The Optical Polarization and Warm Absorber in IRAS 17020+4544

We report the detection of ionized absorption in the ASCA spectrum of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 17020+4544. Subsequent optical spectropolarimetry revealed high polarization increasing from 3% in the red to 5% in the blue, indicating electron or dust scattering as a likely origin. The broad emission line H$\alpha$ is somewhat less polarized than the continuum, supporting a location of the polarizing material within the AGN. The Balmer line decrement and reddened optical spectrum support the presence of a dusty warm absorber in this object. We compared the broad band optical polarization and ionized X-ray absorption of a collection of Seyfert 1 and 1.5 galaxies, excluding classes of objects that are likely to have significant neutral X-ray absorption. Warm absorber objects are generally more likely to have high optical polarization than objects with no detected ionized absorption. This result lends additional support to the idea that the warm absorber is associated with dust and implies either that dust transmission is responsible for at least part of the polarization or that the polarization is revealed because of the dimming of the optical spectrum. Spectropolarimetry of Seyfert 1s generally locates the scattering material inside the narrow-line region and often close to or within the broad line region, consistent with estimates of the location of the dusty warm absorber.Comment: 11 pages using (AASTeX) aaspp4.sty and 3 Postscript figures. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter

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

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

Peripheral physiological mechanisms of cardiovascular stress reactivity

This thesis aimed to increase understanding of the underlying physiological sources of the substantial inter-individual variability in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) reactions to acute psychological stress. This aim was achieved using a multi-method approach that included meta-analysis, laboratory studies, and prospective secondary analysis of epidemiological data. Chapter 2 implicated beta-adrenergic sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal in the cardiovascular stress response and showed that autonomic changes vary as a function of stress task, age, and sex. Chapter 3 demonstrated that individual differences in a unique HR complexity marker accounted for a significant amount of the observed variance in HR reactivity and that this effect was independent of task performance and changes in autonomic activity and respiration. Chapter 4 revealed that individual differences in resting physiological allostatic load related to HR reactivity such that higher allostatic load indicated lower reactivity. Finally, in Chapter 5, multivariate cluster analysis of HR, systolic and diastolic BP reactivity resolved a large sample into four homogenous clusters, each displaying significantly different reactivity patterns and risk of hypertension at 5-year follow-up. The research reported in this thesis confirms already suspected physiological sources of individual difference but also reveals novel sources that deserve further inquiry

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

Blunted cardiac stress reactors exhibit relatively high levels of behavioural impulsivity

Blunted physiological reactions to acute psychological stress are associated with a range of adverse health and behavioural outcomes. This study examined whether extreme stress reactors differ in their behavioural impulsivity. Individuals showing blunted (N = 23) and exaggerated (N = 23) cardiovascular reactions to stress were selected by screening a healthy student population (N = 276). Behavioural impulsivity was measured via inhibitory control and motor impulsivity tasks. Blunted reactors exhibited greater impulsivity than exaggerated reactors on both stop-signal, F(1,41) = 4.99, p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.108, and circle drawing, F(1,43) = 4.00, p = 0.05, η p 2 = 0.085, tasks. Individuals showing blunted cardiovascular stress reactions are characterized by greater impulsivity which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to outcomes such as obesity and addiction

Transnationalism and Social Work Education

Transnational movements, networks, and relationships are everywhere in this “world on the move” (Williams & Graham, 2014, p. i1). Transnational peoples maintain relationships of interdependence and support with families and communities in their places of origin, often returning regularly, while starting new lives and making new connections. Transnationalism is characterized by mobilities and networks, by social integration, and by extended and extensive relationship ties of family, neighborhood, religious faith, or combinations thereof (Valtonen, 2008). While disciplines across the world including sociology, human geography, and cultural anthropology engage with the implications of transnationalism (Bauböck & Faist, 2010), social work in England and mainland Europe has not achieved similar levels of engagement. As Cox and Geisen state: “the social world is being transformed by migration and social work is playing catch-up” (2014, p. i162)