The contact binary system TYC 7275-1968-1 as seen by optical, UV and X-ray observations

We present an analysis of publicly available X-ray and optical observations of TYC 7275-1968-1, a contact binary, red nova progenitor candidate. The long optical time series of ASAS-SN, SuperWASP, CRTS, GAIA, ASAS-3, and TESS enabled us to improve its orbital period to 0.3828071 $\pm$ 0.0000026 d. We show the presence of an X-ray and UV source associated with TYC 7275-1968-1 from Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, that was previously assumed to be the counterpart of CD -36 8436 (V1044 Cen), a symbiotic star located 22 arcsec from the red nova candidate. The X-ray data indicate the presence of a region with a temperature of $kT$ = 0.8$^{+0.9}_{-0.1}$ keV and a luminosity of 1.4$^{+0.1}_{-0.2}$ $\times$ 10$^{31}$ erg s $^{-1}$ in the range 0.3 - 10 keV. The detection of X-rays and modulated UV emission suggests that both components of the binary are chromospherically active.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in the New Astronom

Relación entre depresión y ansiedad con el aislamiento social debido al confinamiento en adultos mayores

Introduction: as a consequence of the social isolation associated with COVID-19, depression and anxiety are two of the most frequent affective disorders in the elderly. Objective: To determine the relationship between depression and anxiety with social isolation in older adults in a first level care clinic. Material and methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in patients 65 years and older, of both sexes, in social isolation due to confinement. A validated questionnaire was applied for the diagnosis of anxiety and depression, as well as another with questions about social isolation and sociodemographic variables. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskall Wallis U statistical tests were used, with a significance level of 0.05. SPSS program. Version 26. Results: 286 older adults were included, with an average age of 70.6 years, 54.2 % belonged to the female sex. Regarding the social isolation, 73.4 % reported a lack of relationship with their friends. The average score of the questionnaire was 45.06 (95% CI: 43.4% - 46.6%). Only 25.3 % did not present neither anxiety nor depression, and in 51.1 % some type of depression was identified. Regarding social isolation and its relationship with anxiety and depression; statistical significance was obtained in all questions. Conclusion: the social isolation of the elderly due to confinement by SARS-CoV2, was related with statistical significance to both anxiety and depression, while noting that in 75% of the patients one of the two conditions was presented.Introducción: como consecuencia del aislamiento social asociado al COVID-19, la depresión y la ansiedad son dos de los trastornos afectivos más frecuentes en el adulto mayor. Objetivo: determinar la relación entre depresión y ansiedad con el aislamiento social en adultos mayores en una clínica de primer nivel de atención. Material y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal en pacientes de 65 años en adelante, de ambos sexos, en aislamiento social debido al confinamiento. Se aplicó un cuestionario validado para el diagnóstico de ansiedad y depresión, así como otro con preguntas sobre el aislamiento social y sobre variables sociodemográficas. Se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas U de Mann-Whitney y Kruskall Wallis, con nivel de significancia de 0.05. Programa SPSS. Versión 26. Resultados: se incluyeron 286 adultos mayores, con promedio de edad de 70.6 años, 54.2 % pertenecían al sexo femenino. Con relación al aislamiento social, 73.4 % refirieron falta de relación con sus amigos. El promedio del puntaje del cuestionario fue de 45.06 (IC95%: 43.4 % - 46.6 %). Solamente el 25.3 % no presentó ni ansiedad, ni depresión, y en 51.1 % se identificó algún tipo de depresión. Respecto al aislamiento social y su relación con ansiedad y depresión; se obtuvo significancia estadística en todas las preguntas. Conclusión: el aislamiento social de los adultos mayores debido al confinamiento por el SARS-CoV2, se relacionó con significancia estadística tanto con la ansiedad como con la depresión, sin dejar de remarcar que en 75% de los pacientes se presentó alguna de las dos condiciones.

Enfriamiento al inicio de verano para mitigar el estrés por calor en vacas Holstein del noroeste de México

The objective of this study was to determine the physiological, endocrine and productive response in lactating dairy cows under several series of artificial cooling at the beginning of the summer (June to July, 2011). Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows were assigned in one of two treatments: Cooling (C) before milking (0700 and 1700 h) and additional cooling (AC) each 2 h (from 0700 to 1700h) in the holding pen of the milking parlor. Milk yield (MY), and serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and IGF1 were measured. Rectal temperature and respiratory rate were registered and included as physiological markers of heat stress. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were also collected and used to calculate temperature-humidity index (THI). Both markers of heat stress showed a significant interaction (P<0.001) between treatment and time/week, which were lower in AC treatment (-3.8 breaths per minute and -0.2 °C) during wk 6 and 7. Serum levels of PRL were higher under additional cooling (AC: 35.1 vs C: 29.4 ng/ml; P=0.004), while  IGF1 serum levels showed variation only through the sampling weeks (P=0.014). The MY increased (P<0.05) in AC only during wk 6 (+3.1 kg/d) and 7 (+3.1 kg/d). It was concluded that additional cooling at the beginning of the summer reduced heat stress in dairy cows allowing a better productive performance at the end of the study because such effect relied on the variable time/week.El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la respuesta fisiológica, endócrina y productiva en vacas lactantes sometidas a varias series de enfriamiento artificial al inicio de verano (junio a julio de 2011). Se asignaron 14 vacas Holstein multíparas a uno de dos tratamientos: enfriamiento (E) antes de la ordeña (0700 y 1700 h) y enfriamiento adicional (EA) cada 2 h de 0700 a 1700 h en el corral de espera a la ordeña. Se midió la producción de leche (PL), niveles de prolactina (PRL) e IGF1, mientras que la temperatura rectal y frecuencia respiratoria fueron registradas y consideradas como indicadores fisiológicos de estrés por calor. La temperatura ambiental y humedad relativa también fueron registradas y utilizadas para calcular el índice de temperatura-humedad (ITH). Los indicadores de estrés calórico mostraron una interacción significativa (P<0.001) entre tratamiento y tiempo/semana, los cuales fueron menores con EA (-3.8 respiraciones por minuto y -0.2 °C) sólo durante las semanas 6 y 7. Los niveles séricos de PRL fueron mayores bajo enfriamiento adicional (EA: 35.1 vs E: 29.4 ng/ml; P=0.004), mientras que los de IGF1 solo variaron a través de las semanas de muestreo (P=0.014). La PL se incrementó (P<0.05) en EA durante las semanas 6 (+3.1kg/día) y 7 (+3.1 kg/día). Se concluye que la mayor frecuencia de baños mitigó la condición de estrés calórico al inicio de verano, permitiéndole a la vaca expresar un mejor desempeño productivo al final del estudio, ya que dicho efecto dependió de la variable tiempo/semana

Morphogenesis of the sexual phase of the epiphytic ferns Microgramma mortoniana and Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Polypodiaceae) Punta Lara Natural Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sexual morphogenesis phase of the epiphytic ferns Microgramma mortoniana and Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Polypodiaceae) from Punta Lara Natural Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Punta LaraNatural Reserve is located on the riverside of the La Plata River in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Itis the Southernmost relict in the world of subtropical riparian forest. The epiphytic ferns studied in this workbelong to the Polypodiaceae family: Microgramma mortoniana and Pleopeltis macrocarpa. Plant communitiesare subject to high levels of anthropization and introduction of exotic species. The goals of this work areto provide information on the morphogenesis of epiphytic gametophytes and to extend knowledge of their lifecycles, contributing to their conservation. Sowing was carried out in Dyer medium. In both species the sporesare monolete, ellipsoidal, yellowish and with verrucate sculpture. The equatorial diameter is 60-61 μm, the polardiameter is 39-42 μm. The germination is the Vittaria type; in M. mortoniana occurs at 20 days, while in P.macrocarpa occurs at six days. The filaments are uniseriate of 3-6 cells in length. The gametophyte development is Drynaria type. The cordated form is given after 40 days. In M. mortoniana, buds originated after 40 days. In P. macrocarpa, after 120 days, clathrate trichomes scale-like appear mainly on the margins of the gametophyte. The gametangia are typical of leptosporangiate ferns. The sporophyte of M. mortoniana emerged after 120 days and that of P. macrocarpa arose after 500 days, its blades are simple, spatulate and unicellular and multicellular branching hairs were observed. The germination pattern, gametophyte development, the presence of a lipid globule in the prothalic cell and the formation of unicellular capitated hairs are relevant characters that could be considered for systematic group. The delay in the formation of sporophytes through sexual reproduction, allows us to infer that the success of their establishment in situ would be given by the vegetative reproduction through creeping rhizomes and buds of gametophytesFil: Gorrer, Daniel Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Morfología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Berrueta, Pedro Cayetano. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Morfología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Ramos Giacosa, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Morfología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Giudice, G. E.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Morfología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Luna, M. L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Morfología Vegetal; Argentin

