Quita de subsidios a la energía en Argentina: análisis de bienestar mediante un MEGC

The paper estimates the effects on the argentine household welfare due to a partial subsidy cut on the energy sectors. In order to do so, a computable general equilibrium approach was chosen. This model presents a detailed disaggregation of the energy sectors and households. The results on welfare are ambiguous and depend heavily on the compensatory measure chosen by the government.El trabajo estima los efectos sobre el bienestar de los hogares frente a una quita del 20% de subsidios al sector energético argentino (aguas abajo) mediante el uso de un modelo de equilibrio general computado. El modelo presenta una detallada desagregación del sector energético y de los hogares. Los resultados sobre el bienestar resultan ambiguos y dependen fuertemente de la medida compensatoria que toma el gobierno con el gasto en el cual deja de incurrir

Análisis interregional utilizando una matriz insumo-producto bi-regional de Argentina

This paper presents a regional case study using a Bi-Regional Input-Output (BRIO) matrix of Buenos Aires City (BAC) and the Rest of Argentina (ROA), constructed from the Argentinian Input-Output matrix. A hybrid approach was applied to obtain the BRIO matrix, which combines pure non-survey methods with matrix-balancing methods like RAS or Cross-Entropy. Once the BRIO matrix was obtained, our study has focused on analyzing the BAC regional structure and the interconnections between regions. We have also estimated the regional and national carbon footprint for the BAC and Argentina, respectively. Results show that service and industry sectors play an important role in the economy of BAC and some of them have strong interregional spillover effects over the rest of the country. In addition, the results also show that sectors on BAC with the highest regional multipliers are also the ones with highest emissions.Este artículo presenta un caso de estudio regional utilizando una matriz Bi-Regional Input-Output (BRIO) de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (BAC) y el Resto de Argentina (ROA), construida a partir de la matriz Input-Output de Argentina. Se ha utilizado una metodología híbrida para obtener la matriz BRIO, la cual combina métodos indirectos puros y métodos de calibración de matrices como RAS y Entropía Cruzada. Una vez obtenida la matriz BRIO, nuestro estudio se ha centrado en analizar la estructura regional de la BAC y las interconexiones entre regiones. También hemos realizado la estimación de la huella de carbono nacional y regional para Argentina y en la BAC, respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que los sectores de servicios e industria juegan un papel importante en la economía de la BAC y algunos de ellos tienen fuertes efectos indirectos interregionales sobre el resto del país. Además, los resultados también muestran que los sectores de la BAC con los multiplicadores regionales más altos también son los que tienen las emisiones más altas

Quita de subsidios a la energía en Argentina: análisis de bienestar mediante un MEGC

El trabajo estima los efectos sobre el bienestar de los hogares frente a una quita del 20% de subsidios al sector energético argentino (aguas abajo) mediante el uso de un modelo de equilibrio general computado. El modelo presenta una detallada desagregación del sector energético y de los hogares. Los resultados sobre el bienestar resultan ambiguos y dependen fuertemente de la medida compensatoria que toma el gobierno con el gasto en el cual deja de incurrir

Investigation of refractive index sensing based on Fano resonance in fiber Bragg grating ring resonators.

In this paper we theoretically investigate a ring resonant cavity obtained by closing on itself a pi-shifted fiber Bragg grating, to be used for refractive index sensing applications. Differently from a conventional pi-shifted fiber Bragg grating, the spectral structure of this cavity is characterized by an asymmetric splitting doublet composed by a right side resonance having an asymmetric Fano profile and a left side resonance having a symmetric Lorentzian profile. The right side resonance shows a narrower and sharper peak than all the other kinds of resonance achievable with both conventional ring resonators and pi-shifted fiber Bragg gratings. A reduction of the resonant linewidth with respect to a conventional pi-shifted Fiber Bragg grating and a fiber ring resonator, having the same physical parameters, is theoretically proved, achieving up to five orders of magnitude improvement with respect to the usual ring resonator. Due to these resonance features, the pi-shifted Bragg grating ring resonator results suitable for RI sensing applications requiring extremely narrow resonances for high resolution measurements. In particular, by assuming a refractive index sensing to detect the presence of sugar in water, the sensor can show a theoretical resolution better than 10(-9) RIU. (C)2015 Optical Society of Americ

