On the origin of two unidentified radio/X-ray sources discovered with XMM-Newton

We aim at clarifying the nature of the emission of two spatially related unidentified X-ray sources detected with XMM-Newton telescope at intermediate-low Galactic latitude. Observations reveal a point-like source aligned with elongated diffuse emission. The X-ray spectra are best-fitted by absorbed power laws with photon indices ~1.7 for the point-like and ~2.0 for the extended one. Both sources show nonthermal radio-continuum counterparts that might indicate a physical association. From the available data, we did not detect variability on the point-like source in several timescales. Two possible scenarios are analyzed: first, based on HI line absorption, assuming a Galactic origin, we infer a distance upper bound of <2 kpc, which poses a constraint on the height over the Galactic plane of <200 pc and on the linear size of the system of 10^32 erg/s and >7.5 x 10^32 erg/s, for the point-like and extended sources, respectively; second, an extra-Galactic nature is discussed, where the point-like source might be the core of a radio galaxy and the extended source its lobe. In this case, we compare derived fluxes, spectral indices, and spatial correlation with those typical from the radio galaxy population, showing the feasibility of this alternative astrophysical scenario. From the available observational evidence, we suggest that the most promising scenario to explain the nature of these sources is a system consisting of a one-sided radio galaxy, where the point-like source is an active galactic nucleus and the extended source corresponds to the emission from its lobe. Other possibilities include a PSR/PWN origin, where the radio/X-ray emission originates from the synchrotron cooling of relativistic particles in the PSR magnetic field or a casual alignment between two unrelated sources, such as an AGN core and a Galactic X-ray blob.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A

Development of T Lymphocytes in the Nasal-associated Lymphoid Tissue (NALT) from Growing Wistar Rats

The aim of the present report was to study the development of several T-lymphocyte subsets in the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) of growing Wistar rats. CD5+ and CD4+ lymphocytes gradually increased with age. A predominance of CD8α+ over CD4+ T cells was found from 7 to 45 days but from 45 to 60 days of age T helper cells outnumbered the cytotoxic subpopulation. The majority of CD8+ T lymphocytes expressed the heterodimeric isoform. The most relevant findings by immunohistochemistry are: (1) the predominance of TCRγδ+ and CD8α+ cells at 7 days postpartum over all the other T-cell subpopulations; and (2) that TCRγβ+ outnumbered TCRαβ+ T cells from 7 to 45 days postpartum whereas αβ T cells predominated in 45- and 60-day-old rats. Besides, cytometric studies have shown that the percentages of TCRγ+, CD8+, as well as the population coexpressing both phenotypes (TCRγδ+CD8α+), were significantly higher in rats at 7 days postpartum when compared to 60 day-old rats. In the present study, the finding of a high number of γδ+ and CD8+ T cells early in NALT development may indicate the importance of these subpopulations in the protection of the nasal mucosa in suckling and weaning Wistar rats

Disruption of Interleukin-1β Autocrine Signaling Rescues Complex I Activity and Improves ROS Levels in Immortalized Epithelial Cells with Impaired Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Function

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have elevated concentration of cytokines in sputum and a general inflammatory condition. In addition, CF cells in culture produce diverse cytokines in excess, including IL-1B. We have previously shown that IL-1B, at low doses (~30 pM), can stimulate the expression of CFTR in T84 colon carcinoma cells, through NF-KB signaling. However, at higher doses (>2.5 ng/ml, ~150 pM), IL-1B inhibit CFTR mRNA expression. On the other hand, by using differential display, we found two genes with reduced expression in CF cells, corresponding to the mitochondrial proteins CISD1 and MTND4. The last is a key subunit for the activity of mitochondrial Complex I (mCx-I); accordingly, we later found a reduced mCx-I activity in CF cells. Here we found that IB3-1 cells (CF cells), cultured in serum-free media, secrete 323±5 pg/ml of IL-1B in 24 h vs 127±3 pg/ml for S9 cells (CFTR-corrected IB3-1 cells). Externally added IL-1B (5 ng/ml) reduces the mCx-I activity and increases the mitochondrial (MitoSOX probe) and cellular (DCFH-DA probe) ROS levels of S9 (CFTR-corrected IB3-1 CF cells) or Caco-2/pRSctrl cells (shRNA control cells) to values comparable to those of IB3-1 or Caco-2/pRS26 cells (shRNA specific for CFTR). Treatments of IB3-1 or Caco-2/pRS26 cells with either IL-1β blocking antibody, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IKK inhibitor III (NF-KB pathway) or SB203580 (p38 MAPK pathway), restored the mCx-I activity. In addition, in IB3-1 or Caco-2/pRS26 cells, IL-1B blocking antibody, IKK inhibitor III or SB203580 reduced the mitochondrial ROS levels by ~50% and the cellular ROS levels near to basal values. The AP-1 inhibitors U0126 (MEK1/2) or SP600125 (JNK1/2/3 inhibitor) had no effects. The results suggest that in these cells IL-1B, through an autocrine effect, acts as a bridge connecting the CFTR with the mCx-I activity and the ROS levels.Fil: Clauzure, Mariangeles. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Valdivieso, Ángel Gabriel. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Massip Copiz, María Macarena. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Schulman, Gustavo. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Teiber, Maria Luz. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Tomás A. Santa-Coloma. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentin

Osteoblast Behavior on Novel Porous Polymeric Scaffolds

Current efforts in bone tissue engineering have as one focus the search for a scaffold material that supports osteoblast proliferation, matrix mineralization, and, ultimately, bone formation. Electrospraying of polymer solutions has enabled the engineering of porous materials to meet current challenges in bone replacement therapies. Porous scaffolds of poly( -caprolactone)/poly(diisopropyl fumarate) compatibilized blend for bone tissue engineering were obtained by electrospraying technique in order to create a better osteophilic environment for the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts. Non-porous films having smooth surface were obtained by casting and used for comparison purposes. Studies on cell-scaffold interaction were carried out by culturing two osteoblastlike cell lines, MC3T3E1 and UMR106, on three-dimensional scaffolds and two-dimensional films. Growth, proliferation, and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity) of osteoblasts, were assessed. Scaffolds displayed a highly porous structure with interconnected pores formed by polymer microparticles, and higher hydrophobicity than the observed in non-porous films. The adhesion, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity of cells grown on the porous scaffolds increased significantly in comparison to those observed on flat films. The rough surface morphology of this novel scaffold enhances osteoblast response. These results suggest that electrosprayed porous scaffolds may be potentially used as tissue engineering scaffolds with high bone regenerative efficacy.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

On cyclic algebraic-geometry codes

In this paper we initiate the study of cyclic algebraic geometry codes. We give conditions to construct cyclic algebraic geometry codes in the context of algebraic function fields over a finite field by using their group of automorphisms. We prove that cyclic algebraic geometry codes constructed in this way are closely related to cyclic extensions. We also give a detailed study of the monomial equivalence of cyclic algebraic geometry codes constructed with our method in the case of a rational function field.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur

Medición de cambios en productividad con indicador de Luenberger en el sector de seguros en Argentina a la salida de la crisis

A severe macroeconomic crisis resets economic sectors. This is so when the GDP growth rates move between great falls and important recoveries, and when relative prices vary importantly. The insurance sector in Argentina offers an interesting laboratory to explore with Luenberger Productivity Analysis what happened to a sector very sensitive to the macroeconomic performance, inflation and currency depreciation. The methodology was chosen because it confers flexibility, since presupposes profit maximization, on one hand, but do not constrain the orientation of the model (i.e., input-oriented, output-oriented), allowing to study productivity changes due to both, input and output adjustments. Moreover, we use output and input monetary measures (in constant values), aiming to increase the flexibility in the adjustment to higher profits. The results show according to different models a sector with scarce productivity growth or stagnated, with important variability between better and worse results. The indicator in use permits to split changes in efficiency and in technical change.

Renin-angiotensin sistem modulating funtions in the cpu.

The caudate-putamen (CPu) of the striatum is one of the main entrances to the basal ganglia. The CPu is fundamentally a dopaminergic area receiving dopamine innervation from the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and mesencephalic structures, but also has noradrenergic inputs from a post-encephalic area, the locus coeruleus, and glutamatergic innervation from cortical structures and cholinergic and GABAergic interneurons. It is well known that functional interactions between different neurotransmission systems play a crucial integrative role in the caudate-putamen, and are widely recognized as contributing to central motor activity and movements, and also to the processing of cognitive and limbic functions, despite autonomic responses across the noradrenergic system. Not only does typical neurotransmission regulate these functions, but peptidergic systems also have an important role. The brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved not only in the regulation of blood pressure, but also in the modulation of multiple additional functions in the brain, including processes of sensory information, learning and memory, and the regulation of emotional and behavioral responses. There is increasing ontogenetic, anatomic and functional evidence of the existence of a brain renin-angiotensin system and of its interaction with other putative neurotransmitters and their receptors. All components of the RAS have been observed in the striatum, and Ang II modulates dopamine release from striatal dopaminergic terminals, in vivo and in vitro, via their AT1 receptors. There is considerable evidence supporting a key role for dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the Cpu in long-term neuroadaptative changes induced by stress or psychostimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamine. Repeated amphetamine or cocaine administration results in progressive and enduring enhancement of their psychomotor and positive reinforcing effects (sensitization phenomenon). We recently found evidence of the participation of Ang II, through its AT1 receptors, in the development of the locomotor sensitization induced by psychostimulant drugs. Moreover, the brain RAS may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson?s disease and aging-related loss of DA neurons. Manipulation of RAS components may be useful for neuroprotection in Parkinson?s disease patients because local RAS plays a major role in proinflammatory and pro-oxidative changes in aged substantia nigra. RAS is involved in modulating neurotransmission systems in the CPu and their functions, and for this reason it could be a possible target in the treatment of stress related diseases, drug abuse or neurodegenerative disorders.http://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.Fil: Bregonzio, Claudia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacología, ArgentinaFil: Bregonzio, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba, Argentina.Fil: Marinzalda, M. A. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Argentina.Fil: Baiardi, Gustavo.Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, ArgentinaFil: Baiardi, Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Argentina.Fil: Baiardi, Gustavo. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Laboratorio de Neurofarmacologia, Argentina.Fil: Paz, María Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba, Argentina , Argentina.Fil: Paz, María Constanza. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacología, ArgentinaNeurociencias (incluye Psicofiosiología

High-energy radiation from collisions of high-velocity clouds and the Galactic disc

High-velocity clouds (HVCs) are interstellar clouds of atomic hydrogen that do not follow normal Galactic rotation and have velocities of a several hundred kilometres per second. A considerable number of these clouds are falling down towards the Galactic disc. HVCs form large and massive complexes, so if they collide with the disc a great amount of energy would be released into the interstellar medium. The cloud-disc interaction produces two shocks: one propagates through the cloud and the other through the disc. The properties of these shocks depend mainly on the cloud velocity and the disc-cloud density ratio. In this work, we study the conditions necessary for these shocks to accelerate particles by diffusive shock acceleration and we study the non-thermal radiation that is produced. We analyse particle acceleration in both the cloud and disc shocks. Solving a time-dependent two-dimensional transport equation for both relativistic electrons and protons, we obtain particle distributions and non-thermal spectral energy distributions. In a shocked cloud, significant synchrotron radio emission is produced along with soft gamma rays. In the case of acceleration in the shocked disc, the non-thermal radiation is stronger; the gamma rays, of leptonic origin, might be detectable with current instruments. A large number of protons are injected into the Galactic interstellar medium, and locally exceed the cosmic ray background. We conclude that under adequate conditions the contribution from HVC-disc collisions to the galactic population of relativistic particles and the associated extended non-thermal radiation might be important.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Infraestructura de Cloud Computing

El avance notable de tecnologías como la computación distribuida, Internet y grid computing, han posibilitado que Cloud Computing forme parte de un nuevo modelo de computación y de negocios. Cloud Computing está transformando los modos tradicionales de cómo las organizaciones utilizan y adquieren los recursos de Information Technology (IT). Representa un nuevo tipo del valor de la computación en red, gracias a la entrega de mayor eficiencia, escalabilidad masiva y más rápido y fácil desarrollo de software.\nEn la actualidad las organizaciones han comenzado a montar sus propias infraestructuras de cloud con el objeto de contar con las ventajas de Cloud Computing sumado a la privacidad de los datos que consideren estratégicos y adecuada a las necesidades del área. Contar con una infraestructura de cloud asegura una infraestructura escalable y personalizada que permita a los usuarios explotar el potencial de la virtualización en función a las necesidades de las aplicaciones que se van a desarrollar.Eje: Procesamiento Distribuído y Paralel