Mid-infrared imaging- and spectro-polarimetric subarcsecond observations of NGC 1068

We present sub-arcsecond 7.5$-$13 $\mu$m imaging- and spectro-polarimetric observations of NGC 1068 using CanariCam on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. At all wavelengths, we find: (1) A 90 $\times$ 60 pc extended polarized feature in the northern ionization cone, with a uniform $\sim$44$^{\circ}$ polarization angle. Its polarization arises from dust and gas emission in the ionization cone, heated by the active nucleus and jet, and further extinguished by aligned dust grains in the host galaxy. The polarization spectrum of the jet-molecular cloud interaction at $\sim$24 pc from the core is highly polarized, and does not show a silicate feature, suggesting that the dust grains are different from those in the interstellar medium. (2) A southern polarized feature at $\sim$9.6 pc from the core. Its polarization arises from a dust emission component extinguished by a large concentration of dust in the galaxy disc. We cannot distinguish between dust emission from magnetically aligned dust grains directly heated by the jet close to the core, and aligned dust grains in the dusty obscuring material surrounding the central engine. Silicate-like grains reproduce the polarized dust emission in this feature, suggesting different dust compositions in both ionization cones. (3) An upper limit of polarization degree of 0.3 per cent in the core. Based on our polarization model, the expected polarization of the obscuring dusty material is $\lesssim$0.1 per cent in the 8$-$13 $\mu$m wavelength range. This low polarization may be arising from the passage of radiation through aligned dust grains in the shielded edges of the clumps.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication at MNRA

Machine-assisted Cyber Threat Analysis using Conceptual Knowledge Discovery

Over the last years, computer networks have evolved into highly dynamic and interconnected environments, involving multiple heterogeneous devices and providing a myriad of services on top of them. This complex landscape has made it extremely difficult for security administrators to keep accurate and be effective in protecting their systems against cyber threats. In this paper, we describe our vision and scientific posture on how artificial intelligence techniques and a smart use of security knowledge may assist system administrators in better defending their networks. To that end, we put forward a research roadmap involving three complimentary axes, namely, (I) the use of FCA-based mechanisms for managing configuration vulnerabilities, (II) the exploitation of knowledge representation techniques for automated security reasoning, and (III) the design of a cyber threat intelligence mechanism as a CKDD process. Then, we describe a machine-assisted process for cyber threat analysis which provides a holistic perspective of how these three research axes are integrated together

Situación de la Tuberculosis en España en el año 2014. Datos de la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica

[ES] Se presenta la situación de la tuberculosis (TB) en España en 2014 a partir de los datos de la Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, y los resultados de tratamiento de los casos declarados en 2013. La tasa de incidencia de tuberculosis en 2014 fue de 10,80 casos por 100.000 habitantes, un 10% inferior a la del año 2013. Aunque éste es un dato favorable, el descenso debería ser superior para alcanzar los objetivos mundiales de la eliminación. La evolución de la incidencia de la TB infantil también es favorable, aunque las tasas de meningitis tuberculosa en menores de 5 años son superiores a la media global. En adultos jóvenes las tasas de TB respiratoria son elevadas, lo que indica transmisión activa. En este grupo es donde se concentran la mayoría de los casos extranjeros procedentes de países de alta endemia tuberculosa. Los resultados de tratamiento han mejorado (83% de resultados satisfactorios), aunque siguen sin alcanzar el objetivo internacional del 85%. Es necesario mejorar el diagnóstico precoz en inmigrantes y adultos jóvenes, incidir en el estudio de contactos familiares, especialmente en niños, y hacer el seguimiento completo del tratamiento.[EN] This report presents the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) in Spain in 2014, from the Epidemiological National Surveillance Network data. The incidence TB rate for 2014 in Spain was 10.80/100,000, a 10% decrease in relation to the previous year. This decrease is not enough for reaching the Global TB elimination target. Childhood TB is decreasing; nevertheless meningeal TB rates in children less than 5 years are over the national rates. Pulmonary TB rates in young adults are high, showing ongoing transmission. This group concentrates most of those born in high TB endemic countries. Outcome of treatment results have improved (83%), but not reaching the 85% global target. Early diagnosis in migrants and young adults is needed, as well as household contact tracing, especially in children, and follow up of TB treatment in all cases.N

Transcription of toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4 and 9, FoxP3 and Th17 cytokines in a susceptible experimental model of canine Leishmania infantum infection

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a chronic zoonotic systemic disease resulting from complex interactions between protozoa and the canine immune system. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential components of the innate immune system and facilitate the early detection of many infections. However, the role of TLRs in CanL remains unknown and information describing TLR transcription during infection is extremely scarce. The aim of this research project was to investigate the impact of L. infantum infection on canine TLR transcription using a susceptible model. The objectives of this study were to evaluate transcription of TLRs 2, 3, 4 and 9 by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in skin, spleen, lymph node and liver in the presence or absence of experimental L. infantum infection in Beagle dogs. These findings were compared with clinical and serological data, parasite densities in infected tissues and transcription of IL-17, IL-22 and FoxP3 in different tissues in non-infected dogs (n = 10), and at six months (n = 24) and 15 months (n = 7) post infection. Results revealed significant down regulation of transcription with disease progression in lymph node samples for TLR3, TLR4, TLR9, IL-17, IL-22 and FoxP3. In spleen samples, significant down regulation of transcription was seen in TLR4 and IL-22 when both infected groups were compared with controls. In liver samples, down regulation of transcription was evident with disease progression for IL-22. In the skin, upregulation was seen only for TLR9 and FoxP3 in the early stages of infection. Subtle changes or down regulation in TLR transcription, Th17 cytokines and FoxP3 are indicative of the silent establishment of infection that Leishmania is renowned for. These observations provide new insights about TLR transcription, Th17 cytokines and Foxp3 in the liver, spleen, lymph node and skin in CanL and highlight possible markers of disease susceptibility in this model

ANÃLISE DE MODELOS FUNCIONAIS EM PAISAGENS LITORÂNEAS

O objetivo principal é analisar o funcionamento e dinâmica do conjunto paisagístico da APA do Estuário do Rio Curu e seu entorno em relação aos fatores de influências naturais e antropogênicas. Para tanto, foi aplicada as concepções da Geoecologia das Paisagens, numa área entre os municípios de Paraipaba e Paracuru, litoral oeste do Estado do Ceará, com vista a esclarecer de que forma a paisagem está estruturada e quais as relações funcionais entre seus elementos. O modelo funcional evidencia as conexões da paisagem de níveis hierárquicos diferentes que se unem mediante a ação das relações laterais. Essa ação, confere a integraçãofuncional e o intercâmbio de energias e matéria que se produzem entre os diversos sistemas que compõem a paisagem estudada. Sobre a base de análise pode-se desenvolver ideias e recomendações para o uso sustentável de acordo com os princípios geoecológicos eficaz para as áreas litorâneas.AbstractThe main objective is to analyze the functioning and dynamics of landscape set of APA from Estuary of Curu River and its surroundings in relation to natural and anthropogenic influences factors. For both , the conceptions of Geoecology of Landscapes was applied in an area between the towns of Paraipaba and Paracuru, west coast of the state of Ceará, in order to clarify how the landscape is structured and what are the functional relationships between its elements. The functional model shows the connections of the landscape at different hierarchical levels who come together through the action of relations side. This action gives the functional integration and the exchange of energy and matter that are produced between the various systems that compose the landscape studied. About the basis of analysis can develop ideas and  recommendations for sustainable use in accordance with the geoecological principles effective for coastal areas

Universal Vectorial and Ultrasensitive Nanomechanical Force Field Sensor

Miniaturization of force probes into nanomechanical oscillators enables ultrasensitive investigations of forces on dimensions smaller than their characteristic length scale. Meanwhile it also unravels the force field vectorial character and how its topology impacts the measurement. Here we expose an ultrasensitive method to image 2D vectorial force fields by optomechanically following the bidimensional Brownian motion of a singly clamped nanowire. This novel approach relies on angular and spectral tomography of its quasi frequency-degenerated transverse mechanical polarizations: immersing the nanoresonator in a vectorial force field does not only shift its eigenfrequencies but also rotate eigenmodes orientation as a nano-compass. This universal method is employed to map a tunable electrostatic force field whose spatial gradients can even take precedence over the intrinsic nanowire properties. Enabling vectorial force fields imaging with demonstrated sensitivities of attonewton variations over the nanoprobe Brownian trajectory will have strong impact on scientific exploration at the nanoscale

Melatonin as an antioxidant and its semi-lunar rhythm in green macroalga Ulva sp.

The presence and role of melatonin in plants are still under debate owing to difficulties of identification and quantification. Accordingly, although it has been frequently proposed that melatonin acts as an antioxidant in phototrophic organisms, experimental data on its physiological role are scarce. This study describes the use of a rapid and simple new method for quantification of melatonin in the marine macroalga Ulva sp., organisms routinely exposed to tide-related environmental stresses and known for their high tolerance to abiotic conditions. The method was used here to show that exposure to oxidative stress-inducing environmental conditions (elevated temperature and heavy metals) induced a rise in melatonin level in the algae. Addition of exogenous melatonin alleviated the algae from cadmium-induced stress. Interestingly, although the algae were taken from a culture growing free floating and kept under constant photoperiod and water level, they exhibited a semi-lunar rhythm of melatonin levels that correlated with predicted spring tides. The correlation can probably be interpreted as reflecting preparation for predicted low tides, when the algae are exposed to increasing temperature, desiccation, and salinity, all known to induce oxidative stress. Given the simplicity of the described method it can easily be adapted for the study of melatonin in many other phototrophic organisms. These results provide, for the first time, experimental data that support both an antioxidant role for melatonin and its semi-lunar rhythm in macroalgae