Inner and outer star forming regions over the disks of spiral galaxies. I. Sample characterization

Context. The knowledge of abundance distributions is central to understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies. Most of the relations employed for the derivation of gas abundances have so far been derived from observations of outer disk HII regions, despite the known differences between inner and outer regions. Aims. Using integral field spectroscopy (IFS) observations we aim to perform a systematic study and comparison of two inner and outer HII regions samples. The spatial resolution of the IFS, the number of objects and the homogeneity and coherence of the observations allow a complete characterization of the main observational properties and differences of the regions. Methods. We analyzed a sample of 725 inner HII regions and a sample of 671 outer HII regions, all of them detected and extracted from the observations of a sample of 263 nearby, isolated, spiral galaxies observed by the CALIFA survey. Results. We find that inner HII regions show smaller equivalent widths, greater extinction and luminosities, along with greater values of [NII]{\lambda}6583/H{\alpha} and [OII]{\lambda}3727/[OIII]{\lambda}5007 emission-line ratios, indicating higher metallicites and lower ionization parameters. Inner regions have also redder colors and higher photometric and ionizing masses, although Mion/Mphot is slighty higher for the outer regions. Conclusions. This work shows important observational differences between inner and outer HII regions in star forming galaxies not previously studied in detail. These differences indicate that inner regions have more evolved stellar populations and are in a later evolution state with respect to outer regions, which goes in line with the inside-out galaxy formation paradigm.Comment: 16 page

INSEMINACIÓN ARTIFICIAL POR LAPAROSCOPIA EN OVINOS BAJO CONDICIONES DE CAMPO EN EL VALLE DEL MEZQUITAL, HIDALGO

Objective: To evaluate the technique of artificial insemination by laparoscopy (AIL) under field conditions on the reproductive variables in ewes and their social impacts with sheep farmers from the region of Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo. Design / methodology / approach: The experimental design was completely random. We used 387 ewes distributed in 7 Municipalities and 14 units of sheep production (USP), of the breeds: 162 Katahdin, 145 Hampshire, 45 Dorset and 35 Suffolk. The estrus was synchronized with intravaginal sponges for 11 days, two days before the removal, 400 IU of gonadotropin was applied. The AIL was carried out at 50 h post synchronization of estrus in each one of the USP. Results: The response and start of estrus did not show differences (P>0.05) between the different breeds of ewes. The percentage of pregnant ewes presented differences by breeds (P<0.05), the Katahdin showed higher gestation rate despite the field conditions and diversity in the USP; however, the prolificacy between the breeds was similar. Study limitations / implications: It is suggested the inclusion of new breeds of hair that meet the expectations of the sheep farmers and satisfy the demand of the product for the barbacoa commerce. Findings / conclusions: The AIL technique and the hormonal protocol for estrus synchronization present favorable results in gestation and prolificacy, which is why they are effective for the Program for the Genetic Improvement of Sheep in the region of the Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo, México.Objetivo: Evaluar la técnica de inseminación artificial por laparoscopia (IAL) bajo condiciones de campo en variables reproductivas en ovejas y sus impactos sociales con ovinocultores de la región del Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo. Diseño/ metodología/ aproximación: El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar. Se utilizaron 387 ovejas distribuidas en 7 Municipios y 14 unidades de producción ovinas (UPO), de las razas: 162 Katahdin, 145 Hampshire, 45 Dorset y 35 Suffolk. El estro se sincronizó con esponjas intravaginales por 11 días, dos días antes del retiro se aplicó 400 UI de gonadotropina (eCG). La IAL se llevó a cabo a las 50 h post sincronización del estro en cada una de las UPO. Resultados: La respuesta e inicio del estro no mostró diferencias (P > 0.05) entre las diversas razas de ovejas. El porcentaje de ovejas gestantes presentó diferencias por la raza (P ? 0.05), la Katahdin mostró mayor tasa de gestación a pesar de las condiciones de campo y diversidad en las UPO; sin embargo, la prolificidad entre las razas fue semejante. Limitaciones del estudio/ implicaciones: Se sugiere la inclusión de nuevas razas de pelo que cumplan con las expectativas de los ovinocultores y satisfagan la demanda del producto para el comercio de la barbacoa. Hallazgos/ conclusiones: La técnica de IAL y el protocolo hormonal en la sincronización del estro presentan resultados favorables en gestación y prolificidad, por lo que resultan ser efectivos para el Programa de Mejoramiento Genético de Ovinos en la región del Valle de Mezquital, Hidalgo, México

EVALUACIÓN DE LA PROGENIE DE GALLOS CRIOLLOS (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) CON CUELLO DESNUDO Y CRESTA ROSA

Objective: To evaluate the distribution of plumage [naked neck (Na) or normal (NN)] and the type of comb [simple (SC) or rose (RC)] in the progeny of creole roosters (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) with Na and RC. Design/methodology/approach: A completely random design was used, two groups, each one consisting of a rooster with Na and RC, and eight hens NN with SC were used to evaluate the type of neck and comb, and initial weight of the progeny. Results: The 53% of the progeny presented Na and 47% NN, while 81% showed RC and 19% SC. The initial live weight was similar in Na than in NN chickens and similar in RC and SC birds. Limitations on study/implications: In the revised of the literature, little information was found on the progeny of creole chickens with naked neck and rose comb. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Los resultados del presente trabajo demostraron que al cruzar gallos cuello desnudo y cresta rosa con gallinas cuello normal y cresta simple en su progenie se pueden observar ambos tipos de cuello y una mayor presencia de pollos con cresta rosa, sin presentar diferencia de peso inicial. Findings/conclusions: The results of the present work showed that when crossing roosted naked neck and rose comb with hens normal neck and simple crest in their progeny, can be observed both types of neck and a greater presence chickens with rose comb, without presenting a difference in weight initial.Objetivo: Evaluar la distribución del plumaje [cuello desnudo (CD) o cuello normal (CN)] y tipo de cresta [cresta simple (CS) o cresta rosa (CR)] en la progenie de gallos criollos (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) con cuello desnudo CD y CR. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, dos grupos, cada uno conformado por un gallo con CD y CR, y ocho gallinas CN con CS fueron utilizados para evaluar la distribución del plumaje, tipo de cresta, y peso inicial de la progenie. Los datos fueron analizados con una prueba de Chi-cuadrada. Resultados: El 53% de la progenie presentó CD y el 47% CN, mientras que, el 81% mostró CR y el 19% CS. El peso vivo inicial fue similar en pollos CD comparados con CN y similar con CR y CS. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: En la revisión de literatura revisada se encontró poca información sobre la progenie de pollos criollos con cuello desnudo y cresta rosa Hallazgos/conclusiones: Los resultados del presente, demostraron que al cruzar gallos cuello desnudo y cresta rosa con gallinas cuello normal y cresta simple en su progenie se pueden observar ambos tipos de cuello y mayor cantidad de pollos con cresta rosa, sin presentar diferencia de peso inicial

Source time reversal (STR) method for linear elasticity

We study the problem of source reconstruction for a linear elasticity problem applied to seismicity induced by mining. We assume the source is written as a variable separable function $\mathbf{f(x)}\>g(t)$ . We first present a simple proof a local decay result for elasticity in the case of homogeneous media. We then extend the source time reversal method, originally developed for acoustic waves, to an elastic system of waves. Additionally, we present a fast reconstruction implementation for large data sets. This is especially useful in the elastic case, in which the numerical cost is higher than in fluid acoustics. We complement this work with several 2D and 3D numerical experiments and an analysis of the resultsThis work was partially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant No 644602 GEAGAM (Spain) and CONICYT, Chile - PIA/Concurso de Apoyo a Centros Científicos y Tecnológicos de Excelencia con Financiamiento Basal AFB170001. Additionally, the first author was supported by CONICYT Doctoral fellowship number (Chile), Fondecyt11161033 (Chile), ICMP09-015-F (Chile), and EQM140119. Jaime H. Ortega was partially supported by Fondecyt1111012 and 1171854 (Chile). Ángel Rodríguez-Rozas and David Pardo were partially funded by the Projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness with reference MTM2016-76329-R (AEI/FEDER, EU) and MTM2016-81697-ERC/AEI, the BCAM “Severo Ochoa” accreditation of excellence SEV-2017-0718, the Basque Government through the BERC 2018-2021 program, the Consolidated Research Group Grant IT649-13 on “Mathematical Modeling, Simulation, and Industrial Applications (M2SI)”. David Pardo has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 777778

Does intensification result in higher efficiency and sustainability? An emergy analysis of Mediterranean sheep-crop farming systems

The embodiment of resources in agricultural products depends on the way they are made, i.e., the production system. We applied emergy analysis on three contrasting sheep-crop farming systems according to different degrees of specialization, integration and intensification of production in Mediterranean Spain. We studied emergy flows, transformity values and emergy indices at the system level and per product (lamb meat; permanent crops: rainfed olive and almond; arable crops: rainfed barley, irrigated barley, alfalfa and sunflower). We found that the specialized pasture-based sheep system had the lowest intensity and efficiency and the highest sustainability, as opposite to the partially-integrated mixed system, while the fully-integrated mixed system obtained a balanced position. Lamb meat production was 1.9 and 1.3 times more intensive and efficient, respectively, in the partially-integrated mixed system than in the pasture-based sheep system, but 5.1 times less sustainable. All sheep sub-systems had comparatively lower intensity and higher sustainability than crops due to their higher capacity to use local and renewable natural resources. Our findings suggest that further support of agricultural development based on local and renewable natural resources and best practices is necessary to ensure long-term farming sustainability and social welfare

Integral Field Spectroscopy based H\alpha\ sizes of local Luminous and Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies. A Direct Comparison with high-z Massive Star Forming Galaxies

Aims. We study the analogy between local U/LIRGs and high-z massive SFGs by comparing basic H{\alpha} structural characteristics, such as size, and luminosity (and SFR) surface density, in an homogeneous way (i.e. same tracer and size definition, similar physical scales). Methods. We use Integral Field Spectroscopy based H{\alpha} emission maps for a representative sample of 54 local U/LIRGs (66 galaxies). From this initial sample we select 26 objects with H{\alpha} luminosities (L(H{\alpha})) similar to those of massive (i.e. M\ast \sim 10^10 M\odot or larger) SFGs at z \sim 2, and observed on similar physical scales. Results. The sizes of the H{\alpha} emitting region in the sample of local U/LIRGs span a large range, with r1/2(H{\alpha}) from 0.2 to 7 kpc. However, about 2/3 of local U/LIRGs with Lir > 10^11.4 L\odot have compact H{\alpha} emission (i.e. r1/2 < 2 kpc). The comparison sample of local U/LIRGs also shows a higher fraction (59%) of objects with compact H{\alpha} emission than the high-z sample (25%). This gives further support to the idea that for this luminosity range the size of the star forming region is a distinctive factor between local and distant galaxies of similar SF rates. However, when using H{\alpha} as a tracer for both local and high-z samples, the differences are smaller than the ones recently reported using a variety of other tracers. Despite of the higher fraction of galaxies with compact H{\alpha} emission, a sizable group (\sim 1/3) of local U/LIRGs are large (i.e. r1/2 > 2 kpc). These are systems showing pre-coalescence merger activity and they are indistinguishable from the massive high-z SFGs galaxies in terms of their H{\alpha} sizes, and luminosity and SFR surface densities.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. (!5 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables

Overcoming function annotation errors in the Gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus suis by a proteomics-driven approach

Background: Annotation of protein-coding genes is a key step in sequencing projects. Protein functions are mainly assigned on the basis of the amino acid sequence alone by searching of homologous proteins. However, fully automated annotation processes often lead to wrong prediction of protein functions, and therefore time-intensive manual curation is often essential. Here we describe a fast and reliable way to correct function annotation in sequencing projects, focusing on surface proteomes. We use a proteomics approach, previously proven to be very powerful for identifying new vaccine candidates against Gram-positive pathogens. It consists of shaving the surface of intact cells with two proteases, the specific cleavage-site trypsin and the unspecific proteinase K, followed by LC/MS/MS analysis of the resulting peptides. The identified proteins are contrasted by computational analysis and their sequences are inspected to correct possible errors in function prediction. Results: When applied to the zoonotic pathogen Streptococcus suis, of which two strains have been recently sequenced and annotated, we identified a set of surface proteins without cytoplasmic contamination: all the proteins identified had exporting or retention signals towards the outside and/or the cell surface, and viability of protease-treated cells was not affected. The combination of both experimental evidences and computational methods allowed us to determine that two of these proteins are putative extracellular new adhesins that had been previously attributed a wrong cytoplasmic function. One of them is a putative component of the pilus of this bacterium. Conclusion: We illustrate the complementary nature of laboratory-based and computational methods to examine in concert the localization of a set of proteins in the cell, and demonstrate the utility of this proteomics-based strategy to experimentally correct function annotation errors in sequencing projects. This approach also contributes to provide strong experimental evidences that can be used to annotate those proteins for which a Gene Ontology (GO) term has not been assigned so far. Function annotation correction would then improve the identification of surfaceassociated proteins in bacterial pathogens, thus accelerating the discovery of new vaccines in infectious disease research

Linking Chronic Otitis Media and Nasal Obstruction: A CFD Approach

Objectives To investigate a possible relationship between altered nasal flow and chronic otitis media (COM) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Retrospective cohort sample of CT scans from patients with COM and controls without COM to compare the results of various nasal airflow parameters determined by CFD between a group of patients with COM (N = 60) and a control group of subjects without any evidence of ear disease (N = 81). The CT were subjected to various procedures to carry out CFD studies, determining the resistance to nasal flow, the proportion of flow through the right and left nasal cavity, and two nondimensional estimators. The results of CFD studies between patients with COM and controls were compared. Results Whereas only 12.3% of the controls had CFD alteration (10 out of 81), 43.3% of the patients suffering COM displayed alterations of our nondimensional parameters urn:x-wiley:0023852X:media:lary29882:lary29882-math-0001 (26 out of 60). Conclusions According to our results, the incidence of alterations in nasal airflow by studying with CFD is significantly higher in patients with COM than in controls. To our knowledge, this is the first article linking nasal cavity and COM using a CFD approach. Our results support the hypothesis that nasal flow alterations could be implicated in the etiopathogenesis of the COM

'Stable' QPOs and Black Hole Properties from Diskoseismology

We compare our calculations of the frequencies of the fundamental g, c, and p--modes of relativistic thin accretion disks with recent observations of high frequency QPOs in X-ray binaries with black hole candidates. These classes of modes encompass all adiabatic perturbations of such disks. The frequencies of these modes depend mainly on only the mass and angular momentum of the black hole; their weak dependence on disk luminosity is also explicitly indicated. Identifying the recently discovered relatively stable QPO pairs with the fundamental g and c modes provides a determination of the mass and angular momentum of the black hole. For GRO J1655-40, M=5.9\pm 1.0 M_\sun, $J=(0.917\pm 0.024)GM^2/c$, in agreement with spectroscopic mass determinations. For GRS 1915+105, M=42.4\pm 7.0 M_\sun, $J=(0.926\pm 0.020)GM^2/c$ or (less favored) M=18.2\pm 3.1 M_\sun, $J=(0.701\pm 0.043)GM^2/c$. We briefly address the issues of the amplitude, frequency width, and energy dependence of these QPOs.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter