25 research outputs found
Outflow of hot and cold molecular gas from the obscured secondary nucleus of NGC3256: closing in on feedback physics
The nuclei of merging galaxies are often deeply buried in dense layers of gas
and dust. In these regions, gas outflows driven by starburst and AGN activity
are believed to play a crucial role in the evolution of these galaxies.
However, to fully understand this process it is essential to resolve the
morphology and kinematics of such outflows. Using near-IR integral-field
spectroscopy obtained with VLT/SINFONI, we detect a kpc-scale structure of
high-velocity molecular hydrogen (H2) gas associated with the deeply buried
secondary nucleus of the IR-luminous merger NGC3256. We show that this
structure is likely the hot component of a molecular outflow, which is detected
also in the cold molecular gas by Sakamoto et al. This outflow, with a
molecular gas mass of M(H2)~2x10^7 Msun, is among the first to be spatially
resolved in both the hot H2 gas with VLT/SINFONI and the cold CO-emitting gas
with ALMA. The hot and cold components share a similar morphology and
kinematics, with a hot-to-cold molecular gas mass ratio of ~6x10^-5. The high
(~100 pc) resolution at which we map the geometry and velocity structure of the
hot outflow reveals a biconical morphology with opening angle ~40 deg and gas
spread across a FWZI~1200 km/s. Because this collimated outflow is oriented
close to the plane of the sky, the molecular gas may reach maximum intrinsic
outflow velocities of ~1800 km/s, with an average mass outflow rate of at least
~20 Msun/yr. By modeling the line-ratios of various near-IR H2 transitions, we
show that the H2 gas in the outflow is heated through shocks or X-rays to a
temperature of ~1900K. The energy needed to drive the outflow is likely
provided by a hidden Compton-thick AGN or by the nuclear starburst. We show
that the global kinematics of the molecular outflow in NGC3256 mimic those of
CO-outflows that have been observed at low spatial resolution in starburst- and
active galaxies.Comment: Accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics (accepted 29 Aug 2014 v.3,
initial submission v.1 14 March 2014), 13 pages, 8 figure
ALMA polarimetry measures magnetically aligned dust grains in the torus of NGC 1068
The obscuring structure surrounding active galactic nuclei (AGN) can be
explained as a dust and gas flow cycle that fundamentally connects the AGN with
their host galaxies. This structure is believed to be associated with dusty
winds driven by radiation pressure. However, the role of magnetic fields, which
are invoked in almost all models for accretion onto a supermassive black hole
and outflows, is not thoroughly studied. Here we report the first detection of
polarized thermal emission by means of magnetically aligned dust grains in the
dusty torus of NGC 1068 using ALMA Cycle 4 polarimetric dust continuum
observations (, pc; 348.5 GHz, m). The polarized torus
has an asymmetric variation across the equatorial axis with a peak polarization
of \% and position angle of (B-vector) at
pc east from the core. We compute synthetic polarimetric observations of
magnetically aligned dust grains assuming a toroidal magnetic field and
homogeneous grain alignment. We conclude that the measured 860 m continuum
polarization arises from magnetically aligned dust grains in an optically thin
region of the torus. The asymmetric polarization across the equatorial axis of
the torus arises from 1) an inhomogeneous optical depth, and 2) a variation of
the velocity dispersion, i.e. variation of the magnetic field turbulence at
sub-pc scales, from the eastern to the western region of the torus. These
observations and modeling constrain the torus properties beyond spectral energy
distribution results. This study strongly supports that magnetic fields up to a
few pc contribute to the accretion flow onto the active nuclei.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures (Accepted for Publication to ApJ
Nearby normal and luminous infrared galaxies with the SKA
The SKA will routinely provide ”Jy sensitivity and sub-arcsecond angular resolutions at
