Far-infrared activity and starburst galaxies

After the IRAS discovery of galaxies with large far-infrared to blue luminosity ratio, it has been proposed that an enhanced star formation could be the origin of the far-infrared emission through dust heating. Whether a simple photometric model is able to account for the FIR and optical properties of IRAS galaxies was investigated. The L sub IR/L sub B ratio, (B-V) color and H sub alpha equivalent width of normal spirals are well reproduced with smooth star formation histories. In the case of starburst galaxies, several theoretical diagrams allow us to estimate the burst strength and extinction. L sub IR/L sub B ratio up to 100 can be rather easily reached, whereas extreme values probably require IMF truncated at the low end

Inorganic ion exchange membrane fuel cell quarterly progress report, period ending 10 apr. 1965

Inorganic ion exchange membrane for improving mass and heat transfer of fuel cells using palladium and platinum black as catalys

Constraints on the distance to SGR 1806-20 from HI absorption

The giant flare detected from the magnetar SGR 1806-20 on 2004 December 27 had a fluence more than 100 times higher than the only two other SGR flares ever recorded. Whereas the fluence is independent of distance, an estimate for the luminosity of the burst depends on the source's distance, which has previously been argued to be ~15 kpc. The burst produced a bright radio afterglow, against which Cameron et al. (2005) have measured an HI absorption spectrum. This has been used to propose a revised distance to SGR 1806-20 of between 6.4 and 9.8 kpc. Here we analyze this absorption spectrum, and compare it both to HI emission data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey and to archival 12-CO survey data. We confirm ~6 kpc, as a likely lower limit on the distance to SGR 1806-20, but argue that it is difficult to place an upper limit on the distance to SGR 1806-20 from the HI data currently available. The previous value of ~15 kpc thus remains the best estimate of the distance to the source.Comment: 3 pages, 1 embedded EPS figure. Added sentences to end of Abstract and Conclusion, clarifying that most likely distance is 15 kpc. ApJ Letters, in pres

Inorganic ion exchange membrane fuel cell quarterly progress report

Inorganic ion exchange membrane fuel cell - fuel cell performance test

A large local rotational speed for the Galaxy found from proper-motions: Implications for the mass of the Milky-Way

Predictions from a Galactic Structure and Kinematic model are compared to the absolute proper-motions of about 30,000 randomly selected stars with $9 < B_{\rm J} \le 19$ derived from the Southern Proper-Motion Program (SPM) toward the South Galactic Pole. The absolute nature of the SPM proper-motions allow us to measure not only the relative motion of the Sun with respect to the local disk, but also, and most importantly, the overall state of rotation of the local disk with respect to galaxies. The SPM data are best fit by models having a solar peculiar motion of +5 km~s$^{-1}$ in the V-component (pointing in the direction of Galactic rotation), a large LSR speed of 270 km~s$^{-1}$, and a disk velocity ellipsoid that points towards the Galactic center. We stress, however, that these results rest crucially on the assumptions of both axisymmetry and equilibrium dynamics. The absolute proper-motions in the U-component indicate a solar peculiar motion of $11.0 \pm 1.5$ km~s$^{-1}$, with no need for a local expansion or contraction term. The implications of the large LSR speed are discussed in terms of gravitational mass of the Galaxy inferred from the most recent and accurate determination for the proper-motion of the LMC. We find that our derived value for the LSR is consistent both with the mass of the Galaxy inferred from the motion of the Clouds ($3 - 4 \times 10^{12} M_\odot$ to $\sim 50$ kpc), as well as the timing argument, based on the binary motion of M31 and the Milky Way, and Leo I and the Milky Way ($\ge 1.2 \times 10^{12} M_\odot$ to $\sim 200$ kpc).Comment: 7 pages (AAS Latex macro v4.0), 2 B&W postscript figures, accepted for publication on ApJ, Letters sectio

A Neutral Hydrogen Self-Absorption Cloud in the SGPS

Using data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS) we analyze an HI self-absorption cloud centered on l = 318.0 deg, b = -0.5 deg, and velocity, v = -1.1 km/s. The cloud was observed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Parkes Radio Telescope, and is at a near kinematic distance of less than 400 pc with derived dimensions of less than 5 x 11 pc. We apply two different methods to find the optical depth and spin temperature. In both methods we find upper limit spin temperatures ranging from 20 K to 25 K and lower limit optical depths ~ 1. We look into the nature of the HI emission and find that 60-70% originates behind the cloud. We analyze a second cloud at the same velocity centered on l = 319 deg and b = 0.4 deg with an upper limit spin temperature of 20 K and a lower limit optical depth of 1.6. The similarities in spin temperature, optical depth, velocity, and spatial location are evidence the clouds are associated, possibly as one large cloud consisting of smaller clumps of gas. We compare HI emission data with 12CO emission and find a physical association of the HI self-absorption cloud with molecular gas.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, 5 tables; Accepted for publication in ApJ. A version with higher quality images availabe at http://www.astro.umn.edu/~dkavars/ms.p

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preterm Birth and Later Systolic Blood Pressure

Lower birth weight because of fetal growth restriction is associated with higher blood pressure later in life, but the extent to which preterm birth ( <37 completed weeks' gestation) or very low birth weight ( <1500 g) predicts higher blood pressure is less clear. We performed a systematic review of 27 observational studies that compared the resting or ambulatory systolic blood pressure or diagnosis of hypertension among children, adolescents, and adults born preterm or very low birth weight with those born at term. We performed a meta-analysis with the subset of 10 studies that reported the resting systolic blood pressure difference in millimeters of mercury with 95% CIs or SEs. We assessed methodologic quality with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The 10 studies were composed of 1342 preterm or very low birth weight and 1738 term participants from 8 countries. The mean gestational age at birth of the preterm participants was 30.2 weeks (range: 28.8-34.1 weeks), birth weight was 1280 g (range: 1098-1958 g), and age at systolic blood pressure measurement was 17.8 years (range: 6.3-22.4 years). Former preterm or very low birth weight infants had higher systolic blood pressure than term infants (pooled estimate: 2.5 mm Hg [95% CI: 1.7-3.3 mm Hg]). For the 5 highest quality studies, the systolic blood pressure difference was slightly greater, at 3.8 mm Hg (95% CI: 2.6-5.0 mm Hg). We conclude that infants who are born preterm or very low birth weight have modestly higher systolic blood pressure later in life and may be at increased risk for developing hypertension and its sequela

Quality of life of pseudophakic patients with accommodative intraocular lens implant

