Analytical results for a Bessel function times Legendre polynomials class integrals

When treating problems of vector diffraction in electromagnetic theory, the evaluation of the integral involving Bessel and associated Legendre functions is necessary. Here we present the analytical result for this integral that will make unnecessary numerical quadrature techniques or localized approximations. The solution is presented using the properties of the Bessel and associated Legendre functions.Comment: 4 page

Quantum pattern recognition with liquid-state nuclear magnetic resonance

A novel quantum pattern recognition scheme is presented, which combines the idea of a classic Hopfield neural network with adiabatic quantum computation. Both the input and the memorized patterns are represented by means of the problem Hamiltonian. In contrast to classic neural networks, the algorithm can return a quantum superposition of multiple recognized patterns. A proof of principle for the algorithm for two qubits is provided using a liquid state NMR quantum computer.Comment: updated version, Journal-ref adde

Local intra-uterine Ang-(1-7) infusion attenuates PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1α in decidualized uterus of pseudopregnant rats

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostanoids (PGE2, PGI2) are important contributors to the process of decidualization. Previous studies showed the presence of Ang-(1-7) in the primary and secondary decidualized zones of the implantation site at early pregnancy. Decreased concentrations of Ang-(1-7) were found in the decidualized uterus compared to the non-decidualized uterus of pseudopregnant rats, suggesting that low levels of Ang-(1-7) are required for successful decidualization at early pregnancy. Methods: To understand the role of Ang-(1-7) in prostaglandin production in a decidualized uterus, induced by a bolus injection of sesame oil, Ang-(1-7) (24 μg/kg/h) or vehicle was then infused directly into the decidualized uterine horn using an osmotic minipump. The right horns were not injected or infused and served as nondecidualized uterine horns in both groups of animals. Results: Decidualization increased PGE2 concentration in the uterus (0.53±0.05 vs. 12.0±3.2 pmol/mg protein, p\u3c0.001, non-decidualized vs. decidualized horns); Ang-(1-7) infusion attenuated the increase of PGE2 (12.0± 3.2 vs. 5.1±1.3 pmol/mg protein, p\u3c0.01 control vs. Ang-(1-7) treated decidualized horns). The stable metabolite of PGI2 (6-keto PGF1α) was increased with decidualization (0.79±0.17 vs. 3.5±0.82 pmol/mg protein, p\u3c0.001, non-decidualized vs. decidualized horns). Ang-(1-7) infusion attenuated the increase in 6keto PGF1α in the decidualized horn (3.5±0.82 vs 1.8±0.37 pmol/mg protein, p\u3c0.05 control vs. Ang-(1-7) treated decidualized horns). The circulating levels of 6-keto-PGF1a and TXB2 were decreased by Ang-(1-7) infusion, while no difference was observed in circulating PGE2. Although the global assessment of cleaved caspase 3 immunostaining, a marker of apoptosis, was unchanged within the Ang-(1-7) decidualized horn, there were localized decreases in cleaved caspase 3 staining in the luminal region in the decidualized uterus of Ang-(1-7)-treated rats. Conclusions: These studies show that increased local uterine Ang-(1-7) alters the uterine prostaglandin environment, possibly leading to disruptions of early events of decidualization

Local uterine Ang-(1-7) infusion augments the expression of cannabinoid receptors and differentially alters endocannabinoid metabolizing enzymes in the decidualized uterus of pseudopregnant rats

Background Endocannabinoids (ECs) are important contributors to implantation and decidualization and are suppressed in early pregnancy. Elevated levels of anandamide (AEA), the endogenous ligand for the CB1 and CB2 receptors (R), interfere with receptivity of the blastocyst. Ang-(1–7) is down-regulated in the implantation site (IS) in normal pregnancy at day 7 of gestation. We determined the effects of intra-uterine angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] (24 microg/kg/h) or vehicle given into the left uterine horn on the ECs in the decidualized uterus. Methods Ovariectomized rats were sensitized for the decidual cell reaction by steroid treatment and decidualization was induced by a bolus of oil injected into the left horn; the right horn served as a control. Results Decidualization increased endometrial permeability (3.1+/−0.2 vs. 7.1+/−0.5 uterus/muscle of cpm of (125)I-BSA, p \u3c 0.0001). VEGF mRNA was increased by the decidualization (1.4-fold, p \u3c 0.05) and by Ang-(1–7) (2.0-fold, p \u3c 0.001). CB1R mRNA was reduced by decidualization (2.7-fold, p \u3c 0.001), but increased by Ang-(1–7) (1.9-fold, p \u3c 0.05). CB2R mRNA was increased by decidualization (4-fold, p \u3c 0.05) and by Ang-(1–7) (2.4-fold, p \u3c 0.001). The enzyme metabolizing AEA, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), was reduced by decidualization (7.8 fold, p \u3c 0.001) and unchanged by Ang-(1–7) (p \u3e 0.05), whereas the enzyme metabolizing 2-arachidonoylglycerol, monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL), was unchanged by decidualization (p \u3e 0.05) and increased by Ang-(1–7) (1.7 fold, p \u3c 0.001). Conclusions These findings report for the first time that Ang-(1–7) augments the expression of CB1R, CB2R and MAGL in the decidualized uterus and thus may interfere with the early events of decidualization

A higher quantum bound for the V\'ertesi-Bene-Bell-inequality and the role of POVMs regarding its threshold detection efficiency

Recently, V\'{e}rtesi and Bene [Phys. Rev. A. {\bf 82}, 062115 (2010)] derived a two-qubit Bell inequality, $I_{CH3}$, which they show to be maximally violated only when more general positive operator valued measures (POVMs) are used instead of the usual von Neumann measurements. Here we consider a general parametrization for the three-element-POVM involved in the Bell test and obtain a higher quantum bound for the $I_{CH3}$-inequality. With a higher quantum bound for $I_{CH3}$, we investigate if there is an experimental setup that can be used for observing that POVMs give higher violations in Bell tests based on this inequality. We analyze the maximum errors supported by the inequality to identify a source of entangled photons that can be used for the test. Then, we study if POVMs are also relevant in the more realistic case that partially entangled states are used in the experiment. Finally, we investigate which are the required efficiencies of the $I_{CH3}$-inequality, and the type of measurements involved, for closing the detection loophole. We obtain that POVMs allow for the lowest threshold detection efficiency, and that it is comparable to the minimal (in the case of two-qubits) required detection efficiency of the Clauser-Horne-Bell-inequality.Comment: 11 Pages, 16 Figure

Transformerless photovoltaic systems using neutral point clamped multilevel inverters

In some photovoltaic applications it is possible to remove the transformer of the system in order to reduce losses, cost and size. In transformerless systems the photovoltaic module parasitic capacitance can introduce leakage currents in which the amplitude depends on the converter topology, on the pulse-width-modulation and on the resonant circuit composed by the system components. In this paper a modulation technique for three-phase neutral point clamped multilevel inverters is proposed to eliminate the leakage current in photovoltaic systems without requiring any modification on the multilevel inverter. The neutral point clamped inverter is studied for systems with function of active filter using the p-q theory. The proposed system presents control of the maximum power point and compensation of current harmonics and reactive power.The authors would like to thank CNPq, ERASMUS MUNDUS and ISAC for the financial suport

Eliminating leakage currents in neutral point clamped inverters for photovoltaic systems

The main contribution of this paper is the proposal of new modulation techniques for three-phase transformerless neutral point clamped inverters to eliminate leakage currents in photovoltaic systems without requiring any modification on the multilevel inverter or any additional hardware. The modulation techniques are capable of reducing the leakage currents in photovoltaic systems by applying three medium vectors or using only two medium vectors and one specific zero vector to compose the reference vector. In addition, to increase the system utilization, the three-phase neutral point clamped inverter can be designed to also provide functions of active filter using the p–q theory. The proposed system provides maximum power point tracking and compensation of current harmonics and reactive power. To validate the simulation models, an experimental three-phase inverter is used to evaluate leakage currents and the dc link voltage control.This work was supported by "Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico-CNPq," ERASMUS MUNDUS and ISAC, Brazil

Avaliação fenológica da espécie Turnera diffusa Willd.

A Turnera diffusa Willd. conhecida popularmente como Damiana é um arbusto relativamente pequeno que produz flores pequenas e aromáticas. Pertence à família Turneracea encontrada em países de clima tropical e subtropical, inclusive no Brasil. Utilizada na medicina popular do México, Ilhas do Caribe e Brasil para o tratamento de diversas patologias incluindo disfunções sexuais, inflamação e distúrbios gástricos e intestinais. O conhecimento da floração e frutificação possibilita determinar estratégias de coleta de material vegetativo. O trabalho consistiu em avaliar, no período de janeiro de 2010 a dezembro de 2012, as épocas de floração e frutificação da Damiana. Foram registrados diariamente dados de floração e frutificação da espécie Turnera diffusa. Todos os dados coletados foram anotados em ficha de campo e tabulados em planilha do Excel. Posteriormente, foram construídos gráficos para a espécie em cada fenofase. A floração da espécie Turnera diffusa, ocorreu em apenas nove meses do ano, não sendo registrada floração, no período de março a maio. As maiores frequências de dias de floração foram registradas nos meses de agosto e setembro com 20 dias e a menor no mês de julho com 4 dias. Quanto a frutificação somente ocorreu no mês de setembro com 6 dias