Dynamic transition to spontaneous scalarization in boson stars

We show that the phenomenon of spontaneous scalarization predicted in neutron stars within the framework of scalar-tensor tensor theories of gravity, also takes place in boson stars without including a self-interaction term for the boson field (other than the mass term), contrary to what was claimed before. The analysis is performed in the physical (Jordan) frame and is based on a 3+1 decomposition of spacetime assuming spherical symmetry.Comment: Minor changes to match the final version to appear in PR

Supplementation with \u3ci\u3eBrosimum alicastrum\u3c/i\u3e Swartz to Pelibuey Sheep Fed Low Quality Rations

The objective of the present study was to assess the influence of supplementing increasing levels of ramón (Brosimum alicastrum) foliage to Pelibuey sheep fed guinea grass (Panicum maximum) hay. Rate and extent of rumen degradation of organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) of ramón foliage were high. Dry matter (DM) intake of the diet was increased by the inclusion of ramón foliage. However, rate and extent of digestion of guinea grass was not affected by the ramón foliage. Rate of passage of solid was linearly increased as a result of the inclusion of ramón foliage in the ration. Supply of microbial N to the small intestine was significantly increased by the tree foliage. Ramón foliage is a suitable source of nutrients for ruminant during the dry season in tropical Mexico

Induced scalarization in boson stars and scalar gravitational radiation

The dynamical evolution of boson stars in scalar-tensor theories of gravity is considered in the physical (Jordan) frame. We focus on the study of spontaneous and induced scalarization, for which we take as initial data configurations on the well-known S-branch of a single boson star in general relativity. We show that during the scalarization process a strong emission of scalar radiation occurs. The new stable configurations (S-branch) of a single boson star within a particular scalar-tensor theory are also presented.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures. Minor changes to match the published versio

Functional Lateralization of Temporoparietal Junction: Imitation Inhibition, Visual Perspective Taking and Theory of Mind.

Although neuroimaging studies have consistently identified the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) as a key brain region involved in social cognition, the literature is far from consistent with respect to lateralization of function. For example, bilateral TPJ activation is found during theory of mind tasks in some studies, but only right hemisphere activation in others. Visual perspective taking and imitation inhibition, which have been argued to recruit the same socio-cognitive processes as theory of mind, are associated with unilateral activation of either left TPJ (perspective taking), or right TPJ (imitation inhibition). The present study investigated the functional lateralization of TPJ involvement in the above three socio-cognitive abilities using transcranial direct current stimulation. Three groups of healthy adults received anodal stimulation over right TPJ, left TPJ or the occipital cortex prior to performing three tasks (imitation inhibition, visual perspective taking and theory of mind). In contrast to the extant neuroimaging literature, our results suggest bilateral TPJ involvement in imitation inhibition and visual perspective taking, while no effect of anodal stimulation was observed on theory of mind. The discrepancy between these findings and those obtained using neuroimaging highlight the efficacy of neurostimulation as a complementary methodological tool in cognitive neuroscience. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Role of upstream stimulatory factor 2 in glutamate dehydrogenase gene transcription

Glutamate dehydrogenase (Gdh) plays a central role in ammonia detoxification by catalysing reversible oxidative deamination of L-glutamate into α-ketoglutarate using NAD+ or NADP+ as cofactor. To gain insight into transcriptional regulation of glud, the gene that codes for Gdh, we isolated and characterised the 5' flanking region of glud from gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). In addition, tissue distribution, the effect of starvation as well as short- and long-term refeeding on Gdh mRNA levels in the liver of S. aurata were also addressed. 5'-deletion analysis of glud promoter in transiently transfected HepG2 cells, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and site-directed mutagenesis allowed us to identify upstream stimulatory factor 2 (Usf2) as a novel factor involved in the transcriptional regulation of glud. Analysis of tissue distribution of Gdh and Usf2 mRNA levels by reverse transcriptase-coupled quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) showed that Gdh is mainly expressed in the liver of S. aurata, while Usf2 displayed ubiquitous distribution. RT-qPCR and ChIP assays revealed that long-term starvation down-regulated the hepatic expression of Gdh and Usf2 to similar levels and reduced Usf2 binding to glud promoter, while refeeding resulted in a slow but gradial restoration of both Gdh and Usf2 mRNA abundance. Herein, we demonstrate that Usf2 transactivates S. aurata glud by binding to an E-box located in the proximal region of glud promoter. In addition, our findings provide evidence for a new regulatory mechanism involving Usf2 as a key factor in the nutritional regulation of glud transcription in the fish liver

