15 research outputs found
MAGIC Upper Limits for two Milagro-detected, Bright Fermi Sources in the Region of SNR G65.1+0.6
We report on the observation of the region around supernova remnant G65.1+0.6
with the stand-alone MAGIC-I telescope. This region hosts the two bright GeV
gamma-ray sources 1FGL J1954.3+2836 and 1FGL J1958.6+2845. They are identified
as GeV pulsars and both have a possible counterpart detected at about 35 TeV by
the Milagro observatory. MAGIC collected 25.5 hours of good quality data, and
found no significant emission in the range around 1 TeV. We therefore report
differential flux upper limits, assuming the emission to be point-like (<0.1
deg) or within a radius of 0.3 deg. In the point-like scenario, the flux limits
around 1 TeV are at the level of 3 % and 2 % of the Crab Nebula flux, for the
two sources respectively. This implies that the Milagro emission is either
extended over a much larger area than our point spread function, or it must be
peaked at energies beyond 1 TeV, resulting in a photon index harder than 2.2 in
the TeV band.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
Prevalence of disability in a composite â„75 year-old population in Spain: A screening survey based on the International Classification of Functioning
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence and predictors of functional status and disability of elderly people have been studied in several European countries including Spain. However, there has been no population-based study incorporating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework as the basis for assessing disability. The present study reports prevalence rates for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme disability by the domains of activities and participation of the ICF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine populations surveyed in previous prevalence studies contributed probabilistic and geographically defined samples in June 2005. The study sample was composed of 503 subjects aged â„75 years. We implemented a two-phase screening design using the MMSE and the World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2<sup>nd </sup>edition (WHO-DAS II, 12 items) as cognitive and disability screening tools, respectively. Participants scoring within the positive range of the disability screening were administered the full WHO-DAS II (36 items; score range: 0-100) assessing the following areas: Understanding and communication, Getting along with people, Life activities, Getting around, Participation in society, and Self-care. Each disability area assessed by WHO-DAS II (36 items) was reported according to the ICF severity ranges (No problem, 0-4; Mild disability, 5-24; Moderate disability, 25-49; Severe/Extreme disability, 50-100).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The age-adjusted disability prevalence figures were: 39.17 ± 2.18%, 15.31 ± 1.61%, and 10.14 ± 1.35% for mild, moderate, and severe/extreme disability, respectively. Severe and extreme disability prevalence in mobility and life activities was three times higher than the average, and highest among women. Sex variations were minimal, although life activities for women of 85 years and over had more severe/extreme disability as compared to men (OR = 5.15 95% CI 3.19-8.32).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Disability is highly prevalent among the Spanish elderly. Sex- and age-specific variations of disability are associated with particular disability domains.</p
Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)
Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese.
Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (â1.97 kg, 95% CI â2.39 to â1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (â1.13 kg, 95% CI â1.56 to â0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; â1.84 kg, 95% CI â2.48 to â1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; â1.22%, 95% CI â1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (â0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI â0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of â1.18 kg (95% CI â2.30 to â0.06) and BMI of â0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI â0.80 to â0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of â0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI â0.86 to â0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of â1.03 kg (95% CI â1.74 to â0.33), PBF of â0.76% (95% CI â1.32% to â0.20%), and BMI of â0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI â0.83 to â0.19).
Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect
Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)
This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands
Localization and Broadband Follow-up of the Gravitational-wave Transient GW150914
A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by
the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)
detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098
and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By
prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and
sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers
covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths
with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the
low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of
the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up
observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates
Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities,
the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the
observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger,
there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM)
signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a
counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and
highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community
and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron
star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and
results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by
the individual teams.
</p
Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later
designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through
gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray
burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ⌠1.7 {{s}} with respect to
the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was
initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a
luminosity distance of {40}-8+8 Mpc and with
component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses
were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 {M}ÈŻ
. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the
electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical
transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC
4993 (at ⌠40 {{Mpc}}) less than 11 hours after the merger by the
One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The
optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an
hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment.
Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded
within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward
evolution over âŒ10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and
radio emission were discovered at the transientâs position ⌠9
and ⌠16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and
radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct
from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No
ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with
the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support
the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron
stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and
a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process
nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.</p
Ultracytochemical study of trimetaphosphatase activity during acrosomal formation in the mouse testis
The localization of Trimetaphosphatase
(TMPase) activity during the acrosomal formation in the
mouse testis was enzyme cytochemically investigated by
the cerium-salt method. In addition to the lysosomes of
the Sertoli cells and the spermatogenic cells in the
seminiferous tubules, positive TMPase activity was
detected in the Golgi complex and in the acrosomal
vesicles of the spermatids, as well as in the acrosomes of
both spermatids and spermatozoa. In the Golgi complex
of the spermatids, TMPase activity was observed in the
first one or two lamellae of the trans-face and in the
small vesicles in the vicinity of the Golgi complex.
TMPase positive reaction was also detected in the
acrosomes of the spermatozoa in the lumina of both the
seminiferous tubules and the epididymal duct. The
localization of this enzyme activity was compared with
that of acid phosphatase (ACPase), as detected by the
cerium-based method, using B-glycerophosphate as
substrate: ACPase activity was completely absent from
the Golgi complex, small vesicles, acrosomal vesicle and
acrosome throughout the entire process of acrosomal
formation. TMPase is thought to become one of the
acrosomal components, and may be involved in the
acrosomal reaction during fertilization.
PĂĄginas de Na-K-ATPase activity in the guinea pig stria vascularis in experimentally-induced endolymphatic hydrops
The effect of endolymphatic hydrops on the
Na-K-ATPase activity in the guinea pig stria vascularis
was electron microscopically and enzyme cytochemically
investigated one year after experimental
induction. The morphological observations revealed
intercellular dropsy in the basal infoldings of the
marginal cells, and shrinkage and disappearance
of intermediate cells. Moreover, shrinkage of the
marginal cells, especially of the basal infoldings, was
occasionally observed. In spite of these morphological
alterations, the Na-K-ATPase activity was still detected
on the plasma membrane of the basal infoldings of most
marginal cells. No remarkable differences were found
among the cochlear turns of the specimens examined.
However, no reaction product was detected on the
basolateral plasma membrane of severely degenerated
marginal cells. The present results indicate that the Na-
K-ATPase of the plasma membrane of the basal
infoldings of the marginal cells plays an important role
in the maintenance of the unique ion concentration of the
endolymph even in the endolymphatic hydropic
condition, and that the Na-K-ATPase activity is
attenuated in severely atrophic cells
Alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase activities in the transitional epithelium of the rat urinary bladder
The cerium-based method was used to
demonstrate cytochemically the ultrastructural
localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), 5'-
nucleotidase (5'-Nase) and magnesium-dependent
adenosine triphosphatase (Mg-ATPase) on the
transitional epithelium of the rat urinary bladder. The
reaction product for ALPase was found on the plasma
membrane of al1 epithelial cells, except the luminal
surface of superficial cells. The activity of 5'-Nase
appeared on the plasma membrane of al1 bladder
transitional epithelial cells, including the free surface of
superficial cells. The Mg-ATPase reaction product was
seen on the plasma membrane of superficial,
intermediate and basal cells, but never on the luminal
surface of superficial cells and it was only occasionally
seen on the basal surface. The possible functions of these
phosphatases have been discussed, and it was
emphasized that the 5'-Nase activity present on the
luminal surface of superficial cells may play a special role
in the membrane movement of these cells in the
transitional epithelium
An ultracytochemical study on the dynamics of alkaline phosphatase-positive granules in rat neutrophils
Alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity was
examined by cerium-based uitracytochemistry in
isolated rat neutrophils following stimulation with
phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). In control
neutrophils, low levels of ALPase activity were detected
in small tubular and spherical compartments distributed
throughout the cytoplasm. Neutrophils stimulated for
2.5, 5, 15, and 30 min with 50 nglml PMA or 10-7 M
fMLP displayed a time-dependent increase in ALPase
activity. At 2.5 min, an increase in activity was first
identified in compartments that were aggregated in the
central regions of the cell. By 15 min, a dense precipitate
was seen in tubular or elongated bead-like structures that
extended to and made contact with the plasma
membrane. Large enzyme-positive vacuoles were also
observed in regions near the plasma membrane. At the
longer stimulation times, a fine precipitate was present
on the cell surface of the neutrophil in regions where
subplasmalemmal ALPase activity was present. The
results of this study indicate that an increase in activity
and a redistribution of ALPase-positive structures occurs
in neutrophils in response to stimulation with PMA and
fMLP. It is likely that these compartments are latent
pools of ALPase which, upon stimulation, fuse and
mobilize the enzyme activity to the cell surface