Does Size Matters? Relationships among Social Dominance and Some Morphometric Traits upon Out-of-Season Reproductive Outcomes in Anestrus Dairy Goats Treated with P4 + eCG

The possible role of the social rank (R) (i.e., low-LSR, middle-MSR, or high-HSR) in anestrus goats exposed to a P4 + eCG (D) (i.e., 100 or 350 IU) estrus induction protocol (EIP) was evaluated. Goats (Alpine-Saanen-Nubian × Criollo; n = 70; 25° North) managed under stall-fed conditions were all ultrasound evaluated to confirm anestrous status, while the social rank was determined 30 d prior to the EIP. The response variables included estrus induction (EI, %), duration of estrus (DUR, h), ovulation rate (OR, n), live weight (LW, kg), thoracic perimeter (TP, cm), thoracic diameter (TD, cm), body length (BL, cm), height at withers (HW, cm), beard length (BEA, cm), compactness index (COM, cm), and anamorphosis index (ANA, cm), as affected by R, D, and the R × D interaction were evaluated, while the correlation coefficients among reproductive and morphometric variables were quantified. An R × D interaction (p 0.05) with any response variable, either reproductive or morphometric. As expected, LW had high correlation coefficients (p < 0.01) with TP (0.86), TD (0.88), BL (0.82), HW (0.75), BEA (0.51), COM (0.97), and ANA (0.75). In general, the morphometric variables as a whole demonstrated important correlation coefficients among them (p < 0.01), ranging from 0.38 up to 0.84. To estimate the importance of the morphometric differences between social rank upon estrus induction, a principal component (PC) analysis was performed based on the correlation matrix derived from the corporal measurements. The PC1 and PC2 explained 70.3% and 17.6% of the morphometric variation, respectively. The PC1 was a measure of the goat size (i.e., small, medium, large) and its association with estrus occurrence was evaluated using a logistic regression model; the bigger the goat, the increased probability of being in estrus, by up to five times compared to small goats. Our results confirm that the higher social ranked, larger goats amalgamated some fundamental factors to be successful: aggressiveness, primacy to food access, augmented live weight, and corporal size; all of these were able to modulate out-of-season reproductive success in crossbred dairy goats subjected to an estrus induction protocol and managed under stall-fed conditions in Northern Mexico

Soft X-ray and FUV observations of Nova Her 2021 (V1674 Her) with AstroSat

Nova Her 2021 or V1674 Her was one of the fastest novae to be observed so far. We report here the results from our timing and spectral studies of the source observed at multiple epochs with AstroSat. We report the detection of a periodicity in the source in soft X-rays at a period of 501.4–501.5 s which was detected with high significance after the peak of the super-soft phase, but was not detected in the far ultraviolet (FUV) band of AstroSat. The shape of the phase-folded X-ray light curves has varied significantly as the nova evolved. The phase-resolved spectral studies reveal the likely presence of various absorption features in the soft X-ray band of 0.5–2 keV, and suggest that the optical depth of these absorption features may be marginally dependent on the pulse phase. Strong emission lines from Si, N, and O are detected in the FUV, and their strength declined continuously as the nova evolved and went through a bright X-ray state.Fil: Bhargava, Yash. No especifíca;Fil: Dewangan, Gulab Chand. International Centre Of Theoretical Science. Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research; EspañaFil: Anupama, G. C.. No especifíca;Fil: Kamath, U. S.. No especifíca;Fil: Sonith, L. S.. No especifíca;Fil: Pal Singh, Kulinder. ndian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali; IndiaFil: Drake, J. J.. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Estados UnidosFil: Beardmore, A. University of Leicester; Reino UnidoFil: Luna, Gerardo Juan Manuel. Secretaria de Investigacion ; Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Orio, M.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Page, K. L.. University of Leicester; Reino Unid

