Cloud of strings in f(R) gravity

We derive the solution for a spherically symmetric string cloud configuration in a d-dimensional spacetime in the framework of f(R) theories of gravity. We also analyze some thermodynamic properties of the joint black hole - cloud of strings solution. For its Hawking temperature, we found that the dependence of the mass with the horizon is significantly different in both theories. For the interaction of a black hole with thermal radiation, we found that the shapes of the curves are similar, but shifted. Our analysis generalizes some known results in the literature.Comment: Version accepted for CP

Foeniculum vulgare Essential Oils: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

The essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare commercial aerial parts and fruits were isolated by hydrodistillation, with different distillation times (30 min, I h, 2 h and 3 h), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antioxidant ability was estimated using four distinct methods. Antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. Remarkable differences, and worrying from the quality and safety point of view, were detected in the essential oils. trans-Anethole (31-36%), alpha-pinene (14-20%) and limonene (11-13%) were the main components of the essentials oil isolated from F. vulgare dried aerial parts, whereas methyl chavicol (= estragole) (79-88%) was dominant in the fruit oils. With the DPPH method the plant oils showed better antioxidant activity than the fruits oils. With the TBARS method and at higher concentrations, fennel essential oils showed a pro-oxidant activity. None of the oils showed a hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity >50%, but they showed an ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. The essential oils showed a very low antimicrobial activity. In general, the essential oils isolated during 2 h were as effective, from the biological activity point of view, as those isolated during 3 h.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of a new test for determination of tensile strength of concrete blocks

An accurate experimental, numerical and analytical analysis of masonry structures is only possible if detailed information on the mechanical properties of masonry materials is known. In general, tensile strength of fragile brittle materials is a property difficult to measure in direct tensile tests. In this paper a new indirect tensile test method is proposed for determination of tensile strength of concrete blocks based on compression tests of blocks in the direction parallel to bed joints. Results of the proposed test are compared with direct tensile tests of small specimens cut from the concrete blocks. The compression test seems to be an alternative method of measuring the tensile strength of the units since it is easier to carry out and avoids problems like rotation of the specimen and debonding of the specimens from the plates

Study of the behaviour of reinforced masonry wallets subjected to diagonal compression through numerical modelling

Shear walls are subjected to flexure and shear efforts in conjunction with compressive stresses associated to the gravity loads. In shear mode, diagonal cracks develop at the unit-mortar interface or both at the unit-mortar interface and through units as result of a biaxial tension-compression stress state, which in unreinforced masonry generally mean the collapse. The brittle failures of unreinforced masonry shear walls, which are more remarkable with high axial loads, may be prevented by the use of steel reinforcement. Diagonal compression tests allow obtaining a good prediction of the tensile strength of masonry walls in this biaxial tension-compression stress state. This paper aims to study the behaviour of reinforced masonry in diagonal compression tests through numerical modelling. A series of diagonal compression tests carried out on concrete block masonry with distinct types of reinforcement’s arrangements are modelled using the software DIANA®. Results indicate that horizontal and vertical reinforcements applied in conjunct provide an increase on the shear strength and ductility. On the other hand, the application of horizontal reinforcements alone leads only to an increase of ductility

NMR-metabolomics shows that bola is an important modulator of Salmonella typhimurium metabolic processes under virulence conditions

BolA is a ubiquitous global transcription factor. Despite its clear role in the induction of important stress‐resistant physiological changes and its recent implication in the virulence of Salmonella, further research is required to shed light on the pathways modulated by BolA. In this study, we resorted to untargeted1H‐NMR metabolomics to understand the impact of BolA on the metabolic profile of Salmonella Typhimurium, under virulence conditions. Three strains of S. Typhimurium SL1344 were studied: An SL1344 strain transformed with an empty plasmid (control), a bolA knockout mutant (ΔbolA), and a strain overexpressing bolA (bolA+). These strains were grown in a minimal virulence‐inducing medium and cells were collected at the end of the exponential and stationary phases. The extracts were analyzed by NMR, and multivariate and univariate statistical analysis were performed to identify significant alterations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) of1H‐NMR data allowed the discrimination between the metabolic profiles of these strains, revealing increased levels of acetate, valine, alanine, NAD+, succinate, coenzyme A, glutathione, and putrescine in bolA+. These results indicate that BolA regulates pathways related to stress resistance and virulence, being an important modulator of the metabolic processes needed for S. Typhimurium infection.publishersversionpublishe

Influence of the geometry of units and of the filling of vertical joints in the compressive and tensile strength of masonry

Attention is given to the mechanical properties of concrete block masonry, with respect to its compressive and tensile strength. These properties are important parameters in the in-plane lateral behaviour of masonry walls, determining their resistance and ductility. Such properties play also a central role when analytical and numerical analysis is used for simulating or predicting the behaviour of masonry structures. The influence of two selected parameters on the mechanical properties of masonry is discussed, namely the geometry of the units and the filling of the vertical joints. Results show that masonry under compression behaves as a homogeneous material and the stress-strain diagrams can be represented by a parabola similarly to what is suggested for structural concrete. in case of tensile strength, filling of vertical joints appears to influence considerably the tensile strength. The filling of the vertical joints increased the strength but lead to a more brittle behaviour.The first author was supported by the Programme Alβan, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America, Scholarship nº E06D100148BR

Experimental analysis of reinforced concrete block masonry walls subjected to in-plane cyclic loading

An innovative system for reinforced concrete masonry walls based on the combination of vertical and horizontal trussed reinforcement is proposed. The mechanical characterization of the seismic behavior of such reinforced masonry walls is based on static cyclic tests carried out on panels with appropriate geometry. The influence of the factors influencing the in-plane cyclic behavior of concrete masonry walls, such as the horizontal reinforcement, precompression, and masonry bond pattern, is discussed. The results are analyzed in terms of failure modes and force versus displacement diagrams, from which the seismic performance is assessed based on the ductility and energy capacity dissipation. The results stressed that the increase on the precompression level leads to a stiffer and more brittle lateral behavior of the masonry walls. The presence of horizontal reinforcement ensures better control and better distribution of cracking, even if only a marginal increase of lateral strength was found in the particular testing program.This work was partly supported by contract DISWALL – “Development of innovative systems for reinforced masonry walls” – COOP-CT-2005-018120 from the European Commission. The first author was supported by the Programme Alβan, the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America, Scholarship nº E06D100148BR