Fast Timing for High-Rate Environments with Micromegas

The current state of the art in fast timing resolution for existing experiments is of the order of 100 ps on the time of arrival of both charged particles and electromagnetic showers. Current R&D on charged particle timing is approaching the level of 10 ps but is not primarily directed at sustained performance at high rates and under high radiation (as would be needed for HL-LHC pileup mitigation). We demonstrate a Micromegas based solution to reach this level of performance. The Micromegas acts as a photomultiplier coupled to a Cerenkov-radiator front window, which produces sufficient UV photons to convert the ~100 ps single-photoelectron jitter into a timing response of the order of 10-20 ps per incident charged particle. A prototype has been built in order to demonstrate this performance. The first laboratory tests with a pico-second laser have shown a time resolution of the order of 27 ps for ~50 primary photoelectrons, using a bulk Micromegas readout.Comment: MPGD2015 (4th Conference on Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors, Trieste, Italy, 12 - 15 October, 2015). 5 pages, 8 figure

Coral Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem: Conservation Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

The importance of coral reefs (CR) within marine ecosystems has become widely recognized. Although shallow CR are not as abundant in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) as in other areas such as the Caribbean, their uniqueness, singularity, isolation, and conservation status make their conservation highly important. Corals and CR, both shallow and deep, are more widely distributed throughout the GoM than previously thought, providing new venues of research but also new challenges for their sustainable management. They are widely present in the three countries circumscribing the GoM (Cuba, Mexico, and the United States). Corals are also distributed throughout different depths, from the keys of Florida and Cuba, to the mesophotic reefs in Flower Garden Banks, Pulley Ridge, and submerged banks in the southern GoM; additional coral presence occurs even beyond mesophotic depths (~30–150 m). Like reefs around the world, they are subject to an increased threat from anthropogenic causes, including overfishing, pollution, and climate change. But there is also hope. Some reefs in the area, such as those in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary are probably the best-preserved reefs in the region, with coral cover greater than 50%, which is unusual in the Wider Caribbean. Others are experiencing new protections through the work of government, and local communities. The objectives of this manuscript are to summarize the overall status of corals and CR in the GoM, analyze some of the current and future threats, and explore opportunities for their conservation in the region. Aside from the above mentioned anthropogenic threats bleaching, coral diseases, and hurricanes have been identified as main contributors for CR declines not only in the GoM but abroad; some nowadays present but likely to increase threats are invasion by alien species or by Sargassum spp. Among some of the opportunities identified are to capitalize on existing and emerging multilateral agreements, and initiatives (e.g., GoM Large Marine Ecosystem, trinational sanctuaries agreement); increase financial support for conservation through international initiatives and the private sector; and a need to comprehend the inherent interconnection among corals, CR, and deeper bank ecosystems as they do not function in isolation

Lessons from the operation of the "Penning-Fluorescent" TPC and prospects

We have recently reported the development of a new type of high-pressure Xenon time projection chamber operated with an ultra-low diffusion mixture and that simultaneously displays Penning effect and fluorescence in the near-visible region (300 nm). The concept, dubbed `Penning-Fluorescent' TPC, allows the simultaneous reconstruction of primary charge and scintillation with high topological and calorimetric fidelity

Effects of hyperoxia exposure on metabolic markers and gene expression in 3T3- L1 adipocytes

Adipose tissue often becomes poorly oxygenated in obese subjects. This feature may provide cellular mechanisms involving chronic inflammation processes such as the release of proinflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration. In this context, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether a hyperoxia exposure on mature adipocytes may influence the expression of some adipokines and involve favorable changes in specific metabolic variables. 3T3-L1 adipocytes (14 days differentiated) were treated with 95% oxygen for 24 h. Cell viability, intra and extracellular reactive oxygen especies (ROS) content, glucose uptake and lactate and glycerol concentrations were measured in the culture media. Also, mRNA levels of HIF-1[alfa], leptin, IL-6, MCP-1, PPAR-[gamma], adiponectin, and ANGPTL-4 were analyzed. Hyperoxia treatment increased intra and extracellular ROS content, reduced glucose uptake and lactate release and increased glucose release. It also led to an upregulation of the expression of IL-6, MCP-1 and PPAR-[gamma], while ANGPTL4 was downregulated in the hyperoxia group with respect to control. The present data shows that hyperoxia treatment seems to provoke an inflammatory response due to the release of ROS and the upregulation of pro-inflammatory adipokines, such as IL-6 and MCP-1. On the other hand, hyperoxia may have an indirect effect on the improvement of insulin sensitivity, due to the upregulation of PPAR-[gamma] gene expression as well as a possible modulation of both glucose and lipid metabolic markers. To our knownledge, this is the first study analyzing the effect of hyperoxia in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Urinary cyclophilin A as marker of tubular cell death and kidney injury

