Mantle formation, coagulation and the origin of cloud/core-shine: II. Comparison with observations

Many dense interstellar clouds are observable in emission in the near-IR, commonly referred to as "Cloudshine", and in the mid-IR, the so-called "Coreshine". These C-shine observations have usually been explained with grain growth but no model has yet been able to self-consistently explain the dust spectral energy distribution from the near-IR to the submm. We want to demonstrate the ability of our new core/mantle evolutionary dust model THEMIS (The Heterogeneous dust Evolution Model at the IaS), which has been shown to be valid in the far-IR and submm, to reproduce the C-shine observations. Our starting point is a physically motivated core/mantle dust model. It consists of 3 dust populations: small aromatic-rich carbon grains; bigger core/mantle grains with mantles of aromatic-rich carbon and cores either made of amorphous aliphatic-rich carbon or amorphous silicate. We assume an evolutionary path where these grains, when entering denser regions, may first form a second aliphatic-rich carbon mantle (coagulation of small grains, accretion of carbon from the gas phase), second coagulate together to form large aggregates, and third accrete gas phase molecules coating them with an ice mantle. To compute the corresponding dust emission and scattering, we use a 3D Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code. We show that our global evolutionary dust modelling approach THEMIS allows us to reproduce C-shine observations towards dense starless clouds. Dust scattering and emission is most sensitive to the cloud central density and to the steepness of the cloud density profile. Varying these two parameters leads to changes, which are stronger in the near-IR, in both the C-shine intensity and profile. With a combination of aliphatic-rich mantle formation and low-level coagulation into aggregates, we can self-consistently explain the observed C-shine and far-IR/submm emission towards dense starless clouds.Comment: Paper accepted for publication in A&A with companion paper "Mantle formation, coagulation and the origin of cloud/core-shine: I. Dust scattering and absorption in the IR", A.P Jones, M. Koehler, N. Ysard, E. Dartois, M. Godard, L. Gavila

Uncertainties in gas kinematics arising from stellar continuum modelling in integral field spectroscopy data: the case of NGC2906 observed with MUSE/VLT

We study how the use of several stellar subtraction methods and line fitting approaches can affect the derivation of the main kinematic parameters (velocity and velocity dispersion fields) of the ionized gas component. The target of this work is the nearby galaxy NGC 2906, observed with the MUSE instrument at Very Large Telescope. A sample of twelve spectra is selected from the inner (nucleus) and outer (spiral arms) regions, characterized by different ionization mechanisms. We compare three different methods to subtract the stellar continuum (FIT3D, STARLIGHT and pPXF), combined with one of the following stellar libraries: MILES, STELIB and GRANADA+MILES. The choice of the stellar subtraction method is the most important ingredient affecting the derivation of the gas kinematics, followed by the choice of the stellar library and by the line fitting approach. In our data, typical uncertainties in the observed wavelength and width of the H\alpha and [NII] lines are of the order of _rms \sim 0.1\AA\ and _rms \sim 0.2\AA\ (\sim 5 and 10km/s, respectively). The results obtained from the [NII] line seem to be slightly more robust, as it is less affected by stellar absorption than H\alpha. All methods considered yield statistically consistent measurements once a mean systemic contribution \Delta\bar\lambda=\Delta\bar\sigma=0.2xDelta_{MUSE} is added in quadrature to the line fitting errors, where \Delta_{MUSE} = 1.1\AA\ \sim 50 km/s denotes the instrumental resolution of the MUSE spectra. Although the subtraction of the stellar continuum is critical in order to recover line fluxes, any method (including none) can be used in order to measure the gas kinematics, as long as an additional component of 0.2 x Delta_MUSE is added to the error budget.Comment: 20 pages, 14 figure

Mantle formation, coagulation and the origin of cloud/core shine: I. Modelling dust scattering and absorption in the infra-red

