ABSTRACT
The large separation in the low-radial order regime is considered as a highly valuable observable to derive mean densities of δ Scuti stars, due to its independence with rotation. Up to now, ...theoretical studies of this Δν–${\bar{\rho}}$ relation have been limited to 1D non-rotating models and 2D pseudo-evolutionary models. The present work aims at completing this scenario by investigating quantitatively the impact of rotation in this relation on a large grid of 1D asteroseismic models representative of δ Scuti stars. These include rotation effects on both the stellar evolution and the interaction with pulsation. This allowed us to compute the stellar deformation, get the polar and equatorial radii, and correct the stellar mean densities. We found that the new Δν–${\bar{\rho}}$ relation for rotating models is compatible with previous works. We explained the dispersion of the points around the linear fits as caused mainly by the distribution of the stellar mass, and partially by the evolutionary stage. The new fit is found to be close to the previous theoretical studies for lower masses ($1.3\!-\!1.81\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$). However, the opposite holds for the observations: For the higher masses ($1.81\!-\!3\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$), the fit is more compatible with the empirical relation. To avoid such discrepancies, we provided new limits to the fit that encompass any possible dependence on mass. We applied these results to characterize the two well-known δ Scuti stars observed by CoRoT, HD 174936 and HD 174966, and compared the physical parameters with those of previous works. The inclusion of rotation in the modelling causes a tendency towards greater masses, radii, and luminosities, and lower density values. Comparison between Δν and Gaia’s luminosities also allowed us to constrain the inclination angles and rotational velocities of both stars. The present results pave the way to systematically constrain the angle of inclination (and thereby the actual surface rotation velocity) of δ Scuti stars.
The dip coating process is one of the recognized techniques used to generate polymeric coatings on stents in an easy and low-cost way. However, there is a lack of information about the influence of ...the process parameters of this technique on complex geometries such as stents. This paper studies the dip coating process parameters used to provide a uniform coating of PLA with a 4-10 µm thickness. A stainless-steel tube (AISI 316L) was laser-cut, electropolished, and dip-coated in a polylactic acid (PLA) solution whilst changing the process parameters. The samples were characterized to examine the coating's uniformity, thickness, surface roughness, weight, and chemical composition. FTIR and Raman investigations indicated the presence of PLA on the stent's surface, the chemical stability of PLA during the coating process, and the absence of residual chloroform in the coatings. Additionally, the water contact angle was measured to determine the hydrophilicity of the coating. Our results indicate that, when using entry and withdrawal speeds of 500 mm min
and a 15 s immersion time, a uniform coating thickness was achieved throughout the tube and in the stent with an average thickness of 7.8 µm.
We provide a preliminary interpretation of the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) pressure data from the first 100 Martian solar days (sols) of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. The ...pressure sensor is performing well and has revealed the existence of phenomena undetected by previous missions that include possible gravity waves excited by evening downslope flows, relatively dust‐free convective vortices analogous in structure to dust devils, and signatures indicative of the circulation induced by Gale Crater and its central mound. Other more familiar phenomena are also present including the thermal tides, generated by daily insolation variations, and the CO2 cycle, driven by the condensation and sublimation of CO2 in the polar regions. The amplitude of the thermal tides is several times larger than those seen by other landers primarily because Curiosity is located where eastward and westward tidal modes constructively interfere and also because the crater circulation amplifies the tides to some extent. During the first 100 sols tidal amplitudes generally decline, which we attribute to the waning influence of the Kelvin wave. Toward the end of the 100 sol period, tidal amplitudes abruptly increased in response to a nearby regional dust storm that did not expand to global scales. Tidal phases changed abruptly during the onset of this storm suggesting a change in the interaction between eastward and westward modes. When compared to Viking Lander 2 data, the REMS daily average pressures show no evidence yet for the 1–20 Pa increase expected from the possible loss of CO2 from the south polar residual cap.
Key Points
REMS pressure sensor is operating nominally
New phenomena have been discovered
Familiar phenomena have been detected
•Y3Ga5O12:Er3+ garnet crystal got via micro-pulling down method for optical sensing.•Remarkable temperature sensitivities and resolution from RT up, and beyond, 1000 K.•Potential use as optical ...sensor for ultra-high temperature industrial applications.
The temperature dependence of the Er3+ green luminescence in Y3Ga5O12 crystal were analysed under ultraviolet and near-infrared laser excitations for optical sensing purposes. Changes in the relative green emission intensities from the 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 thermally-coupled multiplets to the 4I15/2 ground state were measured from room temperature up to 1000 K. The calibrated temperature scale shows a maximum in the absolute thermal sensitivity of ~23.9 × 10−4K−1 at 580 K and a relative thermal sensitivity of ~1.36%K−1 at RT, combining results for both blue and near-infrared laser excitations. The excellent results obtained, compared with other Er3+-based optical temperature sensors, are a consequence of the advantages of garnet crystals as optically efficient hosts that, apart from an impressive capability to be synthesized both as bulk and fiber forms, allow extending the long working temperature range up to 1000 K, and beyond, to the melting point limit close to 2000 K. In addition, the use of green emissions for the temperature calibration, with negligible black-body radiation disturbance, only needs a low-cost, basic setup that uses commercially available lenses, lasers and detectors. All these facts support the Er3+-doped Y3Ga5O12 garnet crystal as a potential candidate as temperature sensor, showing large sensitivity and good temperature resolution for ultra-high temperature industrial applications.
In the years to come, the Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerated Universe Astrophysical Survey (J-PAS) will observe 8000 deg
2
of the northern sky with 56 photometric bands. J-PAS is ideal for the ...detection of nebular emission objects. This paper presents a new method based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) that is aimed at measuring and detecting emission lines in galaxies up to
z
= 0.35. These lines are essential diagnostics for understanding the evolution of galaxies through cosmic time. We trained and tested ANNs with synthetic J-PAS photometry from CALIFA, MaNGA, and SDSS spectra. To this aim, we carried out two tasks. First, we clustered galaxies in two groups according to the values of the equivalent width (EW) of H
α
, H
β
, N
II
, and O
III
lines measured in the spectra. Then we trained an ANN to assign a group to each galaxy. We were able to classify them with the uncertainties typical of the photometric redshift measurable in J-PAS. Second, we utilized another ANN to determine the values of those EWs. Subsequently, we obtained the N
II
/H
α
, O
III
/H
β
, and O 3N 2 ratios, recovering the BPT diagram (O
III
/H
β
versus N
II
/H
α
). We studied the performance of the ANN in two training samples: one is only composed of synthetic J-PAS photo-spectra (J-spectra) from MaNGA and CALIFA (CALMa set) and the other one is composed of SDSS galaxies. We were able to fully reproduce the main sequence of star-forming galaxies from the determination of the EWs. With the CALMa training set, we reached a precision of 0.092 and 0.078 dex for the N
II
/H
α
and O
III
/H
β
ratios in the SDSS testing sample. Nevertheless, we find an underestimation of those ratios at high values in galaxies hosting an active galactic nuclei. We also show the importance of the dataset used for both training and testing the model. Such ANNs are extremely useful for overcoming the limitations previously expected concerning the detection and measurements of the emission lines in such surveys as J-PAS. Furthermore, we show the capability of the method to measure a EW of 10 Å in H
α
, H
β
, N
II
and O
III
lines with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 5, 1.5, 3.5, and 10, respectively, in the photometry. Finally, we compare the properties of emission lines in galaxies observed with miniJPAS and SDSS. Despite the limitation of such a comparison, we find a remarkable correlation in their EWs.
Fusarium circinatum is a highly virulent invasive pathogen that causes the disease commonly known as pine pitch canker (PPC). On mature trees, the most common symptoms of PPC include resin bleeding, ...resinous cankers, wilting of needles and dieback. In nurseries the main symptoms are yellowish needles, and wilting of foliage and shoots. PPC is considered one of the most important diseases of conifers globally and at least 60 species of Pinus along with Pseudotsuga menziesii are known to be susceptible. Quarantine regulations are crucial to minimize the risk of new introductions into disease‐free countries. However, if these measures fail, implementation of environmentally friendly control methods is currently encouraged in an integrated management approach that minimizes the use of chemicals in forests. This review therefore summarizes current knowledge of biological control using endophytic fungi, bacteria and viruses, and other environmentally friendly methods to control PPC, including thermotherapy, natural products with fungicidal effects, promoters of innate host resistance mechanisms and breeding for resistance. Key research gaps to be addressed for improvement of effective management of this disease are discussed.
Summary
The aim of this work was to determine the relationship of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the disulphide bonds established between sperm proteins with the achievement of ...capacitation in boar spermatozoa. With this purpose, spermatozoa were incubated in a specifically designed in vitro capacitation medium (CM) in the presence or absence of reduced glutathione (GSH). Incubation of boar spermatozoa in CM for 4 h significantly (p < 0.05) increased free cysteine residues, which is a marker of disrupted disulphide bonds, and also intracellular ROS levels. The addition of GSH to the medium prevented most capacitation‐like changes in sperm motility, membrane lipid disorder, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium levels and localization of tyrosine‐phosphorylated proteins (pTyr), but not in tyrosine phosphorylation of P32. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of the ability of sperm cells to trigger the acrosome exocytosis in response to progesterone. When GSH was added together with progesterone after 4 h of incubation, acrosome exocytosis was not altered, but the subsequent decrease in intracellular calcium observed in controls cells was inhibited. Furthermore, co‐incubation of oocytes with spermatozoa previously incubated in CM in the presence of GSH for 4 h significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of spermatozoa attached to the oocyte surface but decreased normal fertilization rates. Our results suggest that boar sperm capacitation is related to an increase in disrupted disulphide bonds and intracellular ROS levels and that both events are related to the regulation of hyperactivated motility, intracellular calcium dynamics, sperm binding ability to the oocyte and achievement of proper nuclear decondensation upon oocyte penetration.
Classification of bloodstream infections (BSIs) as community-acquired (CA), healthcare-associated (HCA) and hospital-acquired (HA) has been proposed. The epidemiology and clinical features of BSI ...according to that classification in tertiary-care (TH) and community (CH) hospitals were investigated in a prospective cohort of 821 BSI episodes from 15 hospitals (ten TH and five CH hospitals) in Andalucía, Spain. Eighteen percent were CA, 24% were HCA and 58% were HA. The incidence of CA and HCA BSI was higher in CH than in TH (CA: 3.9 episodes per 1000 admissions vs. 2.2, p <0.01; HCA: 5.0 vs. 2.9, p <0.01), whereas the incidence of HA BSI was lower (7.7 vs. 8.7, p <0.01). In CA and HCA BSI, the respiratory tract was more frequently the source in CH than in TH (CA: 30% vs. 15%; HCA: 20% vs. 9%, p ≤0.03). In HCA BSI, chronic renal insufficiency and tunnelled catheters were less frequent in CH than in TH (11% vs. 26% and 7% vs. 19%, p ≤0.03), although chronic ulcers were more frequent (22% vs. 8%, p 0.008). BSIs as a result of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were very rare in CA episodes, although extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLEC) caused a similar proportion of all BSIs in CA, HCA and HA episodes. Multivariate analysis revealed no significant difference in mortality rates in CH and TH. HCA infections should be considered as a separate class of BSI in both TH and CH, although differences between hospitals must be considered. CA BSIs were not caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, except for ESBLEC.
Nowadays, environmentally friendly cutting fluids should be applied in manufacturing processes. Concretely, in many machining processes the use of minimum quantity of lubrication (MQL) is established ...as common routine. In this paper, the use of natural biodegradable oils as an alternative to traditional canola oils used in MQL is analyzed, comparing five different alternatives (i.e.: sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil, castor oil and ECO-350 recycled oil). Firstly, the aim is to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed oils, just analyzing their tribological and rheological characteristics. Secondly, a full battery of experimental tests was performed in order to validate their behavior during cutting Inconel 718, a difficult-to-cut material commonly used in aeronautical components. Finally, life cycle assessment was carried out with the aim of analyzing their environmental feasibility. Results show that the combination of low viscosity with high friction coefficient implies an increase in tool life. In this line, ECO-350 recycled oil presents a feasible behavior and improves the tool life up to 30% in comparison with commercial canola oil. However, its recycling process has to be improved from an environmental point of view. Taking both issues, high oleic sunflower oil presents a balance between them. On one hand, it improves tool life (15%) and on the other hand, similar environmental impact is obtained compared with canola oil. This supposes an advance, being more efficiently, not only environmentally speaking but also technically.
•A review of biodegradable oils applied to machining processes is presented.•Tribological and rheological analysis of four natural oils and canola commercial oil are performed.•MQL lubrication with different oils analyzed was applied to Inconel 718 end milling.•LCA was carried out in which canola oil, high oleic sunflower oil and ECO-350 oil use during machining was analyzed.
To predict primary failure of infliximab (IFX) therapy in Crohn’s disease (CD) and to identify patients who maintain long-term effectiveness to IFX is currently not feasible. Some genetic variations ...are proposed as potential biomarkers.
We assessed a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to the IFX mechanism of action and the presence of HLA-DQA1 * 05 allele on the primary response and long-term durability in CD patients.
A multi-centre cross-sectional study of IFX-exposed adult patients with CD was undertaken. Treatment persistence and time to failure were co-primary endpoints. DNA from the 131 patients was genotyped. Association between SNPs and clinical variables with IFX persistence was assessed.
Failure to IFX was documented in 65 (49.6%) out of 131 patients. IFX persistence was associated either with carrying the TT genotype in ADAM17 rs10929587 (ORa=0.2; 95%CI=0.1–0.8; p = 0.021), or the CC genotype in SLCO1C1 rs3794271 (ORa=0.2; 95%CI=0.1–0.7; p = 0.008), according to multivariate logistic regression. In contrast, previous bowel resection increased the risk of IFX failure (ORa=2.8; 95%CI=1.1–7.3; p = 0.025). Cox regression analysis confirmed these findings and also identified IL23R rs10489629-TT (HRa 0.41; 95%CI=0.22–0.75; p = 0.004) and concomitant immunosuppressants (HRa 0.46; 95%CI=0.27–0.77; p = 0.003) as protection from IFX failure. However, no association between HLA-DQA1 * 05 allele and persistence of IFX therapy was found, with similar failure rates among carriers and non-carriers (52.8% vs. 47.4%, respectively; p = 0.544).
SNPs rs10929587-TT in ADAM17, rs10489629-TT in IL23R and rs3794271-CC in SLCO1C1, together with no previous bowel surgery and concomitant immunosuppression, were identified as protection from failure to IFX.
Display omitted
•Biomarkers to predict response to IFX in Crohn's disease are lacking.•After analyzing sixty-six SNPs and HLADQA1*05, three SNPs in ADAM17, IL23R and SLCO1C1 genes were identified to protect against IFX failure.•When these SNPs were not present, concomitant immunosuppressant is highly advisable.•Absence of bowel resection also contributed to IFX persistence.
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