An Inflationary Model in String Theory

We construct a model of inflation in string theory after carefully taking into account moduli stabilization. The setting is a warped compactification of Type IIB string theory in the presence of D3 and anti-D3-branes. The inflaton is the position of a D3-brane in the internal space. By suitably adjusting fluxes and the location of symmetrically placed anti-D3-branes, we show that at a point of enhanced symmetry, the inflaton potential V can have a broad maximum, satisfying the condition V''/V << 1 in Planck units. On starting close to the top of this potential the slow-roll conditions can be met. Observational constraints impose significant restrictions. As a first pass we show that these can be satisfied and determine the important scales in the compactification to within an order of magnitude. One robust feature is that the scale of inflation is low, H = O(10^{10}) GeV. Removing the observational constraints makes it much easier to construct a slow-roll inflationary model. Generalizations and consequences including the possibility of eternal inflation are also discussed. A more careful study, including explicit constructions of the model in string theory, is left for the future.Comment: 27 pages, LaTeX, 1 eps figure. v2: references adde

Evolution and biogeography of deep-sea vent and seep invertebrates

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps are submarine springs where nutrient-rich fluids emanate from the sea floor. Vent and seep ecosystems occur in a variety of geological settings throughout the global ocean and support food webs based on chemoautotrophic primary production. Most vent and seep invertebrates arrive at suitable habitats as larvae dispersed by deep-ocean currents. The recent evolution of many vent and seep invertebrate species (<100 million years ago) suggests that Cenozoic tectonic history and oceanic circulation patterns have been important in defining contemporary biogeographic patterns

Ranges of Vigor Based on the Electrical Conductivity Test in Dehulled Sunflower Seeds

Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a promising vigor test since it produces fast laboratory results. In sunflower, the leakage of electrolytes from the pericarp may interfere with exudates from embryo tissues. The aims of this work were (1) To determine the utility of the EC test using dehulled (without pericap) sunflower seeds to evaluate the vigor in different genotypes, exposed to contrasting seed filling period and storage conditions, (2) To explore the relationship between EC and germination values near post harvest and across storage period and (3) To propose ranges of vigor through EC, so as to categorize sunflower seeds lots. Seeds of commercial hybrids differentiated by acid composition (high and standard oleic acid), exploring contrasting seed filling period and storage conditions, were evaluated by EC, Tetrazolium (TZ-V) and Germination (G), near post harvest time and during storage period (1, 5, 9, 13 and 19 months). An independent set of 18 genotypes, stored during 1-108 months, were also analyzed for EC and G. Electric conductivity in dehulled seeds was effective to identify vigor differences of genotypes in different seed filling period and storage conditions. A general relationship between the loss of germination and vigor was established for sunflower. The ranges of vigor based on EC proposed for sunflower seeds classification were 110 μs cm–1 g–1 for low vigor levels. It is the first report based on EC ranges to categorize the seed vigor of sunflower seeds lots.EEA BalcarceFil: Szemruch, C.L. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: del Longo, Olga Teresita. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Ferrari, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Renteria, S.J. Pannar; ArgentinaFil: Murcia, Marcos German. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Cantamutto, Miguel Angel. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Rondanini, Deborah Paola. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina

Bovine neosporosis in dairy cattle from the southern highlands of Ecuador

The aim of this study was to describe bovine neosporosis in dairy cattle from the Sierra region, Ecuador. A case-control study was performed on 841 dairy cattle from 5 dairy herds. The overall seroprevalence was 23.4% having significant association between abortion and seropositivity (p < .05). Additionally, 46 fetuses were recovered from a local slaughterhouse to evaluate the frequency of vertical transmission. Seventeen and 3 fetuses were positive by PCR and had compatible histopathological lesions, respectively. N. caninum infection must be considered as a relevant cause of reproductive losses in Ecuador.EEA BalcarceFil: Maldonado Rivera, J.E. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; EcuadorFil: Vallecillo, A.J. Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; EcuadorFil: Pérez, C.L. Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; Ecuador. Biomecrovet, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico; EcuadorFil: Cirone, Karina Mariela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Dorsch, MA. Universidad Nacional de Mar dl Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agraria; Argentina.Fil: Morrel, Eleonora Lidia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Scioli, V. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Hecker, Yanina P. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Fiorani Franco. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Cantón, Germán José. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Moore, Dadín Prando. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Uso de psyllium para controle de constipação em cães The use of psyllium to control constipation in dogs

psyllium (Plantago psyllium) é um vegetal comumente utilizado como adjuvante no tratamento de afecções que resultam em constipação. Com o objetivo de melhor compreender os efeitos dessa fibra em cães, foram realizados dois experimentos. O primeiro avaliou, em cães sadios, inclusões de 0%, 2% e 4% de semente integral moída de psyllium à dieta (com base na matéria natural). Para tanto, foram empregados oito cães da raça Beagles adultos, os quais receberam as dietas experimentais por oito dias. Verificou-se aumento linear da umidade das fezes com a adição de teores crescentes de psyllium (R²=0,54 e P=0,0012), sem alteração do escore fecal e número de defecações por dia. O segundo experimento incluiu avaliação da opinião de 24 proprietários cujos cães receberam suplementação de 2% de psyllium como parte do tratamento de afecções que causaram constipação. Dos proprietários incluídos, 19 (79,2%) relataram melhora da defecação de seus cães durante a administração da fibra. Quinze (62,5%) observaram que as fezes dos animais, antes ressecadas ou endurecidas, tornaram-se normais ou pastosas. Os resultados comprovaram para cães os efeitos laxativos do psyllium já descritos na medicina humana, indicando seu uso no tratamento de suporte de enfermidades que levam à constipação.<br>psyllium (Plantago psyllium) is a fiber generally used as a supplement in the treatment of diseases that led to constipation. To understanding of the effects of this fiber in dogs, two experiments were conducted. The first evaluated in healthy dogs a diet supplementation with 0%, 2% and 4% of ground whole psyllium seeds (as-fed basis). Eight adult Beagle dogs were used. They received the experimental diets for eight days. A linear increase of faecal moisture was verified with the addition of psyllium (R²=0.54 and P=0.0012), with no alteration on faecal score or number of defecations per day. The second experiment included 24 dogs with constipation. The dogs received a diet supplemented with 2% of psyllium as part of the treatment, and the owners were invited to answer a questionnaire. Nineteen (79.2%) owners reported that their dog had an easier defecation process during supplementation. Fifteen (62.5%) reported that the animals&acute; faeces, which were dry or hard at the start, became normal or pasty after psyllium consumption. The results confirmed a laxative effect of psyllium in dogs, which was already reported in human medicine, supporting the use of this fiber in the clinical management of diseases that cause constipation in dog