Electronic Energy Relaxation in a Photoexcited Fully Fused Edge-Sharing Carbon Nanobelt

Carbon nanobelts are cylindrical molecules composed of fully fused edge-sharing arene rings. Because of their aesthetically appealing structures, they acquire unusual optoelectronic properties that are potentially suitable for a range of applications in nanoelectronics and photonics. Nevertheless, the very limited success of their synthesis has led to their photophysical properties remaining largely unknown. Compared to that of carbon nanorings (arenes linked by single bonds), the strong structural rigidity of nanobelts prevents significant deformations away from the original high-symmetry conformation and, therefore, impacts their photophysical properties. Herein, we study the photoinduced dynamics of a successfully synthesized belt segment of (6,6)CNT (carbon nanotube). Modeling this process with nonadiabatic excited state molecular dynamics simulations uncovers the critical role played by the changes in excited state wave function localization on the different types of carbon atoms. This allows a detailed description of the excited state dynamics and spatial exciton evolution throughout the nanobelt scaffold. Our results provide detailed information about the excited state electronic properties and internal conversion rates that is potentially useful for designing nanobelts for nanoelectronic and photonic applications.Fil: Freixas Lemus, Victor Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oldani, Andres Nicolas. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Franklin Mergarejo, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Tretiak, S.. Los Alamos National High Magnetic Field Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Fernández Alberti, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentin

Implementación del Método de Perfil de Gota para la Medición de la Tensión Interfacial en MATLAB®, utilizando un nuevo Sistema de Coordenadas de Referencia

In this work an algorithm was implemented tocalculate the surface tension from images ofpendant drops using a novel coordinate referencesystem. A code was written using the high levelprogramming language, Matlab®. Built in functionfrom Matlab® toolboxes were used. The algorithmshowed good performance in the image processingtasks and in the optimization of the drop size andform parameters. The algorithm accuracy will betested on a posterior stage using pendant drops ofsubstances of known properties.En este trabajo se implementó un algoritmo parael cálculo de la tensión superficial a partir deimágenes obtenidas con la técnica experimentalde la gota colgante aplicando un nuevo sistemade coordenadas de referencia. Se escribió uncódigo en el lenguaje de alto nivel MATLAB®utilizando las funciones incluidas en algunospaquetes de utilidades del programa. El algoritmomostró un buen desempeño, tanto en el manejode la imagen como en la optimización de losparámetros de tamaño y de forma de gota. Laprecisión del algoritmo se medirá en una etapaposterior utilizando fotografías de gotas colgantesde sustancias de propiedades conocida

Grasslands and Open Savannas of the Dry Chaco

The Dry Chaco is mostly known as a forested ecosystem. However it includes natural grasslands, savannas, scrublands, and wetlands. With one of the highest global deforestation rates in the last two decades and only 12% of the area protected, the concern about land-use change in this ecoregion has raised exponentially; but conservation initiatives developed in last years almost exclusively targeted forests whereas natural grasslands and savannas remain as neglected ecosystem within scientific and governmental agendas. While currently the distribution of natural grassland and savanna area encompasses over 20,000 km2, historical records and spatial models indicate that natural grassland and savannas were more widespread in pre-European era. Two main reasons drove this reduction in natural grasslands and savannas: woody encroachment by fire suppression and overgrazing, and conversion to agriculture and implanted pastures. In this article, through a combination of analyzes and bibliographic revisions, we describe biotic and abiotic components of natural grassland and savannas of the Dry Chaco. We also present the current distribution and conservation status of these ecosystems, and describe the process of change and the ecological consequences for biogeochemical cycles and biologic interactions. To provide basis for management, we estimate current grazing stocking rates on natural grasslands and savannas of Argentine Dry Chaco and we propose an alternative approach to sustainably intensify the use of these ecosystems and improve cattle rancher livelihoods. Despite the existent knowledge about natural grasslands and savannas in the region, we believe that is necessary to motivate the scientific community and national institutions to increase efforts to reconcile the restoration and conservation of these particular rangelands.Fil: Fernández, Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Baumann, Mathias. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Baldi, Germán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; ArgentinaFil: Banegas, Natalia Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Bravo, Sandra. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Instituto de Silvicultura y Manejo de Bosques; ArgentinaFil: Gasparri, Nestor Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Lucherini, Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Marinaro Fuentes, María Sofía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Nanni, Ana Sofía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Nasca, Jose Andres. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Tessi, Torcuato. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi; ArgentinaFil: Grau, Hector Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentin

Genome of Rhodnius prolixus, an insect vector of Chagas disease, reveals unique adaptations to hematophagy and parasite infection

Rhodnius prolixus not only has served as a model organism for the study of insect physiology, but also is a major vector of Chagas disease, an illness that affects approximately seven million people worldwide. We sequenced the genome of R. prolixus, generated assembled sequences covering 95% of the genome (?702 Mb), including 15,456 putative protein-coding genes, and completed comprehensive genomic analyses of this obligate blood-feeding insect. Although immunedeficiency (IMD)-mediated immune responses were observed, R. prolixus putatively lacks key components of the IMD pathway, suggesting a reorganization of the canonical immune signaling network. Although both Toll and IMD effectors controlled intestinal microbiota, neither affected Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas disease, implying the existence of evasion or tolerance mechanisms. R. prolixus has experienced an extensive loss of selenoprotein genes, with its repertoire reduced to only two proteins, one of which is a selenocysteine-based glutathione peroxidase, the first found in insects. The genome contained actively transcribed, horizontally transferred genes from Wolbachia sp., which showed evidence of codon use evolution toward the insect use pattern. Comparative protein analyses revealed many lineage-specific expansions and putative gene absences in R. prolixus, including tandem expansions of genes related to chemoreception, feeding, and digestion that possibly contributed to the evolution of a blood-feeding lifestyle. The genome assembly and these associated analyses provide critical information on the physiology and evolution of this important vector species and should be instrumental for the development of innovative disease control methods.Fil: Calderón Fernández, Gustavo Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; ArgentinaFil: Esponda Behrens, Natalia Irene. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Juarez, Marta Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; ArgentinaFil: Latorre Estivalis, Jose Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; Brasil. Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia en Entomología Molecular; BrasilFil: Lavore, Andres Esteban. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Lazzari, Claudio Ricardo. Université François Rabelais; Francia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lorenzo, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; Brasil. Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia en Entomología Molecular; BrasilFil: Ons, Sheila. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pagola, Lucia Elena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pascual, Agustina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pedrini, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata "Prof. Dr. Rodolfo R. Brenner"; ArgentinaFil: Sterkel, Marcos. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Monitor de profundidad anestésica

El estado anestésico de un paciente no se puede evaluar directamente. Tradicionalmente se evalúan variables hemodinámicas. Estos parámetros reflejan de manera no objetiva, indirecta y tardía el estado del sistema nervioso central (SNC), pero su indicación numérica resulta útil para la toma de decisiones en el ámbito quirúrgico. Por otro lado la incidencia del fármaco sobre el SNC puede verse en un electroencefalograma, pero la técnica y dinámica de este estudio no se corresponde con la dinámica necesaria para el monitoreo de la profundidad de anestesia. El objetivo principal es obtener un método de monitoreo de profundidad anestésica, definir sus características técnicas y tecnológicas, establecer una valoración de los riesgos asociados, determinar el grado de factibilidad para lograr su fabricación en nuestro país cumpliendo con el marco regulatorio actual, y de tener éxito en todas las etapas desarrollar un prototipo con miras a su transferencia a la aplicación industrial. Los resultados alcanzados durante el primer año del proyecto son avances parciales o totales sobre las tareas que corresponden a la definición del funcionamiento esperado, el funcionamiento esencial y el planteo del análisis de riesgo, la técnica de aplicación en el quirófano, las necesidades ergonómicas del paciente y del profesional usuario.Eje: Procesamiento de Señales y Sistemas de Tiempo Real.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Two groups of red giants with distinct chemical abundances in the bulge globular cluster NGC 6553 through the eyes of APOGEE

