45 research outputs found
The optically unbiased GRB host (TOUGH) survey. III. Redshift distribution
We present 10 new gamma-ray burst (GRB) redshifts and another five redshift
limits based on host galaxy spectroscopy obtained as part of a large program
conducted at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The redshifts span the range 0.345
< z < 2.54. Three of our measurements revise incorrect values from the
literature. The homogeneous host sample researched here consists of 69 hosts
that originally had a redshift completeness of 55% (with 38 out of 69 hosts
having redshifts considered secure). Our project, including VLT/X-shooter
observations reported elsewhere, increases this fraction to 77% (53/69), making
the survey the most comprehensive in terms of redshift completeness of any
sample to the full Swift depth, analyzed to date. We present the cumulative
redshift distribution and derive a conservative, yet small, associated
uncertainty. We constrain the fraction of Swift GRBs at high redshift to a
maximum of 14% (5%) for z > 6 (z > 7). The mean redshift of the host sample is
assessed to be > 2.2, with the 10 new redshifts reducing it significantly.
Using this more complete sample, we confirm previous findings that the GRB rate
at high redshift (z > 3) appears to be in excess of predictions based on
assumptions that it should follow conventional determinations of the star
formation history of the universe, combined with an estimate of its likely
metallicity dependence. This suggests that either star formation at high
redshifts has been significantly underestimated, for example due to a dominant
contribution from faint, undetected galaxies, or that GRB production is
enhanced in the conditions of early star formation, beyond that usually
ascribed to lower metallicity.Comment: 12 pages, 19 figures. ApJ, in pres
An Optical Time-Delay for the Lensed BAL Quasar HE2149-2745
We present optical V and i-band light curves of the gravitationally lensed
BAL quasar HE2149-2745. The data, obtained with the 1.5m Danish Telescope
(ESO-La Silla) between October 1998 and December 2000, are the first from a
long-term project aimed at monitoring selected lensed quasars in the Southern
Hemisphere. A time delay of 103+/-12 days is determined from the light curves.
In addition, VLT/FORS1 spectra of HE2149-2745 are deconvolved in order to
obtain the spectrum of the faint lensing galaxy, free of any contamination by
the bright nearby two quasar images. By cross-correlating the spectrum with
galaxy-templates we obtain a tentative redshift estimate of z=0.495+/-0.01.
Adopting this redshift, a Omega=0.3, Lambda=0.7 cosmology, and a chosen
analytical lens model, our time-delay measurement yields a Hubble constant of
H_0=66+/-8 km/s/Mpc with an estimated systematic error of +/-3 km/s/Mpc. Using
non-parametric models yields H_0=65+/-8 km/s/Mpc and confirms that the lens
exhibits a very dense/concentrated mass profile.Comment: 11 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
COSMOGRAIL: the COSmological MOnitoring of GRAvItational Lenses IX. Time delays, lens dynamics and baryonic fraction in HE 0435-1223
We present accurate time delays for the quadruply imaged quasar HE 0435-1223.
The delays were measured from 575 independent photometric points obtained in
the R-band between January 2004 and March 2010. With seven years of data, we
clearly show that quasar image A is affected by strong microlensing variations
and that the time delays are best expressed relative to quasar image B. We
measured Delta_t(BC) = 7.8+/-0.8 days, Delta_t(BD) = -6.5+/-0.7 days and
Delta_t_CD = -14.3+/-0.8 days. We spacially deconvolved HST NICMOS2 F160W
images to derive accurate astrometry of the quasar images and to infer the
light profile of the lensing galaxy. We combined these images with a stellar
population fitting of a deep VLT spectrum of the lensing galaxy to estimate the
baryonic fraction, , in the Einstein radius. We measured f_b =
0.65+0.13-0.10 if the lensing galaxy has a Salpeter IMF and f_b =
0.45+0.04-0.07 if it has a Kroupa IMF. The spectrum also allowed us to estimate
the velocity dispersion of the lensing galaxy, sigma_ap = 222+/-34 km/s. We
used f_b and sigma_ap to constrain an analytical model of the lensing galaxy
composed of an Hernquist plus generalized NFW profile. We solve the Jeans
equations numerically for the model and explored the parameter space under the
additional requirement that the model must predict the correct astrometry for
the quasar images. Given the current error bars on f_b and sigma_ap, we did not
constrain H0 yet with high accuracy, i.e., we found a broad range of models
with chi^2 < 1. However, narrowing this range is possible, provided a better
velocity dispersion measurement becomes available. In addition, increasing the
depth of the current HST imaging data of HE 0435-1223 will allow us to combine
our constraints with lens reconstruction techniques that make use of the full
Einstein ring that is visible in this object.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, final version accepted for publication by A&
Quasar Host Galaxies in the FORS Deep Field
(abriged)In this paper we study different properties of quasars and their
host galaxies at high redshifts up to z~3.4. We compare our results to those of
other authors and discuss the correlation between galaxy evolution and quasar
activity. We analysed broad-band images in eight filters (from U to K) of eight
quasars in the FORS Deep Field with redshifts between z=0.87 and z=3.37. A
fully 2-dimensional decomposition was carried out to detect and resolve the
host galaxies. We were able to resolve the host galaxies of two out of eight
quasars between z=0.87 and z=2.75. Additionally, two host galaxies were
possibly resolved. The resolved low-redshift quasar (z=0.9) was identified as a
late type galaxy with a moderate star formation rate of 1.8 M_{sun}/yr hosting
a supermassive black hole with a mass of <10^{8}M_{sun}. The resolved high
redshift host galaxy (z=2.8) shows moderate star formation of 4.4-6.9
M_{sun}/yr, for the black hole mass we found a lower limit of >10^{7}M_{sun}.
All quasars host supermassive black hole with masses in the range
~10^{7}-10^{9}M_{sun}. Our findings are well consistent with those of other
authors.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, 11 tables, accepted for publication in A&
Topical NSAIDs for chronic musculoskeletal pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
A previous systematic review reported that topical NSAIDs were effective in relieving pain in chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and tendinitis. More trials, a better understanding of trial quality and bias, and a reclassification of certain drugs necessitate a new review. Studies were identified by searching electronic databases, and writing to manufacturers. We identified randomised, double blind trials comparing topical NSAID with either placebo or another active treatment, in adults with chronic pain. The primary outcome was a reduction in pain of approximately 50% at two weeks, and secondary outcomes were local and systemic adverse events and adverse event-related withdrawals. Relative benefit and number-needed-to-treat (NNT), and relative harm and number-needed-to-harm (NNH) were calculated, and the effects of trial quality, validity and size, outcome reported, and condition treated, were examined by sensitivity analyses. Twelve new trials were added to 13 trials from a previous review. Fourteen double blind placebo-controlled trials had information from almost 1,500 patients. Topical NSAID was significantly better than placebo with relative benefit 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 2.2), NNT 4.6 (95% confidence interval 3.8 to 5.9). Results were not affected by trial quality, validity or size, outcome reported, or condition treated. Three trials with 764 patients comparing a topical with an oral NSAID found no difference in efficacy. Local adverse events (6%), systemic adverse events (3%), or the numbers withdrawing due to an adverse event were the same for topical NSAID and placebo. Topical NSAIDs were effective and safe in treating chronic musculoskeletal conditions for two weeks. Larger and longer trials are necessary to fully elucidate the place of topical NSAIDs in clinical practice
Galaxy counterparts of intervening high-z sub-DLAs/DLAs and MgII absorbers towards gamma-ray bursts
We present the first search for galaxy counterparts of intervening high-z
(2<z< 3.6) sub-DLAs and DLAs towards GRBs. Our final sample comprises of five
intervening sub-DLAs and DLAs in four GRB fields. To identify candidate galaxy
counterparts of the absorbers we use deep optical and near-infrared imaging,
and low-, mid- and high-resolution spectroscopy acquired with 6 to 10-m class
telescopes, the Hubble and the Spitzer space telescopes. Furthermore, we use
the spectroscopic information and spectral-energy-distribution fitting
techniques to study them in detail. Our main result is the detection and
spectroscopic confirmation of the galaxy counterpart of the intervening DLA at
z=3.096 in the field of GRB 070721B (z_GRB=3.6298) as proposed by other
authors. We also identify good candidates for the galaxy counterparts of the
two strong MgII absorbers at z=0.6915 and 1.4288 towards GRB 050820A
(z_GRB=2.615). The properties of the detected DLA galaxy are typical for
Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at similar redshifts; a young, highly starforming
galaxy that shows evidence for a galactic outflow. This supports the hypothesis
that a DLA can be the gaseous halo of an LBG. In addition, we report a redshift
coincidence of different objects associated with metal lines in the same field,
separated by 130-161 kpc. The high detection rate of three correlated
structures on a length scale as small as ~150 kpc in two pairs of lines of
sight is intriguing. The absorbers in each of these are most likely not part of
the same gravitationally bound structure. They more likely represent groups of
galaxies.Comment: A&A, accepted; 20 pages in journal format; 12 pages main text, 1 page
references, 1 page appendix, 14 figures, 8 tables. Note, Tables 1 and 4 look
different than in the journal but are identica
The Skin, Cold and Winter Sports
peer reviewedWinter sports are responsible for various dermatoses which could be often avoided by simple preventive procedures. Both the severity and duration of cold exposure combined with wind speed, altitude and environmental hygrometric value govern the potential types of cold injuries
DECPHOT: An Optimal Deconvolution-based Photometric Reduction Method
A high accuracy photometric reduction method is needed to take full advantage of the potential of the transit method for the detection and characterization of exoplanets, especially in deep crowded fields. In this context, we present DECPHOT, a new deconvolution-based photometry algorithm able to deal with a very high level of crowding and large variations of seeing. It also increases the resolution of astronomical images, an important advantage for the discrimination of false positives in transit photometry