On the heating of source of the Orion KL hot core

We present images of the J=10-9 rotational lines of HC3N in the vibrationally excited levels 1v7, 1v6 and 1v5 of the hot core (HC) in Orion KL. The images show that the spatial distribution and the size emission from the 1v7 and 1v5 levels are different. While the J=10-9 1v7 line has a size of 4''x 6'' and peaks 1.1'' NE of the 3 mm continuum peak, the J=10--9 1v5 line emission is unresolved (<3'') and peaks 1.3'' south of the 3 mm peak. This is a clear indication that the HC is composed of condensations with very different temperatures (170 K for the 1v7 peak and $>230$ K for the 1v5 peak). The temperature derived from the 1v7 and 1v5 lines increases with the projected distance to the suspected main heating source I. Projection effects along the line of sight could explain the temperature gradient as produced by source I. However, the large luminosity required for source I, >5 10^5 Lsolar, to explain the 1v5 line suggests that external heating by this source may not dominate the heating of the HC. Simple model calculations of the vibrationally excited emission indicate that the HC can be internally heated by a source with a luminosity of 10^5 Lsolar, located 1.2'' SW of the 1v5 line peak (1.8'' south of source I). We also report the first detection of high-velocity gas from vibrationally excited HC3N emission. Based on excitation arguments we conclude that the main heating source is also driving the molecular outflow. We speculate that all the data presented in this letter and the IR images are consistent with a young massive protostar embedded in an edge-on disk.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, To be published in Ap.J. Letter

Influence of spatial and temporal dynamics of agricultural practices on the lesser kestrel

1. European agriculture is facing dramatic changes that are likely to have marked impacts on farmland biodiversity. There is an urgent need to develop land management strategies compatible with the conservation of biodiversity.2. We applied a spatially explicit behaviour-based model to assess how farmland management and the pattern of events across the annual farming calendar influences the foraging decisions of lesser kestrels Falco naumanni in a cereal steppe landscape. Moreover, we simulated the most likely scenarios of future agricultural changes to predict its impacts on lesser kestrel breeding success. Lesser kestrels have been the subject of serious conservation concern and constitute a good model species to judge impacts on farmland species more widely.3. Our results show that the location of cereal and fallow patches within a 2-km radius of a kestrel colony influences the total food supply delivered to the nestlings, explaining the differences in breeding success between years and colonies. Furthermore, the particular sequence in which patches are harvested by farmers is also predicted to influence offspring survival.4. Agricultural intensification, simulated by increasing the proportion of cereal fields, is predicted to negatively influence breeding success. However, the field harvesting sequence can play an important role in alleviating the effects of the increased percentage of cereal, as demonstrated by the higher breeding success obtained when harvesting starts from patches farthest from the colonies. The replacement of cereal cultivation by low-intensity grazed fallows would not be detrimental for kestrels.5. Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the effectiveness of behaviour-based models to evaluate the interacting effect of spatial and temporal dynamics of agricultural landscapes and predict the response of populations to environmental change. To optimize food availability for lesser kestrels, land managers should implement long rotational schemes with < 60% of the area under extensive cereal cultivation in a 2-km radius around colonies. Harvesting should start in the cereal patches farthest from colonies. Ideally, the predominant land use around colonies should be fallows. These outcomes illustrate how behaviour-based models can be applied to identify specific management recommendations that would improve the effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes, the most accepted tool for maintaining farmland landscapes

A Multiple System of Radio Sources at the Core of the L723 Multipolar Outflow

We present high angular resolution Very Large Array multi-epoch continuum observations at 3.6 cm and 7 mm towards the core of the L723 multipolar outflow revealing a multiple system of four radio sources suspected to be YSOs in a region of only ~4 arcsecs (1200 AU) in extent. The 3.6 cm observations show that the previously detected source VLA 2 contains a close (separation ~0.29 arcsecs or ~90 AU) radio binary, with components (A and B) along a position angle of ~150 degrees. The northern component (VLA 2A) of this binary system is also detected in the 7 mm observations, with a positive spectral index between 3.6 cm and 7 mm. In addition, the source VLA 2A is associated with extended emission along a position angle of ~115 degrees, that we interpret as outflowing shock-ionized gas that is exciting a system of HH objects with the same position angle. A third, weak 3.6 cm source, VLA 2C, that is detected also at 7 mm, is located ~0.7 arcsecs northeast of VLA 2A, and is possibly associated with the water maser emission in the region. The 7 mm observations reveal the presence of an additional source, VLA 2D, located ~3.5 arcsecs southeast of VLA 2A, and with a 1.35 mm counterpart. All these radio continuum sources have a positive spectral index, compatible with them being YSOs. We also propose that the high velocity CO emission observed in the region could be the superposition of multiple outflows (at least three independent bipolar outflows) excited by the YSOs located at the core, instead of the previous interpretations in terms of only one or two outflows.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (2007 December 6

Seventh Intercomparison Campaign of the Regional Brewer Calibration Center Europe (RBCC-E): Lichtklimatisches Observatorium, Arosa, Switzerland, 16-27 July 2012

This seventh intercomparison campaign was a joint exercise of the Regional Dobson Calibration Center for Europe (RDCC–E), the Regional Brewer Calibration Center for Europe (RBCC–E) and the Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos - World Radiation Center (PMOD-WRC) in collaboration with the Arosa Lichtklimatisches Observatorium (LKO) of MeteoSwiss during the period from 16 to 27 July 2012. Nine Brewer spectroradiometers together with four Dobson instruments and the QASUME unit, managed by 18 experts from six countries participated in the campaign

ISO observations toward the reflection nebula NGC 7023: A nonequilibrium ortho- to para-H2 ratio

We have observed the S(0), S(1), S(2), S(3), S(4) and S(5) rotational lines of molecular hydrogen (H2) towards the peak of the photodissociation region (PDR) associated with the reflection nebula NGC 7023. The observed H2 line ratios show that they arise in warm gas with kinetic temperatures ~300 - 700 K. However, the data cannot be fitted by an ortho- to para- (OTP) ratio of 3. An OTP ratio in the range ~1.5 - 2 is necessary to explain our observations. This is the first detection of a non-equilibrium OTP ratio measured from the H2 pure-rotational lines in a PDR. The existence of a dynamical PDR is discussed as the most likely explanation for this low OTP ratio.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Short-Term Changes in Algometry, Inclinometry, Stabilometry, and Urinary pH Analysis After a Thoracolumbar Junction Manipulation in Patients with Kidney Stones

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of a high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation of the thoracolumbar junction in different urologic and musculoskeletal parameters in subjects suffering from renal lithiasis. Design: Randomized, controlled blinded clinical study. Settings/Location: The Nephrology departments of two hospitals and one private consultancy of physiotherapy in Valencia (Spain). Subjects: Forty-six patients suffering from renal lithiasis. Interventions: The experimental group (EG, n¿=¿23) received a spinal manipulation of the thoracolumbar junction, and the control group (CG, n¿=¿23) received a sham procedure. Outcome measures: Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of both quadratus lumborum and spinous processes from T10 to L1, lumbar flexion range of motion, stabilometry, and urinary pH were measured before and immediately after the intervention. A comparison between pre- and postintervention phases was performed and an analysis of variance for repeated measures using time (pre- and postintervention) as intrasubject variable and group (CG or EG) as intersubject variable. Results: Intragroup comparison showed a significant improvement for the EG in the lumbar flexion range of motion (p¿<¿0.001) and in all the PPT (p¿<¿0.001 in all cases). Between-group comparison showed significant changes in PPT in quadratus lumborum (p¿<¿0.001), as well as in the spinous processes of all of the evaluated levels (p¿<¿0.05). No changes in urinary pH were observed (p¿=¿0.419). Conclusion: Spinal manipulation of the thoracolumbar junction seems to be effective in short term to improve pain sensitivity, as well as to increase the lumbar spine flexion

Monitoring the Large Proper Motions of Radio Sources in the Orion BN/KL Region

We present absolute astrometry of four radio sources in the Becklin-Neugebauer/Kleinman-Low (BN/KL) region, derived from archival data (taken in 1991, 1995, and 2000) as well as from new observations (taken in 2006). All data consist of 3.6 cm continuum emission and were taken with the Very Large Array in its highest angular resolution A configuration. We confirm the large proper motions of the BN object, the radio source I (GMR I) and the radio counterpart of the infrared source n (Orion-n), with values from 15 to 26 km/s. The three sources are receding from a point between them from where they seem to have been ejected about 500 years ago, probably via the disintegration of a multiple stellar system. We present simulations of very compact stellar groups that provide a plausible dynamical scenario for the observations. The radio source Orion-n appeared as a double in the first three epochs, but as single in 2006. We discuss this morphological change. The fourth source in the region, GMR D, shows no statistically significant proper motions. We also present new, accurate relative astrometry between BN and radio source I that restrict possible dynamical scenarios for the region. During the 2006 observations, the radio source GMR A, located about 1' to the NW of the BN/KL region, exhibited an increase in its flux density of a factor of ~3.5 over a timescale of one hour. This rapid variability at cm wavelengths is similar to that previously found during a flare at millimeter wavelengths that took place in 2003.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Análisis de Error de Ráfaga Introducidos en un Tráfico Múltiple de los Protocolos TCP Reno, Cubic, Westwood y Vegas en un Modelo de Topología Híbrida

This paper explores the behavior shown by the protocols TCP Reno, Cubic, Vegas and Westwood in presence of errors in bursts occurred in multiple traffic over a hybrid topology. The development is based on the analysis of case studies, where it starts with a mixed topology of two wired and two wireless nodes, with two flows of the same variant of the TCP protocol, subsequently increasing the number of nodes until reaching 8 wired nodes behaving as senders and 8 wireless nodes as receivers. In all cases only one of these flows suffers a burst error and through the tests we analyze how the flow recovers from the burst. For this study, behavioral tests were carried out using the NS-2 network simulator, on a hybrid topology (wired and wireless), also incorporating burst errors of different lengths, typical of wireless links.Este artículo explora el comportamiento mostrado por los protocolos TCP Reno, Cubic, Vegas y Westwood en presencia de errores en ráfagas ocurridas en el tráfico múltiple sobre una topología híbrida. El desarrollo se basa en el análisis de estudios de caso, comenzando con una topología mixta de dos nodos cableados y dos inalámbricos, con dos flujos de una misma variante del protocolo TCP, aumentando el número de nodos hasta alcanzar 8 nodos cableados emisores y 8 nodos inalámbricos receptores. En todos los casos, solo uno de estos flujos sufre un error de ráfaga y, a través de las pruebas, analizamos cómo se recupera el flujo de la ráfaga. Para este estudio, las pruebas de comportamiento se llevaron a cabo utilizando el simulador de red NS-2, en una topología híbrida (cableada e inalámbrica), que también incorporó errores de ráfaga de diferentes longitudes, típicos de los enlaces inalámbricos.Facultad de Informátic

Polyphenol intake and mortality: A nationwide cohort study in the adult population of Spain

Background and aims: Polyphenols are secondary metabolites present in small quantities in plant-based food and beverages, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Main groups of polyphenols include flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans, but their association with mortality has barely been examined. We aimed to assess the association between the intake of 23 polyphenol subgroups and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population. Methods: Population-based cohort study conducted with 12,161 individuals aged 18+ recruited in 2008–2010 and followed-up during a mean of 12.5 years. At baseline, food consumption was obtained with a validated dietary history, and the Phenol-Explorer database was used to estimate polyphenol intake. Associations were examined using Cox regression adjusted for main confounders. Results: During follow-up, 967 all-cause deaths occurred, 219 were cardiovascular, and 277 cancer. Comparing extreme categories of consumption, hazard ratios (95% CI) of total mortality for subgroups were: dihydroflavonols 0.85 (0.72–1.00; p-trend:0.046); flavonols 0.79 (0.63–0.97; p-trend:0.04); methoxyphenols 0.75 (0.59–0.94; p-trend:0.021); tyrosols 0.80 (0.65–0.98; p-trend:0.044); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.74 (0.59–0.93; p-trend:0.007); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.79 (0.64–0.98; p-trend:0.014); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.82 (0.67–0.99; p-trend:0.064). For cardiovascular mortality, hazard ratios were: methoxyphenols 0.58 (0.38–0.89; p-trend:0.010); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.59 (0.39–0.90; p-trend:0.011); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.63 (0.42–0.94; p-trend:0.020); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.69 (0.48–0.99; p-trend:0.044), when comparing extreme tertiles of consumption. No statistically significant associations were observed for cancer. The main food sources for these polyphenol subgroups were red wine, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, green olives, and coffee (the latter being the major contributor of methoxyphenols, alkylmethoxyphenols, and hydroxycinnamic acids). Conclusions: In the Spanish adult population, intake of specific polyphenol subgroups was prospectively associated with a 20% lower all-cause mortality risk. This decrease was mainly due to a 40% lower cardiovascular mortality risk over timeData collection was funded by the following grants: FIS PI17/ 1709, PI20/144 (State Secretary of R+D and FEDER/FSE), and the CIBERESP, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Madrid, Spain. Additional funding was provided by the IMDEA-Food Institute, CEI UAM+CSIC, 28049, Madrid, Spai