Addendum: Attenuation of the intensity within a superdeformed band

We investigate a random matrix model [Phys. Rev. C {\bf 65} 024302 (2002] for the decay-out of a superdeformed band as a function of the parameters: $\Gamma^\downarrow/\Gamma_S$, $\Gamma_N/D$, $\Gamma_S/D$ and $\Delta/D$. Here $\Gamma^\downarrow$ is the spreading width for the mixing of an SD state $|0>$ with a normally deformed (ND) doorway state $|d>$, $\Gamma_S$ and $\Gamma_N$ are the electromagnetic widths of the the SD and ND states respectively, $D$ is the mean level spacing of the compound ND states and $\Delta$ is the energy difference between $|0>$ and $|d>$. The maximum possible effect of an order-chaos transition is inferred from analytical and numerical calculations of the decay intensity in the limiting cases for which the ND states obey Poisson and GOE statistics. Our results show that the sharp attenuation of the decay intensity cannot be explained solely by an order-chaos transition.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Thermal Relics in Modified Cosmologies: Bounds on Evolution Histories of the Early Universe and Cosmological Boosts for PAMELA

Alternative cosmologies, based on extensions of General Relativity, predict modified thermal histories in the Early Universe during the pre Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) era, epoch which is not directly constrained by cosmological observations. When the expansion rate is enhanced with respect to the standard case, thermal relics typically decouple with larger relic abundances. The correct value of the relic abundance is therefore obtained for larger annihilation cross--sections, as compared to standard cosmology. A direct consequence is that indirect detection rates are enhanced. Extending previous analyses of ours, we derive updated astrophysical bounds on the dark matter annihilation cross sections and use them to constrain alternative cosmologies in the pre--BBN era. We also determine the characteristics of these alternative cosmologies in order to provide the correct value of relic abundance for a thermal relic for the (large) annihilation cross--section required to explain the PAMELA results on the positron fraction, therefore providing a "cosmological boost" solution to the dark matter interpretation of the PAMELA data.Comment: 19 pages, 27 figures, matches published versio

Energy averages over regular and chaotic states in the decay out of superdeformed bands

We describe the decay out of a superdeformed band using the methods of reaction theory. Assuming that decay-out occurs due to equal coupling (on average) to a sea of equivalent chaotic normally deformed (ND) states, we calculate the average intraband decay intensity and show that it can be written as an ``optical'' background term plus a fluctuation term, in total analogy with average nuclear cross sections. We also calculate the variance in closed form. We investigate how these objects are modified when the decay to the ND states occurs via an ND doorway and the ND states' statistical properties are changed from chaotic to regular. We show that the average decay intensity depends on two dimensionless variables in the first case while in the second case, four variables enter the picture.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, presented at FUSION03, Matsushima, Miyagi, Japan, Nov 12-15, 2003, to appear in Progress of Theoretical Physics; corrected typo

Lama Fermentasi Terhadap Mutu Cocoghurt Menggunakan Enterecoccus Faecalis Up-11 Yang Diisiolasi Dari Tempoyak

Coconut milk is usually used as condiment for production various Indonesia traditional cuisine coconut milk can be also used as raw material for making cocoghurt because of it is high nutrional value. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of fermentation time on the quality of cocoghurt . The research used a Completely Randommized Design with five treatments, T1 (duration of fermentasi in three hours), T2 (duration of fermentation in six hours), T3 (duration of fermentation in nine hours), T4 (duration of fermentation in twelve hours) and T5 (duration of fermentation in fifteen hours) with three replication. The data was analyzed using ANNOVA, if any influence continued with DNMRT test at 5%. Results show that fermentation time significantly (P0.05) total solids, ash content, protein content, total lactid acid bacteria, test organoleptik of flavor, and taste. It was concluded that the best quality of cocoghurt. Was obtained in the fermentation time of six hours (T2), that meets the Indonesian yoghurt standard (SNI 102981: 2009) as total lactid acid, fat content, total solids, ash content, and protein content

Estudo e Diagnóstico de Necessidades de Formação Profissional Florestal na Região Dão-Lafões

Este estudo tem assim por objectivo tornar mais competitivo o sector florestal da RDL, através da melhoria da formação profissional dos seguintes intervenientes nesta área de actividade: produtores florestais, viveiristas, empreiteiros florestais, madeireiros e técnicos florestais. Simultaneamente, este trabalho poderá servir de guião a futuras acções de formação para o sector florestal, originando assim uma maior racionalidade na aprovação das mesmas. Permite ainda avaliar a formação realizada até ao momento, e contribuir para a percepção dos aspectos a serem melhorados nas futuras acções de formação, incidindo sobretudo nos aspectos práticos da sua actividade, isto é, no “saber fazer”

Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Toxicological Properties of Commercial 2D Boron Nitride Nanopowder and Nanoplatelets

Boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials have been increasingly explored for potential applications in chemistry and biology fields (e.g., biomedical, pharmaceutical, and energy industries) due to their unique physico-chemical properties. However, their safe utilization requires a profound knowledge on their potential toxicological and environmental impact. To date, BN nanoparticles have been considered to have a high biocompatibility degree, but in some cases, contradictory results on their potential toxicity have been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed two commercial 2D BN samples, namely BN-nanopowder (BN-PW) and BN-nanoplatelet (BN-PL), with the objective to identify whether distinct physico-chemical features may have an influence on the biological responses of exposed cellular models. Morphological, structural, and composition analyses showed that the most remarkable difference between both commercial samples was the diameter of their disk-like shape, which was of 200–300 nm for BN-PL and 100–150 nm for BN-PW. Their potential toxicity was investigated using adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cells) and the unicellular fungus Saccharomycescerevisiae, as human and environmental eukaryotic models respectively, employing in vitro assays. In both cases, cellular viability assays and reactive oxygen species (ROS) determinations where performed. The impact of the selected nanomaterials in the viability of both unicellular models was very low, with only a slight reduction of S. cerevisiae colony forming units being observed after a long exposure period (24 h) to high concentrations (800 mg/L) of both nanomaterials. Similarly, BN-PW and BN-PL showed a low capacity to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in the studied conditions. Even at the highest concentration and exposure times, no major cytotoxicity indicators were observed in human cells and yeast. The results obtained in the present study provide novel insights into the safety of 2D BN nanomaterials, indicating no significant differences in the toxicological potential of similar commercial products with a distinct lateral size, which showed to be safe products in the concentrations and exposure conditions tested

Comorbidity of Severe Psychotic Disorders With Measures of Substance Use

Although early mortality in severe psychiatric illness is linked to smoking and alcohol, no studies have comprehensively characterized substance use behavior in severe psychotic illness. In particular, recent assessments of substance use in individuals with mental illness are based on population surveys that do not include individuals with severe psychotic illness