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It is poorly understood how solid peripheral tumors affect brain neuroimmune responses despite the various brain‐mediated side effects and higher rates of infection reported in cancer patients. We hypothesized that chronic low‐grade peripheral tumor‐induced inflammation conditions microglia to drive suppression of neuroinflammatory responses to a subsequent peripheral immune challenge. Here, Balb/c murine mammary tumors attenuated the microglial inflammatory gene expression responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and live Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenges and the fatigue response to an E. coli infection. In contrast, the inflammatory gene expression in response to LPS or a toll‐like receptor 2 agonist of Percoll‐enriched primary microglia cultures was comparable between tumor‐bearing and ‐free mice, as were the neuroinflammatory and sickness behavioral responses to an intracerebroventricular interleukin (IL)‐1β injection. These data led to the hypothesis that Balb/c mammary tumors blunt the neuroinflammatory responses to an immune challenge via a mechanism involving tumor suppression of the peripheral humoral response. Balb/c mammary tumors modestly attenuated select circulating cytokine responses to LPS and E. coli challenges. Further, a second mammary tumor/mouse strain model (E0771 tumors in C57Bl/6 mice) displayed mildly elevated inflammatory responses to an immune challenge. Taken together, these data indicate that tumor‐induced suppression of neuroinflammation and sickness behaviors may be driven by a blunted microglial phenotype, partly because of an attenuated peripheral signal to the brain, which may contribute to infection responses and behavioral side effects reported in cancer patients. Finally, these neuroimmune effects likely vary based on tumor type and/or host immune phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) is widely observed in the gas phase toward star-forming regions and was the first of the only two sulfur-bearing species to be detected in interstellar ices so far. However, the chemical network governing its formation is still not fully understood. While the sulfurization of CO and the oxidation of CS are often invoked to form OCS, other mechanisms could have a significant contribution. In particular, the multistep reaction involving CO and SH is a good candidate for forming a significant portion of the OCS in dense cloud environments. Aims. We aim to constrain the viability of the CO + SH route for forming solid OCS in the interstellar medium, in a similar manner as CO + OH is known to produce CO2 ice. This is achieved by conducting a systematic laboratory investigation of the targeted reactions on interstellar ice analogs under dense cloud conditions. Methods. We used an ultrahigh vacuum chamber to simultaneously deposit CO, H2S, and atomic H at 10 K. SH radicals produced in situ via hydrogen abstraction from H2S reacted with CO to form OCS. We monitored the ice composition during deposition and subsequent warm-up by means of Fourier-transform reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). Complementarily, desorbed species were recorded with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) during temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments. Control experiments were performed to secure the product identification. We also explored the effect of different H2S:CO mixing ratios – with decreasing H2S concentrations – on the OCS formation yield. Results. OCS is efficiently formed through surface reactions involving CO, H2S, and H atoms. The suggested underlying mechanism behind OCS formation is CO + SH → HSCO, followed by HSCO + H → OCS + H2. The OCS yield reduces slowly, but remains significant with increasing CO:H2S mixing ratios (CO:H2S = 1:1, 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1). Conclusions. Our experiments provide unambiguous evidence that OCS can be formed from CO + SH in the presence of H atoms. This route remains efficient for large H2S dilutions (5% with respect to CO), suggesting that it is a viable mechanism in interstellar ices. Given that SH radicals can be created in clouds over a wide evolutionary timescale, this mechanism could make a non-negligible contribution to the formation of interstellar OCS ice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed newborn lambs from two hair-coat sheep breeds, the black Santa Ines (n = 29) and white Dorper (n = 26), to determine how they behaviourally and physiologically respond to the prevailing thermal conditions in an equatorial semi-arid environment. Measurements of hair-coat surface temperature, rectal temperature and the lambs' exposure to sun were recorded across the first 24 h of life every hour, after the lambs had received colostrum. Lambs and ewes were kept in a lambing pen and could freely move between a shaded area or be exposed to sun. During the study period, the air temperature ranged between 20 ºC and 34 ºC. When exposed to sun, lambs and ewes could experience as much as 1200 W m-2 of solar irradiance. Santa Ines lambs exhibited higher (highest density interval at 95%, HDI) hair-coat surface temperatures than did Dorper lambs. Overall, both Santa Ines and Dorper lambs sustained homeothermy, with a mean rectal temperature ranging from 38.7 ºC to 39.1 ºC between night and daytime phase, and a mean amplitude of ~ 0.8 ºC. Nevertheless, from 10:00 to 15:00, some lambs were found to be moderately hyperthermic. Five Santa Ines and three Dorper lambs had rectal temperatures above 40 ºC, and one Santa Ines lamb, while exposed to sun, had a rectal temperature of 41.3 ºC. Over this time period, lambs were more likely to move to shade (HDI at 95%). From 00:00 to 06:00, despite the air temperature being lower than the hair-coat surface, favouring high rates of sensible heat loss to the environment, no lamb exhibited signs of hypothermia (rectal temperature < 37.5 ºC). In conclusion, haired newborn lambs coped well with high levels of radiant heat during the daytime and lower temperatures at night. However, providing access to shade during the daytime is important to improve the welfare of newborn lambs delivered in equatorial semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel Eu2+,3+/Yb3+ co-doping calcium aluminosilicate glasses prepared under a vacuum atmosphere were developed and characterized from the spectroscopic point of view, as a potential spectral converter for application in solar cells. The emission of near-infrared photons by downconversion due to cooperative energy transfer (ET) from Eu2+ and Eu3+ to Yb3+ in these glasses was reported. Absorption, excitation, emission, and fluorescence decay measurements were performed to examine the ET processes. The occurrence of cooperative energy transfer from Eu2+ and/or Eu3+ to Yb3+ ions was discussed in detail. The obtained samples have high efficiency and broad absorption in the ultraviolet and visible regions. Under 325 nm excitation, the samples achieve intense near-infrared emission, which increases with Yb2O3 concentration (0 < Yb2O3 < 1.38 mol. %). The energy transfer efficiency from Eu2+,3+ to Yb3+ was evaluated, and a maximum efficiency of ∼85% was obtained (Yb2O3 = 1.38 mol. %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a model to characterize the behaviour of waves propagating in non-isothermal poroelastic solids saturated by two-phase fluids. The dynamic differential equations include the poroelasticity and heat equations with the solid, fluid and thermal fields combined using coupling terms. A plane wave analysis shows that five waves can propagate, three compressional, one fast (P 1) and two slow (P 2, P 3), a shear fast (S) and a thermal slow (T). P 2, P 3 and T are diffusive waves at low frequencies, while P 1 and S behave as propagating waves. The T wave is coupled with the compressional waves and uncoupled with the S wave. The plane wave analysis applied to a real sandstone saturated with gas–water mixtures compares phase velocities and attenuation factors for two-phase and effective single-phase fluids, considering or neglecting the coupling terms. It is observed that P 1 and P 2 waves have higher velocities for coupled cases, while P 3 and T waves exhibit the opposite behaviour. Furthermore the plane wave analysis is performed in the coupled case for oil–water and gas–water two-phase fluids, with compressional waves exhibiting higher velocities for gas–water than for oil–water mixtures. The propagation of waves in a 1-D thermo-poroelastic medium saturated by a gas–water mixture is presented and analysed using a finite element procedure. Considering temperature may become important in high-pressure high-temperature hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blazars present highly variable gamma-ray emission. This variability, which can range from a few minutes to several years, is also observed at other wavelengths across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We make use of the first 12 yr of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope, complemented with multiwavelength (MWL) archival data from different observatories and facilities in radio, infrared, and optical bands, to study the possible periodic emission from 19 blazars previously claimed as periodic candidates. A periodicity analysis is performed with a pipeline for periodicity searches. Moreover, we study the cross-correlations between the gamma-ray and MWL light curves. Additionally, we use the fractional variability and the structure function to evaluate the variability time-scales. We find five blazars showing hints of periodic modulation with ≥3.0σ (≈0σ post-trials), with periods ranging from 1.2 to 4 yr, both in their gamma-ray and MWL emission. The results provide clues for understanding the physical mechanisms generating the observed periodicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the replacement of whole-corn plant silage (WCPS) by whole-sesame plant silage (WSPS) in diets for finishing lambs. Forty castrated crossbred Santa Inês lambs with an average initial body weight of 21.8 ± 1.97 kg were randomly assigned to four replacement levels: 0, 333, 670 and 1000 g kg−1 DM. The intake of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) decreased linearly while ether extract intake increased linearly. The digestibility of NDF decreased linearly while crude protein digestibility decreased quadratically with the lowest value (690 g kg−1) found at the level of 333 g kg−1. Digestibility and intake of the other nutrients, such as the performance did not display differences. The time spent per chewed bolus decreased quadratically, reaching the minimum value of 39 sec/bolus at the level of 370 g kg−1. The feeding efficiency of NDF decreased quadratically with the lowest efficiency of 77 g/h at the level of 600 g kg−1. Rumination efficiency (RE) of DM increased linearly while RENDF reduced quadratically, reaching the lowest value of 36 g/h at the level of 370 g kg−1. Carcass traits were not affected by the diets. Thus, WSPS can be used up to 400 g kg−1 DM in diets for finishing lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species richness is an important property of ecosystems that is altered by grazing. In a semiarid environment, we tested the hypotheses that (1) small‐scale herbaceous plant species richness declines linearly with increasing grazing intensity by large ungulates, (2) precipitation and percent sand interact with grazing intensity, and (3) response of herbaceous plant species richness to increasing intensity of ungulate grazing varies with patch productivity. During January–March 2012, we randomly allocated 50, 1.5‐m × 1.5‐m grazing exclosures within each of six 2500 ha study sites across South Texas, USA. We counted the number of herbaceous plant species and harvested vegetation in 0.25‐m2 plots within exclosures (ungrazed control plots) and in the grazed area outside the exclosures (grazed treatment plots) during October–November 2012–2019. We estimated percent use (grazing intensity) based on the difference in herbaceous plant standing crop between control plots and treatment plots. We selected the negative binomial regression model that best explained the relationship between grazing intensity and herbaceous plant species richness using the Schwarz‐Bayesian information criterion. After accounting for the positive effect of precipitation and percent sand on herbaceous plant species richness, species richness/0.25 m2 increased slightly from 0% to 30% grazing intensity and then declined with increasing grazing intensity. Linear and quadratic responses of herbaceous plant species richness to increasing grazing intensity were greater for the least productive patches (<15.7 g/0.25 m2) than for productive patches (≥15.7 g/0.25 m2). Our results followed the pattern predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis model for the effect of grazing intensity on small‐scale herbaceous plant species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study the existence of positive solutions for the following class of semipositone quasilinear problems: −ΔΦu=λf(x,u)+b(u)−ainΩ,u>0inΩ,u=0on∂Ω,$$\begin{equation*} {\left\lbrace \def\eqcellsep{&}\begin{array}{rclcl}-\Delta _{\Phi } u & = & \lambda f(x,u)+b(u)-a & \mbox{in} & \Omega , \\[3pt] u& > & 0 & \mbox{in} & \Omega , \\[3pt] u & = & 0 & \mbox{on} & \partial \Omega , \end{array} \right.} \end{equation*}$$where Ω⊂RN$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^N$ is a bounded domain, N≥2$N\ge 2$, λ,a>0$\lambda ,a > 0$ are parameters, f(x,u)$ f(x,u)$ is a Caractheodory function, and b(t)$b(t)$ has a critical growth with relation to the Orlicz–Sobolev space W01,Φ(Ω)$W_0^{1,\Phi }(\Omega)$. The main tools used are variational methods, a concentration compactness theorem for Orlicz–Sobolev space and some priori estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the glassy materials, tellurite glasses exhibit low phonon energy (∼780 cm−1), good mechanical stability, chemical durability, and high linear and nonlinear refractive indices, with a wide transmission window (typically 0.4–6.0 μm), which make them promising materials for photonic applications. In this work, tungsten–zirconium–tellurite glasses doped with several Tb3+ concentrations (0.1–4.0 mol. % Tb2O3) were prepared and characterized through absorption, emission, excitation spectra and fluorescence decay rate measurements. Only the green/yellow emission due to the 5D4 level was observed since the 5D3 was not observed in either the absorption or emission spectra due to cutoff absorption of the host matrix at ∼470 nm. A concentration quenching effect was observed in the 545 nm green emission (5D4 → 7F5) with a critical Tb3+ concentration of 6.2×1020 cm3 (1.7 mol. %). Thermal lens (TL) was performed in order to determine the thermo-optical properties of the glass such as thermal diffusivity (D ∼ 3.3×10−3 cm2/s) and optical path temperature coefficient (ds/dT ∼ 2.5 × 10−5 K−1). The energy transfer efficiency from the host matrix to the Tb3+ was estimated from excitation spectra as ∼3%, in agreement with TL measurements which indicate that nearly all absorbed energy is converted into heat for 488 nm excitation (7F6 → 5D4). Z-scan measurements in the cw regime indicate a dominant thermal nonlinearity in agreement with TL data. However, the fluorescence measurements in the Z-scan indicate a strong saturation of the green fluorescence attributed to the effect of excited state absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight concrete is characterized by its low density due to the incorporation of lightweight materials such as aggregate clay or lightweight materials in general. In the city of Aracaju there are companies that promote tire reconditioning generating large amount of waste powder. This study aims to study the reuse of tire rubber waste in lightweight aggregate clay concrete. An experimental program for the analysis of these concretes was developed, varying the percentage of 1, 2.5 and 5% of the tire rubber residue in replacement of the natural fine aggregate and replacing 100% of the natural coarse aggregate with expanded clay aggregate(50% C1506 expanded clay aggregateand 50% expanded clay aggregateC2215). The materials (cement, sand, expanded clays and tire rubber residue) were characterized by granulometric analysis tests and unit mass. The hardened concrete was evaluated by mechanical tests of axial compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength by diametral compression, physical tests of water absorption and specific mass, as well as scanning electron microscopy image analysis. The use of expanded clay aggregateand 1% of tire rubber residue ensured better mechanical strength, lower water absorption and higher specific mass than mixtures with 2.5 and 5%, reaching values close to the reference concrete, and the residue be an alternative for reuse avoiding disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several non-functional objects are orbiting around the Earth and they are called space debris. In this work, we investigate the process of space debris mitigation from the GEO region using a solar sail. The acceleration induced by the solar radiation pressure (SRP) is the most relevant perturbation for objects in orbit around the Earth with a high area-to-mass ratio ( A / m ). We consider the single-averaged SRP model with the Sun in an elliptical and inclined orbit. In addition to the SRP effect, the orbital evolution of space debris is analyzed considering the perturbations due to the Earth's flattening and third-body perturbations in the dynamical system. The idea is to use the solar sail as a propulsion system using the Sun itself as a clean and abundant energy source so that it can remove space debris from the geostationary orbit and also contribute to the sustainability of space exploration. Using averaged dynamical maps as a tool, the numerical simulations show that the solar sail contributes strongly to exciting the eccentricity of the space debris, causing its reentry into Earth's atmosphere. To perform the numerical simulations, we consider data from real space debris. We also show that the solar sail can be used to remove space debris for a graveyard orbit. In this way, the solar sail can work as a clean and sustainable space-debris-removal mechanism. Finally, we show that the convenient choice of the argument of perigee and the longitude of the ascending node might contribute to amplify the growth of eccentricity. It is also shown that solar radiation pressure destroys the symmetry of the orbits that can be observed in keplerian orbits, so all the orbits will be asymmetric when considering the presence of this force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the tokamak ASDEX Upgrade, Integrated Data Analysis (IDA) is used to infer plasma quantities, such as electron density, using heterogeneous data sources. Essential is forward modeling from the parameter space into the data space with physically reasonable models for probabilistic evaluation. This paper presents a new forward model for O-mode profile reflectometry, a necessary prerequisite for Bayesian inference and inclusion in IDA. An efficient forward model based on the analytic solution for a piece-wise linear density description allows IDA to overcome problems associated with the established determination of cut-off locations via Abel inversion and Bottollier-Curtet's method. Instead of using a hard-coded initialization for densities below the first measured cut-off density, other diagnostics, such as the lithium beam, are used to analyze the shape of the initial part of the profile. Error propagation from the measured data, and other uncertain sources, to the uncertainties in the density profile and also its gradient is an intrinsic property of the probabilistic approach, which benefits from the joint analysis. Missing or ambiguous data do not prevent the profile evaluation, but only increase the uncertainty for densities in the affected range. Density profiles together with their uncertainties are determined by the joint analysis of complementary diagnostics, with the newly added reflectometry closing a gap in the outer core region. A stand-alone inversion based on the new forward model, including uncertainty quantification, is introduced, optionally providing an n(R) profile with uncertainties and a gradient. This method is a candidate for real-time analysis, providing error bars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is used in medicine for neoplasms treatment and in food industry for mitigation of acrylamide in high-temperature processed food. In medicine, commercial ASNases have exhibited side effects and l-glutaminase (GLNase) activity affecting the clinical treatment. The aim of this work was to study a novel ASNase from Enterobacter sp. M55 isolated from Maras Salters in Peru, which was purified and biochemically characterised. This ASNase exhibited a Km of 5.71 mM and a Vmax of 0.16 µmol mL--1 min--1, as well as an optimum temperature and pH of 37 °C and 6, respectively. Moreover, a good activity (80 %) was observed at physiological pH. Likewise, the enzyme increased its activity by around 50% in presence of urea, glutathione, and glucose. Whilst in presence of serum compounds, it kept more that 60 % of activity. In addition, this ASNase showed low GLNase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a long-term periodicity search in a sample of γ-ray blazars within a multiwavelength context. These blazars have been selected from the Steward Observatory sample as part of its optical monitoring program between 2008 and 2018. We study 15 sources with a temporal coverage in their optical total and polarized emission sufficiently large (>9 yr) to perform a reliable long-term periodicity analysis. We collect data from several observatories to extend the coverage, enabling the search of longer periods. In addition, data are also gathered in the high-energy (E > 100 MeV) γ-ray band from the Fermi Large Area Telescope; and in the 15 GHz radio band from the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. We identify 5 promising candidates to host quasi-periodic emission, AO 0235+164, PKS 1222+216, Mrk 501, BL Lacertae, and 1ES 2344+514 with periods in one or more bands and statistical significances ∼3σ after trial factor correction. AO 0235+164 shows a period of ∼8.2 yr in the R band; PKS 1222+216 has a quasi-periodic modulation in its total and polarized optical emission of ∼1.6 yr; Mrk 501 displays a ∼5 yr quasi-periodicity in optical and radio wavelengths; BL Lacertae presents a period of ∼1.8 yr in its polarized emission; and 1ES 2344 + 514 shows a hint of a ∼5.5 yr period in its optical R band. We interpret these results in the framework of the most common models and scenarios, namely the presence of a binary supermassive black hole system; or geometrical effects like helical or precessing jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic connectivity is the process by which population persistence and growth are affected by the dispersal of individuals. In sessile marine species that disperse by planktonic larvae and form metapopulations, the interaction between oceanographic forcing and larval biology drives the spatial extent and magnitude of larval delivery to suitable habitat patches. The present study investigates the supply of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae to rocky intertidal habitats located within and around two marine protected areas (MPA) in central Portugal, one located on the exposed coast and the other one in a sheltered bay, using time series of settlement intensity and oceanographic variables. The results indicate that larval delivery at short time scales (days) is strongly dependent on the interaction of upwelling circulation with coastline topography. In the exposed MPA, located on a coastal island, the magnitude of mussel larval delivery is limited by the dynamics of an upwelling front and filament that intercepts the island as upwelling increases and decreases. In the sheltered bay, under an upwelling shadow, the upwelling front promotes recirculation of the water mass, intensifying larval retention and settlement. The results are also consistent with larval transport distances of tens of kilometres and ongoing connectivity between the two MPA. This study highlights the relevance of coastal topography and its interaction with mesoscale hydrodynamics in the modulation of larval delivery, crucial for the persistence of populations and communities and in systematic conservation planning. • Topography regulates the formation and movement of upwelling fronts, jets and shadows, which determine settlement patterns. • Peniche is highly influenced by the upwelling jet from the north and the typical filament associated with pronounced capes. • This jet forms a front, which might act as a barrier for larval delivery to the RNB archipelago, which might receive larvae only under particular conditions. • At PNA, settlement is related to the formation of a front in that bay that is characterised as an upwelling shadow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evaluate the percentage of patients with prostate cancer treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (LHRHa) that develop castration resistance after a follow-up period of 3 years. The secondary objective is to evaluate the variables potentially related to the progression to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Methods: A post-authorization, nation-wide, multicenter, prospective, observational, and longitudinal study that included 416 patients treated with LHRHa between 2012 and 2017 is presented. Patients were followed for 3 years or until development of CRPC, thus completing a per-protocol population of 350 patients. A Cox regression analysis was carried out to evaluate factors involved in progression to CRPC. Results: After 3 years of treatment with LHRHa 18.2% of patients developed CRPC. In contrast, in the subgroup analysis, 39.6% of the metastatic patients developed CRPC, compared with 8.8% of the non-metastatic patients. The patients with the highest risk of developing CRPC were those with a nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > 2 ng/ml (HR 21.6; 95% CI 11.7–39.8; p < 0.001) and those receiving concomitant medication, most commonly bicalutamide (HR 1.8; 95% CI 1–3.1, p = 0.0431). Conclusions: The proportion of metastatic patients developing CRPC after 3 years of treatment with LHRHa is consistent with what has been previously described in the literature. In addition, this study provides new findings on CRPC in non-metastatic patients. Concomitant medication and nadir PSA are statistically significant predictive factors for the time to diagnosis of CRPC, the nadir PSA being the strongest predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the experience of a tertiary center in Brazil, Gastrocentro, in using the Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) technique to treat early gastrointestinal tumors (EGIT). The study evaluated 139 patients who underwent ESD for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal tumors between 2008 and 2023. The results showed that ESD was a safe and effective method, with high cure rates and few complications. The study followed the guidelines of the Japanese Society and the European Society for the indication criteria of ESD. [Extracted from the article]

The performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 at convection-permitting scale is evaluated by means of several sensitivity simulations over southern Peru down to a grid resolution of 1 km, whereby the main focus is on the domain with 5 km horizontal resolution. Different configurations of microphysics, cumulus, longwave radiation, and planetary boundary layer schemes are tested. For the year 2008, the simulated precipitation amounts and patterns are compared to gridded observational data sets and weather station data gathered from Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. The temporal correlation of simulated monthly accumulated precipitation against in situ and gridded observational data show that the most challenging regions for WRF are the slopes along both sides of the Andes, i.e. elevations between 1000 and 3000 m above sea level. The pattern correlation analysis between simulated precipitation and station data suggests that all tested WRF setups perform rather poorly along the northeastern slopes of the Andes during the entire year. In the southwestern region of the domain the performance of all setups is better except for the driest period (May–September). The results of the pattern correlation to the gridded observational data sets show that all setups perform reasonably well except along both slopes during the dry season. The precipitation patterns reveal that the typical setup used over Europe is too dry throughout the entire year, and that the experiment with the combination of the single-moment 6-class microphysics scheme and the Grell–Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions larger than 5 km, suitable for East Africa, does not perfectly apply to other equatorial regions such as the Amazon basin in southeastern Peru. The experiment with the Stony Brook University microphysics scheme and the Grell-Freitas cumulus parameterization tends to overestimate precipitation over the northeastern slopes of the Andes, but enforces a positive feedback between the soil moisture, air temperature, relative humidity, mid-level cloud cover and, finally, precipitation. Hence, this setup provides the most accurate results over the Peruvian Amazon, and particularly over the department of Madre de Dios, which is a region of interest because it is considered a biodiversity hotspot of Peru. The robustness of this particular configuration of the model is backed up by similar results obtained during wet climate conditions observed in 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an analytical model for the force-indentation relationship in viscoelastic materials exhibiting a power law relaxation described by an exponent n, where n=1 represents the standard viscoelastic solid (SLS) model and n<1 represents a fractional SLS model. To validate the model, we perform nanoindentation measurements of polyacrylamide gels with atomic force microscopy (AFM) force curves. We found exponents n<1 that depend on the bisacrylamide concentration. We also demonstrate that the fitting of AFM force curves for varying load speeds can reproduce the dynamic viscoelastic properties of those gels measured with dynamic force modulation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a serious and common disorder worldwide, and its recurrence is closely linked to the damage done to the lives of those affected. Its main features, such as depressed mood, anhedonia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, increased or decreased appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, and cognitive and motor losses, justify its severity. Current treatments cause many side effects and it takes a long time for the therapeutic effect to take hold, highlighting the need for the development of new drugs. In the last two decades, several studies have shown that the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOPR), a member of the opioid receptor subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), can be a valuable therapeutic target in the field of pharmacological therapy, and its antagonism has emerged as a promising strategy due to the antidepressant effect reported in preclinical and clinical studies. Drug discovery efforts targeting NOPR have yielded a variety of agonists and antagonists in the form of small molecules, such as SB-612111 (SB) and compound 35 (C-35), two NOPR antagonists with the highest affinity. In this sense, the present work aims to evaluate, by computer simulation techniques using Functional Density Theory (DFT) and Molecular Fractionation Method with Conjugate Caps (MFCC), the energetic features involved in the interaction between the NOP receptor and the ligands SB and C-35, which are antagonists. By obtaining the crystalline structures in the PDB, it was possible to analyse the energetic contributions in each complex formed by these binders and the receptor in question. A total of 102 (101) amino acid fragments were observed for SB (C-35), with most of the energetically relevant residues being part of the hydrophobic binding pocket and the fragments with the most attractive energy being up to 3 Å away in both complexes: NOP/SB (ASP130 4 GLN107 4 TYR309 4 TYR131); NOP/C-35 (ASP130 4 GLN107 4 ASP110 4 ILE127 4 TYR131 4 GLN280 4 TYR309). The results presented and discussed here are of considerable importance given the intense research and investment in the development of more effective antidepressants in recent decades. Therefore, the analyses described here may help to further develop the pharmacological scenario for antidepressants targeting the NOP receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blazars optical emission is generally dominated by relativistic jets, although the host galaxy, accretion disc, and broad-line region (BLR) may also contribute significantly. Disentangling their contributions has been challenging for years due to the dominance of the jet. To quantify the contributions to the spectral variability, we use the statistical technique for dimensionality reduction non-negative matrix factorization on a spectroscopic data set of 26 γ -ray blazars. This technique allows to model large numbers of spectra in terms of a reduced number of components. We use a priori knowledge to obtain components associated with meaningful physical processes. The sources are classified according to their optical spectrum as host-galaxy dominated BL Lac objects (BL Lacs), BL Lacs, or flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs). Host-galaxy sources show less variability, as expected, and bluer-when-brighter (BWB) trends, as the other BL Lacs. For FSRQs, more complicated colour-flux behaviours are observed: redder-when-brighter for low states saturating above a certain level and, in some cases, turning to BWB. We are able to reproduce the variability observed during 10 yr using only two to four components, depending on the type. The simplest scenario corresponds to host-galaxy blazars, whose spectra are reconstructed using the stellar population and a power law (PL) for the jet. BL Lac spectra are reproduced using from two to four PLs. Different components can be associated with acceleration/cooling processes taking place in the jet. The reconstruction of FSRQs also incorporates a QSO-like component to account for the BLR, plus a very steep PL, associated with the accretion disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize patient, healthcare, and total delay in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in critical (higher PTB incidence) and non-critical (lower PTB incidence) areas and their determinants considering clinical and sociodemographic factors. Retrospective cohort study. Data was retrieved from the Portuguese National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (SVIG-TB). Were included in the study all active PTB patients (n = 11,762) notified between 2008 and 2017. Spatial analysis was used to define critical and non-critical areas. Kaplan–Meier estimator, logrank test, and Cox regression were conducted, stratified by area. PTB cases in critical areas (n = 6594, 56.1%) presented longer patient median delay (41 vs 31days), shorter healthcare median delay (7 vs 10 days), and longer total median delay (63 vs 61days) t.han non-critical areas. Patient and total delay increased in both areas over time, while healthcare delay only increased in non-critical areas. Icn both areas, being from a high TB incidence country and alcohol abuse were associated with longer patient delays. Being female, older age, and oncologic diseases were associated with longer healthcare delays. Respiratory diseases were only associated with a longer healthcare delay in non-critical areas. Being female, older, and from a high TB incidence country were associated with a longer total delay in both areas. Patient delay was significantly longer in critical areas, and healthcare delay was significantly longer in non-critical areas. Several factors associated with longer delays have been identified, most of which are shared by critical and non-critical areas. Differences in patient and healthcare delay, for example, by sex, age, or country of birth, highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to help reduce these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate the quasinormal modes for a massive scalar field with a nonminimal coupling with gravity in the spacetime of a loop quantum black hole, known as the self-dual black hole. In this way, we have calculated the characteristic frequencies using the 3rd order WKB approach, where we can verify a strong dependence with the mass of scalar field, the parameter of nonminimal coupling with gravity, and parameters of the loop quantum gravity. From our results, we can check that the self-dual black hole is stable under the scalar perturbations when assuming small values for the parameters. Also, such results tell us that the quasinormal modes assume different values for the cases where the mass of field is null and the nonminimal coupling assumes ξ = 0 and ξ = 1 / 6 , i.e., a possible breaking of the conformal invariance can be seen in the context of loop quantum black holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 at convection-permitting scale is evaluated by means of several sensitivity simulations over southern Peru down to a grid resolution of 1 km, whereby the main focus is on the domain with 5 km horizontal resolution. Different configurations of microphysics, cumulus, longwave radiation and planetary boundary layer schemes are tested. For the year 2008, the simulated precipitation amounts and patterns are compared to gridded observational data sets and weather station data gathered from Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. The temporal correlation of simulated monthly precipitation sums against in-situ and gridded observational data show that the most challenging regions for WRF are the slopes along both sides of the Andes, i.e., elevations between 1000 and 3000 m above sea level. The pattern correlation analysis between simulated precipitation and station data suggests that all tested WRF setups perform rather poorly along the northeastern slopes of the Andes during the entire year. In the southwestern region of the domain the performance of all setups is better except for the driest period (May-September). The results of the pattern correlation to the gridded observational data sets show that all setups perform reasonably well except along both slopes during the dry season. The precipitation patterns reveal that the typical setup used over Europe is too dry throughout the entire year, and that the experiment with the combination of the single-moment 6-class microphysics scheme and the Grell-Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions larger than 5 km, suitable for East Africa, does not perfectly apply to other equatorial regions such as the Amazon basin in southeastern Peru. The experiment with the Stony-Brook University microphysics scheme and the Grell-Freitas cumulus parameterization tends to overestimate precipitation over the northeastern slopes of the Andes, but allows to enforce a positive feedback between the soil moisture, air temperature, relative humidity, mid-level cloud cover and finally, also precipitation. Hence, this setup is the one providing the most accurate results over the Peruvian Amazon, and particularly over the department of Madre de Dios, which is a region of interest because it is considered the biodiversity hotspot of Peru. The robustness of this particular parameterization option is backed up by similar results obtained during wet climate conditions observed in 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In snakes, behavioral differences between sex and body size can positively influence locomotor performance and metabolic rate. Evidence suggests that larger body size can positively influence the locomotor performance of snakes and affect the metabolic rate of individuals. However, the influence of sexual variation on locomotor performance may not be entirely explained by the variation in body morphology, but also by sexual behavior. Herein, we investigated the locomotor performance, resting metabolic rate, and enzyme activities in the biochemical metabolic pathways of the sexually dimorphic snake Tomodon dorsatus. We used 20 females and 14 males to measure the sprint speed as a proxy for locomotor performance and oxygen consumption to assess the metabolic rate. We also measured the maximum activity of the enzymes: lactate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase in the intercostal skeletal muscle, liver, and heart. Individual snout–vent length was related to tail length, body mass, and sex but was not with the maturity. Males of T. dorsatus are faster than females, and sprint speed and oxygen consumption were found to not be correlated. Males also had higher metabolic rate, while enzyme activities were similar in males and females. These results contributed to understanding the sexual variation in the reproductive behavior of T. dorsatus. Although the results on locomotor performance do not support the hypothesis that locomotion in the species is favored by sexual dimorphism, the increased locomotor performance in males can be explained by courtship behavior. On the other hand, sexual dimorphism and smaller body size can explain the increased metabolic rates in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A generalized Wigner–Moyal statistical theory of radiation is used to obtain a general dispersion relation for stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) driven by a broadband radiation field with arbitrary statistics. The monochromatic limit is recovered from our general result, reproducing the classic monochromatic dispersion relation. The behavior of the growth rate of the instability as a simultaneous function of the bandwidth of the pump wave, the intensity of the incident field and the wave number of the scattered wave is further explored by numerically solving the dispersion relation. Our results show that the growth rate of SBS can be reduced by 1/3 for a bandwidth of 0.3 nm, for typical experimental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trivalent Tb-doped materials exhibit strong emission in the green and weak emission in the UV-blue levels. Usually, this behavior is attributed to the cross relaxation (CR) process. In this paper, the luminescence properties of Tb3+-doped low silica calcium aluminosilicate glasses are analyzed for UV (λexc=325 nm) and visible (488 nm) excitations. Under 325 nm excitation, the intensity of green luminescence increases proportionally to Tb3+ concentration. However, the blue luminescence intensity is strongly reduced with the increase of concentration from 0.5-15.0 wt. %. In the case of 488 nm excitation, a saturation behavior of the green emission is observed at intensities two orders of magnitude smaller than expected for bleaching of the ground state population. Using a rate equation model, we showed that this behavior can be explained by an excited state absorption cross section two orders of magnitude larger than the ground state absorption. The blue emission is much weaker than expected from our rate equations (325 nm and 488 nm excitation). We concluded that only the CR process cannot explain the overall feature of measured luminescence quenching in the wide range of Tb3+ concentrations. Cooperative upconversion from a pair of excited ions (5D3:5D3 or 5D3:5D3) and other mechanisms involving upper lying states (4f5d, charge transfer, host matrix, defects, etc.) may play a significant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the magnetic properties of a mixed Ashkin–Teller model (spin-1/2 and spin-1) in a square lattice, under the effect of a crystal field, using the mean-field theory. Phase diagrams, magnetizations and free energy curves are presented. Besides the stable states of the order parameters, we also obtain the metastable and unstable states, which are shown in the phase diagrams and magnetization curves. The classification of the stable, metastable and unstable states is made by comparing their free-energy values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowdfunding (CF) is a financial tool that has faced an impressive growth over the past few years, and provides an alternative form of fundraising entrepreneurial projects. However, not all CF campaigns are successful in attracting the investors' interest