Cosmological Bianchi Class A models in S\'aez-Ballester theory

We use the S\'aez-Ballester (SB) theory on anisotropic Bianchi Class A cosmological model, with barotropic fluid and cosmological constant, using the Hamilton or Hamilton-Jacobi approach. Contrary to claims in the specialized literature, it is shown that the S\'aez-Ballester theory cannot provide a realistic solution to the dark matter problem of Cosmology for the dust epoch, without a fine tunning because the contribution of the scalar field in this theory is equivalent to a stiff fluid (as can be seen from the energy--momentum tensor for the scalar field), that evolves in a different way as the dust component. To have similar contributions of the scalar component and the dust component implies that their past values were fine tunned. So, we reinterpreting this null result as an indication that dark matter plays a central role in the formation of structures and galaxy evolution, having measureable effects in the cosmic microwave bound radiation, and than this formalism yield to this epoch as primigenius results. We do the mention that this formalism was used recently in the so called K-essence theory applied to dark energy problem, in place to the dark matter problem. Also, we include a quantization procedure of the theory which can be simplified by reinterpreting the theory in the Einstein frame, where the scalar field can be interpreted as part of the matter content of the theory, and exact solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation are found, employing the Bianchi Class A cosmological models.Comment: 24 pages; ISBN: 978-953-307-626-3, InTec

A Mutation in F-actin Polymerization Factor Suppresses the Distal Arthrogryposis Type 5 Piezo2 Pathogenic Variant in Caenorhabditis Elegans

The mechanosensitive PIEZO channel family has been linked to over 26 disorders and diseases. Although progress has been made in understanding these channels at the structural and functional levels, the underlying mechanisms of PIEZO-associated diseases remain elusive. In this study, we engineered four PIEZO-based disease models using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. We performed an unbiased chemical mutagen-based genetic suppressor screen to identify putative suppressors of a conserved gain-of-function variant pezo-1[R2405P] that in human PIEZO2 causes distal arthrogryposis type 5 (DA5; p. R2718P). Electrophysiological analyses indicate that pezo-1(R2405P) is a gain-of-function allele. Using genomic mapping and whole-genome sequencing approaches, we identified a candidate suppressor allele in the C. elegans gene gex-3. This gene is an ortholog of human NCKAP1 (NCK-associated protein 1), a subunit of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP)-verprolin homologous protein (WAVE/SCAR) complex, which regulates F-actin polymerization. Depletion of gex-3 by RNAi, or with the suppressor allele gex-3(av259[L353F]), significantly increased brood size and ovulation rate, as well as alleviating the crushed oocyte phenotype of the pezo-1(R2405P) mutant. Expression of GEX-3 in the soma is required to rescue the brood size defects in pezo-1(R2405P) animals. Actin organization and orientation were disrupted and distorted in the pezo-1 mutants. Mutation of gex-3(L353F) partially alleviated these defects. The identification of gex-3 as a suppressor of the pathogenic variant pezo-1(R2405P) suggests that the PIEZO coordinates with the cytoskeleton regulator to maintain the F-actin network and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of DA5 and other PIEZO-associated diseases

Control y mejora de la coordinación entre asignaturas de una titulación universitaria

Entre las múltiples exigencias que impone el EEES, la mejora de la coordinación entre las asignaturas de una titulación es una de las que más preocupan, y se ha convertido en uno de los temas de debate más vivos en la comunidad educativa. Por una parte los docentes nos hemos encontrado impartiendo asignaturas a un alumnado con notorias carencias en algunos contenidos, mientras que ellos, por su parte, no sólo tienen que suplir dichas carencias con esfuerzo adicional, sino que además se encuentran con numerosas duplicidades de contenidos que restan tiempo y calidad a su formación. Una de las causas de estos defectos es la celeridad en la implantación de titulaciones, unido posiblemente a una falta de recursos por parte de los responsables de la elaboración de los planes. Este trabajo presenta un conjunto de aplicaciones web orientadas a la elaboración de un mapa de dependencias entre las asignaturas de una titulación. Basándose en un sistema de encuestas, se ha implementado una base de datos de dependencias y un sistema web que permiten detectar e informar de los defectos de coordinación existentes, proporcionando una herramienta de gran valor para mejorar la coherencia y la calidad de los planes de estudiosUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Noncommutative Quantum Cosmology

We consider noncommutative quantum cosmology in the case of the low-energy string effective theory. Exacts solutions are found and compared with the commutative case.The Noncommutative quantum cosmology is considered in the case of the low-energy string effective theory. Exacts solutions are found and compared with the commutative case.Comment: Revtex4, 3 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Gen.Rel.Gra

Caldendrin Is a Repressor of PIEZO2 Channels and Touch Sensation in Mice

The sense of touch is crucial for cognitive, emotional, and social development and relies on mechanically activated (MA) ion channels that transduce force into an electrical signal. Despite advances in the molecular characterization of these channels, the physiological factors that control their activity are poorly understood. Here, we used behavioral assays, electrophysiological recordings, and various mouse strains (males and females analyzed separately) to investigate the role of the calmodulin-like Ca2+ sensor, caldendrin, as a key regulator of MA channels and their roles in touch sensation. In mice lacking caldendrin (Cabp1 KO), heightened responses to tactile stimuli correlate with enlarged MA currents with lower mechanical thresholds in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs). The expression pattern of caldendrin in the DRG parallels that of the major MA channel required for touch sensation, PIEZO2. In transfected cells, caldendrin interacts with and inhibits the activity of PIEZO2 in a manner that requires an alternatively spliced sequence in the N-terminal domain of caldendrin. Moreover, targeted genetic deletion of caldendrin in Piezo2-expressing DRGNs phenocopies the tactile hypersensitivity of complete Cabp1 KO mice. We conclude that caldendrin is an endogenous repressor of PIEZO2 channels and their contributions to touch sensation in DRGNs

Efeito do cálcio sobre algumas características biofísicas e morfológicas de plantas de mliho BRS-4154 submetidas ao alagamento do solo

objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis, fontes e formas de aplicação do cálcio no solo, em condições de alagamento, no comportamento de algumas características biofísicas e morfológicas de plantas de milho, cultivar Saracura, medidas na floração. O experimento foi conduzido em condições controladas de casa de vegetação, na Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. As sementes utilizadas foram de milho Saracura BRS 4154, ciclo 14; o solo empregado foi de várzea. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: duas fontes de cálcio (CaCl2 , 300 kg ha-1 e gesso, 500 e 1500 kg ha-1) e três formas de aplicação (incorporado nos primeiros 8 cm da superfície, em todo o solo e sobre a superfície), em condições normais de irrigação e sob alagamento iniciado no estádio V6, permanecendo até a floração. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e as análises foram feitas na floração, avaliando-se área foliar, acúmulo de matéria seca da parte aérea da planta, eficiência fotoquímica do fotossistema II, características biofísicas, tais como, resistência estomática e transpiração, algumas características morfológicas, como porosidade de raízes e raízes adventícias, intervalo entre florescimento masculino e feminino e análise do teor de macronutrientes

Geometrical approach to mutually unbiased bases

We propose a unifying phase-space approach to the construction of mutually unbiased bases for a two-qubit system. It is based on an explicit classification of the geometrical structures compatible with the notion of unbiasedness. These consist of bundles of discrete curves intersecting only at the origin and satisfying certain additional properties. We also consider the feasible transformations between different kinds of curves and show that they correspond to local rotations around the Bloch-sphere principal axes. We suggest how to generalize the method to systems in dimensions that are powers of a prime.Comment: 10 pages. Some typos in the journal version have been correcte

Quantum Size Effects in the Magnetic Susceptibility of a Metallic Nanoparticle

We theoretically study quantum size effects in the magnetic response of a spherical metallic nanoparticle (e.g. gold). Using the Jellium model in spherical coordinates, we compute the induced magnetic moment and the magnetic susceptibility for a nanoparticle in the presence of a static external magnetic field. Below a critical magnetic field the magnetic response is diamagnetic, whereas above such field the magnetization is characterized by sharp, step-like increases of several tenths of Bohr magnetons, associated with the Zeeman crossing of energy levels above and below the Fermi sea. We quantify the robustness of these regimes against thermal excitations and finite linewidth of the electronic levels. Finally, we propose two methods for experimental detection of the quantum size effects based on the coupling to superconducting quantum interference devices.Comment: 5+6 pages, 3+3 figure

Genetic- and Diet-Induced ω-3 Fatty Acid Enrichment Enhances TRPV4-Mediated Vasodilation in Mice

TRPV4 channel activation in endothelial cells leads to vasodilation, while impairment of TRPV4 activity is implicated in vascular dysfunction. Strategies that increase TRPV4 activity could enhance vasodilation and ameliorate vascular disorders. Here, we show that supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid known to have beneficial cardiovascular effects, increases TRPV4 activity in human endothelial cells of various vascular beds. Mice carrying the C. elegans FAT-1 enzyme, which converts ω-6 to ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, display higher EPA content and increased TRPV4-mediated vasodilation in mesenteric arteries. Likewise, mice fed an EPA-enriched diet exhibit enhanced and prolonged TRPV4-dependent vasodilation in an endothelial cell-specific manner. We also show that EPA supplementation reduces TRPV4 desensitization, which contributes to the prolonged vasodilation. Neutralization of positive charges in the TRPV4 N terminus impairs the effect of EPA on channel desensitization. These findings highlight the beneficial effects of manipulating fatty acid content to enhance TRPV4-mediated vasodilation