Gauge fields in a string-cigar braneworld

In this work we investigate the properties of an Abelian gauge vector field in a thin and in a smoothed string-like braneworld, the so-called string-cigar model. This thick brane scenario satisfies the regularity conditions and it can be regarded as an interior and exterior string-like solution. The source undergoes a geometric Ricci flow which is connected to a variation of the bulk cosmological constant. The Ricci flow changes the width and amplitude of the massless mode at the brane core and recover the usual thin string-like behavior at large distances. By numerical means we obtain the Kaluza-Klein (KK) spectrum for both the thin brane and the string-cigar. It turns out that both models exhibit a mass gap between the massless and the massive modes and between the high and the low mass regimes. The KK modes are smooth near the brane and their amplitude are enhanced by the string-cigar core. The analogue Schr\"odinger potential is also tuned by the geometric flow.Comment: The discussion about the Kaluza-Klein spectrum of the gauge field was improved. Numerical analysis was adapted to the conventional notation on Kaluza-Klein number. Some graphics were modified for considering other notation. Results unchanged. References added. Corrected typos. 17 pages. 6 figures. To match version to appears in Physics Letters

Integrating a QPSK Quantum Key Distribution Link

We present the integration of the optical and electronic subsystems of a BB84-QKD fiber link. A highspeed FPGA MODEM generates the random QPSK sequences for a fiber-optic delayed self-homodyne scheme using APD detectors.Comment: 2 pages, 4 figures, European Conference on Optical Communication 200

Neoadjuvant use of Imiquimod Before Surgery in Extramammary Paget’s Disease

A doença de Paget extramamária (DPEM) é uma neoplasia maligna cutânea, rara, observada principalmente em mulheres caucasianas pós-menopausa. A cirurgia é o tratamento mais comum. No entanto, no que diz respeito à DPEM vulvar, o seu tratamento cirúrgico passa frequentemente por cirurgia radical, que pode ser mutilante e levar à perda de feminilidade. Recentes avanços terapêuticos têm incluído abordagem médica e multimodal médico-cirúrgico, permitindo uma maior preservação da anatomia genital e subsequente diminuição da morbilidade. Neste sentido, imiquimod tem sido utilizado, off-label, como monoterapia ou terapêutica adjuvante na DPEM.Relatamos o caso de uma mulher com DPEM extenso na área anogenital submetida a resseção cirúrgica complementada com reconstrução plástica e precedida de tratamento médico com imiquimod. O imiquimod neoadjuvante permitiu uma citorredução significativa da área tumoral, minimizando a radicalidade cirúrgica, mantendo a função local e a morfologia.Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a distinct form of a rare malignant skin neoplasm, primarily seen in postmenopausal Caucasian women. Surgery is the most common treatment. However, concerning vulvar EMPD, radical surgery can be mutilating and leads to loss of femininity. Recent therapeutic development has included medical and medical-surgical approaches, allowing better preservation of genital anatomy with subsequent reduced morbidity. Accordingly, off-label use of imiquimod has been reported as a monotherapy or adjuvant therapy in EMPD.We report the case of a woman with extensive EMPD in the anogenital area, submitted to surgical resection complemented with plastic reconstruction and preceded by imiquimod medical treatment. Neoadjuvant imiquimod induced a significant cytoreduction of the tumor area, minimizing surgical radicality and maintaining local function and morpholog

An entirely analytical cosmological model

The purpose of the present study is to show that in a particular cosmological model, with an affine equation of state, one can obtain, besides the background given by the scale factor, Hubble and deceleration parameters, a representation in terms of scalar fields and, more important, explicit mathematical expressions for the density contrast and the power spectrum. Although the model so obtained is not realistic, it reproduces features observed in some previous numerical studies and, therefore, it may be useful in the testing of numerical codes and as a pedagogical tool.Comment: 4 pages (revtex4), 4 figure

GRASS UTILIZATION IN GROWING FINISHING BÍSARO PIGS (85-107 KG). PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS COMPOSITION

The use of different quantities of vegetables, forages or fresh grass as fodder for growing-finishing pigs is an important factor of the northern Portugal traditional system. The increasing development of swine production in outdoor systems, extensive and organic production, turns to upcoming natural diets, in which grass performs a significant part. With regard to this, some investigation has been made concerning the use of fibre-rich feed ingredients in pig nutrition. Metabolic effects of its ingestion are analysed concerning different sights (economical, social, environmental and physiological ones). The aim of this work was to study the effects of grass utilization in the diets on performances of finishing Bísaro pigs. A total of 22 pigs (16 castrated males and 6 females) was housed outdoor and fed ad libitum (37 – 85 kg live weight) with a growing diet and then transferred to an indoor system (with free access to an outdoor area) for 49 days, according to 3 different treatments: 100% concentrate (C), 75% concentrate + ad libitum grass (CE75), 50% concentrate + ad libitum grass (CE50). The grass was supplied and its intake registered on a daily basis. Every 14 days, the pigs were weighted and their back fat (P2 in vivo) measured. After slaughter (average weight of 107 kg LW), yield and ½ left carcass characteristics were controlled. During the outdoor growing phase, the ADG was 513 g/day. During the indoor finishing phase, the increase grass intake was proportional to the reduction of concentrate in the diet. The ADG (g) and the fat deposition (P2 cm) were significantly different (P<0,05) in the 3 treatments (ADG: C=641, CE75=467, CE50=356 and: C=11,4, CE75=+9,5, CE50=+6,2). The empty body weight (kg) was also proportional to the intake of concentrate (C=116,2; CE75=107,7; CE50=102,2). Comparatively to the weight of the body parts, pigs that had higher intake of grass and lower of concentrate showed a higher % of shoulder (P<0,05; C=20,4, CE75=21,7, CE50=22,2) and the pH45min of CE carcasses was significantly higher (P<0,05). As a conclusion, concentrate substitution for grass showed a slower growing rate, thinner carcasses and a high technological quality. Neverthelles variability (CV %) of the productive parameters at the end of this study were higher in the treatments that included grass: live weight (C= 10,5%; C75=10,7%; C50=14,3%), finishing ADG (C=24%; C75=37%, C50=42%), and final fat (C=37%; C75=32%, C50=52%). These values suggest that the utilization of fibrous feeds in growing-finishing swine may be one of the possible explanations of the more heterogeneous products and carcasses found in the traditional or extensive systems, common users of fibrous feeds in the carcass finishing phase

Percolação de poluentes em solos após aplicação de resíduos de fábrica de papel reciclado.

Resumo. Disponível online. ENAGER