkjet printing quality

Printing quality is strongly influenced by the structural and chemical properties of paper surface, and is one of the most important factors concerning costumer’s evaluation. Thus, all studies regarding the evaluation of paper surface characteristics, the effects of surface treatments, paper-ink interactions as well as the influence of all these parameters on printing quality, are of utmost importance. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence on printing quality of different chemical surface treatments used in printing and writing papers and also identify the most relevant parameters for inkjet printing quality evaluation. For that, four paper samples were studied. Differences in the performance of the distinct samples were detected, and interpreted in terms of the different treatments. The results also revealed that contact angles measurements are a valuable tool to predict paper’s inkjet printing behavior

Assessing the seasonal and spatial dynamics of zooplankton through DNA metabarcoding in a temperate estuary

Zooplankton are key components of estuarine trophic networks. However, routine monitoring is hindered by the difficulty of morphology-based identification. DNA-based methods allow us to circumvent some of these hurdles, providing precise species identifications regardless of the taxonomic expertise of the investigator or the developmental stage of the specimens. However, the process is dependent on the completeness of the reference libraries. In this study, we sought to evaluate the potential of DNA metabarcoding to assess the seasonal (summer, autumn, and early spring) and spatial dynamics of zooplankton (four locations spanning ca. 6 km) in the Lima estuary (NW Portugal). Two genetic markers were used: the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the V4 hypervariable region of the ribosomal 18S rRNA genes. Overall, 327 species were recovered, and both markers displayed minute overlap (7% were detected with both markers). Species richness, composition, and taxonomic distinctness were majorly influenced by the season, with a declining tendency from summer (highest number of exclusive species, n = 74) to spring. Second to season, the taxa composition was influenced by spatial variation where the most downstream site displayed the highest number of exclusive species, n = 53. A total of 16 non-indigenous species were detected using metabarcoding, but only one (Austrominus modestus) has been documented out in the estuary. In conclusion, both the seasonal and spatial gradients influenced the recovered richness, composition, and taxonomic distinctness, confirming the great aptitude of DNA metabarcoding for providing higher density monitoring and shedding new light on the composition and dynamics of complex zooplankton communities.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(undefined

Scientific determination and wood anatomical features of species know in Brazilian Amazonia as matá-matá (Eschweilera spp.).

Despite the large diversity, logging on Brazilian Amazon is restricted to a small number of species. On relating the local biodiversity to the density, region of occurrence and logging of traditional species, we verified the increment of their shortage. One way to minimize this problem is by introducing new species in the market. Based on these considerations, we sought to identify in the field, woods known as matá-matá (Eschweilera Mart. Ex DC. ? Lecythidaceae) of high frequency in the Brazilian Amazon. For this, eleven trees were collected for scientific identification, and for anatomical, physical and chemical analyses. During the identification, we verified the presence of six species (Eschweilera amazonica, Eschweilera coriacea, Eschweilera grandiflora, Eschweilera idatimon, Eschweilera ovata and Eschweilera sp.) which may be identified in the forest by their rytidomes and live bark characteristics. By organoleptic properties, we grouped the woods into three groups with distinct colours, which permitted the identification of two species by their characteristics of taste and smell. Macroscopically, all woods seemed similar, while microscopically, the species presented few differences which made their partial separation possible