Instability and new phases of higher-dimensional rotating black holes

It has been conjectured that higher-dimensional rotating black holes become unstable at a sufficiently large value of the rotation, and that new black holes with pinched horizons appear at the threshold of the instability. We search numerically, and find, the stationary axisymmetric perturbations of Myers-Perry black holes with a single spin that mark the onset of the instability and the appearance of the new black hole phases. We also find new ultraspinning Gregory-Laflamme instabilities of rotating black strings and branes.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. The instability of the black hole is argued to appear at the second zero mode. The first zero mode is not associated to a new branch of black hole solution

Correct diagnosis of early zoeal stages of Athanas nitescens (Leach, 1814) (Decapoda, Caridea, Alpheidae) using laboratory-raised larvae

The morphology of the first two larval stages of Athanas nitescens (Leach, 1814), reared under laboratory conditions, is redescribed. The present data are compared with previous works, since a clarification of the morphological characters of the first two larval stages of A. nitescens is needed, in order to avoid misidentification of these stages in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Expanding the Distribution of the Remarkable Ant Gnamptogenys vriesi Brandão & Lattke (Formicidae, Ectatomminae): First Record From Brazil

Gnamptogenys vriesi Brandão & Lattke is a rare ant originally described based on a worker and on a gyne collected in Morona Santiago province, in Ecuador. After the original description, few specimens of this species were collected in Ecuadorian territory. In this paper we reported the first record for Brazil, which resulted in a significant extension on the knowledge of the distribution of this species, which was currently considered to be restricted to Ecuador. In addition, we also provided images and a distribution map for this species

Aminosquaraines as potential photodynamic agents: Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd The synthesis of several aminosquaraine cationic dyes displaying strong absorption within the so-called phototherapeutic window (650–850 nm) is described. Their cytotoxicity, under dark and illuminated conditions, was tested against several human tumor cell lines (breast, lung, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas) and non-tumor porcine liver primary cells. All compounds showed to inhibit the growth of the tumor cells upon irradiation more than in the absence of light, in more or less extension, clearly exhibiting photodynamic activity. The photosensitizing ability against some cell lines, together with the low toxicity for the non-tumor primary PLP2 cells displayed by some of the compounds synthetized, turns them into potential candidates as photosensitizers for PDT.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER for CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and CQ-VR (UID/QUI/00616/2013) financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Response of vertebrate scavengers to power line and road rights-of-way and its implications for bird fatality estimates

Linear infrastructures, such as power lines and roads, are an important source of bird mortality. However, little is known on the potential effect of these infrastructures on local scavenger guilds, their foraging activity and the resulting bird carcass removal patterns. This is an important source of bias in studies aiming to quantify bird fatalities due to linear infrastructures. We used camera-traps to record scavenger identity and persistence patterns of bird carcasses placed close to linear infrastructure and nearby controls in two Mediterranean agricultural regions. We found that linear infrastructure influence on scavenger identity varied depending on the region. Contrary to expectations, linear infrastructure presence had either none or a positive effect on carcass persistence, meaning that carcasses placed within power line or road rights-of-way were not removed faster than the ones placed in controls. We conclude that linear infrastructure effect on vertebrate scavenging patterns is likely to be region-specific, and that reliable correction factors for carcass removal-bias in bird fatality estimates require site-specific experiments to characterize local scavenging processesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Leaves and decoction of Juglans regia L.: Different performances regarding bioactive compounds and in vitro antioxidant and antitumor effects

Juglans regia L. (walnut) leaves are considered a source of healthcare compounds, and have been widely used in traditional medicine. Furthermore, they have been reported as a source of bioactive molecules such as the antioxidant phenolic compounds. In the present study, organic acids, mono and oligosaccharides, and tocopherols were analyzed in leaves and decoction (widely used for topical applications). Furthermore, the phenolic composition and bioactivity of walnut leaves was determined in its decoction and methanol extract. Malic acid, sucrose, alpha-tocopherol and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acids and quercetin O-pentoside were the most abundant organic acid, disaccharide, tocopherol isomer and phenolic compounds, respectively. Methanol extract presented higher antioxidant and antitumor potential than decoction; both samples did not show toxicity for non-tumor liver primary cells. This study provides a more complete characterization of phenolic compounds of walnut leaves, and as far as we know, this is the first time that the presence of procyanidins and taxifolin derivatives, as also tocopherols were reported in J. regia leaves.The authors are grateful to Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). L. Barros and R.C. Calhelha also thank to FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE for their grants (SFRH/BPD/4609/2008 and SFRH/BPD/68344/2010, respectively). The GIP-USAL is financially supported by the Spanish Government through the Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Programme (FUN-C-FOOD, CSD2007-00063). M. Duenas thanks the Programa Ramon y Cajal for a contract

Aplicação exploratória de análise multicritério para representação municipal da susceptibilidade a cheias rápidas em Portugal continental

[...] Este estudo descreve uma metodologia exploratória de avaliação de susceptibilidade a cheias rápidas para Portugal Continental, adotando uma abordagem multicritério, a partir de um conjunto de 9 fatores condicionantes, definidos ao município: escoamento acumulado, hierarquia fluvial de Strahler, rugosidade, declive, depósitos aluvionares, grau de impermeabilização, litologia de elevada permeabilidade, Landform Classification e escoamento anual. A atribuição do peso de cada fator baseou-se em Análise Hierárquica de Processos (AHP) [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical characterization and bioactive properties of Geranium molle L.: from the plant to the most active extract and its phytochemicals

After a period of indifference, in which synthetic compounds were favored, there is an increasing interest in the study of the biological properties of plants and the active principles responsible for their therapeutic properties. Geranium molle L. has been used in the Portuguese folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments including cancer but, unlike many of the species from the Geranium genus, its phytochemical characterization and biological activity are virtually unexplored. In this study a G. molle sample from Trás-os-Montes, north-eastern Portugal, was chemically characterized regarding nutritional value, free sugars, organic acids, fatty acids and tocopherols, and several aqueous (decoction, infusion) and organic (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol) extracts of the plant were assessed for their bioactive properties. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by means of the free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The cytotoxicity of the different extracts was assessed in vitro against several human cancer cell lines (breast, lung, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas) and, additionally, their hepatotoxicity was evaluated using a porcine liver primary cell culture. G. molle was shown to be rich in carbohydrates and proteins, providing tocopherols and essential fatty acids. Amongst the various extracts, the acetone extract was found to have the highest content of phenolic compounds (mainly ellagitannins, but also some flavone and flavonol glycosides) as well as the highest antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical composition and bioactive properties of G. molle.This work is supported by national funds by FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2013 and PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014. V.C. Graça, M.I. Dias, R.C. Calhelha and L. Barros thank FCT for SFRH/BD/52542/2014, SFRH/BD/84485/2012, SFRH/BPD/68344/2010 and SFRH/BPD/107855/2015 grants, respectively

‘Cachena’, a Bovine Rustic Portuguese Extensively Reared Autochthonous Breed: Meat Texture Analysis

‘Cachena’ is one of the world’s smallest bovine breeds. Extremely rustic and wild, they are extensively reared, and fed with natural pastures. Meat valorisation is essential to preserve this breed, with a limited livestock. ‘Cachena’’s meat is tender, juicy, low-fat, and highly appreciated due to the association of animal, terroir and producer, balanced by the ecosystem’s sustainability. The aim of this study was to increase the weight of Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Psoas major (PM) muscles, without depreciating their sensory quality. Two groups of 16 animals were slaughtered: (A) 9-17 months old animals with 140-225 kg slaughter live weight (SLW); (B) 17-20 months old animals with 260-335 kg SLW. LD and PM muscles’ fresh weight was recorded, and microbiological and physicochemical parameters (pH and aW) were evaluated two days, while instrumental texture (Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF)) and sensory analyses by a trained sensory panel were performed four days after slaughter. Microbiological analyses were conducted following international standards to ensure food safety. LD and PM weights significantly increased with the animals’ age (P\u3c 0.01, LD, and P\u3c 0.001, PM). pH values were similar for both groups and aW was significantly higher in group A (P\u3c 0.001). Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any of the analysed samples. All analysed meat samples were generally tender, with PM tender than LD. Group A meat was tender (P\u3c 0.001) and easier to chew (P\u3c 0.001), for both muscles. Nevertheless, WBSF was higher (P\u3c 0.001). Regarding sensory analysis, no significant differences were observed in hardness, elasticity, succulence, and global appreciation between the two groups for LD meat. Moreover, fibrousness values were higher in group A (P\u3c 0,01). The higher SLW, from older ‘Cachena’ animals, associated to larger meat cuts, does not decrease meat tenderness