Dilatonic, Current-Carrying Cosmic String

We study the implications of a scalar-tensorial gravity for the metric of an isolated self-gravitating superconducting cosmic string. These modifications are induced by an arbitrary coupling of a massless scalar field to the usual tensorial field in the gravitational Lagrangian. We derive the metric in the weak-field approximation and we analyse the behaviour of light in this spacetime. We end with some discussions.Comment: 12 pp, Latex, no figures, based on a talk given by M. E. X. Guimaraes at the COSMO 99, 27/9 to 02/10/99, ICTP, Trieste, I

On the duality in four-dimensional Lorentz-breaking field theories

We consider new issues of duality in four-dimensional Lorentz-breaking field theories. In particular, we demonstrate that the arising of the aether-like Lorentz-breaking term is necessary in order for the 4D models to display the duality analog between the MCS and self-dual models in 3D. We further study the dispersion relations in both theories and discuss the physical contents of the models involved in this new dualilty.Comment: 16 page

Brane Cosmic String Compactification in Brans-Dicke Theory

We investigate an alternative compactification of extra dimensions using local cosmic string in the Brans-Dicke gravity framework. In the context of dynamical systems it is possible to show that there exist a stable field configuration for the Einstein-Brans-Dicke equations. We explore the analogies between this particular model and the Randall-Sundrum scenario.Comment: RevTex, 5 pages, no figures. To appear in the Physical Review

Towards an hybrid compactification with a scalar-tensor global cosmic string

We derive a solution of the gravitational equations which leads to a braneworld scenario in six dimensions using a global cosmic string solution in a low energy effective string theory framework. The final spacetime is composed by one warped brane with $\mathbb{R}^{(3,1)}\times S^{1}$ topology and a power law warp factor, and one noncompact extra dimension transverse to the brane. By looking at the current experimental bounds, we find a range of parameters in which, if the on-brane dimension has an acceptable size, it does not solve the hierarchy problem. In another example this problem is smoothed by the Brans-Dicke parameter.Comment: RevTex, 7 pages. New version to be published in the JCAP (2008

Genetic control of traits related to phosphorus use efficiency in tropical maize.

Knowing the inheritance of traits is essential to establish selection strategies in breeding programs. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic control of traits related to the phosphorus use efficiency in maize. A total of 280 progenies were developed according to design III, which were evaluated in the field under high and low phosphorus (P) availability. The genetic variance components were estimated for the agronomic traits and indices that define P use efficiency. The results indicated that the additive and dominance effects were important in explaining the genetic variability for the flowering time, grain yield and P efficiency indices. However, dominance effects prevailed, indicating that breeding efforts should be made to develop hybrids exploiting the heterosis for traits related to P use efficiency

Desenvolvimento de bezerros desmamados pastejando caatinga e capim buffel e suplementados com feno de leucena.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar um sistema alternativo de suplementacao da alimentacao de bovinos, delineado para antecipar a idade media ao abate de 40-60 meses observada na regiao semi-arida do Nordeste. Para isto, avaliou-se o ganho de peso de 45 bezerros anelorados, desmamados, distribuidos em tres grupos: (C) patejo exclusivo em caatinga durante todo o ano; (B) pastejo em caatinga, no periodo verde, e em capim buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) no periodo seco; (CBL) o mesmo que CB mais suplementacao com feno de leucena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.), no periodo seco. As observacoes foram feitas durante dois periodos secos e dois chuvosos, num total de 711 dias. Ao final do periodo experimental, os animais do grupo suplementado com leucena estavam em media, 33,4 Kg e 107,5 Kg mais pesados (P < 0,05) que os dos grupos CB e C, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam que mesmo com uma oferta quantitativamente inaqueada de leucena foi possivel a obtencao de animais com o mesmo peso medio ao abate observado na regiao, com, pelo menos, 14 meses de antecipacao

Genetic and molecular mechanisms of aluminum tolerance in plants.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity restricts root growth and agricultural yield in acid soils, which constitute approximately 40% of the potentially arable lands worldwide. The two main mechanisms of Al tolerance in plants are internal detoxification of Al and its exclusion from root cells. Genes encoding membrane transporters and accessory transcription factors, as well as cis-elements that enhance gene expression, are involved in Al tolerance in plants; thus studies of these genes and accessory factors should be the focus of molecular breeding efforts aimed at improving Al tolerance in crops. In this review, we describe the main genetic and molecular studies that led to the identification and cloning of genes associated with Al tolerance in plants. We include recent findings on the regulation of genes associated with Al tolerance. Understanding the genetic, molecular, and physiological aspects of Al tolerance in plants is important for generating cultivars adapted to acid soils, thereby contributing to food security worldwide