Effective action in DSR1 quantum field theory

We present the one-loop effective action of a quantum scalar field with DSR1 space-time symmetry as a sum over field modes. The effective action has real and imaginary parts and manifest charge conjugation asymmetry, which provides an alternative theoretical setting to the study of the particle-antiparticle asymmetry in nature.Comment: 8 page

Evidence for a Variable Ultrafast Outflow in the Newly Discovered Ultraluminous Pulsar NGC 300 ULX-1

Ultraluminous pulsars are a definite proof that persistent super-Eddington accretion occurs in nature. They support the scenario according to which most Ultraluminous X-ray Sources (ULXs) are super-Eddington accretors of stellar mass rather than sub-Eddington intermediate mass black holes. An important prediction of theories of supercritical accretion is the existence of powerful outflows of moderately ionized gas at mildly relativistic speeds. In practice, the spectral resolution of X-ray gratings such as RGS onboard XMM-Newton is required to resolve their observational signatures in ULXs. Using RGS, outflows have been discovered in the spectra of 3 ULXs (none of which are currently known to be pulsars). Most recently, the fourth ultraluminous pulsar was discovered in NGC 300. Here we report detection of an ultrafast outflow (UFO) in the X-ray spectrum of the object, with a significance of more than 3{\sigma}, during one of the two simultaneous observations of the source by XMM-Newton and NuSTAR in December 2016. The outflow has a projected velocity of 65000 km/s (0.22c) and a high ionisation factor with a log value of 3.9. This is the first direct evidence for a UFO in a neutron star ULX and also the first time that this its evidence in a ULX spectrum is seen in both soft and hard X-ray data simultaneously. We find no evidence of the UFO during the other observation of the object, which could be explained by either clumpy nature of the absorber or a slight change in our viewing angle of the accretion flow.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Accepted to MNRA

Improving the Knowledge on Seismogenic Sources in the Lower Tagus Valley for Seismic Hazard Purposes

The Lower Tagus Valley, that includes the metropolitan area of Lisbon, has been struck by several earthquakes which produced significant material damage and loss of lives. Their exact location remains unknown. Our goal is to shed some light into the seismogenic sources in the area using seismic reflection and geological data. In areas with no seismic coverage, potential-field data interpretation was carried out. Seismicity was overlaid to the potential seismogenic structures and high-resolution data was acquired in order to confirm which structures have been active into the Quaternary. Three major fault-zones affecting the Neogene were identified: V. F. Xira, Samora-Alcochete and Pinhal Novo. For the first fault, strong evidences suggest it is active. The other two fault-zones and other structures previously unknown can be correlated with several epicentres. Empirical relationships between maximum moment magnitude and fault area indicate that MW > 6.5 earthquakes can be expected for the larger structures

Fertility preservation in ovarian tumours

A considerable number of patients with a cancer diagnosis are of childbearing age and have not satisfied their desire for a family. Despite ovarian cancer (OC) usually occurring in older patients, 3%–14% are diagnosed at a fertile age with the overall 5-year survival rate being 91.2% in women ≤44 years of age when it is found at 1A–B stage. In this scenario, testing the safety and the efficacy of fertility sparing strategies in OC patients is very important overall in terms of quality of life. Unfortunately, the lack of randomised trials to validate conservative approaches does not guarantee the safety of fertility preservation strategies. However, evidence-based data from descriptive series suggest that in selected cases, the preservation of the uterus and at least one part of the ovary does not lead to a high risk of relapse. This conservative surgery helps to maintain organ function, giving patients of childbearing age the possibility to preserve their fertility. We hereby analysed the main evidence from the international literature on this topic in order to highlight the selected criteria for conservative management of OC patients, including healthy BRCA mutations carriers

Analysis of a stand-alone residential PEMFC Power system with sodium borohydride as hydrogen source

Catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) has been investigated as a method to generate hydrogen for fuel cell applications. The high purity of the generated hydrogen makes this process an ideal source of hydrogen for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this paper, the possibility of using a NaBH4-based hydrogen generator with a PEMFC for stand-alone residential use is examined. A complete model of the system is developed, based on models taken from literature with appropriate modifications and improvements. Supervisory control strategies are also developed to manage the hydrogen generation and storage and the power flow. The operation and performance of the integrated system over a one-week period under real loading conditions is analyzed through simulation. Finally, results of the analysis are summarized and the limitations/further scope are indicated

