Near-infrared and optical observations of galactic warps: A common, unexplained feature of most discs

Context: Warps occurring in galactic discs have been studied extensively in HI and in the optical, but rarely in the near-infrared (NIR) bands that trace the older stellar populations. Aims: We provide NIR data of nearby edge-on galaxies, combined with optical observations, for direct comparison of the properties of galactic warps as a function of wavelength, and calculate warp curves for each galaxy and obtain the characteristic warp parameters. We discuss these properties as possible constraints to the different mechanisms that have been proposed for the development and persistence of galactic warps. Methods: We observed 20 galaxies that were selected from a statistically complete diameter-limited subsample of edge-on disc galaxies. We used the Cerro Tololo Infrared Imager (CIRIM) at the CTIO 1.5m Ritchey-Chretien telescope to acquire the NIR data. We used the 1.54m Danish and 0.92m Dutch telescopes at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla site for our optical observations. Results: Our results show that 13 of our 20 sample galaxies are warped, with the warp more pronounced in the optical than at NIR wavelengths. In the remaining seven galaxies, no warp is apparent within the limitations of our automated detection method. The transition between the unperturbed inner disc and the outer, warped region is rather abrupt. S0 galaxies exhibit very small or no warps. The magnetic model remains one of a number of interesting formation scenarios.Comment: 16 page

Tissue-resident memory CD8⁺ T cells amplify anti-tumor immunity by triggering antigen spreading through dendritic cells

Tissue-resident memory CD8⁺ T (Trm) cells mediate potent local innate and adaptive immune responses and play a central role against solid tumors. However, whether Trm cells cross-talk with dendritic cells (DCs) to support anti-tumor immunity remains unclear. Here we show that antigen-specific activation of skin Trm cells leads to maturation and migration to draining lymph nodes of cross-presenting dermal DCs. Tumor rejection mediated by Trm cells triggers the spread of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cell responses against tumor-derived neo- and self-antigens via dermal DCs. These responses suppress the growth of intradermal tumors and disseminated melanoma lacking the Trm cell-targeted epitope. Moreover, analysis of RNA sequencing data from human melanoma tumors reveals that enrichment of a Trm cell gene signature associates with DC activation and improved survival. This work unveils the ability of Trm cells to amplify the breath of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cell responses through DCs, thereby strengthening anti-tumor immunity

The roles of histone post-translational modifications in the formation and function of a mitotic chromosome

During mitosis, many cellular structures are organized to segregate the replicated genome to the daughter cells. Chromatin is condensed to shape a mitotic chromosome. A multiprotein complex known as kinetochore is organized on a specific region of each chromosome, the centromere, which is defined by the presence of a histone H3 variant called CENP-A. The cytoskeleton is re-arranged to give rise to the mitotic spindle that binds to kinetochores and leads to the movement of chromosomes. How chromatin regulates different activities during mitosis is not well known. The role of histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) in mitosis has been recently revealed. Specific HPTMs participate in local compaction during chromosome condensation. On the other hand, HPTMs are involved in CENP-A incorporation in the centromere region, an essential activity to maintain centromere identity. HPTMs also participate in the formation of regulatory protein complexes, such as the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Finally, we discuss how HPTMs can be modified by environmental factors and the possible consequences on chromosome segregation and genome stability

A catalog of warps in spiral and lenticular galaxies in the Southern hemisphere

A catalog of optical warps of galaxies is presented. This can be considered complementary to that reported by Sanchez-Saavedra et al., with 42 galaxies in the northern hemisphere, and to that by Reshetnikov & Combes, with 60 optical warps. The limits of the present catalog are: logr25 > 0.60, B_{t} < 14.5, delta(2000) < 0, -2.5 < t < 7. Therefore, lenticular galaxies have also been considered. This catalog lists 150 warped galaxies out of a sample of 276 edge-on galaxies and covers the whole southern hemisphere, except the Avoidance Zone. It is therefore very suitable for statistical studies of warps. It also provides a source guide for detailed particular observations. We confirm the large frequency of warped spirals: nearly all galaxies are warped. The frequency and warp angle do not present important differences for the different types of spirals. However, no lenticular warped galaxy has been found within the specified limits. This finding constitutes an important restriction for theoretical models.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, to be published in Astronomy and Astrophysic

RELACION USO-DISPONIBILIDAD DE COMPONENTES TOPOGRAFICOS Y UN MODELO DE CALIDAD DEL HABITAT PARA EL BORREGO CIMARRON, EN SONORA, MEXICO

This study was done, in the desert ridge known as the Pico-Johnson, in the state of Sonora, Mexico, which is considered as natural habitat for the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana). In this work, we evaluate the importance of the relationship, between the bighorn sheep and the topographic component of his habitat, by using use-availability techniques. Topography was divided in four subcomponents (Height, Slope, Aspect and Landform) which at the same time were divided in classes. For this study, the visual location of 20 bighorn sheep's (5 males and 15 females) marked with radiotransmition collars as well as unmarked sheep observations, were registered. It was considered as use the frequency of sheep observation, for one year and a half of monthly visits, registered within each subcomponent class. Availability was defined as the proportion in which the subcomponent classes were found throughout the study area. It was found that, the sheep, do not use, most of the habitat classes, in their exact proportions, that some are preferred (terrain’s higher than 300 meters, slopes higher than 60%, S-SW-W composite aspect and canyon slopes) and the rest of the classes either were avoided or used proportionally. Bedsites, were evaluated using the same technique, encountering very similar patterns. We developed a habitat quality model for the sheep, that emphasized topography, besides topography other habitat components evaluated were: vegetation, free water sources, precipitation, habitat discreteness and range expansion. Habitat quality classes were excellent, good, regular and poor. The model was validated, by using the frequency of sheep observation within the different habitat quality classes and considered as a good habitat quality predictor, on the basis that, 73.0% of the frequency observation, were done on areas classified by the model as excellent and good.Este estudio se llevó a cabo en la sierra desértica conocida como Pico-Johnson, en el Estado de Sonora, considerada como hábitat natural del borrego cimarrón (Ovis canadensis mexicana). En este trabajo, se evalúa la importancia de la relación entre el borrego cimarrón y el componente topográfico de su hábitat, mediante técnicas de uso-disponibilidad. La topografía se dividió en cuatro subcomponentes (Altitud, Pendiente, Orientación y Topoforma) y se consideró como uso a las frecuencias de observación, durante un año y medio de visitas mensuales, de los borregos registrados en cada uno de los diferentes subcomponentes, para este estudio se utilizaron como registros, la localización visual de 20 borregos cimarrones (5 machos y 15 hembras) todos con collar radiotransmisor, así como de animales no marcados. La disponibilidad se definió como la proporción en que cada uno de los subcomponentes se encontraba en el área de estudio. Se encontró que los borregos no utilizan los subcomponentes según su proporción, que algunos son preferidos (altitudes mayores de 300m, pendientes mayores de 60%, orientaciones (S-SW-W) y topoformas de tipo ladera de cañón) y otros son evadidos o utilizados en igual proporción. Igualmente, se evaluaron los sitios donde estos animales duermen y descansan (echaderos), encontrándose patrones muy similares de uso. Haciendo énfasis en las variables topográficas, se implementó un modelo de calidad del hábitat en el cual se evaluaron componentes como la topografía, vegetación, agua libre disponible, precipitación, competencia, uso humano, continuidad y expansión del hábitat. El modelo clasificó la calidad del hábitat en excelente, buena, regular y pobre. El modelo fue validado, mediante el registro de frecuencias de observación de borregos en las diferentes clases de calidad del hábitat, considerándose como bueno ya que el 73.0% de los registros, se ubicaron en las zonas clasificadas como excelentes y buenas

Differential symptom weighting in estimating empirical thresholds for underlying PTSD severity: Toward a “platinum” standard for diagnosis?

Objective: Symptom counts as the basis for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnoses in the DSM presume each symptom is equally reflective of underlying disorder severity. However, the “equal weight” assumption fails to fit PTSD symptom data when tested. The present study developed an enhanced PTSD diagnosis based on (a) a conventional PTSD diagnosis from a clinical interview and (b) an empirical classification of full PTSD that reflected the relative clinical weights of each symptom. Method: Baseline structured interview data from Project Harmony (N = 2658) was used. An enhanced diagnosis for full PTSD was estimated using an empirical threshold from moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA) latent PTSD scale scores, in combination with a full conventional PTSD diagnosis based on interview data. Results: One in 4 patients in the sample had a PTSD diagnosis that was inconsistent with their empirical PTSD grouping, such that the enhanced diagnostic standard reduced the diagnostic discrepancy rate by 20%. Veterans, and in particular female Veterans, were at greatest odds for discrepancy between their underlying PTSD severity and DSM diagnosis. Conclusion: Psychometric methodologies that differentially weight symptoms can complement DSM criteria and may serve as a platform for symptom prioritization for diagnoses in future editions of DSM

Colombian consensus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of candida Spp. disease in children and adults

La Candidiasis Invasora (CI) y la candidemia, como su manifestación más frecuente, se ha convertido en la principal causa de micosis oportunista a nivel hospitalario. Este manuscrito realizado por miembros de la Asociación Colombiana de Infectología (ACIN), tuvo como objetivo proporcionar un conjunto de recomendaciones para manejo, seguimiento y prevención de la CI/candidemia y de la infección candidiásica de mucosas, en población adulta, pediátrica y neonatal, en un entorno hospitalario, incluyendo las unidades hemato-oncológicas y unidades de cuidado crítico. Todos los datos obtenidos mediante una búsqueda exhaustiva, fueron revisados y analizados de manera amplia por todos los miembros del grupo, y las recomendaciones emitidas se elaboraron luego de la evaluación de la literatura científica disponible, y el consenso de todos los especialistas involucrados, reconociendo el problema de la emergencia de las infecciones por Candida Spp. y brindando una correcta orientación a los profesionales de la salud sobre el manejo de pacientes con enfermedad candidiásica, de una forma racional y práctica, enfatizando en la evaluación del paciente, estrategias de diagnóstico, profilaxis, tratamiento empírico, tratamiento dirigido y terapia preventiva.Invasive Candidiasis (IC) and candidemia (as its most frequent manifestation) have become the main cause of opportunistic mycosis at hospital settings. This study, made by members of the Colombian Association of Infectious Diseases (ACIN), was aimed at providing a set of recommendations for the management, follow-up and prevention of IC / candidemia and mucous membrane candida infection in adult, pediatric and neonatal patients in a hospital setting, including the hemato-oncological and critical care units. All the data obtained through an exhaustive search were reviewed and analyzed in a comprehensive manner by all the members of the group, and the recommendations issued are being made after a careful review of the scientific literature available and the consensus of all specialists involved; the emergence of Candida Spp. problem is highlighted and a correct orientation to health professionals regarding the management of patients with candidiasis is provided in a rational and practical way, emphasizing patient evaluation, diagnostic strategies, prophylaxis, empirical treatment, directed treatment and preventative therap

Factors driving patterns and trends in strandings of small cetaceans

The incidence of cetacean strandings is expected to depend on a combination of factors, including the dis- tribution and abundance of the cetaceans, their prey, and causes of mortality (e.g. natural, fishery bycatch), as well as currents and winds which affect whether carcasses reach the shore. We investigated spatiotemporal patterns and trends in the numbers of strandings of three species of small cetacean in Galicia (NW Spain) and their relationships with meteoro- logical, oceanographic, prey abundance and fishing-related variables, aiming to disentangle the relationship that may exist between these factors, cetacean abundance and mor- tality off the coast. Strandings of 1166 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 118 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and 90 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) during 2000–2013 were analysed. Generalised additive and generalised additive-mixed model results showed that the variables which best explained the pattern of strandings of the three cetacean species were those related with local ocean meteorology (strength and direction of the North– South component of the winds and the number of days with South-West winds) and the winter North Atlantic Oscil- lation Index. There were no significant relationships with indices of fishing effort or landings. Only bottlenose dolphin showed possible fluctuations in local abundance over the study period. There was no evidence of long-term trends in number of strandings in any of the species and their abun- dances were, therefore, considered to have been relatively stable during the study period.Versión del editor2,01

The kinematic signature of the Galactic warp in Gaia DR1 : I. the H ipparcos subsample

Reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophysics, © 2017 ESO.Context. The mechanism responsible for the warp of our Galaxy, as well as its dynamical nature, continues to remain unknown. With the advent of high precision astrometry, new horizons have been opened for detecting the kinematics associated with the warp and for constraining possible warp formation scenarios for the Milky Way. Aims. The aim of this contribution is to establish whether the first Gaia data release (DR1) shows significant evidence of the kinematic signature expected from a long-lived Galactic warp in the kinematics of distant OB stars. As the first paper in a series, we present our approach for analyzing the proper motions and apply it to the subsample of Hipparcos stars. Methods. We select a sample of 989 distant spectroscopically-identified OB stars from the new reduction of Hipparcos, of which 758 are also in the first Gaia data release (DR1), covering distances from 0.5 to 3 kpc from the Sun. We develop a model of the spatial distribution and kinematics of the OB stars from which we produce the probability distribution functions of the proper motions, with and without the systematic motions expected from a long-lived warp. A likelihood analysis is used to compare the expectations of the models with the observed proper motions from both Hipparcos and Gaia DR1. Results. We find that the proper motions of the nearby OB stars are consistent with the signature of a kinematic warp, while those of the more distant stars (parallax <1 mas) are not. Conclusions. The kinematics of our sample of young OB stars suggests that systematic vertical motions in the disk cannot be explained by a simple model of a stable long-lived warp. The warp of the Milky Way may either be a transient feature, or additional phenomena are acting on the gaseous component of the Milky Way, causing systematic vertical motions that are masking the expected warp signal. A larger and deeper sample of stars with Gaia astrometry will be needed to constrain the dynamical nature of the Galactic warp.Peer reviewe