Incommensurate antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the two-dimensional Hubbard model

Commensurate and incommensurate antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the two-dimensional repulsive t-t'-Hubbard model are investigated using functional renormalization group equations. For a sufficient deviation from half filling we establish the existence of local incommensurate order below a pseudocritical temperature T_{pc}. Fluctuations not accounted for in the mean field approximation are important--they lower T_{pc} by a factor \approx2.5.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, some changes due to referees' comments, equivalent to published versio

Fermionic functional renormalization group for first-order phase transitions: a mean-field model

First-order phase transitions in many-fermion systems are not detected in the susceptibility analysis of common renormalization-group (RG) approaches. Here we introduce a counterterm technique within the functional renormalization-group (fRG) formalism which allows access to all stable and metastable configurations. It becomes possible to study symmetry-broken states which occur through first-order transitions as well as hysteresis phenomena. For continuous transitions, the standard results are reproduced. As an example, we study discrete-symmetry breaking in a mean-field model for a commensurate charge-density wave. An additional benefit of the approach is that away from the critical temperature for the breaking of discrete symmetries large interactions can be avoided at all RG scales.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures. v2 corrects typos, adds references and a discussion of the literatur

Acute Effects and the Dreamy State Evoked by Deep Brain Electrical Stimulation of the Amygdala: Associations of the Amygdala in Human Dreaming, Consciousness, Emotions, and Creativity.

Accurate localization of complex human experiences such as emotions, dreaming, creativity, and consciousness to specific cerebral structures or neural networks has remained elusive despite technological advances. We report the use of acute deep brain stimulation (DBS) to evoke behavioral and emotional effects by applying electrical stimulation (ES) at various voltage strengths to the basolateral and central subnuclei of the amygdala in addition to the head of hippocampus (HC) for two subjects with medically refractory post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our results suggest that the amygdala could be a node in a neural network responsible for the generation of complex vivid mental imagery and integrated sensory experiences similar to John Hughlings Jackson's "dreamy state" and "double consciousness," which have been classically associated with temporal lobe epilepsy during uncinate seizures. That we were able to elicit similar vivid, dynamic, complex, bizarre, and original mental imagery with ES in non-epileptic subjects suggests that Jackson's seizure related "dreamy state" and "double consciousness" may arise from heightened innate brain mechanisms with the amygdala acting as a node in the neural network responsible for physiologic dreaming and creative functions. Furthermore, our subjects experienced different emotions with different stimulation strengths at various electrode contacts. Our results suggest that higher voltage stimulation of the amygdala and HC at 4-5 V leads to predominantly negative responses and 2-4 V stimulation showed inversely coupled positive and negative responses of the amygdala in either hemisphere which may imply hemispheric dominance of emotional valences without relation to handedness. Due to the unique and complex responses dependent on location and strength of stimulation, we advise that all patients receiving DBS of the amygdala undergo acute stimulation mapping in a monitored setting before selecting therapeutic parameters for chronic stimulation

Biodiesel Exhaust: The Need for Health Effects Research

BACKGROUND: Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative that has shown potential of becoming a commercially accepted part of the United States’ energy infrastructure. In November 2004, the signing of the Jobs Creation Bill HR 4520 marked an important turning point for the future production of biodiesel in the United States because it offers a federal excise tax credit. By the end of 2005, industry production was 75 million gallons, a 300% increase in 1 year. Current industry capacity, however, stands at just over 300 million gallons/year, and current expansion and new plant construction could double the industry’s capacity within a few years. Biodiesel exhaust emission has been extensively characterized under field and laboratory conditions, but there have been limited cytotoxicity and mutagenicity studies on the effects of biodiesel exhaust in biologic systems. OBJECTIVES: We reviewed pertinent medical literature and addressed recommendations on testing specific research needs in the field of biodiesel toxicity. DISCUSSION: Employment of biodiesel fuel is favorably viewed, and there are suggestions that its exhaust emissions are less likely to present any risk to human health relative to petroleum diesel emissions. CONCLUSION: The speculative nature of a reduction in health effects based on chemical composition of biodiesel exhaust needs to be followed up with investigations in biologic systems

Diagnóstico nutricional de uma lavoura de soja a partir de informações georreferenciadas.

RESUMO: Neste trabalho, objetivou-se identificar os fatores relacionados à produtividade da soja, utilizando informações georreferenciadas sobre o estado nutricional das plantas, atributos do solo e produtividade da cultura. Uma área de 27,5 hectares foi dividida em grade amostral regular de 50 x 50m para coletas de folhas e do solo para análise. A colheita foi monitorada por meio de uma colhedora equipada com sensor de produtividade e DGPS. Os resultados das análises de solo e de folhas foram interpretados agronomicamente e correlacionados entre si e com a produtividade. Foram gerados mapas representando a espacialização das variáveis mais relevantes. Não foram obtidas correlações significativas dos teores foliares de nutrientes com as características do solo ou com a produtividade. Na lavoura estudada, os teores da matéria orgânica e potássio no solo e a saturação do potássio na CTC são os atributos mais relacionados com a produtividade da soja. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify yield conditioning factors of a soybean crop, based on georreferenced information concerning the plant nutritional status, soil attributes, and crop yield. An area of 27,5 ha was divided in a regular grid of 50 x 50m for colecting leaf and soil samples. The harvest was done using yield monitor and DGPS. Soil, plant, and yield data were interpreted on the agronomic basis, and submitted to correalation analysis. The spatial variation of the most important variables was mapped. It was not found any significant correlation among leaf nutrient concentrations and soil characteristics or yield. The soil organic matter and potassium contents, as well as the CEC potassium saturation, were the variables most correlated with the soybean yield.bitstream/CPAC-2009/27660/1/bolpd_145.pd

Dissolution of silicate minerals and nutrient availability for corn grown successively.

ABSTRACT - The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutrient availability for corn (Zea mays) grown successively in pure and ground biotite schist and biotite syenite rock samples. The rock powders were subjected to chemical, physical, and mineralogical characterization, and the availability of the elements released to the plants was determined. Plant and rock materials were evaluated at the end of seven successive growth cycles. Biotite schist and biotite syenite provided nutrients - as K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn - to the corn plants. The nutrients accumulated in plant tissues came mostly from minerals containing oxidizable Fe and Mn in their structure, such as biotite, chlorite, and clinopyroxene. The congruent dissolution of some of the fine particles of these minerals, solubilize elements, which may, then, be available to the plants. RESUMO - O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a disponibilidade de nutrientes para milho (Zea mays) cultivado sucessivamente em amostras das rochas puras e moídas biotita xisto e biotita sienito. Os pós das rochas foram submetidos à caracterização química, física e mineralógica, e a disponibilidade dos elementos liberados para as plantas foi determinada. Os materiais de planta e rocha foram avaliados no final de sete ciclos sucessivos de cultivo. A biotita xisto e a biotita sienito forneceram nutrientes - como K, Ca, Mg, Fe e Mn - para as plantas de milho. Os nutrientes acumulados no tecido das plantas vieram de minerais contendo Fe e Mn oxidáveis em sua estrutura, tais como biotita, chlorita e clinopiroxênio. A dissolução congruente de algumas partículas finas dos minerais, solubiliza elementos que podem, então, ser disponibilizados para as plantas.Título em português: Dissolução de minerais silicáticos e disponibilidade de nutrientes para milho cultivado sucessivamente