Multiple populations revealed in globular clusters (GCs) are important windows to the formation and evolution of these stellar systems. The metal-rich GCs in the Galactic bulge are an indispensable part of this picture, but the high optical extinction in this region has prevented extensive research. In this work, we use the high-resolution near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic data from Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) to study the chemical abundances of NGC 6553, which is one of the most metal-rich bulge GCs. We identify 10 red giants as cluster members using their positions, radial velocities, iron abundances, and NIR photometry. Our sample stars show a mean radial velocity of −0.14 ± 5.47 km s−1, and a mean [Fe/H] of −0.15 ± 0.05. We clearly separate two populations of stars in C and N in this GC for the first time. NGC 6553 is the most metal-rich GC where the multiple stellar population phenomenon is found until now. Substantial chemical variations are also found in Na, O, and Al. However, the two populations show similar Si, Ca, and iron-peak element abundances. Therefore, we infer that the CNO, NeNa, and MgAl cycles have been activated, but the MgAl cycle is too weak to show its effect on Mg. Type Ia and Type II supernovae do not seem to have significantly polluted the second generation stars. Comparing with other GC studies, NGC 6553 shows similar chemical variations as other relatively metal-rich GCs. We also confront current GC formation theories with our results, and suggest possible avenues for improvement in the models

Stops during the six-minute walk test and their correlation with new measurements of the test in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease

Marco teórico: se ha reportado que la presencia de paradas involuntarias durante la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos se asocia con un incremento en la mortalidad en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Sin embargo, la relación de las paradas con otras determinaciones de la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos como velocidad, trabajo, el producto distancia-saturación y la desaturación inducida por el ejercicio, aún no se ha establecido. Objetivos: determinar la correlación de las paradas involuntarias con variables clínicas recolectadas de forma rutinaria en la PC6M, así como con las nuevas determinaciones derivadas de la prueba, en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo, en el que se revisaron los reportes de pruebas de caminata de 6 minutos de 129 sujetos con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Las determinaciones derivadas de la prueba fueron comparadas entre los pacientes que presentaron paradas y quienes no; se realizaron correlaciones entre ellas y se identificaron los predictores de paradas por medio de análisis de regresión logística. Resultados: 30 pacientes tuvieron paradas involuntarias durante la prueba; en este grupo se observó al final que los puntajes de disnea y fatiga, así como la frecuencia cardiaca, la frecuencia respiratoria y la tensión arterial sistólica final fueron significativamente mayores que en el grupo que no tuvo paradas, mientras que la saturación arterial de oxigeno fue significativamente menor (p<0,001); las nuevas variables derivadas: distancia, velocidad, trabajo y el producto distancia-saturación fueron menores (p<0,001) en los sujetos que pararon, encontrando una buena correlación con ellas. En el análisis de regresión, las variables que permanecieron significativas para la presencia de paradas fueron: saturación final, distancia recorrida, velocidad, trabajo, DDR y producto distancia-saturación. Conclusiones: en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica estable que realizan una prueba de caminata de 6 minutos, la presencia de paradas se asocia con menor distancia caminada, trabajo, DSP y saturación al final de la prueba. El cálculo de estas nuevas variables, así como el registro de paradas durante la PC6M podría refinar la capacidad pronóstica de la prueba en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.Artículo Original170-179Theoretical frame: it has been reported that involuntary stops during the six-minute walk test are associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the relationship between the stops and other determinations of the six-minute walk test, such as speed, work, the distance-saturation product, and exercise-induced desaturation, has not yet been established. Objectives: to determine the correlation between involuntary stops and clinical variables gathered routinely in the six-minute walk test, as well as the new determinations derived from the test, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Materials and methods: an observational, analytic, retrospective study was carried out, in which the reports of six-minute walk tests from 129 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were reviewed. The determinations derived from the test were compared between the patients who had stops and those who hadn’t; correlations between them were made, and predictors of stops were identified by logistic regression anaylysis. Results: 30 patients had involuntary stops during the test; in this group, it was observed in the end that scores of dyspnea and fatigue, as well as heart rate, respiratory rate, and final systolic arterial blood pressure were significantly higher than those found in the group that did not have stops, while arterial blood oxygen saturation was significantly lower (p<0,001); the new variables derived: distance, speed, work, and the distance-saturation produc were lower (p<0,001) in the subjects who stopped; a good correlation with them was found. On regression analysis, the variables that remained significant for the presence of stops were: final saturation, distance walked, speed, work, DDR, and distance-saturation product. Conclusions: in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo the six-minute walk test, stops are asso- ciated with less distance walked, work, DSP, and saturation at the end of the test. Calculation of these new variables, together with registration of stops during the six-minute walk test, might refine the prognostic capability of the test in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The Fourteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey and from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment

The fourth generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) has been in operation since July 2014. This paper describes the second data release from this phase, and the fourteenth from SDSS overall (making this, Data Release Fourteen or DR14). This release makes public data taken by SDSS-IV in its first two years of operation (July 2014-2016). Like all previous SDSS releases, DR14 is cumulative, including the most recent reductions and calibrations of all data taken by SDSS since the first phase began operations in 2000. New in DR14 is the first public release of data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS); the first data from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory (APO) Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2), including stellar parameter estimates from an innovative data driven machine learning algorithm known as "The Cannon"; and almost twice as many data cubes from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) survey as were in the previous release (N = 2812 in total). This paper describes the location and format of the publicly available data from SDSS-IV surveys. We provide references to the important technical papers describing how these data have been taken (both targeting and observation details) and processed for scientific use. The SDSS website (www.sdss.org) has been updated for this release, and provides links to data downloads, as well as tutorials and examples of data use. SDSS-IV is planning to continue to collect astronomical data until 2020, and will be followed by SDSS-V.Comment: SDSS-IV collaboration alphabetical author data release paper. DR14 happened on 31st July 2017. 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by ApJS on 28th Nov 2017 (this is the "post-print" and "post-proofs" version; minor corrections only from v1, and most of errors found in proofs corrected

Spanish cohort of VEXAS syndrome : clinical manifestations, outcome of treatments and novel evidences about UBA1 mosaicism

The vacuoles, E1-enzyme, X linked, autoinflammatory and somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease (AID) due to postzygotic UBA1 variants. To investigate the presence of VEXAS syndrome among patients with adult-onset undiagnosed AID. Additional studies evaluated the mosaicism distribution and the circulating cytokines. Gene analyses were performed by both Sanger and amplicon-based deep sequencing. Patients' data were collected from their medical charts. Cytokines were quantified by Luminex. Genetic analyses of enrolled patients (n=42) identified 30 patients carrying UBA1 pathogenic variants, with frequencies compatible for postzygotic variants. All patients were male individuals who presented with a late-onset disease (mean 67.5 years; median 67.0 years) characterised by cutaneous lesions (90%), fever (66.7%), pulmonary manifestations (66.7%) and arthritis (53.3%). Macrocytic anaemia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ferritin were the most relevant analytical abnormalities. Glucocorticoids ameliorated the inflammatory manifestations, but most patients became glucocorticoid-dependent. Positive responses were obtained when targeting the haematopoietic component of the disease with either decitabine or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additional analyses detected the UBA1 variants in both haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic tissues. Finally, analysis of circulating cytokines did not identify inflammatory mediators of the disease. Thirty patients with adult-onset AID were definitively diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome through genetic analyses. Despite minor interindividual differences, their main characteristics were in concordance with previous reports. We detected for the first time the UBA1 mosaicism in non-haematopoietic tissue, which questions the previous concept of myeloid-restricted mosaicism and may have conceptual consequences for the disease mechanisms

Elevated circulating levels of succinate in human obesity are linked to specific gut microbiota

Gut microbiota-related metabolites are potential clinical biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Circulating succinate, a metabolite produced by both microbiota and the host, is increased in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to analyze systemic levels of succinate in obesity, a major risk factor for CVD, and its relationship with gut microbiome. We explored the association of circulating succinate with specific metagenomic signatures in cross-sectional and prospective cohorts of Caucasian Spanish subjects. Obesity was associated with elevated levels of circulating succinate concomitant with impaired glucose metabolism. This increase was associated with specific changes in gut microbiota related to succinate metabolism: a higher relative abundance of succinate-producing Prevotellaceae (P) and Veillonellaceae (V), and a lower relative abundance of succinate-consuming Odoribacteraceae (O) and Clostridaceae (C) in obese individuals, with the (P + V/O + C) ratio being a main determinant of plasma succinate. Weight loss intervention decreased (P + V/O + C) ratio coincident with the reduction in circulating succinate. In the spontaneous evolution after good dietary advice, alterations in circulating succinate levels were linked to specific metagenomic signatures associated with carbohydrate metabolism and energy production with independence of body weight change. Our data support the importance of microbe-microbe interactions for the metabolite signature of gut microbiome and uncover succinate as a potential microbiota-derived metabolite related to CVD risk