Making use of geometrical invariants in black hole collisions

We consider curvature invariants in the context of black hole collision simulations. In particular, we propose a simple and elegant combination of the Weyl invariants I and J, the {\sl speciality index} ${\cal S}$. In the context of black hole perturbations $\cal S$ provides a measure of the size of the distortions from an ideal Kerr black hole spacetime. Explicit calculations in well-known examples of axisymmetric black hole collisions demonstrate that this quantity may serve as a useful tool for predicting in which cases perturbative dynamics provide an accurate estimate of the radiation waveform and energy. This makes ${\cal S}$ particularly suited to studying the transition from nonlinear to linear dynamics and for invariant interpretation of numerical results.Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps figures, Revte

A gravitational memory effect in "boosted" black hole perturbation theory

Black hole perturbation theory, or more generally, perturbation theory on a Schwarzschild bockground, has been applied in several contexts, but usually under the simplifying assumption that the ADM momentum vanishes, namely, that the evolution is carried out and observed in the ``center of momentum frame''. In this paper we consider some consequences of the inclusion of a non vanishing ADM momentum in the initial data. We first provide a justification for the validity of the transformation of the initial data to the ``center of momentum frame'', and then analyze the effect of this transformation on the gravitational wave amplitude. The most significant result is the possibility of a type of gravitational memory effect that appears to have no simple relation with the well known Christodoulou effect.Comment: REVTexIV, 15 pages, 2 EPS figure

A Human Monoclonal Antibody with Neutralizing Activity against Highly Divergent Influenza Subtypes

The interest in broad-range anti-influenza A monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has recently been strengthened by theidentification of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) mAbs endowed with heterosubtypic neutralizing activity to be used in the designof ‘‘universal’’ prophylactic or therapeutic tools. However, the majority of the single mAbs described to date do not bindand neutralize viral isolates belonging to highly divergent subtypes clustering into the two different HA-based influenzaphylogenetic groups: the group 1 including, among others, subtypes H1, H2, H5 and H9 and the group 2 including, amongothers, H3 subtype. Here, we describe a human mAb, named PN-SIA28, capable of binding and neutralizing all testedisolates belonging to phylogenetic group 1, including H1N1, H2N2, H5N1 and H9N2 subtypes and several isolates belongingto group 2, including H3N2 isolates from the first period of the 1968 pandemic. Therefore, PN-SIA28 is capable ofneutralizing isolates belonging to subtypes responsible of all the reported pandemics, as well as other subtypes withpandemic potential. The region recognized by PN-SIA28 has been identified on the stem region of HA and includes residueshighly conserved among the different influenza subtypes. A deep characterization of PN-SIA28 features may represent auseful help in the improvement of available anti-influenza therapeutic strategies and can provide new tools for thedevelopment of universal vaccinal strategies

Early molecular diagnosis of aspergillosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia

Diagnosis of invasive fungal infection remains challenging. Here we report a case of early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in a neutropenic patient affected by acute myeloid leukaemia, achieved through the detection of Aspergillus fumigatus species-specific ribonucleic acid sequences by a sensitive multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based molecular assay. Thanks to the early diagnosis, targeted therapy was promptly established and the severe fungal infection controlled, allowing the patient to subsequently receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a haploidentical donor, her only curative option. Also in this instance, targeted secondary antifungal prophylaxis with voriconazole avoided any other fungal infection afterwards. This report suggests how the implementation of molecular assays in combination with routine diagnostic procedures, can improve microbiological diagnosis in sepsis, particularly in case of fungal infection, difficult to detect with standard microbiological culture methods

Hysteresis in Pressure-Driven DNA Denaturation

In the past, a great deal of attention has been drawn to thermal driven denaturation processes. In recent years, however, the discovery of stress-induced denaturation, observed at the one-molecule level, has revealed new insights into the complex phenomena involved in the thermo-mechanics of DNA function. Understanding the effect of local pressure variations in DNA stability is thus an appealing topic. Such processes as cellular stress, dehydration, and changes in the ionic strength of the medium could explain local pressure changes that will affect the molecular mechanics of DNA and hence its stability. In this work, a theory that accounts for hysteresis in pressure-driven DNA denaturation is proposed. We here combine an irreversible thermodynamic approach with an equation of state based on the Poisson-Boltzmann cell model. The latter one provides a good description of the osmotic pressure over a wide range of DNA concentrations. The resulting theoretical framework predicts, in general, the process of denaturation and, in particular, hysteresis curves for a DNA sequence in terms of system parameters such as salt concentration, density of DNA molecules and temperature in addition to structural and configurational states of DNA. Furthermore, this formalism can be naturally extended to more complex situations, for example, in cases where the host medium is made up of asymmetric salts or in the description of the (helical-like) charge distribution along the DNA molecule. Moreover, since this study incorporates the effect of pressure through a thermodynamic analysis, much of what is known from temperature-driven experiments will shed light on the pressure-induced melting issue

Exploring new physics frontiers through numerical relativity

The demand to obtain answers to highly complex problems within strong-field gravity has been met with significant progress in the numerical solution of Einstein's equations - along with some spectacular results - in various setups. We review techniques for solving Einstein's equations in generic spacetimes, focusing on fully nonlinear evolutions but also on how to benchmark those results with perturbative approaches. The results address problems in high-energy physics, holography, mathematical physics, fundamental physics, astrophysics and cosmology

Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three genomic nomenclature systems to all sequence data from the World Health Organization European Region available until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation, compare the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Actitudes y modificación de actitudes de los estudiantes de Magisterio hacia la integración escolar de alumnos con NEE

1) Estudiar las variables que afectan las actitudes de los futuros profesores hacia la integración de alumnos con NEE. 2) Manipular estas variables con el fin de modificar (mejorar) las actitudes de los estudiantes (futuros profesores) hacia la integración de estos alumnos. 3) Formulan una hipótesis general y varias específicas. Muestra: 1) Fase. 330 estudiantes de Magisterio, 200 mujeres y 130 varones, de la Escuela Universitaria de Formación del Profesorado de EGB de León. 2) Fase. 422 estudiantes de Magisterio, 261 mujeres y 161 varones. El objeto del trabajo es establecer las bases para desarrollar estrategias y programas concretos donde se prevea la introducción del programa de integración o para la mejora del mismo. La investigación consta de dos fases. En la primera se utilizan 4 grupos, tres experimentales y uno de control, que reciben tratamientos diferenciados: G.I. información, G.II. emocional, G.III. información + emocional. G.IV. No tratamiento. Se toman medidas antes y después. Se utilizan tres instrumentos. Las muestras son grupos completos controlando la variable especialidad. La segunda fase conlleva asímismo la selección de otros 4 grupos y pretende la concreción de un programa de intervención en modificación de actitudes, estos grupos reciben tratamiento de técnicas de modificación de actitudes: simulación de disminuciones, charlas con un afectado, grupos de discusión, contacto directo a través de diversos medios. La muestra consiste en estudiantes de Magisterio que proceden de diversas especialidades que cursan alguna asignatura de Psicología y se realiza como parte de las actividades prácticas. Cuestionarios de opinión, libros, película, conferencia. ANOVAS, análisis correlacionales, análisis de cluster, análisis factorial, gráficas. Primera fase: los tratamientos experimentales son eficaces en la modificación de actitudes de los estudiantes. Las variables que afectan las actitudes de los estudiantes de magisterio son de manera positiva: cursos, visitas, conocimiento, deseos de ser maestro de Educación Especial, deseos de trabajar en un centro de integración, información y éxito, y de manera negativa la pertenencia a un club. Las variables que diferencian más eficazmente a los grupos son: la especialidad a la que pertenecen los estudiantes, la edad y el nivel de información. Segunda fase: las variables que afectan las actitudes hacia la integración escolar de alumnos con NEE de manera positiva son: especialidad, lecturas, cursos y visitas. De manera negativa: sexo y profesión de los padres. Utilizados los métodos para modificar las actitudes se han encontrado diferencias estadísticamente significativas en prácticamente todas las variables. Desarrollar programas de intervención en modificación de actitudes de los estudiantes de Magisterio hacia la integración escolar de alumnos con NEE dentro del currículo ordinario.Castilla y LeónBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín, 5 - 3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; Fax +34917748026; [email protected]

Seroprevalencia de fasciolosis en escolares y en ganado vacuno en la provincia de huancavelica, Perú

Objetivos: Determinar la seroprevalencia de fasciolosis en escolares y vacunos de la provincia de Huancavelica y describir su percepción sobre ésta. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio se realizó en diferentes pisos ecológicos y altitudes de 2000 a 5000 m.s.n.m. Se realizó una entrevista seroepidemiológica a 842 escolares de educación secundaria de colegios estatales escogidos al azar, así como a 532 vacunos aleatorios criados por la familia del escolar. En ambos casos se realizó la prueba serológica de FAS2-ELISA. El análisis de datos se realizó por tipo de zona (urbana o rural) con el programa SPSS v.11, considerando un p<0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: La prueba fue positiva en 33 estudiantes (2,6% en zona urbana y en 4,9% en zona rural, p0,05) y en 123 vacunos (23,1%). Los distritos de Izcuchaca y Palca tuvieron 10% de escolares positivos. No hubo asociación entre infección escolar y animal. Un 45% de escolares refirió conocer la enfermedad (28% en zona urbana y 56,5% en zona rural, p<0,01); los escolares de zona rural tuvieron más respuestas correctas sobre fasciolosis. El conocimiento sobre el daño hepático de la fasciolosis fue más frecuente que sobre su transmisión y prevención. Conclusiones: Los distritos de Izcuchaca y Palca son hiperendémicos para fasciolosis humana en la provincia de Huancavelica. Debido a su importancia clínica, se requiere fuerte intervención educativa en prevención, especial-mente en zonas urbanas