Influence of micropaticles harvested from patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on endothelial function and vascular reactivity

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent disease characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep, leading to oxygen desaturation, sleep fragmentation and clinical endothelial dysfunction. Microparticles (MPs) are membrane vesicles released during cell activation and apoptosis. Elevated levels of circulating MPs have been detected in pathologies associated with vascular alterations. We investigated the effects of MPs on endothelial function and vascular reactivity in OSAS. Blood samples were obtained either from 38 OSAS patients without any other cardiovascular comorbidities and 23 healthy subjects. A desaturation index above 10 per hour defined OSAS patients. MPs concentration and origin were assessed using flow cytometer. Male Swiss mice were injected i.v. with MPs from OSAS or healthy subjects, or with saline solution, and sacrified after 24hours. Endothelial function and vascular reactivity were studied on aortic rings and small mesenteric resistance (SMA) arteries by myography and arteriography, respectively. Patients with OSAS did not display increased circulating levels of MPs compared to healthy subjects including those from pro-coagulant, platelet, endothelial, leukocyte and erythrocyte origins. Interestingly, MPs from granulocytes and activated leukocytes were significantly enhanced in OSAS patients. Activated leukocyte MPs positively correlated with oxygen desaturation index. In aorta, MPs from OSAS patients but not those from healthy subjects significantly reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine. MPs from OSAS increased sensitivity of the aorta in response to serotonin that was greater compared to the effect of MPs from healthy subjects. In SMA, MPs from OSAS but not those from healthy subjects impaired flow-induced dilation without any effect on myogenic tone. Although SMA from mice treated with healthy subjects MPs did not affect flow-induced dilation, these vessels showed a reduced prostacyclin-component that was completely compensated by the NO-component of the response. The endothelial dysfunction induced by MPs from OSAS was caused by the reduction of both NO- and prostacyclin- but not the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-components of the response in SMA. These data provide evidence that circulating MPs from OSAS patients influence both endothelial function and vascular reactivity

Development and characterization of a novel hybrid tissue engineering-based scaffold for spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a significant health and social problem, and therefore it is vital to develop novel strategies that can specifically target it. In this context, the objective of the present work was to develop a new range of three-dimensional (3D) tubular structures aimed at inducing the regeneration within SCI sites. Up to six different 3D tubular structures were initially developed by rapid prototyping: 3D bioplotting–based on a biodegradable blend of starch. These structures were then further complemented by injecting Gellan Gum, a polysaccharide-based hydrogel, in the central area of structures. The mechanical properties of these structures were assessed using dynamic mechanical analysis, under both dry and wet conditions, and their morphologies= porosities were analyzed using micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Biological evaluation was carried out to determine their cytotoxicity, using both minimum essential medium (MEM) extraction and MTS tests, as well as by encapsulation of an oligodendrocyte-like cell (M03-13 cell line) within the hydrogel phase. The histomorphometric analysis showed a fully interconnected network of pores with porosity ranging from 70% to 85%. Scaffolds presented compressive modulus ranging from 17.4 to 62.0MPa and 4.42 to 27.4 MPa under dry and wet conditions, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that the hybrid starch=poly-ecaprolactone= Gellan Gum scaffolds were noncytotoxic, as they did not cause major alterations on cell morphology, proliferation, and metabolic viability. Moreover, preliminary cell encapsulation assays showed that the hybrid scaffolds could support the in vitro culture of oligodendrocyte-like cells. Finally, preliminary in vivo studies conducted in a hemisection rat SCI model revealed that the above-referred structures were well integrated within the injury and did not trigger chronic inflammatory processes. The results herein presented indicate that these 3D systems might be of use in future SCI regeneration approaches.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through funds from Programa Operacional Ciencia, Tecnologia, Inovacao (POCTI) and/or Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) programs (funding to ICVS, 3B's Research Group, predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships to N. A. Silva, J. T. Oliveira, A. J. Salgado, and R. A. Sousa-SFRH/BD/40684/2007; SFRH/BD/17135/2004; SFRH/BPD/17595/2004; SFRH/BPD/17151/2004)

Positive affect dysregulation and its relation to binge eating size and frequency

