Principal Equatorial Null Geodesic Congruences in the Kerr Metric, and Their Quantum Propagators

Using the Raychaudhuri equation, we associate quantum probability amplitudes (propagators) to equatorial principal ingoing and outgoing null geodesic congruences in the Kerr metric. The expansion scalars diverge at the ring singularity;however, the propagators remain finite, which is an indication that at the quantum level singularities might disappear or, at least, become softened.

Cannabidiol-Mediated Sequestration of Alzheimer’s Amyloid-β Peptides in ADDL Oligomers

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the most studied phytocannabinoids, is non-psychotropic and can induce protective effects on the central nervous system against acute and chronic brain injury. Interestingly, CBD inhibits processes relating to amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, though the detailed molecular mechanism underlying the CBD neurotoxicity modulation is not fully understood. In this study, using atomic force microscopy, we find that CBD promotes the aggregation of Aβ peptides, enhancing the formation of Aβ oligomers, also known as Aβ-derived diffusible ligands (ADDLs). The CBD-mediated sequestration of Aβ monomers in soluble ADDLs could reduce neurotoxicity. This study highlights a possible role of CBD in modulating the formation of ADDL aggregates and provides insight into potentially neuroprotective properties of CBD in Alzheimer’s disease.

Possible Relevance of the Allende Meteorite Conditions in Prebiotic Chemistry: An Insight into the Chondrules and Organic Compounds

The study of the mineral and organic content of the Allende meteorite is important for our understanding of the molecular evolution of the universe as well as the ancient Earth. Previous studies have characterized the magnetic minerals present in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites, providing information on the evolution of magnetic fields. The interaction of organic compounds with magnetic minerals is a possible source of chemical diversity, which is crucial for molecular evolution. Carbon compounds in meteorites are of great scientific interest for a variety of reasons, such as their relevance to the origins of chirality in living organisms. This study presents the characterization of organic and mineral compounds in the Allende meteorite. The structural and physicochemical characterization of the Allende meteorite was accomplished through light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction with complementary Rietveld refinement, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy using magnetic signal methods to determine the complex structure and the interaction of organic compounds with magnetic Ni-Fe minerals. The presence of Liesegang-like patterns of chondrules in fragments of the Allende structure may also be relevant to understanding how the meteorite was formed. Other observations include the presence of magnetic materials and nanorod-like solids with relatively similar sizes as well as the heterogeneous distribution of carbon in chondrules. Signals observed in the Raman and infrared spectra resemble organic compounds such as carbon nanotubes and peptide-like molecules that have been previously reported in other meteorites, making the Mexican Allende meteorite a feasible sample for the study of the early Earth and exoplanetary bodies.

Hidden Quantum Effect in General Relativity

If the Planck length is chosen as the natural length scale of the Universe, the Penrose-Carter diagram associated with the classical gravitational collapse of a thin spherical shell of massless matter reveals, beyond and in agreement with the claimed non locality of the horizon, a quantum nature of the whole process.

A Simple Mathematical Formulation of the Correspondence Principle

In this paper we suggest a simple mathematical procedure to derive the classical probability density of quantum systems via Bohr’s correspondence principle. Using Fourier expansions for the classical and quantum distributions, we assume that the Fourier coefficients coincide for the case of large quantum number. We illustrate the procedure by analyzing the classical limit for the quantum harmonic oscillator and the particle in a box, although the method is quite general. We find, in an analytical fashion, the classical distribution arising from the quantum one as the zeroth order term in an expansion in powers of Planck’s constant. We interpret the correction terms as residual quantum effects at the microscopic-macroscopic boundary.

Null Geodesics, Raychaudhuri Equation, Trapped Surfaces, and Penrose Singularity Theorem

We review the concept of congruence of null geodesics, the Raychaudhuri equation for the expansion, its harmonic oscillator version and associated “quantum” propagator, the role of the equation in the derivation of the Penrose singularity theorem, the definition of trapped surfaces, and the derivation of the theorem itself.

Description of New Bioelectromechanical Properties in Alginate: An Insight with a Computer Simulation

Alginate biopolymer from Tropicalgin C302245 was studied by means of piezoresponse force microscopy imaging, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-rays, infrared spectroscopy and computer simulations. Local piezoresponse force microscopy images show possible ferroelectric domains detected in the out of plane mode and these results are confirmed by the second harmonic generation analysis. Alginate powder is composed by diatom frustules containing a cristobalite-like compound, amorphous silica and chitin. The experimental results are explained by MM+ and PM3 computer simulations that establish that the self-assembly of the alginate molecules enhance the polarization increasing the molecular collective dipole moment. Alginate molecular properties might open interesting possibilities for organic technological applications.

Gauge Invariance, the Quantum Metric Tensor and the Quantum Fidelity

The quantum metric tensor was introduced for defining the distance in the parameter space of a system. However, it is also useful for other purposes, like predicting quantum phase transitions. Due to the physical information this tensor provides, its gauge independence sounds reasonable. Moreover, its original construction was made by looking for this gauge independence. The aim of this paper, however, is to prove that the quantum metric tensor does depend on the gauge. In addition, a real gauge invariant quantum metric tensor is introduced. A related concept is the quantum fidelity, which is also shown to depend on the gauge in this paper. The gauge dependences are explicitly shown by computing the quantum metric tensor and the quantum fidelity of the Landau problem in different gauges. Then, a real gauge independent metric tensor is proposed and computed for the same Landau problem. Since the gauge dependences have not been observed before, the results of this paper might lead to a new study of topics that are believed to be completely understood.

Thermal,infrared spectroscopy and molecular modeling characterization of bone:An insight in the apatite-collagen type I interaction

An insight into the interaction of collagen type I with apatite in bone tissue was performed by using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. Scanning electron microscopy shows that bone organic content incinerate gradually through the different temperatures studied. We suggest that the amide regions of the type I collagen molecule (mainly C=O groups of the peptide bonds) will be important in the control of the interactions with the apatite from bone. The amide I infrared bands of the collagen type I change when interacting to apatite, what might confirm our assumption. Bone tissue results in a loss of thermal stability compared to the collagen studied apart, as a consequence of the degradation and further combustion of the collagen in contact with the apatite microcrystals in bone. The thermal behavior of bone is very distinctive. Its main typical combustion temperature is at 360°C with a shoulder at 550°C compared to the thermal behavior of collagen, with the mean combustion peak at ca. 500°C. Our studies with molecular mechanics (MM+ force field) showed different interaction energies of the collagen-like molecule and different models of the apatite crystal planes. We used models of the apatite (100) and (001) planes;additional two planes (001) were explored with phosphate-rich and calcium-rich faces;an energetic preference was found in the latter case. We preliminary conclude that the peptide bond of collagen type I is modified when the molecule interacts with the apatite, producing a decrease in the main peak from ca. 500°C in collagen, up to 350°C in bone. The combustion might be related to collagen type I, as the ΔH energies present only small variations between mineralized and non-mineralized samples. The data obtained here give a molecular perspective into the structural properties of bone and the change in collagen properties caused by the interaction with the apatite. Our study can be useful to understand the biological synthesis of minerals as well as the organic-inorganic interaction and the synthesis of apatite implant materials.

Black Holes and the Third Law of Thermodynamics Revisited

Black holes contradict the Nernst-Planck (N/P) version of the 3rd law of thermodynamics, but agree with its unattainability (U) version. This happens without contradiction, because the N/P and U versions are not equivalent, namely, N/P implies U but U does not imply N/P. So, black holes obey the weaker version of the 3rd law, but not the stronger one.

