The asymmetric profile of the H76 alpha line emission from MWC349

MWC349 is an emission-line star found by Merrill, Humason and Burwell (1932). Braes, Habing and Schoenmaker (1972) discovered that it is a strong radio source. The radio emission originates in a massive ionized wind that is expanding with a velocity of about 50 km s(-1). Its continuum spectrum fits well a nu(0.6) power law from the cm wavelengths to the far-IR. Radio recombination line emission from the envelope of MWC349 was first detected by Altenhoff, Strittmatter and Wendker (1981). We have obtained good signal-to-noise ratio, Very Large Array observations of the H76 alpha radio recombination line from the ionized wind of MWC349. Our data reveal that the profile is markedly asymmetric, with a steep rise on the blue side. This asymmetry could be due to non-LTE effects in the formation and transfer of the line or to intrinsic asymmetries in the envelope. Our analysis suggests that most probably the peculiar profile is caused by a non-LTE enhancement of the line emission from the side of the envelope nearer to the observer. This asymmetry has the opposite sense than that observed in optical and IR recombination lines, where a different effect (absorption of the stellar continuum by the gas in the wind between the star and the observer) is known to be dominant, leading to the classic P Cygni profile. We propose that the profiles of the radio recombination lines from ionized stellar winds will have this characteristic shape, while optical and IR recombination lines are characterized by P Cygni-like profiles. Unfortunately, at present the detection of radio recombination lines from ionized stellar winds is only feasible for MWC349 and a few other objects

The Potential of Using Grapefruit Peel as a Natural Support for Yeast Immobilization During Beer Fermentation

The potential use of grapefruit peel as support material for yeast immobilization during beer fermentation was evaluated. After conditioning, FTIR analysis revealed a higher quantity of methoxy (–OCH3) groups, suggesting that lignin is the major component of the support. Cell adhesion onto the conditioned support in 12°Plato laboratory malt wort was evaluated, observing a maximal cell adhesion (2.25 · 109 cells/gram of dried support) at 20 h of cultivation, remaining almost constant in the subsequent time points. Evaluations of the fermentative behaviour of the biocatalyst at 15±0.5 °C in a 14°Plato laboratory malt wort indicated good stability in terms of physical integrity (confirmed by SEM observation). The fermentation time was shortened to four days, and the rates of reducing sugar consumption and ethanol production were improved when compared to fermentations carried out with free suspended cells. These results show a promising potential of grapefruit peel as support material in beer fermentation. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Application of the Verlet method for the simulation of a gravitational system of n bodies

En este trabajo se plantea una solución numérica (simulación por software) del “problema de n cuerpos” que interactúan gravitacionalmente basada en la formulación de Verlet. Adicionalmente se diseña un programa que gráficamente muestra los resultados de esta solución numérica, que detalla las diferentes trayectorias, para diferentes condiciones de masa, velocidad y distancia entre los n objetos que interactúan. La interacción del usuario con la interfaz gráfica, se realiza partícula a partículaIn this paper we propose a numerical solution (software simulation) of the "problem of n bodies" that interact gravitationally based on the formulation of Verlet. Additionally a program is designed that graphically shows the results of this numerical solution, which details the different trajectories, for different conditions of mass, speed and distance between the n objects that interact. The interaction of the user with the graphical interface, is performed particle by particle.Peer Reviewe

Cortical Activation Patterns of Cue-Paced Foot Movement in Subacute Stroke Patients

[EN] Limb movement is associated with well defined cortical activation patterns. Structural and functional changes in the brain affect the characteristics of these patterns (strength and topography). Novel strategies for poststroke motor rehabilitation could monitor cortical activity as an additional index of engagement and/or recovery. In this work we analyze differences in cortical activation related to movements of the affected vs. unaffected foot (dorsiflexion). Our results show stronger cortical activation during movements of the affected foot, and stronger responses at the vertex. Online assessment of cortical activation and the experiment described in this work could be added to traditional motor rehabilitation.This work was supported by the FP7 EU Research Project BETTER (247935). The authors are thankful to Silvia Mena del Horno and Javier Bonilla for assistance during the experiments.Belda Lois, JM. (2013). Cortical Activation Patterns of Cue-Paced Foot Movement in Subacute Stroke Patients. Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik. 58(1):1-2. https://doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2013-4446S1258

Efecto del contenido de aluminato de estroncio y hemihidrato sobre las propiedades de un cemento de sulfoaluminato de calcio

