Prospects for transient gravitational waves at r-mode frequencies associated with pulsar glitches

t Glitches in pulsars are likely to trigger oscillation modes in the fluid interior of neutron stars. We examined these oscillations specifically at r-mode frequencies. The excited r-modes will emit gravitational waves and can have long damping time scales (minutes - days). We use simple estimates of how much energy the glitch might put into the r-mode and assess the detectability of the emitted gravitational waves with future interferometers

The error analysis of Koshi guruma judo throw using T-Patterns

El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar los errores técnicos más frecuentes y sus secuencias conductuales en la proyección de judo Koshi-guruma. Los participantes (n=45; 18 hombres y 27 mujeres; M=24.22 años; DT=2.43), estudiantes universitarios sin experiencia en judo que cursaron una materia de fundamentos del judo, se sometieron, a partir de un estudio observacional sistemático, a un registro en video de la ejecución de la técnica de estudio. Los resultados, determinados mediante estadística descriptiva y análisis secuencial de T-Patterns, corroboran que existe una serie de defectos típicos, así como unas secuencias de errores en cadena, que básicamente afectan al desequilibrio, a la posición de los pies y cadera, a la acción de bloqueo y a la acción de brazos. Estos resultados permiten proponer tareas motrices basadas en los errores detectados, secuencias de movimientos que garanticen el éxito en la proyección y recomendaciones sobre la utilización del feedback.In this research, the most frequent technical errors and its sequences of action during the Koshi-guruma judo-technique execution were examined. The participants were students from the University of Vigo with no experience in the fundamentals of judo (18 men and 27 women; M=24.22 años; SD=2.43). The study was conducted based on a process of systematic observation of a recorded video during the performance of the technique. The obtained data were evaluated by descriptive statistics and sequential analysis of T-Patterns, identifying: a) the presence of typical inaccuracies during the execution of the technique; b) a number of chains of errors affecting the imbalance of the body, the position of the feet and hip, blocking action and the arm's action. These findings allowed to propose motor tasks to correct the identified inaccuracies, sequential actions to ensure the success of the execution and recommendations for the use of feedback

Detección de T-patterns en la observación de deportes de combate

By identifying and analysing temporal patterns (T-patterns) in behaviour, this study aims to detect technical errors and behavioural sequences in the kosoto gari judo throw, and, based on this, to propose changes to the way in which judo is taught. The participants (n = 50: 38 men and 12 women; Mage = 19.23 years, SD = 1.12) were students studying for a physical education and sports science degree with no previous experience of judo. This was a systematic observational study in which the students were filmed performing the kosoto gari technique. The results, derived from descriptive statistics and a sequential analysis of T-patterns conducted by means of Theme 5, revealed that the students committed a series of typical errors when learning to perform the throw. Furthermore, these errors often appeared in sequence, mainly involving a lack of balance, the position of the feet and hips/trunk, an incorrect reap and the final arm movement. The results can be used to propose movement sequences that would ensure that the throw is learnt correctly, and also to enable recommendations to be made regarding the use of feedback.El objetivo de esta investigación es implementar el análisis y detección de las estructuras temporales de los acontecimientos deportivos o patrones temporales o T-pattern para detectar los errores técnicos y sus secuencias conductuales en la proyección de judo kosoto-gari y así proponer cambios metodológicos en los procesos de enseñanza del judo. Los participantes (n = 50; 38 hombres y 12 mujeres; M = 19.23 años; DE = 1.12), estudiantes del grado en CAFE sin experiencia previa en judo, se sometieron, a partir de un estudio observacional sistemático, a un registro en video de la ejecución de la técnica de estudio. Los resultados, determinados mediante estadística descriptiva y análisis secuencial de T-Patterns obtenido con el programa Theme 5, corroboran que existe una serie de defectos típicos que comete el sujeto en el aprendizaje de esta proyección, así como unas secuencias de errores en cadena, que básicamente afectan al desequilibrio, a la posición de los pies y cadera-tronco, a la incorrecta acción de siega y a la acción final de los brazos. Estos resultados nos permiten proponer, en el aprendizaje del judo, secuencias de movimientos que garanticen el éxito en la proyección y recomendaciones sobre la utilización del feedback.O objectivo desta investigação é implementar a análise e detecção de estruturas temporais dos acontecimentos desportivos, ou padrões temporais (Padrões-T), para detectar erros técnicos e as suas sequências comportamentais na projecção do judo kosoto-gari e assim sugerir mudanças metodológicas nos processos de ensino do judo. Os participantes (n = 50; 38 homens e 12 mulheres; M = 19.23 anos; DP = 1.12), estudantes do grau em CAFE sem experiência prévia no judo, submeteram-se, a partir de um estudo observacional sistemático, a um registo em vídeo da execução da técnica em estudo. Os resultados, determinados mediante estatística descritiva e análise sequencial de Padrões-T obtidos com o programa Theme 5, corroboram a existência de uma série de erros típicos que os sujeito cometem na aprendizagem desta projecção, assim como uma sequência de erros em cadeia, que basicamente afectam o desequilíbrio, a posição dos pés e do tronco, a incorrecta acção de pega e a acção final dos braços. Estes resultados permitem-nos propor, na aprendizagem do judo, sequências de movimentos que garantam o êxito na projecção e recomendações sobre a utilização do feedback

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activities of new pyrimido[5,4-b]indoles

A set of new pyrimido[5,4-b]indole derivatives that are structurally related to some non-nucleside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors were synthesized and biologically evaluated for their activity as inhibitors of wild and mutant HIV-1 RT types in an 'in vitro' recombinant HIV-1 RT screening assay, as well as anti-infectives in HLT4lacZ-1IIIB cells. Preliminary structure-activity relationships suggest that activity is promoted by simultaneous substitution in positions 2 and 4, especially when chains of alkyldiamine type are present, and by electron-releasing substituents (methoxy) in positions 7 and 8. The inactivity or the very low activity of title derivatives does not suggest interest in AIDS therapy

Topical application of a peptide inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta1 ameliorates bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of skin fibrotic diseases. Systemic TGF-beta inhibitors effectively inhibit fibrosis in different animal models; however, systemic inhibition of TGF-beta raises important safety issues because of the pleiotropic physiological effects of this factor. In this study, we have investigated whether topical application of P144 (a peptide inhibitor of TGF-beta1) ameliorates skin fibrosis in a well-characterized model of human scleroderma. C3H mice received daily subcutaneous injections of bleomycin for 4 wk, and were treated daily with either a lipogel containing P144 or control vehicle. Topical application of P144 significantly reduced skin fibrosis and soluble collagen content. Most importantly, in mice with established fibrosis, topical treatment with P144 lipogel for 2 wk significantly decreased skin fibrosis and soluble collagen content. Immunohistochemical studies in P144-treated mice revealed a remarkable suppression of connective tissue growth factor expression, fibroblast SMAD2/3 phosphorylation, and alpha-smooth muscle actin positive myofibroblast development, whereas mast cell and mononuclear cell infiltration was not modified. These data suggest that topical application of P144, a peptide inhibitor of TGF-beta1, is a feasible strategy to treat pathological skin scarring and skin fibrotic diseases for which there is no specific therapy

Prognostic factors of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in long term viral suppression HIV infected children

CoRISpe (Cohorte Nacional de VIH pediátrica de la RED RIS).[Background] Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with marked immune reconstitution. Although a long term viral suppression is achievable, not all children however, attain complete immunological recovery due to persistent immune activation. We use CD4/CD8 ratio like a marker of immune reconstitution.[Methods] Perinatal HIV-infected children who underwent a first-line cART, achieved viral suppression in the first year and maintained it for more than 5 years, with no viral rebound were included. Logistic models were applied to estimate the prognostic factors, clinical characteristics at cART start, of a lower CD4/CD8 ratio at the last visit.[Results] 146 HIV-infected children were included: 77% Caucasian, 45% male and 28% CDC C. Median age at cART initiation was 2.3 years (IQR: 0.5–6.2). 42 (30%) children received mono-dual therapy previously to cART. Time of undetectable viral load was 9.5 years (IQR: 7.8, 12.5). 33% of the children not achieved CD4/CD8 ratio >1. Univariate analysis showed an association between CD4/CD8 1 was not achieved in 33% of the children. Lower CD4 nadir and previous exposure to suboptimal therapy, before initiating cART, are factors showing independently association with a worse immune recovery (CD4/CD8 < 1).Peer reviewe

Chemical abundances of late-type pre-main sequence stars in the σ\sigma-Orionis cluster

The young $\sigma$-Orionis cluster is an important location for understanding the formation and evolution of stars, brown dwarfs, and planetary-mass objects. Its metallicity, although being a fundamental parameter, has not been well determined yet. We present the first determination of the metallicity of nine young late-type stars in $\sigma$-Orionis. Using the optical and near-infrared broadband photometry available in the literature we derive the effective temperatures for these nine cluster stars, which lie in the interval 4300--6500 K (1--3 \Msuno). These parameters are employed to compute a grid of synthetic spectra based on the code MOOG and Kurucz model atmospheres. We employ a $\chi^2$-minimization procedure to derive the stellar surface gravity and atmospheric abundances of Al, Ca, Si, Fe, Ni and Li, using multi-object optical spectroscopy taken with WYFFOS+AF2 at at the William Herschel Telescope ($\lambda/\delta\lambda\sim7500$). The average metallicity of the $\sigma$-Orionis cluster is [Fe/H] $= -0.02\pm0.09\pm0.13$ (random and systematic errors). The abundances of the other elements, except lithium, seem to be consistent with solar values. Lithium abundances are in agreement with the "cosmic" $^7$Li abundance, except for two stars which show a $\log \epsilon(\mathrm{Li})$ in the range 3.6--3.7 (although almost consistent within the error bars). There are also other two stars with $\log \epsilon(\mathrm{Li})\sim 2.75$. We derived an average radial velocity of the $\sigma$-Orionis cluster of $28\pm4$km/s. The $\sigma$-Orionis metallicity is roughly solar.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

A Cautionary Tale: MARVELS Brown Dwarf Candidate Reveals Itself To Be A Very Long Period, Highly Eccentric Spectroscopic Stellar Binary

We report the discovery of a highly eccentric, double-lined spectroscopic binary star system (TYC 3010-1494-1), comprising two solar-type stars that we had initially identified as a single star with a brown dwarf companion. At the moderate resolving power of the MARVELS spectrograph and the spectrographs used for subsequent radial-velocity (RV) measurements (R ~ <30,000), this particular stellar binary mimics a single-lined binary with an RV signal that would be induced by a brown dwarf companion (Msin(i)~50 M_Jup) to a solar-type primary. At least three properties of this system allow it to masquerade as a single star with a very low-mass companion: its large eccentricity (e~0.8), its relatively long period (P~238 days), and the approximately perpendicular orientation of the semi-major axis with respect to the line of sight (omega~189 degrees). As a result of these properties, for ~95% of the orbit the two sets of stellar spectral lines are completely blended, and the RV measurements based on centroiding on the apparently single-lined spectrum is very well fit by an orbit solution indicative of a brown dwarf companion on a more circular orbit (e~0.3). Only during the ~5% of the orbit near periastron passage does the true, double-lined nature and large RV amplitude of ~15 km/s reveal itself. The discovery of this binary system is an important lesson for RV surveys searching for substellar companions; at a given resolution and observing cadence, a survey will be susceptible to these kinds of astrophysical false positives for a range of orbital parameters. Finally, for surveys like MARVELS that lack the resolution for a useful line bisector analysis, it is imperative to monitor the peak of the cross-correlation function for suspicious changes in width or shape, so that such false positives can be flagged during the candidate vetting process.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, 6 table

Very Low Mass Stellar and Substellar Companions to Solar-Like Stars From MARVELS V: A Low Eccentricity Brown Dwarf from the Driest Part of the Desert, MARVELS-6b

We describe the discovery of a likely brown dwarf (BD) companion with a minimum mass of 31.7 +/- 2.0 M_Jup to GSC 03546-01452 from the MARVELS radial velocity survey, which we designate as MARVELS-6b. For reasonable priors, our analysis gives a probability of 72% that MARVELS-6b has a mass below the hydrogen-burning limit of 0.072 M_Sun, and thus it is a high-confidence BD companion. It has a moderately long orbital period of 47.8929 +0.0063/-0.0062 days with a low eccentricty of 0.1442 +0.0078/-0.0073, and a semi-amplitude of 1644 +12/-13 m/s. Moderate resolution spectroscopy of the host star has determined the following parameters: T_eff = 5598 +/- 63, log g = 4.44 +/- 0.17, and [Fe/H] = +0.40 +/- 0.09. Based upon these measurements, GSC 03546-01452 has a probable mass and radius of M_star = 1.11 +/- 0.11 M_Sun and R_star = 1.06 +/- 0.23 R_Sun with an age consistent with less than ~6 Gyr at a distance of 219 +/- 21 pc from the Sun. Although MARVELS-6b is not observed to transit, we cannot definitively rule out a transiting configuration based on our observations. There is a visual companion detected with Lucky Imaging at 7.7 arcsec from the host star, but our analysis shows that it is not bound to this system. The minimum mass of MARVELS-6b exists at the minimum of the mass functions for both stars and planets, making this a rare object even compared to other BDs.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa