Backward inducing and exponential decay of correlations for partially hyperbolic attractors

We study partially hyperbolic attractors ofC ² diffeomorphisms on a compact manifold. For a robust (non-empty interior) class of such diffeomorphisms, we construct Sinai-Ruelle-Bowen measures, for which we prove exponential decay of correlations and the central limit theorem, in the space of Hölder continuous functions. The techniques we develop (backward inducing, redundancy elimination algorithm) should be useful in the study of the stochastic properties of much more general non-uniformly hyperbolic systems.     

Revisiting the reaction between diaminomaleonitrile and aromatic aldehydes: a green chemistry approach

The reaction between diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) and aldehydes and the resulting monoimines are well known. Since the standard reaction conditions involve the use of toxic solvents (typically methanol), we have sought to apply green chemistry principles to this reaction by either using water as the solvent without any catalysts or employing "solvent-free" conditions. The monoimines derived from DAMN are of interest as precursors for obtaining different heterocyclic systems and linear polymers. The methodologies used have significant advantages with regards to cost and environmental considerations.     

The a.c. susceptibility third harmonic component of NdO1−0.14F0.14FeAs: A flux dynamic magnetic analysis

In this contribution we present the analysis of the third harmonic susceptibility data of the new superconductor NdFeAs_1−0.14F_0.14. ‘Cole-Cole’ polar plots respect to the magnetic frequency of the exciting field are presented and discussed. Data show that NdFeAs_1−0.14F_0.14 exhibit a ‘bulk pinning’ with a 3D flux dynamic character. A comparison of the responses of high T_c materials and an evaluation of theoretical critical states is also presented.     

Local hydrated structure of an Fe2+/Fe3+ aqueous solution: an investigation using a combination of molecular dynamics and X-ray absorption fine structure methods

The hydrated shell of both Fe2+ and Fe3+ aqueous solutions are investigated by using the molecular dynamics (MD) and X-ray absorption structure (XAS) methods. The MD simulations show that the first hydrated shells of both Fe2+ and Fe3+ are characterized by a regular octahedron with an Fe-O distance of 2.08 for Fe2+ and 1.96 for Fe3+, and rule out the occurrence of a Jahn-Teller distortion in the hydrated shell of an Fe2+ aqueous solution. The corresponding X-ray absorption near edge fine structure (XANES) calculation successfully reproduces all features in the XANES spectra in Fe2+ and Fe3+ aqueous solution. A feature that is located at energy 1 eV higher than the white line (WL) in an Fe3+ aqueous solution may be assigned to the contribution of the charge transfer.     

On a new semi‐empirical electrotopological index for QSRR models

A new semi‐empirical electrotopological index, I_SET, for quantitative structure–retention relationships (QSRR) models was developed based on the refinement of the previously published semi‐empirical topological index, I_ET. We demonstrate that the values of C_i fragments that were firstly attributed from the experimental chromatographic retention and theoretical deductions have an excellent relationship with the net atomic charge of the carbon atoms. Thus, the values attributed to the vertices in the hydrogen‐suppressed graph of carbon atoms (C_i) are calculated from the correlation of the net atomic charge in each carbon atom, which is obtained from quantum chemical semi‐empirical calculations, and the C_i fragments for primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary carbon atoms (1.0, 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7, respectively) obtained from the experimental values. This shows that I_ET encoded this quantum physical reality and that it is possible to calculate a new I_SET (the semi‐empirical electrotopological index) through the net atomic charge values obtained from a Mulliken population analysis using the semi‐empirical AM1 method and their correlation with the values attributed to the different types of carbon atoms. This demonstrates that the I_SET encodes information on the charge distribution of the solute on which dispersive and electrostatic interactions between the solute (alkanes and alkenes) and the stationary phase strongly depend. Thus, this new method can be considered as an initial step towards forthcoming QSRR/QSAR studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mach-Zehnder interferometry at the Heisenberg limit with coherent and squeezed-vacuum light

We show that the phase sensitivity Deltatheta of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer illuminated by a coherent state in one input port and a squeezed-vacuum state in the other port is (i) independent of the true value of the phase shift and (ii) can reach the Heisenberg limit Deltatheta approximately 1/N(T), where N(T) is the average number of input particles. We also demonstrate that the Cramer-Rao lower bound of phase sensitivity, Deltatheta approximately 1/square root[|alpha|(2)e(2r)+sinh(2)r], can be saturated for arbitrary values of the squeezing parameter r and the amplitude of the coherent mode alpha by using a Bayesian phase inference protocol.     

The significance of changes in Mytella falcata (Orbigny, 1842) gill filaments chronically exposed to polluted environments

The impact of pollutants in an organism can be observed by changes in functional complexity at different levels. Bivalve gills are suitable for histopathological analysis because of their structure and function. This study aimed at examining the morphology of Mytella falcata gill filaments from three sites in the Santos estuary (São Paulo, Brazil) with different levels of environmental degradation to identify possible changes in gill structure and discuss the significance of these alterations. For this purpose, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural techniques were used. The filaments of animals from site A (less impacted site) were intact, while in sites B and C, pathological changes were observed, such as: detachment of the epithelium in the intermediate zone, morphological changes of this epithelium, inflammatory process, increase in the number of mucous cells and cell turnover processes. These results suggest that the related changes are an attempt to prevent the entrance of pollutants through gill filaments into the entire organism and that cell turnover is the final way to compensate cell injury.     

A conserved karyotype of Sternopygus macrurus (Sternopygidae, Gymnotiformes) in the Amazon region: differences from other hydrographic basins suggest cryptic speciation

We studied the karyotypes of 35 Sternopygus macrurus fishes of four localities from rivers of the Eastern Amazon basin. In these four places the karyotypes have 2n = 46 chromosomes, NF = 92, where 30 are metacentric (M) and 16 submetacentric (SM). The constitutive heterochromatin (CH) is found in the centromeric region of most chromosomes and in the pericentromeric region of pairs 5, 17 and 19. Pair 1 has a large and not common heterochromatic block in the short arm, useful as a marker for this species if not found in other Sternopygus taxa. The NOR is located in the distal region of the short arm of pair 1, showing a size heteromorphism in some specimens. The CMA₃ and DAPI fluorochrome bandings and the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), using pantelomeric human probes techniques are described for the first time for this species. DAPI has banding coincident with the C-banded regions, which suggests that the CH is AT base-pair-rich. CMA₃ banding is coincident with the NOR, meaning that this region is GC base-pair-rich. The FISH showed that the probes hybridized only with the telomeric regions, without any sign of interstitial telomeric regions. The karyotype of the samples from different places in the Amazon basin is quite conserved, probably because of the gene flow among the populations. The karyotype differences among the Sternopygus macrurus from the Amazon basin and the São Francisco and Paraná rivers suggest that these taxa may be different species.     

Monoolein and chitosan gels as potential carriers of the rhBMP-2, using decortication surgical technique in Wistar rats as experimental model

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the new bone tissue, comparing two different carriers for rhBMP-2, monoolein and chitosan gels, using the decortication and nondecorticatication surgical technique in rat mandibles, evaluated by histomorphometrical method. It was used 56 male Wistar rats (300g), divided into 8 groups according to the rhBMP-2 carrier used, monoolein or chitosan gels; surgical technique, bone decortication or nondecortication; and period of time, 3 or 6 weeks until the sacrifice by perfusion. Results obtained in this study showed that the rhBMP-2/monoolein and rhBMP-2/chitosan used in this experimental model was able to induce osteogenesis, contributing to the bone healing process. The bone repair process was time dependent, so that at 6 weeks there was an improved amount of new bone in relation to 3 weeks, considered each analyzed group, and the decortication was able to expose the bone marrow and speed up the bone healing process, which was showed by histomorphometrical methods. Both of carriers were capable to adapt to the bone surgical area, according to the clinical observations, and had favorable properties in relation to protein releasing, revealed by the amount of new bone tissue found in the histological analysis.