radio wavelengths. Planned SKA surveys will image vast numbers of nearby galaxies, which are expected to provide a cornerstone in our understanding of star-formation and accretion activity in the local Universe. Here, we outline some of the key continuum and molecular line studies of local galaxies, where the SKA will have a significant scientific impact and where the Spanish astrophysical community is particularly active.MAPT, AA, and RHI acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministerio de EconomĂa y Competitividad (MINECO) through grant AYA2012-38491-C02-02. S.G.B. acknowledges support from the Spanish MINECO through grants AYA2010-15169, AYA2012-32295, and program CONSOLIDER INGENIO 2010, under grant Molecular Astrophysics: The Herschel and ALMA EraASTROMOL (ref CSD2009-00038). S.G.B also acknowledges support from the Junta de Andalucia through TIC-114 and the Excellence Project P08-TIC-03531. A.A.H. and LC acknowledge support from the Spanish MINECO through grants AYA-2012-31447 and AYA-2012-32295. JHK acknowledges financial support to the DAGAL network from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013/ under REA grant agreement number PITNGA-2011-289313,
and from the Spanish MINECO under grant number AYA2013-41243-P.Peer Reviewe
The role of grain size in AGN torus dust models
Fits the infrared spectra from the nuclear regions of AGN can place
constraints on the dust properties, distribution, and geometry by comparison
with models. However, none of the currently available models fully describe the
observations of AGN currently available. Among the aspects least explored, here
we focus on the role of dust grain size. We offer the community a new spectral
energy distribution (SED) library, hereinafter [GoMar23] model, which is based
on the two-phase torus model developed before with the inclusion of the grain
size as a model parameter, parameterized by the maximum grain size Psize or
equivalently the mass-weighted average grain size . We created 691,200
SEDs using the SKIRT code, where the maximum grain size can vary within the
range Psize = 0.01 - 10.0um ( = 0.007 - 3.41um). We fit this new and
several existing libraries to a sample of 68 nearby and luminous AGNs with
Spitzer/IRS spectra dominated by AGN-heated dust. We find that the [GoMar23]
model can adequately reproduce up to 85-88% of the spectra. The dust grain size
parameter significantly improves the final fit in up to 90% of these spectra.
Statistical tests indicate that the grain size is the third most important
parameter in the fitting procedure (after the size and half opening angle of
the torus). The requirement of a foreground extinction by our model is lower
compared to purely clumpy models. We find that 41% of our sample requires that
the maximum dust grain size is as large as Psize =10um (= 3.41um).
Nonetheless, we also remark that disk+wind and clumpy torus models are still
required to reproduce the spectra of a non-negligible fraction of objects,
suggesting the need for several dust geometries to explain the infrared
continuum of AGN. This work provides tentative evidence for dust grain growth
in the proximity of the AGN.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in A&
ValganciclovirâGanciclovir Use and Systematic Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. An Invitation to Antiviral Stewardship
Valganciclovir (VGCV) and ganciclovir (GCV) doses must be adjusted according to indication, renal function and weight. No specific therapeutic exposure values have been established. We aimed to evaluate the adequacy of VGCV/GCV doses, to assess the interpatient variability in GCV serum levels, to identify predictive factors for this variability and to assess the clinical impact. This is a prospective study at a tertiary institution including hospitalized patients receiving VGCV/GCV prophylaxis or treatment. Adequacy of the antiviral dose was defined according to cytomegalovirus guidelines. Serum levels were determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Blood samples were drawn at least 3 days after antiviral initiation. Outcome was considered favorable if there was no evidence of cytomegalovirus infection during prophylaxis or when a clinical and microbiological resolution was attained within 21 days of treatment and no need for drug discontinuation due to toxicity. Seventy consecutive patients [74.3% male/median age: 59.2 years] were included. VGCV was used in 25 patients (35.7%) and GCV in 45 (64.3%). VGCV/GCV initial dosage was deemed adequate in 47/70 cases (67.1%), lower than recommended in 7/70 (10%) and higher in 16/70 (22.9%). Large inter-individual variability of serum levels was observed, with median trough levels of 2.3 mg/L and median peak levels of 7.8 mg/L. Inadequate dosing of VGCV/GCV and peak levels lower than 8.37 or greater than 11.86 mg/L were related to poor outcome. Further studies must be performed to confirm these results and to conclusively establish if VGCV/GCV therapeutic drug monitoring could be useful to improve outcomes in specific clinical situations
Infeccion de la herida quirurgica y uso de antimicrobianos en enfermos operados en un hospital universitario
Tesis doctoral inedita leida en la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Medicina Preventiva. Fecha de lectura: 5 de Julio de 200
Evaluation of the Xpert Carba-R (Cepheid) Assay Using Contrived Bronchial Specimens from Patients with Suspicion of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia for the Detection of Prevalent Carbapenemases
There is a critical need for rapid diagnostic methods for multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in patients with a suspicion of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The Xpert Carba-R detects 5 targets for carbapenemase-producing organisms (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA-48, and blaIMP-1). Our objective was to evaluate the performance of this assay directly on bronchial aspirates and to correlate the cycle number for a positive result (Ct) with the bacterial count. Bronchial aspirates from patients with a suspicion of VAP were spiked with a dilution of 1 of 4 MDR organisms carrying the resistance genes detected by the test prepared to a final concentration of 102-105 cfu/mL. We used a ROC curve and provided areas under the curve (AUC) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). A point of maximum sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) was derived and validity indices were calculated. One hundred contrived tests were performed. Se and Sp were 100% for all bacterial counts. A positive sample with a Ct â€24.7 corresponded to a count â„105 cfu/mL; if the Ct was within the range >24.7-â€26.9, this corresponded to a count â„104 cfu/mL. When the Ct was >26.9, this corresponded to a count <104 cfu/mL. The Xpert Carba-R detects carbapenemase-producing organisms directly in contrived bronchial aspirates. Still, an important issue to consider is that the number of gene copies may vary according to many factors in vivo. If confirmed in further studies, the strong correlation observed between Ct values and the results of semiquantitative cultures suggests this test could serve to differentiate between infection and colonization in routine clinical practice.This work was supported by a grant from Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA. Cepheid provided the assay cartridges and paid for the laboratory expenses derived from the work. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S
Mixed bloodstream infections involving bacteria and Candida spp
Objectives: Polymicrobial bloodstream infection (BSI) is an imprecisely defined entity purportedly associated with a worse outcome than monomicrobial BSI. This study examines trends in BSI episodes caused by bacteria and Candida spp. (mixed-BSI) in a large teaching hospital.
Methods: All episodes of BSI from January 2000 to December 2010 were reviewed. Three groups (n=54 each) of patients were compared: all adults with mixed-BSI from January 2006 to December 2010 (cases) and randomly selected patients with polybacterial BSI (polyB-BSI) (Control 1) or Candida spp. BSI (Candida-BSI) (Control 2) in this same period.
Results: A total of 139 episodes of mixed-BSI were recorded (0.7% of all BSI, 6.9% of all poly-BSI and 18.0% of all Candida-BSI episodes). The incidence of mixed-BSI was 0.21 cases/1000 admissions, increasing from 0.08 (2000) to 0.34 (2010) cases/1000 admissions (PŒ0.007). Mixed-BSI represented 11.8% and 22.9% of all episodes of candidaemia in 2000 and 2010, respectively (PŒ0.011). Compared with polyB-BSI, mixed-BSI patients showed fewer malignancies, more frequent nosocomial or intravenous catheter BSI source and less frequent intra-abdominal origin, were more frequently admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), received more antimicrobials and showed a longer hospital stay and higher mortality. Compared with Candida-BSI, mixed-BSI patients showed more severe underlying diseases, were more frequently admitted to an ICU or oncology-haematology unit, showed a higher APACHE II score, more often progressed to septic shock or multiorgan failure and received more antimicrobials. Mortality was similar.
Conclusions: Mixed-BSI is a rare, distinct infection with a worse prognosis than polyB-BSI. We were unable to detect differences in the prognosis of mixed-BSI when compared with Candida-BSI