Visible and near-infrared observations of asteroid 2012 DA14 during its closest approach of February 15, 2013

Near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 made its closest approach on February 15, 2013, when it passed at a distance of 27,700 km from the Earth's surface. It was the first time an asteroid of moderate size was predicted to approach that close to the Earth, becoming bright enough to permit a detailed study from ground-based telescopes. Asteroid 2012 DA14 was poorly characterized before its closest approach. We acquired data using several telescopes on four Spanish observatories: the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the 3.6m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), both in the El Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM, La Palma); the 2.2m CAHA telescope, in the Calar Alto Observatory (Almeria); the f/3 0.77m telescope in the La Hita Observatory (Toledo); and the f/8 1.5m telescope in the Sierra Nevada Observatory (OSN, Granada). We obtained visible and near-infrared color photometry, visible spectra and time-series photometry. Visible spectra together with color photometry of 2012 DA14 show that it can be classified as an L-type asteroid, a rare spectral type with a composition similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites. The time-series photometry provides a rotational period of 8.95 +- 0.08 hours after the closest approach, and there are indications that the object suffered a spin-up during this event. The large amplitude of the light curve suggests that the object is very elongated and irregular, with an equivalent diameter of around 18m. We obtain an absolute magnitude of H_R = 24.5 +- 0.2, corresponding to H_V = 25.0 +- 0.2. The GTC photometry also gives H_V = 25.29 +- 0.14. Both values agree with the value listed at the Minor Planet Center shortly after discovery. From the absolute photometry, together with some constraints on size and shape, we compute a geometric albedo of p_V = 0.44 +- 0.20, which is slightly above the range of albedos known for L-type asteroids (0.082 - 0.405).Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted in A&A (June 17 2013

Aging-associated symptoms in the physician-patient dialogue in a group of long-term diagnosed HIV-infected individuals

Background: The significant decrease in mortality has resulted in a large number of individuals aged over 50 living with HIV infection. Additionally, the coexistence of certain pathologies suggests premature aging. In this scenario, the presence of aging-associated symptoms in the physician-patient dialogue is yet to be explored. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study to evaluate the presence of aging-associated symptoms in the physician-patient dialogue and to explore the possible differences between genders in a sample of 100 HIV-1 infected subjects diagnosed at least 15 years ago. The survey assessed questions/comments made by the patient, questions/comments made by the physician and patients’ interest in obtaining more information than was provided. Number of patients and percentages were given and compared using the w2 or Fisher exact test (as appropriate). Results: Participants were 60 men and 40 women, diagnosed with HIV infection a median (IQ) of 18 (15.7–21) years ago, who had a nadir CD4 and CD4 cell count at the study entry of 172 (95–272) and 543 (403–677), respectively. Eighty percent of the subjects had VL <25 copies and 42% were HCV/HIV co-infected (31 subjects with low fibrosis stage). The infection route had been mainly intravenous drug use (37%) and MSM (32%). Men and women had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Sixty-two percent of the participants acknowledged asking their physicians about aging-associated symptoms (58% men vs 66% women; p=0.50), 48% reported that their physicians had provided information without having been asked (48% men vs 55% women; p=0.51) and 75% confirmed that they would like to have more information about aging-associated symptoms (22% men vs 80% women; p<0.001). Conclusions: Around half of the men and women interviewed had discussed aging-associated symptoms with their physician. However, this seemed insufficient for four-fifths of the women, who would have liked to have obtained more information about aging

Budgetary impact analysis of preexposure prophylaxis (prep) strategy for the prevention of hiv in Colombia, 2019-2021

We aimed to estimate the budgetary impact of a PrEP strategy for the prevention and control of HIV in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Colombia. We adapted a budgetary impact model developed by Fundación Oswaldo Fiocruz, Brazil. Modelling was performed from the third-payer perspective over a 3-year period. Epidemiological and cost inputs were extracted from literature reviews and Colombian data. Two scenarios were simulated: 1. No PrEP scenario; and, 2. New scenario: MSM and TGW would have access to a PrEP program, which potentially reduce the HIV cases. Costs include the sum of PrEP program costs for MSM and TGW, and the treatment costs of cases that will occur in the 3-years of implementation. The new scenario was modelled at different risk and PrEP program coverage levels. Budget impact analysis (BIA) was calculated as the difference between the two scenarios. Cost were reported in Colombian pesos (COP). At a PrEP coverage of 80% and an incidence of 4.5 per 100 person-year would be avoid 4,057, 4,315 and 4,383 HIV cases in MSM for years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The BIA was COP$47 billion for year 1; COP$20 billion for the second, and for the third year the PrEP program would save COP$11 billion. In TGW, at a PrEP coverage of 80$3.3 billion, COP$-2.1 billion and COP$-8.1 billion, respectively. PrEP strategy should focus on small fractions of the population at high risk, such as those addressed in our study. Our results suggest that PrEP program would avoid cases and save costs for the Colombian health system

Comparative analysis for the assessment of restoration treatments on stone material from the roman theater of Merida (Spain)

The overall goal of the project is the study of effects of conservation treatments applied on stone material from archaeological sites, i n terms of superficial changes, effectiveness and durability. In this sense, one of the first premises is characterize the surface of the treated and untreated material in order to determine changes in physical and chemical properties

Extraordinarily transparent compact metallic metamaterials

The design of achromatic optical components requires materials with high transparency and low dispersion. We show that although metals are highly opaque, densely packed arrays of metallic nanoparticles can be more transparent to infrared radiation than dielectrics such as germanium, even when the arrays are over 75% metal by volume. Such arrays form effective dielectrics that are virtually dispersion-free over ultra-broadband ranges of wavelengths from microns up to millimeters or more. Furthermore, the local refractive indices may be tuned by altering the size, shape, and spacing of the nanoparticles, allowing the design of gradient-index lenses that guide and focus light on the microscale. The electric field is also strongly concentrated in the gaps between the metallic nanoparticles, and the simultaneous focusing and squeezing of the electric field produces strong ‘doubly-enhanced’ hotspots which could boost measurements made using infrared spectroscopy and other non-linear processes over a broad range of frequencies

Neutrino mass, proton decay and dark matter in TeV scale universal extra dimension models

We show how the problem of small neutrino masses and suppressed proton decay can be simultaneously resolved in 6-D universal extra dimension models (UED) with a low fundamental scale using extended gauge groups that contain the local $B-L$ symmetry. The extra space dimensions are compactified either on a $T^2/Z_2$ or $T^2/Z_2\times Z'_2$ orbifold depending on whether the full gauge group is $SU(2)_L\times U(1)_{I_{3R}}\times U(1)_{B-L}$ or $SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_{R}\times U(1)_{B-L}$. In both cases, neutrino masses are suppressed by an appropriate orbifold parity assignment for the standard model singlet neutrinos and the proton decay rate is suppressed due to a residual discrete symmetry left over from compactification. For lower values of the fundamental scale, a dominant decay mode of the neutron is $n\to 3 \nu$. An interesting consequence of the model is a possible two component picture for dark matter of the universe.Comment: 25 pages, two minor typos correcte

Diffusion Coatings for Corrosion-Resistant Components in Coal Gasification Systems

Heat-exchangers, particle filters, turbines, and other components in integrated coal gasification combined cycle system must withstand the highly sulfiding conditions of the hightemperature coal gas over an extended period of time. The performance of components degrades significantly with time unless expensive high alloy materials are used. Deposition of a suitable coating on a low-cost alloy may improve its resistance to such sulfidation attack, and decrease capital and operating costs. The alloys used in the gasifier service include austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, nickel-chromium-iron alloys, and expensive nickel-cobalt alloys. During this period, we analyzed several 409 low alloy steel samples after coating them in our fluidized bed reactor and also after exposing them to our corrosion test. We report the following findings: 1. A protective coating was deposited inside a porous 409 steel sample to protect it from sulfidation attack. The coating was based on a combination of Si diffusion layer, Nb interlayer and nitrides of titanium and silicon. 2. Analysis of solid coupons exposed to simulated coal gas at 900 C for 300 h showed that multilayer metal/ceramic coatings provide a better protection than ceramic coatings. 3. Deposition of several ceramic/metal multilayer coatings showed that coatings with niobium and tantalum interlayers have good adhesion. However, coatings with a tungsten interlayer suffered localized delaminating and coatings with Zr interlayers showed poor adhesion. 4. Analysis of solid coupons, coated with the above-mentioned multilayer films, after exposure to simulated coal gas at 900 C for 300 h showed that niobium is the best candidate for interlayer material