115 research outputs found
Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium - VIII. PSN J07285387+3349106, a highly reddened supernova Ibn
We present spectroscopic and photometric observations for the Type Ibn
supernova (SN) dubbed PSN J07285387+3349106. Using data provided by amateur
astronomers, we monitored the photometric rise of the SN to maximum light,
occurred on 2015 February 18.8 UT (JD(max,V) = 2457072.0 +- 0.8). PSN
J07285387+3349106 exploded in the inner region of an infrared luminous galaxy,
and is the most reddened SN Ibn discovered so far. We apply multiple methods to
derive the total reddening to the SN, and determine a total colour excess
E(B-V)(tot) = 0.99 +- 0.48 mag. Accounting for the reddening correction, which
is affected by a large uncertainty, we estimate a peak absolute magnitude of
M(V) = -20.30 +- 1.50. The spectra are dominated by continuum emission at early
phases, and He I lines with narrow P-Cygni profiles are detected. We also
identify weak Fe III and N II features. All these lines show an absorption
component which is blue-shifted by about 900-1000 km/s. The spectra also show
relatively broad He I line wings with low contrast, which extend to above 3000
km/s. From about 2 weeks past maximum, broad lines of O I, Mg II and the Ca II
near-infrared triplet are identified. The composition and the expansion
velocity of the circumstellar material, and the presence of He I and
alpha-elements in the SN ejecta indicate that PSN J07285387+3349106 was
produced by the core-collapse of a stripped-envelope star. We suggest that the
precursor was WNE-type Wolf-Rayet star in its dense, He-rich circumstellar
cocoon.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Protocol for a multicentre, prospective cohort study of clinical, proteomic and genomic patterns associated with osteoporosis to develop a multidimensional fracture assessment tool: the PoCOsteo Study
INTRODUCTION: The HORIZON 2020 project PoCOsteo aims (1) to develop a multidimensional fracture risk assessment tool which would take into account all factors known to be related to an individual's fracture risk. The fracture risk model is intended to be developed in two different populations, namely a European and a Middle Eastern one; (2) to develop a medical device, which would measure and/or quantify proteomic as well as genomic factors as present in whole blood samples collected through finger prick; (3) to test the clinical applicability and the validity of prototypes of the to be developed point of care device at both clinical centres. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This article presents the protocol of this prospective cohort that will be carried out independently at two different centres (Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Medical University of Graz (MUG) as a clinic-based cohort, and Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) as a population-based cohort). The final aim is to develop a fracture risk assessment model, which would include clinical risk factors, biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as specific genomic factors. The derivation cohorts will consist of individuals aged 50 years and above. The period of observation for each patient will be 12 months; an extension phase, which would last for another 2 years, is also planned. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: These studies are conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. The Iranian part was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of EMRI, TUMS. The Austrian part was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Graz. Based on the gathered information, a multidimensional fracture assessment tool will be designed which will later be added to the PoCOsteo device
The role of calcium supplementation in healthy musculoskeletal ageing : An expert consensus meeting of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the International Foundation for Osteoporosis (IOF).
The place of calcium supplementation, with or without concomitant vitamin D supplementation, has been much debated in terms of both efficacy and safety. There have been numerous trials and meta-analyses of supplementation for fracture reduction, and associations with risk of myocardial infarction have been suggested in recent years. In this report, the product of an expert consensus meeting of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the International Foundation for Osteoporosis (IOF), we review the evidence for the value of calcium supplementation, with or without vitamin D supplementation, for healthy musculoskeletal ageing. We conclude that: 1) calcium and vitamin D supplementation leads to a modest reduction in fracture risk, although population-level intervention has not been shown to be an effective public health strategy; 2) supplementation with calcium alone for fracture reduction is not supported by the literature; 3) side effects of calcium supplementation include renal stones and gastrointestinal symptoms; 4) vitamin D supplementation, rather than calcium supplementation, may reduce falls risk; and 5) assertions of increased cardiovascular risk consequent on calcium supplementation are not convincingly supported by current evidence. In conclusion, we recommend, on the basis of the current evidence, that calcium supplementation, with concomitant vitamin D supplementation, is supported for patients at high risk of calcium and vitamin D insufficiency, and in those who are receiving treatment for osteoporosis
A Spectroscopic Study of Type Ibc Supernova Host Galaxies from Untargeted Surveys
We present the largest spectroscopic study of the host environments of Type
Ibc supernovae (SN Ibc) discovered exclusively by untargeted SN searches. Past
studies of SN Ibc host environments have been biased towards high-mass,
high-metallicity galaxies by focusing on SNe discovered in galaxy-targeted SN
searches. Our new observations more than double the total number of
spectroscopic stellar population age and metallicity measurements published for
untargeted SN Ibc host environments, and extend to a median redshift about
twice as large as previous statistical studies (z = 0.04). For the 12 SNe Ib
and 21 SNe Ic in our metallicity sample, we find median metallicities of
log(O/H)+12 = 8.48 and 8.61, respectively, but determine that the discrepancy
in the full distribution of metallicities is not statistically significant.
