A low-mass planet candidate orbiting Proxima Centauri at a distance of 1.5 AU

Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).Our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, hosts a temperate terrestrial planet. We detected in radial velocities evidence of a possible second planet with minimum mass m c sin i c = 5.8 ± 1.9 M ⊕ and orbital period P c = 5.21 - 0.22 + 0.26 years. The analysis of photometric data and spectro-scopic activity diagnostics does not explain the signal in terms of a stellar activity cycle, but follow-up is required in the coming years for confirming its planetary origin. We show that the existence of the planet can be ascertained, and its true mass can be determined with high accuracy, by combining Gaia astrometry and radial velocities. Proxima c could become a prime target for follow-up and characterization with next-generation direct imaging instrumentation due to the large maximum angular separation of ~1 arc second from the parent star. The candidate planet represents a challenge for the models of super-Earth formation and evolution.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Sampling Phrase Tables for the Moses Statistical Machine Translation System

The idea of virtual phrase tables for statistical machine translation (SMT) that construct phrase table entries on demand by sampling a fully indexed bitext was first proposed ten years ago by Callison-Burch et al. (2005). However, until recently (Germann, 2014) no working and practical implementation of this approach was available in the Moses SMT system

Access to and delivery of acute ischaemic stroke treatments: A survey of national scientific societies and stroke experts in 44 European countries

Acute stroke treatment; Health care resources; Intravenous thrombolysisTractament de l'ictus agut; Recursos sanitaris; Trombòlisi intravenosaTratamiento del ictus agudo; Recursos sanitarios; Trombólisis intravenosaINTRODUCTION: Acute stroke unit care, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment significantly improve the outcome for patients with ischaemic stroke, but data on access and delivery throughout Europe are lacking. We assessed best available data on access and delivery of acute stroke unit care, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment throughout Europe. METHODS: A survey, drafted by stroke professionals (ESO, ESMINT, EAN) and a patient organisation (SAFE), was sent to national stroke societies and experts in 51 European countries (World Health Organization definition) requesting experts to provide national data on stroke unit, intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment rates. We compared both pooled and individual national data per one million inhabitants and per 1000 annual incident ischaemic strokes with highest country rates. Population estimates were based on United Nations data, stroke incidences on the Global Burden of Disease Report. RESULTS: We obtained data from 44 European countries. The estimated mean number of stroke units was 2.9 per million inhabitants (95% CI 2.3-3.6) and 1.5 per 1000 annual incident strokes (95% CI 1.1-1.9), highest country rates were 9.2 and 5.8. Intravenous thrombolysis was provided in 42/44 countries. The estimated mean annual number of intravenous thrombolysis was 142.0 per million inhabitants (95% CI 107.4-176.7) and 72.7 per 1000 annual incident strokes (95% CI 54.2-91.2), highest country rates were 412.2 and 205.5. Endovascular treatment was provided in 40/44 countries. The estimated mean annual number of endovascular treatments was 37.1 per million inhabitants (95% CI 26.7-47.5) and 19.3 per 1000 annual incident strokes (95% CI 13.5-25.1), highest country rates were 111.5 and 55.9. Overall, 7.3% of incident ischaemic stroke patients received intravenous thrombolysis (95% CI 5.4-9.1) and 1.9% received endovascular treatment (95% CI 1.3-2.5), highest country rates were 20.6% and 5.6%. CONCLUSION: We observed major inequalities in acute stroke treatment between and within 44 European countries. Our data will assist decision makers implementing tailored stroke care programmes for reducing stroke-related morbidity and mortality in Europe

Protein Kinase G Is Involved in Acute but Not in Long-Term Regulation of Renin Secretion

Pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is, in combination with diuretics, the first-choice treatment for hypertension, although 10-20% of patients do not respond adequately. Next to the RAAS, the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) system is the second fundamental blood pressure regulator. Whether both systems influence each other is not well-studied. It has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) supports renin recruitment via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and subsequent generation of cGMP. Whether this leads to an ensuing activation of PKGs in this context is not known. PKGI alpha, as well as PKGII, is expressed in renin-producing cells. Hence, we analyzed whether these enzymes play a role regarding renin synthesis, secretion, or recruitment. We generated renin-cell-specific PKGI-knockout mice and either stimulated or inhibited the renin system in these mice by salt diets. To exclude the possibility that one kinase isoform can compensate the lack of the other, we also studied double-knockout animals with a conditional knockout of PKGI in juxtaglomerular cells (JG cells) and a ubiquitous knockout of PKGII. We analyzed blood pressure, renin mRNA and renal renin protein content as well as plasma renin concentration. Furthermore, we stimulated the cGMP system in these mice using BAY 41-8543, an sGC stimulator, and examined renin regulation either after acute administration or after 7 days (application once daily). We did not reveal any striking differences regarding long-term renin regulation in the studied mouse models. Yet, when we studied the acute effect of BAY 41-8543 on renin secretion in isolated perfused kidneys as well as in living animals, we found that the administration of the substance led to a significant increase in plasma renin concentration in control animals. This effect was completely abolished in double-knockout animals. However, after 7 days of once daily application, we did not detect a persistent increase in renin mRNA or protein in any studied genotype. Therefore, we conclude that in mice, cGMP and PKG are involved in the acute regulation of renin release but have no influence on long-term renin adjustment

The evolution of the cosmic molecular gas density

One of the last missing pieces in the puzzle of galaxy formation and evolution through cosmic history is a detailed picture of the role of the cold gas supply in the star-formation process. Cold gas is the fuel for star formation, and thus regulates the buildup of stellar mass, both through the amount of material present through a galaxy's gas mass fraction, and through the efficiency at which it is converted to stars. Over the last decade, important progress has been made in understanding the relative importance of these two factors along with the role of feedback, and the first measurements of the volume density of cold gas out to redshift 4, (the "cold gas history of the Universe") has been obtained. To match the precision of measurements of the star formation and black-hole accretion histories over the coming decades, a two orders of magnitude improvement in molecular line survey speeds is required compared to what is possible with current facilities. Possible pathways towards such large gains include significant upgrades to current facilities like ALMA by 2030 (and beyond), and eventually the construction of a new generation of radio-to-millimeter wavelength facilities, such as the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) concept.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, Science White paper submitted to Astro2020 Decadal Surve

Modelo proLab: T-Cuido

La problemática que se aborda en el presente trabajo consiste en la necesidad de mejorar la atención médica hacia las personas de la tercera edad. Para obtener más aprendizaje sobre el problema, se recolectó información por medio de entrevistas realizadas a usuarios, clientes y especialistas dedicados a la salud geriátrica. Con el objetivo de resolver el problema, se propuso desarrollar una aplicación móvil que brinde respaldo al cuidador profesional y/o familiar en el cuidado de la salud del paciente. Entre las funcionalidades de este aplicativo se incluye el acceso a la información del paciente, como su historia clínica, exámenes médicos, recetas médicas, recordatorio de citas y tareas, entre otros. Como parte de la evaluación de la propuesta, se verificó que el modelo de negocio sea viable dentro de una proyección de cinco años. Entre los principales indicadores, se estimó un Valor Actual Neto de US $136,655, una Tasa Interna de Retorno de 28periodo de recuperación en el tercer año. Con respecto a los beneficios sociales, debido a que se ofrece una solución tecnológica dirigida a mejorar las atenciones hacia adultos mayores con problemas de salud, se ha estimado, dentro del mismo periodo de proyección, un VAN social de$522,877. Sumado a esto, se determinó que existe un impacto positivo debido a que la solución contribuye en el cumplimiento de tres Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), que son el N° 3 “Salud y Bienestar”, N° 8 “Trabajo Decente y Crecimiento Económico” y el N° 9 “Industria, Innovación e Infraestructura”

Modelo proLab: T-Cuido

La problemática que se aborda en el presente trabajo consiste en la necesidad de mejorar la atención médica hacia las personas de la tercera edad. Para obtener más aprendizaje sobre el problema, se recolectó información por medio de entrevistas realizadas a usuarios, clientes y especialistas dedicados a la salud geriátrica. Con el objetivo de resolver el problema, se propuso desarrollar una aplicación móvil que brinde respaldo al cuidador profesional y/o familiar en el cuidado de la salud del paciente. Entre las funcionalidades de este aplicativo se incluye el acceso a la información del paciente, como su historia clínica, exámenes médicos, recetas médicas, recordatorio de citas y tareas, entre otros. Como parte de la evaluación de la propuesta, se verificó que el modelo de negocio sea viable dentro de una proyección de cinco años. Entre los principales indicadores, se estimó un Valor Actual Neto de US $136,655, una Tasa Interna de Retorno de 28periodo de recuperación en el tercer año. Con respecto a los beneficios sociales, debido a que se ofrece una solución tecnológica dirigida a mejorar las atenciones hacia adultos mayores con problemas de salud, se ha estimado, dentro del mismo periodo de proyección, un VAN social de$522,877. Sumado a esto, se determinó que existe un impacto positivo debido a que la solución contribuye en el cumplimiento de tres Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS), que son el N° 3 “Salud y Bienestar”, N° 8 “Trabajo Decente y Crecimiento Económico” y el N° 9 “Industria, Innovación e Infraestructura”

Molecular and Morphological Phylogenetic Analyses of New World Cycad Beetles: What They Reveal about Cycad Evolution in the New World

Two major lineages of beetles inhabit cycad cones in the New World: weevils (Curculionoidea) in the subtribe Allocorynina, including the genera Notorhopalotria Tang and O’Brien, Parallocorynus Voss, Protocorynus O’Brien and Tang and Rhopalotria Chevrolat, and beetles in the family Erotylidae, including the genus Pharaxonotha Reitter. Analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) mitochondrial gene as well as cladistic analysis of morphological characters of the weevils indicate four major radiations, with a probable origin on the cycad genus Dioon Lindl. and comparatively recent host shifts onto Zamia L. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene for erotylid beetles indicates that an undescribed genus restricted to New World Ceratozamia Brongn. is the most early-diverging clade, and this lineage is sister to a large radiation of the genus Pharaxonotha onto Zamia, with apparent host shifts onto Dioon and Ceratozamia. Analysis of beetles are in accord with current models of continental drift in the Caribbean basin, support some proposed species groupings of cycads, but not others, and suggest that pollinator type may impact population genetic structure in their host cycads