Jet directions in Seyfert galaxies: B and I imaging data

We present the results of broad-band B and I imaging observations for a sample of 88 Seyfert galaxies (29 Seyfert 1's and 59 Seyfert 2's), selected from a mostly isotropic property, the flux at 60$\mu$m. We also present the B and I imaging results for an additional sample of 20 Seyfert galaxies (7 Seyfert 1's and 13 Seyfert 2's), selected from the literature and known to have extended radio emission. The I band images are fitted with ellipses to determine the position angle and ellipticity of the host galaxy major axis. This information will be used in a future paper, combined with information from radio observations, to study the orientation of radio jets relative to the plane of their host galaxies (Kinney et al. 2000). Here we present surface brightness profiles and magnitudes in the B and I bands, as well as mean ellipticities and major axis position angles.Comment: To appear in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, June 2000. 48 pages, 7 tables, 19 gif and 11 postscript figures. Better quality figures can be obtained with the autho

Detection of Polarized Broad Emission in the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Mrk 573

We report the discovery of the scattered emission from a hidden broad-line region (BLR) in a Seyfert 2 galaxy, Mrk 573, based on our recent spectropolarimetric observation performed at the Subaru Telescope. This object has been regarded as a type 2 AGN without a hidden BLR by the previous observations. However, our high quality spectrum of the polarized flux of Mrk 573 shows prominent broad (~3000 km/s) H_alpha emission, broad weak H_beta emission, and subtle Fe II multiplet emission. Our new detection of these indications for the presence of the hidden BLR in the nucleus of Mrk 573 is thought to be owing to the high signal-to-noise ratio of our data, but the possibility of a time variation of the scattered BLR emission is also mentioned. Some diagnostic quantities such as the IRAS color, the radio power, and the line ratio of the emission from the narrow-line region of Mrk 573 are consistent with the distributions of such quantities of type 2 AGNs with a hidden BLR. Mrk 573 is thought to be an object whose level of the AGN activity is the weakest among the type 2 AGNs with a hidden BLR. In terms of the systematic differences between the type 2 AGNs with and without a hidden BLR, we briefly comment on an interesting Seyfert 2 galaxy, Mrk 266SW, which may possess a hidden BLR but has been treated as a type 2 AGNs without a hidden BLR.Comment: 9 pages including 6 figures, to appear in The Astronomical Journa

An Investigation into the Geometry of Seyfert Galaxies

We present a new method for the statistical investigation into the distributions of the angle beta between the radio axis and the normal to the galactic disk for a sample of Seyfert galaxies. We discuss how further observations of the sample galaxies can strengthen the conclusions. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that AGN jets are oriented randomly in space, independent of the position of the plane of the galaxy. By making the simple assumption that the Standard Model of AGN holds, with a universal opening angle of the thick torus of phi_c, we demonstrate a statistical method to obtain an estimate of phi_c. Our data are not consistent with the simple-minded idea that Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s are differentiated solely by whether or not our line of sight lies within some fixed angle of the jet axis. Our result is significant on the 2 sigma level and can thus be considered only suggestive, not conclusive. A complete sample of Seyfert galaxies selected on an isotropic property is required to obtain a conclusive result.Comment: 13 pages, Tex, 5 Postscript figures. Accepted Ap

Direct measurement of the jet geometry in Seyfert galaxies

We demonstrate that, by combining optical, radio and X-ray observations of a Seyfert, it is possible to provide a direct measurement of the angle $\beta$ between the direction of the radio jet and the normal to the plane of the spiral host galaxy. To do so, we make the assumptions that the inner radio jet is perpendicular to the X-ray observed inner accretion disk, and that the observed jet (or the stronger component, if the jet is two-sided) is physically closer to Earth than the plane of the galaxy. We draw attention to the possibility of measurement producing a result which is not self-consistent, in which case for that galaxy, one of the assumptions must fail.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letter

Health of Philippine Emigrants Study (HoPES): study design and rationale.

BackgroundImmigrants to the United States are usually healthier than their U.S.-born counterparts, yet the health of immigrants declines with duration of stay in the U.S. This pattern is often seen for numerous health problems such as obesity, and is usually attributed to acculturation (the adoption of "American" behaviors and norms). However, an alternative explanation is secular trends, given that rates of obesity have been rising globally. Few studies of immigrants are designed to distinguish the effects of acculturation versus secular trends, in part because most studies of immigrants are cross-sectional, lack baseline data prior to migration, and do not have a comparison group of non-migrants in the country of origin. This paper describes the Health of Philippine Emigrants Study (HoPES), a study designed to address many of these limitations.MethodsHoPES is a dual-cohort, longitudinal, transnational study. The first cohort consisted of Filipinos migrating to the United States (n = 832). The second cohort consisted of non-migrant Filipinos who planned to remain in the Philippines (n = 805). Baseline data were collected from both cohorts in 2017 in the Philippines, with follow-up data collection planned over 3 years in either the U.S. for the migrant cohort or the Philippines for the non-migrant cohort. At baseline, interviewers administered semi-structured questionnaires that assessed demographic characteristics, diet, physical activity, stress, and immigration experiences. Interviewers also measured weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, and collected dried blood spot samples.DiscussionMigrants enrolled in the study appear to be representative of recent Filipino migrants to the U.S. Additionally, migrant and non-migrant study participants are comparable on several characteristics that we attempted to balance at baseline, including age, gender, and education. HoPES is a unique study that approximates a natural experiment from which to study the effects of immigration on obesity and other health problems. A number of innovative methodological strategies were pursued to expand the boundaries of current immigrant health research. Key to accomplishing this research was investment in building collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the U.S. and the Philippines with shared interest in the health of migrants

Unsedated transnasal endoscopy:a safe, well-tolerated and accurate alternative to standard diagnostic peroral endoscopy

Diagnostic unsedated transnasal endoscopy (uTNE) has been proven to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Although its utilization in the United Kingdom (UK) is increasing, it is currently available in only a few centers. Through consideration of recent studies, we aimed to perform an updated review of the technological advances in uTNE, consider their impact on diagnostic accuracy, and to determine the role of uTNE in the COVID-19 era. Current literature has shown that the diagnostic accuracy of uTNE for identification of esophageal pathology is equivalent to conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy (cEGD). Concerns regarding suction and biopsy size have been addressed by the introduction of TNE scopes with working channels of 2.4 mm. Advances in imaging have improved detection of early gastric cancers. The procedure is associated with less cardiac stress and reduced aerosol production; when combined with no need for sedation and improved rates of patient turnover, uTNE is an efficient and safe alternative to cEGD in the COVID-19 era. We conclude that advances in technology have improved the diagnostic accuracy of uTNE to the point where it could be considered the first line diagnostic endoscopic investigation in the majority of patients. It could also play a central role in the recovery of diagnostic endoscopic services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Chronic cough—the limitation and advances in assessment techniques

Accurate and consistent assessments of cough are essential to advance the understanding of the mechanisms of cough and individualised the management of patients. Considerable progress has been made in this work. Here we reviewed the currently available tools for subjectively and objectively measuring both cough sensitivity and severity. We also provided some opinions on the new techniques and future directions. The simple and practical Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), and the Cough Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (CQLQ) are the most widely used self-reported questionnaires for evaluating and quantifying cough severity. The Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire (HARQ) is a tool to elucidate the constellation of symptoms underlying the diagnosis of chronic cough. Chemical excitation tests are widely used to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of the cough reflex, such as capsaicin, citric acid and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) challenge test. Cough frequency is an ideal primary endpoint for clinical research, but the application of cough counters has been limited in clinical practice by the high cost and reliance on aural validation. The ongoing development of cough detection technology for smartphone apps and wearable devices will hopefully simplify cough counting, thus transitioning it from niche research to a widely available clinical application