A model for configuration spaces of points

The configuration space of points on a $D$-dimensional smooth framed manifold may be compactified so as to admit a right action over the framed little $D$-disks operad. We construct a real combinatorial model for these modules, for compact smooth manifolds without boundary

Mesoscopic self-collimation and slow light in all-positive index layered photonic crystals

We demonstrate a mesoscopic self-collimation effect in photonic crystal superlattices consisting of a periodic set of all-positive index 2D photonic crystal and homogeneous layers. We develop an electromagnetic theory showing that diffraction-free beams are observed when the curvature of the optical dispersion relation is properly compensated for. This approach allows to combine slow light regime together with self-collimation in photonic crystal superlattices presenting an extremely low filling ratio in air.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Handling, reproducing and cryopreserving five European sea Urchins (Echinodermata, Klein, 1778) for biodiversity conservation purposes

Financiaciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGIn this work, five local sea urchin species found in European waters were studied. Four were regular species: Sphaerechinus granularis, Psammechinus miliaris, Echinus esculentus (Linnaeus, 1758) and the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus; and one was an irregular species, Echinocardium cordatum. These five species of sea urchins have been studied regarding their fertility, toxicity of cryoprotecting agents, cryopreservation of different cell types and chilling injury. The baseline fertility is similar in P. lividus, P. miliaris and S. granularis. Nonetheless, the sperm:egg ratio, contact time and development of the fertilization envelope would need to be studied further on a case-by-case basis. Sperm can be maintained inactively in the gonad (4 °C), and oocytes also maintain quality in sea water (4 °C), even after 72 h. Sperm was cryopreserved for four species with some post-thaw intra specific variability, and embryo cryopreservation was only possible for S. granularis. Overall, this study provided a wider vision of the biology and reproduction of these species that will help us develop tools for their biodiversity conservation through cryopreservation.Fundacion Biodiversida

On finding the best and worst orientations for the metric dimension

The (directed) metric dimension of a digraph D, denoted by MD(D), is the size of a smallest subset S of vertices such that every two vertices of D are distinguished via their distances from the vertices in S. In this paper, we investigate the graph parameters BOMD(G) and WOMD(G) which are respectively the smallest and largest metric dimension over all orientations of G. We show that those parameters are related to several classical notions of graph theory and investigate the complexity of determining those parameters. We show that BOMD(G) = 1 if and only if G is hypotraceable (that is has a path spanning all vertices but one), and deduce that deciding whether BOMD(G) ≤ k is NP-complete for every positive integer k. We also show that WOMD(G) ≥ α(G) − 1, where α(G) is the stability number of G. We then deduce that for every fixed positive integer k, we can decide in polynomial time whether WOMD(G) ≤ k. The most significant results deal with oriented forests. We provide a linear-time algorithm to compute the metric dimension of an oriented forest and a linear-time algorithm that, given a forest F , computes an orientation D − with smallest metric dimension (i.e. such that MD(D −) = BOMD(F)) and an orientation D + with largest metric dimension (i.e. such that MD(D +) = WOMD(F))

Aplicação do modelo de Scheffé no sistema de microextração líquido-líquido dispersiva de baixa densidade em amostra de soro de ruminantes para determinação de ácido linoleico / Application of the Scheffé model in the low-density dispersive liquid-liquid microextration system in a serum sample of ruminants for the determination of linoleic acid

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a triagem de uma técnica para a extração de lipídios e esterificação do ácido linoleico, contido no soro sanguíneo de ruminantes, aplicando o modelo polinomial de Scheffé na determinação das proporções de solventes utilizados na técnica de Microextração Líquido-Líquido Dispersiva de Baixa Densidade (LDS DLLME). Os solventes tolueno, metanol e solução salina aquosa de cloreto de magnésio 0,017% (m/v) foram selecionados para extração do ácido linoleico na técnica LDS DLLME. Após a extração, o ácido linoleico foi esterificado e analisado por cromatografia gasosa com detector de ionização em chamas (GC-FID). O modelo polinomial de Scheffé foi aplicado aos dados cromatográficos e o modelo cúbico completo (MCC) representou de maneira eficiente as informações do sistema químico. Os parâmetros e superfície de resposta obtidos indicaram que a melhor condição de extração de ácido linoleico do soro foi: 20,50 % (v/v) de tolueno, 39,75% (v/v) de metanol e 39,75 % (v/v) de solução salina aquosa de MgCl2 0,017 % (m/v).

Convergence of TCR and cytokine signaling leads to FOXO3a phosphorylation and drives the survival of CD4+ central memory T cells

The molecular events involved in the establishment and maintenance of CD4+ central memory and effector memory T cells (TCM and TEM, respectively) are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that ex vivo isolated TCM are more resistant to both spontaneous and Fas-induced apoptosis than TEM and have an increased capacity to proliferate and persist in vitro. Using global gene expression profiling, single cell proteomics, and functional assays, we show that the survival of CD4+ TCM depends, at least in part, on the activation and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5a (STAT5a) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a). TCM showed a significant increase in the levels of phosphorylation of STAT5a compared with TEM in response to both IL-2 (P < 0.04) and IL-7 (P < 0.002); the latter is well known for its capacity to enhance T cell survival. Moreover, ex vivo TCM express higher levels of the transcriptionally inactive phosphorylated forms of FOXO3a and concomitantly lower levels of the proapoptotic FOXO3a target, Bim. Experiments aimed at blocking FOXO3a phosphorylation confirmed the role of this phosphoprotein in protecting TCM from apoptosis. Our results provide, for the first time in humans, an insight into molecular mechanisms that could be responsible for the longevity and persistence of CD4+ TCM

Prior exercise training and experimental myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Exercising prior to experimental infarction may have beneficial effects on the heart. The objective of this study was to analyze studies on animals that had exercised prior to myocardial infarction and to examine any benefits through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The databases MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane were consulted. We analyzed articles published between January 1978 and November 2018. From a total of 858 articles, 13 manuscripts were selected in this review. When animals exercised before experimental infarction, there was a reduction in mortality, a reduction in infarct size, improvements in cardiac function, and a better molecular balance between genes and proteins that exhibit cardiac protective effects. Analyzing heart weight/body weight, we observed the following results - Mean difference 95% CI - -0.02 [-0.61,0.57]. Metaanalysis of the infarct size (% of the left ventricle) revealed a statistically significant decrease in the size of the infarction in animals that exercised before myocardial infarction, in comparison with the sedentary animals -5.05 [-7.68, -2.40]. Analysis of the ejection fraction, measured by echo (%), revealed that animals that exercised before myocardial infarction exhibited higher and statistically significant measures, compared with sedentary animals 8.77 [3.87,13.66]. We conclude that exercise performed prior to experimental myocardial infarction confers cardiac benefits to animals