A critical reassessment of particle Dark Matter limits from dwarf satellites

Dwarf satellite galaxies are ideal laboratories for identifying particle Dark Matter signals. When setting limits on particle Dark Matter properties from null searches, it becomes however crucial the level at which the Dark Matter density profile within these systems is constrained by observations. In the limit in which the spherical Jeans equation is assumed to be valid for a given tracer stellar population, we study the solution of this equation having the Dark Matter mass profile as an output rather than as a trial parametric input. Within our new formulation, we address to what level dwarf spheroidal galaxies feature a reliable mass estimator. We assess then possible extrapolation of the density profiles in the inner regions and -- keeping explicit the dependence on the orbital anisotropy profile of the tracer population -- we derive general trends on the line-of-sight integral of the density profile squared, a quantity commonly dubbed J-factor and crucial to estimate fluxes from prompt Dark Matter pair annihilations. Taking Ursa Minor as a study case among Milky Way satellites, we perform Bayesian inference using the available kinematical data for this galaxy. Contrary to all previous studies, we avoid marginalization over quantities poorly constrained by observations or by theoretical arguments. We find minimal J-factors to be about 2 to 4 times smaller than commonly quoted estimates, approximately relaxing by the same amount the limit on Dark Matter pair annihilation cross section from gamma-ray surveys of Ursa Minor. At the same time, if one goes back to a fixed trial parametric form for the density, e.g. using a NFW or Burkert profile, we show that the minimal J can hardly be reduced by more than a factor of 1.5. \ua9 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab srl

Invited review : microRNAs in bovine colostrum : focus on their origin and potential health benefits for the calf

Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow after she gives birth. Compared with mature milk, it has a high concentration of immunoglobulin G. Calves are born without circulating antibodies, thus ingestion of colostrum is necessary to protect the calf against pathogens in the first challenging weeks of life. In addition to the life-saving supply of antibodies, colostrum contains minerals, vitamins, growth factors, and immune cells. Recently, microRNAs (rriiRNAs) were added to that list. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. They are thought to act as key regulators of diverse biological and developmental processes. Colostrum contains higher amounts of miRNAs than mature milk; immune- and development-related miRNAs are prominent. Their expression pattern in milk is likely to be influenced by maternal nutrition and environment. The fat content of the maternal diet appears to have a major effect on expression of miRNAs in milk and in the neonate. The immunological state of the mammary gland seems to affect miRNA expression as well. In cows diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, alterations in the expression of miRNAs in milk have been observed. It is believed that miRNAs in colostrum and milk are signaling molecules passed from mother to newborn. They are packaged in extracellular vesicles, which makes them resistant to the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, they can reach the small intestine, where they are absorbed and transferred into the bloodstream. MicroRNAs are important for the development of the intestines. For example, miRNAs stimulate cell viability, proliferation, and stem cell activity of the intestinal epithelium. Furthermore, miRNAs seem to act as key players in the development of the complete immune system. They can, among other things, regulate B- and T-tell differentiation and affect interleukin production of macrophages. The abundance of miRNAs in colostrum and milk and the possibility for their absorption in the intestines of the neonate supports the hypothesis that these tiny molecules are important for the development of the newborn. The probable relation of diet to the expression of miRNAs by the mother creates a possible avenue to optimize expression of miRNAs and improve neonatal maturation

Exploring the microbial composition of Holstein Friesian and Belgian Blue colostrum in relation to the transfer of passive immunity

For centuries, multicellular organisms have lived in symbiosis with microorganisms. The interaction with microorganisms has been shown to be very beneficial for humans and animals. During a natural birth, the initial inoculation with bacteria occurs when the neonate passes through the birth canal. Colostrum and milk intake are associated with the acquisition of a healthy gut flora. However, little is known about the microbial composition of bovine colostrum and the possible beneficial effects for the neonatal calf. In this prospective cohort study, the microbial composition of first-milking colostrum was analyzed in 62 Holstein Friesian (HF) and 46 Belgian Blue (BB) cows by performing amplicon sequencing of the bacterial V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Calves received, 3 times, 2 L of their dam's colostrum within 24 h after birth. Associations between colostral microbial composition and its IgG concentration, as well as each calf's serum IgG levels, were analyzed. Colostrum samples were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The 10 most abundant genera in the complete data set were Acinetobacter (16.2%), Pseudomonas (15.1%), a genus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family (4.9%), Lactococcus (4.0%), Chryseobacterium (3.9%), Staphylococcus (3.6%), Proteus (1.9%), Streptococcus (1.8%), Enterococcus (1.7%), and Enhydrobacter (1.5%). The remaining genera (other than these top 10) accounted for 36.5% of the counts, and another 8.7% were unidentified. Bacterial diversity differed significantly between HF and BB samples. Within each breed, several genera were found to be differentially abundant between colostrum of different quality. Moreover, in HF, the bacterial composition of colostrum leading to low serum IgG levels in the calf differed from that of colostrum leading to high serum IgG levels. Results of the present study indicate that the microbes present in colostrum are associated with transfer of passive immunity in neonatal calves

A New Method for Detection and Source Analysis of EEG Spikes

Abstract—In the past our research group has developed a method for the detection of focal epileptic EEG (electroencephalogram) spikes that is based on the dipole source localization technique and provides a source localization for each detected spike. In this paper we revisit this method and propose a more accurate explanation of its behavior. Based on this we (i) propose a new method for the detection of epileptic EEG spikes in which the eccentricity of the fitted dipole serves as a new decision variable (ii) conclude that for EEG spike detection one has to make a distinction between EEGs acquired during sleep and during wake. Keywords—Detection, dipole eccentricity, EEG, source analysis, spikes I

Global biomass mapping for an improved understanding of the CO2 balance - the Earth observation mission Carbon-3D," Remote Sensing of Environment,

Abstract Understanding global climate change and developing strategies for sustainable use of our environmental resources are major scientific and political challenges. In response to an announcement of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for a national Earth observation (EO) mission, the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena and the JenaOptronik GmbH proposed the EO mission Carbon-3D. The data products of this mission will for the first time accurately estimate aboveground biomass globally, one of the most important parameters of the carbon cycle. Simultaneous acquisition of multiangle optical with Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) observations is unprecedented. The optical imager extrapolates the laser-retrieved height profiles to biophysical vegetation maps. This innovative mission will reduce uncertainties about net effects of deforestation and forest regrowth on atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and will also provide key biophysical information for biosphere models.

DO WE STILL NEED THE 'BIG FIVE'?

status: publishe

Multi-Modal and Multi-Temporal Data Fusion: Outcome of the 2012 GRSS Data Fusion Contest

The 2012 Data Fusion Contest organized by the Data Fusion Technical Committee (DFTC) of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) aimed at investigating the potential use of very high spatial resolution (VHR) multi-modal/multi-temporal image fusion. Three different types of data sets, including spaceborne multi-spectral, spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data collected over the downtown San Francisco area were distributed during the Contest. This paper highlights the three awarded research contributions which investigate (i) a new metric to assess urban density (UD) from multi-spectral and LiDAR data, (ii) simulation-based techniques to jointly use SAR and LiDAR data for image interpretation and change detection, and (iii) radiosity methods to improve surface reflectance retrievals of optical data in complex illumination environments. In particular, they demonstrate the usefulness of LiDAR data when fused with optical or SAR data. We believe these interesting investigations will stimulate further research in the related areas