Recuento de hongos y detección de micotoxinas en insumos y alimento balanceado provenientes de granjas porcinas de la provincia de Coronel Portillo, Ucayali, Perú

The aim of this study was to perform a fungal count and detect mycotoxins in feed supplies and balanced feed from pig farms in four districts of Coronel Portillo, Ucayali. Fifty samples were collected (35 of balances feeds [three rearing stages] from 20 farms and 15 of feed supplies from 10 of these farms). The fungal count was performed using the plate count method and the detection of mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone) using commercial ELISA kits. Results showed that 50% of farms had at least one sample of unacceptable quality. Likewise, 6/15 (40%) and 5/35 (14.3%) of feed supplies and balanced feed samples, respectively, had unacceptable quality. The starter feed had the highest average fungal count (9.6 x 104 CFU/g). There was an association between quality and type of food, but none between quality and origin. Half of the farms had at least one feed sample with mycotoxins above the Maximum Permissible Level (MPL) and 42.9% (15/35) of the samples had at least one mycotoxin above the MPL. The highest mean for aflatoxin B1 was found in the starter feed (26.2 ppb) and the highest for zearalenone in breeders feed (74.5 ppb).El objetivo del estúdio fue realizar el recuento de hongos y detectar micotoxinas en insumos y alimento balanceado de granjas porcinas de cuatro distritos de Coronel Portillo, Ucayali. Se recolectaron 50 muestras (35 de alimento de tres etapas de crianza de 20 granjas y 15 de insumos de 10 de estos establecimientos). El recuento de hongos se realizó mediante el método de conteo en placa y la detección de micotoxinas (aflatoxina B1, ocratoxina A y zearalenona) mediante kits comerciales de ELISA. El 50% de establecimientos tuvo al menos una muestra de calidad inaceptable. Asimismo, 6/15 (40%) y 5/35 (14.3%) de las muestras de insumos y alimento, respectivamente, tuvieron calidad inaceptable. El alimento de inicio presentó el mayor promedio en el recuento de hongos (9.6 x 104 UFC/g). Hubo asociación entre calidad y tipo de alimento, pero ninguna entre calidad y procedencia. La mitad de las granjas tuvo al menos una muestra de alimento con micotoxinas por encima al Límite Máximo Permisible (LMP) y el 42.9% (15/35) de las muestras tuvo al menos una micotoxina por encima a los LMP. El promedio más alto de aflatoxina B1 se encontró en el alimento de inicio (26.2 ppb) y el más alto de zearalenona en alimento de reproductores (74.5 ppb)

X-ray, UV, and optical observations of the accretion disk and boundary layer in the symbiotic star RT Crucis

