The Enigma of the Dark Matter

One of the great scientific enigmas still unsolved, the existence of dark matter, is reviewed. Simple gravitational arguments imply that most of the mass in the Universe, at least 90%, is some (unknown) non-luminous matter. Some particle candidates for dark matter are discussed with particular emphasis on the neutralino, a particle predicted by the supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model of particle physics. Experiments searching for these relic particles, carried out by many groups around the world, are also discussed. These experiments are becoming more sensitive every year and in fact one of the collaborations claims that the first direct evidence for dark matter has already been observed.Comment: Invited review article for the journal Contemporary Physics. The level is suitable for researchers which are non-specialists in the subject, and also for students. Latex, 20 pages, 5 figure

Discrete coherent and squeezed states of many-qudit systems

We consider the phase space for a system of $n$ identical qudits (each one of dimension $d$, with $d$ a primer number) as a grid of $d^{n} \times d^{n}$ points and use the finite field $GF(d^{n})$ to label the corresponding axes. The associated displacement operators permit to define $s$-parametrized quasidistribution functions in this grid, with properties analogous to their continuous counterparts. These displacements allow also for the construction of finite coherent states, once a fiducial state is fixed. We take this reference as one eigenstate of the discrete Fourier transform and study the factorization properties of the resulting coherent states. We extend these ideas to include discrete squeezed states, and show their intriguing relation with entangled states between different qudits.Comment: 11 pages, 3 eps figures. Submitted for publicatio

Peritoneal repairing cells: A type of bone marrow derived progenitor cells involved in mesothelial regeneration

The peritoneal mesothelium exhibits a high regenerative ability. Peritoneal regeneration is concomitant with the appearance, in the coelomic cavity, of a free-floating population of cells whose origin and functions are still under discussion. We have isolated and characterized this cell population and we have studied the process of mesothelial regeneration through flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in a murine model lethally irradiated and reconstituted with GFP-expressing bone marrow cells. In unoperated control mice, most free cells positive for mesothelin, a mesothelial marker, are green fluorescent protein (GFP). However, 24 hrs after peritoneal damage, free mesothelin+/ GFP+ cells appear in peritoneal lavages. Cultured lavage peritoneal cells show colocalization of GFP with mesothelial (mesothelin, cytokeratin) and fibroblastic markers. Immunohistochemical staining of the peritoneal wall also revealed colocalization of GFP with mesothelial markers and with procollagen-1 and smooth muscle α-actin. This was observed in the injured area as well as in the surrounding not-injured peritoneal surfaces. These cells, which we herein call peritoneal repairing cells (PRC), are very abundant 1 week after surgery covering both the damaged peritoneal wall and the surrounding uninjured area. However, they become very scarce 1 month later, when the mesothelium has completely healed. We suggest that PRC constitute a type of monocyte-derived cells, closely related with the tissue-repairing cells known as 'fibrocytes' and specifically involved in peritoneal reparation. Thus, our results constitute a synthesis of the different scenarios hitherto proposed about peritoneal regeneration, particularly recruitment of circulating progenitor cells and adhesion of free-floating coelomic cells. © 2011 The Authors Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine © 2011 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.(Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación), RD06/0010/0015 (TerCel network, ISCIII), P06-CTS-01614, P08-CTS-03618 (Junta de AndalucÌa) and LSHM-CT-2005–018630 (VI framework, UE)Peer Reviewe

Serendipitous discovery of RR Lyrae stars in the Leo V ultra-faint galaxy

During the analysis of RR Lyrae stars discovered in the High cadence Transient Survey (HiTS) taken with the Dark Energy Camera at the 4-m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, we found a group of three very distant, fundamental mode pulsator RR Lyrae (type ab). The location of these stars agrees with them belonging to the Leo V ultra-faint satellite galaxy, for which no variable stars have been reported to date. The heliocentric distance derived for Leo V based on these stars is 173 +/- 5 kpc. The pulsational properties (amplitudes and periods) of these stars locate them within the locus of the Oosterhoff II group, similar to most other ultra-faint galaxies with known RR Lyrae stars. This serendipitous discovery shows that distant RR Lyrae stars may be used to search for unknown faint stellar systems in the outskirts of the Milky Way.Comment: Accepted in ApJ Letter

Pre-multisymplectic constraint algorithm for field theories

We present a geometric algorithm for obtaining consistent solutions to systems of partial differential equations, mainly arising from singular covariant first-order classical field theories. This algorithm gives an intrinsic description of all the constraint submanifolds. The field equations are stated geometrically, either representing their solutions by integrable connections or, what is equivalent, by certain kinds of integrable m-vector fields. First, we consider the problem of finding connections or multivector fields solutions to the field equations in a general framework: a pre-multisymplectic fibre bundle (which will be identified with the first-order jet bundle and the multimomentum bundle when Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories are considered). Then, the problem is stated and solved in a linear context, and a pointwise application of the results leads to the algorithm for the general case. In a second step, the integrability of the solutions is also studied. Finally, the method is applied to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories and, for the former, the problem of finding holonomic solutions is also analized.Comment: 30 pp. Presented in the International Workshop on Geometric Methods in Modern Physics (Firenze, April 2005

Determinación de los esfuerzos producidos por flexo-torsión. Caso de estudio: Análisis de las vigas metálicas de un puente grúa

In all structures stresses due to torsion are originated when the resultant of the forces doesn't cross by the shear center o f the section. Shear center as well has one double meaning: on the one hand it's the point where the resultant o f loads must be applied so that a structure moves without rotating and by another one, is the point with respect to which one structures rotate, when it's put under torsional moments. Normally, solicitations due to the Saint Venant Torsion and the Warping Torsion, occurring. The fundamental difference among them is in the form as the section is distorted. While first, they are characterized by the presence o f the shear stresses in the plañe of the section, in second appear in addition, displacements in the longitudinal direction that are translated in the presence o f normal stresses. In order to illustrate the characteristics o f the Warping Torsion a case o f design o f a bridge crane in metallic structure is reported in the present article, that is put under the action o f a train o f live loads. With this election, it's desired to show the application o f the theory o f the sectorial areas in the determination o f the stresses due to the Warping Torsion in a construction of the daily practice of an engineer designer o f structures.En toda estructura se originan esfuerzos debidos a torsión cuando la resultante de las fuerzas no pasa a través del centro de cortante de la sección. A su vez el centro de cortante tiene una doble significación: por una parte es el punto donde debe aplicarse la resultante de cargas para que una estructura se desplace sin rotar y por otra, es el punto con respecto al cual una estructura gira cuando es sometida a momentos torsionales. Normalmente, ocurren solicitaciones debidas a la torsión de Saint Venant y a la torsión de alabeo. La diferencia fundamental entre ellas, radica en la forma como se distorsiona la sección. Mientras las primeras, se caracterizan por la presencia de esfuerzos cortantes en el plano de la sección, en las segundas aparecen además, desplazamientos en el sentido longitudinal de la estructura, que se traducen en la presencia de esfuerzos normales. Para ilustrar las características de la torsión de alabeo se reporta en el presente artículo un caso de diseño de un puente grúa en estructura metálica, que se encuentra sometido a la acción de un tren de cargas móviles. Con esta elección, se desea mostrar la aplicación de la teoría de las áreas sectoriales en la determinación de los esfuerzos debidos a la torsión de alabeo en una construcción de la práctica diaria de un ingeniero diseñador de estructuras

Simulation-based optimization approach for vehicle allocation in a private transport service: A case study

Poor urban planning and traffic congestion lead to excessive delays in workers’ transit times and decrease their quality of life, especially in emerging countries. Several medium and large companies have a need to hire a transport service for their staff. In this type of transportation system, there is a heterogeneous fleet of vehicles, which are assigned to a set of predefined routes. However, the total transport delay can be even greater if the private transportation system is inefficient or not controlled. The approach proposed in this study seeks to optimize the private transport service by defining the best allocation of its fleet to its routes. A mathematical model is proposed to minimize user wait times. This approach is validated using real data obtained from a transport company in Co-lombia. The results demonstrate the quantitative benefits that can be achieved when the proposed approach is implemented, represented by a considerable reduction in user wait times

Bisphenol A induces coronary endothelial cell necroptosis by activating RIP3/CamKII dependent pathway.

Epidemiological studies link long term exposure to xenoestrogen Bisphenol-A to adverse cardiovascular effects. Our previous results show that BPA induces hypertension by a mechanism involving CamKII activation and increased redox stress caused by eNOS uncoupling. Recently, CamKII sustained activation has been recognized as a central mediator of programmed cell death in cardiovascular diseases, including necroptosis. However, the role of necroptosis in cardiac response to BPA had not yet been explored. Mice exposed to BPA for 16 weeks showed altered heart function, electrical conduction, and increased blood pressure. Besides, a stress test showed ST-segment depression, indicative of cardiac ischemia. The hearts exhibited cardiac hypertrophy and reduced vascularization, interstitial edema, and large hemorrhagic foci accompanied by fibrinogen deposits. BPA initiated a cardiac inflammatory response, up-regulation of M1 macrophage polarization, and increased oxidative stress, coinciding with the increased expression of CamKII and the necroptotic effector RIP3. In addition, cell death was especially evident in coronary endothelial cells within hemorrhagic areas, and Evans blue extravasation indicated a vascular leak in response to Bisphenol-A. Consistent with the in vivo findings, BPA increased the necroptosis/apoptosis ratio, the expression of RIP3, and CamKII activation in endothelial cells. Necrostatin-1, an inhibitor of necroptosis, alleviated BPA induced cardiac dysfunction and prevented the inflammatory and hemorrhagic response in mice. Mechanistically, silencing of RIP3 reversed BPA-induced necroptosis and CamKII activation in endothelial cells, while inhibition of CamKII activation by KN-93 had no effect on RIP3 expression but decreased necroptotic cell death suggesting that BPA induced necroptosis is mediated by a RIP 3/CamKII dependent pathway. Our results reveal a novel pathogenic role of BPA on the coronary circulation. BPA induces endothelial cell necroptosis, promotes the weakening of coronary vascular wall, which caused internal ventricular hemorrhages, delaying the reparative process and ultimately leading to cardiac dysfunction.post-print4043 K

Evaluación del daño de diatraea spp. (lep. pyralidae) y su efecto en el rendimiento de genotipos de maíz (zea mays l.) y sorgo (sorghum bicolor) en el valle del cauca

En cuatro genotipos de maíz y sorgo los porcentajes de infestación (PI) y de intensidad de infestación (PII) variaron para un mismo material, tanto en un mismo semestre como en semestres diferentes. Al relacionar el daño con la producción se presentaron dos situaciones contrastantes, en una de las cuales la producción disminuye al aumentar el número de entrenudos afectados y en la otra la producción aumenta con el aumento del número de entrenudos afectados. Diatraea spp. Inicia su ataque alrededor de 10 a 15 días antes de la floración. En general, los genotipos con mayor promedio de penetración presentaron mayor daño. Altos contenidos de celulosa, hemicelulosa, lignina y sílice en la pared celular del tallo correspondieron a bajos PI. Se encontró alta asociación positiva al relacionar las variables PI con P II y peso de grano con peso de mazorca o panoja.Evaluation in four corn and sorghum genotipes for 1983 B and 1984 A shown that infestation (lP) and infestation intensity percentages (lIP) changed to a same material evaluated in as equal semester as in diverse semester. When damage and yield was related two contrasting classes was found, in one which yield decrease when affected internodes numbers increase and in other the yield increase when affected internodes number increase. Diatraea spp. Begin to cause injury is nearly to 10-15 day before blossom. Generally both sorghum and corn genotipes with greater penetration average that with greatest injury. Greater contents of cellulose, lignin and silica in stalk's cellular wall correspond to low infestation percentaje. A high positive asociation was found when was related the variables IP with IIP and panicle or ear of corn weights with grain weights