Conformally Compactified Minkowski Spacetime and Planck Constant

If the geometrical system of units c = G 1 and the Planck length as a natural length scale are used in the construction of the Penrose space (diagram) corresponding to Minkowski spacetime, the presence of the Planck constant ħin the Penrose dimensionless time (ζ) and radial (ρ) coordinates is unavoidable. This fact suggests that there could be a deep and still unknown relation between the spacetime of special relativity and quantum mechanics.

PEBAX^(TM)-Silanized Al_(2)O_(3) Composite,Synthesis and Characterization

Alumina nanoparticles were dispersed in poly(amide 12-b-tetramethylene oxide) copolymer through extrusion. The alumina particles were functionalized with 3-(2 trimethoxysilylethyl) cyclohexene oxide. The following PEBAX TM/ Al2O 3 proportions were prepared: 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0% w/w. The thermal stabiity of the nanocomposites was evalu- ated by thermograviemtric analysis under N2 and was comparable to the neat PEBAXTM polymer. The thermo-oxidative degradation of the polymeric matrix by oxygen was strongly hindered by the functionalized alumina. The rule of mixture would predict that the thermal degradation should be strongly dominated by PEBAXTM matrix. Therefore, the physical mixture of PEBAXTM and silanized alumina should be almost as stable as pure PEBAXTM. However, the experimental results suggest that the nanocomposites are more stable than the mixture of their components. This stabilization effect is evident in the temperature range between 300?C and 400?C, in which the degradation of the PA12 block takes place.

Self-Assembly of Amyloid-Beta and Its Piezoelectric Properties

Investigating amyloid nanofibril self-assembly, with an emphasis on the electromechanical property of amyloid peptides, namely, piezoelectricity, may have several important implications: 1) the self-assembly process can hinder the biological stability and give rise to the formation of amyloid structures associated with neurodegenerative diseases;2) investigations in this field may lead to an improved understanding of high-performance, functional biological nanomaterials, 3) new technologies could be established based on peptide self-assembly and the resultant functional properties, e.g., in the creation of a piezoelectric device formed with vertical diphenylalanine peptide tubes as a piezoelectric biosensor, and 4) new knowledge can be generated about neurodegenerative disorders, potentially yielding new therapies. Therefore, in this review, we will present the current investigations associated with self-assembly of amyloid-beta, the mechanisms that generate new structures, as well as theoretical calculations exploring the functionality of the structures under physiological pressure and electric field.

Effect of the Substitution of Sand by Rubber of Waste Tires on the Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Concrete and Exposure to Gamma Radiation

For a long time and until now, rubber is the most used material for the manufacture of tires for motor vehicles. Unfortunately, once the tire meets its life cycle, the remaining rubber cannot be recycled, so the tires are discarded in collection centers and often in clandestine dumps. This represents a serious environmental problem because, in one case, these waste tires become breeding grounds for insects and wildlife that is harmful to humans. In the second case, the tires are burned, releasing highly damaging gases into the atmosphere. On the other hand, concrete is worldwide the construction material par excellence. It is basically composed of cement, gravel and sand. Mixing these three components in different proportions, their mechanical strength in compression can be increased. However, due to its fragile nature, concrete, once a crack is formed, it rapidly advances by fragmenting the material and producing its rapid collapse. In the present work, in order contribute to the care of the environment as well as to modify the fracture mode of the concrete, rubber particles obtained from waste tires were used as sand substitute in hydraulic concrete. In addition, rubber modified samples concrete were lately exposed to 70 kGy of gamma radiation in order to study the effects of this radiation on the mechanical deformation of concrete. The results showed a decrease in the mechanical properties of the concrete with rubber particles with respect to the traditional concrete itself. However, such decreases were offset by the fact that samples with rubber addition do not collapses as fast as the free rubber samples. The acquired data pave the way for research with great benefits, such as the use of recycled tires in concrete for its fracture mode modification in a beneficial way, as well as a possible decrease in the cost of concrete.

Effect of resonant neutrino oscillation on TeV neutrino flavor ratio from choked GRBs

In the collapsar scenario of the long duration Gamma-Ray Bursts （GRBs）, multi-TeV neutrino emission is predicted as the jet makes its way through the stellar envelope. Such a neutrino signal is also expected for more general ＂failed＂ GRBs in which a putative jet is ＂choked＂ by a heavy envelope. If the Ve → Vu neutrino oscillation parameters are in the atmospheric neutrino oscillation range, we show that the resonant oscillation of Ve←→Vu,τ can take place within the inner high density region of the choked jet progenitor with a heavy envelope, altering the u flavor ratio on its surface to Фs Ve：Фsvu：Фsvt=5：11：2. Considering vacuum oscillations of these neutrinos on their way to Earth, the final flavor ratio detected on Earth is further modified to either 1：1.095：1.095 for the large mixing angle solution to the solar neutrino data, or 1：1.3：1.3 for maximal mixing among the muon and tau neutrinos in the vacuum.

Macroscopic Quantum Behaviour of Periodic Quantum Systems

In this paper we introduce a simple procedure for computing the macroscopic quantum behaviour of periodic quantum systems in the high energy regime. The macroscopic quantum coherence is ascribed to a one-particle state, not to a condensate of a many-particle system;and we are referring to a system of high energy but with few degrees of freedom. We show that, in the first order of approximation, the quantum probability distributions converge to its classical counterparts in a clear fashion, and that the interference effects are strongly suppressed. The harmonic oscillator provides a testing ground for these ideas and yields excellent results.

Potential Prebiotic Relevance of Glycine Single Crystals Enclosing Fluid Inclusions: An Experimental and Computer Simulation with Static Magnetic Fields

Glycine crystallizes into three different polymorphs called α, β and γ under standard physicochemical conditions. They have different features depending on their structural variations. The possible interaction of glycine with magnetic minerals in meteorites and comets or in the ancient Earth, paves the way to study the self-assembly and molecular behavior under irradiation and magnetic conditions. The magnetic field might induce the formation of a specific polymorph of glycine. To gain insight on the consequences of gamma irradiation with a gradient of static magnetic fields (0.06 T, 0.3 T, 0.42 T and 0.6 T) on the self-assembly of single macroscopic glycine crystals, we gamma irradiated the powdered amino acid and then assembled single crystals from water solutions. The preliminary results showed a stable formation of fluid inclusions in the single crystals and no straightforward effect on the self-assem- bly process after glycine gamma irradiation and interaction with static magnetic fields. The α glycine polymorph single crystals formed at 55° from the magnetic longitudinal axis and seemed to be enhanced by gamma radiation. The γ-glycine single crystals presented L and D circular dichroism signals, whereas the irradiated samples presented no circular dichroism bands. Com- puter simulations suggest different catalytic properties from α and γ glycine crystals.

Lévy Flights, 1/<i>f </i>Noise and Self Organized Criticality

A new analysis of a previously studied traveling agent model, showed that there is a relation between the degree of homogeneity of the medium where the agents move, agent motion patterns, and the noise generated from their displacements. We proved that for a particular value of homogeneity, the system self organizes in a state where the agents carry out Lévy walks and the displacement signal corresponds to 1/f noise. Using probabilistic arguments, we conjectured that 1/f noise is a fingerprint of a statistical phase transition, from randomness (disorder) to predictability (order), and that it emerges from the contextuality nature of the system which generates it.

Synthesis of Temperature- and pH-Sensitive Graft Copolymer Containing 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate and N-Vinylcaprolactam onto Silicone Rubber

Silicone rubber films were modified by the consecutive grafting of 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) and N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) using direct method on two steps with gamma-rays. The effect of absorbed dose and monomer concentration on grafting degree was determined. The grafted samples were verified by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and swelling;thermal properties were analyzed by DSC and TGA. The stimuli-responsive behavior was studied by swelling and/or DSC. Thermo- and pH-sensitive films of (PP-g-DEAEMA)-g-NVCL presented a pH critical at 3.2 and LCST around 63.5℃.