Effect of Defoliation Frequency on Forage Yield from Intensive Silvopastoral Systems Compared to a Monoculture Grassland

Livestock production in the tropical regions of the world faces serious constraints as a result of climate change. Monoculture based pastures require the use of large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers to sustain production throughout the year. In general terms, tropical grasses are of low quality and when consumed by ruminant species, contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) (Herrero et al. 2009; Place et al. 2009). The establishment of intensive silvopastoral systems (iSPS) with associated shrubs legumes and grasses can increase the yield and quality of forage as well as fixation and transfer of atmospheric nitrogen (N) (Murgueitio et al. 2011). Therefore, the costs of nitrogen fertilizers and the emissions of greenhouse gases under practical conditions can be reduced. The intensive silvopastoral system is a kind of agroforestal practice that it is environmentally friendly and at the same time improves productivity of livestock systems. However, several aspects of its management have not been fully evaluated. This is the case of the response to defoliation, which is an important management factor associated to the overall biomass productivity (Solorio 2005)

RELACIÓN ENTRE LA CONTAMINACIÓN DEL ACEITE CON SÍLICE Y EL DESGASTE DEL MOTOR

La técnica de análisis espectrométrico de aceites de motores de automoción es altamente efectiva para detectar su desgaste. Los resultados de la aplicación de esta técnica son las concentraciones metálicas de los principales metales de desgaste presentes en muestras de aceite usado; en el caso de los motores de vehículos industriales seconsideran aluminio, cromo, cobre, estaño, hierro, níquel, plomo y silicio. El objetivo de la presente ponencia es llevar a cabo una investigación estadística con el objetivo de relacionar el contenido de silicio con los contenidos de metales de desgaste, a partir de los resultados obtenidos del análisis espectrométrico de un elevado número de muestras de aceite usado, tomadas en motores de diferentes vehículos almacenados en una base de datos. Se considera además, la influencia del tipo de servicio, examinando por separado el caso de los motores de vehículos de transporte y el de los de obras públicas

Influence of the oceanographic conditions during spring 2003 on the transport of the Prestige tanker fuel oil to the Galician coast

Hydrographic data collected during the cruise HIDROPRESTIGE were combined with meteorological and dynamic data provided by remote sensors and drifting/moored buoys, to describe the surface circulation of the Northern Iberian basin in March–April 2003. Sea surface winds transported the floating Prestige oil slicks from the sinking area to the continental slope off the Rías Baixas in 1/2 month: the surface current intensity was 2% of the wind intensity and it was rotated clockwise 5 from the wind direction. Mesoscale cyclonic and anticyclonic structures west of 10º W increased the residence time of oil patches in the Northern Iberian basin, as compared with the expected southwards flow of the Iberian current (IC). On the other hand, the Iberian poleward current (IPC) formed a marked surface front with coastal waters, preventing the entry of fuel oil into the rías. PAHs in the surface layer during the cruise were <0.5 ug L- 1, except in the Galicia bank ( 1 ug L- 1; where the Prestige tanker was still leaking) and the vicinity of Cape Fisterra ( 1.5 ug L -1; where the convergence front between the IPC and coastal waters vanished)

Taxonomical over splitting in the Rhodnius prolixus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae) clade: Are R. taquarussuensis (da Rosa et al., 2017) and R. neglectus (Lent, 1954) the same species?

El uso de características sutiles como características de diagnóstico de especies en taxones con una gran similitud morfológica a veces falla en discriminar la variación intraespecífica de las diferencias interespecíficas, lo que lleva a una delimitación incorrecta de la especie. Una evaluación clara de los límites de las especies es particularmente relevante en los organismos vectores de enfermedades para comprender los procesos epidemiológicos y evolutivos que afectan la capacidad de transmisión. Aquí, evaluamos la validez del Rhodnius taquarussuensis recientemente descrito (da Rosa et al., 2017) utilizando cruces interespecíficos y marcadores moleculares. No detectamos diferencias en las tasas de eclosión en cruces interespecíficos entre R. taquarussuensis y R. negligencias (Lent, 1954). Además, los análisis de divergencia genética y delimitación de especies muestran que R. taquarussuensis no es un linaje independiente en el grupo R. prolixus. Estos resultados sugieren que R. taquarussuensis es una forma fenotípica de R. negligenciaus en lugar de una especie distinta. Nos gustaría enfatizar que se necesitan diferentes fuentes de evidencia para delimitar correctamente las especies. Consideramos que este es un paso importante en la comprensión de la propagación y transmisión vectorial de la enfermedad de Chagas.The use of subtle features as species diagnostic traits in taxa with high morphological similarity sometimes fails in discriminating intraspecific variation from interspecific differences, leading to an incorrect species delimitation. A clear assessment of species boundaries is particularly relevant in disease vector organisms in order to understand epidemiological and evolutionary processes that affect transmission capacity. Here, we assess the validity of the recently described Rhodnius taquarussuensis (da Rosa et al., 2017) using interspecific crosses and molecular markers. We did not detect differences in hatching rates in interspecific crosses between R. taquarussuensis and R. neglectus (Lent, 1954). Furthermore, genetic divergence and species delimitation analyses show that R. taquarussuensis is not an independent lineage in the R. prolixus group. These results suggest that R. taquarussuensis is a phenotypic form of R. neglectus instead of a distinct species. We would like to stress that different sources of evidence are needed to correctly delimit species. We consider this is an important step in understanding vectorial Chagas disease spread and transmission

Taxonomical over splitting in the Rhodnius prolixus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae) clade: Are R. Taquarussuensis (da Rosa et al., 2017) and R. Neglectus (Lent, 1954) the same species?

El uso de características sutiles como características de diagnóstico de especies en taxones con una gran similitud morfológica a veces falla en discriminar la variación intraespecífica de las diferencias interespecíficas, lo que lleva a una delimitación incorrecta de la especie. Una evaluación clara de los límites de las especies es particularmente relevante en los organismos vectores de enfermedades para comprender los procesos epidemiológicos y evolutivos que afectan la capacidad de transmisión. Aquí, evaluamos la validez del Rhodnius taquarussuensis recientemente descrito (da Rosa et al., 2017) utilizando cruces interespecíficos y marcadores moleculares. No detectamos diferencias en las tasas de eclosión en cruces interespecíficos entre R. taquarussuensis y R. negligencias (Lent, 1954). Además, los análisis de divergencia genética y delimitación de especies muestran que R. taquarussuensis no es un linaje independiente en el grupo R. prolixus. Estos resultados sugieren que R. taquarussuensis es una forma fenotípica de R. negligenciaus en lugar de una especie distinta. Nos gustaría enfatizar que se necesitan diferentes fuentes de evidencia para delimitar correctamente las especies. Consideramos que este es un paso importante en la comprensión de la propagación y transmisión vectorial de la enfermedad de Chagas.The use of subtle features as species diagnostic traits in taxa with high morphological similarity sometimes fails in discriminating intraspecific variation from interspecific differences, leading to an incorrect species delimitation. A clear assessment of species boundaries is particularly relevant in disease vector organisms in order to understand epidemiological and evolutionary processes that affect transmission capacity. Here, we assess the validity of the recently described Rhodnius taquarussuensis (da Rosa et al., 2017) using interspecific crosses and molecular markers. We did not detect differences in hatching rates in interspecific crosses between R. taquarussuensis and R. neglectus (Lent, 1954). Furthermore, genetic divergence and species delimitation analyses show that R. taquarussuensis is not an independent lineage in the R. prolixus group. These results suggest that R. taquarussuensis is a phenotypic form of R. neglectus instead of a distinct species. We would like to stress that different sources of evidence are needed to correctly delimit species. We consider this is an important step in understanding vectorial Chagas disease spread and transmission. © 2019 Nascimento et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited