Mapping PAH sizes in NGC 7023 with SOFIA

NGC 7023 is a well-studied reflection nebula, which shows strong emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules in the form of aromatic infrared bands (AIBs). The spectral variations of the AIBs in this region are connected to the chemical evolution of the PAH molecules which, in turn, depends on the local physical conditions. We use the capabilities of SOFIA to observe a 3.2' x 3.4' region of NGC 7023 at wavelengths that we observe with high spatial resolution (2.7") at 3.3 and 11.2 um. We compare the SOFIA images with existing images of the PAH emission at 8.0 um (Spitzer), emission from evaporating very small grains (eVSG) extracted from Spitzer-IRS spectral cubes, the ERE (HST and CFHT), and H_2 (2.12 um). We create maps of the 11.2/3.3 um ratio to probe the morphology of the PAH size distribution and the 8.0/11.2 um ratio to probe the PAH ionization. We make use of an emission model and of vibrational spectra from the NASA Ames PAHdb to translate the 11.2/3.3 um ratio to PAH sizes. The 11.2/3.3 um map shows the smallest PAH concentrate on the PDR surface (H_2 and extended red emission) in the NW and South PDR. We estimated that PAHs in the NW PDR bear, on average, a number of carbon atoms (N_c) of ~70 in the PDR cavity and ~50 at the PDR surface. In the entire nebula, the results reveal a factor of 2 variation in the size of the PAH. We relate these size variations to several models for the evolution of the PAH families when they traverse from the molecular cloud to the PDR. The PAH size map enables us to follow the photochemical evolution of PAHs in NGC 7023. Small PAHs result from the photo-evaporation of VSGs as they reach the PDR surface. Inside the PDR cavity, the PAH abundance drops as the smallest PAH are broken down. The average PAH size increases in the cavity where only the largest species survive or are converted into C_60 by photochemical processing.Comment: accepted for publication in A&

"As an ethnic minority, you just have to work twice as hard." Experiences and motivation of ethnic minority students in medical education

INTRODUCTION: Adequate representation of ethnic minority groups in the medical workforce is crucial for ensuring equitable healthcare to diverse patient groups. This requires recruiting ethnic minority medical students and taking measures that enable them to complete their medical studies successfully. Grounded in self-determination theory and intersectionality, this paper explores the experiences of ethnic minority medical students across intersections with gender and other categories of difference and how these relate to students’ motivation. METHODS: An explorative, qualitative study was designed. Six focus groups were conducted with 26 ethnic minority students between December 2016 and May 2017. Thematic analysis was performed to identify, analyse and report themes within the data. RESULTS: The findings were categorized into three main themes: the role of autonomy in the formation of motivation, including students’ own study choice and the role of their family; interactions/‘othering’ in the learning environment, including feelings of not belonging; and intersection of ethnic minority background and gender with being ‘the other’, based on ethnicity. DISCUSSION: Ethnic minority students generally do not have a prior medical network and need role models to whom they can relate. Ensuring or even appointing more ethnic minority role models throughout the medical educational continuum—for example, specialists from ethnic minorities in teaching and/or mentoring roles in the education—and making them more visible to students is recommended. Moreover, a culture needs to be created in the educational environment in which students and staff can discuss their ethnicity-related differences. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s40037-021-00679-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Борис Гесселевич (Григорьевич) Галкович как историк-картограф

Освещаются этапы жизни и творчества Б.Г. Галковича — автора или редактора около 700 исторических карт, в т. ч. в ряде атласов, в 13 томах «Всемирной истории», в 7 томах «Истории СССР с древнейших времён до наших дней» и др. Основы методологии исторической картографии изложены Б.Г. Галковичем на международных конференциях и в ряде статей. В приложении — список текстовых и картографических работ Б.Г. Галковича, опубликованных в 1950–1983 гг.The publication sheds light on the life and work of B.H. Halkovych, the author and editor of nearly 700 historical maps in atlases, 13 volumes of "The World History", 7 volumes of "The History of the USSR since Earliest Times up Today" etc. The methodological principles of historical cartography have been set out by B.H. Halkovych at international conferences and in numerous articles. The supplements contain a list of B.H. Halkovych’s text and cartographical works (published in 1950–1983)

BsmI, ApaI and TaqI Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene (VDR) and Association with Lumbar Spine Pathologies: An Italian Case-Control Study.

Three adjacent single nucleotide polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236) are commonly studied in several pathologies. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of VDR BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies in an Italian cohort of 266 patients with lumbar spine disorders assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 252 asymptomatic controls. The exposure to putative risk factors was evaluated by a questionnaire. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and TaqMan\uae SNP Genotyping Assay. The results were statistically adjusted for the identified conventional risk factors. The three SNPs were in linkage disequilibrium. For all cases BbAaTT was a 3-fold risk factor OR = 3.38), whereas bbAATT (OR = 0.22), and bbaaTT (OR = 0.47) genotypes were found to be protective. Specifically, for patients affected by disc herniation only (n = 88) and all lumbar pathologies excluding stenosis and/or spondylolistesis (n = 215) B allele, Bb, Aa, and BbAaTT genotypes were risky, whereas b allele, bb, aa, and bbaaTT genotypes were protective. In patients affected by osteochondrosis with or without disc hernation (n = 50), T allele, Aa, and bbAaTT genotypes were risky, whereas t allele, AA, tt genotypes were protective. In patients affected by stenosis and/or spondylolistesis (n = 51) no significant associations were found. This is the first study showing an association of the three genetic VDR variants BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI and lumbar spine pathologies. Our study contributes to delineate genetic risk factors for specific subgroups of patients with lumbar spine pathologies highlighting the importance of haplotype analysis, and of detailed clinical evaluation of the patients for identification of genetic biomarkers

Influence of social networks in healthcare on preparation for selection procedures of health professions education:a Dutch interview study

OBJECTIVES: Health professions education (HPE) students are often not representative of the populations they will serve. The underrepresentation of non-traditional students is problematic because diversity is essential for promoting excellence in health education and care. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of traditional and non-traditional students regarding facilitators and barriers in preparing for HPE selection procedures, and to determine the role of social networks in their decision-making and preparations to apply. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 26 Dutch youth who were interested in university-level HPE programmes. Semistructured interviews and sociograms were analysed using thematic analysis, adopting a constructivist approach. RESULTS: Twenty-six high school students participated, with traditional and non-traditional backgrounds, with and without social networks in healthcare and higher education. Two themes were constructed. First, four high-impact facilitators helped to overcome barriers to apply and in preparation for selection: access to a social network connection working or studying in healthcare, to correct information, to healthcare experience and to a social network connection in higher education. Lack of information was the main barrier while access to social network connections in healthcare was the main facilitator to overcome this barrier. However, this access was unevenly distributed. Second, access alone is not enough: the need for agency to make use of available facilitators is also essential. CONCLUSIONS: The themes are discussed using intersectionality. Traditional students with access to facilitators develop their self-efficacy and agency within social structures that privilege them, whereas non-traditional students must develop those skills without such structures. Our findings provide recommendations for the ways in which universities can remove barriers that cause unequal opportunities to prepare for the selection of HPE programmes. Along with equitable admissions, these recommendations can help to achieve a more representative student population and subsequently a better quality of health education and care

Selection for health professions education leads to increased inequality of opportunity and decreased student diversity in The Netherlands, but lottery is no solution:A retrospective multi-cohort study

Background Concerns exist about the role of selection in the lack of diversity in health professions education (HPE). In The Netherlands, the gradual transition from weighted lottery to selection allowed for investigating the variables associated with HPE admission, and whether the representativeness of HPE students has changed. Method We designed a retrospective multi-cohort study using Statistics Netherlands microdata of all 16-year-olds on 1 October 2008, 2012, and 2015 (age cohorts, N > 600,000) and investigated whether they were eligible students for HPE programs (n > 62,000), had applied (n > 14,000), and were HPE students at age 19 (n > 7500). We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate which background variables were associated with becoming an HPE student. Results HPE students with >= 1 healthcare professional (HP) parent, >= 1 top-10% income/wealth parent, and women are overrepresented compared to all age cohorts. During hybrid lottery/selection (cohort-2008), applicants with >= 1 top-10% wealth parent and women had higher odds of admission. During 100% selection (cohort-2015) this remained the case. Additionally, applicants with >= 1 HP parent had higher odds, those with a migration background had lower odds. Conclusions Odds of admission are increasingly influenced by applicants' backgrounds. Targeted recruitment and equitable admissions procedures are required to increase matriculation of underrepresented students

Diversity in the pathway from medical student to specialist in the Netherlands:a retrospective cohort study

Background: Medical specialist workforces are not representative of the society they serve, partially due to loss of diversity in the path from student to specialist. We investigated which demographic characteristics of bachelor students of medicine (BSM) are associated with becoming a physician and (particular type of) medical specialist; and whether this suggests ‘cloning’ (reproduction of sameness) of the existing workforce. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort design, based on Statistics Netherlands data of all first-year BSM in 2002–2004 in The Netherlands (N = 4503). We used logistic regression to analyze the impact of sex, migration background, urbanity of residence, parental income and assets categories, and having healthcare professional parents, on being registered as physician or medical specialist in 2021. We compared our results to the national pool of physicians (N = 76,845) and medical specialists (N = 49,956) to identify cloning patterns based on Essed's cultural cloning theory. Findings: Female students had higher odds of becoming a physician (OR 1.87 [1.53–2.28], p &lt; 0.001). Physicians with a migration background other than Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, Dutch Caribbean or Indonesian (TMSDI) had lower odds of becoming a specialist (OR 0.55 [0.43–0.71], p &lt; 0.001). This was not significant for TMSDI physicians (OR 0.74 [0.54–1.03], p = 0.073). We found a cloning pattern with regard to sex and migration background. Nationwide, physicians with a Turkish or Moroccan migration background, and female physicians with other migration backgrounds, are least likely to be a medical specialist. Interpretation: In light of equity in healthcare systems, we recommend that every recruitment body increases the representativeness of their particular specialist workforce. Funding: ODISSEI.</p