Quantum Electrodynamics vacuum polarization solver

The self-consistent modeling of vacuum polarization due to virtual electron-positron fluctuations is of relevance for many near term experiments associated with high intensity radiation sources and represents a milestone in describing scenarios of extreme energy density. We present a generalized finite-difference time-domain solver that can incorporate the modifications to Maxwell's equations due to vacuum polarization. Our multidimensional solver reproduced in one dimensional configurations the results for which an analytic treatment is possible, yielding vacuum harmonic generation and birefringence. The solver has also been tested for two-dimensional scenarios where finite laser beam spot sizes must be taken into account. We employ this solver to explore different types of counter-propagating configurations that can be relevant for future planned experiments aiming to detect quantum vacuum dynamics at ultra-high electromagnetic field intensities

Tingimento da poliamida 6.6 com corantes reactivos para lã e algodão após modificação superficial com descarga plasmátca de dupla barreira dieléctrica (DBD)

O tingimento de fibras de poliamida é muito comum com corantes ácidos; entretanto o uso de corantes reativos pode oferecer grandes oportunidades para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos com melhores propriedades como brilho, níveis de solidez,esgotamento, uma maior gama de cores, dentre outras. Tecidos de poliamida 6.6 foram tratados com diferentes dosagens de descarga plasmática obtidas em condições atmosféricas em um protótipo de descarga de dupla barreira SOFTAL/Universidade do Minho. Modificações químicas e físicas na poliamida foram avaliadas, nomeadamente alteração da energia superficial através da medição do ângulo de contato, caracterização da superfície química através da espectroscopia fotoeletrônica de raio X (XPS), foram avaliadas também a rugosidade e a modificação superficial pela microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (SEM). Ótimos resultados foram obtidos para o tingimento com corantes reativos na poliamida após o tratamento plasmático, com a formação de ligações covalentes entre o corante e a fibra. Os efeitos químicos e físicos da descarga plasmática contribuíram para os excelentes resultados obtidos no rendimento e no nível de solidez conseguidos no processo de tingimento. Estes promissores resultados significam menos corantes nos efluentes, menos tempo para a realização do processo de tingimento, maior satisfação dos consumidores devido aos melhores níveis de solidez e a possibilidade de obter cores mais intensas com tingimentos com corantes reativos em poliamida

Tingimento da poliamida 6.6 com corantes reactivos para lã e algodão após modificação superficial com descarga plasmática de Dupla Barreira Dieléctrica (DBD)

O tingimento de fibras de poliamida é muito comum com corantes ácidos; entretanto o uso de corantes reativos pode oferecer grandes oportunidades para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos com melhores propriedades como brilho, níveis de solidez,esgotamento, uma maior gama de cores, dentre outras. Tecidos de poliamida 6.6 foram tratados com diferentes dosagens de descarga plasmática obtidas em condições atmosféricas em um protótipo de descarga de dupla barreira SOFTAL/Universidade do Minho. Modificações químicas e físicas na poliamida foram avaliadas, nomeadamente alteração da energia superficial através da medição do ângulo de contato, caracterização da superfície química através da espectroscopia fotoeletrônica de raio X (XPS), foram avaliadas também a rugosidade e a modificação superficial pela microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (SEM). Ótimos resultados foram obtidos para o tingimento com corantes reativos na poliamida após o tratamento plasmático, com a formação de ligações covalentes entre o corante e a fibra. Os efeitos químicos e físicos da descarga plasmática contribuíram para os excelentes resultados obtidos no rendimento e no nível de solidez conseguidos no processo de tingimento. Estes promissores resultados significam menos corantes nos efluentes, menos tempo para a realização do processo de tingimento, maior satisfação dos consumidores devido aos melhores níveis de solidez e a possibilidade de obter cores mais intensas com tingimentos com corantes reativos em poliamida.Dyeing of polyamide fibers is very common with acid dyes; however the use of the reactive dyes can give the best opportunities for development the new products with the most desirable properties like brightness, paler colors, good exhaustion and washing fastness levels. Chemical and physical effects of plasmatic discharge both contribute to excellent results obtained in yield, leveling and fastness of reactive and acid dyeing. Polyamide 6.6 fabrics were treated with different dosages of plasmatic discharge obtained at atmospheric conditions in DBD prototype SOFTAL/University of Minho. Chemical and physical modifications in polyamide were evaluated, namely surface energy modification by contact angle measurement, chemical surface characterization by X-Photon Spectroscopy (XPS). Besides, were evaluated the roughness and surface changes by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). These promising results mean less dyes in effluents, less time for dyeing processes, more consumer’s satisfaction regarding fastness of dyeing, the possibility to extend reactive dyeing to more intense colors in polyamid

