Resolved Spectroscopy of the Narrow-Line Region in NGC 1068. II. Physical Conditions Near the NGC 1068 ``Hot-Spot''

The physical conditions near the optical continuum peak (``hot spot'') in the inner narrow line region (NLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 1068. Spectra were taken with HST/STIS through the 0.1X52 arcsec slit, covering the full STIS 1200 to 10000 Angstrom waveband, and are from a region that includes the hot spot, extending 0.2, or ~ 14 pc (for H= 75 km/sec/Mpc). Perhaps the most striking feature of these spectra is the presence of strong coronal emission lines, including [S XII] 7611 which has hitherto only been identified in spectra of the solar corona. There is an apparent correlation between ionization energy and velocity of the emission lines with respect to the systemic velocity of the host galaxy, with the coronal lines blueshifted, most other high excitation lines near systemic, and some of the low ionization lines redshifted. From the results of our modeling, we find that the emission-line gas consists of three principal components: 1) one in which most of the strong emission-lines, such as [O III] 5007, [Ne V] 3426, C IV 1550, arise, 2) a more tenuous, highly ionized component, which is the source of the coronal-line emission, and 3) a component, which is not co-planar with the other two, in which the low ionization and neutral lines, such as [N II] 6548 and [O I] 6300, are formed. The first two components are directly ionized by the EUV-Xray continuum emitted by the central source, while the low ionization gas is ionized by a combination of highly absorbed continuum radiation and a small fraction of unabsorbed continuum scattered by free electrons associated with the hot spot. The combination of covering factor and Thomson optical depth of the high ionization components is insufficient to scatter the observed fraction of continuum radiation into our line-of-sight.Comment: 42 pages, Latex, includes 5 figures (postscript), to appear in the Astrophysical Journa

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Perspectives on the world Christian movement : the study guide

viii, 182 p.; 28 cm

Let all the peoples praise Him: Toward a teleological paradigm of the missio Dei

This dissertation attempts to form a missio Dei paradigm that is impelled by God Himself pursuing the purpose of being glorified in the worship of all peoples. It begins by tracing the mutation of the category of purpose in Enlightenment thought, showing how a succession of operative teleologies have shaped Protestant mission theology, contributing to an inconclusive formulation of missio Dei mission theology. Using intertextual methods of biblical theology, select motifs are examined with attention to indicators of overriding purpose that suggest major plot lines of purpose in the Bible. Two large motifs are selected, God's name and glory among the nations, and the related theme of the worship of the nations. Many texts of the Bible highlight God pursuing His purpose to be known, not only as a God who is great, but as a God who loves; and even more, that He desires to be recognized as the God who is loved in worship by His people. Inherent in God's purpose to be known among the nations—what I refer to as the revelatory telos—is a relational telos: He will be worshiped in loving obedience by a people formed in the risen Christ from every people. The primary component of the paradigm is not a narrative merely to be continued, but instead, it is a theodrama that must be enacted toward fulfillment. The Christotelic drama is fulfilled as people are formed in worshiping communities that openly love and obey Him. Three other essential components of the paradigm are explored: First, seeing the trinity in mission, focused by the "God-ward" relationality of the paradigm, provides a robust and yet ordered intra-trinitarian relationality in which love is received as well as given by God. Second, a Christotelic ecclesiology envisions the church endowed with mission as a gift, joined with Christ to collaborate with God in missiological synergism. Third, a contingent eschatology offers a motivation framework of teleological necessity. The significance of this study is multifaceted. A conclusion outlines possible contributions to ethnodoxology, contextualization challenges and mission mobililization

Perspectives on the world Christian movement : a reader

xviii, 782 p.; 26 cm