Stability of atoms and molecules in an ultrarelativistic Thomas-Fermi-Weizsaecker model

We consider the zero mass limit of a relativistic Thomas-Fermi-Weizsaecker model of atoms and molecules. We find bounds for the critical nuclear charges that ensure stability.Comment: 8 pages, LaTe

Cosmic ray propagation with CRPropa 3

Solving the question of the origin of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) requires the development of detailed simulation tools in order to interpret the experimental data and draw conclusions on the UHECR universe. CRPropa is a public Monte Carlo code for the galactic and extragalactic propagation of cosmic ray nuclei above $\sim 10^{17}$ eV, as well as their photon and neutrino secondaries. In this contribution the new algorithms and features of CRPropa 3, the next major release, are presented. CRPropa 3 introduces time-dependent scenarios to include cosmic evolution in the presence of cosmic ray deflections in magnetic fields. The usage of high resolution magnetic fields is facilitated by shared memory parallelism, modulated fields and fields with heterogeneous resolution. Galactic propagation is enabled through the implementation of galactic magnetic field models, as well as an efficient forward propagation technique through transformation matrices. To make use of the large Python ecosystem in astrophysics CRPropa 3 can be steered and extended in Python.Comment: 16th International workshop on Advanced Computing and Analysis Techniques in physics research (ACAT 2014) proceedings, 6 pages, 6 figure

CRPropa 3.0 - a Public Framework for Propagating UHE Cosmic Rays through Galactic and Extragalactic Space

The interpretation of experimental data of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) above 10^17 eV is still under controversial debate. The development and improvement of numerical tools to propagate UHECRs in galactic and extragalactic space is a crucial ingredient to interpret data and to draw conclusions on astrophysical parameters. In this contribution the next major release of the publicly available code CRPropa (3.0) is presented. It reflects a complete redesign of the code structure to facilitate high performance computing and comprises new physical features such as an interface for galactic propagation using lensing techniques and inclusion of cosmological effects in a three-dimensional environment. The performance is benchmarked and first applications are presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2-9 July 201

SUBSTRATES AND WATER AVAILABILITY ON THE EMERGENCE AND INITIAL GROWTH OF Alibertia sessilis Schum. SEEDLINGS

The cultivation of native species in the Cerrado has encountered various problems, for instance, the slow growth and the lack of knowledge about the cultivation practices. In order to better use the available water resources and to produce quality seedlings, this study aimed to evaluate different substrates and water levels on the emergence and initial growth of Alibertia sessilis Schum. seedlings. The effects of the following substrates were evaluated: dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol), Oxisol +sand (1:1 v/v), Oxisol + sand + semi-decomposed poultry litter (1:1:0.5 v/v), Oxisol + sand 2 + semi-decomposed poultry litter (1:2:0.5 v/v) and Oxisol + commercial-substrate-CS (1:1 v/v) associated with the levels of irrigation of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the water holding capacity in the substrate (WHC). The best results for emergence percentage, initial growth and quality of seedlings were observed in the substrates Oxisol + sand 2 + poultry litter (1:2:0,5) at 100% of WHC. There was no emergence at 25% of WHC.           Keywords: Rubiaceae, marmelinho, fruit of the Cerrado. ResumoSubstratos e disponibilidade hídrica na emergência e crescimento inicial de mudas de Alibertia sessilis Schum. O cultivo de espécies nativas no Cerrado tem esbarrado em vários problemas, entre eles, o crescimento lento e a carência de conhecimentos sobre as práticas culturais. A fim de melhor utilizar os recursos hídricos disponíveis e produzir mudas de qualidade, objetivou-se no presente trabalho avaliar diferentes substratos e níveis de água na emergência e no crescimento inicial das mudas Alibertia sessilis Schum. Foram avaliados os efeitos dos substratos Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico (LVd), LVd +areia (1:1 v/v), LVd + areia + cama de frango semidecomposta (1:1:0,5 v/v), LVd + areia 2 + cama de frango semidecomposta (1:2:0,5 v/v) e LVd + substrato comercial -SC (1:1 v/v) associados aos níveis de irrigação de 25, 50, 75 e 100% da capacidade de retenção de água no substrato (CRA). Os melhores resultados para porcentagem de emergência, crescimento inicial e qualidade das mudas foram observados nos substratos LVd + areia 2 + cama de frango (1:2:0,5) a 100% da CRA.  Não houve emergência a 25% da CRA.          Palavras-chave: Rubiaceae, marmelinho, frutífera do Cerrado.The cultivation of native species in the Cerrado has encountered various problems, for instance, the slow growth and the lack of knowledge about the cultivation practices. In order to better use the available water resources and to produce quality seedlings, this study aimed to evaluate different substrates and water levels on the emergence and initial growth of Alibertia sessilis Schum. seedlings. The effects of the following substrates were evaluated: dystroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol), Oxisol +sand (1:1 v/v), Oxisol + sand + semi-decomposed poultry litter (1:1:0.5 v/v), Oxisol + sand 2 + semi-decomposed poultry litter (1:2:0.5 v/v) and Oxisol + commercial-substrate-CS (1:1 v/v) associated with the levels of irrigation of 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the water holding capacity in the substrate (WHC). The best results for emergence percentage, initial growth and quality of seedlings were observed in the substrates Oxisol + sand 2 + poultry litter (1:2:0,5) at 100% of WHC. There was no emergence at 25% of WHC

Potential of maize (Zea mays L.) populations derived from commercial single-cross hybrids for extraction of partially inbred lines under different nitrogen availability

Extraction of inbred lines is a very important step in maize breeding since these lines will be used to obtain hybrids intended for the market. However, this expensive process, hinders genotype evaluation in contrasting environments, especially regarding nitrogen (N) content. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of maize populations for line extraction and select partially inbred lines under different soil nitrogen (N) availability. Five populations were evaluated regarding their potential for line extraction. Fifty-five S1 partially inbred lines were extracted from these populations. The top-cross method was used to evaluate lines by crossing them with two testers. Hybrids evaluation used 110 top-cross hybrids, five base populations, and six checks. Two trials were carried out in Dourados and Caarapó. One trial had adequate fertilization (high N) while the other was under stress condition (low N). Hybrid DKB 789 showed potential for extraction of partially inbred lines, aiming at selecting N use efficiency. Base population BP (07) was the most suitable for the extraction of partially inbred lines aiming at N use efficiency. Partially inbred lines BP (07) 13, BP (07) 14, and BP (07) 17 are the most suitable for the extraction of top-cross hybrids with high grain yield, efficiency, and responsiveness to N. Highlights Extraction of inbred lines is a very important step in maize breeding. Hybrid DKB 789 showed potential for extraction of partially inbred lines. BP (07) 13, BP (07) 14, and BP (07) 17 are the most suitable for the extraction of top-cross hybrids.Extraction of inbred lines is a very important step in maize breeding since these lines will be used to obtain hybrids intended for the market. However, this expensive process, hinders genotype evaluation in contrasting environments, especially regarding nitrogen (N) content. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of maize populations for line extraction and select partially inbred lines under different soil nitrogen (N) availability. Five populations were evaluated regarding their potential for line extraction. Fifty-five S1 partially inbred lines were extracted from these populations. The top-cross method was used to evaluate lines by crossing them with two testers. Hybrids evaluation used 110 top-cross hybrids, five base populations, and six checks. Two trials were carried out in Dourados and Caarapó. One trial had adequate fertilization (high N) while the other was under stress condition (low N). Hybrid DKB 789 showed potential for extraction of partially inbred lines, aiming at selecting N use efficiency. Base population BP (07) was the most suitable for the extraction of partially inbred lines aiming at N use efficiency. Partially inbred lines BP (07) 13, BP (07) 14, and BP (07) 17 are the most suitable for the extraction of top-cross hybrids with high grain yield, efficiency, and responsiveness to N. Highlights Extraction of inbred lines is a very important step in maize breeding. Hybrid DKB 789 showed potential for extraction of partially inbred lines. BP (07) 13, BP (07) 14, and BP (07) 17 are the most suitable for the extraction of top-cross hybrids

Sombreamento na emergência de plântulas e no crescimento inicial de Dipteryx alata Vog.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050986611This work was carried out in order to evaluate the potential of germination of the seeds and the seedlings growth of  baru (Dipteryx alata) in different levels of shading. To evaluate the emergency, the sowing was realized in trays of cells contends Plantmax® substratum + land + sand + chicken manure in proportion of (1: 1: 1: 0,5) and kept  in the full sun, 50% and 70% of shading. The experiment was realized in design entirely randomized with three levels of shading in four repetitions of 25 seeds. It was evaluated the percentage and the velocity of the emergency index. To evaluate the initial growth, the seedlings were transplanted and, three repetitions of 15 changes totalizing 45 seedlings were kept in its respective shading.  The experiment was realized in a complete randomized design in factorial 3 (shading levels) x 5 (times of evaluation for height, diameter of collect, total chlorophyll, transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate) and 2 (times of evaluation for leaf area, length of root, fresh and dry mass). The shading levels did not influence the percentage and the velocity index of seedling emergency.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050986611Esse trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial de emergência das plântulas e o crescimento das mudas do baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) em diferentes níveis de sombreamento. Para avaliar a emergência, a semeadura foi realizada em bandejas de células contendo substrato Plantmax® + terra + areia + cama de frango na proporção de 1:1:1:0,5 e mantidas a pleno sol, 50 % e 70 % de sombreamento. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três níveis de sombreamento em quatro repetições de 25 sementes. Foram avaliados a porcentagem e o índice de velocidade de emergência. Para avaliar o crescimento inicial, as plântulas foram transplantadas e três repetições de 15 mudas, totalizando 45 mudas, foram mantidas em seus respectivos sombreamentos. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 (níveis de sombreamento) x 5 (épocas de avaliação para a altura, diâmetro do coleto, clorofila total, transpiração, condutância estomática e taxa fotossintética) e 2 (épocas de avaliação para área foliar, comprimento de raiz, massas fresca e seca). Os níveis de sombreamento não influenciaram na porcentagem nem no índice de velocidade de emergência das plântulas (71,3 % e 1,08, respectivamente). Os maiores valores de altura (16 cm), área foliar (220,2 cm2), comprimento de raiz (14,9 cm), massa fresca e seca (9,71 g e 3,21 g) das mudas foram observados sob sombreamento, não variando entre eles. As mudas apresentaram a menor taxa fotossintética a 70 % de sombreamento (6,8 μmol m-2s-1). Os níveis de sombreamento avaliados não influenciaram na emergência das plântulas, entretanto, as mudas apresentaram melhor crescimento quando mantidas até os 125 dias de idade sob 50 % de sombreamento

Influence of the autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid axis on cellular function and cytokine expression in different breast cancer cell lines

Previous studies provide high evidence that autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling through LPA receptors (LPAR) plays an important role in breast cancer initiation, progression, and invasion. However, its specific role in different breast cancer cell lines remains to be fully elucidated to offer improvements in targeted therapies. Within this study, we analyzed in vitro the effect of LPA 18:1 and the LPAR1, LPAR3 (and LPAR2) inhibitor Ki16425 on cellular functions of different human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MCF-7, BT-474, SKBR-3) and the human breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A, as well as Interleukin 8 (IL-8), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha cytokine secretion after LPA-incubation. ATX-LPA signaling showed a dose-dependent stimulatory effect especially on cellular functions of triple-negative and luminal A breast cancer cell lines. Ki16425 inhibited the LPA-induced stimulation of triple-negative breast cancer and luminal A cell lines in variable intensity depending on the functional assay, indicating the interplay of different LPAR in those assays. IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha secretion was induced by LPA in MDA-MB-468 cells. This study provides further evidence about the role of the ATX-LPA axis in different breast cancer cell lines and might contribute to identify subtypes suitable for a future targeted therapy of the ATX-LPA axis

SHADING IN EMERGENCY OF SEEDLINGS AND ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF Dipteryx alata Vog.

Esse trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o potencial de emerg\ueancia das pl\ue2ntulas e o crescimento das mudas do baru ( Dipteryx alata Vog.) em diferentes n \uedveis de sombreamento. Para avaliar a emerg\ueancia, a semeadura foi realizada em bandejas de c\ue9lulas contendo substrato Plantmax\uae + terra + areia + cama de frango na propor\ue7\ue3o de 1:1:1:0,5 e mantidas a pleno sol, 50 % e 70 % de sombreamento. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com tr\ueas n\uedveis de sombreamento em quatro repeti\ue7\uf5es de 25 sementes. Foram avaliados a porcentagem e o \uedndice de velocidade de emerg\ueancia. Para avaliar o crescimento inicial, as pl\ue2ntulas foram transplantadas e tr\ueas repeti\ue7\uf5es de 15 mudas, totalizando 45 mudas, foram mantidas em seus respectivos sombreamentos. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 (n\uedveis de sombreamento) x 5 (\ue9pocas de avalia\ue7\ue3o para a altura, di \ue2metro do coleto, clorofila total, transpira\ue7\ue3o, condut\ue2ncia estom\ue1tica e taxa fotossint \ue9tica) e 2 ( \ue9pocas de avalia\ue7\ue3o para\ue1rea foliar, comprimento de raiz, massas fresca e seca). Os n\uedveis de sombreamento n\ue3o influenciaram na porcentagem nem no \uedndice de velocidade de emerg \ueancia das pl \ue2ntulas (71,3 % e 1,08, respectivamente). Os maiores valores de altura (16 cm), \ue1rea foliar (220,2 cm2), comprimento de raiz (14,9 cm), massa fresca e seca (9,71 g e 3,21 g) das mudas foram observados sob sombreamento, n\ue3o variando entre eles. As mudas apresentaram a menor taxa fotossint\ue9tica a 70 % de sombreamento (6,8 \ub5mol m-2s-1). Os n\uedveis de sombreamento avaliados n\ue3o influenciaram na emerg\ueancia das pl\ue2ntulas, entretanto, as mudas apresentaram melhor crescimento quando mantidas at\ue9 os 125 dias de idade sob 50 % de sombreamento. Palavras-chave: sementes; luz; planta nativa; cerrado; produ\ue7\ue3o de mudas.This work was carried out in order to evaluate the potential of germination of the seeds and the seedlings growth of baru ( Dipteryx alata ) in different levels of shading. To evaluate the emergency, the sowing was realized in trays of cells filled with Plantmax\uae substratum + land + sand + chicken manure in proportion of (1: 1: 1: 0.5) and kept in the full sun, 50 % and 70 % of shading. The experiment was carried out in design entirely randomized with three levels of shading in four repetitions of 25 seeds. It was evaluated the percentage and the velocity of the emergency index. To evaluate the initial growth, the seedlings were transplanted and, three repetitions of 15 changes totalizing 45 seedlings were kept in its respective shading. The experiment was realized in a complete randomized design in factorial 3 (shading levels) x 5 (times of evaluation for height, diameter of collect, total chlorophyll, transpiration, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate) and 2 (times of evaluation for leaf area, length of root, fresh and dry mass). The shading levels did not influence the percentage and the velocity index of seedling emergency (71.3 % and 1.08 respectively). High value of height (16 cm), leaf area (220.2 cm2), length of root (14.9 cm), fresh and dry mass (9.71 g and 3.21 g) of seedlings were observed under shading not varying between them. The seedlings presented lower photosynthetic rate in the 70 % of shading (6.8 \ub5mol m-2 s-1). The levels of shadings did not influence in seedling emergency

High contrast imaging at the LBT: the LEECH exoplanet imaging survey

In Spring 2013, the LEECH (LBTI Exozodi Exoplanet Common Hunt) survey began its $\sim$130-night campaign from the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) atop Mt Graham, Arizona. This survey benefits from the many technological achievements of the LBT, including two 8.4-meter mirrors on a single fixed mount, dual adaptive secondary mirrors for high Strehl performance, and a cold beam combiner to dramatically reduce the telescope's overall background emissivity. LEECH neatly complements other high-contrast planet imaging efforts by observing stars at L' (3.8 $\mu$m), as opposed to the shorter wavelength near-infrared bands (1-2.4 $\mu$m) of other surveys. This portion of the spectrum offers deep mass sensitivity, especially around nearby adolescent ($\sim$0.1-1 Gyr) stars. LEECH's contrast is competitive with other extreme adaptive optics systems, while providing an alternative survey strategy. Additionally, LEECH is characterizing known exoplanetary systems with observations from 3-5$\mu$m in preparation for JWST.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9148-2