Inhomogeneous cosmologies, the Copernican principle and the cosmic microwave background: More on the EGS theorem

We discuss inhomogeneous cosmological models which satisfy the Copernican principle. We construct some inhomogeneous cosmological models starting from the ansatz that the all the observers in the models view an isotropic cosmic microwave background. We discuss multi-fluid models, and illustrate how more general inhomogeneous models may be derived, both in General Relativity and in scalar-tensor theories of gravity. Thus we illustrate that the cosmological principle, the assumption that the Universe we live in is spatially homogeneous, does not necessarily follow from the Copernican principle and the high isotropy of the cosmic microwave background.Comment: 17 pages; to appear in GR

Developing intelligent environments with OSGi and JADE

Series: IFIP International Federation for Information ProcessingThe development of intelligent environments poses complex challenges, namely at the level of device heterogeneity and environment dynamics. In fact, we still lack supporting technologies and development approaches that can efficiently integrate different devices and technologies. In this paper we present how a recent integration of two important technologies, OSGi and Jade, can be used to significantly improve the development process, making it a more dynamic, modular and configurable one. We also focus on the main advantages that this integration provides to developers, from the Ambient Intelligence point of view. This work results from the development of two intelligent environments: VirtualECare, which is an intelligent environment for the monitorization of elderly in their homes and UMCourt, a virtual environment for dispute resolution.The work described in this paper is included in TIARAC - Telematics and Artificial Intelligence in Alternative Conflict Resolution Project (PTDC/JUR/71354/2006), which is a research project supported by FCT (Science & Technology Foundation), Portugal

Use of Supplements for Maintenance of Nelore Bullocks in \u3ci\u3eBrachiaria decumbens\u3c/i\u3e, during the Dry Season in Acre, Brazilian Amazon

This study had the objective of evaluating animal performance and net economic returns of Nelore bullocks receiving: 1) mineral mixture (MM), 2) mineral mixture + urea (MMU), and 3) multiple supplement (MS), during the dry season of 1999 in Acre, Brazilian Amazon. The animals were maintained in pastures of Brachiaria decumbens, and liveweight gains, forage availability and chemical composition were assessed during the experimental period. Liveweight gains of 0.58, 0.65 and 0.60 kg/day, respectively, for MM, MMU and MS, were not different (P\u3e 0.05). The use of MMU provided additional net economic return of 10.8% in comparison with the treatment with MM

A DBD plasma machine in textile wet processing

The conception of new processes for preparation, dyeing and printing of high quality textile products is presented for a brand new technological solution involving a DBD plasmatic discharge in substrates with cellulosic basis. Developments for the machine design and its implementation in production context are discussed. Results in semi-industrial and industrial prototypes are presented giving wide overview for advantages and benefits achieved in fields such as the shortening and preparation steps, the possibility of close combination of preparation and dyeing operations, the elimination of tensioactives in mercerization of the increase in efficiency of finishing agents and extension of durability of effects. High performance finishing and the use of high technology for the improvement and durability of functional properties obtained in natural textiles are proved to be a great contribution to developments in quality, economy and ecology of textile processes. Textile products with a very high added value, able to answer to the existing or coming exigencies of the market, produced by technologies promoting sustainability, can be regarded as a key point to win a future for textile industry

Counting RNAseq reads: which way is better?

In this work we show the variation of results we?ve found while working with ~1 billion Illumina reads from drought tolerant Sorghum bicolor genotype in the presence and absence of the stress and compared results found for key genes already characterized.Pôster N101