47 research outputs found
Integral field optical spectroscopy of a representative sample of ULIRGs: I. The Data
We present a project aimed at studying the structure, dust distribution,
ionization state, and kinematics of a representative sample of 22 ULIRGs. The
galaxies in the sample undergo different merger phases (they are evenly divided
between pre- and post-coalescence systems) and ionization stages (27% HII, 32%
LINER, 18% Seyfert, and 23% mixed classifications) over a wide infrared
luminosity range (11.8<Lir/Lsun<12.6), which also includes some galaxies of low
luminosity. The main aims of this paper are to present the sample and discuss
the structure of the stellar and ionized gas components. Our results imply that
evolution caused by a merger is occurring in the ionized gas structure of
ULIRGs. The present study relies on the use of integral field optical
spectroscopy data obtained with the INTEGRAL instrument at the 4.2 m William
Herschel Telescope.Comment: To appear in A&A. Paper with higher quality images can be found at
http://hera.ph1.uni-koeln.de/ftpspace/maca/Catalog
On the Anticorrelation Between Galaxy Light Concentration and X-ray-to-Optical Flux Ratio
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) play an important role in many aspects of the
modern cosmology, and of particular interest is the issue of the interplay
between AGN and their host galaxy. Using X-ray and optical data sets, we have
explored the properties of a large sample of AGNs in the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep
Survey (SXDS) field, and studied their evolution in relation with the evolution
of their host galaxy. We present here an anticorrelation between
X-ray-to-optical flux ratio (X/O) and galaxy light concentration (C), which has
been found for the first time and might suggest that early type galaxies,
having poor matter supply to feed the AGN activity, have lower Eddington rates
than those of late type galaxies.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter
Adaptive optics near infrared integral field spectroscopy of NGC 2992
NGC 2992 is an intermediate Seyfert 1 galaxy showing outflows on kilo parsec
scales which might be due either to AGN or starburst activity. We therefore aim
at investigating its central region for a putative starburst in the past and
its connection to the AGN and the outflows. Observations were performed with
the adaptive optics near infrared integral field spectrograph SINFONI on the
VLT, complemented by longslit observations with ISAAC on the VLT, as well as N-
and Q-band data from the Spitzer archive. The spatial and spectral resolutions
of the SINFONI data are 50 pc and 83 km/s, respectively. The field of view of
3" x 3" corresponds to 450 pc x 450 pc. Br_gamma equivalent width and line
fluxes from PAHs were compared to stellar population models to constrain the
age of the putative recent star formation. A simple geometric model of two
mutually inclined disks and an additional cone to describe an outflow was
developed to explain the observed complex velocity field in H_2 1-0S(1). The
morphologies of the Br_gamma and the stellar continuum are different suggesting
that at least part of the Br_gamma emission comes from the AGN. This is
confirmed by PAH emission lines at 6.2 micron and 11.2 micron and the strength
of the silicon absorption feature at 9.7 micron, which point to dominant AGN
activity with a relatively minor starburst contribution. We find a starburst
age of 40 Myr - 50 Myr from Br_gamma line diagnostics and the radio continuum;
ongoing star formation can be excluded. Both the energetics and the timescales
indicate that the outflows are driven by the AGN rather than the starburst. The
complex velocity field observed in H_2 1-0S(1) in the central 450 pc can be
explained by the superposition of the galaxy rotation and an outflow.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&
MiR-211 is essential for adult cone photoreceptor maintenance and visual function.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that play an important role in the control of fundamental biological processes in both physiological and pathological conditions. Their function in retinal cells is just beginning to be elucidated, and a few have been found to play a role in photoreceptor maintenance and function. MiR-211 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the developing and adult eye. However, its role in controlling vertebrate visual system development, maintenance and function so far remain incompletely unexplored. Here, by targeted inactivation in a mouse model, we identify a critical role of miR-211 in cone photoreceptor function and survival. MiR-211 knockout (-/-) mice exhibited a progressive cone dystrophy accompanied by significant alterations in visual function. Transcriptome analysis of the retina from miR-211-/- mice during cone degeneration revealed significant alteration of pathways related to cell metabolism. Collectively, this study highlights for the first time the impact of miR-211 function in the retina and significantly contributes to unravelling the role of specific miRNAs in cone photoreceptor function and survival
A panchromatic study of BLAST counterparts: total star-formation rate, morphology, AGN fraction and stellar mass
We carry out a multi-wavelength study of individual galaxies detected by the
Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST) and identified at
other wavelengths, using data spanning the radio to the ultraviolet (UV). We
develop a Monte Carlo method to account for flux boosting, source blending, and
correlations among bands, which we use to derive deboosted far-infrared (FIR)
luminosities for our sample. We estimate total star-formation rates for BLAST
counterparts with z < 0.9 by combining their FIR and UV luminosities. Star
formation is heavily obscured at L_FIR > 10^11 L_sun, z > 0.5, but the
contribution from unobscured starlight cannot be neglected at L_FIR < 10^11
L_sun, z < 0.25. We assess that about 20% of the galaxies in our sample show
indication of a type-1 active galactic nucleus (AGN), but their submillimeter
emission is mainly due to star formation in the host galaxy. We compute stellar
masses for a subset of 92 BLAST counterparts; these are relatively massive
objects, with a median mass of ~10^11 M_sun, which seem to link the 24um and
SCUBA populations, in terms of both stellar mass and star-formation activity.
The bulk of the BLAST counterparts at z<1 appear to be run-of-the-mill
star-forming galaxies, typically spiral in shape, with intermediate stellar
masses and practically constant specific star-formation rates. On the other
hand, the high-z tail of the BLAST counterparts significantly overlaps with the
SCUBA population, in terms of both star-formation rates and stellar masses,
with observed trends of specific star-formation rate that support strong
evolution and downsizing.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 44 pages, 11
figures. The SED template for the derivation of L_FIR has changed (added new
figure) and the discussion on the stellar masses has been improved. The
complete set of full-color postage-stamps can be found at
http://blastexperiment.info/results_images/moncelsi
AGN-Host Galaxy Connection: Morphology and Colours of X-ray Selected AGN at z < 2
The connection between AGN and their host galaxies has been widely studied
over recent years, showing it to be of great importance for providing answers
to some fundamental questions related with AGN fueling mechanisms, their
formation and evolution. Using X-ray and one of the deepest broad-band optical
data sets, we studied morphology and colours in relationship with X-ray
properties for sources at redshifts z < 2.0, using a sample of 262 AGN in the
Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Survey (SXDS). Morphological classification was obtained
using the galSVM code, one of the new methods useful especially when dealing
with high-redshift sources and low-resolution data. Colour-magnitude diagrams
were studied in relationship with redshift, morphology, X-ray obscuration, and
X-ray-to-optical flux ratio. Finally, the significance of different regions was
analysed on colour-magnitude diagrams, relating the observed properties of AGN
populations with some models of their formation and evolution.Comment: 24 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in
Astronomy&Astrophysic
Secondary Autochthonous Outbreak of Chikungunya, Southern Italy, 2017
In 2017, a chikungunya outbreak in central Italy later evolved into a secondary cluster in southern Italy, providing evidence of disease emergence in new areas. Officials have taken action to raise awareness among clinicians and the general population, increase timely case detection, reduce mosquito breeding sites, and promote mosquito bite prevention
Deep GEMINI GMOS-IFU spectroscopy of BAL QSOs: I. Decoupling the BAL, QSO, starburst, NLR, supergiant bubbles and galactic wind in Mrk 231
In this work we present the first results of a study of BAL QSOs (at low and
high redshift), based on very deep Gemini GMOS integral field spectroscopy. In
particular, the results obtained for the nearest BAL IR QSO Mrk 231 are
presented. Very deep three-dimensional spectra and maps clearly show that the
BAL systems I and II are extended (reaching 1.4-1.6" = 1.2-1.3 kpc, from the
nucleus) and clearly elongated at the position angle close to the radio jet PA.
Which suggest that the BAL systems I and II are both associated with the radio
jet, and supporting the bipolar jet-wind model for some BALs. For the nuclear
region of Mrk 231, the QSO and host-galaxy components were modelled, using a
new technique of decoupling 3D spectra. From this study, the following main
results were found: (i) in the pure host galaxy spectrum an extreme nuclear
starburst component was clearly observed, mainly as a very strong increase in
the flux, at the blue wavelengths; (ii) the BAL system I is observed in the
spectrum of the host galaxy; (iii) in the clean/pure QSO emission spectrum,
only broad lines were detected. 3D GMOS individual spectra (specially in the IR
Ca II triplet) and maps confirm the presence of an extreme and young nuclear
starburst (8 < age < 15 Myr), which was detected mainly in a ring or toroid
with a radius r = 0.3" = 200 pc, around the very nucleus. The physical
properties of the four expanding nuclear bubbles were analysed, using the GMOS
3D spectra and maps. These results suggest that an important part of the
nuclear NLR is generated by the OF process and the associated low velocity
ionizing shocks.Comment: 51 pages, 20 figures, Submitted MNRA
Insight in cognitive impairment assessed with the Cognitive Assessment Interview in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia
The Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI) is an interview-based scale measuring cognitive impairment and its impact on functioning in subjects with schizophrenia (SCZ). The present study aimed at assessing, in a large sample of SCZ (n = 601), the agreement between patients and their informants on CAI ratings, to explore patients' insight in their cognitive deficits and its relationships with clinical and functional indices. Agreement between patient- and informant-based ratings was assessed by the Gwet's agreement coefficient. Predictors of insight in cognitive deficits were explored by stepwise multiple regression analyses. Patients reported lower severity of cognitive impairment vs. informants. A substantial to almost perfect agreement was observed between patients' and informants' ratings. Lower insight in cognitive deficits was associated to greater severity of neurocognitive impairment and positive symptoms, lower severity of depressive symptoms, and older age. Worse real-life functioning was associated to lower insight in cognitive deficit, worse neurocognitive performance, and worse functional capacity. Our findings indicate that the CAI is a valid co-primary measure with the interview to patients providing a reliable assessment of their cognitive deficits. In the absence of informants with good knowledge of the subject, the interview to the patient may represent a valid alternative