Proper motions of the HH1 jet

We describe a new method for determining proper motions of extended objects, and a pipeline developed for the application of this method. We then apply this method to an analysis of four epochs of [S~II] HST images of the HH~1 jet (covering a period of $\sim 20$~yr). We determine the proper motions of the knots along the jet, and make a reconstruction of the past ejection velocity time-variability (assuming ballistic knot motions). This reconstruction shows an "acceleration" of the ejection velocities of the jet knots, with higher velocities at more recent times. This acceleration will result in an eventual merging of the knots in $\sim 450$~yr and at a distance of $\sim 80"$ from the outflow source, close to the present-day position of HH~1.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Numerical Modeling of Eta Carinae Bipolar Outflows

In this paper, we present two-dimensional gas dynamic simulations of the formation and evolution of the eta-Car bipolar outflows. Adopting the interacting nonspherical winds model, we have carried out high-resolution numerical simulations, which include explicitly computed time-dependent radiative cooling, for different possible scenarios of the colliding winds. In our simulations, we consider different degrees of non-spherical symmetry for the pre-outburst wind and the great eruption of the 1840s presented by the eta-Car wind. From these models, we obtain important differences in the shape and kinematical properties of the Homunculus structure. In particular, we find an appropriate combination of the wind parameters (that control the degree of non-spherical symmetry) and obtain numerical experiments that best match both the observed morphology and the expansion velocity of the eta-Car bipolar shell. In addition, our numerical simulations show the formation of a bipolar nebula embedded within the Homunculus (the little Homunculus) developed from a secondary eruptive event suffered by the star in the 1890s, and also the development of tenuous, high velocity ejections in the equatorial region that result from the impact of the eruptive wind of the 1840s with the pre-outburst wind and that could explain some of the high speed features observed in the equatorial ejecta. The models were, however, unable to produce equatorial ejections associated to the second eruptive event.Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures, accepted by the Astrophysical Journa

Presentación, clasificación y evolución de los pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular en un centro de Veracruz, México

ResumenAntecedentesLa estadificación en el carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) otorga pronóstico y orientación terapéutica. La resección y el trasplante hepático son opciones curativas y las terapias de ablación se aplican a pacientes que no reciben tratamiento curativo. La sobrevida tras la resección hepática o terapias de ablación es variada.ObjetivoDescribir la presentación, la estadificación, el manejo y la evolución de los pacientes con CHC en nuestro centro.Pacientes y métodosCuarenta y dos pacientes fueron seguidos prospectivamente durante 7 años. La sobrevida se calculó mediante Kaplan-Meier y log-rank entre los sistemas de estadificación (Okuda, BCLC y CLIP) y tipos de tratamiento (resección hepática, ablación por radiofrecuencia y ningún tratamiento quirúrgico).ResultadosLa edad media ± desviación estándar de los pacientes fue 68,9 ± 9,5 años; el 57% fueron mujeres y el 54% cirróticos. El 31% tenía infección por VHC. El tamaño medio del tumor fue 6.48 ± 2.52cm. Los estadios CLIP 0, Okuda I y BCLC A tuvieron mejor sobrevida que otros estadios (p<0.05). La resección tuvo mejor sobrevida (mediana: 32 meses y sobrevida a 1, 3 y 5 años del 83, el 39 y 19.7%) que ablación por radiofrecuencia (25 meses, y el 90 y el 17.2% a 1 y 3 años) y que ningún tratamiento quirúrgico (1 año<5%) (p<0.05).ConclusiónLos pacientes con CHC en nuestro centro al igual que otra población en México son diagnosticados tardíamente. El pronóstico usando CLIP y BCLC es similar a la literatura. Los mejores resultados se observaron en estadios tempranos y los que tuvieron resección quirúrgica del CHC.AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) staging provides a basis for calculating disease prognosis and therapeutic guidance. Liver resection and transplantation are curative options, and ablation therapies are applied to patients that are not candidates for curative treatment. Survival after liver resection or ablation therapies varies.AimsTo describe the presentation, staging, management, and outcome in patients with HCC in our center.Patients and methodsForty-two patients had a 7-year prospective follow-up. Survival was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test was used for its comparison between the staging systems (Okuda, BCLC, and CLIP) and types of treatment (liver resection, radiofrequency ablation, and no surgical treatment).ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 68.9 ± 9.5 years; 57% were women. A total of 54% of the patients presented with cirrhosis and 31% were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The mean tumor size was 6.48 ± 2.52cm. The CLIP 0, Okuda I, and BCLC A stages had better survival rates than the other stages (P<0.05). Survival with resection was superior (median of 32 months and survival at 1, 3, and 5 years of 83, 39, and 19.7%, respectively) to that of both radiofrequency ablation (median of 25 months and survival at 1 and 3 years of 90 and 17.2%, respectively) and no surgical treatment (1 year < 5%) (P<0.05).ConclusionThe patients at our center were diagnosed at late stages of HCC, as is the case in other Mexican populations. Outcome in relation to CLIP and BCLC was similar to the prognoses reported in the literature. The best results were observed in the patients with early stage disease and those that underwent HCC resection surgery

The 2HWC HAWC Observatory Gamma Ray Catalog

We present the first catalog of TeV gamma-ray sources realized with the recently completed High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC). It is the most sensitive wide field-of-view TeV telescope currently in operation, with a 1-year survey sensitivity of ~5-10% of the flux of the Crab Nebula. With an instantaneous field of view >1.5 sr and >90% duty cycle, it continuously surveys and monitors the sky for gamma ray energies between hundreds GeV and tens of TeV. HAWC is located in Mexico at a latitude of 19 degree North and was completed in March 2015. Here, we present the 2HWC catalog, which is the result of the first source search realized with the complete HAWC detector. Realized with 507 days of data and represents the most sensitive TeV survey to date for such a large fraction of the sky. A total of 39 sources were detected, with an expected contamination of 0.5 due to background fluctuation. Out of these sources, 16 are more than one degree away from any previously reported TeV source. The source list, including the position measurement, spectrum measurement, and uncertainties, is reported. Seven of the detected sources may be associated with pulsar wind nebulae, two with supernova remnants, two with blazars, and the remaining 23 have no firm identification yet.Comment: Submitted 2017/02/09 to the Astrophysical Journa

Perspective for Aquaponic Systems: (Omic) Technologies for Microbial Community Analysis

Aquaponics is the combined production of aquaculture and hydroponics, connected by a water recirculation system. In this productive system, the microbial community is responsible for carrying out the nutrient dynamics between the components. The nutrimental transformations mainly consist in the transformation of chemical species from toxic compounds into available nutrients. In this particular field, the microbial research, the &quot;Omic&quot; technologies will allow a broader scope of studies about a current microbial profile inside aquaponics community, even in those species that currently are unculturable. This approach can also be useful to understand complex interactions of living components in the system. Until now, the analog studies were made to set up the microbial characterization on recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). However, microbial community composition of aquaponics is still unknown. &quot;Omic&quot; technologies like metagenomic can help to reveal taxonomic diversity. The perspectives are also to begin the first attempts to sketch the functional diversity inside aquaponic systems and its ecological relationships. The knowledge of the emergent properties inside the microbial community, as well as the understanding of the biosynthesis pathways, can derive in future biotechnological applications. Thus, the aim of this review is to show potential applications of current &quot;Omic&quot; tools to characterize the microbial community in aquaponic systems

A study of Tycho's SNR at TeV energies with the HEGRA CT-System

Tycho's supernova remnant (SNR) was observed during 1997 and 1998 with the HEGRA Cherenkov Telescope System in a search for gamma-ray emission at energies above ~1 TeV. An analysis of these data, ~65 hours in total, resulted in no evidence for TeV gamma-ray emission. The 3sigma upper limit to the gamma-ray flux (>1 TeV) from Tycho is estimated at 5.78x10^{-13} photons cm^{-2} s^{-1}, or 33 milli-Crab. We interpret our upper limit within the framework of the following scenarios: (1) that the observed hard X-ray tail is due to synchrotron emission. A lower limit on the magnetic field within Tycho may be estimated B>=22 microG, assuming that the RXTE-detected X-rays were due to synchrotron emission. However, using results from a detailed model of the ASCA emission, a more conservative lower limit B>=6 microG is derived. (2) the hadronic model of Drury, Aharonian & Voelk, and (3) the more recent time-dependent kinetic theory of Berezhko & Voelk. Our upper limit lies within the range of predicted values of both hadronic models, according to uncertainties in physical parameters of Tycho, and shock acceleration details. In the latter case, the model was scaled to suit the parameters of Tycho and re-normalised to account for a simplification of the original model. We find that we cannot rule out Tycho as a potential contributor at an average level to the Galactic cosmic-ray flux.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

The Sensitivity of HAWC to High-Mass Dark Matter Annihilations

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is a wide field-of-view detector sensitive to gamma rays of 100 GeV to a few hundred TeV. Located in central Mexico at 19 degrees North latitude and 4100 m above sea level, HAWC will observe gamma rays and cosmic rays with an array of water Cherenkov detectors. The full HAWC array is scheduled to be operational in Spring 2015. In this paper, we study the HAWC sensitivity to the gamma-ray signatures of high-mass (multi- TeV) dark matter annihilation. The HAWC observatory will be sensitive to diverse searches for dark matter annihilation, including annihilation from extended dark matter sources, the diffuse gamma-ray emission from dark matter annihilation, and gamma-ray emission from non-luminous dark matter subhalos. Here we consider the HAWC sensitivity to a subset of these sources, including dwarf galaxies, the M31 galaxy, the Virgo cluster, and the Galactic center. We simulate the HAWC response to gamma rays from these sources in several well-motivated dark matter annihilation channels. If no gamma-ray excess is observed, we show the limits HAWC can place on the dark matter cross-section from these sources. In particular, in the case of dark matter annihilation into gauge bosons, HAWC will be able to detect a narrow range of dark matter masses to cross-sections below thermal. HAWC should also be sensitive to non-thermal cross-sections for masses up to nearly 1000 TeV. The constraints placed by HAWC on the dark matter cross-section from known sources should be competitive with current limits in the mass range where HAWC has similar sensitivity. HAWC can additionally explore higher dark matter masses than are currently constrained.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, version to be published in PR

The preterm cervix reveals a transcriptomic signature in the presence of premature pre-labor rupture of membranes

BACKGROUND: Premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes accounts for 30% of all premature births and is associated with detrimental long-term infant outcomes. Premature cervical remodeling, facilitated by matrix metalloproteinases, may trigger rupture at the zone of the fetal membranes overlying the cervix. The similarities and differences underlying cervical remodeling in premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes are unexplored. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to perform the first transcriptomic assessment of the preterm human cervix to identify differences between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes and to compare the enzymatic activities of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical biopsies were collected following preterm labor with intact membranes (n = 6) and premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes (n = 5). Biopsies were also collected from reference groups at term labor (n = 12) or term not labor (n = 5). The Illumina HT-12 version 4.0 BeadChips microarray was utilized, and a novel network graph approach determined the specificity of changes between premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and preterm labor with intact membranes. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting confirmed the microarray findings. Immunofluorescence was used for localization studies and gelatin zymography to assess matrix metalloproteinase activity. RESULTS: PML-RARA-regulated adapter molecule 1, FYVE-RhoGEF and PH domain-containing protein 3 and carcinoembryonic antigen-ralated cell adhesion molecule 3 were significantly higher, whereas N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 was lower in the premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes cervix when compared with the cervix in preterm labor with intact membranes, term labor, and term not labor. PRAM1 and CEACAM3 were localized to immune cells at the cervical stroma and NDRG2 and FGD3 were localized to cervical myofibroblasts. The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was higher (1.22 ± 4.403-fold, P &lt; .05) in the cervix in premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes compared with preterm labor with intact membranes. CONCLUSION: We identified 4 novel proteins with a potential role in the regulation of cervical remodeling leading to premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes. Our findings contribute to the studies dissecting the mechanisms underlying premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes and inspire further investigations toward the development of premature prelabor rupture of fetal membranes therapeutics