Context. The observed cloudshine and coreshine (C-shine) have been explained in terms of grain growth leading to enhanced scatter- ing from clouds in the J, H and K photometric bands and the Spitzer IRAC 3.6 and 4.5 {\mu}m bands. Aims. Using our global dust modelling approach THEMIS (The Heterogeneous dust Evolution Model at the IaS) we explore the effects of dust evolution in dense clouds, through aliphatic-rich carbonaceous mantle formation and grain-grain coagulation. Methods. We model the effects of wide band gap a-C:H mantle formation and the low-level aggregation of diffuse interstellar medium dust in the moderately-extinguished outer regions of molecular clouds. Results. The formation of wide band gap a-C:H mantles on amorphous silicate and amorphous carbon (a-C) grains leads to a decrease in their absorption cross-sections but no change in their scattering cross-sections at near-IR wavelengths, resulting in higher albedos. Conclusions. The evolution of dust, with increasing density and extinction in the diffuse to dense molecular cloud transition, through mantle formation and grain aggregation, appears to be a likely explanation for the observed C-shine.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in A&A along with the companion paper entitled, Mantle formation, coagulation and the origin of cloud/core shine: II Comparison with observations, by Ysard et al. (also accepted for publication in A&A

Television Series Use in Teaching and Learning Professional Ethics in Communication

The work presented here is an exploratory and descriptive study under a qualitative approach. It purposes was to show the use of television series, as a means of teaching and learning professional ethics in communication undergraduate students. Among the results we found two direct areas of impact: teaching and learning. In the case of teaching, the professor shows an innovative practice and she realized different ways to improve it as a continuous way to advance her teaching. In the case of learning, the use of television series promoted the interest of the students and a significant learning. However, the most important finding of this study is that the teaching experience has contributed in the educational process of communicators specifically in ethical thinking

Factors associated with implementation of the 5A's smoking cessation model

Background: several health organizations have adopted the 5A's brief intervention model (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), based on evidence-based guidelines for smoking cessation. We examine individual, cognitive, behavioral, and organizational factors associated with the 5A's performance among clinical healthcare workers in Catalonia. We also investigate how these factors interact and potentially predict the implementation of each component of the 5A's. Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical health workers enrolled in an online smoking cessation training course (n = 580). The survey included questions about individual characteristics as well as cognitive, behavioral, and organizational factors previously identified in research. We assessed self-reported performance of the 5A's, assessed on a scale from 0 to 10, and used Multivariate regression to examine factors associated with its performance. Results: the performance means (standard deviation) were moderate for the first 3A's [Ask: 6.4 (3.1); Advise: 7.1 (2.7); Assess: 6.3 (2.8)] and low for the last 2A's [Assist: 4.4 (2.9); Arrange: 3.2 (3.3)]. We observed a high correlation between Assist and Arrange (r = 0.704, p < 0.001). Having positive experiences and feeling competent were positively associated with performing the 5A's model and having organizational support with Assist and Arrange. Personal tobacco use among healthcare workers was negatively associated with Advice and Arrange. Conclusions: our study found that clinical healthcare workers do not perform the 5A's completely. The main barriers identified suggest the need of training and making available practical guidelines in healthcare services. Organizational support is essential for moving towards the implementation of Assist and Arrange

The Need for Laboratory Measurements and Ab Initio Studies to Aid Understanding of Exoplanetary Atmospheres

We are now on a clear trajectory for improvements in exoplanet observations that will revolutionize our ability to characterize their atmospheric structure, composition, and circulation, from gas giants to rocky planets. However, exoplanet atmospheric models capable of interpreting the upcoming observations are often limited by insufficiencies in the laboratory and theoretical data that serve as critical inputs to atmospheric physical and chemical tools. Here we provide an up-to-date and condensed description of areas where laboratory and/or ab initio investigations could fill critical gaps in our ability to model exoplanet atmospheric opacities, clouds, and chemistry, building off a larger 2016 white paper, and endorsed by the NAS Exoplanet Science Strategy report. Now is the ideal time for progress in these areas, but this progress requires better access to, understanding of, and training in the production of spectroscopic data as well as a better insight into chemical reaction kinetics both thermal and radiation-induced at a broad range of temperatures. Given that most published efforts have emphasized relatively Earth-like conditions, we can expect significant and enlightening discoveries as emphasis moves to the exotic atmospheres of exoplanets.Comment: Submitted as an Astro2020 Science White Pape

Height and timing of growth spurt during puberty in young people living with vertically acquired HIV in Europe and Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe growth during puberty in young people with vertically acquired HIV. DESIGN: Pooled data from 12 paediatric HIV cohorts in Europe and Thailand. METHODS: One thousand and ninety-four children initiating a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or boosted protease inhibitor based regimen aged 1-10 years were included. Super Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) models described growth from age 8 years using three parameters (average height, timing and shape of the growth spurt), dependent on age and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) (WHO references) at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Multivariate regression explored characteristics associated with these three parameters. RESULTS: At ART initiation, median age and HAZ was 6.4 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.8, 9.0] years and -1.2 (IQR: -2.3 to -0.2), respectively. Median follow-up was 9.1 (IQR: 6.9, 11.4) years. In girls, older age and lower HAZ at ART initiation were independently associated with a growth spurt which occurred 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.62) years later in children starting ART age 6 to 10 years compared with 1 to 2 years and 1.50 (1.21-1.78) years later in those starting with HAZ less than -3 compared with HAZ at least -1. Later growth spurts in girls resulted in continued height growth into later adolescence. In boys starting ART with HAZ less than -1, growth spurts were later in children starting ART in the oldest age group, but for HAZ at least -1, there was no association with age. Girls and boys who initiated ART with HAZ at least -1 maintained a similar height to the WHO reference mean. CONCLUSION: Stunting at ART initiation was associated with later growth spurts in girls. Children with HAZ at least -1 at ART initiation grew in height at the level expected in HIV negative children of a comparable age

Primer reporte de Candida auris en Perú

Candida auris is an emerging fungus that has gained great relevance as a global public health problem in a short time. The presence of Candida auris in 3 adult patients admitted to a national hospital of high complexity in the last quarter of 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is reported for the first time in Peru. The patients were hospitalized in the ICU, however, this germ was isolated in only 2 patients while they were hospitalized in the ICU. The patients had various comorbidities and long hospitalization times from admission to having their first culture positive for C. auris. All patients acquired a bacterial nosocomial infection at some point during their hospitalization and received broad-spectrum antibiotics. All isolates were resistant to Fluconazole. The hospital's infection control team reinforced containment measures and the Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert.Candida auris es un hongo emergente que ha cobrado en corto tiempo gran relevancia como problema de salud pública mundial. Se reporta por primera vez en el Perú la presencia de Candida auris en 3 pacientes adultos internados en un hospital nacional de alta complejidad en el último trimestre del año 2020 en plena pandemia de COVID-19.&nbsp; Los pacientes fueron hospitalizados en UCI, sin embargo, solo en 2 pacientes se aisló dicho germen mientras estaban hospitalizados en UCI.&nbsp; Los pacientes tenían varias comorbilidades y tiempos prolongados de hospitalización desde su admisión hasta tener su primer cultivo positivo a C. auris.&nbsp; Todos los pacientes adquirieron una infección nosocomial bacteriana en algún momento de su hospitalización y recibieron antibióticos de amplio espectro. Todas las cepas aisladas eran resistentes a Fluconazol.&nbsp; El equipo de control de infecciones del hospital reforzó las medidas de contención y el Ministerio de Salud emitió una alerta epidemiológica

Extra virgin olive oil consumption reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the PREDIMED trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The incidence of osteoporotic fractures is lower in countries in the Mediterranean basin. Virgin olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean Diet (MDiet), with recognised beneficial effects on metabolism and cardiovascular health, may decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The aim to this study was to explore the effect of chronic consumption of total olive oil and its varieties on the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures in a middle-aged and elderly Mediterranean population. METHODS: We included all participants (n = 870) recruited in the Reus (Spain) centre of the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) trial. Individuals, aged 55-80 years at high cardiovascular risk, were randomized to a MedDiet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, a MedDiet supplemented with nuts, or a low-fat diet. The present analysis was an observational cohort study nested in the trial. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary habits and olive oil consumption. Information on total osteoporotic fractures was obtained from a systematic review of medical records. The association between yearly repeated measurements of olive oil consumption and fracture risk was assessed by multivariate Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: We documented 114 incident cases of osteoporosis-related fractures during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. Treatment allocation had no effect on fracture risk. Participants in the highest tertile of extra-virgin olive oil consumption had a 51% lower risk of fractures (HR:0.49; 95% CI:0.29-0.81. P for trend = 0.004) compared to those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for potential confounders. Total and common olive oil consumption was not associated with fracture risk. CONCLUSIONS: Higher consumption of extra-virgin olive oil is associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis-related fractures in middle-aged and elderly Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk