42 research outputs found
Agreement between a simple dyspnea-guided treatment algorithm for stable COPD and the GOLD guidelines: A pilot study
Introduction: Guidelines recommendations for the treatment of COPD are poorly followed. This could be related to the complexity of classification and treatment algorithms. The purpose of this study was to validate a simpler dyspnea-based treatment algorithm for inhaled pharmacotherapy in stable COPD, comparing its concordance with the current Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline. Methods: We enrolled patients who had been diagnosed with COPD in three primary care facilities and two tertiary hospitals in Spain. We determined anthropometric data, forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (percent), exacerbations, and dyspnea based on the modified Medical Research Council scale. We evaluated the new algorithm based on dyspnea and exacerbations and calculated the concordance with the current GOLD recommendations. Results: We enrolled 100 patients in primary care and 150 attending specialized care in a respiratory clinic. There were differences in the sample distribution between cohorts with 41% vs 26% in grade A, 16% vs 12% in grade B, 16% vs 22% in grade C, and 27% vs 40% in grade D for primary and respiratory care, respectively (P=0.005). The coincidence of the algorithm with the GOLD recommendations in primary care was 93% and 91.8% in the respiratory care cohort. Conclusion: A simple dyspnea-based treatment algorithm for inhaled pharmacotherapy of COPD could be useful in the management of COPD patients and concurs very well with the recommended schema suggested by the GOLD initiative
GRB 021004: Tomography of a gamma-ray burst progenitor and its host galaxy
We analyse the distribution of matter around the progenitor star of gamma-ray
burst GRB 021004 as well as the properties of its host galaxy with
high-resolution echelle as well as near-infrared spectroscopy. Observations
were taken by the 8.2m Very Large Telescope with the Ultraviolet and Visual
Echelle spectrograph (UVES) and the Infrared Spectrometer And Array Camera
(ISAAC) between 10 and 14 hours after the onset of the event. We report the
first detection of emission lines from a GRB host galaxy in the near-infrared,
detecting H-alpha and the [O III] doublet. These allow an independent
measurement of the systemic redshift (z = 2.3304 +/- 0.0005) which is not
contaminated by absorption as the Ly-alpha line is, and the deduction of
properties of the host galaxy. From the visual echelle spectroscopy, we find
several absorption line groups spanning a range of about 3,000 km/s in velocity
relative to the redshift of the host galaxy. The absorption profiles are very
complex with both velocity-broadened components extending over several 100 km/s
and narrow lines with velocity widths of only 20 km/s. By analogy with QSO
absorption line studies, the relative velocities,widths, and degrees of
ionization of the lines ("line-locking", "ionization--velocity correlation")
show that the progenitor had both an extremely strong radiation field and
several distinct mass loss phases (winds). These results are consistent with
GRB progenitors being massive stars, such as Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) or
Wolf--Rayet stars, providing a detailed picture of the spatial and velocity
structure of the GRB progenitor star at the time of explosion. The host galaxy
is a prolific star-forming galaxy with a SFR of about 40 solar masses per year.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and
Astrophysics
Compendio de artĂculos basados en las tesis doctorales 2007-2013. Proyecto de Desarrollo Profesional Docente para la Enseñanza de las Ciencias Particulares de la Universidad de CamagĂŒey y la Universidad APEC
MarĂa de los Ăngeles Legañoa FerrĂĄ (biografĂa): La coordinadora cientĂfica de esta publicaciĂłn es doctora en ciencias pedagĂłgicas. Tiene un mĂĄster en educaciĂłn superior y una licenciatura en educaciĂłn con especialidad en fĂsica. Es profesora titular del Centro de Estudios de Ciencias de la EducaciĂłn âEnrique JosĂ© Varonaâ de la Universidad de CamagĂŒey âIgnacio Agramonte Loynazâ. Su experiencia laboral abarca mĂĄs de 40 años de docencia en los que ha educado a estudiantes de grado, posgrado, maestrĂa y doctorado. Ha publicado mĂĄs de 20 artĂculos y participado en mĂĄs de 50 congresos internacionales. Ha sido profesora invitada en varias universidades de MĂ©xico como conferencista, profesora de maestrĂa y asesora de doctorados. En RepĂșblica Dominicana coordinĂł el Programa de Desarrollo Profesional Docente para la Enseñanza de las Ciencias Particulares (en UNAPEC) y ha sido consultora del Ministerio de EducaciĂłn para la revisiĂłn curricular de la modalidad en artes. Sus investigaciones se desarrollan en los campos de formaciĂłn en competencias, desarrollo profesional docente, procesos educacionales y gestiĂłn del conocimiento en base a las tecnologĂas de la informaciĂłn y la comunicaciĂłn.Como resultado de la implementaciĂłn de una atinada polĂtica de cooperaciĂłn internacional e interuniversitaria, la Universidad de CamagĂŒey "Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz" (Cuba) y la Universidad APEC (RepĂșblica Dominicana) diseñaron y ejecutaron el "Programa de Desarrollo Profesional Docente para la Enseñanza de las Ciencias Particulares", destinado a elevar las competencias docentes e investigativas de los profesores de UNAPEC en sus ĂĄreas especializaciĂłn profesional. De todos los profesores y directivos favorecidos con dicho proyecto (mĂĄs de 360, que realizaron al menos un diplomado en las ĂĄreas de formaciĂłn pedagĂłgica general y metodologĂa de la enseñanza de la matemĂĄtica o metodologĂa de la enseñanza de las ciencias particulares), 15 alcanzaron el grado de doctor en ciencias pedagĂłgicas por la Universidad de CamagĂŒey. El libro que aquĂ se presenta contiene artĂculos que ellos prepararon sobre la base de sus tesis doctorales, que plantearon todas -a partir de investigaciones cientĂficas- posibles soluciones y recursos para mejorar y perfeccionar la gestiĂłn y la docencia en esta universidad. Los artĂculos del libro ProyecciĂłn de las ciencias pedagĂłgicas en UNAPEC estĂĄn distribuidos en cinco secciones que estudian aspectos nodales de la enseñanza superior: la gestiĂłn universitaria y su papel para contribuir a que la instituciĂłn cumpla su misiĂłn en los Ăłrdenes de la formaciĂłn, la investigaciĂłn y la extensiĂłn; el correcto diseño curricular para que los estudiantes puedan adquirir las competencias generales y profesionales necesarias que contribuyan a su exitosa incursiĂłn en el mundo; la incorporaciĂłn inteligente de las tecnologĂas de la informaciĂłn y la comunicaciĂłn en el sistema educativo; el modo de formar y evaluar adecuadamente las competencias en los programas acadĂ©micos impartidos; y la enseñanza de las matemĂĄticas como herramienta cognitiva fundamental en una sociedad global altamente tecnificada. Con esta publicaciĂłn, que es fruto de un trabajo a largo plazo por la elevaciĂłn de la calidad del quehacer universitario, se espera contribuir al debate acadĂ©mico en torno a algunas de las mĂĄs acuciantes problemĂĄticas que inciden en las instituciones de educaciĂłn superior dominicanas y latinoamericanas.Universidad APE
