Long-term X-ray changes in the emission from the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61

We present results obtained from X-ray observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 4U 0142+61 taken between 2000-2007 using XMM-Newton, Chandra and Swift. In observations taken before 2006, the pulse profile is observed to become more sinusoidal and the pulsed fraction increased with time. These results confirm those derived using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and expand the observed evolution to energies below 2 keV. The XMM-Newton total flux in the 0.5-10 keV band is observed to be nearly constant in observations taken before 2006, while an increase of ~10% is seen afterwards and coincides with the burst activity detected from the source in 2006-2007. After these bursts, the evolution towards more sinusoidal pulse profiles ceased while the pulsed fraction showed a further increase. No evidence for large-scale, long-term changes in the emission as a result of the bursts is seen. The data also suggest a correlation between the flux and hardness of the spectrum, with brighter observations on average having a harder spectrum. As pointed out by other authors, we find that the standard blackbody plus power-law model does not provide the best spectral fit to the emission from 4U 0142+61. We also report on observations taken with the Gemini telescope after two bursts. These observations show source magnitudes consistent with previous measurements. Our results demonstrate the wide range of X-ray variability characteristics seen in AXPs and we discuss them in light of current emission models for these sources.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, in emulateapj style. Submitted to Ap

Constraining Radio Emission from Magnetars

We report on radio observations of five magnetars and two magnetar candidates carried out at 1950 MHz with the Green Bank Telescope in 2006-2007. The data from these observations were searched for periodic emission and bright single pulses. Also, monitoring observations of magnetar 4U0142+61 following its 2006 X-ray bursts were obtained. No radio emission was detected was detected for any of our targets. The non-detections allow us to place luminosity upper limits (at 1950 MHz) of approximately L < 1.60 mJy kpc^2 for periodic emission and L < 7.6 Jy kpc^2 for single pulse emission. These are the most stringent limits yet for the magnetars observed. The resulting luminosity upper limits together with previous results are discussed, as is the importance of further radio observations of radio-loud and radio-quiet magnetars.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Mass-density relationship in molecular cloud clumps

We study the mass-density relationship n ~ m^x in molecular cloud condensations (clumps), considering various equipartition relations between their gravitational, kinetic, internal and magnetic energies. Clumps are described statistically, with a density distribution that reflects a lognormal probability density function (pdf) in turbulent cold interstellar medium. The clump mass-density exponent $x$ derived at different scales $L$ varies in most of the cases within the range $-2.5\lesssim x \lesssim-0.2$, with a pronounced scale dependence and in consistency with observations. When derived from the global size-mass relationship m ~ l^{\gamma_{glob}} for set of clumps, generated at all scales, the clump mass-density exponent has typical values $-3.0\lesssim x(\gamma_{glob}) \lesssim -0.3$ that depend on the forms of energy, included in the equipartition relations and on the velocity scaling law whereas the description of clump geometry is important when magnetic energy is taken into account.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS, 14 pages, 8 figure

Hadronic structure aspects of K+→π−+l1++l2+K^+\to \pi^-+ l^{+}_1 + l^{+}_2 decays

As is known from previous studies the lepton number violating decays $K^+\to \pi^- + l^{+}_1 + l^{+}_2$ have good prospects to probe new physics beyond the Standard Model and provide valuable information on neutrino masses and mixing. We analyze these processes with an emphasis on their hadronic structure aspects applying relativistic constituent quark model. We conclude that the previously ignored contribution associated with the t-channel Majorana neutrino exchange is comparable with the s-channel one in a wide range of neutrino masses. We also estimated model independent absolute upper bounds on neutrino contribution to these decays.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure. Version to appear in PRD, normalization factor in Eq. (25) is correcte

Conversion from Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass to Sadi-S, with a Gastro-Gastric Jejunal Bridge as a Treatment of Obesity Recidivism: Case Report

There is a considerable weight regain after the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Surgical conversion to more powerful metabolic techniques, like one anastomosis duodenal switch with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), can be effective in this scenario, but surgically challenging. This case report aims to demonstrate technical modifications that simplifies the conversion of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to SADI-S, in one stage. Female patient submitted to laparoscopic RYGB 10 years before with nadir of 29,47Kg/m². In the last 4 years, she had regained weight, reaching a body mass index of 46,48Kg/m². Surgical conversion was done laparoscopically, preserving the gastrojejunal anastomosis from the previous RYGB and the proximal 8cm of jejunal alimentary limb, which was transected at this level and used as a bridge between gastric pouch and antrum. Previously, the fundus, gastric body and part of the antrum were removed. The remaining alimentary limb, the gallbladder and the candy cane was removed. This was a single stage procedure, without complications. The interposition of the proximal alimentary limb of gastric bypass, between gastric pouch and antrum, has shown to be safe and feasible in RYGB conversion to SADI-S. The removal of the remnant alimentary limb makes the procedure shorter.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Coinfection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Streptococcus pneumoniae in multiple cutaneous lesions

Key learning points Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common clinical disease caused by all the Leishmania species that are pathogenic to humans. Other bacterial coinfections of Leishmania lesions have been described, but this is the first report of coinfection with Leishmania and S. pneumoniae. S. pneumoniae is also able to cause skin infections, for that reason the pneumococcal diagnosis could be underestimated in Leishmania lesions coinfected with bacterial pathogens, particularly in endemic areas. An accurate microbiological diagnosis of Leishmania coinfections is essential for a correct antimicrobial treatment of skin infections.. Pentavalent antimonials, such as meglumine antimoniate, are considered the first-line antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of leishmaniasis.Fil: Cortes, Paulo R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Chiapello, Laura Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Dib, David. Hospital Pediátrico del Niño Jesús; ArgentinaFil: Herrero, Mónica V.. Hospital Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Nuncira, Carmen T.. Hospital Pediátrico del Niño Jesús; ArgentinaFil: De Petris, Carlos. Hospital Pediátrico del Niño Jesús; ArgentinaFil: Echenique, Jose Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Red Noise in Anomalous X-ray Pulsar Timing Residuals

Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs), thought to be magnetars, exhibit poorly understood deviations from a simple spin-down called "timing noise". AXP timing noise has strong low-frequency components which pose significant challenges for quantification. We describe a procedure for extracting two quantities of interest, the intensity and power spectral index of timing noise. We apply this procedure to timing data from three sources: a monitoring campaign of five AXPs, observations of five young pulsars, and the stable rotator PSR B1937+21.Comment: submitted to the proceedings of the "40 Years of Pulsars" conferenc

The Long-term Radiative Evolution of Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1E 2259+586 after its 2002 Outburst

We present an analysis of five X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM) observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 1E 2259+586 taken in 2004 and 2005 during its relaxation following its 2002 outburst. We compare these data with those of five previous XMM observations taken in 2002 and 2003, and find the observed flux decay is well described by a power-law of index -0.69+/-0.03. As of mid-2005, the source may still have been brighter than preoutburst, and was certainly hotter. We find a strong correlation between hardness and flux, as seen in other AXP outbursts. We discuss the implications of these results for the magnetar model.Comment: 23 Pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, published on Ap

The 2009 outburst of magnetar 1E 1547-5408: Persistent radiative and burst properties

The magnetar 1E~1547$-$5408 recently exhibited two periods of outburst, beginning on 2008 October 3 and 2009 January 22. Here we present an analysis of the persistent radiative evolution and a statistical study of the burst properties during the 2009 outburst using the {\em Swift} X-ray Telescope (XRT). We find that the 1--10 keV flux increased by a factor of $\sim500$ and hardened significantly, peaking $\sim6$ hours after the onset of the outburst. The observed pulsed fraction exhibited an anti-correlation with phase-averaged flux. Properties of the several hundred X-ray bursts during the 2009 outburst were determined and compared to those from other magnetar outburst events. We find that the peaks of the bursts occur randomly in phase but that the folded counts that compose the bursts exhibit a pulse which is misaligned with the persistent pulse phase. We also report a correlation between burst hardness and flux. We compare the hardness-flux evolution of the persistent emission of both outbursts to those from other magnetars and find that although there does exist an overall trend, the degree of hardening for a given increase in flux is not uniform from source to source. These results are discussed in the context of previous results and within the magnetar model.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap