Long-term response of stratospheric ozone and temperature to solar variability

The long-term variability in stratospheric ozone mass mixing ratio (O3) and temperature (T) from 1979 to 2013 is investigated using the latest reanalysis product delivered by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), i.e., ERA-Interim. Moreover, using the Mg II index time series for the same time period, the response of the stratosphere to the 11-year Schwabe solar cycle is investigated. Results reveal the following features: (i) upward (downward) trends characterize zonally averaged O3 anomalies in the upper (middle to lower stratosphere) stratosphere, while prevailing downward trends affect the T field. Mg II index data exhibit a weaker 24th solar cycle (though not complete) when compared with the previous two; (ii) correlations between O3 and Mg II, T and Mg II, and O3 and T are consistent with photochemical reactions occurring in the stratosphere and large-scale transport; and (iii) wavelet cross-spectra between O3 and Mg II index show common power for the 11-year period, particularly in tropical regions around 30-50 hPa, and different relative phase in the upper and lower stratosphere. A comprehensive insight into the actual processes accounting for the observed correlation between ozone and solar UV variability would be gained from an improved bias correction of ozone measurements provided by different satellite instruments, and from the observations of the time behavior of the solar spectral irradiance

Hybrid Superconducting Neutron Detectors

A new neutron detection concept is presented that is based on superconductive niobium (Nb) strips coated by a boron (B) layer. The working principle of the detector relies on the nuclear reaction 10B+n $\rightarrow$ $\alpha$+ 7Li , with $\alpha$ and Li ions generating a hot spot on the current-biased Nb strip which in turn induces a superconducting-normal state transition. The latter is recognized as a voltage signal which is the evidence of the incident neutron. The above described detection principle has been experimentally assessed and verified by irradiating the samples with a pulsed neutron beam at the ISIS spallation neutron source (UK). It is found that the boron coated superconducting strips, kept at a temperature T = 8 K and current-biased below the critical current Ic, are driven into the normal state upon thermal neutron irradiation. As a result of the transition, voltage pulses in excess of 40 mV are measured while the bias current can be properly modulated to bring the strip back to the superconducting state, thus resetting the detector. Measurements on the counting rate of the device are presented and the future perspectives leading to neutron detectors with unprecedented spatial resolutions and efficiency are highlighted.Comment: 8 pages 6 figure

TRPM6 is essential for magnesium uptake and epithelial cell function in the colon

Intestinal magnesium (Mg) uptake is essential for systemic Mg homeostasis. Colon cells express the two highly homologous transient receptor potential melastatin type (TRPM) 6 and 7 Mg2+ channels, but their precise function and the consequences of their mutual interaction are not clear. To explore the functional role of TRPM6 and TRPM7 in the colon, we used human colon cell lines that innately express both channels and analyzed the functional consequences of genetic knocking-down, by RNA interference, or pharmacological inhibition, by NS8593, of either channel. TRPM7 silencing caused an increase in Mg2+ influx, and correspondingly enhanced cell proliferation and migration, while downregulation of TRPM6 did not affect significantly either Mg2+ influx or cell proliferation. Exposure to the specific TRPM6/7 inhibitor NS8593 reduced Mg2+ influx, and consequently cell proliferation and migration, but Mg supplementation rescued the inhibition. We propose a model whereby in colon cells the functional Mg2+ channel at the plasma membrane may consist of both TRPM7 homomers and TRPM6/7 heteromers. A different expression ratio between the two proteins may result in different functional properties. Altogether, our findings confirm that TRPM6 cannot be replaced by TRPM7, and that TRPM6/7 complexes and TRPM6/7-mediated Mg2+ influx are indispensable in human epithelial colon cells

A New GEM-like Imaging Detector with Electrodes Coated with Resistive Layers

We have developed and tested several prototypes of GEM-like detectors with electrodes coated with resistive layers: CuO or CrO. These detectors can operate stably at gains close to 10E5 and they are very robust. We discovered that the cathodes of these detectors could be coated by CsI layers and in such a way the detectors gain high efficiency for the UV photons. We also demonstrated that such detectors can operate stably in the cascade mode and high overall gains (~10E6) are reachable. This opens applications in several areas, for example in RICH or in noble liquid TPCs. Results from the first applications of these devices for UV photon detection at room and cryogenic temperatures are given.Comment: Presented at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, San Diego, California, October 200

Investigating the Role of T-Cell Avidity and Killing Efficacy in Relation to Type 1 Diabetes Prediction

During the progression of the clinical onset of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), high-risk individuals exhibit multiple islet autoantibodies and high-avidity T cells which progressively destroy beta cells causing overt T1D. In particular, novel autoantibodies, such as those against IA-2 epitopes (aa1-577), had a predictive rate of 100% in a 10-year follow up (rapid progressors), unlike conventional autoantibodies that required 15 years of follow up for a 74% predictive rate (slow progressors). The discrepancy between these two groups is thought to be associated with T-cell avidity, including CD8 and/or CD4 T cells. For this purpose, we build a series of mathematical models incorporating first one clone then multiple clones of islet-specific and pathogenic CD8 and/or CD4 T cells, together with B lymphocytes, to investigate the interaction of T-cell avidity with autoantibodies in predicting disease onset. These models are instrumental in examining several experimental observations associated with T-cell avidity, including the phenomenon of avidity maturation (increased average T-cell avidity over time), based on intra- and cross-clonal competition between T cells in high-risk human subjects. The model shows that the level and persistence of autoantibodies depends not only on the avidity of T cells, but also on the killing efficacy of these cells. Quantification and modeling of autoreactive T-cell avidities can thus determine the level of risk associated with each type of autoantibodies and the timing of T1D disease onset in individuals that have been tested positive for these autoantibodies. Such studies may lead to early diagnosis of the disease in high-risk individuals and thus potentially serve as a means of staging patients for clinical trials of preventive or interventional therapies far before disease onset

Talleres educativos dirigidos a niños con diabetes tipo 1

Introducción: La educación terapéutica es un proceso continuo y esencial para los niños con diabetes. Muy importante para lograr un rol activo en el tratamiento de la enfermedad. Razón por la cual desarrollamos talleres educativos para los niños del HIAPE Superiora Sor María Ludovica de La Plata. Objetivo: Evaluar conocimientos, habilidades, HbA1C pre y post intervención. Material y Métodos: Se desarrollaron dos talleres de dos horas y media de duración cada uno, uno en un mes y el otro en el mes siguiente de agosto a noviembre inclusive de 2014.Los contenidos se abordados mediante juegos educativos: actividad física, insulinoterapia, importancia del control metabólico (hipoglucemia, hiperglucemia, variabilidad), identificación de nutrientes (selección y conteo de carbohidratos).La evaluación de estos temas fue a través de cuestionarios autoadministrados y la observación de la presencia de habilidades. Resultados: Se evaluaron 30 niños, todos con tratamiento intensificado. Encontrando diferencias significativas en conocimientos pre 13,20 ± 3,18 post 15,87 ± 2,85 (P 0,001) y la habilidad de rotar los sitios de inyección más de 4 pre 16,67 post 76,67 (P 0,009). No hubo diferencia significativa en la HbA1c de inicio y fin. Conclusión: Se requerirán intervenciones más frecuentes para poder potenciar y reforzar los beneficios obtenidos.Mesa 7. Educación física y salud.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Talleres educativos dirigidos a niños con diabetes tipo 1

Introducción: La educación terapéutica es un proceso continuo y esencial para los niños con diabetes. Muy importante para lograr un rol activo en el tratamiento de la enfermedad. Razón por la cual desarrollamos talleres educativos para los niños del HIAPE Superiora Sor María Ludovica de La Plata. Objetivo: Evaluar conocimientos, habilidades, HbA1C pre y post intervención. Material y Métodos: Se desarrollaron dos talleres de dos horas y media de duración cada uno, uno en un mes y el otro en el mes siguiente de agosto a noviembre inclusive de 2014.Los contenidos se abordados mediante juegos educativos: actividad física, insulinoterapia, importancia del control metabólico (hipoglucemia, hiperglucemia, variabilidad), identificación de nutrientes (selección y conteo de carbohidratos).La evaluación de estos temas fue a través de cuestionarios autoadministrados y la observación de la presencia de habilidades. Resultados: Se evaluaron 30 niños, todos con tratamiento intensificado. Encontrando diferencias significativas en conocimientos pre 13,20 ± 3,18 post 15,87 ± 2,85 (P 0,001) y la habilidad de rotar los sitios de inyección más de 4 pre 16,67 post 76,67 (P 0,009). No hubo diferencia significativa en la HbA1c de inicio y fin. Conclusión: Se requerirán intervenciones más frecuentes para poder potenciar y reforzar los beneficios obtenidos.Mesa 7. Educación física y salud.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Photosensitive Gaseous Detectors for Cryogenic Temperature Applications

There are several proposals and projects today for building LXe Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) for dark matter search. An important element of these TPCs are the photomultipliers operating either inside LXe or in vapors above the liquid. We have recently demonstrated that photosensitive gaseous detectors (wire type and hole-type) can operate perfectly well until temperatures of LN2. In this paper results of systematic studies of operation of the photosensitive version of these detectors (combined with reflective or semi-transparent CsI photocathodes) in the temperature interval of 300-150 K are presented. In particular, it was demonstrated that both sealed and flushed by a gas detectors could operate at a quite stable fashion in a year/time scale. Obtained results, in particular the long-term stability of photosensitive gaseous detectors, strongly indicate that they can be cheap and simple alternatives to photomultipliers or avalanche solid-state detectors in LXe TPC applications.Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of the PSD-7 Conf. in Liverpool, U

Development and first tests of GEM-like detectors with resistive electrodes

We have developed and tested several prototypes of GEM-like detectors with electrodes coated with resistive layers or completely made of resistive materials. These detectors can operate stably at gains close to 105. The resistive layers limit the energy of discharges appearing at higher gains thus making the detectors very robust. We demonstrated that the cathodes of some of these detectors could be coated by CsI or SbCs layers to enhance the detection efficiency for the UV and visible photons. We also discovered that such detectors can operate stably in the cascade mode and high overall gains ($~10^{6}$) are reachable. Applications in several areas, for example in RICH or in noble liquid TPCs are therefore possible. The first results from the detection of UV photons at room and cryogenic temperatures will be given