The spectral catalogue of INTEGRAL gamma-ray bursts: results of the joint IBIS/SPI spectral analysis

We present the updated INTEGRAL catalogue of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed between December 2002 and February 2012. The catalogue contains the spectral parameters for 59 GRBs localized by the INTEGRAL Burst Alert System (IBAS). We used the data from the two main instruments on board the INTEGRAL satellite: the spectrometer SPI (SPectrometer on INTEGRAL) nominally covering the energy range 18 keV - 8 MeV, and the imager IBIS (the Imager on Board the INTEGRAL Satellite) operating in the range from 15 keV to 10 MeV. For the spectral analysis we applied a new data extraction technique, developed in order to explore the energy regions of highest sensitivity for both instruments, SPI and IBIS. It allowed us to perform analysis of the GRB spectra over a broad energy range and to determine the bursts' spectral peak energies. The spectral analysis was performed on the whole sample of GRBs triggered by IBAS, including all the events observed in period December 2002 - February 2012. The catalogue contains the trigger times, burst coordinates, positional errors, durations and peak fluxes for 28 unpublished GRBs observed between September 2008 and February 2012. The light curves in 20 - 200 keV energy band of these events were derived using IBIS data. We compare the prompt emission properties of the INTEGRAL GRB sample with the BATSE and Fermi samples.Comment: 16 pages, 40 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Are GRB 980425 and GRB 031203 real outliers or twins of GRB 060218?

GRB 980425 and GRB 031203 are apparently two outliers with respect to the correlation between the isotropic equivalent energy E_iso emitted in the prompt radiation phase and the peak frequency E_peak of the spectrum in a vF(v) representation (the so-called Amati relation). We discuss if these two bursts are really different from the others or if their location in the E_iso-E_peak plane is the result of other effects, such as viewing them off-axis, or through a scattering screen, or a misinterpretation of their spectral properties. The latter case seems particularly interesting after GRB 060218, that, unlike GRB 031203 and GRB 980425, had a prompt emission detected both in hard and soft X-rays which lasted ~2800 seconds. This allowed to determine its E_peak and total emitted energy. Although it shares with GRB 031203 the total energetics, it is not an outlier with respect to the Amati correlation. We then investigate if a hard-to-soft spectral evolution in GRB 031203 and GRB 980425, consistent with all the observed properties, can give rise to a time integrated spectrum with an E_peak consistent with the Amati relation.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Behind the dust curtain: the spectacular case of GRB 160623A

We report on the X-ray dust-scattering features observed around the afterglow of the gamma ray burst GRB 160623A. With an XMM-Newton observation carried out ~2 days after the burst, we found evidence of at least six rings, with angular size expanding between ~2 and 9 arcmin, as expected for X-ray scattering of the prompt GRB emission by dust clouds in our Galaxy. From the expansion rate of the rings, we measured the distances of the dust layers with extraordinary precision: 528.1 +\- 1.2 pc, 679.2 +\- 1.9 pc, 789.0 +\- 2.8 pc, 952 +\- 5 pc, 1539 +\- 20 pc and 5079 +\- 64 pc. A spectral analysis of the ring spectra, based on an appropriate dust-scattering model (BARE-GR-B from Zubko et al. 2004}) and the estimated burst fluence, allowed us to derive the column density of the individual dust layers, which are in the range 7x10^20-1.5x10^22 cm^-2. The farthest dust-layer (i.e. the one responsible for the smallest ring) is also the one with the lowest column density and it is possibly very extended, indicating a diffuse dust region. The properties derived for the six dust-layers (distance, thickness, and optical depth) are generally in good agreement with independent information on the reddening along this line of sight and on the distribution of molecular and atomic gas.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in MNRA

Emerging evidence for Q fever in humans in Denmark: role of contact with dairy cattle

AbstractUntil recently, Q fever was notified in very low numbers annually in Denmark and it was always considered to be acquired abroad. Preliminary reports now describe Coxiella burnetii in milk samples from Danish dairy cattle. Serum samples of a large cohort of farmers, veterinarians, inseminators and hoof trimmers, all having occupational contact with dairy cattle, were tested for the presence of IgG to phase I and phase II antigens of C. burnetii. In 39 of 359 individuals studied (11%), the presence of antibodies to C. burnetii was found. Veterinarians had the highest seropositivity rate (36%). This survey suggests that C. burnetii is a recently recognized domestic infection in Denmark and that risk of infection is associated with occupation

Overcoming barriers to timely recognition and treatment of cancer cachexia: Sharing Progress in Cancer Care Task Force Position Paper and Call to Action

Cachexia is a life-threatening disorder affecting an estimated 50–80% of cancer patients. The loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with cachexia is associated with an increased risk of anticancer treatment toxicity, surgical complications and reduced response. Despite international guidelines, the identification and management of cancer cachexia remains a significant unmet need owing in part to the lack of routine screening for malnutrition and suboptimal integration of nutrition and metabolic care into clinical oncology practice. In June 2020, Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC) convened a multidisciplinary task force of medical experts and patient advocates to examine the barriers preventing the timely recognition of cancer cachexia, and provide practical recommendations to improve clinical care. This position paper summarises the key points and highlights available resources to support the integration of structured nutrition care pathways

Integrity and life estimation of turbine runner cover in a hydro power plant

This paper presents integrity and life estimation of turbine runner cover in a vertical pipe turbines,Kaplan 200 MW nominal output power, produced in Russia, and built in six hydro-generation units ofhydroelectric power plant „Đerdap 1” in Serbia. Fatigue and corrosion-fatigue interaction have been taken intoaccount using experimentally obtained material properties, as well as analytical and numerical calculations ofstress state, to estimate appropriate safety factors. Fatigue crack growth rate, da/dN, was also calculated,indicated that internal defects of circular or elliptical shape, found out by ultrasonic testing, do not affect reliableoperation of runner cover

Gene electrotransfer of IL-2 and IL-12 plasmids effectively eradicated murine B16.F10 melanoma

Gene therapy has become an important approach for treating cancer, and electroporation represents a technology for introducing therapeutic genes into a cell. An example of cancer gene therapy relying on gene electrotransfer is the use of immunomodulatory cytokines, such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) and 12 (IL-12), which directly stimulate immune cells at the tumour site. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of gene electrotransfer with two plasmids encoding IL-2 and IL-12 in vitro and in vivo. Two different pulse protocols, known as EP1 (600 V/cm, 5 ms, 1 Hz, 8 pulses) and EP2 (1300 V/cm, 100 µs, 1 Hz, 8 pulses), were assessed in vitro for application in subsequent in vivo experiments. In the in vivo experiment, gene electrotransfer of pIL-2 and pIL-12 using the EP1 protocol was performed in B16.F10 murine melanoma. Combined treatment of tumours using pIL2 and pIL12 induced significant tumour growth delay and 71% complete tumour regression. Furthermore, in tumours coexpressing IL-2 and IL-12, increased accumulation of dendritic cells and M1 macrophages was obtained along with the activation of proinflammatory signals, resulting in CD4 + and CD8 + T-lymphocyte recruitment and immune memory development in the mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated high antitumour efficacy of combined IL-2 and IL-12 gene electrotransfer protocols in low-immunogenicity murine B16.F10 melanoma