Numerical simulations challenged on the prediction of massive subhalo abundance in galaxy clusters: the case of Abell 2142

In this Letter we compare the abundance of member galaxies of a rich, nearby ($z=0.09$) galaxy cluster, Abell 2142, with that of halos of comparable virial mass extracted from sets of state-of-the-art numerical simulations, both collisionless at different resolutions and with the inclusion of baryonic physics in the form of cooling, star formation, and feedback by active galactic nuclei. We also use two semi-analytical models to account for the presence of orphan galaxies. The photometric and spectroscopic information, taken from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 12 (SDSS DR12) database, allows us to estimate the stellar velocity dispersion of member galaxies of Abell 2142. This quantity is used as proxy for the total mass of secure cluster members and is properly compared with that of subhalos in simulations. We find that simulated halos have a statistically significant ($\gtrsim 7$ sigma confidence level) smaller amount of massive (circular velocity above $200\,{\rm km\, s^{-1}}$) subhalos, even before accounting for the possible incompleteness of observations. These results corroborate the findings from a recent strong lensing study of the Hubble Frontier Fields galaxy cluster MACS J0416 \citep{grillo2015} and suggest that the observed difference is already present at the level of dark matter (DM) subhalos and is not solved by introducing baryonic physics. A deeper understanding of this discrepancy between observations and simulations will provide valuable insights into the impact of the physical properties of DM particles and the effect of baryons on the formation and evolution of cosmological structures.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures. Modified to match the version published in ApJ

GAIA: Composition, Formation and Evolution of the Galaxy

The GAIA astrometric mission has recently been approved as one of the next two `cornerstones' of ESA's science programme, with a launch date target of not later than mid-2012. GAIA will provide positional and radial velocity measurements with the accuracies needed to produce a stereoscopic and kinematic census of about one billion stars throughout our Galaxy (and into the Local Group), amounting to about 1 per cent of the Galactic stellar population. GAIA's main scientific goal is to clarify the origin and history of our Galaxy, from a quantitative census of the stellar populations. It will advance questions such as when the stars in our Galaxy formed, when and how it was assembled, and its distribution of dark matter. The survey aims for completeness to V=20 mag, with accuracies of about 10 microarcsec at 15 mag. Combined with astrophysical information for each star, provided by on-board multi-colour photometry and (limited) spectroscopy, these data will have the precision necessary to quantify the early formation, and subsequent dynamical, chemical and star formation evolution of our Galaxy. Additional products include detection and orbital classification of tens of thousands of extra-Solar planetary systems, and a comprehensive survey of some 10^5-10^6 minor bodies in our Solar System, through galaxies in the nearby Universe, to some 500,000 distant quasars. It will provide a number of stringent new tests of general relativity and cosmology. The complete satellite system was evaluated as part of a detailed technology study, including a detailed payload design, corresponding accuracy assesments, and results from a prototype data reduction development.Comment: Accepted by A&A: 25 pages, 8 figure

The unusual Nova Cygni 2006 (V2362 Cyg)

Context: Optical nova lightcurves often have structures, such as rapid declines and recoveries, due to nebular or dusty phases of the ejecta. Nova Cygni 2006 (V2362 Cyg) underwent an unusual brightening after an early rapid decline. The shape of the lightcurve can be compared to that of V1493 Aql, but the whole event in that case was not as bright and only lasted a couple of weeks. V2362 Cyg had a moderately fast decline of t_2 = 9.0 before rebrightening, which lasted 250 days after maximum. Aims: We present an analysis of our own spectroscopic investigations in combination with AAVSO photometric data covering the whole rebrightening phase until the return to the final decline. Methods: We used the medium resolution spectroscopy obtained in ten nights over a period of 79 nights to investigate the change of the velocity structure of the ejecta. The publicly available AAVSO photometry was used to analyze the overall properties and the energy of the brightening. Results: Although the behavior of the main outburst (velocity, outburst magnitude, and decline timescales) resembles a ``normal'' classical nova, the shell clearly underwent a second fast mass ejecting phase, causing the unusual properties. The integrated flux during this event contributes ~ 40 % to the total radiation energy of the outburst. The evolution of the H_alpha profile during the bump event is obtained by subtracting the emission of the detached shells of the main eruption by a simple optically thin model. A distance of D ~ 7.5 {+3.0}{-2.5} kpc and an interstellar extinction E(B-V) = 0.6 +/- 0.1 was also derived.Comment: 4 pages, 4 Postscript figures, accepted for A&A Letter

