Probing the Interstellar Medium of External Galaxies Using Quasar Absorption Lines: the 3C 232/NGC 3067 System

Quasar absorption lines offer unique opportunities to probe the interstellar medium of external galaxies. Researchers present new optical and UV absorption line spectroscopy of the quasar 3C232 (z=0.55) revealing new detail in the foreground absorption system due to the bright, spiral galaxy NGC 3067 (cz=1420 km/s). Specifically, the spectra show evidence for two and possibly three separate absorption components in CaII and Na I spanning approx. 150 km/s. The original HI detection of Haschick and Burke (1975) corresponds to the strongest of these metal systems which exhibits doublet ratios consistent with saturation in both CaII and Na I. Due to the recent detection in HI emission of a tidal tail or finger of HI extending from the western edge of NGC 3067 through the position of 3C 232 (Carilli, van Gorkom and Stocke, 1989), the morphology of the HI absorber is now known and is not either a warped disk nor a spherical halo as had been proposed. New deep continuum and H alpha imaging provides a sensitive upper limit on the the ionizing continuum impinging upon this cloud (and thus a limit on the intensity of the extragalactic ionizing radiation field). Together with the observed UV spectrum of 3C 232, the optical emission line ratios and the deep H alpha imaging set a minimum distance between the quasar and the HI cloud disregarding redshift information. This limit strains the non-cosmological redshift interpretation for 3C 232 -- and this quasar is one of the original 5 3C quasars found to be too close to NGC galaxies as if by chance (Burbidge, Burbidge, Solomon and Strittmatter, 1972)

Bone marrow aspirate in the treatment of chondral injuries

The ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to transdifferentiate into a desired cell lineage has captured the imagination of scientists and clinicians alike. The limited ability for chondrocytes to regenerate in chondral injuries has raised the concept of using MSCs to help regenerate and repair damaged tissue. The expansion of cells in a laboratory setting to be delivered back to the patient is too costly for clinical use in the present tough economic climate. This process is slow with due to the complexity of trying to imitate the natural environment and biological stimulation of chondral cell replication and proliferation. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) has the potential to provide an easily accessible and readily available source of MSCs with key growth factors that can be used in treating chondral injuries. This review summarizes the underlying basic science of MSCs and the therapeutic potential of BMAC

The basic science of bone marrow aspirate concentrate in chondral injuries

There has been great interest in bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) as a cost effective method in delivering mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to aid in the repair and regeneration of cartilage defects. Alongside MSCs, BMAC contains a range of growth factors and cytokines to support cell growth following injury. However, there is paucity of information relating to the basic science underlying BMAC and its exact biological role in supporting the growth and regeneration of chondrocytes. The focus of this review is the basic science underlying BMAC in relation to chondral damage and regeneration

Talk CPR - a technology project to improve communication in do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions in palliative illness

Background A national Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation policy was rolled out for the National Health Service in Wales in 2015. A national steering group led on producing information videos and a website for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, forming part of a quality improvement program. Videos were planned, scripted and produced with healthcare professionals and patient/carer representatives, and were completed with both English and Welsh language versions. The TalkCPR videos encourage and promote open discussion about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and DNACPR in palliative care situations. Methods We worked with patient/carer groups to evaluate whether video resources to convey the salient facts involved in CPR and DNACPR decisions for people with palliative and life-limiting illness were acceptable or not. We conducted a mixed-method design service review in five phases to evaluate whether this technological resource could help. After creating video and website materials, they were evaluated by doctors, nurses and a patient/carer group. We also sent out one lightweight TalkCPR video media pad to each practice in Wales. These rechargeable electronic video media pads had communication videos pre-loaded for easy viewing, especially in areas with poor roaming data coverage. Results Videos were demonstrably acceptable to both patient and carer groups, and improved healthcare professional confidence and understanding. Videos went live on the TalkCPR website, in all Welsh Health Boards and on Youtube, and are now used in routine practice throughout Wales. Conclusion This is the first time that DNACPR information videos are aimed directly at palliative care patients and carers, to explore this sensitive subject with them, and to encourage them to approach their doctor or nurse about it. The website, app and video media pads were developed by patients, the Digital Legacy Association, Welsh NHS IT services, Welsh Government, the Bevan Commission and the Dying Matters Charity in Wales ‘Byw Nawr’. The GMC, the Royal College of General Practitioners and NICE have listed TalkCPR as a learning resource. There has also been a collaboration with Falmouth University Art College, who helped produce graphic designs to facilitate and encourage discussions about CPR and end of life care

Direct grating writing: single-step Bragg grating and waveguide fabrication for telecommunications and sensing applications

Direct Grating Writing (DGW) has been developed over the past decade as a means of rapidly prototyping waveguides with integrated Bragg grating structures in silica-on-silicon substrates [1]. The technique allows complicated waveguide structures and Bragg grating arrays to be fabricated and characterised in house

Interstellar Carbon in Translucent Sightlines

We report interstellar C II column densities or upper limits determined from weak absorption of the 2325.4029 A intersystem transition observed in six translucent sightlines with STIS. The sightlines sample a wide range of interstellar characteristics including total-to-selective extinction, R_{V} = 2.6 - 5.1; average hydrogen density along the sightline, = 3 - 14 cm^{-3}; and fraction of H in molecular form, 0 - 40%. Four of the sightlines, those toward HD 37021, HD 37061, HD 147888 and HD 207198, have interstellar gas-phase abundances that are consistent with the diffuse sightline ratio of 161 +/- 17 carbon atoms in the gas per million hydrogen nuclei. We note that while it has a gas-phase carbon abundance that is consistent with the other sightlines, a large fraction of the C II toward HD 37061 is in an excited state. The sightline toward HD 152590 has a measured interstellar gas-phase carbon abundance that is well above the diffuse sightline average; the column density of C in this sightline may be overestimated due to noise structure in the data. Toward HD 27778 we find a 3 sigma abundance upper limit of <108 C atoms in the gas per million H, a substantially enhanced depletion of C as compared to the diffuse sightline value. The interstellar characteristics toward HD 27778 are otherwise not extreme among the sample except for an unusually large abundance of CO molecules in the gas.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Mammalian cell-driven polymerisation of pyrrole

A model cancer cell line was used to initiate polymerisation of pyrrole to form the conducting material polypyrrole. The polymerisation was shown to occur via cytosolic exudates rather than via membrane redox sites which normally control the oxidation state of iron as ferricyanide or ferrocyanide.. The data demonstrate for the first time that mammalian cells can be used to initiate synthesis of conducting polymers, and suggest a possible route to detection of cell damage and/or transcellular processes via an in‐situ and amplifiable signal generation

Evaluation of a warfarin bait for controlling invasive wild pigs (\u3ci\u3eSus scrofa\u3c/i\u3e)

BACKGROUND: Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) cause widespread environmental and economic damage, and as a result are subjected to extensive control. Current management strategies have proven insufficient, and there is growing interest in use of toxicants to control invasive populations of this species. In 2017 a low-dose warfarin bait was federally approved for use in controlling wild pigs in the United States. However, no states have allowed use of this bait due to unanswered questions regarding welfare concerns, field efficacy, and non-target impacts. RESULTS: All captive wild pigs fed 0.005% warfarin baits in no choice feeding trials succumbed in an average of 8 days from exposure. Behavioral symptoms of warfarin exposure included vomiting, external bleeding, abnormal breathing, incoordination, and limping. Postmortem examinations revealed hemorrhaging in organs and muscles, particularly the legs, gastrointestinal tract, and abdomen. Warfarin residues in tissues averaged 1.0mg kg-1 for muscle, 3.9mg kg-1 for liver, and 2.8mg kg-1 for small intestines. Field testing revealed wild pigs required extensive training to access bait within pig-specific bait stations, and once acclimated, exhibited reluctance to consume toxic baits, resulting in no mortalities across two separate field deployments of toxic bait. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest wild pigs are susceptible to low-dose warfarin, and warfarin residues in pig tissues postmortem are generally low. However, although warfarin-based baits are currently approved for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency, further improvements to pig-specific bait delivery systems and bait palatability are needed, as well as additional research to quantify efficacy, cost, and non-target impacts prior to widespread implementation