A joint Chandra and Swift view of the 2015 X-Ray dust-scattering echo of V404 Cygni

We present a combined analysis of the Chandra and Swift observations of the 2015 X-ray echo of V404 Cygni. Using a stacking analysis, we identify eight separate rings in the echo. We reconstruct the soft X-ray light curve of the 2015 June outburst using the high-resolution Chandra images and cross-correlations of the radial intensity profiles, indicating that about 70% of the outburst fluence occurred during the bright flare at the end of the outburst on MJD 57199.8. By deconvolving the intensity profiles with the reconstructed outburst light curve, we show that the rings correspond to eight separate dust concentrations with precise distance determinations. We further show that the column density of the clouds varies significantly across the field of view, with the centroid of most of the clouds shifted toward the Galactic plane, relative to the position of V404 Cyg, invalidating the assumption of uniform cloud column typically made in attempts to constrain dust properties from light echoes. We present a new XSPEC spectral dust-scattering model that calculates the differential dust-scattering cross section for a range of commonly used dust distributions and compositions and use it to jointly fit the entire set of Swift echo data. We find that a standard Mathis-Rumpl-Nordsieck model provides an adequate fit to the ensemble of echo data. The fit is improved by allowing steeper dust distributions, and models with simple silicate and graphite grains are preferred over models with more complex composition. © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved

Rede regional de agroecologia - um plano piloto: um sistema de informações integradas na gestão rural sustentáveis.

Considerando que na atualidade, o maior insumo para produção orgânica no mundo ainda continua sendo a informação. Por outro lado se a informação é importante, a falta dela é um dos grandes entraves. Segundo ALTIERI (2002), um dos grandes obstáculos à agricultura orgânica é a falta de comunicação por parte os produtores, bem como o desconhecimento por parte dos consumidores sobre os benefícios sócio-ambientais da produção orgânica

Organizando informação na Web sobre agroecologia.

O presente estudo procura contribuir para a difusão e organização dos conhecimentos agroecológicos, inicialmente abrangendo os atores da região do Leste Paulista e região do Pontal do Paranapanema no Estado de São Paulo, unidos por meio de um projeto denominado Rede Regional de Agroecologia Mantiqueira-Mogiana. O trabalho descreve as funcionalidades disponíveis no sítio da rede regional, bem como uma alternativa da representação da hierarquia do conhecimento por meio da ferramenta Hiper Visual - Navegador Hiperbólico. As ferramentas utilizadas neste estudo estão na abordagem do software livre e de código aberto

The Chandra High Resolution X-ray Spectrum of Quiescent Emission from Sgr A*

In quiescence, Sgr A* is surprisingly dim, shining 100,000 times less than expected for its environment. This problem has motivated a host of theoretical models to explain radiatively inefficient accretion flows (RIAFs). The Chandra Galactic Center (GC) X-ray Visionary Program obtained approximately 3 Ms (one month) of Chandra HETG data, offering the only opportunity to examine the quiescent X-ray emission of Sgr A* with high resolution spectroscopy. Utilizing custom background regions and filters for removing overlapping point sources, this work provides the first ever look at stacked HETG spectra of Sgr A*. We model the background datasets with a cubic spline and fit the unbinned Sgr A* spectra with a simple parametric model of a power law plus Gaussian lines under the effects of interstellar extinction. We detect a strong 6.7 keV iron emission line in the HEG spectra and a 3.1 keV emission line in the MEG spectra. In all cases, the line centroids and equivalent widths are consistent with those measured from low-resolution CCD spectra. An examination of the unbinned, stacked HEG+/-1 spectrum reveals fine structure in the iron line complex. In addition to resolving the resonant and forbidden lines from He-like iron, there are apparent emission features arising with higher statistical significance at lower energy, potentially associated with FeXX-XXIV ions in a ~1 keV plasma arising near the Bondi radius of Sgr A*. With this work, we release the cleaned and stacked Sgr A* and background HETG spectra to the public as a special legacy dataset.Comment: Accepted by Ap

Retinal pigment epithelium degeneration caused by aggregation of PRPF31 and the role of HSP70 family of proteins

Background Mutations in pre-mRNA splicing factor PRPF31 can lead to retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Although the exact disease mechanism remains unknown, it has been hypothesized that haploinsufficiency might be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods In this study, we have analyzed a mouse model containing the p.A216P mutation in Prpf31 gene. Results We found that mutant Prpf31 protein produces cytoplasmic aggregates in the retinal pigment epithelium and decreasing the protein levels of this splicing factor in the nucleus. Additionally, normal protein was recruited in insoluble aggregates when the mutant protein was overexpressed in vitro. In response to protein aggregation, Hspa4l is overexpressed. This member of the HSP70 family of chaperones might contribute to the correct folding and solubilization of the mutant protein, allowing its translocation to the nucleus. Conclusions Our data suggests that a mechanism haploinsufficiency and dominant-negative is involved in retinal degeneration due to mutations in PRPF31. HSP70 over-expression might be a new therapeutic target for the treatment of retinal degeneration due to PRPF31 mutations.This project has been financed through a) The ISCIII (Miguel Servet-I, 2015), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), No CP15/00071. b) The European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, under grant agreement No 634479. c) Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science of the Junta de Andalucía, No P09-CTS-04967.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estabelecimento de espécies frutíferas e nativas em um sistema agroflorestal biodiverso.

Resumo: Um sistema agroflorestal (SAF) biodiverso foi desenhado a partir de princípios agroecológicos e da experiência de técnicos, pesquisadores e agricultores, visando à recuperação ecológica e econômica de uma área degradada em Jaguariúna (SP). Em novembro de 2009, agricultores de assentamentos da região de Ribeirão Preto (SP) e Itapeva (SP), participaram de um Dia de Campo, que incluiu uma capacitação em SAF, a troca de saberes e a implantação, em mutirão, de parte do sistema. Através do monitoramento de parâmetros ambientais e econômicos, pretende-se, ao longo do tempo, avaliar a eficiência ecológica e produtiva do sistema e definir indicadores de sustentabilidade que possam ser aplicados pelos agricultores. Este trabalho apresenta uma avaliação preliminar do estabelecimento de espécies frutíferas e nativas três anos após a implantação do SAF. Pretende-se assim contribuir para um melhor entendimento de sistemas biodiversos e de seu potencial para uma produção sustentável. Abstract: A biodiverse agroforestry system (SAF) was designed using agroecological principles and the expertise of technicians, reseachers and farmers to achieve ecological and economic recovery of a degraded area in Jaguariúna (SP). In November 2009, farmers in settlements in the region of Ribeirão Preto (SP) and Itapeva (SP), participated in a Field Day, which included a SAF training, knowledge exchange and implementation of a part of the system through a task force. By monitoring environmental and economic parameters, it is intended, over time, to evaluate the ecological and productive efficiency of the system and define sustainability indicators that can be applied by farmers. This paper presents a preliminary assessment of the establishment of native species and fruit three years after the implementation of the SAF. Thus the aim is contributing to a better understanding of biodiverse systems and its potential for sustainable production

The role of statins in prevention and treatment of community acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that statins may reduce the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its complications. PURPOSE: Performed a systematic review to address the role of statins in the prevention or treatment of CAP. DATA SOURCE: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus from inception through December 2011 were searched for randomized clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies. STUDY SELECTION: Two authors independently reviewed studies that examined the role of statins in CAP. DATA EXTRACTION: Data about study characteristics, adjusted effect-estimates and quality characteristics was extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eighteen studies corresponding to 21 effect-estimates (eight and 13 of which addressed the preventive and therapeutic roles of statins, respectively) were included. All studies were of good methodological quality. Random-effects meta-analyses of adjusted effect-estimates were used. Statins were associated with a lower risk of CAP, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74-0.95), I(2) = 90.5% and a lower short-term mortality in patients with CAP, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.59-0.78), I(2) = 75.7%. Meta-regression did not identify sources of heterogeneity. A funnel plot suggested publication bias in the treatment group, which was adjusted by a novel regression method with a resultant effect-estimate of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.77-0.93). Sensitivity analyses using the rule-out approach showed that it is unlikely that the results were due to an unmeasured confounder. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis reveals a beneficial role of statins for the risk of development and mortality associated with CAP. However, the results constitute very low quality evidence as per the GRADE framework due to observational study design, heterogeneity and publication bias

Produzione, mercato e consumi della cerasicoltura spagnola

La crisi di sovrapproduzione di alcune specie tradizionali sta favorendo la crescita del ciliegio, che mostra un costante incremento delle superfici, favorito dal rinnovamento varietale, dall’aumento dei consumi, dal miglioramento delle tecnologie di produzione e dalla precocità di maturazione. Tutti fattori che garantiscono alla Spagna elevata competitività nelle esportazioni verso i Paesi dell’Ue.Colaboración en el blog: Rivista di frutticoltura e di ortofloricoltura. Disponible: http://www.rivistafrutticoltura.it