Compared to mass transfer in cataclysmic variables, the nature of accretion in symbiotic binaries in which red giants transfer material to white dwarfs (WDs) has been difficult to uncover. The accretion flows in a symbiotic binary are most clearly observable, however, when there is no quasi-steady shell burning on the WD to hide them. RT Cru is the prototype of such non-burning symbiotics, with its hard (δ-type) X-ray emission providing a view of its innermost accretion structures. In the past 20 yr, RT Cru has experienced two similar optical brightening events, separated by ∼ 4000 days and with amplitudes of ΔV ∼ 1.5 mag. After Swift became operative, the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) detector revealed a hard X-ray brightening event almost in coincidence with the second optical peak. Spectral and timing analyses of multi-wavelength observations that we describe here, from NuSTAR, Suzaku, Swift/X-Ray Telescope (XRT) + BAT + UltraViolet Optical Telescope (UVOT) (photometry) and optical photometry and spectroscopy, indicate that accretion proceeds through a disk that reaches down to the WD surface. The scenario in which a massive, magnetic WD accretes from a magnetically truncated accretion disk is not supported. For example, none of our data show the minute-time-scale periodic modulations (with tight upper limits from X-ray data) expected from a spinning, magnetic WD. Moreover, the similarity of the UV and X-ray fluxes, as well as the approximate constancy of the hardness ratio within the BAT band, indicate that the boundary layer of the accretion disk remained optically thin to its own radiation throughout the brightening event, during which the rate of accretion onto the WD increased to 6.7 × 10-9M· yr-1 (d/2 kpc)2. For the first time from a WD symbiotic, the NuSTAR spectrum showed a Compton reflection hump at E > 10 keV, due to hard X-rays from the boundary layer reflecting off of the surface of the WD; the reflection amplitude was 0.77 ± 0.21. The best fit spectral model, including reflection, gave a maximum post-shock temperature of kT = 53 ± 4 keV, which implies a WD mass of 1.25 ± 0.02 M·. Although the long-term optical variability in RT Cru is reminiscent of dwarf-novae-type outbursts, the hard X-ray behavior does not correspond to that observed in well-known dwarf nova. An alternative explanation for the brightening events could be that they are due to an enhancement of the accretion rate as the WD travels through the red giant wind in a wide orbit, with a period of about ∼4000 days. In either case, the constancy of the hard X-ray spectrum while the accretion rate rose suggests that the accretion-rate threshold between a mostly optically thin and thick boundary layer, in this object, may be higher than previously thought.Fil: Luna, Gerardo Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Mukai, K.. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Estados UnidosFil: Sokoloski, J. L.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Lucy, A. B.. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Cusumano, G.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Segreto, A.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Jaque Arancibia, Marcelo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Natalia Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Instituto de Ciencias Astronómicas, de la Tierra y del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Puebla, R. E.. Universidad Central del Ecuador; EcuadorFil: Nelson, T.. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Estados UnidosFil: Walter, F. M.. Columbia University; Estados Unido

Elastic response of cross-laminated engineered bamboo panels subjected to in-plane loading

© ICE Publishing: All rights reserved. Novel cross-laminated bamboo panels comprising three and five layers (G-XLam3 and G-XLam5) were tested in compression along the main (0°) and the transverse (90°) directions. Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and non-contact three-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) measuring techniques were used separately to measure deformation in the elastic region, and the elastic moduli, Ep C,0 and Ep C,90, were derived. Mean elastic modulus values obtained using LVDTs exhibited a good match with analytically predicted values. In contrast, the elastic values obtained by the DIC method were considerably higher and presented a considerable scatter of results. For instance, the Ep C,0 for G-XLam3 and G-XLam5 panels were 17·22 and 15·67 GPa, and 14·86 and 12·48 GPa, using the DIC and LVDT methods, respectively. In general, G-XLam panels with a fifth of the cross-sectional thickness and twice the density of analogous cross-laminated timber exhibited an approximately two-fold increase in Ep C,0 and Ep C,90. Overall, this research provides guidelines for the assessment and standardisation of the testing procedures for similar engineered bamboo products using contact and non-contact methods and highlights the potential of using G-XLam panels in stiffness-driven applications and in combination with wood for structural purposes

Plasma Molecular Signatures in Hypertensive Patients With Renin-Angiotensin System Suppression: New Predictors of Renal Damage and De Novo Albuminuria Indicators

Albuminuria is a risk factor strongly associated with cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death in the general population. It is well established that renin-angiotensin system suppressors prevent the development of new-onset albuminuria in naïf hypertensive patients and diminish its excretion, but we cannot forget the percentage of hypertensive patients who develop de novo albuminuria. Here, we applied multiple proteomic strategy with the purpose to elucidate specific molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis and provide predictors and chronic organ damage indicators. Briefly, 1143 patients were followed up for a minimum period of 3 years. One hundred and twenty-nine hypertensive patients chronically renin-angiotensin system suppressed were recruited, classified in 3 different groups depending on their albuminuria levels (normoalbuminuria, de novo albuminuria, and sustained albuminuria), and investigated by multiple proteomic strategies. Our strategy allowed us to perform one of the deepest plasma proteomic analysis to date, which has shown 2 proteomic signatures: (1) with predictive value of de novo albuminuria and (2) sustained albuminuria indicator proteins. These proteins are involved in inflammation, immune as well as in the proteasome activation occurring in situations of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, these results open the possibility of a future strategy based on anti-immune therapy to treat hypertension which could help to prevent the development of albuminuria and, hence, the progression of kidney damage.N