VERY HIGH ENERGY Îł-RAYS from the UNIVERSE'S MIDDLE AGE: DETECTION of the z = 0.940 BLAZAR PKS 1441+25 with MAGIC
The flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1441+25 at a redshift of z = 0.940 is detected between 40 and 250 GeV with a significance of 25.5Ï using the MAGIC telescopes. Together with the gravitationally lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 (z = 0.944), PKS 1441+25 is the most distant very high energy (VHE) blazar detected to date. The observations were triggered by an outburst in 2015 April seen at GeV energies with the Large Area Telescope on board Fermi. Multi-wavelength observations suggest a subdivision of the high state into two distinct flux states. In the band covered by MAGIC, the variability timescale is estimated to be 6.4 ±1.9 days. Modeling the broadband spectral energy distribution with an external Compton model, the location of the emitting region is understood as originating in the jet outside the broad-line region (BLR) during the period of high activity, while being partially within the BLR during the period of low (typical) activity. The observed VHE spectrum during the highest activity is used to probe the extragalactic background light at an unprecedented distance scale for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy
Supplement: "Localization and broadband follow-up of the gravitational-wave transient GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 826, L13)
This Supplement provides supporting material for Abbott et al. (2016a). We briefly summarize past electromagnetic (EM) follow-up efforts as well as the organization and policy of the current EM follow-up program. We compare the four probability sky maps produced for the gravitational-wave transient GW150914, and provide additional details of the EM follow-up observations that were performed in the different bands
Very-high-energy gamma-rays from the Universe's middle age: detection of the z=0.940 blazar PKS 1441+25 with MAGIC
The flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1441+25 at a redshift of z = 0.940 is detected between 40 and 250 GeV with a significance of 25.5 {sigma} using the MAGIC telescopes. Together with the gravitationally lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 (z = 0.944), PKS 1441+25 is the most distant very high energy (VHE) blazar detected to date. The observations were triggered by an outburst in 2015 April seen at GeV energies with the Large Area Telescope on board Fermi. Multi-wavelength observations suggest a subdivision of the high state into two distinct flux states. In the band covered by MAGIC, the variability time scale is estimated to be 6.4 +/- 1.9 days. Modeling the broadband spectral energy distribution with an external Compton model, the location of the emitting region is understood as originating in the jet outside the broad line region (BLR) during the period of high activity, while being partially within the BLR during the period of low (typical) activity. The observed VHE spectrum during the highest activity is used to probe the extragalactic background light at an unprecedented distance scale for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy.</p
Localization and Broadband Follow-up of the Gravitational-wave Transient GW150914
A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by
the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)
detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098
and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By
prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and
sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers
covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths
with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the
low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of
the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up
observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates
Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities,
the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the
observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger,
there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM)
signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a
counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and
highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community
and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron
star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and
results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by
the individual teams.
</p
Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later
designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through
gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors.
The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray
burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ⌠1.7 {{s}} with respect to
the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was
initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a
luminosity distance of {40}-8+8 Mpc and with
component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses
were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 {M}ÈŻ
. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the
electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical
transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC
4993 (at ⌠40 {{Mpc}}) less than 11 hours after the merger by the
One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The
optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an
hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment.
Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded
within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward
evolution over âŒ10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and
radio emission were discovered at the transientâs position ⌠9
and ⌠16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and
radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct
from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No
ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with
the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support
the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron
stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and
a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process
nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.</p