Fractal Conductance Fluctuations of Classical Origin

In mesoscopic systems conductance fluctuations are a sensitive probe of electron dynamics and chaotic phenomena. We show that the conductance of a purely classical chaotic system with either fully chaotic or mixed phase space generically exhibits fractal conductance fluctuations unrelated to quantum interference. This might explain the unexpected dependence of the fractal dimension of the conductance curves on the (quantum) phase breaking length observed in experiments on semiconductor quantum dots.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in PR

A model for the interpretation of biofouling

The formation of biofilms on heat exchange surfaces was studied using water with Pseudomonas fluorescens as a contaminant and also a mixture of these bacteria and kaolin particles. In every case increasing the fluid velocity resulted in a decrease in the final amount of deposit and in the deposition rate . The effect of the fluid velocity was interpreted using a mathematical model and it was found that cell adhesion and reproduction were the fundamental processes controlling the deposition rate . The presence of inorganic particles in the deposit enhanced the biofilm growth rate . This result was explained by the differences in the structure of the fouling layers

Estudo da herança da resistência a brusone em duas cultivares de arroz (Oryza sativa).

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi de identificar o número de alelos envolvidos na expressão da resistência qualitativa à brusone nas folhas nas cultivares Cica-8 e Metica-1.Conpeex 2010

Information-theoretic determination of ponderomotive forces

From the equilibrium condition $\delta S=0$ applied to an isolated thermodynamic system of electrically charged particles and the fundamental equation of thermodynamics ($dU = T dS-(\mathbf{f}\cdot d\mathbf{r})$) subject to a new procedure, it is obtained the Lorentz's force together with non-inertial terms of mechanical nature. Other well known ponderomotive forces, like the Stern-Gerlach's force and a force term related to the Einstein-de Haas's effect are also obtained. In addition, a new force term appears, possibly related to a change in weight when a system of charged particles is accelerated.Comment: 10 page

Constraints of a pulsation frequency on stellar parameters in the eclipsing spectroscopic binary system: V577 Oph

We present a preliminary spectroscopic analysis of the binary system V577Oph, observed during the summer of 2007 on the 2.6m NOT telescope on La Palma. We have obtained time series spectroscopic observations, which show clear binary motion as well as radial velocity variations due to pulsation in the primary star. By modelling the radial velocities we determine a full orbital solution of the system, which yields M_A sin^3 i = 1.562 +/- 0.012 M_solar and M_B sin^3 i = 1.461 +/- 0.020 M_solar. An estimate of inclination from photometry yields a primary mass of 1.6 M_solar. Using this derived mass, and the known pulsation frequency we can impose a lower limit of 1 Gyr on the age of the system, and constrain the parameters of the oscillation mode. We show that with further analysis of the spectra (extracting the atmospheric parameters), tighter constraints could be imposed on the age, metallicity and the mode parameters. This work emphasizes the power that a single pulsation frequency can have for constraining stellar parameters in an eclipsing binary system.Comment: Accepted by A

Management of Iatrogenic Urorectal Fistulae in Men with Pelvic Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Urorectal fistula (URF) is a devastating complication of pelvic cancer treatments and a surgical challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. We report a series of male patients with URF resulting from pelvic cancer treatments, specifically prostate (PCa), bladder (BCa), and rectal cancer (RCa), and explore the differences and impact on outcomes between purely surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities. METHODS: Between October 2008 and June 2015, 15 male patients, aged 59-78 years (mean 67), with URF induced by pelvic cancer treatments were identified in our institutions. Patients with a history of diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other benign conditions were excluded. We reviewed the patients' medical records for symptoms, diagnostic tests performed, type and etiology of the fistula, type of surgical reconstruction, followup, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen patients underwent surgical reconstruction. One patient developed metastatic disease before URF repair and, therefore, was excluded from this study. Mean followup (FU) was 32.7 months (14-79). All patients received diverting colostomy and temporary urinary diversion. An exclusively transperineal approach was used in nine (64.3%) patients and a combined abdominoperineal in five (35.7%). Overall successful URF closure was achieved in 12 (85.7%) patients, nine (64.3%) of whom at the first reconstructive attempt, two (14.3%) after two attempts (in our institution), and one (7.1%) after three attempts (two of which elsewhere). An interposition flap was used in seven (50%) patients. Surgical reconstruction failed ultimately in two (14.3%) patients who still have a colostomy and do not wish any further reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has several limitations, including its retrospective nature and the heterogeneity of our small patient cohort. Nonetheless, although surgical reconstruction of URF may be extremely difficult and complex in the non-surgical/energy ablation patients, its successful reconstruction is possible in most through a transperineal, or a more aggressive abdominoperineal, approach with tissue interposition in selected patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Different hydrogen-bonded chains in the crystal structures of three alkyl N-[(E )-1-(2-benzylidene-1-methylhydrazinyl)-3- hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]carbamates

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Influence of the SSBI mitigation on the in-band crosstalk tolerance of virtual carrier-assisted DD multi-band OFDM metro networks

In this work, the tolerance to in-band crosstalk of virtual carrier (VC)-assisted direct detection (DD) multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) metro networks, with and without signal-to-signal beat interference (SSBI) mitigation, is compared numerically for 4-ary, 16-ary and 64-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) formats in the OFDM subcarriers. Our results show that the tolerance to in-band crosstalk is improved for lower modulation format orders. The tolerance to in-band crosstalk of DD OFDM receivers considering 4-QAM modulation format at the DD OFDM subcarriers is above 14 dB higher than the one obtained for the 64-QAM modulation format, regardless the receiver configuration. We have also shown that, the tolerance to in-band crosstalk for a given modulation format order depends on the difference between the virtual carrier-to-band power ratio (VBPR) of the selected and interfering signals, as interferers with same VBPR as the selected signal leads to equal tolerance to in-band crosstalk, independently from the DD OFDM receiver configuration and the subcarrier modulation format order considered.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Tolerance to in-band crosstalk of virtual carrier-assisted direct detection multi-band OFDM system

The tolerance to in-band crosstalk of virtual carrier (VC)-assisted direct detection (DD) multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) system is assessed numerically through Monte-Carlo simulation and considering a single interferer. The influence of the virtual carrier-to-band power ratio (VBPR) and the virtual carrier-to-band gap (VBG) of the interferer on the in-band tolerance is also studied. We show that, for interferers with the same VBG as the selected signal, the increase of the VBPR of the interferer leads to lower optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) penalties. The increase of the VBG of the interferer with central frequency different from the selected signal also leads to lower OSNR penalties. When the central frequencies of the interferer and selected bands are the same, the variation VBG of the interferer can lead to 11 dB less tolerance to in-band crosstalk of the VC-assisted DD OFDM system.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

The Role of Accessory Obturator Arteries in Prostatic Arterial Embolization

In 9 of 491 patients (1.8%) who underwent prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia from March 2009-November 2013, prostatic arteries arose from the external iliac artery via an accessory obturator artery (AOA). Computed tomography angiography performed before the procedure identified the variant and allowed planning before the procedure. The nine AOAs were catheterized from a contralateral femoral approach. Bilateral PAE was technically successful in the nine patients. There was a mean decrease in international prostate symptom score of 6.5 points and a mean prostate volume reduction of 15.1% (mean follow-up, 4.8 mo) in the nine patients