Novel charged black hole solutions of Born-Infeld type: General properties, Smarr formula and Quasinormal frequencies

We investigate two novel models of charged black holes in the framework of non-linear electrodynamics of Born-Infeld type. In particular, starting from two concrete Lagrangian densities, the corresponding metric potentials, the electric field, the Smarr formula and finally, the (scalar) quasinormal modes are computed for each model. Our findings show that although the models look very similar, their quasinormal spectra are characterized by certain differences.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, to be published in Annals of Physic

Utilisation of Mucuna Beans (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC ssp. deeringianum (Bart) Hanelt) to Feed Growing Broilers

Performance of broilers fed on diets containing mucuna beans (MB) (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC ssp. deeringianum (Bart) Hanelt) with different treatments were studied in three experiments. First experiment: three sorghum diets using 0 and 280g/kg of MB raw or soaked were evaluated. Second experiment: three sorghum diets using 0 and 280g/kg of MB raw or boiled were evaluated. Third experiment: six maize diets: maize only, three diets containing 280g/kg of MB raw, soaked or boiled, one containing soybean and a balanced diet (control) were evaluated. Experiment one: the birds fed on the 0g MB/kg showed a higher live weight gain (LWG) and a lower feed:gain ratio (FG) (p 0.01) than birds fed on the MB diets. There were no differences for any of the variables studied between the birds fed on the MB diets. Experiment two: the birds fed on the 0g MB/kg performed better (p 0.01) than birds fed on the MB diets. However, birds fed on the boiled MB diet had a higher LWG and a lower FG (p 0.01) than birds fed on the raw and soaked MB diet. Experiment three: the birds fed on the control diet obtained a higher LWG (p 0.01) than birds fed on the remainder treatments. The birds fed on the raw MB diet had a lower FG (p 0.01) than birds on the remainder treatments. However, birds fed on the boiled MB had a higher LWG and feed intake than birds fed on raw and soaked MB diets and only maize diet (p 0.01), but, lower (p 0.01) in comparison to birds fed on the soybean diet. The birds on the raw and soaked MB diets performed worst (p 0.01), even in comparison to birds fed on only maize (p 0.01). The results from these experiments indicated that inclusion of 280g MB/kg in the diet affected adversely the poultry performance. However, utilisation of MB boiled improved the broilers performance compared to birds fed on the raw and soaked MB diets

Propuesta integradora para un estudio del uso de plantas con propiedades psicoactivas en pipas del período alfarero temprano y sus implicancias sociales

Th is is a new comprehensive approximation to the study of the act of smoking, incorporating the investigation of the social aspects of smoking and the selection of plants through the collection of direct and indirect information. Ethnohistoric and ethnographic documents were consulted, and we obtained direct evidence through the application of recovery techniques and the analysis of microfossils contained in the residues found in pipes from archaeological sites in the northern semi-arid, central and southern Chile. Furthermore, the social operational chain involved in the action of smoking is an important part of this study, as is reaching wider conclusions, reason for which a new approach has been proposed with the object of understanding the defi nition of Smoking Complex.The preliminary results support this study, with the observation of the differential depositation in the chambers and pipes/mouthpieces (cultural depositation) and sediment (natural depositation). In turn, the study differentiates various categories of microfossils and highlights the presence of starches with characteristics that may be attributed to Nicotiana spp. As a part of this proposal, the sequence of social contents linked to the act of smoking is explained and graphically shownas an operational model.Diccionario    Este trabajo es una nueva aproximación integral al estudio de pipas prehispánicas, incorporando la indagación de los aspectos sociales involucrados en el acto de fumar, y la selección de plantas utilizadas para esa finalidad, a través de la recopilación de información indirecta y directa. Se consultaron fuentes etnohistóricas y etnográfi cas que aportan al tema, y se aplicaron técnicas de recuperación y análisis de microfósiles contenidos en residuos adheridos de pipas procedentes de sitios arqueológicos del norte semiárido, zona central y sur de Chile. La cadena social operativa que se desarrolla en los diversos procesos que confluyen en la acción de fumar, es parte importante de este estudio, así como lo es llegar a conclusiones más amplias al proponer un nuevo enfoque para entender la definición de Complejos Fumatorios.Los primeros resultados obtenidos avalan la dirección positiva del estudio realizado, con la observación de residuos diferenciales en los hornillos y los tubos/boquillas (depositación cultural) y los sedimentos (depositación natural). A su vez se discriminan diversas categorías de microfósiles, y se destaca la presencia de almidones cuyas características pueden atribuirse a Nicotiana spp. Como parte de la propuesta, la secuencia de contenidos sociales vinculados a la acción de fumar, es explicada y graficada en un modelo operacional.  

Jellyfish Impacts on Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries

Over the last 50 years there has been an increased frequency and severity of negative impacts affecting marine fishery and aquaculture sectors, which claimed significant economic losses due to the interference of stinging gelatinous organisms with daily operational activities. Nevertheless, original scientific information on jellyfish-related incidents, their consequences, and potential preventative and mitigation countermeasures is limited and scattered across gray literature, governmental technical reports, and communication media. A literature scan searching for records of any interactions between jellyfish and the marine fishery/aquaculture sectors was carried out. Out of 553 papers, 90 contained original information, referring to more than 130 cases worldwide of negative impacts of jellyfish on marine fishery/aquaculture over the last century. Calling attention on too often neglected socio-economic and ecological impacts of jellyfish blooms, the purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the most up-to-date research on this subject and to provide a global perspective on the importance of jellyfish impacts and their cascading effects on marine fishery and aquaculture sectors

Reproductive and bloom patterns of Pelagia noctiluca in the Strait of Messina, Italy

Investigations on sexual reproduction of jellyfish are essential to understanding mechanisms and patterns of outbreaks formation. Pelagia noctiluca (Forskål, 1775) (Scyphozoa) is known as the predominant jellyfish species with direct development in Western and Central Mediterranean Sea. In this paper we used integrated morphometric, histological, and biochemical approaches to investigate the annual reproductive biology of P. noctiluca from the Strait of Messina (South Thyrrenian Sea), a key proliferation area for this species due to favourable temperatures and high productivity. From November 2011 to September 2012, P. noctiluca sexual reproduction occurred throughout the year, with two seasonal peaks (autumn, spring) of spawning and embryonic development. Gonads of female P. noctiluca were characterized by a large amount of mature eggs of small size (diameter < 200 mm) during high food availability, whereas fewer, larger eggs (diameter > 200 mm) were detected during low availability of prey. Two morphometric indexes were applied: the Gonad-Somatic Index (GSI, gonadal/somatic tissue dry weight ratio) and Fecundity Index (FI, n eggs mm2 * gonadal dry weight). The FI showed longer spawning periods than the GSI, providing a better causal-mechanistic explanation for the year-round occurrence of P. noctiluca in the Strait of Messina. Protein contents of the gonads changed seasonally, with the highest concentrations during the pre-spawning periods. We suggest that investigations on jellyfish sexual reproduction can provide biological information relevant for understanding mechanisms of jellyfish blooms as well as for the management of coastal zones affected by outbreaks of gelatinous species

Socio-economic and Technical Characteristics of Backyard Animal Husbandry in Two Rural Communities of Yucatan, Mexico

This research work was conducted in order to asses the socio-economic and technical aspects of backyard animal rearing in two communities of Yucatán, México. One hundred and thirty nine families were interviewed in Sudzal (C1) and 117 families in San Jose Tzal (C2). A structured questionnaire was used to interview the families on technical and socio-economic aspects. Using this information the technical level of animal husbandry and a index of socio-economic status of the families involved in backyard animal rearing in both communities were determined. In C1 46.8% of the interviewed families reared animals in their backyard in comparison to 70.9% in C2. Main animal species kept in the backyard were chickens (C1= 92.3% and C2= 88.0), turkeys (C1= 63.1% and C2= 55.4%) and pigs (C1= 38.5% and 1C2= 5. 7% in C1 and C2 respectively). In C2 100% of pigs kept in the backyard were of the commercial type. Technical level in animal production was significantly higher (P 0.0001) in C2 than in C1, because utilisation of commercial diets was higher in C2 (P 0.001) than in C1. The families of C2 had a higher socio-economic level (P 0.002) than families from C1, because families of C2 have houses built with lasting materials (P 0.0001) and the occupation of the head of the family was associated with higher income (merchants or employees) (P 0.0001). The correlation coefficients between socio-economic status and technical level in backyard animal production showed that 84% of the technical level was explained by the socio-economic status. It can be concluded that socio-economic status has a high influence on backyard animal production characteristics. The socio-economic status determine the number of animals kept and the technical level in animal rearing

Angle-dependent ultrasonic transmission through plates with subwavelength hole arrays

We study sound transmission in perforated plates as a function of incident angle and conclude that it holds distinctive properties that make it unique and essentially different from optical transmission through perforated metallic plates. More precisely, we conclude the following: (a) similar to its optical counterpart, acoustic transmission minima respond to Wood anomalies in which the periodicity plays a central role; (b) in contrast to both the optical case and the acoustical case with slits, homogeneous-plate modes (Lamb and Scholte-Stoneley modes) are strongly coupled to lattice and Fabry-P\'erot resonances. This gives rise to unique transmission behavior, thus opening new perspectives for exotic wave phenomena.Comment: 4 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Effectiveness of biomaterial-based combination strategies for spinal cord repair – a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical literature

Funding This work was supported by the Institute of Medical Sciences of the University of Aberdeen, International Spinal Research Trust, Scottish Rugby Union, RS McDonald Charitable Trust and The European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 702213).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Key Pelagic Microbes in a Seasonal Oxygen-Deficient Coastal Upwelling System of the Eastern South Pacific Ocean

Indexación: Scopus.The strong seasonal variability in physical-chemical conditions of the Eastern South Pacific Ocean creates an ideal setting to study spatiotemporal distribution of key marine microbial communities. We herein report a nearly 4-year-long time series of the variability in amoA gene counts of ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (betaproteobacteria, bAOB) by quantitative PCR, GI.1a Thaumarchaeota and MG-II Euryarchaeota by CARD-FISH, and the picoplanktonic community by flow cytometry for this area. During spring-summer, non-photosynthetic picoplankton such as MG-II Euryarchaeota and GI.1a Thaumarchaeota peaked at the surface and deeper waters, respectively. General AOA and bAOB achieved higher abundances at the oxycline mainly in summer (up to 105–104 amoA copies mL–1). Generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) indicated that season and depth account for 19–46% of variations in the abundance of the groups studied, particularly GI.1a Thaumarchaeota and AOA. The oxygen and nitrite concentration were statistically meaningful predictors for the studied groups. GAMLSS models indicate that ammonia oxidizing assemblage’s variability is coupled with ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate variations. Our results indicate that microbial abundances fluctuation is associated with upwelling variability and oxygen-deficient water conditions that shape the substrates availability and metabolic response of marine microbes, including keystone ammonia oxidizing assemblages and their ecological interactions. Overall, our results support planktonic nitrification activity and its contribution to nitrous oxide excess production in the time series off Concepción and the ecological dynamics regarding AOA and bAOB in coastal waters. © Copyright © 2020 Molina, Belmar, Levipan, Ramírez-Flandes, Anguita, Galán, Montes and Ulloa.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.561597/ful

Changes of energy fluxes in marine animal forests of the anthropocene: Factors shaping the future seascape

Climate change is already transforming the seascapes of our oceans by changing the energy availability and the metabolic rates of the organisms. Among the ecosystem-engineering species that structure the seascape, marine animal forests (MAFs) are the most widespread. These habitats, mainly composed of suspension feeding organisms, provide structural complexity to the sea floor, analogous to terrestrial forests. Because primary and secondary productivity is responding to different impacts, in particular to the rapid ongoing environmental changes driven by climate change, this paper presents some directions about what could happen to different MAFs depending on these fast changes. Climate change could modify the resistance or resilience of MAFs, potentially making them more sensitive to impacts from anthropic activities (i.e. fisheries and coastal management), and vice versa, direct impacts may amplify climate change constraints in MAFs. Such changes will have knock-on effects on the energy budgets of active and passive suspension feeding organisms, as well as on their phenology, larval nutritional condition, and population viability. How the future seascape will be shaped by the new energy fluxes is a crucial question that has to be urgently addressed to mitigate and adapt to the diverse impacts on natural systems