Coasting cosmologies with time dependent cosmological constant

The effect of a time dependent cosmological constant is considered in a family of scalar tensor theories. Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmological models for vacumm and perfect fluid matter are found. They have a linear expansion factor, the so called coasting cosmology, the gravitational "constant" decreace inversely with time; this model satisfy the Dirac hipotesis. The cosmological "constant" decreace inversely with the square of time, therefore we can have a very small value for it at present time.Comment: 7 pages, latex file (ijmpal macro), accepted for publication in Int. Mod. Phys.

Anotação de genes relacionados à tolerância a seca em arroz (Oryza sativa) de terras altas.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e anotar os genes expressos em resposta ao déficit hídrico em tecido foliar de duas cultivares brasileiras de arroz de terras altas, a cultivar tolerante à seca Douradão e a cultivar sensível Primavera.Apresentação oral - Pós-graduação

Zinc abundances in Galactic bulge field red giants: implications for DLA systems

Zinc in stars is an important reference element because it is a proxy to Fe in studies of damped Lyman-alpha systems, permitting a comparison of chemical evolution histories of bulge stellar populations and DLAs. In terms of nucleosynthesis, it behaves as an alpha element because it is enhanced in metal-poor stars. The aim of this work is to derive the iron-peak element Zn abundances in 56 bulge giants from high resolution spectra. These results are compared with data from other bulge samples, as well as from disk and halo stars, and damped Lyman-alpha systems, in order to better understand the chemical evolution in these environments. High-resolution spectra were obtained using FLAMES+UVES on the Very Large Telescope. We find [Zn/Fe]=+0.24+-0.02 in the range -1.3 < [Fe/H] < -0.5 and [Zn/Fe]=+0.06+-0.02 in the range -0.5 < [Fe/H] -0.1, it shows a spread of -0.60 < [Zn/Fe] < +0.15, with most of these stars having low [Zn/Fe]<0.0. These low zinc abundances at the high metallicity end of the bulge define a decreasing trend in [Zn/Fe] with increasing metallicities. A comparison with Zn abundances in DLA systems is presented, where a dust-depletion correction was applied for both Zn and Fe. Finally, we present a chemical evolution model of Zn enrichment in massive spheroids, representing a typical classical bulge.Comment: Accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysics, in press Date of acceptance: 13/05/2015. 19 pages, 14 Figs in Astronomy & Astrophysics, 201

Avaliação de genótipos de arroz de sequeiro para tolerância à deficiência hídrica.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a produtividade de três genótipos de arroz de sequeiro, submetidos a três condições de deficiência hídrica: 30 %, 50 % e 70 % do fornecimento de água dado ao tratamento controle (tratamento sem restrição de água)

Sexual Dysfunction In Epilepsy: Identifying The Psychological Variables.

In order to evaluate the psychological variables that affect sexual dysfunction (SD) in epilepsy, where compared 60 epileptics (Group 1) with 60 healthy individuals (Group 2), through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1970), Beck Depression Inventory (Beck, 1974) and Sexual Behavior Interview (Souza, 1995). Sexual dysfunction (SD), anxiety and depression were found more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2 and were not related to sex. Variables such as the onset duration and frequency of seizures as well as the use to medication were not associated with SD. Temporal lobe epilepsy was related to SD (p = 0.035) but not to anxiety or depression. Anxiety and depression were related to SD in both groups. Perception in controlling the seizures was closely related to anxiety (p = 0) and depression (p = 0.009). We conclude that psychological factors play an important role in the alteration of sexual behavior in epileptics and that suitable attention must be given to the control of these variables.58214-2

Constriction size distributions of granular filters: a numerical study

The retention capability of granular filters is controlled by the narrow constrictions connecting the voids within the filter. The theoretical justification for empirical filter rules used in practice includes consideration of an idealised soil fabric in which constrictions form between co-planar combinations of spherical filter particles. This idealised fabric has not been confirmed by experimental or numerical observations of real constrictions. This paper reports the results of direct, particle-scale measurement of the constriction size distribution (CSD) within virtual samples of granular filters created using the discrete-element method (DEM). A previously proposed analytical method that predicts the full CSD using inscribed circles to estimate constriction sizes is found to poorly predict the CSD for widely graded filters due to an over-idealisation of the soil fabric. The DEM data generated are used to explore quantitatively the influence of the coefficient of uniformity, particle size distribution and relative density of the filter on the CSD. For a given relative density CSDs form a narrow band of similarly shaped curves when normalised by characteristic filter diameters. This lends support to the practical use of characteristic diameters to assess filter retention capability

Análise quantitativa da proteína total de reserva do grão em acessos de arroz irrigado da coleção nuclear da Embrapa (CNAE).

Este trabalho objetivou quantificar a proteína total de reserva de 186 acessos com sistema de cultivo irrigado da CNAE e observar se estes acessos apresentam variabilidade em relação ao teor protéico

Experimental tests for seismic assessment and strengthening of adobe structures

Adobe structures present very appealing characteristics regarding a more sustainable practice with the preservation of our natural resources. However, when subjected to cyclic horizontal actions, such as earthquakes, they can present a deficient behaviour. With the purpose of evaluating the seismic vulnerability of adobe structures, a series of tests were conducted on a full-scale adobe wall considering constant dead and live loads combined with cyclic horizontal actions with rising amplitude. A structural strengthening solution was tested on the repaired wall after its assessment test. The adopted repair solution, based on cracks injection, combined with the strengthening solution, proved to be very efficient in improving the performance of the adobe wall. With the study conducted, it was possible to contribute to the characterization of adobe structural walls in terms of deformation capacity and failure modes, establishing the basis for the calibration of numerical models for adobe structures

Análise do transcriptoma de arroz (Oryza sativa) cultivado sob déficit hídrico.

Neste trabalho analisamos a expressão dos genes relacionados à resposta ao déficit hídrido em tecido foliar de duas cultivares brasileiras de arroz de terras altas, a cultivar tolerante Douradão e a cultivar sensível BRS Primavera. Pela análise de RNA-seq foram identificados em Douradão 27.618 transcritos, sendo 24.090 (87,2%) homólogos ao banco de dados de arroz, enquanto que para BRS Primavera dos 27.221 transcritos 23.663 (86,9%) apresentaram homologia no banco de dados

Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α and Eicosanoids Regulate Expression of Genes in Macrophages Involved in Host Defense and Inflammation

Acknowledgments: We thank Dr. Robert Barkley and Charis Uhlson for mass spectrometry analysis. Funding: This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health HL34303 (to C.C.L., R.C.M. and D.L.B), DK54741 (to J.V.B.), GM5322 (to D.L.W.) and the Wellcome Trust (to N.A.R.G. and G.D.B.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD