Properties of galaxies at the faint end of the Hα\alpha luminosity function at z∼0.62z\sim0.62

Studies measuring the star formation rate density, luminosity function, and properties of star-forming galaxies are numerous. However, it exists a gap at $0.5<z<0.8$ in H$\alpha$-based studies. Our main goal is to study the properties of a sample of faint H$\alpha$ emitters at $z\sim0.62$. We focus on their contribution to the faint end of the luminosity function and derived star formation rate density, characterising their morphologies and basic photometric and spectroscopic properties. We use a narrow-band technique in the near-infrared, with a filter centred at 1.06 $\mu$m. The data come from ultra-deep VLT/HAWK-I observations in the GOODS-S field with a total of 31.9 h in the narrow-band filter. We perform a visual classification of the sample and study their morphologies from structural parameters available in CANDELS. Our 28 H$\alpha$-selected sample of faint star-forming galaxies reveals a robust faint-end slope of the luminosity function $\alpha=-1.46_{-0.08}^{+0.16}$. The derived star formation rate density at $z\sim0.62$ is $\rho_\mathrm{SFR} = 0.036_{-0.008}^{+0.012} M_{\odot}~\mathrm{yr^{-1}~Mpc^{-3}}$. The sample is mainly composed of disks, but an important contribution of compact galaxies with S\'ersic indexes $n\sim2$ display the highest specific star formation rates. The luminosity function at $z\sim0.62$ from our ultra-deep data points towards a steeper $\alpha$ when an individual extinction correction for each object is applied. Compact galaxies are low-mass, low-luminosity, and starburst-dominated objects with a light profile in an intermediate stage from early to late types.Comment: Published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. 19 pages, 14 figures. New version includes language edited by the journa

Estudios genéticos, fisiopatológicos y con oligonucleótidos antisentido en enfermedades neurometabólicas

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Biología Molecular. Fecha de lectura: 13-07-2015In this work, we have characterized the molecular basis of the defect in fibroblasts samples from 10 patients diagnosed with propionic acidemia (PA), one of the most common organic acidemias. In addition, we have investigated oxidative stress and cellular damage in PA patients´ fibroblasts. Furthermore, using the hypomorph mouse model of PA we have characterized the mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage and studied the behavior and motor coordination. Finally, we have tested in vivo the efficiency of splice-modulation using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs), which are a promising therapy for specific splicing defects. To provide molecular insight into the pathogenicity of PA variants we have analyzed the structural and functional effects of five point mutations in PCCA and PCCB genes, by using homology modeling with the recently solved crystal structure of the PCC holoenzyme and an eukaryotic expression system. The results confirmed the pathogenic nature of these mutations, showing a more severe effect in those ones located near the active site in the a subunit compared to mutations located between b subunits that showed higher residual PCC activity. We have performed in silico and functional analysis using minigenes to analyze a point mutation in the last nucleotide of the exon 7 of the PCCB gene, revealing it is a partial splicing defect and underscoring the need of carefully evaluating every nucleotide change for a possible splicing defect. Moreover, we have investigated oxidative stress analyzing intracellular ROS levels, antioxidant enzymes´ levels and apoptosis parameters in PA patients-derived fibroblasts. Our results indicate that oxidative stress may be an important contributing factor to the cellular damage. Additionally, we have shown that different antioxidants successfully scavenge ROS production in these patients´ cells. These results establish the proof of concept of the potential of antioxidants as an adjuvant therapy for PA. To gain further insights into the physiopathology of PA, we have used the mouse model of PA to study the expression of several proteins involved in mitochondrial function by Reverse Phase Protein Microarrays (RPPMa), OXPHOS activities, mtDNA copy number and oxidative damage. The results showed impairment of oxidative phosphorylation, increased ROS production, lipid peroxidation and mtDNA depletion in relevant tissues. To characterize behavioral and locomotive defects, we have carried out open-field test and rota-rod performance. The results indicate age-dependent alterations in locomotion, coordination and endurance. These data support the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the physiopathology of PA. Finally, in the heterozygous PKU mouse model and in wildtype mice we have tested AONs using different dosing, mode of injection and treatment regimes. The results showed that consecutive intravenous injections of optimal doses result in transient hyperphenylalaninemia correlating with complete exon skipping and absence of PAH protein and enzyme activity. These results provide a sensitive in vivo assay to test the ability of AONs to modulate splicing, as well as a possible method to generate murine models for genetic liver diseasesEn este trabajo, se han caracterizado algunas mutaciones identificadas en fibroblastos de 10 pacientes diagnosticados con acidemia propiónica (AP), una de las acidemias orgánicas más comunes. Además, se ha investigado el estrés oxidativo y el daño celular en los fibroblastos de estos pacientes. Asimismo, utilizando el modelo hipomorfo murino de AP se ha caracterizado el daño oxidativo y la disfunción mitocondrial y estudiado el comportamiento y la coordinación motora. Por último, se ha probado la eficiencia in vivo de la modulación de splicing mediante el uso de oligonucleótidos antisentido (AONs), que constituyen una terapia prometedora para los defectos específicos de splicing. Para proporcionar un mejor entendimiento molecular de la patogenicidad de variantes en AP se ha analizado el efecto estructural y funcional de cinco mutaciones puntuales en los genes PCCA y PCCB, mediante el modelado por homología de la estructura cristalina recientemente resuelta de la holoenzima PCC y un sistema de expresión eucariota. Los resultados confirmaron la naturaleza patogénica de estas mutaciones, que muestran un efecto más severo en aquellas variantes situadas cerca del centro activo en la subunidad α en comparación con mutaciones localizadas entre las subunidades β que mostraron una mayor actividad PCC residual. Se ha llevado a cabo el análisis in silico y funcional empleando minigenes para analizar una mutación puntual en el último nucleótido del exon 7 del gen PCCB, mostrando un defecto de splicing parcial que subraya la necesidad de evaluar cuidadosamente todos los cambios nucleotídicos como posibles defectos de splicing. Por otra parte, se ha investigado el estrés oxidativo analizando los niveles intracelulares de ROS y de enzimas antioxidantes y parámetros relacionados con la apoptosis en los fibroblastos de pacientes con AP. Nuestros resultados indican que el estrés oxidativo puede ser un importante factor que contribuye al daño celular. Además, se ha demostrado con éxito que diferentes antioxidantes neutralizan la producción de ROS en las células de estos pacientes. Estos resultados establecen la prueba de concepto del posible uso de antioxidantes como una terapia adyuvante en AP. Para obtener un mayor conocimiento en la fisiopatología de la AP, se ha utilizado el modelo de ratón de AP para estudiar la expresión de varias proteínas implicadas en la función mitocondrial mediante microarrays de proteínas de fase reversa, midiendo las actividades OXPHOS, el número de copias de DNA mitocondrial y el daño oxidativo. Los resultados mostraron una alteración en la fosforilación oxidativa, un aumento de la producción de ROS y de lipoperoxidación y una depleción de DNA mitocondrial en tejidos relevantes. Para caracterizar defectos locomotores y de comportamiento, se han llevado a cabo pruebas de campo abierto y pruebas de rota-rod. Los resultados sugieren alteraciones dependientes de la edad en la locomoción, la coordinación y la resistencia. Todos estos datos apoyan la hipótesis de que la disfunción mitocondrial puede contribuir a la fisiopatología de la AP. Finalmente, se han contrastado diferentes dosis, modos de inyección y pautas de administración de oligonucleótidos antisentido en el modelo de ratón PKU heterocigoto y en ratones wildtype. El estudio mostró que inyecciones intravenosas consecutivas de dosis óptimas resultan en una hiperfenilalaninemia transitoria que se correlaciona con un completo exon skipping y con la ausencia de proteína y actividad enzimática PAH. Estos resultados proporcionan un ensayo eficaz in vivo para probar la capacidad de los AONs para modular el splicing, así como un posible método para generar modelos murinos para enfermedades genéticas hepáticas.Este trabajo ha sido posible gracias a una ayuda de posgrado para la Formación de Personal Investigador (BES-2011-045011) y a una ayuda para estancias breves (EEBB-I-2012-04671

3C a multi-wavelength database for the future GTC cosmological surveys

The 3C Database aims to provide complete multi-wavelength information over different cosmological fields, such as GOODS, Groth or Sa68 allowing detailed studies on wide samples of galaxies

The Wyoming Survey for H-alpha. III. H-alpha Luminosity Functions at z ~ 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, and 0.40

The Wyoming Survey for H-alpha, or WySH, is a large-area, ground-based imaging survey for H-alpha-emitting galaxies at redshifts of z ~ 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, and 0.40. The survey spans up to four square degrees in a set of fields of low Galactic cirrus emission, using twin narrowband filters at each epoch for improved stellar continuum subtraction. H-alpha luminosity functions are presented for each Delta(z) ~ 0.02 epoch based on a total of nearly 1200 galaxies. These data clearly show an evolution with lookback time in the volume-averaged cosmic star formation rate. Integrals of Schechter fits to the incompleteness- and extinction-corrected H-alpha luminosity functions indicate star formation rates per co-moving volume of 0.010, 0.013, 0.020, 0.022 h_70 M_sun yr^{-1} Mpc^{-3} at z ~ 0.16, 0.24, 0.32, and 0.40, respectively. Statistical and systematic measurement uncertainties combined are on the order of 25% while the effects of cosmic variance are at the 20% level. The bulk of this evolution is driven by changes in the characteristic luminosity L_* of the H-alpha luminosity functions, with L_* for the earlier two epochs being a factor of two larger than L_* at the latter two epochs; it is more difficult with this data set to decipher systematic evolutionary differences in the luminosity function amplitude and faint-end slope. Coupling these results with a comprehensive compilation of results from the literature on emission line surveys, the evolution in the cosmic star formation rate density over 0 < z < 1.5 is measured to be rho_dot_SFR(z) = rho_dot_SFR(0) (1+z)^{3.4+/-0.4}.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Evolució dels estudis d'historia de la premsa al País Valencià

Estat de la qüestió de l'evolució dels estudis de la premsa i del periodisme per tal d'esbrinar les línies mestres d'aquest procés, des de les primeres prospeccions a les acaballes del vuit-cents, fins a arribar als plantejaments de la història de la premsa, integrats en l'àmbit dels estudis globals sobre la comunicació social al País Valencià dels darrers anys

Developing sport expertise in youth sport: a decision training program in basketball

Background. This study has analyzed the impact of applying a decision training program, in which video-feedback and questioning were used, on the development of decision-making, skill execution and procedural knowledge in basketball players. Methods. Participants were eleven male players aged between 12 and 13 years old (Mage D12:75, SDage D:65), who were assigned to an experimental or control group within a pre-test/intervention test/retention test quasi-experimental design. The decision training program was applied over 11 weeks. Throughout this intervention, players had to analyze the causes and reasons for the decision made, using video feedback and questioning to this end. Decision-making and skill execution variables were analyzed using the French & Thomas (1987) observation instrument, while a validated questionnaire was used to assess procedural knowledge in basketball. Results. The results reported that sport expertise improved in players from the experimental group, who had significantly higher intervention test scores for successful decisions and skill executions when compared to players in the control group. In the intra-group analysis, the experimental group significantly improved in the intervention test compared to the pre-test, in terms of some of the variables of decision-making, skill execution and procedural knowledge. Discussion. These results reinforce the idea of including cognitive tools in training, such as video-feedback and questioning, to improve sport expertise in players' formative stages, and presumably to improve their performance whilst maintaining decision training throughout time

Influencia de un programa de supervisión reflexiva sobre la toma de decisiones y la ejecucución del pase en jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto

El propósito de esta investigación fue analizar la influencia de un programa de supervisión reflexiva sobre la toma de decisiones y la ejecución del pase en baloncesto en situación real de competición. En el estudio participaron untotal de 12 jugadores infantiles de baloncesto pertenecientes a un equipo de las categorías de formación de un club A.C.B., y estructurados en un grupo experimental (n = 6) y un grupo control (n = 6). La intervención llevada a cabo se orientó hacia la mejora de la selección de la respuesta, y consistió en el visionado y análisis de acciones de pase durante 11 sesiones individuales post-partido que mantenían el supervisor y cada uno de los jugadores. Los resultados han mostrado que los sujetos pertenecientes al grupo experimental mejoraron de forma significativa el porcentaje de acierto en la toma de decisiones y la ejecución del pase en situación real de juego

The Hα nature of the universe at Z∼0.83

We presen there the results of a survey searching for current-star forming galaxies at at z ∼0.83. Objects are selected by their emission in the Hα line through the narrow band filter technique