Unifying Time-to-Build Theory

Several contributions have recently reconsidered the role of the time to build assumption in explaining some relevant stylized facts. In this paper, the similarities and differences which may emerge when the time to build structure of capital is introduced in a continuous or discrete time framework are studied and enlightened. The most striking difference lies in the dimensionality of the two frameworks, which is always finite in discrete but infinite in continuous time. Then, the deterministic version of the traditional time to build model developed by Kydland and Prescott is presented, and it is shown how the typical time to build model setup in continuous time can be obtained. Moreover, the richest dynamics in continuous time is investigated and, more importantly, it is shown that the predictions in terms of capital, output, and consumption behavior are not signi¯cantly di®erent from its discrete version once the economy is calibrated properly

Angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition and renal outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background: In patients with heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and associated with a higher risk of renal events than in patients without CKD. We assessed the renal effects of angiotensin/neprilysin inhibition in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) enrolled in PARAGON-HF. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, event-driven trial, we assigned 4,822 patients with HFpEF to receive sacubitril/valsartan (n=2419) or valsartan (n=2403). Herein we present the results of the pre-specified renal composite outcome (time to first occurrence of either: ≥50% reduction in eGFR, end-stage renal disease, or death from renal causes), the individual components of this composite, and the influence of therapy on eGFR slope. Results: At randomization, eGFR was 63±19 ml/min/1.73m2. At study closure, the composite renal outcome occurred in 33 patients (1.4%) assigned to sacubitril/valsartan and 64 patients (2.7%) assigned to valsartan (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95%CI, 0.33 to 0.77; P=0.001). The treatment effect on the composite renal endpoint did not differ according to the baseline eGFR (<60 vs ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (P-interaction=0.92). The decline in eGFR was less for sacubitril/valsartan compared with valsartan (-1.8 [95%CI, -2.0 to -1.6] vs. -2.4 [95%CI, -2.6 to - 2.2] ml/min/1.73m2/year). Conclusions: In patients with HFpEF, sacubitril/valsartan reduced the risk of renal events, and slowed decline in eGFR, compared with valsartan

The GRAVITY+ Project: Towards All-sky, Faint-Science, High-Contrast Near-Infrared Interferometry at the VLTI

The GRAVITY instrument has been revolutionary for near-infrared interferometry by pushing sensitivity and precision to previously unknown limits. With the upgrade of GRAVITY and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in GRAVITY+, these limits will be pushed even further, with vastly improved sky coverage, as well as faint-science and high-contrast capabilities. This upgrade includes the implementation of wide-field off-axis fringe-tracking, new adaptive optics systems on all Unit Telescopes, and laser guide stars in an upgraded facility. GRAVITY+ will open up the sky to the measurement of black hole masses across cosmic time in hundreds of active galactic nuclei, use the faint stars in the Galactic centre to probe General Relativity, and enable the characterisation of dozens of young exoplanets to study their formation, bearing the promise of another scientific revolution to come at the VLTI.Comment: Published in the ESO Messenge

Preliminary Evaluation of Allograft from Decellularized Cadaveric Fascia Lata

El aloinjerto de fascia lata posee capacidad reconstructiva, pues permite la revascularización a partir de los vasos circundantes del lecho receptor e induce fenómenos de migración, multiplicación y adhesión de los componentes celulares del tejido de granulación presentando integración con el tejido receptor. Los injertos de fascia lata son utilizados en diversas especialidades médicas (traumatología y ortopedia, neurocirugía, oftalmología, uroginecología y en medicina estética) y aquellos disponibles se obtienen por diferentes procesos y se conservan por diferentes métodos de acuerdo al fabricante. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener, en el Banco de Tejidos del Laboratorio de Hemoderivados de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, un aloinjerto de fascia lata cadavérica humana descelularizada desecada (freeze dried) y evaluar la citotoxicidad, la microestructura y el contenido de colágeno. Los resultados mostraron que el método de obtención y procesamiento utilizado permitió obtener un aloinjerto con su estructura histológica conservada y sin evidencia de citotoxicidad. Asimismo, el contenido de colágeno no se vio afectado por el procesamiento.Fil: Lacerra, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Comin, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cid, Mariana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Schmets, Diego Mauro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Mathieu, Julio Cesar. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Lozano, Tristán. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Sobrero, Cecilia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Salvatierra, Nancy Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin

Human Amniotic Membrane Allograft: Comparison of two preservation methods in biocompatibility assays

Human amniotic membrane is widely used in regenerative medicine (ophthalmology, dermatology, reconstructive surgery, soft tissue augmentation, and dentistry) and tissue engineering. It is an immuno-compatible tissue that has immunomodulatory, antimicrobial and no mutagenic effects and is also a source of growth factors and cells with stem cell properties that combines adequate mechanical properties with a good capacity for cell adhesion for to the structural components of the extracellular matrix. Several methods are currently used to prepare, store, and sterilize human amniotic membrane allografts that may affect safety and biological properties. The aim of this work was to obtain, at Banco de Tejidos del Laboratorio de Hemoderivados, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, human amniotic membrane allografts preserved by two methods, cryopreservation and the combination of lyophilization and irradiation. Subsequently, biocompatibility was evaluated using the cytotoxicity, direct irritation and systemic toxicity tests recommended by ISO 10993:5, 10993:10 and 10993:11, respectively. The results showed that the processing method and the different methods of conservation of the amniotic membrane (cryopreserved and lyophilized and irradiated) were adequate. In the cytotoxicity test, both amniotic membranes, showed cell viability greater than 70% according to ISO 10993:5. In addition, no negative evidence was observed in the primary irritation score on the skin, nor there were changes in body temperature due to the systemic administration of the extracts at the different times tested. The allografts obtained and preserved both by cryopreservation and by the combination of lyophilization and irradiation reveal a good profile that makes their use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering very promising.La membrana amniótica humana es ampliamente utilizada en medicina regenerativa (oftalmología, dermatología, cirugía reparadora, aumento de tejidos blandos y odontología) e ingeniería tisular. Es un tejido inmunocompatible que presenta efectos inmunomoduladores, antimicrobianos y antimutagénicos y, además, es una fuente de factores de crecimiento y células con propiedades de células madre que combina adecuadas propiedades mecánicas con una buena capacidad de adhesión celular gracias a los componentes estructurales propios de la matriz extracelular. Actualmente se emplean varios métodos para preparar, preservar y esterilizar aloinjertos de membrana amniótica humana que pueden afectar la seguridad y propiedades biológicas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener, en el Banco de Tejidos del Laboratorio de Hemoderivados de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, aloinjertos de membrana amniótica humana preservados por dos métodos, la criopreservación y la combinación de liofilización e irradiación. Posteriormente, se evaluó la biocompatibilidad mediante los ensayos de citotoxicidad, irritación directa y toxicidad sistémica recomendados por la ISO 10993:5, 10993:10 y 10993:11, respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron que el método de procesamiento y los diferentes métodos de conservación de la membrana amniótica (criopreservada y liofilizada e irradiada) fueron adecuados. En el ensayo de citotoxicidad, tanto de la muestra criopreservada como la liofilizada e irradiada, la viabilidad celular fue superior al 70% según ISO 10993:5. Además, no se observó evidencia negativa en la puntación de irritación primaria sobre la piel, ni se evidenciaron cambios en la temperatura corporal debido a la administración sistémica de los extractos a los diferentes tiempos ensayados. Los aloinjertos obtenidos y conservados tanto por criopreservación como por la combinación de liofilización e irradiación revelan un buen perfil de biocompatibilidad que hace muy promisorio su uso en medicina regenerativa e ingeniería tisular.Fil: Lacerra, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Comin, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cid, Mariana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: López Lozano, Tristán. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Schmets, Diego Mauro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Ibarra Theiler, Raúl. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Máscolo, Geraldine. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Sobrero, Cecilia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Hemoderivados; ArgentinaFil: Salvatierra, Nancy Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaXXIII Congreso Argentino de Bioingeniería; XII Jornadas de Ingeniería ClínicaSan JuanArgentinaUniversidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de IngenieríaSociedad Argentina de Bioingenierí

Progress report on the ESO 4LGSF

The Four Laser Guide Star Facility (4LGSF) is part of the ESO Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF), in which one of the VLT unit telescopes, UT4, is transformed in an adaptive telescope - equipped with a deformable secondary mirror, two adaptive optics systems at the Nasmyth foci and four laser guide star modular units. In this poster we present the key results of the acceptance tests performed on the 4LGSF in Europe and first commissioning results obtained with the Laser Guide Star Unit #1 in stand-alone operation

Detection and Implications of Laser-Induced Raman Scattering at Astronomical Observatories

Laser guide stars employed at astronomical observatories provide artificial wavefront reference sources to help correct (in part) the impact of atmospheric turbulence on astrophysical observations. Following the recent commissioning of the 4 Laser Guide Star Facility (4LGSF) on Unit Telescope 4 (UT4) of the Very Large Telescope (VLT), we characterize the spectral signature of the uplink beams from the 22-W lasers to assess the impact of laser scattering from the 4LGSF on science observations. We use the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) optical integral field spectrograph mounted on the Nasmyth B focus of UT4 to acquire spectra at a resolution of R≅3000 of the uplink laser beams over the wavelength range of 4750 Å–9350 Å. We report the first detection of laser-induced Raman scattering by N_{2}, O_{2}, CO_{2}, H_{2}O, and (tentatively) CH_{4} molecules in the atmosphere above the astronomical observatory of Cerro Paranal. In particular, our observations reveal the characteristic spectral signature of laser photons—but 480 Å to 2210 Å redder than the original laser wavelength of 5889.959 Å—landing on the 8.2-m primary mirror of UT4 after being Raman-scattered on their way up to the sodium layer. Laser-induced Raman scattering, a phenomenon not usually discussed in the astronomical context, is not unique to the observatory of Cerro Paranal, but it is common to any astronomical telescope employing a laser guide star (LGS) system. It is thus essential for any optical spectrograph coupled to a LGS system to thoroughly handle the possibility of a Raman spectral contamination via a proper baffling of the instrument and suitable calibrations procedures. These considerations are particularly applicable for the HARMONI optical spectrograph on the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). At sites hosting multiple telescopes, laser-collision-prediction tools should also account for the presence of Raman emission from the uplink laser beam(s) to avoid the unintentional contamination of observations acquired with telescopes in the vicinity of a LGS system