Broad-band X-ray analysis of local mid-infrared selected Compton-thick AGN candidates

The estimate of the number and space density of obscured AGN over cosmic time still represents an open issue. While the obscured AGN population is a key ingredient of the X-ray background synthesis models and is needed to reproduce its shape, a complete census of obscured AGN is still missing. Here we test the selection of obscured sources among the local 12-micron sample of Seyfert galaxies. Our selection is based on a difference up to three orders of magnitude in the ratio between the AGN bolometric luminosity, derived from the spectral energy distribution (SED) decomposition, and the same quantity obtained by the published XMM-Newton 2-10 keV luminosity. The selected sources are UGC05101, NGC1194 and NGC3079 for which the available X-ray wide bandpass, from Chandra and XMM-Newton plus NuSTAR data, extending to energies up to ~30-45 keV, allows us an accurate determination of the column density, and hence of the true intrinsic power. The newly derived NH values clearly indicate heavy obscuration (about 1.2, 2.1 and 2.4 x10^{24} cm-2 for UGC05101, NGC1194 and NGC3079, respectively) and are consistent with the prominent silicate absorption feature observed in the Spitzer-IRS spectra of these sources (at 9.7 micron rest frame). We finally checked that the resulting X-ray luminosities in the 2-10 keV band are in good agreement with those derived from the mid-IR band through empirical L_MIR-L_X relations.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Searching with Friends

We study how active labor market policies affect the exchange of information and support among jobseekers. Leveraging a unique social network survey in Ethiopia, we find that a randomized job-search assistance intervention reduces information sharing and support between treated jobseekers and their active job-search partners. Due to lower job-search support, untreated individuals search less and, suggestively, have worse employment outcomes. These results are explained by a model of networks where unemployed individuals form job-search partnerships to exploit the complementarities of job search. These partnerships are broken if policy creates inequality in the access to information about job vacancies

Effects of low vacuum levels on vacuum dynamics during milking

One of critical points of the milking unit is the short milk tube. Here milk plugs can cause abrupt variations in vacuum which are stressful for the animals. Our trials allowed us to define the effects of the operational vacuum and pulsation on vacuum stability in the short milk tube. Reducing the vacuum from 42 to 28 kPa did not produce appreciable variations in vacuum fluctuation. It was 9.2 kPa for the low vacuum and 9.8 kPa for the standard vacuum. Changing the pulsation rate from 150 to 120 cycles/min did not modify the vacuum stability in the short milk tube. By contrast, raising the pulsation ratio from 50% to 60% significantly increased the amplitude of vacuum fluctuation in the short milk tube

First record of Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) (Coleoptera Ptinidae) from Sardinia, Italy.

Ozognathus cornutus (LeConte, 1859) is recorded on the invasive alien tree Robinia pseudocacia L. (Fabaceae) in an urban area in Italy. The species has already been reported in two other Italian regions, but this is the first record for the Sardinian fauna. Due to the great adaptability of this alien species and the increasingly cosmopolitan trend, we suggest monitoring it with caution for early detection and to plan an appropriate rapid management response

Tuberculous Meningitis: an Endemic Cause of Intracranial Hypertension

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) presents a complex clinical scenario, often marked by delayed recognition and high mortality. Our case involves a 27-year-old woman from Nepal with no significant medical history, presented with a two-week history of fatigue, altered consciousness, dizziness, vomiting, fever, holocranial headache, and photophobia. Initial examination revealed signs consistent with meningitis, including fever, hypertensive state, prostration, bilateral exophthalmos, sixth cranial nerve paresis, and positive Kernig/Brudzinski signs. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exhibited characteristics typical of TBM: turbidity, lymphocytic-predominant pleocytosis, low glucose, and elevated protein. The patient was promptly started on meningeal doses of vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and acyclovir. However, persistent fever, neurological deterioration, and signs of increased intracranial pressure led to the decision to initiate conventional empiric treatment of tuberculosis (TB) with isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (HRZE) and dexamethasone 1 week before cultural positivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of CSF. The case underscores the importance of considering TBM in patients from endemic regions, interpreting CSF findings, and initiating empirical treatment in critical scenarios, contributing to a positive patient outcome despite the diagnostic challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

trans-catena-Poly[[(bis-(μ-N,N′-bis[(pyridin-3-yl)methyl]ethanediamide))-diaqua-cadmium(II)] bis(nitrate) tetrahydrate)]

The reaction between cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and N,N′ -bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)oxalamide (L) in a 1:3 molar ratio in a water/acetonitrile (1:6 v/v) mixture afforded single crystals of compound 1 suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 consists of the coordination polymer (CP) [[Cd(L)2 (OH2 )2 ](NO3 )2 ·4H2O]∞, in which CdII ions are bridged by neutral L antiperiplanar Nligands in a wavy ribbon fashion developed along the c-axis. Two trans-disposed water molecules complete the pseudo-octahedral coordination geometry of the metal ion. The crystal packing of 1 revealed the interplay between π–π stacking interactions and an intricate hydrogen-bonded network involving oxalamides, nitrates, and water molecules. The donor properties of L and the intermolecular interactions in compound 1 are interpreted based on hybrid-DFT calculations

Efficient second harmonic generation from thin films of V-shaped benzo[b]thiophene based molecules

We have designed an original approach for efficient Second Harmonic Generation of tailored V-shape benzo[b]thiophene molecular systems enabling versatile and flexible one-step, dry and technologically friendly thin film processing. The designed moieties show χ(2) values at least as high as the reference LiNbO3 single crystal, without poling processing and matching the constrains of integrated optical configuration for nonlinear optical devices. This may open the way to a new class of organic materials exploitable for photonic applications

Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food Systems

Abstract The level of the vacuum in machine milking is one of the principal parameters which influence the integrity of the tissues and the milk quality. Many studies have shown that while raising the level of the vacuum increases the speed of milk emission, it can also generate congestion in the teat, formation of oedema, increase in residual milk and in the number of somatic cells. Thus milking should be performed with the lowest possible level of vacuum which is compatible with not excessively prolonging milking time. In Italy the vacuum level is unjustifiably high -on average 42 -46 kPa-while in other European countries the usually level is 4-5 kPa lower. In order to define the milking techniques which best satisfy the physiological needs of dairy sheep, we have compared milking performances at a low vacuum level (28 kPa) and at a standard level (42 kPa). The effects of the working conditions were evaluated by analyzing the milk emission curves and the vacuum fluctuations registered in the milkline and in the short milk tube. Results showed that using a vacuum of 28 kPa increased the latency time, reduced both average and peak milk flow, and increased the average milking time per head by 17%. The reduction of vacuum did not produce significant variations in vacuum fluctuations in the short milk tube (10.4 kPa at 28 kPa and 9.0 kPa at 42 kPa) and also in the milkline where the vacuum fluctuations were less than 2 kPa