Negative affect is an established predictor of binge eating, yet less is known about positive affect. Low positive affect has been theorized to increase binge eating, but a better understanding is needed on the relationship between positive affect and binge eating frequency and size. Participants were 182 treatment-seeking adults (76% self-identified as female; 45% self-identified their race as Black and 40% as White; and 25% self-identified their ethnicity as Hispanic/Latino) with self-reported recurrent binge eating (≥12 binge episodes in the past 3  months). Participants completed the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) survey and the eating disorder examination to assess frequency of objective binge episodes (OBEs) and subjective binge episodes (SBEs) over the past 3  months. OBEs and SBEs also were combined to yield total binge episodes over the past 3  months. Independent t-tests and linear regression analyses were used to test associations between positive affect scores and binge episode size and frequencies, and to compare low versus higher positive affect on binge frequency. Additional exploratory models were conducted controlling for negative affect, identity characteristics, and socio-demographic variables. Lower positive affect was significantly associated with more frequent total binge episodes, but not OBEs and SBEs when assessed independently. Findings remained consistent when controlling for covariates and when comparing individuals with the lowest versus higher positive affect levels. Overall, results lend support to the theory that low positive affect is associated with binge eating. Increasing positive affect may be an important treatment consideration for those with recurrent binge eating

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Xanthine Oxidase Regulate Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species Productions by Apoptotic Lymphocyte Microparticles in Endothelial Cells

Microparticles (MPs) are membrane vesicles released during cell activation and apoptosis. We have previously shown that MPs from apoptotic T cells induce endothelial dysfunction, but the mechanisms implicated are not completely elucidated. In this study, we dissect the pathways involved in endothelial cells with respect to both NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Incubation of endothelial cells with MPs decreased NO production that was associated with overexpression and phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Also, MPs enhanced expression of caveolin-1 and decreased its phosphorylation. Microparticles enhanced ROS by a mechanism sensitive to xanthine oxidase and P-IκBα inhibitors. PI3K inhibition reduced the effects of MPs on eNOS, but not on caveolin-1, whereas it enhanced the effects of MPs on ROS production. Microparticles stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation via a PI3K-depedent mechanism. Inhibition of MEK reversed eNOS phosphorylation but had no effect on ROS production induced by MPs. In vivo injection of MPs in mice impaired endothelial function. In summary, MPs activate pathways related to NO and ROS productions through PI3K, xanthine oxidase, and NF-κB pathways. These data underscore the pleiotropic effects of MPs on NO and ROS, leading to an increase oxidative stress that may account for the deleterious effects of MPs on endothelial function

Role of the IL-1 Pathway in Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration and Decreased Voluntary Movement

Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a proinflammatory cytokine synthesized and released by activated microglia, can cause dopaminergic neurodegeneration leading to Parkinsons disease (PD). However, it is uncertain whether IL-1 can act directly, or by exacerbating the harmful actions of other brain insults. To ascertain the role of the IL-1 pathway on dopaminergic neurodegeneration and motor skills during aging, we compared mice with impaired [caspase-1 knockout (casp1(-/-))] or overactivated IL-1 activity [IL-1 receptor antagonist knockout (IL-1ra(-/-))] to wild-type (wt) mice at young and middle age. Their motor skills were evaluated by the open-field and rotarod tests, and quantification of their dopamine neurons and activated microglia within the substantia nigra were performed by immunohistochemistry. IL-1ra(-/-) mice showed an age-related decline in motor skills, a reduced number of dopamine neurons, and an increase in activated microglia when compared to wt or casp1(-/-) mice. Casp1(-/-) mice had similar changes in motor skills and dopamine neurons, but fewer activated microglia cells than wt mice. Our results suggest that the overactivated IL-1 pathway occurring in IL-1ra(-/-) mice in the absence of inflammatory interventions (e.g., intracerebral injections performed in animal models of PD) increased activated microglia, decreased the number of dopaminergic neurons, and reduced their motor skills. Decreased IL-1 activity in casp1(-/-) mice did not yield clear protective effects when compared with wt mice. In summary, in the absence of overt brain insults, chronic activation of the IL-1 pathway may promote pathological aspects of PD per se, but its impairment does not appear to yield advantages over wt mice.Funding Agencies|John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University</p