A nonextensive insight to the stellar initial mass function

the present paper, we propose that the stellar initial mass distributions as known as IMF are best fitted by $q$-Weibulls that emerge within nonextensive statistical mechanics. As a result, we show that the Salpeter's slope of $\sim$2.35 is replaced when a $q$-Weibull distribution is used. Our results point out that the nonextensive entropic index $q$ represents a new approach for understanding the process of the star-forming and evolution of massive stars.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Accepted to EP

Strong evidences for a nonextensive behavior of the rotation period in Open Clusters

Time-dependent nonextensivity in a stellar astrophysical scenario combines nonextensive entropic indices $q_{K}$ derived from the modified Kawaler's parametrization, and $q$, obtained from rotational velocity distribution. These $q$'s are related through a heuristic single relation given by $q\approx q_{0}(1-\Delta t/q_{K})$, where $t$ is the cluster age. In a nonextensive scenario, these indices are quantities that measure the degree of nonextensivity present in the system. Recent studies reveal that the index $q$ is correlated to the formation rate of high-energy tails present in the distribution of rotation velocity. On the other hand, the index $q_{K}$ is determined by the stellar rotation-age relationship. This depends on the magnetic field configuration through the expression $q_{K}=1+4aN/3$, where $a$ and $N$ denote the saturation level of the star magnetic field and its topology, respectively. In the present study, we show that the connection $q-q_{K}$ is also consistent with 548 rotation period data for single main-sequence stars in 11 Open Clusters aged less than 1 Gyr. The value of $q_{K}\sim$ 2.5 from our unsaturated model shows that the mean magnetic field topology of these stars is slightly more complex than a purely radial field. Our results also suggest that stellar rotational braking behavior affects the degree of anti-correlation between $q$ and cluster age $t$. Finally, we suggest that stellar magnetic braking can be scaled by the entropic index $q$.Comment: 6 pages and 2 figures, accepted to EPL on October 17, 201

Conversion of DNA sequences: From a transposable element to a tandem repeat or to a gene

Eukaryotic genomes are rich in repetitive DNA sequences grouped in two classes regarding their genomic organization: Tandem repeats and dispersed repeats. In tandem repeats, copies of a short DNA sequence are positioned one after another within the genome, while in dispersed repeats, these copies are randomly distributed. In this review we provide evidence that both tandem and dispersed repeats can have a similar organization, which leads us to suggest an update to their classification based on the sequence features, concretely regarding the presence or absence of retrotransposons/transposon specific domains. In addition, we analyze several studies that show that a repetitive element can be remodeled into repetitive non-coding or coding sequences, suggesting (1) an evolutionary relationship among DNA sequences, and (2) that the evolution of the genomes involved frequent repetitive sequence reshuffling, a process that we have designated as a “DNA remodeling mechanism”. The alternative classification of the repetitive DNA sequences here proposed will provide a novel theoretical framework that recognizes the importance of DNA remodeling for the evolution and plasticity of eukaryotic genomes.This work was financially supported by a Newfelpro Post-doctoral grant (No. 82) from Republic of Croatia co-financed through the Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2011-COFUND program

Wall material selection for microencapsulating glicine max and punica granatum oils by spray drying.

Pomegranate seed oil, even though highly sensitive to oxidation, has been extensively studied due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Microencapsulation by spray drying can protect the oil and increase its shelf life. Modified starch, maltodextrin and gum arabic are evaluated by a mixture design to get the better wall material composition. The better response for drying process yield (41%) and oxidative stability (42%) were achieved using modified starch and gum arabic at the same proportion as wall material

Mycobiota predominant and aflatoxins content in shell and shelled Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. and Bonpl.) are an important product of the Brazilian Amazon. Currently, its marketing is compromised by the high incidence of aflatoxins (AF). The most known naturally occurring AF are named AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2. This study aimed to identify the potentially aflatoxigenic mycobiota associated with shelled Brazil nuts and with the shells, and to determine which one of these fractions contributes to aflatoxins (AF) contamination, since that official method use integral Brazil nuts samples to AF test. Samples of Brazil nuts were collected from the agro forestry system production area in Amazonian rain forest, in Brazil. These samples were split in shells and shelled nuts, and the total count of Aspergillus spp. was analysed after sanitation (sodium hypochlorite 1% / 10 minutes) and without sanitation, by plating AFPA medium, for 7 days, at 25 °C. The isolates identified as Aspergillus section Flavi were plated in YES medium (5days at 25°C) for determination of the aflatoxigenic potential by agar plug technique. To analyze AF, 500 g samples were milled and were extracted with chloroform. The chromatographic analysis was performed by HPLC–FD system in an isocratic mode [Waters pump W600, Waters module autosampler W717, Fluoresce detector W2475 and column Waters X-Terra (4.6x150mm and 5μm -- RP18)]. The mobile phase was water milli-Q/acetonitrile/methanol (600:150:150 v/v) and the injected volume was 5μL both to standards and samples. The average incidence of infection from Aspergillus spp. in sections Flavi, Nigri and Circumdati were 48%, 8% and 1%, respectively. The sanitization treatment reduced the fungi counts. There were AF production by fungi isolated from both types of samples, 30% of the samples were positive for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 and 23.8% produced AFB1, AFB2, and AFG1. Concerning the Brazil nuts AF analysis, it was observed that the concentration of AFB1 and AFG1 obtained were higher than AFB2 and AFG2. The AFB1 content was 35.281 and 1.782 μg/Kg in shelled Brazil nuts and shells, respectively. AFB2 and AFG2 were detected only in shelled samples. The HPLC-FD presented limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LQ) of 0.2 and 0.4 μg/kg, respectively

The Na+/glucose cotransporters: from genes to therapy

Glucose enters eukaryotic cells via two types of membrane-associated carrier proteins, the Na+/glucose cotransporters (SGLT) and the facilitative glucose transporters (GLUT). The SGLT family consists of six members. Among them, the SGLT1 and SGLT2 proteins, encoded by the solute carrier genes SLC5A1 and SLC5A2, respectively, are believed to be the most important ones and have been extensively explored in studies focusing on glucose fluxes under both physiological and pathological conditions. This review considers the regulation of the expression of the SGLT promoted by protein kinases and transcription factors, as well as the alterations determined by diets of different compositions and by pathologies such as diabetes. It also considers congenital defects of sugar metabolism caused by aberrant expression of the SGLT1 in glucose-galactose malabsorption and the SGLT2 in familial renal glycosuria. Finally, it covers some pharmacological compounds that are being currently studied focusing on the interest of controlling glycemia by antagonizing SGLT in renal and intestinal tissues

Blending of pressed vegetable oils from pomegranate seeds and soybean to increase functional lipids consume.

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