Investigating the Star Formation Rates of AGN Hosts Relative to the Star-Forming Main Sequence

A fundamental question in galaxy and black-hole evolution remains how galaxies and their supermassive black holes have evolved together over cosmic time. Specifically, it is still unclear how the position of X-ray active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxies with respect to the star-forming main sequence (MS) may change with the X-ray luminosity ($L_\mathrm{X}$) of the AGN or the stellar mass ($M_\star$) of the host galaxy. We use data from XMM-SERVS to probe this issue. XMM-SERVS is covered by the largest medium-depth X-ray survey (with superb supporting multiwavelength data) and thus contains the largest sample to date for study. To ensure consistency, we locally derive the MS from a large reference galaxy sample. In our analysis, we demonstrate that the turnover of the galaxy MS does not allow reliable conclusions to be drawn for high-mass AGNs, and we establish a robust safe regime where the results do not depend upon the choice of MS definition. Under this framework, our results indicate that less-massive AGN host-galaxies ($\log M_\star\sim9.5-10.5$ $M_\odot$) generally possess enhanced SFRs compared to their normal-galaxy counterparts while the more-massive AGN host galaxies ($\log M_\star\sim10.5-11.5$ $M_\odot$) lie on or below the star-forming MS. Further, we propose an empirical model for how the placement of an AGN with respect to the MS (SFR$_{norm}$) evolves as a function of both $M_\star$ and $L_\mathrm{X}$.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in Ap

Message framing to inform cancer prevention pricing interventions in the UK and USA: a factorial experiment, 2019

Objectives: To advance understanding of how message framing can be used to maximise public support across different pricing policies for alcohol, tobacco and sugary drinks/foods that prevent consumption of cancer-causing products. Design: We designed a 3×4×3 randomised factorial experiment to test responses to messages with three pricing policies, four message frames and three products. Setting: Online survey panel (Qualtrics) in 2019. Participants: Adults (N=1850) from the UK and USA. Interventions: Participants randomly viewed one of 36 separate messages that varied by pricing policy (increasing taxes, getting rid of price discounts, getting rid of low-cost products), four frames and product (alcohol, tobacco, sugary drinks/foods). Primary and secondary outcome measures: We assessed the relationship between the message characteristics and four dependent variables. Three were related to policy support: (1) increasing taxes on the product mentioned in the message, (2) getting rid of price discounts and special offers on the product mentioned in the message and (3) getting rid of low-cost versions of the product mentioned in the message. One was related to reactance, a psychological response to having one’s freedom limited. Results: We found no effect for pricing policy in the message. Frames regarding children and reducing cancer risk moderated some outcomes, showing promise for real-world use. We found differences in support by product and reactance with greatest support and least reactance for tobacco policies, less support and more reactance for alcohol policies, and the least support and most reactance for sugary drinks/foods policies. Conclusions: Cancer prevention efforts using policy interventions can be informed by the message framing literature. Our results offer insights for cancer prevention advocacy efforts across the UK and USA and highlight that tax versus non-tax approaches to increasing the cost of cancer-causing products result in similar responses from consumers

Investigating the Star Formation Rates of Active Galactic Nucleus Hosts Relative to the Star-forming Main Sequence

A fundamental question in galaxy and black hole evolution remains how galaxies and their supermassive black holes have evolved together over cosmic time. Specifically, it is still unclear how the position of X-ray active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxies with respect to the star-forming main sequence (MS) may change with the X-ray luminosity ( L _X ) of the AGN or the stellar mass ( M _⋆ ) of the host galaxy. We use data from the XMM-Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (XMM-SERVS) to probe this issue. XMM-SERVS is covered by the largest medium-depth X-ray survey (with superb supporting multiwavelength data) and thus contains the largest sample to date for study. To ensure consistency, we locally derive the MS from a large reference galaxy sample. In our analysis, we demonstrate that the turnover of the galaxy MS does not allow reliable conclusions to be drawn for high-mass AGNs, and we establish a robust safe regime where the results do not depend upon the choice of MS definition. Under this framework, our results indicate that less massive AGN host galaxies ( \mathrm{log}{M}_{\star }\sim 9.5\mbox{--}10.5\,{M}_{\odot } ) generally possess enhanced star formation rates compared to their normal-galaxy counterparts while the more massive AGN host galaxies ( \mathrm{log}{M}_{\star }\sim 10.5\mbox{--}11.5\,{M}_{\odot } ) lie on or below the star-forming MS. Further, we propose an empirical model for how the placement of an AGN with respect to the MS (SFR _norm ) evolves as a function of both M _⋆ and L _X

“little big things”: A qualitative study of ovarian cancer survivors and their experiences with the health care system

Purpose: Navigation of a complex and ever-changing health care system can be stressful and detrimental to psychosocial well-being for patients with serious illness. This study explored women\u27s experiences with navigating the health care system during treatment for ovarian cancer. Methods: Focus groups moderated by trained investigators were conducted with ovarian cancer survivors at an academic cancer center. Personal experiences with cancer treatment, provider relationships, barriers to care, and the health care system were explored. Sessions were audiotaped, transcribed, and coded by using grounded theory. Subsequently, one-on-one interviews were conducted to further evaluate common themes. Results: Sixteen ovarian cancer survivors with a median age of 59 years participated in the focus group study. Provider consistency, personal touch, and patient advocacy positively affected the care experience. Treatment with a known provider who was well acquainted with the individual\u27s medical history was deemed an invaluable aspect of care. Negative experiences that burdened patients, referred to as the little big things, included systems-based challenges, which were scheduling, wait times, pharmacy, transportation, parking, financial, insurance, and discharge. Consistency, a care team approach, effective communication, and efficient connection to resources were suggested as ways to improve patients\u27 experiences. Conclusion: Systems-based challenges were perceived as burdens to ovarian cancer survivors at our institution. The role of a consistent, accessible care team and efficient delivery of resources in the care of women with ovarian cancer should be explored further