Background: Despite the term acute kidney injury (AKI), clinical biomarkers for AKI re-flect function rather than injury and independent markers of injury are needed. Tubular cell death, including necroptotic cell death, is a key feature of AKI. Cyclophilin A (CypA) is an intracellular protein that has been reported to be released during necroptosis. We have now explored CypA as a potential marker for kidney injury in cultured tubular cells and in clinical settings of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), characterized by limitations of current diagnostic criteria for AKI. Meth-ods: CypA was analyzed in cultured human and murine proximal tubular epithelial cells exposed to chemical hypoxia, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) or other cell death (apoptosis, necroptosis, fer-roptosis) inducers. Urinary levels of CypA (uCypA) were analyzed in patients after nephron sparing surgery (NSS) in which the contralateral kidney is not disturbed and kidney grafts with initial function. Results: Intracellular CypA remained unchanged while supernatant CypA increased in parallel to cell death induction. uCypA levels were higher in NSS patients with renal artery clamping (that is, with NSS-IRI) than in no clamping (NSS-no IRI), and in kidney transplantation (KT) recipients (KT-IRI) even in the presence of preserved or improving kidney function, while this was not the case for urinary Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Furthermore, higher uCypA levels in NSS patients were associated with longer surgery duration and the incidence of AKI increased from 10% when using serum creatinine (sCr) or urinary output criteria to 36% when using high uCypA levels in NNS clamping patients. Conclusions: CypA is released by kidney tubular cells during different forms of cell death, and uCypA increased during IRI-induced clinical kidney injury independently from kidney function parameters. Thus, uCypA is a potential bi-omarker of kidney injury, which is independent from decreased kidney functionResearch by the authors was funded by FIS/ FEDER funds (PI17/00257, PI18/01386, PI19/00588, PI19/00815, DTS18/00032, ERA-PerMed-JTC2018 (KIDNEY ATTACK AC18/00064 and PERSTIGAN AC18/00071, ISCIII-RETIC REDinREN RD016/0009), Sociedad Española de Nefrología, FRIAT, Comunidad de Madrid en Biomedicina B2017/BMD-3686 CIFRA2-CM. Salary support: ISCIII Miguel Servet to A.B.S., MICIN Ramon y Cajal to M.D.S.-N., REDinREN RD016/0009 to M.F.-B.,SENEFRO to D.M.-S. and Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deporte (Comunidad de Madrid/FSE) to A.M.L.-

Reconstructing the universe history, from inflation to acceleration, with phantom and canonical scalar fields

We consider the reconstruction technique in theories with a single or multiple (phantom and/or canonical) scalar fields. With the help of several examples, it is demonstrated explicitly that the universe expansion history, unifying early-time inflation and late-time acceleration, can be realized in scalar-tensor gravity. This is generalized to the theory of a scalar field coupled non-minimally to the curvature and to a Brans-Dicke-like theory. Different examples of unification of inflation with cosmic acceleration, in which de Sitter, phantom, and quintessence type fields play the fundamental role--in different combinations--are worked out. Specifically, the frame dependence and stability properties of de Sitter space scalar field theory are studied. Finally, for two-scalar theories, the late-time acceleration and early-time inflation epochs are successfully reconstructed, in realistic situations in which the more and more stringent observational bounds are satisfied, using the freedom of choice of the scalar field potential, and of the kinetic factor.Comment: 22 pages, revtex, no figures, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Modelo prolab: Crickas, una alternativa sustentable y sostenible que contribuye a mejorar la nutrición en la ciudad de Lima Metropolitana

La desnutrición es un problema global que afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo y dos de las principales causas son la falta de acceso a alimentos nutritivos y la insuficiencia de sustancias nutritivas y proteicas que el cuerpo no recibe. Estos son desafíos críticos que requieren soluciones innovadoras. Bajo este contexto, se planteó la pregunta: ¿cómo se puede proporcionar una fuente sostenible y accesible de proteínas al organismo para poder combatir la desnutrición?, el presente resumen ejecutivo aborda la creación de un enfoque emprendedor llamado "Crickas" para abordar la desnutrición, mediante la utilización de galletas hechas a base de gusanos de harina de Tenebrio, conocidos por su alto contenido proteico. Para validar esta propuesta, se encuestó a 385 personas de diferentes distritos de nivel socioeconómicos A y B. Los resultados revelaron un interés significativo en Crickas como una solución potencial. Las encuestas también permitieron identificar preferencias de sabor y presentación que fueron cruciales para el desarrollo del producto. Además de las encuestas, se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad con expertos en nutrición y salud, así como con personas afectadas por la desnutrición. Estas entrevistas ayudaron a ajustar la estrategia de negocio, el enfoque de marketing y finalmente a redefinir el concepto de Crickas. En resumen, "Crickas" es una propuesta innovadora porque es una fuente de proteína sostenible con alto valor nutricional, el cual diversifica las fuentes de alimentos en un mundo con una población creciente frente los recursos que cada vez son más escasos, es fácil de obtenerlo e ingerirlo a cualquier hora del día y resulta ser rentable y viable, con un VAN económico de $2’004,575 y una TIR económica de 343con un VAN social de$ 875,395.64.Malnutrition is a global issue affecting millions of people worldwide, and two of the main causes are the lack of access to nutritious foods and insufficient intake of essential nutrients and proteins that the body requires. These are critical challenges that demand innovative solutions. In this context, the question arose: How can a sustainable and accessible source of protein be provided to the body to combat malnutrition? This executive summary addresses the development of an entrepreneurial approach called "Crickas" to tackle malnutrition, utilizing cookies made from Tenebrio Flour, known for their high protein content. To validate this proposal, 385 people from different districts of socioeconomic level A and B were surveyed. The results revealed significant interest in Crickas as a potential solution. Surveys also helped identify taste and presentation preferences crucial for product development. In addition to surveys, in-depth interviews were conducted with nutrition and health experts, as well as individuals affected by malnutrition. These interviews aided in adjusting the business strategy, marketing approach, and ultimately redefining the Crickas concept. In summary, "Crickas" is an innovative proposition as it serves as a sustainable protein source with high nutritional value, diversifying food sources in a world with a growing population and increasingly scarce resources. It is easily obtainable and consumable at any time of day, proving to be cost-effective and viable, with an economic NPV of $2,004,575 and an economic IRR of 343with a social NPV of$821,161