A transiting super-Earth close to the inner edge of the habitable zone of an M0 dwarf star

We present a super-Earth orbiting close to the inner edge of the habitable zone of the cool dwarf star K2-286 (EPIC 249889081), detected with data from the K2 mission in its $15^{th}$ campaign. The planet has radius of $2.1\pm0.2$ R$_{\oplus}$, near the 1.5 - 2.0 R$_{\oplus}$ gap in the radii distribution. The equilibrium temperature is $347^{+21}_{-11}$ K, cooler than most of the small planets with well measured masses, and the orbital period is $27.359\pm0.005$ days. K2-286, located at a distance of $76.3\pm0.3$ pc, is an M0V star with estimated effective temperature of $3926\pm100$ K, less active than other M dwarf stars hosting exoplanets. The expected radial velocity semi-amplitude induced by the planet on the star is $1.9^{+1.3}_{-1.2}$ m$\cdot$s$^{-1}$, and the amplitude of signals in transit transmission spectroscopy is estimated at $5.0\pm3.0$ ppm. Follow-up observations for mass measurements and transit spectroscopy should be desirable for this relatively bright target ($m_V=12.76, m_{Ks}=9.32$) hosting a transiting super-Earth within the inner edge of the habitable zone.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Two planetary systems with transiting Earth-size and super-Earth planets orbiting late-type dwarf stars

We present two new planetary systems found around cool dwarf stars with data from the K2 mission. The first system was found in K2-239 (EPIC 248545986), char- acterized in this work as M3.0V and observed in the 14th campaign of K2. It consists of three Earth-size transiting planets with radii of 1.1, 1.0 and 1.1 R Earth, showing a compact configuration with orbital periods of 5.24, 7.78 and 10.1 days, close to 2:3:4 resonance. The second was found in K2-240 (EPIC 249801827), characterized in this work as M0.5V and observed in the 15th campaign. It consists of two transiting super-Earths with radii 2.0 and 1.8 R Earth and orbital periods of 6.03 and 20.5 days. The equilibrium temperatures of the atmospheres of these planets are estimated to be in the range of 380-600 K and the amplitudes of signals in transmission spectroscopy are estimated at ~10 ppm.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS letter

CARMENES input catalogue of M dwarfs IV. New rotation periods from photometric time series

Aims. The main goal of this work is to measure rotation periods of the M-type dwarf stars being observed by the CARMENES exoplanet survey to help distinguish radial-velocity signals produced by magnetic activity from those produced by exoplanets. Rotation periods are also fundamental for a detailed study of the relation between activity and rotation in late-type stars. Methods. We look for significant periodic signals in 622 photometric time series of 337 bright, nearby M dwarfs obtained by long-time baseline, automated surveys (MEarth, ASAS, SuperWASP, NSVS, Catalina, ASAS-SN, K2, and HATNet) and for 20 stars which we obtained with four 0.2-0.8 m telescopes at high geographical latitudes. Results. We present 142 rotation periods (73 new) from 0.12 d to 133 d and ten long-term activity cycles (six new) from 3.0 a to 11.5 a. We compare our determinations with those in the existing literature; we investigate the distribution of P rot in the CARMENES input catalogue,the amplitude of photometric variability, and their relation to vsin i and pEW(Halfa); and we identify three very active stars with new rotation periods between 0.34 d and 23.6 d.Comment: 34 pages, 43 figures, 2 appendix table

Oxidative stress and endothelial function in normal pregnancy versus pre-eclampsia, a combined longitudinal and case control study

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is related to an impaired endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction accounts for altered vascular reactivity, activation of the coagulation cascade and loss of vascular integrity. Impaired endothelial function originates from production of inflammatory and cytotoxic factors by the ischemic placenta and results in systemic oxidative stress (OS) and an altered bioavailability of nitric oxide (·NO). The free radical ·NO, is an endogenous endothelium-derived relaxing factor influencing endothelial function. In placental circulation, endothelial release of ·NO dilates the fetal placental vascular bed, ensuring feto-maternal exchange. The Endopreg study was designed to evaluate in vivo endothelial function and to quantify in vitro OS in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Methods/design: The study is divided into two arms, a prospective longitudinal study and a matched case control study. In the longitudinal study, pregnant patients ≥18 years old with a singleton pregnancy will be followed throughout pregnancy and until 6 months post-partum. In the case control study, cases with PE will be compared to matched normotensive pregnant women. Maternal blood concentration of superoxide (O2·) and placental concentration of ·NO will be determined using EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance). Endothelial function and arterial stiffness will be evaluated using respectively Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT), Flow-Mediated Dilatation (FMD) and applanation tonometry. Placental expression of eNOS (endothelial NOS) will be determined using immune-histochemical staining. Target recruitment will be 110 patients for the longitudinal study and 90 patients in the case-control study. Discussion: The results of Endopreg will provide longitudinal information on in vivo endothelial function and in vitro OS during normal pregnancy and PE. Adoption of these vascular tests in clinical practice potentially predicts patients at risk to develop cardiovascular events later in life after PE pregnancies. ·NO, O2·- and eNOS measurements provide further inside in the pathophysiology of PE

Reflexiones sobre ‘Occupy. The spatial dynamics of discourse in global protest movements’ de Luisa Martin Rojo

La publicación del libro Occupy. The spatial dynamics of discourse in global protest movements, editado por Luisa Martin Rojo abre un nuevo campo para los estudios del discurso en el que se otorga centralidad al espacio en un sentido dinámico. Por este motivo, como parte del foro e-conversa (promovido por la Asociación Internacional de Estudios sobre Discurso y Sociedad EDiSo; http://www.edisoportal.org/) se planteó la lectura del capítulo introductorio (cuya traducción al español se encuentra en este número de Discurso y Sociedad) y debatir sobre algunas de las cuestiones que en él se plantean. El resultado está formado por varias contribuciones que, tomando como punto de partida el texto de Martín Rojo, reflexionan, entre otros temas, sobre las prácticas espaciales, el papel de los medios de comunicación y las redes sociales, el nuevo sujeto político emergente, las formaciones contrahegemónicas, el multilingüismo, prácticas prefigurativas, etc. De este modo, este texto dialógico es una invitación a seguir pensando el análisis del discurso desde una perspectiva novedosa ligada al espacio / The publication of the volumen Occupy. The spatial dynamics of discourse in global protest movements, edited by Luisa Martín Rojo, opens up a new field of discourse studies in which the focus lies on space, in a dynamic sense. For this reason, and as part of the forum e-conversa (hosted by the International Association of Discourse Studies and Society (EDiSo); http://www.edisoportal.org/Ediso), it was suggested to read the introduction (the Spanish translation of which is included in this issue of Discurso y Sociedad) and to debate over some of the topics presented in the book. The result consists of several contributions which, by taking Martin Rojo’s text as the starting point, reflect on spatial practices, the role of mass media and social networks, the new emerging political subject, counter-hegemonic formations, multilingualism, and prefigurative practices, among other issues. Thus, this dialogic text is an invitation to continue thinking about discourse analysis from a new perspective linked to space

Dual-Band Antenna/AMC Combination for RFID

A novel antenna/Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) combination usable in dual-band Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags over metallic objects is presented. A compact and low thickness prototype is manufactured and characterized in terms of return loss and radiation properties in an anechoic chamber both alone and on a metallic plate. The performance exhibited by the presented antenna/AMC prototype is proper for RFID tags on both metallic and nonmetallic objects

Oxidative stress and endothelial function in normal pregnancy versus pre-eclampsia, a combined longitudinal and case control study

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is related to an impaired endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction accounts for altered vascular reactivity, activation of the coagulation cascade and loss of vascular integrity. Impaired endothelial function originates from production of inflammatory and cytotoxic factors by the ischemic placenta and results in systemic oxidative stress (OS) and an altered bioavailability of nitric oxide (·NO). The free radical ·NO, is an endogenous endothelium-derived relaxing factor influencing endothelial function. In placental circulation, endothelial release of ·NO dilates the fetal placental vascular bed, ensuring feto-maternal exchange. The Endopreg study was designed to evaluate in vivo endothelial function and to quantify in vitro OS in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Methods/design: The study is divided into two arms, a prospective longitudinal study and a matched case control study. In the longitudinal study, pregnant patients ≥18 years old with a singleton pregnancy will be followed throughout pregnancy and until 6 months post-partum. In the case control study, cases with PE will be compared to matched normotensive pregnant women. Maternal blood concentration of superoxide (O2·) and placental concentration of ·NO will be determined using EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance). Endothelial function and arterial stiffness will be evaluated using respectively Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (PAT), Flow-Mediated Dilatation (FMD) and applanation tonometry. Placental expression of eNOS (endothelial NOS) will be determined using immune-histochemical staining. Target recruitment will be 110 patients for the longitudinal study and 90 patients in the case-control study. Discussion: The results of Endopreg will provide longitudinal information on in vivo endothelial function and in vitro OS during normal pregnancy and PE. Adoption of these vascular tests in clinical practice potentially predicts patients at risk to develop cardiovascular events later in life after PE pregnancies. ·NO, O2·- and eNOS measurements provide further inside in the pathophysiology of PE

Local immune regulation of mucosal inflammation by tacrolimus

Purpose: Tacrolimus is a potent immunomodulator that is effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, potential toxicity and systemic effects with oral intake limit its use. Local tacrolimus treatment is effective in a subgrou

A portal of educational resources: providing evidence for matching pedagogy with technology

The TPACK (Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge) model presents the three types of knowledge that are necessary to implement a successful technology-based educational activity. It highlights how the intersections between TPK (Technological Pedagogical Knowledge), PCK (Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and TCK (Technological Content Knowledge) are not a sheer sum up of their components but new types of knowledge. This paper focuses on TPK, the intersection between technology knowledge and pedagogy knowledge – a crucial field of investigation. Actually, technology in education is not just an add-on but is literally reshaping teaching/learning paradigms. Technology modifies pedagogy and pedagogy dictates requirements to technology. In order to pursue this research, an empirical approach was taken, building a repository (back-end) and a portal (front-end) of about 300 real-life educational experiences run at school. Educational portals are not new, but they generally emphasise content. Instead, in our portal, technology and pedagogy take centre stage. Experiences are classified according to more than 30 categories (‘facets’) and more than 200 facet values, all revolving around the pedagogical implementation and the technology used. The portal (an innovative piece of technology) supports sophisticated ‘exploratory’ sessions of use, targeted at researchers (investigating the TPK intersection), teachers (looking for inspiration in their daily jobs) and decision makers (making decisions about the introduction of technology into schools)