Aceite de linaza: Caracterización y estudio de su degradación oxidativa

This paper proposes to characterize and monitor the degradation of linseed oil under two oxidation conditions using some traditional oxidative and quality parameters. The experimental section of this study was divided into 2 stages. In the first one, three commercial linseed oil samples (OL1, OL2, and OL3) were characterized according to oxidative stability (90 °C) and fatty acid composition. In the second stage, the OL1 sample, selected due to its availability, was subjected to the following oxidation procedures: storage at room temperature conditions with exposure to light and air (temperature ranging from 7 to 35 °C) for 140 days and accelerated oxidation at 100 °C for 7h. Samples were collected at different time intervals and analyzed for oxidative stability (90 °C), peroxide value, and acid value. The results showed that all the samples presented a similar fatty acid profile and that the OL3 sample showed a higher induction period (p < 0.05). Regarding the oxidative degradation, the induction period of the OL1 sample reduced from 9.7 to 5.7 and 9.7 to 6.3 during 140 days of storage under room temperature and 7 h of accelerated oxidation, respectively. The end of induction period of the OL1 sample is expected to occur within 229 days according to an exponential mathematical model fitted to the induction period values at different temperatures. In addition, the OL1 sample met the limits proposed by Codex and Brazilian regulations for peroxide and acid values during the oxidation time intervals.Este trabajo propone caracterizar y monitorear la degradación del aceite de linaza en dos condiciones de oxidación utilizando algunos parámetros oxidativos y de calidad tradicionales. La sección experimental de este estudio se dividió en 2 etapas. En la primera, se caracterizaron tres muestras comerciales de aceite de linaza (OL1, OL2 y OL3) a través de la estabilidad oxidativa (90 °C) y la composición de ácidos grasos. En la segunda etapa, la muestra OL1 se seleccionó por su disponibilidad y se sometió a los siguientes procedimientos de oxidación: almacenamiento en condiciones ambientales con exposición a la luz y al aire (temperatura que varía de 7 a 35 °C) durante 140 días y oxidación acelerada a 100 °C durante 7 h. Las muestras se recogieron a diferentes intervalos de tiempo y se analizaron mediante estabilidad oxidativa (90 °C), índice de peróxido e índice de acidez. Los resultados mostraron que todas las muestras presentaron un perfil de ácidos grasos similar y también que la muestra OL3 mostró un período de inducción más alto (

Traversable wormholes coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics

In this work we explore the possible existence of static, spherically symmetric and stationary, axisymmetric traversable wormholes coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics. Considering static and spherically symmetric (2+1) and (3+1)-dimensional wormhole spacetimes, we verify the presence of an event horizon and the non-violation of the null energy condition at the throat. For the former spacetime, the principle of finiteness is imposed, in order to obtain regular physical fields at the throat. Next, we analyze the (2+1)-dimensional stationary and axisymmetric wormhole, and also verify the presence of an event horizon, rendering the geometry non-traversable. Relatively to the (3+1)-dimensional stationary and axisymmetric wormhole geometry, we find that the field equations impose specific conditions that are incompatible with the properties of wormholes. Thus, we prove the non-existence of the general class of traversable wormhole solutions, outlined above, within the context of nonlinear electrodynamics.Comment: 9 pages, Revtex4. V2: major change in title; considerable additions in the Introduction and in the rotating solution, no physics changes; correction of a reference, one reference added; now 10 pages. This version to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Echelle long-slit optical spectroscopy of evolved stars

We present echelle long-slit optical spectra of a sample of objects evolving off the AGB, most of them in the pre-planetary nebula (pPN) phase, obtained with the ESI and MIKE spectrographs at Keck-II and Magellan-I, respectively. The total wavelength range covered with ESI (MIKE) is ~3900 to 10900 A (~3600 to 7200A). In this paper, we focus our analysis mainly on the Halpha profiles. Prominent Halpha emission is detected in half of the objects, most of which show broad Halpha wings (up to ~4000 km/s). In the majority of the Halpha-emission sources, fast, post-AGB winds are revealed by P-Cygni profiles. In ~37% of the objects Halpha is observed in absorption. In almost all cases, the absorption profile is partially filled with emission, leading to complex, structured profiles that are interpreted as an indication of incipient post-AGB mass-loss. All sources in which Halpha is seen mainly in absorption have F-G type central stars, whereas sources with intense Halpha emission span a larger range of spectral types from O to G. Shocks may be an important excitation agent of the close stellar surroundings for objects with late type central stars. Sources with pure emission or P Cygni Halpha profiles have larger J-K color excess than objects with Halpha mainly in absorption, which suggests the presence of warm dust near the star in the former. The two classes of profile sources also segregate in the IRAS color-color diagram in a way that intense Halpha-emitters have dust grains with a larger range of temperatures. (abridged)Comment: 68 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in ApJS (abstract abridged

Nonlinear electrodynamics and CMB polarization

Recently WMAP and BOOMERanG experiments have set stringent constraints on the polarization angle of photons propagating in an expanding universe: $\Delta \alpha = (-2.4 \pm 1.9)^\circ$. The polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) is reviewed in the context of nonlinear electrodynamics (NLED). We compute the polarization angle of photons propagating in a cosmological background with planar symmetry. For this purpose, we use the Pagels-Tomboulis (PT) Lagrangian density describing NLED, which has the form $L\sim (X/\Lambda^4)^{\delta - 1}\; X$, where $X=1/4 F_{\alpha\beta} F^{\alpha \beta}$, and $\delta$ the parameter featuring the non-Maxwellian character of the PT nonlinear description of the electromagnetic interaction. After looking at the polarization components in the plane orthogonal to the ($x$)-direction of propagation of the CMB photons, the polarization angle is defined in terms of the eccentricity of the universe, a geometrical property whose evolution on cosmic time (from the last scattering surface to the present) is constrained by the strength of magnetic fields over extragalactic distances.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, references adde

V2324Cyg - an F-type star with fast wind

For the first time high-resolution optical spectroscopy of the variable star V2324Cyg associated with the IR-source IRAS20572+4919 is made. More than 200 absorption features (mostly FeII, TiII, CrII, YII, BaII, and YII) are identified within the wavelength interval 4549-7880AA. The spectral type and rotation velocity of the star are found to be F0III and Vsini=69km/s, respectively. HI and NaID lines have complex PCyg-type profiles with an emission component. Neither systematic trend of radial velocity Vr with line depth Ro nor temporal variability of Vr have been found. We determined the average heliocentric radial velocity Vr=-16.8\pm 0.6km/s. The radial velocities inferred from the cores of the absorption components of the H$\beta$ and NaI wind lines vary from -140 to -225km/s (and the expansion velocities of the corresponding layers, from about 120 to 210km/s). The maximum expansion velocity is found for the blue component of the split H$\alpha$ absorption: 450km/s for December 12, 1995. The model atmospheres method is used to determine the star's parameters: Teff=7500K, log g=2.0, $\xi_t$=6.0km/s, and metallicity, which is equal to the solar value. The main peculiarity of the chemical abundances pattern is the overabundance of lithium and sodium. The results cast some doubt on the classification of V2324Cyg as a post-AGB star.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figure

ISS Real World System Validation for IMM 4.0

No abstract availabl

Qualitative Validation of the IMM Model for ISS and STS Programs

To validate and further improve the Integrated Medical Model (IMM), medical event data were obtained from 32 ISS and 122 STS person-missions. Using the crew characteristics from these observed missions, IMM v4.0 was used to forecast medical events and medical resource utilization. The IMM medical condition incidence values were compared to the actual observed medical event incidence values, and the IMM forecasted medical resource utilization was compared to actual observed medical resource utilization. Qualitative comparisons of these parameters were conducted for both the ISS and STS programs. The results of these analyses will provide validation of IMM v4.0 and reveal areas of the model requiring adjustments to improve the overall accuracy of IMM outputs. This validation effort should result in enhanced credibility of the IMM and improved confidence in the use of IMM as a decision support tool for human space flight

Quantitative Validation of the Integrated Medical Model (IMM) for ISS Missions

Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health (LSAH) provided observed medical event data on 33 ISS and 111 STS person-missions for use in further improving and validating the Integrated Medical Model (IMM). Using only the crew characteristics from these observed missions, the newest development version, IMM v4.0, will simulate these missions to predict medical events and outcomes. Comparing IMM predictions to the actual observed medical event counts will provide external validation and identify areas of possible improvement. In an effort to improve the power of detecting differences in this validation study, the total over each program ISS and STS will serve as the main quantitative comparison objective, specifically the following parameters: total medical events (TME), probability of loss of crew life (LOCL), and probability of evacuation (EVAC). Scatter plots of observed versus median predicted TMEs (with error bars reflecting the simulation intervals) will graphically display comparisons while linear regression will serve as the statistical test of agreement. Two scatter plots will be analyzed 1) where each point reflects a mission and 2) where each point reflects a condition-specific total number of occurrences. The coefficient of determination (R2) resulting from a linear regression with no intercept bias (intercept fixed at zero) will serve as an overall metric of agreement between IMM and the real world system (RWS). In an effort to identify as many possible discrepancies as possible for further inspection, the -level for all statistical tests comparing IMM predictions to observed data will be set to 0.1. This less stringent criterion, along with the multiple testing being conducted, should detect all perceived differences including many false positive signals resulting from random variation. The results of these analyses will reveal areas of the model requiring adjustment to improve overall IMM output, which will thereby provide better decision support for mission critical applications

Forest hydrology in Chile: Past, present, and future

This paper reviews the current knowledge of hydrological processes in Chilean temperate forests which extend along western South America from latitude 29° S to 56 ° S. This geographic region includes a diverse range of natural and planted forests and a broad sweep of vegetation, edaphic, topographic, geologic, and climatic settings which create a unique natural laboratory. Many local communities, endangered freshwater ecosystems, and downstream economic activities in Chile rely on water flows from forested catchments. This review aims to (i) provide a comprehensive overview of Chilean forest hydrology, to (ii) review prior research in forest hydrology in Chile, and to (iii) identify knowledge gaps and provide a vision for future research on forest hydrology in Chile. We reviewed the relation between native forests, commercial plantations, and other land uses on water yield and water quality from the plot to the catchment scale. Much of the global understanding of forests and their relationship with the water cycle is in line with the findings of the studies reviewed here. Streamflow from forested catchments increases after timber harvesting, native forests appear to use less water than plantations, and streams draining native forest yield less sediment than streams draining plantations or grassland/shrublands. We identified 20 key knowledge gaps such as forest groundwater systems, soil–plant-atmosphere interactions, native forest hydrology, and the effect of forest management and restoration on hydrology. Also, we found a paucity of research in the northern geographic areas and forest types (35-36 ° S); most forest hydrology studies in Chile (56 %) have been conducted in the southern area (Los Rios Region around 39-40 ° S). There is limited knowledge of the geology and soils in many forested areas and how surface and groundwater are affected by changes in land cover. There is an opportunity to advance our understanding using process-based investigations linking field studies and modeling. Through the establishment of a forest hydrology science “society” to coordinate efforts, regional and national-scale land use planning might be supported. Our review ends with a vision to advance a cross-scale collaborative effort to use new nation-wide catchment-scale networks Long-term Ecosystem Research (LTER) sites, to promote common and complementary techniques in these studies, and to conduct transdisciplinary research to advance sound and integrated planning of forest lands in Chile