Symbiotic stars in X-rays II: faint sources detected with XMM-Newton and Chandra

We report the detection, with ${\it Chandra}$ and XMM-${\it Newton}$, of faint, soft X-ray emission from four symbiotics stars that were not known to be X-ray sources. These four object show a $\beta$-type X-ray spectrum, i.e. their spectra can be modeled with an absorbed optically thin thermal emission with temperatures of a few million degrees. Photometric series obtained with the Optical Monitor on board XMM-${\it Newton}$ from V2416 Sgr and NSV 25735 support the proposed scenario where the X-ray emission is produced in a shock-heated region inside the symbiotic nebulae.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 2 tables; A&A publishe

Static and dynamic measures of human brain connectivity predict complementary aspects of human cognitive performance

In cognitive network neuroscience, the connectivity and community structure of the brain network is related to cognition. Much of this research has focused on two measures of connectivity - modularity and flexibility - which frequently have been examined in isolation. By using resting state fMRI data from 52 young adults, we investigate the relationship between modularity, flexibility and performance on cognitive tasks. We show that flexibility and modularity are highly negatively correlated. However, we also demonstrate that flexibility and modularity make unique contributions to explain task performance, with modularity predicting performance for simple tasks and flexibility predicting performance on complex tasks that require cognitive control and executive functioning. The theory and results presented here allow for stronger links between measures of brain network connectivity and cognitive processes.Comment: 37 pages; 7 figure

Brain Modularity Mediates the Relation between Task Complexity and Performance

Recent work in cognitive neuroscience has focused on analyzing the brain as a network, rather than as a collection of independent regions. Prior studies taking this approach have found that individual differences in the degree of modularity of the brain network relate to performance on cognitive tasks. However, inconsistent results concerning the direction of this relationship have been obtained, with some tasks showing better performance as modularity increases and other tasks showing worse performance. A recent theoretical model (Chen & Deem, 2015) suggests that these inconsistencies may be explained on the grounds that high-modularity networks favor performance on simple tasks whereas low-modularity networks favor performance on more complex tasks. The current study tests these predictions by relating modularity from resting-state fMRI to performance on a set of simple and complex behavioral tasks. Complex and simple tasks were defined on the basis of whether they did or did not draw on executive attention. Consistent with predictions, we found a negative correlation between individuals' modularity and their performance on a composite measure combining scores from the complex tasks but a positive correlation with performance on a composite measure combining scores from the simple tasks. These results and theory presented here provide a framework for linking measures of whole brain organization from network neuroscience to cognitive processing.Comment: 47 pages; 4 figure

Brief retrospection on Hungarian school atlases

Abstract. The first part of this article is dedicated to the history of Hungarian school atlases to the end of the 1st World War. Although the first maps included in a Hungarian textbook were probably made in 1751, the publication of atlases for schools is dated almost 50 years later, when professor Ézsáiás Budai created his “New School Atlas for elementary pupils” in 1800. This was followed by a long period of 90 years, when the school atlases were mostly translations and adaptations of foreign atlases, the majority of which were made in German-speaking countries. In those years, a school atlas made by a Hungarian astronomer, Antal Vállas, should be highlighted as a prominent independent piece of work. In 1890, a talented cartographer, Manó Kogutowicz founded the Hungarian Geographical Institute, which was the institution responsible for producing school atlases for the different types of schools in Hungary. The professional quality of the school atlases published by his institute was also recognized beyond the Hungarian borders by prizes won in international exhibitions. Kogutowicz laid the foundations of the current Hungarian school cartography: this statement is confirmed in the second part of this article, when three of his school atlases are presented in more detail to give examples of how the pupils were introduced to the basic cartographic and astronomic concepts as well as how different innovative solutions were used on the maps. </jats:p

Abandono y adopción de animales de compañía

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Communications in flexible supervisor for laboratory research in renewable energy

In laboratories new systems are created where researchers hope to obtain improved functions at a reasonable cost. In them, specialists need efficient tools that offer better performance and flexible features. This paper designs and implements a SCADA system for GERA laboratory (Scientific Group for Applied Renewable Energy at the University of Oriente) adjusted to the inherent characteristics of flexibility and functionality required in research centers. All these features are supported in an efficient communication system with the implementation of various protocols and novel solutions for this type of systems for monitoring and control. It verifies and validates the system for formal methods

Nucleic acid templated synthesis of peptide bonds

The conventional synthesis of peptides, by reactions performed under highly concentrated conditions or on solid phase, have been widely utilised to produce a variety of oligomers. This has facilitated the discovery of bioactive compounds and the mechanistic study of their function. Recently, nanotechnology has facilitated the synthesis of peptide bonds by directing the interactions between reactive groups, in order to produce the desired peptides. This thesis focuses on the use of nucleic acid templated synthesis (NATS) of peptide bonds, and on overcoming the hydrolysis of activated ester-labelled nucleic acids in aqueous solutions. Chapter 1 gives a general overview of peptide bond formation strategies, highlighting nanotechnological approaches. The current scope and limitations of nucleic acid templated synthesis are also discussed. Chapter 2 is focused on the use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to minimise hydrolysis of activated esters, for the DNA templated synthesis (DTS) of peptide bonds. Chapter 3 describes the use of highly stable phenol ester-conjugated DNA adapters in aqueous buffered solution, and their in-situ activation towards aminolysis through oxo-ester mediated native chemical ligation (NCL). Chapter 4 explores if an alternative peptide nucleic acid (PNA) template could form stable duplexes in organic solvent, and thus, potentially template peptide bond synthesis reactions. Selective labelling of oligonucleotides has been a fundamental procedure in this thesis; in Appendix 2, the conjugation of fluorescent dibromomaleimide and dichloromaleimide to DNA has been explored; in addition, reductive amination has been explored as a chemistry for the modification of amine-labelled DNA with phenol esters

The impact of immersion in the acquisition of spanish verb structures: comparison of two siblings using different foreign language methods

Treballs Finals del Grau d'Estudis Anglesos, Facultat de Filologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2015-2016 Tutor: Dr. Brian MottThe main question raised by this paper is aimed at discovering the impact that immersion has in the acquisition of Spanish verb structures. In order to study such an impact, the project is based on a comparison between two English monolingual siblings who study Spanish simultaneously, but who differ in the way they study it. While one sibling has studied Spanish in school for several years, the other one has had short time instruction, as well as a short time immersion period. The two siblings collaborated in the project by doing three carefully selected tasks focused on the tense, aspect and mood of the verbs found in each one of the proposed exercises. The results show that the sibling who has had an immersion period obtains better results than the sibling who has not. Thus, in this case study, immersion means a benefit in the acquisition of Spanish verb structures

Hypocretin/Orexin Neuropeptides: Participation in the Control of Sleep-Wakefulness Cycle and Energy Homeostasis

Hypocretins or orexins (Hcrt/Orx) are hypothalamic neuropeptides that are synthesized by neurons located mainly in the perifornical area of the posterolateral hypothalamus. These hypothalamic neurons are the origin of an extensive and divergent projection system innervating numerous structures of the central nervous system. In recent years it has become clear that these neuropeptides are involved in the regulation of many organic functions, such as feeding, thermoregulation and neuroendocrine and cardiovascular control, as well as in the control of the sleep-wakefulness cycle. In this respect, Hcrt/Orx activate two subtypes of G protein-coupled receptors (Hcrt/Orx1R and Hcrt/Orx2R) that show a partly segregated and prominent distribution in neural structures involved in sleep-wakefulness regulation. Wakefulness-enhancing and/or sleep-suppressing actions of Hcrt/Orx have been reported in specific areas of the brainstem. Moreover, presently there are animal models of human narcolepsy consisting in modifications of Hcrt/Orx receptors or absence of these peptides. This strongly suggests that narcolepsy is the direct consequence of a hypofunction of the Hcrt/Orx system, which is most likely due to Hcrt/Orx neurons degeneration