Probing the ejecta of evolved massive stars in transition: A VLT/SINFONI K-band survey

Massive evolved stars in transition phases, such as Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs), B[e] Supergiants (B[e]SGs), and Yellow Hypergiants (YHGs), are not well understood, and yet crucial steps in determining accurate stellar and galactic evolution models. The circumstellar environments of these stars reveal their mass-loss history, identifying clues to both their individual evolutionary status and the connection between objects of different phases. Here we present a survey of 25 such evolved massive stars (16 B[e]SGs, 6 LBVs, 2 YHGs, and 1 Peculiar Oe star), observed in the K-band with the Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observation in the Near-Infrared (SINFONI; R = 4500) on the ESO VLT UT4 8 m telescope. The sample can be split into two categories based on spectral morphology: one group includes all of the B[e]SGs, the Peculiar Oe star, and two of the LBVs, while the other includes the YHGs and the rest of the LBVs. The difference in LBV spectral appearance is due to some objects being in a quiescent phase and some objects being in an active or outburst phase. CO emission features are found in 13 of our targets, with first time detections for MWC 137, LHA 120-S 35, and LHA 115-S 65. From model fits to the CO band heads, the emitting regions appear to be detached from the stellar surface. Each star with ^12CO features also shows ^13CO emission, signaling an evolved nature. Based on the level of ^13C enrichment, we conclude that many of the B[e]SGs are likely in a pre-Red Supergiant phase of their evolution. There appears to be a lower luminosity limit of log L/L_solar = 5.0 below which CO is not detected. The lack of CO features in several high luminosity B[e]SGs and variability in others suggests that they may in fact be LBV candidates, strengthening the connection between these two very similar transition phases.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in A&

Sobre la identidad y el estatus de Desmanthus (Leguminosae, clado Mimosoideae) en Macaronesia

In this paper, the identity and degree of naturalization of Desmanthus (Leguminosae, Mimosoid clade) in the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) and Cape Verde (Santo Antão, São Vicente) are critically re-assessed. The study of morphological features of the plant material sampled allowed to conclude that all specimens must be assigned to D. pernambucanus, instead of D. virgatus as previously thought. Previous records for D. virgatus from Macaronesia still require confirmation but are probably all erroneous. D. pernambucanus is well-established and the number of populations is increasing in the studied area. The species can be classified as an environmental weed or even as a transformer species in natural habitats, often barrancos. The results also show that the distinction between D. pernambucanus and D. virgatus is not always clear-cut and that for an accurate identification the study of living material usually is required.En este artículo se reevalúa la identidad y grado de naturalización del género Desmanthus (Leguminosae, clado Mimosoideae) en diversas áreas de las Islas Canarias (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura) y de Cabo Verde (Santo Antão, São Vicente). El estudio de los caracteres morfológicos del material vegetal permitió concluir que todos los especímenes deben ser asignados a D. pernambucanus, en lugar de a D. virgatus, como se pensaba hasta ahora. Los registros previos de D. virgatus para Macaronesia requieren confirmación, pero posiblemente sean todos erróneos. Desmanthus pernambucanus está bien establecido en la zona estudiada y el número de poblaciones se está incrementando. La especie puede ser clasificada como “mala hierba alóctona” o, incluso, como una especie transformadora en hábitats naturales, especialmente en barrancos. Los resultados también muestran que no siempre está clara la distinción entre D. pernambucanus y D. virgatus y que, generalmente, el estudio de material vivo es necesario para una identificación precisa

Using quantum state protection via dissipation in a quantum-dot molecule to solve the Deutsch problem

The wide set of control parameters and reduced size scale make semiconductor quantum dots attractive candidates to implement solid-state quantum computation. Considering an asymmetric double quantum dot coupled by tunneling, we combine the action of a laser field and the spontaneous emission of the excitonic state to protect an arbitrary superposition state of the indirect exciton and ground state. As a by-product we show how to use the protected state to solve the Deutsch problem.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, 2 table

Phytochemical profiling as a solution to palliate disinfectant limitations

The indiscriminate use of biocides for general disinfection has contributed to the increased incidence of antimicrobial tolerant microorganisms. This study aims to assess the potential of seven phytochemicals (tyrosol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamaldehyde, coumaric acid, cinnamic acid and eugenol) in the control of planktonic and sessile cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol showed antimicrobial properties, minimum inhibitory concentrations of 3-5 and 5-12 mM and minimum bactericidal concentrations of 10-12 and 10-14 mM against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Cinnamic acid was able to completely control adhered bacteria with effects comparable to peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite and it was more effective than hydrogen peroxide (all at 10 mM). This phytochemical caused significant changes in bacterial membrane hydrophilicity. The observed effectiveness of phytochemicals makes them interesting alternatives and/or complementary products to commonly used biocidal products. Cinnamic acid is of particular interest for the control of sessile cells

Complementary action of chemical and electrical synapses to perception

Acknowledgements This study was possible by partial financial support from the following agencies: Fundação Araucária, EPSRC-EP/I032606/1, CNPq No. 441553/2014-1, CAPES No. 17656-12-5 and Science Without Borders Program— Process Nos. 17656125, 99999.010583/2013-00 and 245377/2012-3.Peer reviewedPostprin

Anatomia foliar de croton cajucara Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) como contribuição ao estudo farmacognóstico de plantas da região amazônica.

As folhas de Croton cajucara popularmente conhecida por "sacaca", são utilizadas na medicina popular devido às propriedades curativas que lhe são atribuídas, tais como antiinflamatório, diurético e anticolesterolemiante. Objetivando contribuir com estudos fitoterápicos e cosméticos, uma vez que o óleo essencial de C. cajucara é utilizado como fixador de perfumes, realizou-se estudo anatômico da folha desta espécie, destacando-se as estruturas secretoras de óleo essencial. O material pesquisado foi coletado no Banco de Germoplasma da EMBRAPA Amazônia Ocidental-AM e na área agrícola da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Aepiderme foliar é constituída por apenas um estrato de células de formato irregular, justapostas, com paredes periclinais e anticlinais sinuosas, revestidas por uma cutícula lisa e espessa e uma camada de cera epicuticular. A folha é anfiestomática com estômatos do tipo paracítico. Em ambas as faces foram observados tricomas do tipo multiradiado, lepidoto e estrelado. Células secretoras de óleo essencial foram encontradas na base dos tricomas do tipo estrelado e, freqüentemente, dispersas no mesofilo. Por meio da técnica de extração por arraste de vapor d'água obteve-se aproximadamente 1mL de óleo por 1 kg de folhas frescas, cujo teor de linalol foi de 37,6%, por cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massa.Disponível também on-line

Ground Motion Simulations of the SW Iberia Margin: Rupture Directivity and Earth Structure Effects.

Abstract In this study, we focus on the region between Gorringe Bank and the Horseshoe Fault located in the SW Iberia margin, which is believed to be the site of the great 1755 earthquake. We model ground motions using an extended source located near the Horseshoe scarp to generate synthetic waveforms using a wave propagation code, based on the finite-difference method. We compare the simulated waveforms, for the Algarve Basin and the Lower Tagus Valley Basin (Portugal), using a 3-D velocity model down to the Moho discontinuity with a simple 1-D layered model. The radiated wave field is very sensitive to the velocity model and a small number of source parameters, in particular, the rupture directivity. The rupture directivity, the strike direction and the fault dimensions are critical to the azimuthal distribution of the maximum amplitude oscillations. We show that the use of a stratified 1-D model is inappropriate in SW Iberia, where sources are located in the oceanic domain and receivers in the continental domain. The crustal structure varies dramatically along the ray paths, with large-scale heterogeneities of low or high velocities. Moreover, combined with the geometric limitations inherent to the region, a strong trade-off between several parameters is often observed; this is particularly critical when studying moderate magnitude earthquakes (M < 6), which constitute the bulk of the seismic catalogue in SW Iberia

Métodos para superação da dormência em sementes de taxibranco (Tachigali vulgaris L.F Gomes da Silva E H.C Lima).

O Tachigali vulgaris , conhecido vulgarmente como Taxi - Branco ou Carvoeiro,é uma espécie leguminosa arbórea nativa da Amazônia brasileiraexigente em luz (heliófita) e de rápido crescimento, sua madeira apresenta qualidade superior para lenha e carvão, e tem como principal forma de propagação a via sexuada, apesar da baixa taxa de germinação naturaldas sementes