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual function and satisfaction of patients who underwent cataract surgery and were implanted with an accommodative intraocular lens and the impact in their quality of life. METHODS: Retrospectively, questionnaires applied one year after cataract surgery of 22 patients who were included in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a silicone multipiece intraocular lens designed to provide distance and near vision were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with mean age of 70.2 years were enrolled in the study. Sixteen (73%) patients received bilateral and 6 (27%) unilateral implants of the unilateral implant group, 5 (83.3%) patients declared marked improvement of vision, 1 (16.7%) referred maximum improvement. Regarding satisfaction, 5 (83.3%) declared to be satisfied and 1 (16.7%) was very satisfied with the results of the surgery in general. Night vision was declared as without difficulty by 3 patients (50.0%), mild difficulty by 2 (33.3%) and moderate difficulty by 1 (16.7%). In the bilateral group, 7 (43.8%) considered near vision to be of excellent quality, 7 (43.8%) very good, 1 (6.2%) adequate and 1 (6.2%) poor. The quality of intermediate vision was classified as excellent by 6 (37.5%) patients, very good by 9 (56.3%) and adequate by 1 (6.2%). The quality of distance vision was considered excellent by 9 (56.3%) patients, very good by 3 (43.8%), adequate by 2 (12.5%) and not very good by 2 (12.5%). Regarding night vision, 9 (56.3%) patients declared no difficulty, 5 (31.2%) mild difficulty and 2 (12.5%) moderate difficulty. CONCLUSION: Considering IOL optical property, most patients presented important improvement of visual function, without need to wear spectacles and with positive impact on their quality of life.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a função visual e satisfação dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de catarata com implante de lente intra-ocular acomodativa e o impacto na sua qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Retrospectivamente, foram avaliados questionários aplicados após um ano da cirurgia de 22 pacientes que foram incluídos num estudo clínico para avaliar segurança e eficácia de uma lente intra-ocular de silicone de câmara posterior designada para corrigir visão para longe e perto. RESULTADOS: Do total dos pacientes operados, 16 (73%) eram bilaterais e 6 (27%) unilaterais, com idade média de 70,2 anos. Dos pacientes com implante unilateral, 5 (83,3%) declararam melhora acentuada da visão e 1 (16,7%) referiu máxima melhora. Quanto ao nível de satisfação, 5 (83,3%) ficaram satisfeitos e 1 (16,7%) muito satisfeito com o resultado cirúrgico. A visão noturna foi declarada como sem dificuldade por 3 (50,0%), pouca dificuldade por 2 (33,3%) e dificuldade moderada por 1 (16,7%). No grupo bilateral, 7 (43,8%) consideraram excelente a qualidade da visão para perto, 7 (43,8%) muito boa, 1 (6,2%) adequada e 1 (6,2%) ruim. A visão intermediária foi classificada como excelente por 6 (37,5%), muito boa por 9 (56,3%) e adequada por 1 (6,2%). A qualidade da visão para longe foi considerada excelente por 9 (56,3%), muito boa por 3 (43,8%), adequada por 2 (12,5%) e não muito boa por 2 (12,5%). Em relação à visão noturna 9 (56,3%) declararam não ter dificuldade alguma, 5 (31,2%) pouca dificuldade e 2 (12,5%) dificuldade moderada. CONCLUSÕES: Considerando a propriedade óptica da LIO, a maioria dos pacientes apresentou uma melhora considerável da função visual, sem a necessidade de correção óptica, e, portanto, com impacto positivo na qualidade de vida.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Oftalmologia Setor de Pesquisa ClínicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Instituto da Catarata Departamento de OftalmologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Oftalmologia Setor de Cirurgia ExperimentalUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Setor de Pesquisa ClínicaUNIFESP, Instituto da Catarata Depto. de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Setor de Cirurgia ExperimentalUNIFESP, Depto. de OftalmologiaSciEL

Complex gastroschisis: a new indication for fetal surgery?

Gastroschisis (GS) is a congenital abdominal wall defect, in which the bowel eviscerates from the abdominal cavity. It is a non-lethal isolated anomaly and its pathogenesis is hypothesized to occur as a result of two hits: primary rupture of the ‘physiological’ umbilical hernia (congenital anomaly) followed by progressive damage of the eviscerated bowel (secondary injury). The second hit is thought to be caused by a combination of mesenteric ischemia from constriction in the abdominal wall defect and prolonged amniotic fluid exposure with resultant inflammatory damage, which eventually leads to bowel dysfunction and complications. GS can be classified as either simple or complex, with the latter being complicated by a combination of intestinal atresia, stenosis, perforation, volvulus and/or necrosis. Complex GS requires multiple neonatal surgeries and is associated with significantly greater postnatal morbidity and mortality than is simple GS. The intrauterine reduction of the eviscerated bowel before irreversible damage occurs and subsequent defect closure may diminish or potentially prevent the bowel damage and other fetal and neonatal complications associated with this condition. Serial prenatal amnioexchange has been studied in cases with GS as a potential intervention but never adopted because of its unproven benefit in terms of survival and bowel and lung function. We believe that recent advances in prenatal diagnosis and fetoscopic surgery justify reconsideration of the antenatal management of complex GS under the rubric of the criteria for fetal surgery established by the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society (IFMSS). Herein, we discuss how conditions for fetoscopic repair of complex GS might be favorable according to the IFMSS criteria, including an established natural history, an accurate prenatal diagnosis, absence of fully effective perinatal treatment due to prolonged need for neonatal intensive care, experimental evidence for fetoscopic repair and maternal and fetal safety of fetoscopy in expert fetal centers. Finally, we propose a research agenda that will help overcome barriers to progress and provide a pathway toward clinical implementation. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology