Decaying neutron propagation in the Galaxy and the Cosmic Ray anisotropy at 1 EeV

We study the cosmic ray arrival distribution expected from a source of neutrons in the galactic center at energies around 1 EeV and compare it with the anisotropy detected by AGASA and SUGAR. Besides the point-like signal in the source direction produced by the direct neutrons, an extended signal due to the protons produced in neutron decays is expected. This associated proton signal also leads to an excess in the direction of the spiral arm. For realistic models of the regular and random galactic magnetic fields, the resulting anisotropy as a function of the energy is obtained. We find that for the anisotropy to become sufficiently suppressed below E\sim 10^{17.9}eV, a significant random magnetic field component is required, while on the other hand, this also tends to increase the angular spread of the associated proton signal and to reduce the excess in the spiral arm direction. The source luminosity required in order that the right ascension anisotropy be 4% for the AGASA angular exposure corresponds to a prediction for the point-like flux from direct neutrons compatible with the flux detected by SUGAR. We also analyse the distinguishing features predicted for a large statistics southern observatory.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, minor changes to match published versio

Enfoques teóricos para elaborar modelos de interpretación: el tipo urbano en América Latina

El proyecto de investigación sobre tipos urbanos en Latinoamérica parte de pensar que este instrumento nos permiten reconocer a todos los elementos que caracterizan a una comunidad. Lo común ha sido estudiar a los distintos casos, con miradas extrarregionales que nos proponen otros enfoques de las construcciones sociales urbanas. Si la forma urbana hoy puede leerse como el resultado de la disposición de elementos e interacciones y el soporte físico-natural y la cosmovisión que la sociedad construye, ¿con qué enfoque debería abordarse el estudio de la ciudad latinoamericana y cómo la identidad que está presente/ausente en ella? ¿cuál enfoque sería el adecuado para asociarlo a realidades tan diferentes? Comprendiendo a la ciudad actual como resultado de desintegraciones, fragmentos y la permanente dicotomía entre presente y preexistencias, el respeto por el legado busca anclarse en diversas identidades, aunque esas identidades deban polemizar para encontrar respuestas y redefinirse. Tomando como espacio geográfico y cultural del territorio latinoamericano, el tema-problema del proyecto se centra en la verificación de la pertinencia de la transferencia de las metodologías extra-regionales en el análisis de los tipos urbanos paradigmáticos en Latinoamérica para la adaptación y/o propuesta de métodos propios que permitan la construcción de modelos urbanos locales sustentables, y a la vez retomar una mirada crítica a modo de diagnóstico sobre la enseñanza de la historia del urbanismo de América Latina. Muchos son los autores que, desde diversas ópticas, nos proponen sus metodologías para ver y reconocer a las ciudades. Y de ellos, escasos latinoamericanos son los que sugieren miradas locales. Por eso, este enfoque intenta construir modelos urbanos para su estudio y enseñanza, en relación con su región y cultura, que interpreten la cartografía histórica y la gráfica digital, verificando la visibilidad de la identidad en relación con su patrimonio material e inmaterial en cada caso, y su relación con la planificación urbana. El análisis de Córdoba inicia la experimentación hacia estos modelos gráficos-conceptuales, para seguir con otros casos –como Caral, Tilcara, el Shinkal, Teotihuacán, Quito, Antigua, Ambul, Potosí, Puebla, Santa Fe la vieja, Mendoza, en la primera etapa-, que permitirán la consecuente relación y comparación, para verificar el modelo. El presente trabajo muestra algunos avances en el marco del Proyecto de Investigación Consolidar financiado por SECYT UNC. Se parte de una propuesta sobre distintas etapas de evolución, crecimiento y modificación de la ciudad que permita aplicar –desde una interpretación propia, gráfica y conceptual-, la lectura territorial elaborada por Milton Santos (el espesor histórico del territorio desde fijos y flujos, rigurosidades e inercias dinámicas), y otras metodologías de análisis urbano –como las elaboradas por Kevin Lynch, Philippe R. Panerai, Rob Krier, Christopher Alexander, entre otros-.Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Bioinformatics approach to mRNA markers discovery for detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

[Abstract] Background: Detection of tumor cells in the blood, or minimal deposits in distant organs as bone marrow, could be important to identify cancer patients at high risk of relapse or disease progression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of tissue or tumor selective mRNA is the most powerful tool for the detection of this circulating or occult metastatic cells. Our study aims to identify novel gastrointestinal cancer-specific markers for circulating tumor cell detection. Method: Phase I preclinical study was performed by means of computational tools for expression analysis. In silico data were used to identify and prioritize molecular markers highly expressed in gastrointestinal cancers but absent in hematopoietic-derived libraries. Selected genes were evaluated by means of qRT-PCR in gastrointestinal cancer and hematopoietic cell-lines, normal human bone marrows and bloods, tumor tissue, and blood from cancer patients. Results: Novel and known mRNA markers for circulating tumor cell detection in gastrointestinal cancer have been identified. Among all the genes assessed, PKP3, AGR2, S100A16, S100A6, LGALS4, and CLDN3 were selected and assays based on blood qRT-PCR were developed. Reliably qRT-PCR assays for the novel targets plakophilin 3 (PKP3) and anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) to identify blood-borne cells in cancer patients were developed. Conclusions: Novel and known gastrointestinal-specific mRNA markers for circulating tumor cells have been identified through in silico analysis and validated in clinical material. qRT-PCR assay targeted to PKP3 and AGR2 mRNAs might be helpful to detect circulating tumor cells in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Prodromal Alzheimer’s disease: Constitutive upregulation of neuroglobin prevents the initiation of Alzheimer’s pathology

In humans, a considerable number of the autopsy samples of cognitively normal individuals aged between 57 and 102 years have revealed the presence of amyloid plaques, one of the typical signs of AD, indicating that many of us use mechanisms that defend ourselves from the toxic consequences of Aß. The human APP NL/F (hAPP NL/F) knockin mouse appears as the ideal mouse model to identify these mechanisms, since they have high Aß42 levels at an early age and moderate signs of disease when old. Here we show that in these mice, the brain levels of the hemoprotein Neuroglobin (Ngb) increase with age, in parallel with the increase in Aß42. In vitro, in wild type neurons, exogenous Aß increases the expression of Ngb and Ngb over-expression prevents Aß toxicity. In vivo, in old hAPP NL/F mice, Ngb knockdown leads to dendritic tree simplification, an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. These results could indicate that Alzheimer’s symptoms may start developing at the time when defense mechanisms start wearing out. In agreement, analysis of plasma Ngb levels in aged individuals revealed decreased levels in those whose cognitive abilities worsened during a 5-year longitudinal follow-up period.This work was partially supported by the Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek (SAO; S16013) and the FWO (research project G0B2519N) to LC-G, SAF2016-76722 (AEI/FEDER, UE) to CD, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Individual Fellowships (T2DMand AD, EU 708152) to FG and EU JPND “EpiAD” Grant to AF-G and CD, SAF2016-78603-R to MM and M

Pesquisa de mercado para abertura de um segmento de distribuição de medicamentos veterinários

O presente estudo tem o objetivo de analisar a oportunidade de mercado para abertura de um segmento de distribuição de medicamentos veterinários na empresa Ciamed Distribuidora de Medicamentos LTDA. e faz parte de um trabalho de conclusão de curso em Administração de Empresas. Este trabalho busca atender aos seguintes objetivos específicos: identificar as principais empresas que atuam no ramo de distribuição de medicamentos veterinários no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, indicar os medicamentos que possuem maior demanda no mercado veterinário, verificar as principais necessidades dos clientes e identificar os possíveis clientes no ramo de medicamentos veterinários a serem atendidos. No desenvolvimento da fundamentação teórica foram abordados conceitos de autores das áreas de marketing e estratégias de mercado, juntamente com um embasamento teórico de macroambiente e microambiente na visão de Philp Kotler e Garry Armstrong. O método utilizado foi exploratório e a análise das informações e dados coletados de forma qualitativa. Espera-se que os resultados deste estudo auxiliem a empresa a tomar a decisão no momento de escolher iniciar ou não as atividades no segmento de distribuição de medicamentos veterinários

Effects of sardine-enriched diet on metabolic control, inflammation and gut microbiota in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot randomized trial

Nutrition therapy is the cornerstone of treating diabetes mellitus. The inclusion of fish (particularly oily fish) at least two times per week is recommended by current international dietary guidelines for type 2 diabetes. In contrast to a large number of human studies examining the effects of oily fish on different cardiovascular risk factors, little research on this topic is available in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aims of this pilot study were to investigate the effects of a sardine-enriched diet on metabolic control, adiponectin, inflammatory markers, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (EMFA) composition, and gut microbiota in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods 35 drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to follow either a type 2 diabetes standard diet (control group: CG), or a standard diet enriched with 100 g of sardines 5 days a week (sardine group: SG) for 6 months. Anthropometric, dietary information, fasting glycated hemoglobin, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, inflammatory markers, EMFA and specific bacterial strains were determined before and after intervention. Results There were no significant differences in glycemic control between groups at the end of the study. Both groups decreased plasma insulin (SG: −35.3 %, P = 0.01, CG: −22.6 %, P = 0.02) and homeostasis model of assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SG: −39.2 %, P = 0.007, CG: −21.8 %, P = 0.04) at 6-months from baseline. However only SG increased adiponectin in plasma compared to baseline level (+40.7 %, P = 0.04). The omega-3 index increased 2.6 % in the SG compared to 0.6 % in the CG (P = 0.001). Both dietary interventions decreased phylum Firmicutes (SG and CG: P = 0.04) and increased E. coli concentrations (SG: P = 0.01, CG: P = 0.03) at the end of the study from baseline, whereas SG decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.04) and increased Bacteroides-Prevotella (P = 0.004) compared to baseline. Conclusions Although enriching diet with 100 g of sardines 5 days a week during 6 months to a type 2 diabetes standard diet seems to have neutral effects on glycemic control in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes, this nutritional intervention could have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, both dietary interventions decreased HOMA-IR and altered gut microbiota composition of drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabete

La formación técnico profesional en el nivel superior no universitario de Argentina

El presente trabajo pretende problematizar la Formación Técnico Profesional en el Nivel Superior No Universitario en Argentina, habida cuenta de que la misma se constituye en el objeto de conocimiento del proceso de investigación que está desarrollando un equipo docente de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba de nuestro país, dirigido por el Dr. Horacio A. Ferreyra.Luego de una breve caracterización de las principales políticas públicas para la Educación Superior No Universitaria en Argentina en las últimas dos décadas (1990-2009), se presenta un marco teórico y conceptual producto de un relevamiento del estado del arte en el tema para abordar el estudio y análisis de este subsistema de la Educación Superior Argentina.Finalmente, este trabajo propone alternativas de mejoramiento de la calidad a modo de anticipaciones de sentido y posibles líneas de investigación a futuro. La convicción que moviliza el Proyecto y la Ponencia es la necesidad e importancia de construir aportes y propuestas para reorientar la transformación del subsistema ligado a las políticas de desarrollo socio-económico de la región y del país

Effects of sardine-enriched diet on metabolic control, inflammation and gut microbiota in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: a pilot randomized trial

Nutrition therapy is the cornerstone of treating diabetes mellitus. The inclusion of fish (particularly oily fish) at least two times per week is recommended by current international dietary guidelines for type 2 diabetes. In contrast to a large number of human studies examining the effects of oily fish on different cardiovascular risk factors, little research on this topic is available in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aims of this pilot study were to investigate the effects of a sardine-enriched diet on metabolic control, adiponectin, inflammatory markers, erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (EMFA) composition, and gut microbiota in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: 35 drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to follow either a type 2 diabetes standard diet (control group: CG), or a standard diet enriched with 100 g of sardines 5 days a week (sardine group: SG) for 6 months. Anthropometric, dietary information, fasting glycated hemoglobin, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, inflammatory markers, EMFA and specific bacterial strains were determined before and after intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in glycemic control between groups at the end of the study. Both groups decreased plasma insulin (SG: -35.3%, P = 0.01, CG: -22.6%, P = 0.02) and homeostasis model of assessment--insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SG: -39.2%, P = 0.007, CG: -21.8%, P = 0.04) at 6-months from baseline. However only SG increased adiponectin in plasma compared to baseline level (+40.7%, P = 0.04). The omega-3 index increased 2.6% in the SG compared to 0.6% in the CG (P = 0.001). Both dietary interventions decreased phylum Firmicutes (SG and CG: P = 0.04) and increased E. coli concentrations (SG: P = 0.01, CG: P = 0.03) at the end of the study from baseline, whereas SG decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (P = 0.04) and increased Bacteroides-Prevotella (P = 0.004) compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Although enriching diet with 100 g of sardines 5 days a week during 6 months to a type 2 diabetes standard diet seems to have neutral effects on glycemic control in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes, this nutritional intervention could have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, both dietary interventions decreased HOMA-IR and altered gut microbiota composition of drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes