Different faces of the phantom

The SNe type Ia data admit that the Universe today may be dominated by some exotic matter with negative pressure violating all energy conditions. Such exotic matter is called {\it phantom matter} due to the anomalies connected with violation of the energy conditions. If a phantom matter dominates the matter content of the universe, it can develop a singularity in a finite future proper time. Here we show that, under certain conditions, the evolution of perturbations of this matter may lead to avoidance of this future singularity (the Big Rip). At the same time, we show that local concentrations of a phantom field may form, among other regular configurations, black holes with asymptotically flat static regions, separated by an event horizon from an expanding, singularity-free, asymptotically de Sitter universe.Comment: 6 pages, presented at IRGAC 2006, Barcelona, 11-15 July 200

No-horizon theorem for spacetimes with spacelike G1 isometry groups

We consider four-dimensional spacetimes $(M,{\mathbf g})$ which obey the Einstein equations ${\mathbf G}={\mathbf T}$, and admit a global spacelike $G_{1}={\mathbb R}$ isometry group. By means of dimensional reduction and local analyis on the reduced (2+1) spacetime, we obtain a sufficient condition on ${\mathbf T}$ which guarantees that $(M,{\mathbf g})$ cannot contain apparent horizons. Given any (3+1) spacetime with spacelike translational isometry, the no-horizon condition can be readily tested without the need for dimensional reduction. This provides thus a useful and encompassing apparent horizon test for $G_{1}$-symmetric spacetimes. We argue that this adds further evidence towards the validity of the hoop conjecture, and signals possible violations of strong cosmic censorship.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, uses IOP package; published in Class. Quantum Gra

Nuclear shadowing from exclusive quarkonium photoproduction at the BNL RHIC and CERN LHC

The photonuclear production of vector mesons in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions is investigated within the collinear approach using different parameterizations for the nuclear gluon distribution. The integrated cross section and the rapidity distribution for the $AA \to V AA$ ($V = J/\Psi, \Upsilon$) process are computed for energies of RHIC and LHC. A comparison with the recent PHENIX data on coherent production of $J/\Psi$ mesons is also presented. We demonstrate that the study of the exclusive quarkonium photoproduction can be used to constrain the nuclear effects in the gluon distribution.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Version to be published in Physical Review

Evaluation of Red Clover Populations Selected for Persistence and Dry Matter Yield in Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil

Red clover is one of the most important temperate legume species and it is used to alleviate the lack of forage in natural grasslands during the cool season in Rio Gra do Sul, Brasil. However, the lack of persistence presented by this species has not allowed its full utilization. Hence, a breeding program was started to select plants with more persistence and with good dry matter (DM) yield. This work was carried out at the “Estação Experimental Agronômica”, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Three selected red clover populations were evaluated in relation to the best available commercial check, cv. Quiñqueli, in a mixture with annual ryegrass. There were significant differences among the populations in relation to persistence and DM yield of its components. Two of the selected populations were more persistent than the check after the first season of growth, pointing to the possibility of making progress in this trait while maintaining the yield potential

Mercapturate Pathway in the Tubulocentric Perspective of Diabetic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: The recent growing evidence that the proximal tubule underlies the early pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is unveiling novel and promising perspectives. This pathophysiological concept links tubulointerstitial oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and fibrosis with the progression of DKD. In this new angle for DKD, the prevailing molecular mechanisms on proximal tubular cells emerge as an innovative opportunity for prevention and management of DKD as well as to improve diabetic dysmetabolism. SUMMARY: The mercapturate pathway (MAP) is a classical metabolic detoxification route for xenobiotics that is emerging as an integrative circuitry detrimental to resolve tubular inflammation caused by endogenous electrophilic species. Herein we review why and how it might underlie DKD. Key Messages: MAP is a hallmark of proximal tubular cell function, and cysteine-S-conjugates might represent targets for early intervention in DKD. Moreover, the biomonitoring of urinary mercapturates from metabolic inflammation products might be relevant for the implementation of preventive/management strategies in DKD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Training deep neural density estimators to identify mechanistic models of neural dynamics

Mechanistic modeling in neuroscience aims to explain observed phenomena in terms of underlying causes. However, determining which model parameters agree with complex and stochastic neural data presents a significant challenge. We address this challenge with a machine learning tool which uses deep neural density estimators-- trained using model simulations-- to carry out Bayesian inference and retrieve the full space of parameters compatible with raw data or selected data features. Our method is scalable in parameters and data features, and can rapidly analyze new data after initial training. We demonstrate the power and flexibility of our approach on receptive fields, ion channels, and Hodgkin-Huxley models. We also characterize the space of circuit configurations giving rise to rhythmic activity in the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion, and use these results to derive hypotheses for underlying compensation mechanisms. Our approach will help close the gap between data-driven and theory-driven models of neural dynamics

Diffractive J/ΨJ/\Psi photoproduction at large momentum transfer in coherent hadron - hadron interactions at CERN LHC

The vector meson production in coherent hadron-hadron interactions at LHC energies is studied assuming that the color singlet $t$-channel exchange carries large momentum transfer. We consider the non-forward solution of the BFKL equation at high energy and large momentum transfer and estimate the rapidity distribution and total cross section for the process $h_1 h_2 \to h_1 J/\Psi X$, where $h_i$ can be a proton or a nucleus. We predict large rates, which implies that the experimental identification can be feasible at the LHC.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Version to be published in Physical Review

Catch composition, catch rates and size selectivity of three long-line methods in the Algarve (southern Portugal)

Three long-line methods have been studied in the Algarve: 1) small-hook long-line for inshore (less than 30 m) ‘white' sea breams (Sparidae); 2) small-hook long-line for deeper water (40-60 m) ‘red' sea breams; and 3) deep water (500-700 m) semi-pelagic long-line for hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758). Selectivity studies were carried out with three hook sizes in the first two cases: Mustad round-bent Quality 2369 hooks, numbers 15, 13, and 11, baited with a standardsized razor-shell Ensis siliqua (Linnaeus, 1758). Four hook sizes (numbers 10, 9, 7, and 5) of Stell round-bent, eyed hooks were used in the semi-pelagic long-line selectivity study, baited with a half of a standard-sized sardine. Some factors affecting catch composition and catch rates of the small hook long-lines were also evaluated: bait, gangion length, setting time, fishing ground, and depth. Species diversity was relatively high, with 40, 36 and 27 species, respectively, in the three studies. However, the catches were dominated by a limited number of species. Catch rates (number of fish per 100 hooks) were variable ( 5 %; 20 %), with a general decrease in catch rate with increasing hook size in all the studies. In general, the catch size distributions for the different hook sizes for each species were highly overlapping, with little or no evidence of differences in size selectivity. Hooks caught a wide size-range for each species, with few or no illegal-sized fish, in most cases. Some implications of these results for the management of multi-species, multi-gear fisheries are discussed.Tres artes de palangre han sido estudiados en Algarve: 1) palangre de anzuelo pequeño para espáridos de aguas costeras (menos de 30 m); 2) palangre de anzuelo pequeño para espáridos rojos de aguas mas profundas (40-60 m); y 3) palangre semipelágico de profundidad para merluza Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758). En los dos primeros casos, los estudios de selectividad han utilizado anzuelos de tres tamaños: round bent marca Mustad modelo 2369 (números 15, 13 y 11), utilizando como cebo pedazos de navajas Ensis siliqua (Linnaeus, 1758) de la misma talla. En el estudio de selectividad con el palangre semipelágico se han utilizado cuatro tamaños de anzuelo (números 10, 9, 7 y 5) round hook de la marca Stell, con media sardina como cebo. Se evalúan, también, otros factores que afectan a la composición y a la tasa de captura de los palangres equipados con anzuelo pequeño: cebo, longitud de la puntera, hora de largada del aparejo, área de pesca y profundidad. La diversidad de especies en los tres estudios ha sido relativamente elevada: 40, 36 y 27 especies, respectivamente. Sin embargo, las capturas han sido dominadas por un número reducido de especies. Las tasas de captura (número de peces por 100 anzuelos) han variado ( 5 %; 20 %), observándose en los tres estudios un descenso general de las tasas de captura con el aumento del tamaño del anzuelo. De forma general, se ha observado una fuerte sobreposición de las distribuciones de las capturas con los diferentes tamaños de anzuelo para cada especie, con poca o ninguna evidencia de diferencias en la selectividad por talla. Los tamaños de anzuelo probados han capturado un rango de tallas amplio para cada especie, con escasa o ninguna captura de peces de talla ilegal en la mayoría de los casos. Se discuten algunas implicaciones de estos resultados en la gestión de pesquerías incluyendo varias especies y varios artes de pesca.Instituto Español de Oceanografí