Unified Field Theoretical Models from Generalized Affine Geometries III

In this work the underlying structure of new type of Unified Field Theoretical model introduced in by the authors is elucidated and analyzed from the geometrical and group theoretical point of view. Our goal is to take advantage of the geometrical and topological properties of this theory in order to determine the minimal group structure of the resultant spacetime manifold able to support a fermionic structure. From this fact, the relation between antisymmetric torsion and Dirac structure of the spacetime is determined and important physical consequences enumerated. In the case of spacetime with torsion the real meaning of the spin-frame alignment is find and the question of the minimal coupling is discussed based in the important cases of tratorial, totally antisymmetric and general torsion fields.     

Existence and Multiplicity of Radial Positive Solutions for a Quasilinear Elliptic Equation with Sign-Changing Nonlinearity

In this paper we will be concerned with questions of existence and multiplicity of radial nonnegative solutions of the quasilinear elliptic equation We will use variational methods in order to prove the existence of multiple solutions in case f is a sign-changing nonlinearity.     

A Class of {n}-Entire Schrödinger operators

We study singular Schrödinger operators on a finite interval as selfadjoint extensions of a symmetric operator. We give sufficient conditions for the symmetric operator to be in the \(n\) -entire class, which was defined in our previous work (Silva and Toloza in J Phys A Math Theor 46:025202, 2013) for some \(n\) . As a consequence of this classification, we obtain a detailed spectral characterization for a wide class of radial Schrödinger operators. The results given here make use of de Branges Hilbert space techniques.     

On families of quadratic surfaces having fixed intersections with two hyperplanes

We investigate families of quadrics all of which have the same intersection with two given hyperplanes. The cases when the two hyperplanes are parallel and when they are nonparallel are discussed. We show that these families can be described with only one parameter and describe how the quadrics are transformed as the parameter changes. This research was motivated by an application in mixed integer conic optimization. In that application, we aimed to characterize the convex hull of the union of the intersections of an ellipsoid with two half-spaces arising from the imposition of a linear disjunction.     

Application of an organic–inorganic hybrid membrane for selective gold(III) permeation

An organic–inorganic hybrid membrane was synthesized and evaluated for gold(III) transport from concentrated hydrochloric acid medium. The membrane was prepared by crosslinking of hydroxy terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane in the presence of the commercial extractant Kelex 100. An optimization of the transport conditions was performed and selectivity with respect to copper(II) and zinc(II) determined. Around 70% of Au(III) was transported from an initially 10 ppm aqueous solution under optimized conditions with high selectivity towards 50 ppm of Cu(II) or 100 ppm of Zn(II) in 6 h. In addition the membrane extraction equilibrium reaction and its corresponding extraction equilibrium constant were evaluated and compared to those obtained in liquid–liquid solvent extraction. Membrane characterization was attained by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.     

Effects of vagal nerve stimulation on laryngeal function

Functional electrical stimulation is a developing methodology that shows significant potential in the management of peripheral neuromuscular deficits. Potential applications in the head and neck area, including control of bilateral vocal fold paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia, have recently been explored. Despite promising early results, very little is known about the mechanisms of action or the long-term effects of electrical stimulation on human laryngeal function. Recent development of implantable vagal nerve stimulators as a method to control intractable seizures in individuals who have not responded to medication provides a unique opportunity to study its effect on the normal human larynx. Laryngeal and vocal function testing was studied on five individuals who had undergone vagal nerve stimulator implants for intractable seizures. Consistent abduction/adduction of the left vocal fold was achieved at 20 and 40 Hz, respectively. Higher levels of electrical stimulation produced hemispasm of the larynx. Results were consistent with studies in the literature of recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation in animal and human models. The vagus nerve provides relatively easy access for implantation of electrodes to provide electrical stimulation to the muscles of the larynx. Vagal nerve stimulation may prove efficacious in the treatment of movement disorders of the larynx; further study is needed.