Generative Art with Swarm Landscapes

We present a generative swarm art project that creates 3D animations by running a Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm over synthetic landscapes produced by an objective function. Different kinds of functions are explored, including mathematical expressions, Perlin noise-based terrain, and several image-based procedures. A method for displaying the particle swarm exploring the search space in aesthetically pleasing ways is described. Several experiments are detailed and analyzed and a number of interesting visual artifacts are highlighted.     

On the grade of some ideals

An additivity formula is obtained for the grade of an ideal in a residue ring R/I, where I is a perfect ideal. This result is then applied to compute the grade of ideals of linear (inhomogeneous) polynomials. Further results on the homological rigidity of the conormal module I/I² are pointed out. Finally, an elementary proof is given of a result of Buchsbaum concerning the grade of ideals of minors of a matrix.Partially supported a CNPq grantPartially supported by NSF and CNPq grants     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear polarization applied to evaluation of porosity of phosphate conversion coatings on electrogalvanized steels

In this work, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear polarization are used in determining porosity of zinc phosphates, and of nickel and manganese modified zinc phosphates on electrogalvanized steel. The porosity of the phosphate layers ranges from 0.1% for the manganese-modified hopeite to 8% for hopeite, using the linear polarization and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The porosity values measured using the two techniques were in agreement. All impedance spectra of coated samples showed two steps, with two capacitive arcs and an inductive looping.     

Constraints on torsion from the bosonic sector of Lorentz violation and magnetogenesis data

A. Kostelecky et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100 (2008) 111102], have shown that there is an exceptional sensitivity of spacetime torsion components by coupling it to fermions and constraining it to Lorentz violation. They obtain new constraints on torsion components down to the level of ¹⁰⁻³¹ GeV${10}^{-31}\text{GeV}$. Yet more recently, L.C. Garcia de Andrade [Phys. Lett. B 468 (2011) 28] has shown that the photon sector of Lorentz violation (LV) Lagrangian leads to linear non-standard Maxwell equations where the magnetic field decays slower giving rise to a seed for galactic dynamos. In this paper bounds are placed on torsion based on the magnetogenesis or the origin of magnetic fields in the universe. On a coherence scale of 10 kpc, galactic magnetic fields of the order of some μG yield a torsion primordial field of the order of K⁰≈¹⁰⁻⁴⁸ GeV$K^0\approx {10}^{-48}\text{GeV}$. Just to give an idea of how tiny it is we mention that torsion limit in the Early universe yield K⁰≈¹⁰⁻³¹ GeV$K^0\approx {10}^{-31}\text{GeV}$ had been obtained by V. de Sabbata and C. Sivaram. Good limits were also obtained by B.R. Heckel et al. [Phys. Rev. D 78 (2008) 092006]. In our case the advantage from astro-particle physics point of view, is that a very small seed torsion field is enough to seed galactic dynamo. C. Sivaram limit is obtained from a massive photon electrodynamics [L.C. Garcia de Andrade, C. Sivaram, Ap. Space Sci. 209 (1993) 109] where a gauge invariant electrodynamics is used. Dynamo stars data are able to raise this value of torsion up to ¹⁰⁻³⁴ GeV${10}^{-34}\text{GeV}$ at magnetar atmosphere. From these estimates one notices that they coincide with the ones obtained by A. Kostelecky et al., the difference being basically in the method. The ones here were obtained from magnetogenesis data while theirs were obtained from the Earth laboratory data from polarised electrons. Besides here one used the torsion derivatives while A. Kostelecky et al. uses the constant axial torsion tensor. Another fundamental distinction is that we use bosonic sector of the Lagrangian while they use mainly fermionic sector coupling with torsion.     

Spatial distribution of AT- and GC-rich DNA within interphase cell nuclei of Triatoma infestans Klug

Heterochromatin bodies in single- and multichromocentered interphase cell nuclei of Triatoma infestans, a vector of Chagas disease, have been suggested to contain AT-rich DNA, based on their positive response to Q-banding and Hoechst 33248 treatment. No information exists on whether GC-rich DNA is also present in these nuclei and whether it plays a role on chromatin condensation. Considering that methodologies more precise than those previously used to determine DNA base composition in situ are currently available, and that the spatial distribution of chromatin areas differing in composition in interphase cell nuclei of different species is a matter of interest, the localization of AT- and GC-rich DNA in T. infestans nuclei is revisited here. The methodologies used included DAPI/AMD and CMA(3)/Distamycin differential staining, Feulgen-DNA image analysis following Msp I and Hpa II enzymatic digestion, 5-methylcytidine immunodetection, AgNOR response, confocal microscopy, and the 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA) demethylation assay. The results identified the presence of AT-rich/GC-poor DNA in chromocenters and evenly distributed AT and GC sequences in euchromatin. A GC-rich DNA zone encircling the chromocenters was also found but it could not be associated with NOR regions. To corroborate the DNA AT-richness in T. infestans nuclei, bioinformatic analyses were also performed. Methylated cytosine was evident at some points of the chromocenters' edge in single- and multichromocentered nuclei and at the euchromatin of multichromocentered nuclei and could be transiently affected by the 5-AZA treatment. The present results suggest that in the particular case of chromocenters of the hemipteran T. infestans, cytosine methylation is not a relevant factor involved in chromatin condensation.     

Positive and negative ionic desorption from condensed formic acid photoexcited around the O 1s-edge: Relevance to cometary and planetary surfaces

Photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) studies have been performed in condensed formic acid using oxygen 1s-edge synchrotron radiation from the Brazilian synchrotron light source (LNLS), operating in a single-bunch mode. Ion formation was discussed in terms of the Auger stimulated ion desorption (ASID) and X-ray induced electron stimulated desorption (XESD) mechanisms. It is found that O 1s(C-OH) → π*(CO) and O 1s(CO) → 3s/σ*(HCO) transitions favored the production of C⁺, CH⁺, O⁺, O⁻ and H⁻ ions. The hydroxyl anion has not been observed while the hydroxyl cation showed low intensity or was absent. Some anion formation routes from dissociative reactions are suggested taking into account the positive ion yields.     

Effect of light-curing units on push-out fiber post bond strength in root canal dentin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different light-curing units on the bond strength (push-out) of glass fiber posts in the different thirds of the root (cervical, middle and apical) with different adhesive luting resin systems (dual-cure total-etch; dual-cured and self-etch bonding system; and dual-cure self-adhesive cements), Disks of the samples (n = 144) were used, with approximately 1 mm of thickness of 48 bovine roots restored with glass fiber posts, that were luted with resin cements photo-activated by halogen LCU (QTH, Optilux 501) and blue LED (Ultraled), with power densities of 600 and 550 mW/cm², respectively. A universal testing machine (MTS 810 Material Test System) was used with a 1 mm diameter steel rod at cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min until post extrusion, with load cell of 50 kg, for evaluation of the push-out strength in the different thirds of each sample. The push-out strength values in kgf were converted to MPa and analyzed through Analysis of Variance and Tukey’s test, at significance level of 5%. The results showed that there were no statistical differences between the QTH and LED LCUs. The self-adhesive resin cement had lower values of retention. The total-etch and self-adhesive system resin cements seem to be a possible alternative for glass fiber posts cementation into the radicular canal and the LED LCU can be applied as an alternative to halogen light on photo-activation of dual-cured resin cements.     

Effect of induced shielding current transmission in longitudinal direction on levitation force of melt grown single-domain YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x) cylindrical superconductor

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) bulk is one of the most important high temperature superconducting materials for magnetic levitation applications, because it has a high magnetic irreversibility field Hirr at liquid nitrogen temperature, and can grow into large grains. The levitation force of YBCO bulk is proportional to the critical current density (Jc) and grain radius (r)[1], so higher Jc and r are appreciated for YBCO bulks to achieve higher levitation force. Now single-domain YBCO bulks up to s…     

Real space trajectory of the ultrafast magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic metals

We have measured the real space trajectory of the ultrafast magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic metals induced by femtosecond optical pulses. Our approach allows the observation of the initial change of the modulus and orientation of the magnetization, occurring within a few hundreds of femtoseconds, as well as its subsequent precession and damping around the effective field. The role of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy shows up in the magnetization reorientation occurring during the electron-lattice relaxation. In addition, we propose a model which takes into account the initial demagnetization in the Bloch formalism describing the magnetization dynamics.