Microquasar models for 3EG J1828+0142 and 3EG J1735-1500

Microquasars are promising candidates to emit high-energy gamma-rays. Moreover, statistical studies show that variable EGRET sources at low galactic latitudes could be associated with the inner spiral arms. The variable nature and the location in the Galaxy of the high-mass microquasars, concentrated in the galactic plane and within 55 degrees from the galactic center, give to these objects the status of likely counterparts of the variable low-latitude EGRET sources. We consider in this work the two most variable EGRET sources at low-latitudes: 3EG J1828+0142 and 3EG J1735-1500, proposing a microquasar model to explain the EGRET data in consistency with the observations at lower energies (from radio frequencies to soft gamma-rays) within the EGRET error box.Comment: (1)Universitat de Barcelona, (2)Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomia (3) Facultad de Ciencias Astronomicas y Geofisicas (4)Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 6 pages, 2 figures. Presented as a poster at the V Microquasar Workshop, Beijing, June 2004. Accepted for publication in the Chinese Journal of Astronomy & Astrophysic

A chloroform extract obtained from a decoction of Ficus carica leaves improves the cholesterolaemic status of rats with streptootocin-includede diabetes

The antidiabetic effects of Ficus carica leaf extracts have been reported previously. From the aqueous decoction of fig leaves, after treatment with HCl, centrifuging, treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and extraction with chloroform (CHCl 3 ), the administration of the organic phase rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes led to a decline in the levels of total cholesterol and an decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (with respect to the control group), together with a reduction of the hyperglycaemia

Estudio comparativo de los parámetros calidad de la leche, características tecnológicas y producción quesera de la Raza Merina de Grazalema frente al cruce con razas foráneas

En los últimos años se están incorporando masivamente en España, en general, y en Andalucía, en particular, razas ovinas foráneas de aptitud lechera, fundamentalmente las razas Assaf, Awassi y Lacaune. Su introducción está fomentando, asimismo, la realización de cruces indiscriminados con nuestras razas ovinas autóctonas, de aptitud lechera pero de menor especialización, al menos cuantitativamente (Casas et al., 2005). El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar en dos grupos de animales de un mismo rebaño (ovejas puras de raza Merina de Grazalema, y ovejas cruzadas Merina de Grazalema x Awassi) las características de la producción lechera, y proceder a la elaboración de quesos para estudiar las posibles diferencias tecnológicas de los quesos derivados de ambas elaboraciones. A través del mismo se ha comprobado una mayor producción lechera de las ovejas cruzadas (167.35±13.20 kg frente a 136.84±4.25 kg) pero con un porcentaje de grasa (6.25±0.34 % frente a 8.27±0.22 %), proteína (4.71±0.14 % frente a 5.80±0.09 %) y extracto seco (10.97±0.46 % frente a 14.07±0.28 %), estadísticamente inferior. En cuanto a los parámetros de aptitud tecnológica, los valores de tiempo de coagulación medio (24.70±0.77 minutos), dureza media (dureza del coágulo a los 30 minutos) de 25.03±2.27 mm, y el rendimiento en cuajada (327.50±5.70 g/l), mostraron cifras inferiores a las referenciadas por Casas et al. (2005) para la raza ovina Merina de Grazalema. Finalmente, la velocidad de endurecimiento resultó mayor a los valores obtenidos en el trabajo citado anteriormente (4.59±0.54 min.). Por otro lado, estos mismos parámetros mostraron valores inferiores en el tiempo de coagulación (19.60±0.62 minutos), velocidad de endurecimiento (3.97±0.38 min.) y rendimiento en cuajada (290.55±6.67), mientras que la dureza media (32.85±2.03 mm) fue superior en las ovejas cruzadas, respecto a los valores encontrados en esta misma explotación para los animales puros. Como consecuencia de todo ello, el rendimiento quesero real fue del 30.25 % para las ovejas puras frente al 23.70 % de las cruzadas. Esto determina que la producción quesera real que se obtiene por oveja pura, sea superior al de la cruzada (41.38 kg queso fresco/lactación frente a los 39.70 de la cruzada)

The nature of supernovae 2010O and 2010P in Arp 299 - II. Radio emission

We report radio observations of two stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe), 2010O and 2010P, which exploded within a few days of each other in the luminous infrared galaxy Arp 299. Whilst SN 2010O remains undetected at radio frequencies, SN 2010P was detected (with an astrometric accuracy better than 1 milli arcsec in position) in its optically thin phase in epochs ranging from ~1 to ~3yr after its explosion date, indicating a very slow radio evolution and a strong interaction of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar medium. Our late-time radio observations toward SN 2010P probe the dense circumstellar envelope of this SN, and imply a mass-loss rate (Msun/yr) to wind velocity (in units of 10 km/s) ratio of (3.0-5.1)E-05, with a 5 GHz peak luminosity of ~1.2E+27 erg/s/Hz on day ~464 after explosion. This is consistent with a Type IIb classification for SN 2010P, making it the most distant and most slowly evolving Type IIb radio SN detected to date.Comment: 14 pages, 8 tables and 7 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Advantages and disadvantages on photosynthesis measurement techniques: A review

Through photosynthesis, green plants and cyanobacteria are able to transfer sunlight energy to molecular reaction centers for conversion into chemical energy with nearly 100% efficiency. Speed is the key as the transfer of the solar energy takes place almost instantaneously such that little energy is wasted as heat. How photosynthesis achieves this near instantaneous energy transfer is a longstanding mystery that may have finally been solved. Measurements of this process are useful in order to understand how it might be controlled and how the phytomonitoring of plant development to increase productivity can be carried out. Techniques in this sense have evolved and nowadays several have been used for this purpose. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present a review of the various methods and principles that have been used in measuring photosynthesis presenting the advantages and disadvantages of various existing measurement methodologies in order to recommend the most appropriate method according to the needs of specific investigations

Radiochemical Separation and Measurement by Mass Spectrometry with Magnetic Sector with Inductively Coupled Plasma source (ICP-SFMS) of Plutonium Isotopes in Soil Samples

The aim of this work is twofold: to optimize the radiochemical separation of Plutonium (Pu) from soil samples, and to measure the Pu concentration. Soil samples were prepared using acid digestion assisted by microwaves; then, Pu purification was carried out with Pu AG1X8 resin. Pu isotopes were measured using Mass Spectrometry with Magnetic Sector with Inductively Coupled Plasma source (ICP-SFMS). In order to reduce the interference due to the presence of 238UH+ in the samples a desolvation system (Apex) was used. The limit of detection (LOD) of Pu was determined. The efficiency of Pu recovery from soil samples varies from 70 to 93%

Discrete element modelling of granular column collapse tests with industrial applications

Describing the behaviour of granular materials is a challenging issue for the industry. Our work concerns packaging industries where packing equipment is designed to handle a wide range of powders and bulk solids with varying physical and mechanical properties. While packaging, a variety of material conveying techniques are used ranging from air fluidisation to discharge of material through a hopper. Thereby even a small improvement in their efficiency can lead to significant benefits, both financial and environmental. Flowability of powders and bulk solids is often experimentally investigated using granular column collapse, as this test provides deep insights into the kinematics of granular flow both at particle and bulk levels [1]. Here, we consider a quasi-two-dimensional set-up with a reservoir containing the granular pile which is instantaneously released onto a channel where run-out takes place. Instead of experiments, we use discrete particle simulations allowing us to quantitatively link bulk-level observations to particle-level properties of the materials, besides enabling inverse analysis leading to indirect measures of micro-scale parameters. We present a simulation strategy aimed at controlling several particle parameters influencing the run-out: - Polydispersity in size, using different particle size distributions; and also in shape, comparing the use of spherical and non-spherical particles, namely cylinders and ellipsoids. - Mechanical properties of the contacts, comprising normal stiffness and dissipation, as well as sliding, rolling and torsion coefficients. Specifically, hygroscopic behaviour of bulk materials is inspected modifying the contact law parameters. Additionally at the bulk level, air fluidisation of the columns before release is studied through the initial packing state by changing the volume fraction of the piles. Numerical simulations are implemented with the open-source code MercuryDPMPostprint (published version

Level of quality of life and health self-care in university students of health sciences at the National University of Villa María

The purpose of this study is the analysis of self - perceived quality of life and self-care of university students in their first years of Health Sciences Degrees at Instituto Académico Pedagógico de Ciencias Humanas (IAPCH) - National University of Villa María (UNVM). Methods: An observational, descriptive and correlational, cross-sectional design was implemented to conduct this study. It involved all the students in the first three years of the Medicine and Occupational Therapy degrees, with an estimated total of 280 students. The socio-demographics considered were: age, gender, origin and level of education of the immediate family members (father, mother and brother/sister). The Quality of Life assessment was carried out based on the SF-36 and the self-care assessment was performed according to the “Appraisal of the Capacity for Self-Care Agency Scale”. Results: Regarding quality of life, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) is higher than the Mental Component Summary (MCS) and with regard to the analysis based on gender, men revealed a higher perceived quality of life in both the physical and mental aspects. Women revealed a lower perceived quality of life regarding their physical functioning, emotional role, vitality, mental health, social role, bodily pain and general health. The analysis of self – care capacity showed that the total score in men and women corresponds to a medium level of self-care capacity, however, the highest proportion, in men as well as in women, was found in the category of low self-care capacity.Fil: Romero, D. E.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Gili, Juan Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Trecco, P.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Torres, V.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Chiriotti, V.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, A. R.. Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria. Instituto Academico de Ciencias Humanas; Argentin

Supernova-Remnant Origin of Cosmic Rays?

It is thought that Galactic cosmic ray (CR) nuclei are gradually accelerated to high energies (up to ~300 TeV/nucleon, where 1TeV=10^12eV) in the expanding shock-waves connected with the remnants of powerful supernova explosions. However, this conjecture has eluded direct observational confirmation^1,2 since it was first proposed in 1953 (ref. 3). Enomoto et al.^4 claim to have finally found definitive evidence that corroborates this model, proposing that the very-high-energy, TeV-range, gamma-rays from the supernova remnant (SNR) RX J1713.7-3946 are due to the interactions of energetic nuclei in this region. Here we argue that their claim is not supported by the existing multiwavelength spectrum of this source. The search for the origin(s) of Galactic cosmic ray nuclei may be closing in on the long-suspected supernova-remnant sources, but it is not yet over.Comment: 4 pages, 1 Figur