The effect of strontium aluminate (SrAl2O4) on the hydration process of a calcium sulphoaluminate (C4A3Ŝ) cement was investigated. Cement pastes were prepared by mixing C4A3Ŝ , hemihydrate (CaSO4· ½H2O, CŜH0.5) and 0, 10 or 20wt% of SrAl2O4 (SrA). The amount of CŜH0.5 was 15, 20 or 25wt% based on the C4A3Ŝ quantity. The cement pastes were hydrated using water to cement ratios (w/c) of 0.4 and 0.5. Samples were cured from 1 to 28 d. The compressive strength and setting time were evaluated and the hydration products were characterized. It was found that the setting time was delayed up to 42 min for the samples containing SrAl2O4 compared to samples without addition. The samples with 25wt% hemihydrate containing 20wt% SrAl2O4 developed the highest compressive strength (60 MPa) after 28 d of curing. The main product after hydration was ettringite (C6AŜ3H32). The morphology of this phase consisted of thin needle-shaped crystals.Se investigó el efecto de la adición de aluminato de estroncio (SrAl2O4) sobre las propiedades de un cemento de sulfoaluminato de calcio (C4A3Ŝ). Se prepararon muestras mezclando C4A3Ŝ, hemihidrato (CaSO4· ½H2O, CŜH0.5) y 0, 10 o 20% e.p de SrAl2O4 (SrA). La cantidad de CŜH0.5 fue de 15, 20 o 25% e.p. basado en la cantidad de C4A3Ŝ. Las relaciones agua/cemento utilizadas fueron 0.4 y 0.5. Las muestras fueron curadas hasta 28 d. Se evaluó el tiempo de fraguado y la resistencia a la compresión. Los productos de hidratación se caracterizaron mediante DRX y MEB. El tiempo de fraguado se retardó hasta 42 minutos con la adición del SrAl2O4 comparado con las muestras sin adiciones. Las muestras con 25% e.p. de yeso y 20% e.p. de SrAl2O4 desarrollaron la mayor resistencia a la compresión alcanzando 60 MPa a 28 d de curado. Los análisis por MEB y DRX muestran como principal producto de hidratación a la etringita (C6AŜ3H32), cuya morfología se observa como cristales aciculares

Efecto de la adición de ácido cítrico y la cantidad de yeso sobre las propiedades del cemento de sulfoaluminato de calcio

The influence of citric acid on the hydration and strength development of a calcium sulphoaluminate cement was investigated. Cement pastes were prepared by mixing calcium sulphoaluminate (C4A3Ŝ) with 15, 20 and 25wt% of hemihydrate (CŜH0.5). Citric acid was added as a retarder at 0 and 0.5wt%. The samples were cured at 20 °C for periods of time from 1 to 28 days to evaluate their compressive strength and to characterize the hydration products by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Calorimetric curves showed that the retarding agent considerably decreases the heat release rate and the quantity of total heat released. The main product after the curing was ettringite (C6AŜ3H32). The morphology of this phase consisted of long and thin needles growing radially on the cement grains. Samples with 15wt% of hemihydrate and 0.5wt% of citric acid developed the highest compressive strength (70 MPa) at 28 days of curing.Se investigó el efecto del ácido cítrico sobre la hidratación y propiedades mecánicas de un cemento de sulfoaluminato de calcio. El C4A3Ŝ se mezcló con 15, 20 y 25% e.p. de hemihidrato (CŜH0.5). Se agregó ácido cítrico como retardante en 0 y 0.5% e.p. Las muestras fueron curadas a 20 °C por periodos de 1 a 28 días para realizar mediciones de resistencia a la compresión y caracterizar los productos de hidratación mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido y difracción de rayos X. Las curvas de calorimetría mostraron ue el ácido cítrico disminuye la velocidad de liberación de calor y la cantidad de calor liberado durante la hidratación. La resistencia a la compresión alcanzó un máximo de 70 MPa en muestras con 15% e.p. de hemihidrato y 0,5% e.p de ácido cítrico. Los resultados muestran a la etringita (C6AŜ3H32) como principal producto de hidratación. Se observa a esta fase con morfología acicular creciendo sobre las partículas de cemento

Genetic diversity of vaccine candidate antigens in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from the Amazon basin of Peru

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several of the intended <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>vaccine candidate antigens are highly polymorphic and could render a vaccine ineffective if their antigenic sites were not represented in the vaccine. In this study, characterization of genetic variability was performed in major B and T-cell epitopes within vaccine candidate antigens in isolates of <it>P. falciparum </it>from Peru.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>DNA sequencing analysis was completed on 139 isolates of <it>P. falciparum </it>collected from endemic areas of the Amazon basin in Loreto, Peru from years 1998 to 2006. Genetic diversity was determined in immunological important regions in circumsporozoite protein (CSP), merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1), liver stage antigen-1 (LSA-1) and thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP). Alleles identified by DNA sequencing were aligned with the vaccine strain 3D7 and DNA polymorphism analysis and FST study-year pairwise comparisons were done using the DnaSP software. Multilocus analysis (MLA) was performed and average of expected heterozygosity was calculated for each loci and haplotype over time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three different alleles for CSP, seven for MSP-1 Block 2, one for MSP-1 Block 17, three for AMA-1 and for LSA-1 each and one for TRAP were identified. There were 24 different haplotypes in 125 infections with complete locus typing for each gene.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Characterization of the genetic diversity in <it>Plasmodium </it>isolates from the Amazon Region of Peru showed that <it>P. falciparum </it>T and B cell epitopes in these antigens have polymorphisms more similar to India than to Africa. These findings are helpful in the formulation of a vaccine considering restricted repertoire populations.</p