Neutrinos and the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe

The discovery of neutrino oscillations provides a solid evidence for nonzero neutrino masses and leptonic mixing. The fact that neutrino masses are so tiny constitutes a puzzling problem in particle physics. From the theoretical viewpoint, the smallness of neutrino masses can be elegantly explained through the seesaw mechanism. Another challenging issue for particle physics and cosmology is the explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in Nature. Among the viable mechanisms, leptogenesis is a simple and well-motivated framework. In this talk we briefly review these aspects, making emphasis on the possibility of linking neutrino physics to the cosmological baryon asymmetry originated from leptogenesis.Comment: 8 pages, 1 table, 1 figure; Based on talk given at the Symposium STARS2011, 1 - 4 May 2011, Havana, Cuba; to be published in the Proceeding

Strange matter in the universe

The strange quark matter hypothesis is one of the most exciting speculations of the XX Century Physics. If this hypothesis is correct, the ground state of the matter would be the strange matter, which could form the core of compact objects like neutron stars or even more exotic objects like quarks stars. Due to the high-density and low-temperature regime in these stars, the interaction between quarks through gluon exchange could favor the appearance of a color superconducting state, significantl modifying the equation of state of the system. In this paper we present a general overview of this Subject, taking also into account the effect of strong magnetic field in the quark stars

Clustering Improves the Goemans–Williamson Approximation for the Max-Cut Problem

MAX−CUT is one of the well-studied NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. It can be formulated as an Integer Quadratic Programming problem and admits a simple relaxation obtained by replacing the integer “spin” variables xi by unitary vectors v⃗ i. The Goemans–Williamson rounding algorithm assigns the solution vectors of the relaxed quadratic program to a corresponding integer spin depending on the sign of the scalar product v⃗ i⋅r⃗ with a random vector r⃗ . Here, we investigate whether better graph cuts can be obtained by instead using a more sophisticated clustering algorithm. We answer this question affirmatively. Different initializations of k-means and k-medoids clustering produce better cuts for the graph instances of the most well known benchmark for MAX−CUT. In particular, we found a strong correlation of cluster quality and cut weights during the evolution of the clustering algorithms. Finally, since in general the maximal cut weight of a graph is not known beforehand, we derived instance-specific lower bounds for the approximation ratio, which give information of how close a solution is to the global optima for a particular instance. For the graphs in our benchmark, the instance specific lower bounds significantly exceed the Goemans–Williamson guarantee

Testosterone induction of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 expression and prostaglandin F 2α production in hamster Leydig cells

We have previously observed expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), in reproductively active Syrian hamster Leydig cells, and reported an inhibitory role of PGF 2α on hamster testicular steroidogenesis. In this study, we further investigated PTGS2 expression in hamster Leydig cells during sexual development and photoperiodic gonadal regression. Since PTGS2 is mostly expressed in pubertal and reproductively active adult hamsters with high circulating levels of LH and androgens, we studied the role of these hormones in the regulation/maintenance of testicular PTGS2/PGF 2α. In active hamster Leydig cells, LH/hCG and testosterone induced PTGS2 and PGF 2α production, and their actions were abolished by the antiandrogen bicalutamide (Bi). These results indicate that LH does not exert a direct effect on PG synthesis. Testosterone also stimulated phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms 3/1 (MAPK3/1) within minutes and hours, but the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone had no effect on PTGS2 and MAPK3/1. Because Bi and U0126, an inhibitor of the MAP kinase kinases 1 and 2 (MAP2K1/2), abolished testosterone actions on MAPK3/1 and PTGS2, our studies suggest that testosterone directly induces PTGS2/PGF 2α in hamster Leydig cells via androgen receptors and a non-classical mechanism that involves MAPK3/1 activation. Since PGF 2α inhibits testosterone production, it might imply the existence of a regulatory loop that is setting a brake on steroidogenesis. Thus, the androgen environment might be crucial for the regulation of testicular PG production at least during sexual development and photoperiodic variations in hamsters.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Testosterone induction of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 expression and prostaglandin F 2α production in hamster Leydig cells

We have previously observed expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), in reproductively active Syrian hamster Leydig cells, and reported an inhibitory role of PGF 2α on hamster testicular steroidogenesis. In this study, we further investigated PTGS2 expression in hamster Leydig cells during sexual development and photoperiodic gonadal regression. Since PTGS2 is mostly expressed in pubertal and reproductively active adult hamsters with high circulating levels of LH and androgens, we studied the role of these hormones in the regulation/maintenance of testicular PTGS2/PGF 2α. In active hamster Leydig cells, LH/hCG and testosterone induced PTGS2 and PGF 2α production, and their actions were abolished by the antiandrogen bicalutamide (Bi). These results indicate that LH does not exert a direct effect on PG synthesis. Testosterone also stimulated phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms 3/1 (MAPK3/1) within minutes and hours, but the testosterone metabolite dihydrotestosterone had no effect on PTGS2 and MAPK3/1. Because Bi and U0126, an inhibitor of the MAP kinase kinases 1 and 2 (MAP2K1/2), abolished testosterone actions on MAPK3/1 and PTGS2, our studies suggest that testosterone directly induces PTGS2/PGF 2α in hamster Leydig cells via androgen receptors and a non-classical mechanism that involves MAPK3/1 activation. Since PGF 2α inhibits testosterone production, it might imply the existence of a regulatory loop that is setting a brake on steroidogenesis. Thus, the androgen environment might be crucial for the regulation of testicular PG production at least during sexual development and photoperiodic variations in hamsters.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Inertial domain wall characterization in layered multisublattice antiferromagnets

The motion of a Neel-like 180 degrees domain wall induced by a time-dependent staggered spin-orbit field in the layered collinear antiferromagnet Mn2Au is explored. Through an effective version of the two sublattice nonlinear a-model which does not take into account the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction directed along the tetragonal c-axis, it is possible to replicate accurately the relativistic and inertial traces intrinsic to the magnetic texture dynamics obtained through atomistic spin dynamics simulations for quasistatic processes. In the case in which the steady-state magnetic soliton motion is extinguished due to the abrupt shutdown of the external stimulus, its stored relativistic exchange energy is transformed into a complex translational mobility, being the rigid domain wall profile approximation no longer suitable. Although it is not feasible to carry out a detailed follow-up of its temporal evolution in this case, it is possible to predict the inertial-based distance travelled by the domain wall in relation to its steady-state relativistic mass. This exhaustive dynamical characterization for different time-dependent regimes of the driving force is of potential interest in antiferromagnetic domain wall-based device applications.R.R.-E., K.Y.G., and R.M.O. thanks O. Chubykalo-Fesenko, S. Khmelevskyi, A. A. Sapozhnik, M. Jourdan, A. K. Zvezdin, and B. A. Ivanov for the fruitful discussions that have helped us to improve this manuscript. The work of R.M.O. and K.Y.G. was partially supported by the STSM Grants from the COST Action CA17123 "Ultrafast opto-magneto-electronics for non-dissipative information technology''. K.Y.G. acknowledges support by IKERBASQUE (the Basque Foundation for Science) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under grant PID2019-108075RB-C33/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Expression of the TGF-beta1 system in human testicular pathologies

In non-obstructive azoospermia, histological patterns of Sertoli cell-only Syndrome (SCO) and hypospermatogenesis (H) are commonly found. In these pathologies, Leydig cell hyperplasia (LCH) is detected in some patients. Since TGF-β1 is involved in cellular proliferation/development, the aim of this work was to analyze the expression of TGF-β1, its receptors TGFBRII, TGFBRI (ALK-1 and ALK-5), and the co-receptor endoglin in human biopsies from patients with idiopathic infertilityFil: Gonzalez, Candela Rocio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Matzkin, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Frungieri, Monica Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Terradas, Claudio. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos"Carlos G. Durand"; Argentina. Instituto Médico IPREFER; ArgentinaFil: Ponzio, Roberto . Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Puigdomenech, Elisa. Instituto Médico IPREFER;; ArgentinaFil: Levalle, Oscar. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos"Carlos G. Durand"; ArgentinaFil: Calandra, Ricardo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Calvar, Silvia Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); Argentina; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin

Novel interactions of GRP78: UPR and estrogen responses in the brain

Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78; 78 kDa) belongs to a group of highly conserved heat shock proteins (Hsp) with important functions at the cellular level. The emerging interest for GRP78 relies on its different functions, both in normal and pathological circumstances. GRP78 regulates intracellular calcium, protein shaping, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell survival by an immediate response to insults, and that its expression may also be regulated by estrogens. Although these roles are well explored, the mechanisms by which GRP78 induces these changes are not completely understood. In this review, we highlight various aspects related to the GRP78 functioning in cellular protection and repair in response to ER stress and unfolded protein response by the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ and other mechanisms. In this respect, the novel interactions between GRP78 and estrogens, such as estradiol and others, are analyzed in the context of the central nervous system (CNS). We also discuss the importance of GRP78 and estrogens in brain diseases including ischemia, Alzheimer's and Huntington's disorders. Finally, the main protective mechanisms of GRP78 and estrogens during ER dysfunction in the brain are described, and the prospective roles of GRP78 in therapeutic processes.Fil: Avila, Marco Fidel. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Cabezas, Ricardo. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Torrente, Daniel. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Gonzalez, Janneth. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Morales, Ludis. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; ColombiaFil: Alvarez, Lisandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas (i); ArgentinaFil: Capani, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas (i); ArgentinaFil: Barreto, George E.. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Colombi

Annual changes in the Biodiversity Intactness Index in tropical and subtropical forest biomes, 2001–2012

Few biodiversity indicators are available that reflect the state of broad-sense biodiversity—rather than of particular taxa—at fine spatial and temporal resolution. One such indicator, the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII), estimates how the average abundance of the native terrestrial species in a region compares with their abundances in the absence of pronounced human impacts. We produced annual maps of modelled BII at 30-arc-second resolution (roughly 1 km at the equator) across tropical and subtropical forested biomes, by combining annual data on land use, human population density and road networks, and statistical models of how these variables affect overall abundance and compositional similarity of plants, fungi, invertebrates and vertebrates. Across tropical and subtropical biomes, BII fell by an average of 1.9 percentage points between 2001 and 2012, with 81 countries seeing an average reduction and 43 an average increase; the extent of primary forest fell by 3.9% over the same period. We did not find strong relationships between changes in BII and countries’ rates of economic growth over the same period; however, limitations in mapping BII in plantation forests may hinder our ability to identify these relationships. This is the first time temporal change in BII has been estimated across such a large region