Detection of intrinsic source structure at ~3 Schwarzschild radii with Millimeter-VLBI observations of SAGITTARIUS A*

We report results from very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) observations of the supermassive black hole in the Galactic center, Sgr A*, at 1.3 mm (230 GHz). The observations were performed in 2013 March using six VLBI stations in Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Chile. Compared to earlier observations, the addition of the APEX telescope in Chile almost doubles the longest baseline length in the array, provides additional {\it uv} coverage in the N-S direction, and leads to a spatial resolution of $\sim$30 $\mu$as ($\sim$3 Schwarzschild radii) for Sgr A*. The source is detected even at the longest baselines with visibility amplitudes of $\sim$4-13% of the total flux density. We argue that such flux densities cannot result from interstellar refractive scattering alone, but indicate the presence of compact intrinsic source structure on scales of $\sim$3 Schwarzschild radii. The measured nonzero closure phases rule out point-symmetric emission. We discuss our results in the context of simple geometric models that capture the basic characteristics and brightness distributions of disk- and jet-dominated models and show that both can reproduce the observed data. Common to these models are the brightness asymmetry, the orientation, and characteristic sizes, which are comparable to the expected size of the black hole shadow. Future 1.3 mm VLBI observations with an expanded array and better sensitivity will allow a more detailed imaging of the horizon-scale structure and bear the potential for a deep insight into the physical processes at the black hole boundary.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted to Ap

The Allen Telescope Array: The First Widefield, Panchromatic, Snapshot Radio Camera for Radio Astronomy and SETI

The first 42 elements of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA-42) are beginning to deliver data at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory in Northern California. Scientists and engineers are actively exploiting all of the flexibility designed into this innovative instrument for simultaneously conducting surveys of the astrophysical sky and conducting searches for distant technological civilizations. This paper summarizes the design elements of the ATA, the cost savings made possible by the use of COTS components, and the cost/performance trades that eventually enabled this first snapshot radio camera. The fundamental scientific program of this new telescope is varied and exciting; some of the first astronomical results will be discussed.Comment: Special Issue of Proceedings of the IEEE: "Advances in Radio Telescopes", Baars,J. Thompson,R., D'Addario, L., eds, 2009, in pres

Herbivorous mammals along a montane sere: Community structure and energetics

All common herbivorous mammals were censused along a successional gradient in northern Utah in order to assess some of the changes in ecosystem attributes predicted to occur by Odum (1969). Biomass (B) and energy flow [Production (P), Respiration (R), and P + R (E)] through each of nine species in each of four seral stages (montane meadow, Populus-dominated forest, Abies-dominated forest, and Picea-dominated forest) were estimated. Tests of eight predicted trends were supportwe in five cases (P/R ratio, P/B ratio, B/E ratio, net community production, and species richness), inconsistent in two cases (total organic matter and species evenness/general diversity) and ambiguous in one (size of organism). Community stability, as measured by changes in average community biomass between years of relatively normal and extremely low precipitation, increased with ecosystem maturity. Individual species, however, fluctuated greatly in biomass between the 2 years. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that mammals are determinants of successional patterns only insofar as they affect plant colonization. However, a continuum probably exists between completely passive species and those that strongly influence successional patterns in plant communities through their effects on plant recruitment and/or mortality. Changes in the plant community in turn affect the composition of the herbivorous mammal community

Approaches to an understanding of aphasia: neurolinguistic studies in the British Isles, 1793-1894

No abstract available

Persistent Asymmetric Structure of Sagittarius A* on Event Horizon Scales

The Galactic Center black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) is a prime observing target for the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which can resolve the 1.3 mm emission from this source on angular scales comparable to that of the general relativistic shadow. Previous EHT observations have used visibility amplitudes to infer the morphology of the millimeter-wavelength emission. Potentially much richer source information is contained in the phases. We report on 1.3 mm phase information on Sgr A* obtained with the EHT on a total of 13 observing nights over 4 years. Closure phases, the sum of visibility phases along a closed triangle of interferometer baselines, are used because they are robust against phase corruptions introduced by instrumentation and the rapidly variable atmosphere. The median closure phase on a triangle including telescopes in California, Hawaii, and Arizona is nonzero. This result conclusively demonstrates that the millimeter emission is asymmetric on scales of a few Schwarzschild radii and can be used to break 180-degree rotational ambiguities inherent from amplitude data alone. The stability of the sign of the closure phase over most observing nights indicates persistent asymmetry in the image of Sgr A* that is not obscured by refraction due to interstellar electrons along the line of sight.Comment: 11 pages, accepted to Ap

Allopregnanolone as an Adjunct Therapy to Midazolam is More Effective Than Midazolam Alone in Suppressing Soman-Induced Status Epilepticus in Male Rats.

AIMS: Humans and animals acutely intoxicated with the organophosphate soman can develop sustained status epilepticus (SE) that rapidly becomes refractory to benzodiazepines. We compared the antiseizure efficacy of midazolam, a current standard of care treatment for OP-induced SE, versus combined therapy with midazolam and allopregnanolone (ALLO) in a rat model of soman-induced SE. METHODS: Soman-intoxicated male rats with robust seizure behavior and high-amplitude electroencephalographic (EEG) activity were administered midazolam (0.65 mg, i.m.) 20 min after seizure initiation and 10 min later either a second dose of midazolam or ALLO (12 or 24 mg/kg, i.m.). Seizure behavior and EEG were monitored for 4 h after treatment. Brains were collected at the end of the monitoring period for histological analyses. RESULTS: Animals receiving 2 doses of midazolam exhibited persistent SE. Sequential dosing with midazolam followed by ALLO suppressed electrographic seizure activity. The combination therapy also significantly reduced soman-induced neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation compared to 2 doses of midazolam. High but not low dose ALLO was associated with transitory and reversible respiratory compromise during the 1 h period after dosing. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with midazolam followed by ALLO was more effective than 2 doses of midazolam in suppressing benzodiazepine-refractory, soman-induced SE, and in mitigating its acute neuropathological consequences

BRCA-DIRECT digital pathway for diagnostic germline genetic testing within a UK breast oncology setting: a randomised, non-inferiority trial

Background: Genetic testing to identify germline high-risk pathogenic variants in breast cancer susceptibility genes is increasingly part of the breast cancer diagnostic pathway. Novel patient-centred pathways may offer opportunity to expand capacity and reduce turnaround time. Methods: We recruited 1140 women with unselected breast cancer to undergo germline genetic testing through the BRCA-DIRECT pathway (which includes a digital platform, postal saliva sampling and a genetic counsellor telephone helpline). Ahead of consenting to the test, participants were randomised to receive information about genetic testing digitally (569/1140, 49.9%) or via a pre-test genetic counselling consultation (571/1140, 50.1%). Results: 1001 (87.8%) participants progressed to receive their pre-test information and consented to testing. The primary outcome, uptake of genetic testing, was higher amongst participants randomised to receive digital information compared with those randomised to a pre-test genetic counselling consultation (90.8% (95% CI: 88.5% to 93.1%) vs 84.7% (95% CI: 81.8% to 87.6%), p = 0.002, adjusted for participant age and site). Non-inferiority was observed in relation to patient knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that standardised, digital information offers a non-inferior alternative to conventional genetic counselling, and an end-to-end patient-centred, digital pathway (supported by genetic counselling hotline) could feasibly be implemented into breast oncology settings. Clinical trial registration: The study is registered with, and protocol available on, ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04842799)