Efeito do contato com o cachaço e do acesso a piquete na indução do estro em leitoas pré-púberes.

bitstream/item/58774/1/CUsersPiazzonDocuments158.pd

Associações genômicas para perímetro escrotal ao desmame em bovinos da raça Canchim.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a associação entre polimorfismos de base única (SNP) com os valores genéticos do perímetro escrotal mensurado ao desmame (PED) em bovinos de corte de raça sintética. Neste estudo foram utilizados 285 animais da raça Canchim e 114 animais do grupo genético MA (utilizados na formação da raça Canchim), genotipados com o painel de alta densidade (786.799 SNPs). Após o controle de qualidade de informações (genótipos e fenótipos) restaram 672.778 SNPs e 392 animais. Foram observadas associações para PED nos cromossomos 20 e 28. Após a correção para múltiplos testes (?false discovery rate?) ao nível de 10%, 12 SNPs foram significativamente associados, ao longo do cromossomo, com PED. Novos e promissores genes associados com características reprodutivas foram identificados, como os genes SRD5A1 (steroid-5- alpha-reductase, alpha polypeptide 1), NSUN2 (NOP2/Sun domain family, member 2) e LOC100297493 (Odorant-binding protein-like). Estes genes podem ser destacados, pois os dois primeiros parecem atuar no crescimento corporal; desenvolvimento do sistema reprodutivo de machos devido à produção de hormônios andrógenos e espermatogênese; enquanto que o último atua no sistema olfativo. As regiões polimórficas identificadas apresentaram funções moleculares e processos biológicos que podem estar envolvidas na manutenção do organismo e no desempenho reprodutivo de machos. Genes associados à processos hormonais poderiam ser utilizados como genes candidatos para a melhoria do desempenho reprodutivo na raça Canchim. No entanto, é necessária a validação destes resultados em outra população de bovinos Canchim para confirmação das associações genômica

Estudo de associações genômicas para idade ao primeiro e segundo parto em bovinos da raça Canchim.

Recentemente, programas de melhoramento genético de bovinos de corte têm dado maior ênfase para características reprodutivas de fêmeas devido à sua importância econômica para o sistema de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a associação entre polimorfismos de base única (SNP) com os valores genéticos das características idade ao primeiro (IPP) e segundo (ISP) parto em bovinos de corte de raça sintética. Neste estudo foram utilizados 285 animais da raça Canchim e 114 animais do grupo genético MA (utilizados na formação da raça Canchim), genotipados com o painel de alta densidade (786.799 SNPs). Após o controle de qualidade de informações (genótipos e fenótipos) restaram 672.778 SNPs e 392 animais. Foram observadas associações para IPP nos cromossomos 4 e 27, e para ISP nos cromossomos 10, 11 e 15. Após a correção para múltiplos testes (?false discovery rate?) ao nível de 10%, seis e quatro SNPs foram significativamente associados, ao longo do cromossomo, com IPP e ISP. Novos e promissores genes associados com características reprodutivas foram identificados, como os genes SLC8A1 e UBQLN3. Com base nas análises de associação entre SNPs e as características estudadas, verificou-se que os SNPs observados como significativos poderiam ser utilizados na seleção genômica da raça Canchim. As regiões polimórficas identificadas apresentaram funções moleculares e processos biológicos que podem estar envolvidos na manutenção do organismo e no desempenho reprodutivo. Os genes associados à IPP e ISP poderiam ser utilizados como genes candidatos para a melhoria do desempenho de fêmeas e, indiretamente, de machos. A validação destes resultados em outra população de bovinos Canchim deve ser conduzida futuramente para confirmação das associações genômicas

Discovery of a Luminous Quasar in the Nearby Universe

In the course of the Pico dos Dias survey (PDS), we identified the stellar like object PDS456 at coordinates alpha = 17h 28m 19.796s, delta = -14deg 15' 55.87'' (epoch 2000), with a relatively nearby (z = 0.184) and bright (B = 14.69) quasar. Its position at Galactic coordinates l_II = 10.4deg, b_II = +11.2deg, near the bulge of the Galaxy, may explain why it was not detected before. The optical spectrum of PDS456 is typical of a luminous quasar, showing a broad (FWHM ~ 4000 km/s) H_\beta line, very intense FeII lines and a weak [OIII]\lambda5007 line. PDS456 is associated to the infrared source IRAS 17254-1413 with a 60 \mum infrared luminosity L_{60} = 3.8 x 10^{45} erg/s. The relatively flat slopes in the infrared (\alpha(25,60) = -0.33 and \alpha(12,25) = -0.78) and a flat power index in the optical (F_{\nu} \propto \nu^{-0.72}) may indicate a low dust content. A good match between the position of PDS456 and the position of the X-ray source RXS J172819.3-141600 implies an X-ray luminosity L_x = 2.8 x 10^{44} erg/s. The good correlation between the strength of the emission lines in the optical and the X-ray luminosity, as well as the steep optical to X-ray index estimated (\alpha_{ox} = -1.64) suggest that PDS456 is radio quiet. A radio survey previously performed in this region yields an upper limit for radio power at ~ 5 GHz of ~ 2.6 x 10^{30} erg/s/Hz. We estimate the Galactic reddening in this line-of-sight to be A_B \simeq 2.0, implying an absolute magnitude M_B = -26.7 (using H_0 = 75 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} and q_0 = 0). In the optical, PDS456 is therefore 1.3 times more luminous than 3C 273 and the most luminous quasar in the nearby (z \leq 0.3) Universe.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX (aasms4.sty) + 3 figures; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letter

A newly identified Luminous Blue Variable in the galactic starburst cluster Westerlund 1

We present observations of the massive transitional star W243 in Westerlund 1 . We find an apparent spectral type of early-mid A from our data, in contrast to an earlier classification of B2I, made from data obtained in 1981. The concurrent development of a rich emission line spectrum suggests a very high mass loss rate; the continued presence of He I emission suggesting that the underlying star remains significantly hotter than implied by its apparent spectral type. We suggest that W243 is a Luminous Blue Variable undergoing an eruptive phase, leading to an extreme mass loss rate and the formation of a pseudo photosphere

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para peso corporal, gordura abdominal e peso de peles em linhagem pura de frangos de corte.

Projeto: 02.09.07.006

Helicobacter pylori Dampens HLA-II Expression on Macrophages via the Up-Regulation of miRNAs Targeting CIITA

Macrophages have a major role in infectious and inflammatory diseases, and the available data suggest that Helicobacter pylori persistence can be explained in part by the failure of the bacterium to be killed by professional phagocytes. Macrophages are cells ready to kill the engulfed pathogen, through oxygen-dependent and -independent mechanisms; however, their killing potential can be further augmented by the intervention of T helper (Th) cells upon the specific recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II\u2013peptide complexes on the surface of the phagocytic cells. As it pertains to H. pylori, the bacterium is engulfed by macrophages, but it interferes with the phagosome maturation process leading to phagosomes with an altered degradative capacity, and to megasomes, wherein H. pylori resists killing. We recently showed that macrophages infected with H. pylori strongly reduce the expression of HLA-II molecules on the plasma membrane and this compromises the bacterial antigen presentation to Th lymphocytes. In this work, we demonstrate that H. pylori hampers HLA-II expression in macrophages, activated or non-activated by IFN-\u3b3, by down-regulating the expression of the class II major histocompatibility complex transactivator (CIITA), the \u201cmaster control factor\u201d for the expression of HLA class II genes. We provided evidence that this effect relies on the up-regulation of let-7f-5p, let-7i-5p, miR-146b-5p, and -185-5p targeting CIITA. MiRNA expression analysis performed on biopsies from H. pylori-infected patients confirmed the up-regulation of let-7i-5p, miR-146b-5p, and -185-5p in gastritis, in pre-invasive lesions, and in gastric cancer. Taken together, our results suggest that specific miRNAs may be directly involved in the H. pylori infection persistence and may contribute to confer the risk of developing gastric neoplasia in infected patients