Pixels, photometry, and population studies: variable stars across four years of Kepler data

In this thesis, we focus on studies of variable stars across four years of data from NASA's Kepler mission. We present an analysis of oscillating red giants from which exhibit anomalous peaks in their amplitude spectra. We use close analysis of Kepler pixel data to confirm the source of these anomalous peaks. By analysing the distribution of the population across the Kepler field of view, we find that we are observing two populations, of contamination by a line-of-sight background or foreground binary system, and of physical associations in potential triple systems. Using similar population analysis techniques, we study the distribution of Kepler Objects of Interest to draw conclusions about their designation as either planet hosts or false positives. We use detailed pixel analysis methods to study a rotating subgiant hosting a planet, potential doubly-oscillating red giant-delta Scuti binaries, red giants classified by a neural network. We also extend this work to TESS data, to study a sample of high frequency delta Scuti stars. Finally, we perform image subtraction photometry on the Kepler superstamps, large-scale pixel data covering the open clusters NGC 6791 and NGC 6819. Image subtraction photometry produces high-quality time series data which emphasises stellar variability. We outline the development of an image subtraction photometry pipeline, and present an overview of the results of our search for stellar variability in NGC 6791 and NGC 6819, including detections of stellar rotation, binary systems, and oscillating stars in both clusters

Esclerodermia y psoriasis, una asociación poco frecuente

A case of skin psoriasis is presented preceeding the onset of systemic sclerosis, which constitutes an uncommon association. immunopathogenic pathways of both diseases are different, nonetheless, they share some physiopathologic and genetic features. Endothelial compromise and growth factors dysregulation are common factors between them. A tem- porary association between these diseases has been descripted, in which apparently the onset of psoriasis preceeds systemic sclerosis; generating diverse hypothesis that link a probable common ethiology.Se presenta un caso de psoriasis cutánea precediendo a la aparición de esclerosis sistémica, el cual constituye una asociación poco común. Se ha descrito que las vías inmunopatogénicas de ambas enfermedades son diferentes, sin embargo, comparten algunos aspectos fisiopatológicos y genéticos. El compromiso vascular y la disregulación del crecimiento epidérmico son factores comunes de ambas enfermedades. Se ha descrito asociación temporal entre ambas, en las que aparentemente la aparición de psoriasis precede a la de la esclerosis sistémica; generando diversas hipótesis que relacionan su posible etiología en común

E´ chelle diagrams and period spacings of g modes in: Doradus stars from four years of Kepler observations

We use photometry from the Kepler Mission to study oscillations in Doradus stars. Some stars show remarkably clear sequences of g modes and we use period ´echelle diagrams to measure period spacings and identifyrotationally split multiplets with ` = 1 and ` = 2.We find small deviations from regular period spacings that arise from the gradient in the chemical composition just outside the convective core. We also find stars for which the period spacing shows a strong linear trend as a function of period, consistent with relatively rapid rotation. Overall, th

Biomarcadores clínicos de Remisión en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoide tratados con Anti-TNFα

The way rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is treated has changed dramatically in the last decade, with the use of molecular targeted therapies. These durgs act in pathways associated with the inflammatory process, improving disease control with less development of adverse effects. However, there are a percentage of patients in whom these therapies are not effective. So far, no validated biomarkers that can be used as a predictor of response in clinical practice has ben detected. Being able to predict which patients will respond to a certain treatment will optimize treatment with these expensive drugs. Objectives: To identify biomarkers for anti-TNF therapy remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a large cohort of patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 628 RA patients that have received theire first anti-TNFα therapy (n = 159 adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab n = 251 n = 218) were included in the present study. All patients were collected as part of the IMID consortium. A number of epidemiological variables (ie origin, toxic habits, physical activity, level of education, etc.) and a large number of variables related to the AR itself (ie age of onset, presence of autoantibodies, previous treatments, etc) were collected. Clinical remission was defined as a value of DAS28El estudio de la fisiopatología de la Artritis Reumatoide (AR) ha permitido el desarrollo de fármacos capaces de actuar de forma precisa en las vías relacionadas con el proceso inflamatorio, logrando un mejor control de la enfermedad con un menor desarrollo de efectos adversos. Sin embargo, existe un porcentaje de pacientes en los que estas terapias no son eficaces. Hasta el momento no existe ningún biomarcador validado que pueda ser utilizado como un predictor de respuesta en la práctica clínica y tampoco se conoce con exactitud el mecanismo biológico por el cual algunos pacientes no responden de forma adecuada a estos tratamientos. El poder predecir que pacientes responderán a un tratamiento determinado permitirá optimizar el tratamiento con estos agentes. Objetivo: Identificar biomarcadores de remisión no genéticos al tratamiento con terapias anti-TNFα en pacientes con artritis reumatoide en una gran cohorte de pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Se incluyó a los 628 pacientes con diagnóstico de AR del proyecto PSE IMID-Kit que iniciaban una terapia biológica (adalimumab n=159, etanercept n=251 e infliximab n=218). Se registraron una serie de variables epidemiológicas (i.e. procedencia, habitos tóxicos, actividad física, grado de estudios, etc) y un elevado número de variables relacionadas con la propia AR (i.e. edad de inicio, presencia de autoanticuerpos, tratamientos previos, etc). La remisión clínica fue definida como un valor del DAS2

The effect of tides on near-core rotation: analysis of 35 Kepler γ\gamma Doradus stars in eclipsing and spectroscopic binaries

We systematically searched for gravity- and Rossby-mode period spacing patterns in Kepler eclipsing binaries with $\gamma$ Doradus pulsators. These stars provide an excellent opportunity to test the theory of tidal synchronisation and angular momentum transport in F- and A-type stars. We discovered 35 systems that show clear patterns, including the spectroscopic binary KIC 10080943. Combined with 45 non-eclipsing binaries with $\gamma$ Dor components that have been found using pulsation timing, we measured their near-core rotation rates and asymptotic period spacings. We find that many stars are tidally locked if the orbital periods are shorter than 10 days, in which the near-core rotation periods given by the traditional approximation of rotation (TAR) are consistent with the orbital period. Compared to the single stars, $\gamma$ Dor stars in binaries tend to have slower near-core rotation rates, likely a consequence of tidal spin-down. We also find three stars that have extremely slow near-core rotation rates. To explain these, we hypothesise that unstable tidally excited oscillations can transfer angular momentum from the star to the orbit, and slow the star below synchronism, a process we refer to as `inverse tides'.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, accepted by MNRA

A binary with a δ\delta~Scuti star and an oscillating red giant: orbit and asteroseismology of KIC9773821

We study the $\delta$ Scuti -- red giant binary KIC9773821, the first double-pulsator binary of its kind. It was observed by \textit{Kepler} during its four-year mission. Our aims are to ascertain whether the system is bound, rather than a chance alignment, and to identify the evolutionary state of the red giant via asteroseismology. An extension of these aims is to determine a dynamical mass and an age prior for a $\delta$ Sct star, which may permit mode identification via further asteroseismic modelling. We determine spectroscopic parameters and radial velocities (RVs) for the red giant component using HERMES@Mercator spectroscopy. Light arrival-time delays from the $\delta$ Sct pulsations are used with the red-giant RVs to determine that the system is bound and to infer its orbital parameters, including the binary mass ratio. We use asteroseismology to model the individual frequencies of the red giant to give a mass of $2.10^{+0.20}_{-0.10}$ M$_{\odot}$ and an age of $1.08^{+0.06}_{-0.24}$ Gyr. We find that it is a helium-burning secondary clump star, confirm that it follows the standard $\nu_{\rm max}$ scaling relation, and confirm its observed period spacings match their theoretical counterparts in the modelling code MESA. Our results also constrain the mass and age of the $\delta$ Sct star. We leverage these constraints to construct $\delta$ Sct models in a reduced parameter space and identify four of its five pulsation modes.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

The effect of air pollution on children’s health: a comparative study between La Plata and Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

We present the results of a study of outdoor air quality in two comparable regions of Buenos Aires province (Argentina), La Plata and Bahía Blanca, developed jointly by researchers of National University in both cities, and of the Hospital of Bahía Blanca, between 2009 and 2011. Both regions are characterized by a large petrochemical complex and a village with outstanding traffic. In this study, we measure levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter suspended in air (PM) in air outdoor and affectation of respiratory system in children between 6 and 12 years. Also, analysis of the effect of the air pollution exposure was done thought the calculation of potentially increased life time cancer risk (LCR) in children. In both regions, including three areas: urban, industrial and residential (reference area), 20 VOCs were sampled by passive monitoring (3M 3500), and determined by GC/FID, comprising n-alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, chlorinated compounds, terpenoids and ketones; particulate matter (PM10) was token using a low flow sampler MiniVol TAS, and spirometry were performed, using a portable spirometer. The collected data show higher levels of PM10 in Bahía Blanca, both in the industrial zone and urban areas, industrial area of Bahía Blanca with very bad air quality, associable with a 5% increased in mortality. The levels of total VOCs found in the residential area for both regions are comparable. Spirometry parameters of children living in industrial area evidence respiratory disease respect to urban and residential areas.Fil: Colman Lerner, Jorge Esteban. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morales, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar, M.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Fundación Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Giuliani, Daniela Silvana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Orte, Marcos Agustín. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ditondo, J.. Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Dr. José Penna”; ArgentinaFil: Dodero, Veronica Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Massolo, L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Erica Yanina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Matamoros, N.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingenieria; ArgentinaFil: Porta, A.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas; Argentin

Eficacia y Seguridad del tratamiento con Tocilizumab en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoide

L'artritis reumatoide (AR) és una malaltia inflamatòria crònica de caràcter sistèmic que afecta de manera preferent a les articulacions. El tractament de l'AR ha canviat de forma radical en l'última dècada. Això és a causa del desenvolupament de nous tractaments biològics dirigits contra molècules directament implicades en la patogènesi de l'AR. Un d'aquests tractaments és el Tocilizumab (RoACTEMRA ®) un anticòs monoclonal humanitzat que bloqueja l'acció de la Interleucina-6. TCZ ha estat aprovat recentment per al tractament de l'AR. El present projecte té com a objectiu avaluar la seguretat i eficàcia de TCZ en pacients amb AR inclosos en l'assaig clínic ACT-SURE (MA21573), provinents de la consulta externa monogràfica de pacients amb AR de l'Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron.La artritis reumatoide (AR) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de carácter sistémico que afecta de forma preferente a las articulaciones. El tratamiento de la AR ha cambiado de forma radical en la última década. Esto es debido al desarrollo de nuevos tratamientos biológicos dirigidos contra moléculas directamente implicadas en la patogénesis de la AR. Uno de estos tratamientos es el Tocilizumab (RoACTEMRA®) un anticuerpo monoclonal humanizado que bloquea la acción de la Interleucina-6. TCZ ha sido aprobado recientemente para el tratamiento de la AR. El presente proyecto tiene como objetivo evaluar la seguridad y eficacia de TCZ en pacientes con AR incluidos en el ensayo clínico ACT-SURE (MA21573), provenientes de la consulta externa monográfica de pacientes con AR del Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron

Neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 immunotherapy promotes a survival benefit with intratumoral and systemic immune responses in recurrent glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults and is associated with poor survival. The Ivy Foundation Early Phase Clinical Trials Consortium conducted a randomized, multi-institution clinical trial to evaluate immune responses and survival following neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy with pembrolizumab in 35 patients with recurrent, surgically resectable glioblastoma. Patients who were randomized to receive neoadjuvant pembrolizumab, with continued adjuvant therapy following surgery, had significantly extended overall survival compared to patients that were randomized to receive adjuvant, post-surgical programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade alone. Neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade was associated with upregulation of T cell- and interferon-γ-related gene expression, but downregulation of cell-cycle-related gene expression within the tumor, which was not seen in patients that received adjuvant therapy alone. Focal induction of programmed death-ligand 1 in the tumor microenvironment, enhanced clonal expansion of T cells, decreased PD-1 expression on peripheral blood T cells and a decreasing monocytic population was observed more frequently in the neoadjuvant group than in patients treated only in the adjuvant setting. These findings suggest that the neoadjuvant administration of PD-1 blockade enhances both the local and systemic antitumor immune response and may represent a more efficacious approach to the treatment of this uniformly lethal brain tumor