and obtaining the pledging goal. As CF is built over internet platforms, digital marketing strategies have been used to improve awareness and engage people to contribute with small amounts of money for a given CF campaign. Hence, this paper intends to study the effect of social media and electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) on the CF campaigns' outcomes and whether these digital marketing strategies might influence the small investors' decision to support or not a reward-based CF campaign. Using a sample of data from the second largest American reward-based CF platform (Indiegogo), we have applied the multiple OLS regression analysis, to assess the causal effect of various sets of variables in the success rate of a CF campaign. The findings show that social media and e-WOM strategies play a critical role and have a positive significant impact on a CF campaign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the rapid loss of biodiversity as consequence of climate change, greater knowledge of ecophysiological and natural history traits are crucial to determine which environmental factors induce stress and drive the decline of threatened species. Liolaemus montanezi (Liolaemidae), a xeric-adapted lizard occurring only in a small geographic range in west-central Argentina, constitutes an excellent model for studies on the threats of climate change on such microendemic species. We describe field data on activity patterns, use of microhabitat, behavioral thermoregulation, and physiology to produce species distribution models (SDMs) based on climate and ecophysiological data. Liolaemus montanezi inhabits a thermally harsh environment which remarkably impacts their activity and thermoregulation. The species shows a daily bimodal pattern of activity and mostly occupies shaded microenvironments. Although the individuals thermoregulate at body temperatures below their thermal preference they avoid high-temperature microenvironments probably to avoid overheating. The population currently persists because of the important role of the habitat physiognomy and not because of niche tracking, seemingly prevented by major rivers that form boundaries of their geographic range. We found evidence of habitat opportunities in the current range and adjacent areas that will likely remain suitable to the year 2070, reinforcing the relevance of the river floodplain for the species' avoidance of extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a hybrid modeling approach that combines a simplified phenomenological model with machine learning techniques for predicting variables in the microalgae biomass gasification process in supercritical water (SCWG). The simplified phenomenological model, based on the Gibbs energy minimization methodology (minG) associated with the ideal gas model, exhibits significant deviations when compared to the actual behavior of the process. A machine learning model is employed as a corrective tool to enhance prediction accuracy and mitigate errors inherent in the ideal gas model. The simplified model (minG + Ideal Gas) yields moderate predictions for hydrogen formation (H 2 MinG + Ideal Gas ) throughout the microalgal biomass SCWG process (r 2 < 0.92). To develop an easily implementable tool, a linear regression model is used to predict the discrepancies between the simplified approach and the real process results (ΔH 2), resulting in a good fit (r 2 > 0.99). The deviations predicted by the machine learning model are incorporated into the results generated by the simplified phenomenological model, producing the prediction of the hybrid model (H 2 MinG + Ideal Gas +ΔH 2), which shows a good fit with the actual hydrogen formation data (r 2 > 0.99). • Thermodynamic study of the microalgal biomass gasification process in supercritical water. • Hybrid modeling proposal using phenomenological models associated with machine learning models. • Use of the ideal gas model adjusted by a machine learning model in a reaction process in supercritical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a theoretical study of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of palmitic acid crystal in its C form under DFT calculations level. Palmitic acid is a fatty acid that constitutes the large majority of vegetable oils with recognized potential applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics technology, foods, and fuel. As a main result, we have found that the electronic bandstructure reveals an indirect gap given by 3.713 eV (E→B andE→Γ), as a main bandgap, while the secondary bandgaps found were 4.175 eV (γ1→Γ) and 4.172 eV (γ2→B). It behaves like a wide bandgap semiconductor, which points to potential applications in optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several sensitivity experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 have been performed to find the optimal parameterization setup for precipitation amounts and patterns around Mount Kenya at a convection-permitting scale of 1 km. Hereby, the focus is on the cumulus scheme, with tests of the Kain–Fritsch, the Grell–Freitas, and no cumulus parameterizations. In addition, two longwave radiation schemes and two planetary boundary layer parameterizations are evaluated, and different nesting ratios and numbers of nests are tested. The precipitation amounts and patterns are compared against a large amount of weather station data and three gridded observational data sets. The temporal correlation of monthly precipitation sums show that fewer nests lead to a more constrained simulation, and hence the correlation is higher. The pattern correlation with weather station data confirms this result, but when comparing it to the most recent gridded observational data set the difference between the number of nests and nesting ratios is marginal. The precipitation patterns further reveal that using the Grell–Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions >5 km provides the best results when it comes to precipitation patterns and amounts. If no cumulus parameterization is used in any of the domains, the temporal correlation between gridded and in situ observations and simulated precipitation is especially poor with more nests. Moreover, even if the patterns are captured reasonably well, a clear overestimation in the precipitation amounts is simulated around Mount Kenya when using no cumulus scheme in all domains. The experiment with the Grell–Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions >5 km also provides reasonable results for 2 m temperature with respect to gridded observational and weather station data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aimed to estimate the parameters of length‐weight relationship for 16 freshwater fish species that inhabit the Aracá and Demeni Rivers, which are two tributaries of the Negro River (Amazonas state, Brazil). The fishes were sampled using gillnets (15 × 2 m, mesh size 30–120 mm between opposite knots), during 6 days each year, in April 2016, November 2018 and April 2019. The gillnets were placed in the river twice each day; in the morning (5–9 a.m.) and in the evening (5–9 p.m.), with a standardized time of 4 hr. Measurements were taken for standard length (SL – 0.1 cm precision) and total weight (TW – 0.01 g precision). The parameters a and b of the equation WT = a.LTb were estimated. This study also provides new data on of maximum lengths for six species, namely, Argonectes longiceps, Hemiodus atranalis, Chalceus erythrurus, Astrodoras asterifrons, Trachydoras steindachneri and Acarichthys heckelii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The use of polysaccharide based edible coatings as a barrier against the solute entry of high caloric constituents, such as sucrose, is a suitable strategy to develop pro-healthy osmo-dehydrated products. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to study the effect of a calcium alginate film over the drying kinetics of strawberries during an osmotic dehydration (OD) treatment at 60°Brix, 4 h, 40°C (sucrose). Also, textural parameters were evaluated. METHODS: It was determined the changes in some selected physical properties, such as: moisture, total solid contents, one-dimensional shrinkage and texture, at 30 min steps during OD treatment. Besides, water and solid diffusion coefficients (D e W and D e TS , respectively) were calculated by using the analytical solution of Fick's equation. RESULTS: Diffusion coefficients for water and solids showed significant differences due to coating presence as an evidence of the barrier effect. Coated strawberry samples presented several changes after 2 h of OD treatment at the assayed conditions for most of the parameters evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Alginate coating at the tested conditions acts as a barrier to sucrose influx and to water outflux until 2 and 3 h of OD treatment, respectively. Besides, a good textural quality for osmotically-dehydrated strawberries was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific knowledge of species and the ecosystems they inhabit is the cornerstone of modern conservation. However, research effort is not spread evenly among taxa (taxonomic bias), which may constrain capacity to identify conservation risk and to implement effective responses. Addressing such biases requires an understanding of factors that promote or constrain the use of a particular species in research projects. To this end, we quantified conservation science knowledge of the world's extant non‐marine mammal species (n = 4108) based on the number of published documents in journals indexed on Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science™. We use an innovative hurdle model approach to assess the relative importance of several ecological, biogeographical and cultural factors for explaining variation in research production between species. The most important variable explaining the presence/absence of conservation research was scientific capacity of countries within the range of the species, followed by body mass and years since the taxonomic description. Research volume (more than one document) was strongly associated with number of years since the data describing on that species, followed by scientific capacity within the range of species, high body mass and invasiveness. The threat status was weakly associated to explain the presence/absence and research volume in conservation research. These results can be interpreted as a consequence of the dynamic interplay between the perceived need for conservation research about a species and its appropriateness as a target of research. As anticipated, the scientific capacity of the countries where a species is found is a strong driver of conservation research bias, reflecting the high variation in conservation research funding and human resources between countries. Our study suggests that this bias could be most effectively reduced by a combination of investing in pioneering research, targeted funding and supporting research in countries with low scientific capacity and high biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a large‐vessel granulomatous vasculitis; the inflammatory infiltration in arteries comprises macrophages, multi‐nucleated giant cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and neutrophils. However, it is unknown which subtype of macrophages predominates. This study aims to evaluate macrophages subpopulations in the aorta in TAK. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the aorta from TAK patients (n = 22), patients with atherosclerotic disease (n = 9) and heart transplant donors (n = 8) using the markers CD68, CD86, CD206, CD3, CD20 and CD56. Active disease was observed in 54·5% of patients and active histological lesions were found in 40·9%. TAK patients presented atherosclerotic lesions in 27·3% of cases. The frequency of macrophages, M1 macrophages, T, B and NK cells was higher in the aorta from TAK and atherosclerotic patients compared to heart transplant donors. In TAK, macrophages and T cells were the most abundant cells in the aorta, and the expression of CD206 was higher than CD86 (P = 0·0007). No associations were found between the expression of cell markers and active disease or with atherosclerotic lesions. In TAK patients, histological disease activity led to higher T cell counts than chronic fibrotic lesions (P = 0.030), whereas prednisone use was associated with lower T cell counts (P = 0·035). In conclusion, M1 macrophages were more frequent in TAK and atherosclerotic patients compared to heart transplant donors, while M2 macrophages dominated M1 macrophages in TAK. T cells were associated with histological disease activity and with prednisone use in TAK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transmission of resistance mutations to integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) in HIV-infected patients may compromise the efficacy of first-line antiretroviral regimens currently recommended worldwide. Continued surveillance of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) is thus warranted.Objectives: We evaluated the rates and effects on virological outcomes of TDR in a 96 week prospective multicentre cohort study of ART-naive HIV-1-infected subjects initiating INSTI-based ART in Spain between April 2015 and December 2016.Methods: Pre-ART plasma samples were genotyped for integrase, protease and reverse transcriptase resistance using Sanger population sequencing or MiSeq™ using a ≥ 20% mutant sensitivity cut-off. Those present at 1%-19% of the virus population were considered to be low-frequency variants.Results: From a total of 214 available samples, 173 (80.8%), 210 (98.1%) and 214 (100.0%) were successfully amplified for integrase, reverse transcriptase and protease genes, respectively. Using a Sanger-like cut-off, the overall prevalence of any TDR, INSTI-, NRTI-, NNRTI- and protease inhibitor (PI)-associated mutations was 13.1%, 1.7%, 3.8%, 7.1% and 0.9%, respectively. Only three (1.7%) subjects had INSTI TDR (R263K, E138K and G163R), while minority variants with integrase TDR were detected in 9.6% of subjects. There were no virological failures during 96 weeks of follow-up in subjects harbouring TDR as majority variants.Conclusions: Transmitted INSTI resistance remains rare in Spain and, to date, is not associated with virological failure to first-line INSTI-based regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The solid-state C2H2 chemistry in interstellar H2O-rich ice has been proposed to explain astronomically observed complex organic molecules (COMs), including ketene (CH2CO), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), and ethanol (CH3CH2OH), toward early star-forming regions. This formation mechanism is supported by recent laboratory studies and theoretical calculations for the reactions of C2H2+OH/H. However, the analog reaction of C2H2+NH2 forming N-bearing species has been suggested to have a relatively low rate constant that is orders of magnitude lower than the value of C2H2+OH. Aims. This work extends our previous laboratory studies on O-bearing COM formation to investigate the interactions between C2H2 and NH3 ice triggered by cosmic ray-induced secondary UV photons under molecular cloud conditions. Methods. Experiments were performed in an ultra-high vacuum chamber to investigate the UV photolysis of the C2H2:NH3 ice mixture at 10 K. The ongoing chemistry was monitored in situ by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy as a function of photon fluence. The IR spectral identification of the newly formed N-bearing products was further secured by a quadrupole mass spectrometer during the temperature-programmed desorption experiment. Results. The studied ice chemistry of C2 H2 with NH2 radicals and H atoms resulting from the UV photodissociation of NH3 leads to the formation of several N-bearing COMs, including vinylamine (CH2CHNH2), acetaldimine (CH3CHNH), acetonitrile (CH3CN), ketenimine (CH2CNH), and tentatively ethylamine (CH3CH2NH2). The experimental results show an immediate and abundant CH2CHNH2 yield as the first-generation product, which is further converted into other chemical derivatives. The effective destruction and formation cross-section values of parent species and COMs were derived, and we discuss the chemical links among these molecules and their astronomical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several sensitivity experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 have been performed to find the optimal parameterization setup for precipitation amounts and patterns around Mount Kenya at a convectionpermitting scale of 1 km. Hereby, the focus is on the cumulus scheme, with tests of the Kain-Fritsch, the Grell-Freitas and no cumulus parameterization for the parent and all nested domains. Besides, two long wave radiation schemes and two planetary boundary layer parameterizations are evaluated. Additionally, different nesting ratios and numbers of nests are tested. The precipitation amounts and patterns are compared against a large number of weather station data and three gridded observational data sets. The temporal correlation of monthly precipitation sums show that fewer nests lead to a more constrained simulation and hence, the correlation is higher. The pattern correlation with weather station data confirms this result, but when comparing it to the most recent gridded observational data set the difference between the number of nests and nesting ratios are marginal. The precipitation patterns further reveal that the Grell-Freitas cumulus parameterization provides the best results, when it comes to precipitation patterns and amounts. If no cumulus parameterization is used, the temporal correlation between gridded and in-situ observations and simulated precipitation is especially poor with more nests. Moreover, even if the patterns are captured quite well, a clear overestimation in the precipitation amounts is observed around Mount Kenya when using no cumulus scheme at all. The Grell-Freitas cumulus parameterization also provides reasonable results for 2-metre temperature with respect to gridded observational and weather station data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim to investigate the temperature enhancements and formation heights of solar active-region brightenings such as Ellerman bombs (EBs), ultraviolet bursts (UVBs), and flaring active-region fibrils (FAFs) using interferometric observations in the millimeter (mm) continuum provided by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Methods. We examined 3 mm signatures of heating events identified in Solar Dynamics Observatory observations of an active region and compared the results with synthetic spectra from a 3D radiative magnetohydrodynamic simulation. We estimated the contribution from the corona to the mm brightness using differential emission measure analysis. Results. We report the null detection of EBs in the 3 mm continuum at ∼1.2″ spatial resolution, which is evidence that they are sub-canopy events that do not significantly contribute to heating the upper chromosphere. In contrast, we find the active region to be populated with multiple compact, bright, flickering mm-bursts – reminiscent of UVBs. The high brightness temperatures of up to ∼14 200 K in some events have a contribution (up to ∼7%) from the corona. We also detect FAF-like events in the 3 mm continuum. These events show rapid motions of > 10 kK plasma launched with high plane-of-sky velocities (37 − 340 km s−1) from bright kernels. The mm FAFs are the brightest class of warm canopy fibrils that connect magnetic regions of opposite polarities. The simulation confirms that ALMA should be able to detect the mm counterparts of UVBs and small flares and thus provide a complementary diagnostic for localized heating in the solar chromosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, food-grade sunflower oil/W Pickering emulsions stabilized by xanthan gum-zein complex were developed. For this purpose, laser diffraction, rheological, multiple light scattering, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) measurements were carried out. A response surface methodology was used to determine the optimized zein and oil concentration of the emulsion by using D 4,3 and Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) as objective functions to minimize. Subsequently, the optimized formulation with minimum D 4,3 was selected and the biological macromolecule, advanced performance xanthan gum (APXG), was added. CLSM results of emulsions without gum showed the location of zein in the oil-water interface protecting droplets against coalescence as Pickering stabilizer. They also demonstrated that zein did not present important aggregation at the working pH. The addition of APXG changed the flow behaviour from Newtonian to shear thinning which fitted to the Cross model. This fact provoked the occurrence of viscoelastic properties and an increase in stability. FESEM results suggested the formation of a zein-gum complex, which forms a layer covering the droplets, protecting them against oxidation and physical destabilization. Therefore, this research supports the role of zein-APXG complex as a stabilizer of future emulsions. • Stable food emulsions formulated with zein-xanthan gum complex were developed. • Zein particles are located in the oil-water interface as Pickering stabilizer. • Zein-gum complex forms a layer covering and protecting the droplets. • Emulsions containing zein-gum complex present viscoelastic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we characterized 16 objects previously classified as faint or low-contrast Galactic open clusters (OCs). We employed parameters associated with the dynamical evolution of the OCs: the core (r c), tidal (r t) and half-mass (r hm) radii, age and crossing time (t cr). Relations among these parameters were exploited to draw some evolutionary connections. We also included 11 OCs with previous characterizations to provide wider coverage of the parameter space. The investigated sample spans a considerable range in age, log (t yr−1) ∼7.0–9.7, and Galactocentric distance, R G ∼ 6–11 kpc). Most of these OCs present solar metallicity. We employed Gaia Data Release 2 astrometry and photometry, and we selected member stars through a decontamination algorithm that explores the three-dimensional astrometric space (μα, μδ, ϖ) to assign membership likelihoods. Previous studies of most of these objects were based mostly on photometric information. All investigated OCs were proved to be real stellar concentrations. The relations among their parameters indicate a general disruption scenario in which OCs tend to be more concentrated as they evolve. Internal interactions sucessively drive OCs to develop more dynamically relaxed structures and make them less subject to mass loss due to tidal effects. Tidal radius tends to increase with R G in accordance with the strength of the Galactic tidal field. Besides, the correlation between r c and the dynamical ratio τdyn = age/ t cr suggests two distinct evolutionary sequences, which may be a consequence of different initial formation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase equilibria in the Al-Nb-V system are important data for the design of innovative Al-containing refractory-high-entropy alloys, however issues still open in this system. In the present work, Al-Nb-V phase equilibria at 1200 °C were re-investigated via microstructural characterization of heat-treated alloys using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffractometry. Results confirmed the existence of the three-phase fields BCC + Nb3Al + Nb2Al and BCC + Nb2Al + NbAl3 and the absence of ternary compounds. The solubility of binary phases Nb3Al and Nb2Al into the ternary and the stability region of the BCC solid solution were improved while the solubility of Nb in V5Al8 was confirmed negligible. In addition, VAl3 + NbAl3 diffusion couple were produced, confirming the miscibility gap between these phases and indicating the existence of NbAl3 + VAl3 + BCC equilibrium instead of NbAl3 + VAl3 + V5Al8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on quasi-periodic variability found in two blazars included in the Steward Observatory Blazar Monitoring data sample: the BL Lac object 3C 66A and the Flat Spectrum Radio Quasar B2 1633+38. We collect optical photometric and polarimetric data in V and R bands of these sources from different observatories: St. Petersburg University, Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, WEBT–GASP, Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey, Steward Observatory, STELLA Robotic Observatory, and Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope. In addition, an analysis of the γ-ray light curves from Fermi –LAT is included. Three methods are used to search for any periodic behaviour in the data: the Z-transform Discrete Correlation Function, the Lomb–Scargle periodogram and the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform. We find pieces of evidence of possible quasi-periodic variability in the optical photometric data of both sources with periods of ∼3 yr for 3C 66A and ∼1.9 yr for B2 1633+38, with significances between 3σ and 5σ. Only B2 1633+38 shows evidence of this behaviour in the optical polarized data set at a confidence level of 2σ–4σ. This is the first reported evidence of quasi-periodic behaviour in the optical light curve of B2 1633+38. Also, a hint of quasi-periodic behaviour is found in the γ-ray light curve of B2 1633+38 with a confidence level ≥2σ, while no periodicity is observed for 3C 66A in this energy range. We propose different jet emission models that could explain the quasi-periodic variability and the differences found between these two sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's globalized and highly competitive environment imposes chicken producers two major challenges: resource optimization and cost reduction. In this context, this work aims to use artificial neural network models and multiple linear regression for analysis and prediction of broiler productive variables of an agribusiness of Paraná. The applicability of recurrent neural networks to predict the price of kilo of frozen and chilled chicken is also analyzed. The database provided by the company has a 2-year history of movement, containing the main production variables, for 4500 batches of Coob, Coob Fast and Coob Slow strains. In the analysis of the applicability of recurrent neural networks we used a 11-year database provided by the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (CEPEA). The results show that the forecast models provide reliable estimates for the response variables: Average Weight and Productive Efficiency Ratio and demonstrate the effectiveness of the recurring LSTM predictions for the price of kilo of frozen and chilled chicken for a short term horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]