Dynamic Scaling of Non-Euclidean Interfaces

The dynamic scaling of curved interfaces presents features that are strikingly different from those of the planar ones. Spherical surfaces above one dimension are flat because the noise is irrelevant in such cases. Kinetic roughening is thus a one-dimensional phenomenon characterized by a marginal logarithmic amplitude of the fluctuations. Models characterized by a planar dynamical exponent $z>1$, which include the most common stochastic growth equations, suffer a loss of correlation along the interface, and their dynamics reduce to that of the radial random deposition model in the long time limit. The consequences in several applications are discussed, and we conclude that it is necessary to reexamine some experimental results in which standard scaling analysis was applied

Sward Structural Characteristics of Perennial Peanut Genotypes as Affected by Harvest Frequency

Despite the high potential of tropical forage species, herbage production, nutritive value and animal productivity in Brazilian livestock production systems are lower than what can be obtained from both a biological and operational point of view (Pedreira and Mello 2000, Da Silva and Sbrissia 2000). Even with these limitations, the livestock industry is often able to sustain high productivity levels (animal product per hectare) by using good animal genetics and supplementation. Reducing production costs, however, will likely depend on the identification and incorporation of a high-quality forage resource, in terms of both improving diet quality of grazing animals and sustaining pasture soil productivity. The search for economically viable and sustainable forage production alternatives has been the subject of a great deal of research in many parts of the world. Among the alternatives explored, the diversification of pastures by the introduction of forage legumes in traditional production systems has been suggested, mainly to improve soil chemical characteristics (increased nitrogen levels) and improve forage quality (Perez 2004, Valentim and Andrade 2004). Promising legume germplasm is available in the tropics, but before these materials are incorporated into commercial systems, they need to be evaluated for adaptation, productivity and persistence in specific micro-environments. In addition, interactions involving grazing management strategies and genotypes should be described and explained, so that their agronomic potential can be explored. The aim of this study was to characterise sward structure of 4 perennial peanut genotypes subjected to 2 harvest management strategies, in south-eastern Brazil

Alignment tests for low CMB multipoles

We investigate the large scale anomalies in the angular distribution of the cosmic microwave background radiation as measured by WMAP using several tests. These tests, based on the multipole vector expansion, measure correlations between the phases of the multipoles as expressed by the directions of the multipole vectors and their associated normal planes. We have computed the probability distribution functions for 46 such tests, for the multipoles l=2-5. We confirm earlier findings that point to a high level of alignment between l=2 (quadrupole) and l=3 (octopole), but with our tests we do not find significant planarity in the octopole. In addition, we have found other possible anomalies in the alignment between the octopole and the l=4 (hexadecupole) components, as well as in the planarity of l=4 and l=5. We introduce the notion of a total likelihood to estimate the relevance of the low-multipoles tests of non-gaussianity. We show that, as a result of these tests, the CMB maps which are most widely used for cosmological analysis lie within the ~ 10% of randomly generated maps with lowest likelihoods.Comment: References added, updated discussion on alignment with Ecliptic Plane. 12 Pages, 6 Figures. Results for additional maps, the normalized frequencies for the tests and a Mathematica Notebook that computes the tests can be found on http://fma.if.usp.br/~abramo/MVA.htm

Cooperação orientada à produção de conhecimento científico

O termo e conceito cooperação tem vindo a ocupar cada vez mais e com maior ênfase os espaços noticiosos e de debate, sustentando a rede de projectos que se sucedem um pouco por todo o planeta, com fim à construção de uma “casa comum” onde, como nas grandes famílias, as aprendizagens matriciais passam pelo “aprender a viver juntos”, “aprender a aprender juntos” e “aprender a crescer juntos”, princípios de globalização planetária

Simulation of a robotic bird

In this paper it is studied the dynamics of the robotic bird. The system performances are analyzed in terms of time response and robustness. It is study the relation between the angle of attack and the velocity of the bird, the tail influence, the gliding flight and the flapping flight. In this model, a bird flies by the wind beat motion or using its tail down. The results are positive for the construction of flying robots. The development of computational simulation based on the dynamic of the robotic bird that should allow testing strategies and algorithms of control.N/

Adjuvant requirement for successful immunization with recombinant derivatives of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 delivered via the intranasal route

Recently, we generated two bacterial recombinant proteins expressing 89 amino acids of the C-terminal domain of the Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 and the hexa-histidine tag (His6MSP1(19)). One of these recombinant proteins contained also the amino acid sequence of the universal pan allelic T-cell epitope (His(6)MSP1(19)-PADRE). in the present study, we evaluated the immunogenic properties of these antigens when administered via the intra-nasal route in the presence of distinct adjuvant formulations. We found that C57BL/6 mice immunized with either recombinant proteins in the presence of the adjuvants cholera toxin (CT) or the Escherichia coli heat labile toxin ( LT) developed high and long lasting titers of specific serum antibodies. the induced immune responses reached maximum levels after three immunizing doses with a prevailing IgG1 subclass response. in contrast, mice immunized by intranasal route with His(6)MSP1(19)-PADRE in the presence of the synthetic oligonucleotides adjuvant CpG ODN 1826 developed lower antibody titers but when combined to CT, CpG addition resulted in enhanced IgG responses characterized by lower IgG1 levels. Considering the limitations of antigens formulations that can be used in humans, mucosal adjuvants can be a reliable alternative for the development of new strategies of immunization using recombinant proteins of P. vivax.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol Parasitol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinar Terapia Genica, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Microbiol, Inst Ciencias Biomed, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Anal Clin & Toxicol, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol Parasitol, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinar Terapia Genica, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Coupling of Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Probing the Thermodynamics of Facilitated Ion Transfer Reactions Exhibiting Chemical Kinetic Hindrances

Mathematical models under conditions of cyclic staircase voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which consider the kinetic effects due to the complexation reaction by the facilitated transfer of metal ions at polarized interfaces, are presented. Criteria for qualitative recognition of these kinetic effects from the features of simulated cyclic voltammograms are given. In case of the existence of these effects, only the EIS can bring access to the thermodynamics and kinetics of the complexation chemical reaction. Analytical equations for estimating the thermodynamic parameters by such systems under EIS conditions are evaluated. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental results of the facilitated Cu2+ transfer at the polarized water-1,2-dichlorethane interface, assisted by two phenanthroline-containing macrocycles. In the experimental case where kinetic effects due to the complexation step exist, we show how elegantly EIS can be used as a tool for estimation of the complexation constant of Cu2+ and 5-oxo-2,8-dithia [9],(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (PhenOS2)

Theoretical simulation of different 3D separator geometries for lithium-ion batteries

The battery separator is an essential component of batteries and affects their cycling performance. In this work, the effect of different 3D geometries of the battery separator on battery performance was studied keeping the same volume. It was observed that the different geometries affect the cycling performance, the best geometry being the perforated one that cycled up to 90 C. The cycling performance is affected by parameters such as the separator thickness and the electrolyte volume. Through the control of the battery separator geometry it is possible to obtain high performance lithium-ion batteries.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): UID/FIS/04650/2019, PTDC/CTMENE/5387/2014, UID/CTM/50025/2013, PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, grant SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.) and contract CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.), including FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT. Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK programs is also acknowledged. F. Miranda was also supported by Portuguese funds through the CIDMA - Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (“FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”), within project UID/MAT/04106/2013