Quantum Cosmology in Scalar-Tensor Theories With Non Minimal Coupling

Quantization in the minisuperspace of non minimal scalar-tensor theories leads to a partial differential equation which is non separable. Through a conformal transformation we can recast the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in an integrable form, which corresponds to the minimal coupling case, whose general solution is known. Performing the inverse conformal transformation in the solution so found, we can construct the corresponding one in the original frame. This procedure can also be employed with the bohmian trajectories. In this way, we can study the classical limit of some solutions of this quantum model. While the classical limit of these solutions occurs for small scale factors in the Einstein's frame, it happens for small values of the scalar field non minimally coupled to gravity in the Jordan's frame, which includes large scale factors.Comment: latex, 18 page

Testes de conforto térmico aplicados a uma malha multifuncional desenvolvida com novos materiais

Os produtores europeus, os engenheiros têxteis e os designers devem, no desenvolvimento de novas peças de vestuário, terem em consideração as novas exigências dos consumidores em relação ao conforto. Uma grande variedade de áreas de investigação foram, nos últimos tempos, criadas e desenvolvidas permitindo atingir as exigências relacionadas com o conforto, nomeadamente, considerando os aspectos funcionais e estéticos, entre outros. O conforto térmico humano é, de certa forma, um dos componentes mais importantes a considerar, podendo ser definido como a principal troca de calor e massa e calor do corpo humano com o meio ambiente, através da roupa. Um dos objectivos deste trabalho foi, através do trabalho de uma equipa multidisciplinar, desenvolver uma malha funcional de forma a permitir o conforto termo-fisiológico a quem a utilizar. O presente trabalho permite assim investigar as várias etapas relacionadas com o estudo do conforto no desenvolvimento de novas peças de vestuário: o desenvolvimento de novas malhas, a execução de testes num manequim térmico; a simulação numérica do corpo humano com e sem roupa e o desenvolvimento de testes subjectivos de conforto térmico. A nova malha produzida foi caracterizada e testada em laboratório, em termos de quantidade de vapor de água e da permeabilidade ao ar e outros parâmetros físicos. A malha produzida foi aplicada como forro de botas de caminhada e para o fabrico de t-shirts. Os protótipos das botas de caminhada foram avaliados de forma subjectiva através de questionários. Um manequim térmico foi utilizado para medir o isolamento térmico das t-shirts e a distribuição de temperatura na pele. Juntamente com este trabalho experimental, um modelo de termo regulação do corpo humano foi desenvolvido para validar os dados experimentais obtidos. Alguns dos resultados são apresentados e discutidos

Looking for earthquake sources in the Lisbon area

The Lisbon and surrounding areas have suffered the effect of historical earthquakes that caused important damages and loss of lives. Some of these earthquake sources are local but they are still poorly known. The knowledge of these sources is important for seismic hazard studies. The use of geophysical methods in the area is required due to the difficulty in finding geological outcrops, together with low-slip rates and erosion/sedimentation processes that erase surface ruptures. Furthermore, most of earthquake occurs at great depth, emphasizing the need for the application of the latter methods. In this paper we present a revised structural interpretation of the area using newly reprocessed and reinterpreted seismic reflection and potential-field data, relocated epicentres, geological outcrop and well data. This interpretation differs in some aspects from previous ones. Well known active faults zones like the Azambuja fault and the Pinhal Novo-Setúbal fault have new interpretations, while other previously unknown structures, like the Ota-V. F. de Xira-Lisbon-Sesimbra fault zone, for example, have been interpreted. These studies, together with shallow geophysical data, which has been and will be acquired over selected targets from this work, will constitute na improvement to the seismic hazard evaluation of the area

The motion of two masses coupled to a massive spring

We discuss the classical motion of a spring of arbitrary mass coupled to two arbitrary massive blocks attached at its ends. A general approach to the problem is presented and some general results are obtained. Examples for which a simple elastic function can be inferred are discussed and the normal modes and normal frequencies obtained. An approximation procedure to the evaluation of the normel frequencies in the case of uniform elastic function and mass density is also discussed.Comment: Standard Latex file plus three eps figure