Absolute calibration and beam reconstruction of MITO (a ground-based instrument in the millimetric region)

An efficient sky data reconstruction derives from a precise characterization of the observing instrument. Here we describe the reconstruction of performances of a single-pixel 4-band photometer installed at MITO (Millimeter and Infrared Testagrigia Observatory) focal plane. The strategy of differential sky observations at millimeter wavelengths, by scanning the field of view at constant elevation wobbling the subreflector, induces a good knowledge of beam profile and beam-throw amplitude, allowing efficient data recovery. The problems that arise estimating the detectors throughput by drift scanning on planets are shown. Atmospheric transmission, monitored by skydip technique, is considered for deriving final responsivities for the 4 channels using planets as primary calibrators.Comment: 14 pages, 6 fiugres, accepted for pubblication by New Astronomy (25 March

MITO measurements of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect in the Coma cluster of galaxies

We have measured the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect towards the Coma cluster (A1656) with the MITO experiment, a 2.6-m telescope equipped with a 4-channel 17 arcminute (FWHM) photometer. Measurements at frequency bands 143+/-15, 214+/-15, 272+/-16 and 353+/-13 GHz, were made during 120 drift scans of Coma. We describe the observations and data analysis that involved extraction of the S-Z signal by employing a spatial and spectral de-correlation scheme to remove a dominant atmospheric component. The deduced values of the thermal S-Z effect in the first three bands are DT_{0} = -179+/-38,-33+/-81,170+/-35 microKelvin in the cluster center. The corresponding optical depth, tau=(4.1+/-0.9) 10^{-3}, is consistent (within errors) with both the value from a previous low frequency S-Z measurement, and the value predicted from the X-ray deduced gas parameters.Comment: Ap.J.Letters accepted, 4 pages, 2 figure

Calibration and First light of the Diabolo photometer at the Millimetre and Infrared Testa Grigia Observatory

We have designed and built a large-throughput dual channel photometer, Diabolo. This photometer is dedicated to the observation of millimetre continuum diffuse sources, and in particular, of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect and of anisotropies of the 3K background. We describe the optical layout and filtering system of the instrument, which uses two bolometric detectors for simultaneous observations in two frequency channels at 1.2 and 2.1 mm. The bolometers are cooled to a working temperature of 0.1 K provided by a compact dilution cryostat. The photometric and angular responses of the instrument are measured in the laboratory. First astronomical light was detected in March 1995 at the focus of the new Millimetre and Infrared Testa Grigia Observatory (MITO) Telescope. The established sensitivity of the system is of 7 mK_RJ s^1/2$. For a typical map of at least 10 beams, with one hour of integration per beam, one can achieve the rms values of y_SZ ~ 7 10^-5 and the 3K background anisotropy Delta T/T ~ 7 10^-5, in winter conditions. We also report on a novel bolometer AC readout circuit which allows for the first time total power measurements on the sky. This technique alleviates (but does not forbid) the use of chopping with a secondary mirror. This technique and the dilution fridge concept will be used in future scan--modulated space instrument like the ESA Planck mission project.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Serie

Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

Calls for humanity to ‘reconnect to nature’ have grown increasingly louder from both scholars and civil society. Yet, there is relatively little coherence about what reconnecting to nature means, why it should happen and how it can be achieved. We present a conceptual framework to organise existing literature and direct future research on human–nature connections. Five types of connections to nature are identified: material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, and philosophical. These various types have been presented as causes, consequences, or treatments of social and environmental problems. From this conceptual base, we discuss how reconnecting people with nature can function as a treatment for the global environmental crisis. Adopting a social–ecological systems perspective, we draw upon the emerging concept of ‘leverage points’—places in complex systems to intervene to generate change—and explore examples of how actions to reconnect people with nature can help transform society towards sustainability

Assessing attacks and treatment response rates among adult patients with NMOSD and MOGAD: data from a nationwide registry in Argentina

