A new form of the rotating C-metric

In a previous paper, we showed that the traditional form of the charged C-metric can be transformed, by a change of coordinates, into one with an explicitly factorizable structure function. This new form of the C-metric has the advantage that its properties become much simpler to analyze. In this paper, we propose an analogous new form for the rotating charged C-metric, with structure function G(\xi)=(1-\xi^2)(1+r_{+}A\xi)(1+r_{-}A\xi), where r_\pm are the usual locations of the horizons in the Kerr-Newman black hole. Unlike the non-rotating case, this new form is not related to the traditional one by a coordinate transformation. We show that the physical distinction between these two forms of the rotating C-metric lies in the nature of the conical singularities causing the black holes to accelerate apart: the new form is free of torsion singularities and therefore does not contain any closed timelike curves. We claim that this new form should be considered the natural generalization of the C-metric with rotation.Comment: 13 pages, LaTe

Imaging 3D seismic velocity along the seismogenic zone of Algarve region (southern Portugal)

The present seismic tomographic study is focused around Algarve region, in South of Portugal. To locate the seismic events and find the local velocity structure of epicentral area, the P and S arrival times at 38 stations are used. The data used in this study were obtained during the Algarve campaign which worked from January/2006 to July/2007. The preliminary estimate of origin times and hypocentral coordinates are determined by the Hy- poinverse program. Linearized inversion procedure was applied to comprise the following two steps: 1) finding the minimum 1D velocity model using Velest and 2) simultaneous relocation of hypocenters and determination of local velocity structure. The velocity model we have reached is a 10 layer model which gave the lowest RMS, after several runnings of eight different velocity models that we used “a priori”. The model parameterization assumes a continuous velocity field between 4.5 km/s and 7.0 km/s until 30 km depth. The earth structure is represented in 3D by velocity at discrete points, and velocity at any intervening point is determined by linear interpolation among the surrounding eight grid points. A preliminary analysis of the resolution capabilities of the dataset, based on the Derivative Weight Sum (DWS) distribution, shows that the velocity structure is better resolved in the West part of the region between the surface to15 km. The resulting tomographic image has a prominent low-velocity anomaly that shows a maximum decrease in P-wave velocity in the first 12 kms in the studied region. We also identified the occurrence of local seismic events of reduced magnitude not catalogued, in the neighbourhood of Almodôvar (low Alentejo). The spatial distribution of epicentres defines a NE-SW direction that coincides with the strike of the mapped geological faults of the region and issued from photo-interpretation. Is still expectable to refine the seismicity of the region of Almodôvar and establish more rigorously its role in the seismotectonic picture of the region. This work is expected to produce a more detailed knowledge of the structure of the crust over the region of Algarve, being able to identify seismogenic zones, potentially generators of significant seismic events and also the identification of zones of active faults

The peculiar Na-O anticorrelation of the bulge globular cluster NGC 6440

Context. Galactic Globular Clusters (GCs) are essential tools to understand the earliest epoch of the Milky Way, since they are among the oldest objects in the Universe and can be used to trace its formation and evolution. Current studies using high resolution spectroscopy for many stars in each of a large sample of GCs allow us to develop a detailed observational picture about their formation and their relation with the Galaxy. However, it is necessary to complete this picture by including GCs that belong to all major Galactic components, including the Bulge. Aims. Our aim is to perform a detailed chemical analyses of the bulge GC NGC 6440 in order to determine if this object has Multiple Populations (MPs) and investigate its relation with the Bulge of the Milky Way and with the other Galactic GCs, especially those associated with the Bulge, which are largely poorly studied. Methods. We determined the stellar parameters and the chemical abundances of light elements (Na, Al), iron-peak elements (Fe, Sc, Mn, Co, Ni), $\alpha$-elements (O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti) and heavy elements (Ba, Eu) in seven red giant members of NGC 6440 using high resolution spectroscopy from FLAMES@UVES. Results. We found a mean iron content of [Fe/H]=-0.50$\pm$0.03 dex in agreement with other studies. We found no internal iron spread. On the other hand, Na and Al show a significant intrinsic spread, but the cluster has no significant O-Na anticorrelation nor exhibits a Mg-Al anticorrelation. The $\alpha$-elements show good agreement with the Bulge field star trend, although they are at the high alpha end and are also higher than those of other GCs of comparable metallicity. The heavy elements are dominated by the r-process, indicating a strong contribution by SNeII. The chemical analysis suggests an origin similar to that of the Bulge field stars.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, Accepted for publication in A&

Exploring new ways of integration, visualization and interaction with Geotechnical and Geophysical Data

The work presented in this paper aims at exploring new ways of integrating, visualizing and interacting with geotechnical and geophysical data that may be more rich and interactive than those offered by most current Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Some visualization techniques enabling simultaneous visualization of the several data types available in our case study are proposed. Moreover, methods were developed to guide experts while defining layers and other relevant geological structures. The work is still in an early stage and is main goal has been assessing the validity and adequacy of the proposed techniques to the specific geotechnical and geophysical data under consideration.Universidade de Aveiro e Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branc

Effect of Water Avoidance Stress on serum and urinary NGF levels in rats: diagnostic and therapeutic implications for BPS/IC patients

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is thought to play a key role in chronic pain felt by bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) patients by activating its high affinity receptor tropomyosin-related kinase subtype A (Trk A). Whether this pathway is also involved in the aggravation of pain sensation during stress events was here investigated. The levels of plasmatic NGF were increased in rats submitted to Water Avoidance Stress test (WAS), compared to controls. The administration of the alpha1A adrenoceptors blocker silodosin prevented the increase of plasmatic NGF. Urinary NGF levels were also moderately increased in animals submitted to WAS. WAS increased pain behaviour score, lowered abdominal mechanical pain threshold and increase voiding bladder reflex activity. These changes were prevented by the administration of TrkA antagonist GW441756. These findings prompt the use of plasmatic NGF as diagnosis tool for chronic visceral painful conditions and opens therapeutic opportunities for TrkA receptors antagonist/NGF sequestration.The statements and opinions presented here reflect the author’s view and neither IMI nor the European Union, EFPIA, or any Associated Partners are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No [777500]. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA. www.imi.europa.eu. www.imi-paincare.eu. This work was partially supported by PFD Research Foundation and ICA IC/PBS Research Grant

Alterações morfológicas e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de mamão.

A análise de raios X é uma técnica importante na identificação de problemas associados à morfologia interna de sementes e ao seu potencial fisiológico. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os padrões morfológicos e a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de mamão obtidas de diferentes estádios de maturação e locais dentro do fruto com o auxílio das análises de raios X. Foram utilizadas sementes de mamão Formosa colhidos no estádio 1 de maturação. As sementes foram extraídas dos frutos nos estádios 1, 3, 5 e final. Os frutos foram armazenados em condições de laboratório (25 °C) e ao atingirem cada estádio de maturação, foram seccionados transversalmente em três partes de tamanhos iguais, sendo as sementes das duas extremidades (proximal e distal) extraídas separadamente daquelas localizadas na região central. Depois de lavadas e secas, as sementes foram utilizadas nas seguintes avaliações: 1) teste de germinação em papel germitest umedecido com água destilada em temperatura alternada 20-30°C. Avaliou-se a velocidade de germinação, plântulas normais na primeira contagem e as porcentagens de germinação, sementes dormentes e sementes inviáveis aos 30 dias; e, 2) teste de raios X, determinando-se as porcentagens de sementes cujo embrião era facilmente visível, com radícula visível e sementes aparentemente vazias. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em fatorial (duas regiões do fruto e quatro estádios de maturação) em quatro repetições. As médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Constatou-se que sementes localizadas na parte central dos frutos apresentaram desempenho superior às sementes das extremidades. O estádio 1 de maturação apresentou número de sementes vazias e dormentes superior aos demais estádios. O teste de raios X favoreceu a diferenciação entre sementes de mamão vazias e com embrião completamente desenvolvido.Resum

Improving the Knowledge on Seismogenic Sources in the Lower Tagus Valley for Seismic Hazard Purposes

The Lower Tagus Valley, that includes the metropolitan area of Lisbon, has been struck by several earthquakes which produced significant material damage and loss of lives. Their exact location remains unknown. Our goal is to shed some light into the seismogenic sources in the area using seismic reflection and geological data. In areas with no seismic coverage, potential-field data interpretation was carried out. Seismicity was overlaid to the potential seismogenic structures and high-resolution data was acquired in order to confirm which structures have been active into the Quaternary. Three major fault-zones affecting the Neogene were identified: V. F. Xira, Samora-Alcochete and Pinhal Novo. For the first fault, strong evidences suggest it is active. The other two fault-zones and other structures previously unknown can be correlated with several epicentres. Empirical relationships between maximum moment magnitude and fault area indicate that MW > 6.5 earthquakes can be expected for the larger structures