Faraday Rotation as a diagnostic of Galactic foreground contamination of CMB maps

The contribution from the residuals of the foreground can have a significant impact on the temperature maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Mostly, the focus has been on the galactic plane, when foreground cleaning has taken place. However, in this paper, we will investigate the possible foreground contamination, from sources outside the galactic plane in the CMB maps. We will analyze the correlation between the Faraday rotation map and the CMB temperature map. The Faraday rotation map is dependent on the galactic magnetic field, as well as the thermal electron density, and both may contribute to the CMB temperature. We find that the standard deviation for the mean cross correlation deviate from that of simulations at the 99.9% level. Additionally, a comparison between the CMB temperature extrema and the extremum points of the Faraday rotation is also performed, showing a general overlap between the two. Also we find that the CMB Cold Spot is located at an area of strong negative cross correlation, meaning that it may be explained by a galactic origin. Further, we investigate nearby supernova remnants in the galaxy, traced by the galactic radio loops. These super nova remnants are located at high and low galactic latitude, and thus well outside the galactic plane. We find some correlation between the Faraday Rotation and the CMB temperature, at select radio loops. This indicate, that the galactic foregrounds may affect the CMB, at high galactic latitudesComment: 13 pages, 22 figures, 6 table

Scalar Field Dark Matter: behavior around black holes

We present the numerical evolution of a massive test scalar fields around a Schwarzschild space-time. We proceed by using hyperboloidal slices that approach future null infinity, which is the boundary of scalar fields, and also demand the slices to penetrate the event horizon of the black hole. This approach allows the scalar field to be accreted by the black hole and to escape toward future null infinity. We track the evolution of the energy density of the scalar field, which determines the rate at which the scalar field is being diluted. We find polynomial decay of the energy density of the scalar field, and use it to estimate the rate of dilution of the field in time. Our findings imply that the energy density of the scalar field decreases even five orders of magnitude in time scales smaller than a year. This implies that if a supermassive black hole is the Schwarzschild solution, then scalar field dark matter would be diluted extremely fastComment: 15 pages, 21 eps figures. Appendix added, accepted for publication in JCA

Near-Infrared Imaging of Early-Type Galaxies III. The Near-Infrared Fundamental Plane

Near-infrared imaging data on 251 early-type galaxies in clusters and groups are used to construct the near-infrared Fundamental Plane (FP) r_eff ~ sigma_0^1.53 _eff^-0.79. The slope of the FP therefore departs from the virial expectation of r_eff ~ sigma_0^2 _eff^-1 at all optical and near-infrared wavelengths, which could be a result of the variation of M/L along the elliptical galaxy sequence, or a systematic breakdown of homology among the family of elliptical galaxies. The slope of the near-infrared FP excludes metallicity variations as the sole cause of the slope of the FP. Age effects, dynamical deviations from a homology, or any combination of these (with or without metallicity), however, are not excluded. The scatter of both the near-infrared and optical FP are nearly identical and substantially larger than the observational uncertainties, demonstrating small but significant intrinsic cosmological scatter for the FP at all wavelengths. The lack of a correlation of the residuals of the near-infrared FP and the residuals from the Mg_2-sigma relation indicates that the thickness of these relations cannot be ascribed only to age or metallicity effects. Due to this metallicity independence, the small scatter of the near-infrared FP excludes a model in which age and metallicity effects ``conspire'' to keep the optical FP thin. All of these results suggest that the possible physical origins of the FP relations are complicated due to combined effects of variations of stellar populations and structural parameters among elliptical galaxies.Comment: to appear in The Astronomical Journal; 35 pages, including 13 Postscript figures and 1 table; uses AAS LaTeX style file

Constraining scalar fields with stellar kinematics and collisional dark matter

The existence and detection of scalar fields could provide solutions to long-standing puzzles about the nature of dark matter, the dark compact objects at the centre of most galaxies, and other phenomena. Yet, self-interacting scalar fields are very poorly constrained by astronomical observations, leading to great uncertainties in estimates of the mass $m_\phi$ and the self-interacting coupling constant $\lambda$ of these fields. To counter this, we have systematically employed available astronomical observations to develop new constraints, considerably restricting this parameter space. In particular, by exploiting precise observations of stellar dynamics at the centre of our Galaxy and assuming that these dynamics can be explained by a single boson star, we determine an upper limit for the boson star compactness and impose significant limits on the values of the properties of possible scalar fields. Requiring the scalar field particle to follow a collisional dark matter model further narrows these constraints. Most importantly, we find that if a scalar dark matter particle does exist, then it cannot account for both the dark-matter halos and the existence of dark compact objects in galactic nucleiComment: 23 pages, 8 figures; accepted for publication by JCAP after minor change

Predicting potential distribution and identifying priority areas for conservation of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda) in Peru

Species distribution models (SDMs) provide conservationist with spatial distributions estimations of priority species. Lagothrix flavicauda (Humboldt, 1812), commonly known as the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey, is one of the largest primates in the New World. This species is endemic to the montane forests of northern Peru, in the departments of Amazonas, San Martín, Huánuco, Junín, La Libertad, and Loreto at elevation from1,000 to 2,800 m. It is classified as “Critically Endangered” (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as well as by Peruvian legislation. Furthermore, it is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Research on precise estimates of its potential distribution are scare. Therefore, in this study we modeled the potential distribution area of this species in Peru, the model was generated using the MaxEnt algorithm, along with 80 georeferenced occurrence records and 28 environmental variables. The total distribution (high, moderate, and low) for L. flavicauda is 29,383.3 km2, having 3,480.7 km2 as high potential distribution. In effect, 22.64 % (6,648.49 km2) of the total distribution area of L. flavicauda is found within Natural Protected Areas (NPAs), with the following categories representing the largest areas of distribution: Protected Forests (1,620.41 km2), Regional Conservation Areas (1,976.79 km2), and Private Conservation Areas (1,166.55 km2). After comparing the predicted distribution with the current NPAs system, we identified new priority areas for the conservation of the species. We, therefore, believe that this study will contribute significantly to the conservation of L. flavicauda in Peru

Identification of a Molecularly-Defined Subset of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Models that Respond to WEE1 or ATR Inhibition, Overcoming PARP Inhibitor Resistance

Cáncer de mama y de ovario; Inhibición WEE1Càncer de mama i d'ovari; Inhibició WEE1Breast and ovarian cancer; WEE1 inhibitionPurpose: PARP inhibitors (PARPi) induce synthetic lethality in homologous recombination repair (HRR)-deficient tumors and are used to treat breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Multiple PARPi resistance mechanisms exist, most resulting in restoration of HRR and protection of stalled replication forks. ATR inhibition was highlighted as a unique approach to reverse both aspects of resistance. Recently, however, a PARPi/WEE1 inhibitor (WEE1i) combination demonstrated enhanced antitumor activity associated with the induction of replication stress, suggesting another approach to tackling PARPi resistance. Experimental Design: We analyzed breast and ovarian patient-derived xenoimplant models resistant to PARPi to quantify WEE1i and ATR inhibitor (ATRi) responses as single agents and in combination with PARPi. Biomarker analysis was conducted at the genetic and protein level. Metabolite analysis by mass spectrometry and nucleoside rescue experiments ex vivo were also conducted in patient-derived models. Results: Although WEE1i response was linked to markers of replication stress, including STK11/RB1 and phospho-RPA, ATRi response associated with ATM mutation. When combined with olaparib, WEE1i could be differentiated from the ATRi/olaparib combination, providing distinct therapeutic strategies to overcome PARPi resistance by targeting the replication stress response. Mechanistically, WEE1i sensitivity was associated with shortage of the dNTP pool and a concomitant increase in replication stress. Conclusions: Targeting the replication stress response is a valid therapeutic option to overcome PARPi resistance including tumors without an underlying HRR deficiency. These preclinical insights are now being tested in several clinical trials where the PARPi is administered with either the WEE1i or the ATRi.This work was supported by the Spanish Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), an initiative of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation partially supported by European Regional Development FEDER Funds (FIS PI17/01080 to V. Serra, PI12/02606 to J. Balmaña); European Research Area-NET, Transcan-2 (AC15/00063), Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (AECC; LABAE16020PORTT), the Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR; 2017 SGR 540), La Marató TV3 (654/C/2019), and ERAPERMED2019–215 to V. Serra. We also acknowledge the GHD-Pink program, the FERO Foundation, and the Orozco Family for supporting this study (to V. Serra). V. Serra was supported by the Miguel Servet Program (ISCIII; CPII19/00033); M. Castroviejo-Bermejo and C. Cruz (AIOC15152806CRUZ) by AECC; A. Herencia-Ropero by Generalitat de Catalunya-PERIS (SLT017/20/000081); M. Palafox by Juan de la Cierva (FJCI-2015–25412); A. Lau by AECC and Generalitat de Catalunya-PERIS (INVES20095LLOP, SLT002/16/00477); A. Gris-Oliver by FI-AGAUR (2015 FI_B 01075). This work was supported by Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF-19–08), Instituto de Salud Carlos III Project Reference number AC15/00062, and the EC under the framework of the ERA-NET TRANSCAN-2 initiative co-financed by FEDER, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB16/12/00449 and PI19/01181), and Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (to J. Arribas). The xenograft program in the Caldas laboratory was supported by Cancer Research UK and also received funding from an EU H2020 Network of Excellence (EuroCAN). The RPPA facility is funded by NCI #CA16672

An Overview of the 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign

A major goal of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is to make accurate images with resolutions of tens of milliarcseconds, which at submillimeter (submm) wavelengths requires baselines up to ~15 km. To develop and test this capability, a Long Baseline Campaign (LBC) was carried out from September to late November 2014, culminating in end-to-end observations, calibrations, and imaging of selected Science Verification (SV) targets. This paper presents an overview of the campaign and its main results, including an investigation of the short-term coherence properties and systematic phase errors over the long baselines at the ALMA site, a summary of the SV targets and observations, and recommendations for science observing strategies at long baselines. Deep ALMA images of the quasar 3C138 at 97 and 241 GHz are also compared to VLA 43 GHz results, demonstrating an agreement at a level of a few percent. As a result of the extensive program of LBC testing, the highly successful SV imaging at long baselines achieved angular resolutions as fine as 19 mas at ~350 GHz. Observing with ALMA on baselines of up to 15 km is now possible, and opens up new parameter space for submm astronomy.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters; this version with small changes to affiliation

Generation of subnanometric platinum with high stability during transformation of a 2D zeolite into 3D

[EN] Single metal atoms and metal clusters have attracted much attention thanks to their advantageous capabilities as heterogeneous catalysts. However, the generation of stable single atoms and clusters on a solid support is still challenging. Herein, we report a new strategy for the generation of single Pt atoms and Pt clusters with exceptionally high thermal stability, formed within purely siliceous MCM-22 during the growth of a two-dimensional zeolite into three dimensions. These subnanometric Pt species are stabilized by MCM-22, even after treatment in air up to 540 degrees C. Furthermore, these stable Pt species confined within internal framework cavities show size-selective catalysis for the hydrogenation of alkenes. High-temperature oxidation-reduction treatments result in the growth of encapsulated Pt species to small nanoparticles in the approximate size range of 1 to 2 nm. The stability and catalytic activity of encapsulated Pt species is also reflected in the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene.This work was funded by the Spanish Government (Consolider Ingenio 2010-MULTICAT (CSD2009-00050) and MAT2014-52085-C2-1-P) and by the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo). The Severo Ochoa Program (SEV-2012-0267) is gratefully acknowledged. L.L. thanks ITQ for a contract. The authors also thank the Microscopy Service of UPV for the TEM and STEM measurements. The HAADF-HRSTEM works were conducted in the Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA) at the Instituto de Nanociencia de Aragon (INA)-Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain), a Spanish ICTS National Facility. Some of the research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Program under Grant Agreement 312483-ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative-I3). R.A. also acknowledges funding from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (FIS2013-46159-C3-3-P) and the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sldodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 642742.Liu, L.; Díaz Morales, UM.; Arenal, R.; Agostini, G.; Concepción Heydorn, P.; Corma Canós, A. (2017). Generation of subnanometric platinum with high stability during transformation of a 2D zeolite into 3D. Nature Materials. 16(1):132-138. https://doi.org/10.1038/NMAT4757S132138161Boronat, M., Leyva-Perez, A. & Corma, A. Theoretical and experimental insights into the origin of the catalytic activity of subnanometric gold clusters: attempts to predict reactivity with clusters and nanoparticles of gold. Acc. Chem. Res. 47, 834–844 (2014).Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, M. & Gates, B. C. Atomically dispersed supported metal catalysts. Ann. Rev. Chem. Bio. Eng. 3, 545–574 (2012).Gates, B. C. Supported metal clusters: synthesis, structure, and catalysis. Chem. 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Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

fabH deletion increases DHA productionin Escherichia coli expressing Pfa genes

Background: Some marine bacteria, such as Moritella marina, produce the nutraceutical docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) thanks to a specific enzymatic complex called Pfa synthase. Escherichia coli heterologously expressing the pfa gene cluster from M. marina also produces DHA. The aim of this study was to find genetic or metabolic conditions to increase DHA production in E. coli. Results: First, we analysed the effect of the antibiotic cerulenin, showing that DHA production increased twofold. Then, we tested a series of single gene knockout mutations affecting fatty acid biosynthesis, in order to optimize the synthesis of DHA. The most effective mutant, fabH, showed a threefold increase compared to wild type strain. The combination of cerulenin inhibition and fabH deletion rendered a 6.5-fold improvement compared to control strain. Both strategies seem to have the same mechanism of action, in which fatty acid synthesis via the canonical pathway (fab pathway) is affected in its first catalytic step, which allows the substrates to be used by the heterologous pathway to synthesize DHA. Conclusions: DHA-producing E. coli strain that carries a fabH gene deletion boosts DHA production by tuning down the competing canonical biosynthesis pathway. Our approach can be used for optimization of DHA production in different organisms.Funding: The work in the FdlC and GM laboratories was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Grant BFU2014-55534-C2