Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Sensor noise in LISA Pathfinder: laser frequency noise and its coupling to the optical test mass readout

The LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the technology needed for the future space borne gravitational wave observatory LISA. A key subsystem under study was the laser interferometer, which measured the changes in relative distance in between two test masses (TMs). It achieved a sensitivity of 32.0 + 2.4 − 1.7     fm / √ Hz , which was significantly better than the prelaunch tests. This improved performance allowed direct observation of the influence of laser frequency noise in the readout. The differences in optical path lengths between the measurement and reference beams in the individual interferometers of our setup determined the level of this undesired readout noise. Here, we discuss the dedicated experiments performed on LPF to measure these differences with high precision. We reached differences in path length difference between ( 368 ± 5 )     μm and ( 329.6 ± 0.9 )     μm which are significantly below the required level of 1 mm or 1000     μm . These results are an important contribution to our understanding of the overall sensor performance. Moreover, we observed varying levels of laser frequency noise over the course of the mission. We provide evidence that these do not originate from the laser frequency stabilization scheme which worked as expected. Therefore, this frequency stabilization would be applicable to other missions with similar laser frequency stability requirements

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Visayan Sea Squadron: Envisioning the future: An awareness video on the Visayan Sea Squadron

Visayan Seas Squadron (VSS) is the seaborne arm of the Law of Nature Foundation formed mainly for environmental outreach education and enforcement programs. It is composed of Bantay Dagat (sea guardians) operatives of participating local government units (LGUs) volunteer fish wardens, civic and youth groups, teachers and lawyers, and law enforcement bodies. The Squadron sails around the Visayan Sea, especially in identified hotspot areas and undertake its 3E campaign (education, engineering, enforcement) as a catalytic intervention to cause a mind shift among the people-especially the local fisher folks and the youth-to conserve, protect and restore the Visayan Sea. From the preliminary interviews conducted by the group, VSS was in need of an awareness video to help tap potential donors or sponsors to fund their endeavors of conserving, protecting and restoring the Visayan seas. Even though they had an existing video, it needed to be updated because of its inefficiency and insufficiency. After viewing their said video, it was already obsolete due to events that have happened from the production of the video up to present and it lacked the proper communication of the organization\u27s mission of existence. The proposed awareness video consisted of four major components: 1) a brief introduction about the organization, 2) the threats happening to marine life due to lack of education given to fisher folks, 3) the achievements and accomplishments of the organization with the limited funds and 4) what can be done by the organizations with the help of the financial contributions of the potential donors. From this project, the organization will be a step closer to achieving their vision of beginning a mind-shift in the next generation of Filipinos for them to care for our Philippines seas

Molecular dissection of pheromone selectivity in the competence signaling system ComRS of streptococci

Competence allows bacteria to internalize exogenous DNA fragments for the acquisition of new phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance or virulence traits. In most streptococci, competence is regulated by ComRS signaling, a system based on the mature ComS pheromone (XIP), which is internalized to activate the (R)RNPP-type ComR sensor by triggering dimerization and DNA binding. Cross-talk analyses demonstrated major differences of selectivity between ComRS systems and raised questions concerning the mechanism of pheromone-sensor recognition and coevolution. Here, we decipher the molecular determinants of selectivity of the closely related ComRS systems from Streptococcus thermophilus and Streptococcus vestibularis Despite high similarity, we show that the divergence in ComR-XIP interaction does not allow reciprocal activation. We perform the structural analysis of the ComRS system from S. vestibularis. Comparison with its ortholog from S. thermophilus reveals an activation mechanism based on a toggle switch involving the recruitment of a key loop by the XIP C terminus. Together with a broad mutational analysis, we identify essential residues directly involved in peptide binding. Notably, we generate a ComR mutant that displays a fully reversed selectivity toward the heterologous pheromone with only five point mutations, as well as other ComR variants featuring XIP bispecificity and/or neofunctionalization for hybrid XIP peptides. We also reveal that a single XIP mutation relaxes the strictness of ComR activation, suggesting fast adaptability of molecular communication phenotypes. Overall, this study is paving the way toward the rational design or directed evolution of artificial ComRS systems for a range of biotechnological and biomedical applications

Obras Preliminares - AR300 - 202101

Descripción: Obras Preliminares se constituye en un curso introductorio dentro de la estructura curricular del área de construcción, en el que se ejecutan los primeros pasos del proceso referido al manejo del terreno. Asimismo, se estudia y analiza las distintas técnicas constructivas empleando la tierra como material de construcción. El curso induce al estudiante a experimentar en el Taller de Construcción lo que ha visto de manera teórica en clase, adquiriendo así un aprendizaje significativo que le permite diseñar en función de las técnicas constructivas aprendidas. El estudiante usa la tierra como principal material de construcción, además de otros materiales complementarios, teniendo la oportunidad de construir un módulo con sus propias manos. Otra característica de la asignatura es su enfoque en temas de bienestar en el ambiente construido, conocimiento 1técnico e integración de sistemas. Propósito: El curso contribuye al perfil de desarrollo profesional del estudiante de arquitectura, asegurando que los conocimientos adquiridos en las clases teóricas sean aplicados tanto en el diseño de un proyecto, con diferentes sistemas constructivos de tierra, como en el contacto directo con los materiales de construcción y herramientas a través de las prácticas constructivas realizadas en el Taller de Construcción, desde las obras preliminares hasta los acabados de la edificación. Considerando los códigos, normas, reglamentos y estándares, nacionales al respecto. El curso contribuye directamente al desarrollo de las competencias de Técnica y Construcción (que corresponde a los criterios NAAB SC1, SC4, SC6) a un nivel 1. Se requiere como requisito el haber aprobado 57 créditos

Obras Preliminares - AR340 - 202102

Descripción: Obras Preliminares se constituye en un curso introductorio dentro de la estructura curricular del área de construcción, en el que se ejecutan los primeros pasos del proceso constructivo referido al manejo del terreno. Asimismo, se estudia y analiza las distintas técnicas constructivas empleando la tierra como material de construcción. Además, busca la comprensión integral de la obra -a través del estudio de las técnicas de acondicionamiento ambiental, adaptación al entorno y levantamiento de información topográfica-, para su 1aplicación en el proyecto arquitectónico. El curso induce al estudiante a experimentar los procedimientos constructivos en el Taller de Construcción contrastando con lo visto de manera teórica en clase; de esta manera se logra un aprendizaje significativo que le permite diseñar en función de las técnicas constructivas aprendidas. El estudiante usa la tierra como principal material de construcción, además de otros materiales complementarios, teniendo la oportunidad de construir un módulo con sus propias manos. Otra característica de la asignatura es su enfoque en temas de bienestar en el ambiente construido, conocimiento técnico e integración de sistemas. Propósito: El curso contribuye al perfil de desarrollo profesional del estudiante de arquitectura, asegurando que el conocimiento de los sistemas constructivos de tierra, adquirido en las clases teóricas, sea aplicado tanto en el diseño de un proyecto arquitectónico como en la ejecución práctica de los procedimientos constructivos realizados en el Taller de Construcción. La experiencia adquirida por los estudiantes abarca desde el análisis topográfico del terreno, las obras preliminares hasta los acabados de la edificación, considerando los códigos, normas, reglamentos y estándares, nacionales al respecto. El curso contribuye directamente al desarrollo de las competencias de Técnica y Construcción (que corresponde a los criterios NAAB SC1, SC4, SC6) a un nivel 1. Se requiere como requisito el haber aprobado 57 créditos