This median difference would correspond to only a small difference in the mass
loss via metal-line driven winds (<30%), suggesting this does not play the
dominant role in distinguishing SN Ib and Ic progenitors. However, the median
metallicity of the 7 broad-lined SN Ic (SN Ic-BL) in our sample is
significantly lower, log(O/H)+12 = 8.34. The age of the young stellar
population of SN Ic-BL host environments also seems to be lower than for SN Ib
and Ic, but our age sample is small. A synthesis of SN Ibc host environment
spectroscopy to date does not reveal a significant difference in SN Ib and Ic
metallicities, but reinforces the significance of the lower metallicities for
SN Ic-BL. This combined sample demonstrates that galaxy-targeted SN searches
introduce a significant bias for studies seeking to infer the metallicity
distribution of SN progenitors, and we identify and discuss other systematic
effects that play smaller roles. We discuss the path forward for making
progress on SN Ibc progenitor studies in the LSST era.Comment: 27 pages, 12 Figures, V2 as accepted by ApJ, more information at
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~nsanders/papers/Ibchosts/summary.htm
Osteoporosis treatment in Austria—assessment of FRAX-based intervention thresholds for high and very high fracture risk
Summary
The adoption of the management pathway proposed by the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG), UK applied using the Austrian FRAX® tool in a referral population of Austrian women categorises 22–29% of women age 40 years or more eligible for treatment of whom 28–34% are classified at very high risk.
Purpose
The aim of this study is to provide a reference document for the further development of existing guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in Austria, considering FRAX-based intervention thresholds for high and very high fracture risk.
Methods
The model development was based on two Austrian hospital referral cohorts. Baseline information was collected to compute the 10-year probability (using the Austrian FRAX model) of a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and hip fracture both with and without the inclusion of femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). Assessment thresholds for BMD testing were defined, as well as intervention thresholds. In addition, thresholds that characterise men and women at high and very high fracture risk were established. The management pathway followed that currently recommended by the UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG).
Results
The two cohorts comprised a total of 1306 women and men with a mean age of 66.7 years. Slightly more than 50% were eligible for treatment by virtue of a prior fragility fracture. In those women without a prior fracture, 22% (n = 120) were eligible for treatment based on MOF probabilities. Of these, 28% (n = 33) were found to be at very high risk. When both MOF and hip fracture probabilities were used to characterise risk, 164 women without a prior fracture were eligible for treatment (29%). Of these, 34% (n = 56) were found to be at very high risk. Fewer men without prior fracture were eligible for treatment compared with women.
Conclusion
The management pathway as currently outlined is expected to reduce inequalities in patient management. The characterisation of very high risk may aid in the identification of patients suitable for treatment with osteoanabolic agents
X-ray monitoring of classical novae in the central region of M 31. II. Autumn and winter 2007/2008 and 2008/2009
[Abridged] Classical novae (CNe) represent the major class of supersoft X-ray
sources (SSSs) in the central region of our neighbouring galaxy M 31. We
performed a dedicated monitoring of the M 31 central region with XMM-Newton and
Chandra between Nov 2007 and Feb 2008 and between Nov 2008 and Feb 2009
respectively, in order to find SSS counterparts of CNe, determine the duration
of their SSS phase and derive physical outburst parameters. We systematically
searched our data for X-ray counterparts of CNe and determined their X-ray
light curves and spectral properties. We detected in total 17 X-ray
counterparts of CNe in M 31, only four of which were known previously. These
latter sources are still active 12.5, 11.0, 7.4 and 4.8 years after the optical
outburst. From the 17 X-ray counterparts 13 were classified as SSSs. Four novae
displayed short SSS phases (< 100 d). Based on these results and previous
studies we compiled a catalogue of all novae with SSS counterparts in M 31
known so far. We used this catalogue to derive correlations between the
following X-ray and optical nova parameters: turn-on time, turn-off time,
effective temperature (X-ray), t2 decay time and expansion velocity of the
ejected envelope (optical). Furthermore, we found a first hint for the
existence of a difference between SSS parameters of novae associated with the
stellar populations of the M 31 bulge and disk. Additionally, we conducted a
Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulation on the intrinsic fraction of novae with SSS
phase. This simulation showed that the relatively high fraction of novae
without detected SSS emission might be explained by the inevitably incomplete
coverage with X-ray observations in combination with a large fraction of novae
with short SSS states, as expected from the WD mass distribution. In order to
verify our results with an increased sample further monitoring observations are
needed.Comment: 31 pages, 23 figures, 10 tables; submitted to A&
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