34 research outputs found

    The ionization fraction in OMC-2 and OMC-3

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    Context. The electron density (n) plays an important role in setting the chemistry and physics of the interstellar medium. However, measurements of n in neutral clouds have been directly obtained only toward a few lines of sight or they rely on indirect determinations. Aims. We use carbon radio recombination lines and the far-infrared lines of C to directly measure neand the gas temperature in the envelope of the integral shaped filament (ISF) in the Orion A molecular cloud. Methods. We observed the C102 alpha (6109.901 MHz) and C109 alpha (5011.420 MHz) carbon radio recombination lines (CRRLs) using the Effelsberg 100 m telescope at approximate to 2 ' resolution toward five positions in OMC-2 and OMC-3. Since the CRRLs have similar line properties, we averaged them to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectra. We compared the intensities of the averaged CRRLs, and the 158 mu m-[CII] and [(CII)-C-13] lines to the predictions of a homogeneous model for the C/C interface in the envelope of a molecular cloud and from this comparison we determined the electron density, temperature and C column density of the gas. Results. We detect the CRRLs toward four positions, where their velocity (v approximate to 11 km s) and widths (sigma v approximate to 1 km s) confirms that they trace the envelope of the ISF. Toward two positions we detect the CRRLs, and the 158 mu m-[CII] and [13CII] lines with a signal-to-noise ratio >= 5, and we find ne= 0.65 +/- 0.12 cm-3 and 0.95 +/- 0.02 cm(-3), which corresponds to a gas density nH approximate to 5 x 10(3) cm(-3) and a thermal pressure of p approximate to 4 x 10. We also constrained the ionization fraction in the denser portions of the molecular cloud using the HCN(1-0) and CH(1-0) lines to x(e) = 100 between the Clayer and the regions probed by HCN(1-0). This suggests that electron collisional excitation does not play a significant role in setting the excitation of HCN(1-0) toward the region studied, as it is responsible for only approximate to 10% of the observed emission.Interstellar matter and star formatio

    Fitting the integrated Spectral Energy Distributions of Galaxies

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    Fitting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies is an almost universally used technique that has matured significantly in the last decade. Model predictions and fitting procedures have improved significantly over this time, attempting to keep up with the vastly increased volume and quality of available data. We review here the field of SED fitting, describing the modelling of ultraviolet to infrared galaxy SEDs, the creation of multiwavelength data sets, and the methods used to fit model SEDs to observed galaxy data sets. We touch upon the achievements and challenges in the major ingredients of SED fitting, with a special emphasis on describing the interplay between the quality of the available data, the quality of the available models, and the best fitting technique to use in order to obtain a realistic measurement as well as realistic uncertainties. We conclude that SED fitting can be used effectively to derive a range of physical properties of galaxies, such as redshift, stellar masses, star formation rates, dust masses, and metallicities, with care taken not to over-interpret the available data. Yet there still exist many issues such as estimating the age of the oldest stars in a galaxy, finer details ofdust properties and dust-star geometry, and the influences of poorly understood, luminous stellar types and phases. The challenge for the coming years will be to improve both the models and the observational data sets to resolve these uncertainties. The present review will be made available on an interactive, moderated web page (sedfitting.org), where the community can access and change the text. The intention is to expand the text and keep it up to date over the coming years.Comment: 54 pages, 26 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

    Observations of the High Redshift Universe

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    (Abridged) In these lectures aimed for non-specialists, I review progress in understanding how galaxies form and evolve. Both the star formation history and assembly of stellar mass can be empirically traced from redshifts z~6 to the present, but how the various distant populations inter-relate and how stellar assembly is regulated by feedback and environmental processes remains unclear. I also discuss how these studies are being extended to locate and characterize the earlier sources beyond z~6. Did early star-forming galaxies contribute significantly to the reionization process and over what period did this occur? Neither theory nor observations are well-developed in this frontier topic but the first results presented here provide important guidance on how we will use more powerful future facilities.Comment: To appear in `First Light in Universe', Saas-Fee Advanced Course 36, Swiss Soc. Astrophys. Astron. in press. 115 pages, 64 figures (see http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~rse/saas-fee.pdf for hi-res figs.) For lecture ppt files see http://obswww.unige.ch/saas-fee/preannouncement/course_pres/overview_f.htm

    Baryons: What, When and Where?

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    We review the current state of empirical knowledge of the total budget of baryonic matter in the Universe as observed since the epoch of reionization. Our summary examines on three milestone redshifts since the reionization of H in the IGM, z = 3, 1, and 0, with emphasis on the endpoints. We review the observational techniques used to discover and characterize the phases of baryons. In the spirit of the meeting, the level is aimed at a diverse and non-expert audience and additional attention is given to describe how space missions expected to launch within the next decade will impact this scientific field.Comment: Proceedings Review for "Astrophysics in the Next Decade: JWST and Concurrent Facilities", ed. X. Tielens, 38 pages, 10 color figures. Revised to address comments from the communit

    Non-AIDS defining cancers in the D:A:D Study-time trends and predictors of survival : a cohort study

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    BACKGROUND:Non-AIDS defining cancers (NADC) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals. Using data from a large international cohort of HIV-positive individuals, we described the incidence of NADC from 2004-2010, and described subsequent mortality and predictors of these.METHODS:Individuals were followed from 1st January 2004/enrolment in study, until the earliest of a new NADC, 1st February 2010, death or six months after the patient's last visit. Incidence rates were estimated for each year of follow-up, overall and stratified by gender, age and mode of HIV acquisition. Cumulative risk of mortality following NADC diagnosis was summarised using Kaplan-Meier methods, with follow-up for these analyses from the date of NADC diagnosis until the patient's death, 1st February 2010 or 6 months after the patient's last visit. Factors associated with mortality following NADC diagnosis were identified using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.RESULTS:Over 176,775 person-years (PY), 880 (2.1%) patients developed a new NADC (incidence: 4.98/1000PY [95% confidence interval 4.65, 5.31]). Over a third of these patients (327, 37.2%) had died by 1st February 2010. Time trends for lung cancer, anal cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma were broadly consistent. Kaplan-Meier cumulative mortality estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years after NADC diagnosis were 28.2% [95% CI 25.1-31.2], 42.0% [38.2-45.8] and 47.3% [42.4-52.2], respectively. Significant predictors of poorer survival after diagnosis of NADC were lung cancer (compared to other cancer types), male gender, non-white ethnicity, and smoking status. Later year of diagnosis and higher CD4 count at NADC diagnosis were associated with improved survival. The incidence of NADC remained stable over the period 2004-2010 in this large observational cohort.CONCLUSIONS:The prognosis after diagnosis of NADC, in particular lung cancer and disseminated cancer, is poor but has improved somewhat over time. Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and low CD4 counts, were associated with mortality following a diagnosis of NADC

    Hagiography, pictorial narrative, and the politics of kingship Studies in the `Matthew Paris' Saints' lives and illustrations to the life of St. Louis

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    SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX193036 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
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