Showing papers by "National University of La Plata published in 2004"

Properties and performance of the prototype instrument for the Pierre Auger Observatory

Abstract: Construction of the first stage of the Pierre Auger Observatory has begun. The aim of the Observatory is to collect unprecedented information about cosmic rays above 1018 eV. The first phase of the project, the construction and operation of a prototype system, known as the engineering array, has now been completed. It has allowed all of the sub-systems that will be used in the full instrument to be tested under field conditions. In this paper, the properties and performance of these sub-systems are described and their success illustrated with descriptions of some of the events recorded thus far. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lorentz invariance and quantum gravity: an additional fine-tuning problem?

Abstract: Trying to combine standard quantum field theories with gravity leads to a breakdown of the usual structure of space time at around the Planck length, $1.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}35}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}$, with possible violations of Lorentz invariance. Calculations of preferred-frame effects in quantum gravity have further motivated high precision searches for Lorentz violation. Here, we explain that combining known elementary particle interactions with a Planck-scale preferred frame gives rise to Lorentz violation at the percent level, some 20 orders of magnitude higher than earlier estimates, unless the bare parameters of the theory are unnaturally strongly fine tuned. Therefore an important task is not just the improvement of the precision of searches for violations of Lorentz invariance, but also the search for theoretical mechanisms for automatically preserving Lorentz invariance.

Vacuum-ultraviolet photolysis of aqueous reaction systems

Abstract: The photolysis of liquid H2O by vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis, and in particular by the radiation emitted by Xe-excimer sources (172 nm) is reviewed, and the impact of the primary radicals (hydroxyl (HO ), hydrogen (H ) and hydroperoxyl (HO2 )) on dissolved organic and inorganic substrates described. Mechanisms of oxidative and reductive reaction manifolds are reported, interpreted and developed, in particular for nitrogen containing substrates. At the present state of research, at least semi-quantitative predictions on primary reaction paths and rate effects can be made, and oversimplified qualitative interpretations belong definitely to the past. Nevertheless, the review demonstrates clearly the lack of data concerning the reactivity of radical species, generated by inorganic anion oxidation, and their interaction with organic compounds and with the radicals derived from them.

Intensive entropic non-triviality measure

Abstract: We discuss a way of characterizing probability distributions, complementing that provided by the celebrated notion of information measure, with reference to a measure of complexity that we call a “nontriviality measure”. Our starting point is the “LMC” measure of complexity advanced by Lopez-Ruiz et al. (Phys. Lett. A 209 (1995) 321) and its analysis by Anteneodo and Plastino (Phys. Lett. A 223 (1997) 348). An improvement of some of their troublesome characteristics is thereby achieved. Basically, we replace the Euclidean distance to equilibrium by the Jensen–Shannon divergence. The resulting measure turns out to be (i) an intensive quantity and (ii) allows one to distinguish between different degrees of periodicity. We apply the “cured” measure to the logistic map so as to clearly exhibit its advantages.

An ecological approach to preventing human infection: Vaccinating wild mouse reservoirs intervenes in the Lyme disease cycle

Abstract: Many pathogens, such as the agents of West Nile encephalitis and plague, are maintained in nature by animal reservoirs and transmitted to humans by arthropod vectors. Efforts to reduce disease incidence usually rely on vector control or immunization of humans. Lyme disease, for which no human vaccine is currently available, is a commonly reported vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. In a recently developed, ecological approach to disease prevention, we intervened in the natural cycle of the Lyme disease agent (Borrelia burgdorferi) by immunizing wild white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), a reservoir host species, with either a recombinant antigen of the pathogen, outer surface protein A, or a negative control antigen in a repeated field experiment with paired experimental and control grids stratified by site. Outer surface protein A vaccination significantly reduced the prevalence of B. burgdorferi in nymphal blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) collected at the sites the following year in both experiments. The magnitude of the vaccine's effect at a given site correlated with the tick infection prevalence found on the control grid, which in turn correlated with mouse density. These data, as well as differences in the population structures of B. burgdorferi in sympatric ticks and mice, indicated that nonmouse hosts contributed more to infecting ticks than previously expected. Thus, where nonmouse hosts play a large role in infection dynamics, vaccination should be directed at additional species.

Mitochondria are the main target for oxidative damage in leaves of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Abstract: Photosynthesis, respiration, and other processes produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can cause oxidative modifications to proteins, lipids, and DNA. The production of ROS increases under stress conditions, causing oxidative damage and impairment of normal metabolism. In this work, oxidative damage to various subcellular compartments (i.e. chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes) was studied in two cultivars of wheat differing in ascorbic acid content, and growing under good irrigation or drought. In well-watered plants, mitochondria contained 9–28-fold higher concentrations of oxidatively modified proteins than chloroplasts or peroxisomes. In general, oxidative damage to proteins was more intense in the cultivar with the lower content of ascorbic acid, particularly in the chloroplast stroma. Water stress caused a marked increase in oxidative damage to proteins, particularly in mitochondria and peroxisomes. These results indicate that mitochondria are the main target for oxidative damage to proteins under well-irrigated and drought conditions.

Distortion of the SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter readings by changes in irradiance and leaf water status

Abstract: The SPAD 502 Chlorophyll Meter can estimate leaf chlorophyll content as a surrogate measure of the nitrogen (N) status of plants, and therefore, it can be used to assess the N requirements of crops. In this work, we show that irradiance, leaf water status and time of measurement (i.e., morning vs. afternoon), may interfere with the SPAD 502 measurements. SPAD values increased by 2-3 units as relative leaf water content decreased from 94 to 87.5 57492768n wheat leaves. A change in irradiance (from 1100 to 600-650 mmol m-2 s-1) caused an increase of about 2 SPAD units in potted maize plants. Throughout the day, SPAD values varied by up to 4 units in well-watered plants of maize growing under field conditions. The slope of the response of the SPAD meter to chlorophyll content was steeper in the morning than in the afternoon. Since the range of SPAD values that may separate N deficiency from N surplus in a crop are often relatively narrow, time of measurement, irradiance and plant water status must be taken into account to precisely monitor crop N needs with the SPAD 502.

The Signal Peptide of the Junín Arenavirus Envelope Glycoprotein Is Myristoylated and Forms an Essential Subunit of the Mature G1-G2 Complex

Abstract: Arenaviruses comprise a diverse family of rodent-borne viruses that are responsible for recurring and emerging outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers worldwide. The Junin virus, a member of the New World arenaviruses, is endemic to the pampas grasslands of Argentina and is the etiologic agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. In this study, we have analyzed the assembly and function of the Junin virus envelope glycoproteins. The mature envelope glycoprotein complex is proteolytically processed from the GP-C precursor polypeptide and consists of three noncovalently associated subunits, G1, G2, and a stable 58-amino-acid signal peptide. This tripartite organization is found both on virions of the attenuated Candid 1 strain and in cells expressing the pathogenic MC2 strain GP-C gene. Replacement of the Junin virus GP-C signal peptide with that of human CD4 has little effect on glycoprotein assembly while abolishing the ability of the G1-G2 complex to mediate pH-dependent cell-cell fusion. In addition, we demonstrate that the Junin virus GP-C signal peptide subunit is myristoylated at its N-terminal glycine. Alanine substitution for the modified glycine residue in the GP-C signal peptide does not affect formation of the tripartite envelope glycoprotein complex but markedly reduces its membrane fusion activity. In contrast to the classical view that signal peptides act primarily in targeting nascent polypeptides to the endoplasmic reticulum, we suggest that the signal peptide of the arenavirus GP-C may serve additional functions in envelope glycoprotein structure and trafficking.

Analysis of Rhizobium etli and of its symbiosis with wild Phaseolus vulgaris supports coevolution in centers of host diversification

Abstract: Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) comprise three major geographic genetic pools, one in Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, another in the southern Andes, and a third in Ecuador and northern Peru. Species Rhizobium etli is the predominant rhizobia found symbiotically associated with beans in the Americas. We have found polymorphism in the common nodulation gene nodC among R. etli strains from a wide range of geographical origins, which disclosed three nodC types. The different nodC alleles in American strains show varying predominance in their regional distributions in correlation with the centers of bean genetic diversification (BD centers). By cross-inoculating wild common beans from the three BD centers with soils from Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Northwestern Argentina, the R. etli populations from nodules originated from Mexican soil again showed allele predominance that was opposite to those originated from Bolivian and Argentinean soil, whereas populations from Ecuadorian soil were intermediate. These results also indicated that the preferential nodulation of beans by geographically related R. etli lineages was independent of the nodulating environment. Coinoculation of wild common beans from each of the three BD centers with an equicellular mixture of R. etli strains representative of the Mesoamerican and southern Andean lineages revealed a host-dependent distinct competitiveness: beans from the Mesoamerican genetic pool were almost exclusively nodulated by strains from their host region, whereas nodules of beans from the southern Andes were largely occupied by the geographically cognate R. etli lineages. These results suggest coevolution in the centers of host genetic diversification.

Electron tomographic analysis of post-meiotic cytokinesis during pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract: The mechanism of cell wall formation after male meiosis was studied in microsporocytes of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. by means of thin-section and immuno-electron microscopy and dual-axis electron tomography of high-pressure-frozen/freeze-substituted cells. The cellularization of four-nucleate microsporocytes involves a novel type of cell plate, called a post-meiotic-type cell plate. As in the syncytial endosperm, the microsporocyte cell plates assemble in association with mini-phragmoplasts. However, in contrast to the endosperm cell plates, post-meiotic type cell plates arise simultaneously across the entire division plane. Vesicles are transported along mini-phragmoplast microtubules by putative kinesin proteins and, prior to fusion, they become connected together by 24-nm-long linkers that resemble exocyst complexes. These vesicles fuse with each other to form wide tubules and wide tubular networks. In contrast to endosperm cell plates, the wide tubular networks in microsporocytes completely lack callose and do not appear to be constricted by dynamin rings. The most peripheral wide tubular networks begin to fuse with the plasma membrane before the more central cell plate assembly sites become integrated into a coherent cell plate. Fusion with the parental plasma membrane triggers callose synthesis and the wide tubular domains are converted into convoluted sheets. As the peripheral convoluted sheets accumulate callose and arabinogalactan proteins, they are converted into stub-like projections, which grow centripetally, i.e. toward the interior of the syncytium, fusing with the wide tubular networks already assembled in the division plane. We also demonstrate that the ribosome-excluding cell plate assembly matrix is delivered to the mini-phragmoplast with the first vesicles, and encompasses all the linked vesicles and intermediate stages in cell plate formation.

The globular cluster system of NGC 1399. II. Kinematics of a large sample of globular clusters

Abstract: We study the kinematics and dynamics of the globular cluster system of NGC 1399, the brightest elliptical galaxy near the center of the Fornax cluster of galaxies. The observational data consists of medium-resolution spectra, obtained at the Very Large Telescope with FORS2 and the Mask Exchange Unit (MXU). Our sample comprises 468 radial velocities in the magnitude range 20 1.6) and blue clusters (C-R < 1.6), and find velocity dispersions for these groups of 255 ± 13 and 291 ± 14 km s-1, respectively, again radially constant. Any possible rotation of either of these cluster populations is below the detection limit, with the exception of a weak signature of rotation for the blue clusters more distant than 6'. Spherical models point to a circular velocity of 419 ± 30 km s-1, assuming isotropy for the red clusters. This value is constant out to 40 kpc. The inferred dark halo potential can be well represented by a logarithmic potential. A halo of the NFW type also provides a good fit to the observations. The orbital structure of the clusters can only be weakly constrained. It is consistent with isotropy for the red clusters and a slight tangential bias for the blue clusters. Some mass profiles derived from X-ray analyses do not agree with a constant circular velocity within our radial range, irrespective of its exact value. Interpreting the extreme low radial velocities as space velocities of bound clusters near their pericentric distances would require an extension of the cluster system of at least 200 kpc. Implications for formation scenarios of the cluster system are briefly commented on.

A 2-D model of the induction machine: an extension of the modified winding function approach

Abstract: A new method to calculate the inductances of induction machines considering axial nonuniformity is proposed. The proposed method, an extension of the modified winding function approach, allows considering nonuniformity due to skew and static and dynamic air-gap eccentricity. Theoretical fundamentals and experimental results that validate the proposed method are presented.

Myocardial hypertrophy of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Abstract: In our studies with spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Wistar rats, we observed normotensive WKY rats with cardiac hypertrophy determined by a greater left ventricular (LV) m...

Physiological modulation of iron metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed low and high iron diets.

Abstract: SUMMARY Iron (Fe) is an essential element, but Fe metabolism is poorly described in fish and the role of ferrireductase and transferrin in iron regulation by teleosts is unknown. The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of the strategy for Fe handling in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss . Fish were fed Fe-deficient, normal and high-Fe diets (33, 175, 1975 mg Fe kg -1 food, respectively) for 8 weeks. Diets were chosen so that no changes in growth, food conversion ratio, haematology, or significant oxidative stress (TBARS) were observed. Elevation of dietary Fe caused Fe accumulation particularly in the stomach, intestine, liver and blood. The increase in total serum Fe from 10 to 49 μmol l -1 over 8 weeks was associated with elevated total Fe binding capacity and decreased unsaturated Fe binding capacity, so that in fish fed a high-Fe diet transferrin saturation increased from 15% at the start of the experiment to 37%. Fish on the high-Fe diet increased Fe accumulation in the liver, which was correlated with elevation of hepatic ferrireductase activity and serum transferrin saturation. Conversely, fish on the low-Fe diet did not show tissue Fe depletion compared with normal diet controls and did not change Fe binding to serum transferrin. Instead, these fish doubled intestinal ferrireductase activity which may have contributed to the maintenance of tissue Fe status. The absence of clear treatment-dependent changes in branchial Fe accumulation and ferrireductase activity indicated that the gills do not have a major role in Fe metabolism. Some transient changes in Cu, Zn and Mn status of tissues occurred.