We aimed to examine treatment interventions implemented in patients experiencing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) attacks (frequency, types, and response). METHODS: Retrospective study. Data on patient demographic, clinical and radiological findings, and administered treatments were collected. Remission status (complete [CR], partial [PR], no remission [NR]), based on changes in the EDSS score was evaluated before treatment, during attack, and at 6 months. CR was analyzed with a generalized estimating equations (GEEs) model. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients (120 NMOSD and 11 myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody-associated diseases [MOGAD]), experiencing 262 NMOSD-related attacks and receiving 270 treatments were included. High-dose steroids (81.4%) was the most frequent treatment followed by plasmapheresis (15.5%). CR from attacks was observed in 47% (105/223) of all treated patients. During the first attack, we observed CR:71.2%, PR:16.3% and NR:12.5% after the first course of treatment. For second, third, fourth, and fifth attacks, CR was observed in 31.1%, 10.7%, 27.3%, and 33.3%, respectively. Remission rates were higher for optic neuritis vs. myelitis (p < 0.001). Predictor of CR in multivariate GEE analysis was age in both NMOSD (OR = 2.27, p = 0.002) and MOGAD (OR = 1.53, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests individualization of treatment according to age and attack manifestation. The outcome of attacks was generally poor

Mortality of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in an Argentinean population: a study from the RelevarEM registry

We aimed to evaluate mortality and causes of death among Argentinean neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and identify predictors of death. Retrospective study included 158 NMOSD patients and 11 (7%) patients died after 11 years of follow-up for a total exposure time of 53,345 days with an overall incidence density of 2.06 × 10.000 patients/day (95% CI 1.75-2.68). Extensive cervical myelitis with respiratory failure (45%) was the most frequent cause of death. Older age (HR = 2.05, p = 0.002) and higher disability score (HR = 2.30, p < 0.001) at disease onset were independent predictors of death. We found an 11-year mortality rate of 7% in Argentinean NMOSD patients

Importancia de las interferencias oclusales en la disfunción temporomandibular

En el presente trabajo se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal y observacional en 73 casos de pacientes con disfunción temporomandibular en las clínicas de la FOLP UNLP. El examen clínico, oclusal estático y dinámico, se realizó con la finalidad de ampliar los conocimientos sobre la presencia de disfunción temporomandibular en pacientes portadores de maloclusiones dentarias. El estudio descriptivo transversal se realizo para determinar la presencia de interferencias oclusales durante los movimientos mandibulares en pacientes que manifestaron tener dolor en la articulación temporomandibular, siendo este el principal síntoma de las patologías en la ATM. De un total de 73 pacientes, el 89 % de ellos presentaron interferencias oclusales. De estos, las ubicadas en el grupo molar, tanto para los movimientos protrusivos, como de lateralidad fueron los de mayor porcentaje. Se llega la conclusión que las interferencias oclusales, localizadas fundamentalmente en el sector molar durante los distintos movimientos mandibulares, son consideradas importantes, ya que pueden traer grandes dificultades para el sistema, destruyendo el equilibrio del mismo, pudiendo causar disfunción temporomandibular.In the present work, a transversal and observational descriptive study was carried out in 73 cases of patients with temporomandibular dysfunction in the FOLP UNLP clinics. The clinical examination, static and dynamic occlusal, was carried out in order to expand knowledge about the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction in patients with dental malocclusions. The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the presence of occlusal interferences during mandibular movements in patients who reported having pain in the temporomandibular joint, this being the main symptom of the pathologies in the TMJ. Of a total of 73 patients, 89% of them presented occlusal interferences. Of these, those located in the molar group, both for protrusive movements and for laterality were those with the highest percentage. The conclusion is reached that the occlusal interferences, located mainly in the molar sector during the different mandibular movements, are considered important, since they can bring great difficulties for the system, destroying the equilibrium thereof, and can cause temporomandibular dysfunction.Facultad de Odontologí

Adhesions and Adhesions Disc and its relationship with the supra and infradiscal articular spaces

En el presente trabajo se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, transversal y observacional en 50 pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno temporomandibular (TTM) atendidos en el Curso de Posgrado en Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Patologías de la Articulación Temporomandibular, dictado en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se le realizó a cada paciente, junto con la inspección correspondiente, una historia clínica completa especialmente diseñada para el diagnóstico de TTMs, complementado con el estudio de Imagen de Resonancia Magnética (IRM). Se consideró a la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) de cada lado como 1 U.E (Unidad Experimental), obteniendo de este modo 100 U. E. en total. El propósito de este trabajo fue obtener una estadística inicial de la frecuencia de aparición de Adhesiones y/o Adherencias Discales en pacientes diagnosticados con TTM, la cual nos permite realizar una evaluación comparativa primaria con la información estudiada en la bibliografía y publicaciones consultadas, describiendo los aspectos imagenológicos relativos a las adherencias, aportando casuística a un tema poco documentado hasta la actualidad. De un total de 100 U.E., se diagnosticaron solo 2 (dos) casos de Adherencias Discales, en ambos fueron pacientes masculinos y la fijación discal afectó tanto la articulación del lado derecho como la articulación del lado izquierdo simultáneamente, siendo por lo tanto de presentación bilateral.In the present work, a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out in 50 patients with a diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) attended in the Postgraduate Course in Diagnosis and Treatment of Pathologies of the Temporomandibular Joint, taught at the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of La Plata. Each patient, along with the corresponding inspection, had a complete medical history specially designed for the diagnosis of TMDs, complemented with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study. The temporomandibular joint (ATM) on each side was considered as 1 U.E (Experimental Unit), thus obtaining 100 U. E. in total. The purpose of this work was to obtain an initial statistic of the frequency of occurrence of Adhesions and / or Disc Adhesions in patients diagnosed with TMD, which allows us to perform a primary comparative evaluation with the information studied in the literature and publications consulted, describing the Imaging aspects related to adhesions, contributing casuistically to a topic that has not been documented until today. From a total of 100 EU, only 2 (two) cases of Disc Adhesions were diagnosed, in both they were male patients and the disc fixation affected both the right side joint and the left side joint simultaneously, therefore being bilateral presentation.Facultad de Odontologí

Adhesions and Adhesions Disc and its relationship with the supra and infradiscal articular spaces

En el presente trabajo se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, transversal y observacional en 50 pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno temporomandibular (TTM) atendidos en el Curso de Posgrado en Diagnóstico y Tratamiento de Patologías de la Articulación Temporomandibular, dictado en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Se le realizó a cada paciente, junto con la inspección correspondiente, una historia clínica completa especialmente diseñada para el diagnóstico de TTMs, complementado con el estudio de Imagen de Resonancia Magnética (IRM). Se consideró a la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) de cada lado como 1 U.E (Unidad Experimental), obteniendo de este modo 100 U. E. en total. El propósito de este trabajo fue obtener una estadística inicial de la frecuencia de aparición de Adhesiones y/o Adherencias Discales en pacientes diagnosticados con TTM, la cual nos permite realizar una evaluación comparativa primaria con la información estudiada en la bibliografía y publicaciones consultadas, describiendo los aspectos imagenológicos relativos a las adherencias, aportando casuística a un tema poco documentado hasta la actualidad. De un total de 100 U.E., se diagnosticaron solo 2 (dos) casos de Adherencias Discales, en ambos fueron pacientes masculinos y la fijación discal afectó tanto la articulación del lado derecho como la articulación del lado izquierdo simultáneamente, siendo por lo tanto de presentación bilateral.In the present work, a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study was carried out in 50 patients with a diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) attended in the Postgraduate Course in Diagnosis and Treatment of Pathologies of the Temporomandibular Joint, taught at the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of La Plata. Each patient, along with the corresponding inspection, had a complete medical history specially designed for the diagnosis of TMDs, complemented with the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) study. The temporomandibular joint (ATM) on each side was considered as 1 U.E (Experimental Unit), thus obtaining 100 U. E. in total. The purpose of this work was to obtain an initial statistic of the frequency of occurrence of Adhesions and / or Disc Adhesions in patients diagnosed with TMD, which allows us to perform a primary comparative evaluation with the information studied in the literature and publications consulted, describing the Imaging aspects related to adhesions, contributing casuistically to a topic that has not been documented until today. From a total of 100 EU, only 2 (two) cases of Disc Adhesions were diagnosed, in both they were male patients and the disc fixation affected both the right side joint and the left side joint simultaneously, therefore being bilateral presentation.Facultad de Odontologí