The isolated interacting galaxy pair NGC 5426/27 (Arp 271)

We present H alpha observations of the isolated interacting galaxy pair NGC 5426/27 using the scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer PUMA. The velocity field, various kinematical parameters and rotation curve for each galaxy were derived. The FWHM map and the residual velocities map were also computed to study the role of non-circular motions of the gas. Most of these motions can be associated with the presence of spiral arms and structure such as central bars. We found a small bar-like structure in NGC 5426, a distorted velocity field for NGC 5427 and a bridge-like feature between both galaxies which seems to be associated with NGC 5426. Using the observed rotation curves, a range of possible masses was computed for each galaxy. These were compared with the orbital mass of the pair derived from the relative motion of the participants. The rotation curve of each galaxy was also used to fit different mass distribution models considering the most common theoretical dark halo models. An analysis of the interaction process is presented and a possible 3D scenario for this encounter is also suggested.Comment: 27 pages, 15 figures, to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysic

The Interaction of Supernova Remnant G357.7+0.3 with the Interstellar Medium

The supernova remnant (SNR) G357.7+0.3 appears to have caused considerable shredding of the local interstellar medium (ISM), leading to the formation of multiple cloud fragments having bright rims and cometary structures. We investigate five of these regions using mid-infrared (MIR) imaging and photometry deriving from the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST), as well as photometry deriving from the 2MASS near-infrared all sky survey, the Mid-Course Science Experiment (MSX), and the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPSGAL) survey of the Galactic plane. It is noted that two of the rims show evidence for emission by shock excited H2 transitions, whilst the centres of the clouds also show evidence for dark extinction cores, observed in silhouette against the bright emission rims. Levels of extinction for these cores are determined to be of order AV ~ 17-26 mag, whilst densities n(HI) are of order ~ 10^4 cm^(-3), and masses in the region of ~40-100 Msun. It is shown that the wavelength dependence of extinction is probably similar to that of Cardelli et al. and Martin & Whittet, but differs from the MIR extinction trends of Indebetouw et al. The distributions of Class I young stellar objects (YSOs) implies that many of them are physically associated with the clouds, and were likely formed as a result of interaction between the clouds and SN winds. A determination of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these stars, together with 2-D radiative transfer modelling of their continua is used to place constraints upon their properties.Comment: The paper contains 18 figures and 2 table

Sensibilización a hongos anemófilos en trabajadores del Archivo y Biblioteca de la Universidad de La Habana

Introducción: En Cuba no se conoce la prevalencia de sensibilización a hongos anemófilos en trabajadores(as) de archivos y bibliotecas. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de sensibilización a aeroalérgenos micóticos y la prevalencia de enfermedades alérgicas en trabajadores(as) del Archivo y la Biblioteca de la Universidad de La Habana. Métodos: Estudio observacional, y transversal, que incluyó 53 trabajadores(as). Se les realizó historia clínica y pruebas cutáneas por punción (PCP) con extractos de hongos anemófilos. Se analizó: edad, sexo, resultados de PCP, tamaño del habón y área de trabajo. Se empleó X2 para comparar frecuencias de sensibilización y t de student para el tamaño del habón, con significación estadística si p < 0,05. Resultados: El 64 % de los trabajadores(as) del archivo y el 33 % de la biblioteca estuvieron al menos sensibilizados a un hongo. La especie Aspergillus níger predominó con el mayor porcentaje de sensibilización (20,4 %). La rinitis alérgica fue la enfermedad más frecuente en estos trabajadores(as), 23 casos (43,3 %). La combinación de asma y rinitis se encontró en 9 trabajadores(as). En el 32,1 % de los casos (9) con enfermedad alérgica respiratoria se encontró positividad, al menos a un hongo anemófilo. Los mayores tamaños del habón se encontraron en los trabajadores(as) del archivo, especialmente para Alternaria alternata (3,46 mm) y Penicillium notatum (3,43 mm). Conclusiones: Existe elevada prevalencia de sensibilización a hongos anemófilos en los trabajadores(as) investigados. Son necesarios más estudios que investiguen la sensibilización a estas y otras especies fúngicas en este entorno laboral

Reduced levels of intracellular calcium releasing in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Asthenozoospermia is one of the most common findings present in infertile males characterized by reduced or absent sperm motility, but its aetiology remains unknown in most cases. In addition, calcium is one of the most important ions regulating sperm motility. In this study we have investigated the progesterone-evoked intracellular calcium signal in ejaculated spermatozoa from men with normospermia or asthenozoospermia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human ejaculates were obtained from healthy volunteers and asthenospermic men by masturbation after 4–5 days of abstinence. For determination of cytosolic free calcium concentration, spermatozoa were loaded with the fluorescent ratiometric calcium indicator Fura-2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Treatment of spermatozoa from normospermic men with 20 micromolar progesterone plus 1 micromolar thapsigargin in a calcium free medium induced a typical transient increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration due to calcium release from internal stores. Similar results were obtained when spermatozoa were stimulated with progesterone alone. Subsequent addition of calcium to the external medium evoked a sustained elevation in cytosolic free calcium concentration indicative of capacitative calcium entry. However, when progesterone plus thapsigargin were administered to spermatozoa from patients with asthenozoospermia, calcium signal and subsequent calcium entry was much smaller compared to normospermic patients. As expected, pretreatment of normospermic spermatozoa with both the anti-progesterone receptor c262 antibody and with progesterone receptor antagonist RU-38486 decreased the calcium release induced by progesterone. Treatment of spermatozoa with cytochalasin D or jasplakinolide decreased the calcium entry evoked by depletion of internal calcium stores in normospermic patients, whereas these treatments proved to be ineffective at modifying the calcium entry in patients with asthenozoospermia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic patients present a reduced responsiveness to progesterone.</p

Operations of and Future Plans for the Pierre Auger Observatory

Technical reports on operations and features of the Pierre Auger Observatory, including ongoing and planned enhancements and the status of the future northern hemisphere portion of the Observatory. Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009.Comment: Contributions to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 200

Highlights from the Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the world's largest cosmic ray observatory. Our current exposure reaches nearly 40,000 km$^2$ str and provides us with an unprecedented quality data set. The performance and stability of the detectors and their enhancements are described. Data analyses have led to a number of major breakthroughs. Among these we discuss the energy spectrum and the searches for large-scale anisotropies. We present analyses of our X$_{max}$ data and show how it can be interpreted in terms of mass composition. We also describe some new analyses that extract mass sensitive parameters from the 100% duty cycle SD data. A coherent interpretation of all these recent results opens new directions. The consequences regarding the cosmic ray composition and the properties of UHECR sources are briefly discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, talk given at the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Rio de Janeiro 201

Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the Surface Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Atmospheric parameters, such as pressure (P), temperature (T) and density, affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The rate of events shows a ~10% seasonal modulation and ~2% diurnal one. We find that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects associated with the variations of pressure and density. The former affects the longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Moliere radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Update on the correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic matter

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory through 31 August 2007 showed evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of cosmic rays above the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min energy threshold, \nobreak{$6\times 10^{19}$eV}. The anisotropy was measured by the fraction of arrival directions that are less than $3.1^\circ$ from the position of an active galactic nucleus within 75 Mpc (using the V\'eron-Cetty and V\'eron $12^{\rm th}$ catalog). An updated measurement of this fraction is reported here using the arrival directions of cosmic rays recorded above the same energy threshold through 31 December 2009. The number of arrival directions has increased from 27 to 69, allowing a more precise measurement. The correlating fraction is $(38^{+7}_{-6})$, compared with $21$ expected for isotropic cosmic rays. This is down from the early estimate of $(69^{+11}_{-13})$. The enlarged set of arrival directions is examined also in relation to other populations of nearby extragalactic objects: galaxies in the 2 Microns All Sky Survey and active galactic nuclei detected in hard X-rays by the Swift Burst Alert Telescope. A celestial region around the position of the radiogalaxy Cen A has the largest excess of arrival directions relative to isotropic expectations. The 2-point autocorrelation function is shown for the enlarged set of arrival directions and compared to the isotropic expectation.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physics on 31 August 201

Measurement of the Depth of Maximum of Extensive Air Showers above 10^18 eV

We describe the measurement of the depth of maximum, Xmax, of the longitudinal development of air showers induced by cosmic rays. Almost four thousand events above 10^18 eV observed by the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory in coincidence with at least one surface detector station are selected for the analysis. The average shower maximum was found to evolve with energy at a rate of (106 +35/-21) g/cm^2/decade below 10^(18.24 +/- 0.05) eV and (24 +/- 3) g/cm^2/decade above this energy. The measured shower-to-shower fluctuations decrease from about 55 to 26 g/cm^2. The interpretation of these results in terms of the cosmic ray mass composition is briefly discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication by PR