1,613 research outputs found
Circumnuclear Gas in Seyfert 1 Galaxies: Morphology, Kinematics, and Direct Measurement of Black Hole Masses
(Abridged) The two-dimensional distribution and kinematics of the molecular,
ionized, and highly ionized gas in the nuclear regions of Seyfert 1 galaxies
have been measured using high spatial resolution (~0''.09) near-infrared
spectroscopy from NIRSPEC with adaptive optics on the Keck telescope. Molecular
hydrogen, H2, is detected in all nine Seyfert 1 galaxies and, in the majority
of galaxies, has a spatially resolved flux distribution. In contrast, the
narrow component of the BrG emission has a distribution consistent with that of
the K-band continuum. In general, the kinematics of H2 are consistent with thin
disk rotation, with a velocity gradient of over 100 km/s measured across the
central 0''.5 in three galaxies, and across the central 1''.5 in two galaxies.
The kinematics of BrG are in agreement with the H2 rotation, except in all four
cases the central 0''.5 is either blue- or redshifted by more than 75 km/s. The
highly ionized gas, measured with the [Ca VIII] and [Si VII] coronal lines, is
spatially and kinematically consistent with BrG in the central 0''.5. Dynamical
models have been fitted to the two-dimensional H2 kinematics, taking into
account the stellar mass distribution, the emission line flux distribution, and
the point spread function. For NGC 3227 the modeling indicates a black hole
mass of Mbh = 2.0{+1.0/-0.4} x 10^7 Msun, and for NGC 4151 Mbh =
3.0{+0.75/-2.2} x 10^7 Msun. In NGC 7469 the best fit model gives Mbh < 5.0 x
10^7 Msun. In all three galaxies, modeling suggests a near face-on disk
inclination angle, which is consistent with the unification theory of active
galaxies. The direct black hole mass estimates verify that masses determined
from the technique of reverberation mapping are accurate to within a factor of
three with no additional systematic errors.Comment: 43 pages, including 47 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ. All
2-D maps (in high resolution) are available at
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~ehicks . Minor changes to the text and updated
reverberation mapped black hole mass estimates; the conclusions are unchange
Seasonal analysis of submicron aerosol in Old Delhi using high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometry: chemical characterisation, source apportionment and new marker identification
We present the first real-time composition of submicron particulate matter (PM1) in Old Delhi using high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometry (HR-AMS). Old Delhi is one of the most polluted locations in the world, and PM1 concentrations reached âŒâ750â”gâmâ3 during the most polluted period, the post-monsoon period, where PM1 increased by 188â% over the pre-monsoon period. Sulfate contributes the largest inorganic PM1 mass fraction during the pre-monsoon (24â%) and monsoon (24â%) periods, with nitrate contributing most during the post-monsoon period (8â%). The organics dominate the mass fraction (54â%â68â%) throughout the three periods, and, using positive matrix factorisation (PMF) to perform source apportionment analysis of organic mass, two burning-related factors were found to contribute the most (35â%) to the post-monsoon increase. The first PMF factor, semi-volatility biomass burning organic aerosol (SVBBOA), shows a high correlation with Earth observation fire counts in surrounding states, which links its origin to crop residue burning. The second is a solid fuel OA (SFOA) factor with links to local open burning due to its high composition of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and novel AMS-measured marker species for polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Two traffic factors were resolved: one hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) factor and another nitrogen-rich HOA (NHOA) factor. The N compounds within NHOA were mainly nitrile species which have not previously been identified within AMS measurements. Their PAH composition suggests that NHOA is linked to diesel and HOA to compressed natural gas and petrol. These factors combined make the largest relative contribution to primary PM1 mass during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods while contributing the second highest in the post-monsoon period. A cooking OA (COA) factor shows strong links to the secondary factor, semi-volatility oxygenated OA (SVOOA). Correlations with co-located volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements and AMS-measured organic nitrogen oxides (OrgNO) suggest SVOOA is formed from aged COA. It is also found that a significant increase in chloride concentrations (522â%) from pre-monsoon to post-monsoon correlates well with SVBBOA and SFOA, suggesting that crop residue burning and open waste burning are responsible. A reduction in traffic emissions would effectively reduce concentrations across most of the year. In order to reduce the post-monsoon peak, sources such as funeral pyres, solid waste burning and crop residue burning should be considered when developing new air quality policy
APOE Δ4 is associated with disproportionate progressive hippocampal atrophy in AD.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether APOE Δ4 carriers have higher hippocampal atrophy rates than non-carriers in Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and controls, and if so, whether higher hippocampal atrophy rates are still observed after adjusting for concurrent whole-brain atrophy rates. METHODS: MRI scans from all available visits in ADNI (148 AD, 307 MCI, 167 controls) were used. MCI subjects were divided into "progressors" (MCI-P) if diagnosed with AD within 36 months or "stable" (MCI-S) if a diagnosis of MCI was maintained. A joint multi-level mixed-effect linear regression model was used to analyse the effect of Δ4 carrier-status on hippocampal and whole-brain atrophy rates, adjusting for age, gender, MMSE and brain-to-intracranial volume ratio. The difference in hippocampal rates between Δ4 carriers and non-carriers after adjustment for concurrent whole-brain atrophy rate was then calculated. RESULTS: Mean adjusted hippocampal atrophy rates in Δ4 carriers were significantly higher in AD, MCI-P and MCI-S (pâ€0.011, all tests) compared with Δ4 non-carriers. After adjustment for whole-brain atrophy rate, the difference in mean adjusted hippocampal atrophy rate between Δ4 carriers and non-carriers was reduced but remained statistically significant in AD and MCI-P. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the APOE Δ4 allele drives atrophy to the medial-temporal lobe region in AD
A meta-analytic review of stand-alone interventions to improve body image
Objective
Numerous stand-alone interventions to improve body image have been developed. The
present review used meta-analysis to estimate the effectiveness of such interventions, and
to identify the specific change techniques that lead to improvement in body image.
Methods
The inclusion criteria were that (a) the intervention was stand-alone (i.e., solely focused on
improving body image), (b) a control group was used, (c) participants were randomly
assigned to conditions, and (d) at least one pretest and one posttest measure of body
image was taken. Effect sizes were meta-analysed and moderator analyses were conducted.
A taxonomy of 48 change techniques used in interventions targeted at body image
was developed; all interventions were coded using this taxonomy.
Results
The literature search identified 62 tests of interventions (N = 3,846). Interventions produced
a small-to-medium improvement in body image (d+ = 0.38), a small-to-medium reduction in
beauty ideal internalisation (d+ = -0.37), and a large reduction in social comparison tendencies
(d+ = -0.72). However, the effect size for body image was inflated by bias both within
and across studies, and was reliable but of small magnitude once corrections for bias were
applied. Effect sizes for the other outcomes were no longer reliable once corrections for
bias were applied. Several features of the sample, intervention, and methodology moderated
intervention effects. Twelve change techniques were associated with improvements in
body image, and three techniques were contra-indicated.
Conclusions
The findings show that interventions engender only small improvements in body image, and
underline the need for large-scale, high-quality trials in this area. The review identifies effective
techniques that could be deployed in future interventions
Stroke recovery in rats after 24h-delayed intramuscular neurotrophin-3 infusion
Objective
Neurotrophinâ3 (NT3) plays a key role in the development and function of locomotor circuits including descending serotonergic and corticospinal tract axons and afferents from muscle and skin. We have previously shown that gene therapy delivery of human NT3 into affected forelimb muscles improves sensorimotor recovery after stroke in adult and elderly rats. Here, to move toward the clinic, we tested the hypothesis that intramuscular infusion of NT3 protein could improve sensorimotor recovery after stroke.
Methods
Rats received unilateral ischemic stroke in sensorimotor cortex. To simulate a clinically feasible time to treatment, 24 hours later rats were randomized to receive NT3 or vehicle by infusion into affected triceps brachii for 4 weeks using implanted catheters and minipumps.
Results
Radiolabeled NT3 crossed from the bloodstream into the brain and spinal cord in rodents with or without strokes. NT3 increased the accuracy of forelimb placement during walking on a horizontal ladder and increased use of the affected arm for lateral support during rearing. NT3 also reversed sensory impairment of the affected wrist. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during stimulation of the affected wrist showed spontaneous recovery of periâinfarct blood oxygenation levelâdependent signal that NT3 did not further enhance. Rather, NT3 induced neuroplasticity of the spared corticospinal and serotonergic pathways.
Interpretation
Our results show that delayed, peripheral infusion of NT3 can improve sensorimotor function after ischemic stroke. Phase I and II clinical trials of NT3 (for constipation and neuropathy) have shown that peripheral high doses are safe and well tolerated, which paves the way for NT3 as a therapy for stroke
Changing Bodies: Experiences of Women Who Have Undergone a Surgically Induced Menopause.
We aimed to explore the lived experiences of women who had a surgical menopause as a result of undergoing a hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oopherectomy (BSO). We adopted a qualitative interview design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and recruited 7 women aged 47 to 59. We conducted synchronous online semistructured interviews using the MSN (Microsoft Network) Messenger program. In the findings, we examine the prominent and underresearched theme of body image change. We discuss the women's journey from a deep internal bodily change, the meaning of this changing body image, through to the thoughts and behaviors involved with self-presentation concerns and coping with body image changes. A woman's perceived attractiveness and appearance investment are important factors to consider regarding adaptation to change over this transition. The findings might have implications for interventions designed to enhance mental well-being and increase health behaviors in women experiencing gynecological illness and/or menopause
Mindfulness-based stress reduction in Parkinsonâs disease: a systematic review
Background:
Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) is increasingly being used to improve outcomes such as stress and depression in a range of long-term conditions (LTCs). While systematic reviews on MBSR have taken place for a number of conditions there remains limited information on its impact on individuals with Parkinsonâs disease (PD).
Methods:
Medline, Central, Embase, Amed, CINAHAL were searched in March 2016. These databases were searched using a combination of MeSH subject headings where available and keywords in the title and abstracts. We also searched the reference lists of related reviews. Study quality was assessed based on questions from the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool.
Results:
Two interventions and three papers with a total of 66 participants were included. The interventions were undertaken in Belgium (n = 27) and the USA (n = 39). One study reported significantly increased grey matter density (GMD) in the brains of the MBSR group compared to the usual care group. Significant improvements were reported in one study for a number of outcomes including PD outcomes, depression, mindfulness, and quality of life indicators. Only one intervention was of reasonable quality and both interventions failed to control for potential confounders in the analysis. Adverse events and reasons for drop-outs were not reported. There was also no reporting on the costs/benefits of the intervention or how they affected health service utilisation.
Conclusion:
This systematic review found limited and inconclusive evidence of the effectiveness of MBSR for PD patients. Both of the included interventions claimed positive effects for PD patients but significant outcomes were often contradicted by other results. Further trials with larger sample sizes, control groups and longer follow-ups are needed before the evidence for MBSR in PD can be conclusively judged
Excess AGN Activity in the z=2.30 Protocluster in HS 1700+64
We present the results of spectroscopic, narrow-band and X-ray observations
of a z=2.30 protocluster in the field of the QSO HS 1700+643. Using a sample of
BX/MD galaxies, which are selected to be at z~2.2-2.7 by their rest-frame
ultraviolet colours, we find that there are 5 protocluster AGN which have been
identified by characteristic emission-lines in their optical/near-IR spectra;
this represents an enhancement over the field significant at ~98.5 per cent
confidence. Using a ~200 ks Chandra/ACIS-I observation of this field we detect
a total of 161 X-ray point sources to a Poissonian false-probability limit of
4x10^{-6} and identify 8 of these with BX/MD galaxies. Two of these are
spectroscopically confirmed protocluster members and are also classified as
emission-line AGN. When compared to a similarly selected field sample the
analysis indicates this is also evidence for an enhancement of X-ray selected
BX/MD AGN over the field, significant at ~99 per cent confidence. Deep Lya
narrow-band imaging reveals that a total of 4/123 Lya emitters (LAEs) are found
to be associated with X-ray sources, with two of these confirmed protocluster
members and one highly likely member. We do not find a significant enhancement
of AGN activity in this LAE sample over that of the field (result significant
at only 87 per cent confidence). The X-ray emitting AGN fractions for the BX/MD
and LAE samples are found to be 6.9_{-4.4}^{+9.2} and 2.9_{-1.6}^{+2.9} per
cent, respectively, for protocluster AGN with L_{2-10 keV}>4.6x10^{43} erg
s^{-1} at z=2.30. These findings are similar to results from the z=3.09
protocluster in the SSA 22 field found by Lehmer et al. (2009), in that both
suggest AGN activity is favoured in dense environments at z>2.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS
An empirical investigation of dance addiction
Although recreational dancing is associated with increased physical and psychological well-being, little is known about the harmful effects of excessive dancing. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychopathological factors associated with dance addiction. The sample comprised 447 salsa and ballroom dancers (68% female, mean age: 32.8 years) who danced recreationally at least once a week. The Exercise Addiction Inventory (Terry, Szabo, & Griffiths, 2004) was adapted for dance (Dance Addiction Inventory, DAI). Motivation, general mental health (BSI-GSI, and Mental Health Continuum), borderline personality disorder, eating disorder symptoms, and dance motives were also assessed. Five latent classes were explored based on addiction symptoms with 11% of participants belonging to the most problematic class. DAI was positively associated with psychiatric distress, borderline personality and eating disorder symptoms. Hierarchical linear regression model indicated that Intensity (Ă=0.22), borderline (Ă=0.08), eating disorder (Ă=0.11) symptoms, as well as Escapism (Ă=0.47) and Mood Enhancement (Ă=0.15) (as motivational factors) together explained 42% of DAI scores. Dance addiction as assessed with the Dance Addiction Inventory is associated with indicators of mild psychopathology and therefore warrants further research
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