Sub-millimeter Observations of Giant Molecular Clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud: Temperature and Density as Determined from J=3-2 and J=1-0 transitions of CO

We have carried out sub-mm 12CO(J=3-2) observations of 6 giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) with the ASTE 10m sub-mm telescope at a spatial resolution of 5 pc and very high sensitivity. We have identified 32 molecular clumps in the GMCs and revealed significant details of the warm and dense molecular gas with n(H2) $\sim$ 10$^{3-5}$ cm$^{-3}$ and Tkin $\sim$ 60 K. These data are combined with 12CO(J=1-0) and 13CO(J=1-0) results and compared with LVG calculations. We found that the ratio of 12CO(J=3-2) to 12CO(J=1-0) emission is sensitive to and is well correlated with the local Halpha flux. We interpret that differences of clump propeties represent an evolutionary sequence of GMCs in terms of density increase leading to star formation.Type I and II GMCs (starless GMCs and GMCs with HII regions only, respectively) are at the young phase of star formation where density does not yet become high enough to show active star formation and Type III GMCs (GMCs with HII regions and young star clusters) represents the later phase where the average density is increased and the GMCs are forming massive stars. The high kinetic temperature correlated with \Halpha flux suggests that FUV heating is dominant in the molecular gas of the LMC.Comment: 74 pages, including 41 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

The complexity of kidney disease and diagnosing it – cystatin C, selective glomerular hypofiltration syndromes and proteome regulation

Estimation of kidney function is often part of daily clinical practice, mostly done by using the endogenous glomerular filtration rate (GFR)-markers creatinine or cystatin C. A recommendation to use both markers in parallel in 2010 has resulted in new knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of kidney disorders by the identification of a new set of kidney disorders, selective glomerular hypofiltration syndromes. These syndromes, connected to strong increases in mortality and morbidity, are characterized by a selective reduction in the glomerular filtration of 5–30 kDa molecules, such as cystatin C, compared to the filtration of small molecules <1 kDa dominating the glomerular filtrate, for example water, urea and creatinine. At least two types of such disorders, shrunken or elongated pore syndrome, are possible according to the pore model for glomerular filtration. Selective glomerular hypofiltration syndromes are prevalent in investigated populations, and patients with these syndromes often display normal measured GFR or creatinine-based GFR-estimates. The syndromes are characterized by proteomic changes promoting the development of atherosclerosis, indicating antibodies and specific receptor-blocking substances as possible new treatment modalities. Presently, the KDIGO guidelines for diagnosing kidney disorders do not recommend cystatin C as a general marker of kidney function and will therefore not allow the identification of a considerable number of patients with selective glomerular hypofiltration syndromes. Furthermore, as cystatin C is uninfluenced by muscle mass, diet or variations in tubular secretion and cystatin C-based GFR-estimation equations do not require controversial race or sex terms, it is obvious that cystatin C should be a part of future KDIGO guidelines.publishedVersio

More Bucks for the Bang: New Space Solutions, Impact Tourism and one Unique Science & Engineering Opportunity at T-6 Months and Counting

For now, the Planetary Defense Conference Exercise 2021's incoming fictitious(!) asteroid, 2021 PDC, seems headed for impact on October 20th, 2021, exactly 6 months after its discovery. Today (April 26th, 2021), the impact probability is 5%, in a steep rise from 1 in 2500 upon discovery six days ago. We all know how these things end. Or do we? Unless somebody kicked off another headline-grabbing media scare or wants to keep civil defense very idle very soon, chances are that it will hit (note: this is an exercise!). Taking stock, it is barely 6 months to impact, a steadily rising likelihood that it will actually happen, and a huge uncertainty of possible impact energies: First estimates range from 1.2 MtTNT to 13 GtTNT, and this is not even the worst-worst case: a 700 m diameter massive NiFe asteroid (covered by a thin veneer of Ryugu-black rubble to match size and brightness) would come in at 70 GtTNT. In down to Earth terms, this could be all between smashing fireworks over some remote area of the globe and a 7.5 km crater downtown somewhere. Considering the deliberate and sedate ways of development of interplanetary missions it seems we can only stand and stare until we know well enough where to tell people to pack up all that can be moved at all and save themselves. But then, it could just as well be a smaller bright rock. The best estimate is 120 m diameter from optical observation alone, by 13% standard albedo. NASA's upcoming DART mission to binary asteroid (65803) Didymos is designed to hit such a small target, its moonlet Dimorphos. The Deep Impact mission's impactor in 2005 successfully guided itself to the brightest spot on comet 9P/Tempel 1, a relatively small feature on the 6 km nucleus. And 'space' has changed: By the end of this decade, one satellite communication network plans to have launched over 11000 satellites at a pace of 60 per launch every other week. This level of series production is comparable in numbers to the most prolific commercial airliners. Launch vehicle production has not simply increased correspondingly - they can be reused, although in a trade for performance. Optical and radio astronomy as well as planetary radar have made great strides in the past decade, and so has the design and production capability for everyday 'high-tech' products. 60 years ago, spaceflight was invented from scratch within two years, and there are recent examples of fastpaced space projects as well as a drive towards 'responsive space'. It seems it is not quite yet time to abandon all hope. We present what could be done and what is too close to call once thinking is shoved out of the box by a clear and present danger, to show where a little more preparedness or routine would come in handy - or become decisive. And if we fail, let's stand and stare safely and well instrumented anywhere on Earth together in the greatest adventure of science

Videon virrat : Selvitys videon tallennemarkkinoiden tarjonnasta, jakelusta ja tuotannosta

Julkaisu saatavilla Tilastokirjastossa:https://tilastokeskus.finna.fi/Record/tilda.40036Suomen virallinen tilasto (SVT

Sinkiang 1934-1943 : Dark decade for a pivotal puppet

Lars-Erik Nyman, Sinkiang 1934-1943. Dark decade for a pivotal puppet. During the decade preceding 1943 the province of Sinkiang was Chinese in name only, since the Soviet Union held the region as a pawn for supplied war materials to the Kuomintang government in Chunking long before the Burma Road opened. Another reason behind this Sino-Soviet co-operation on Sinkiang was the threat of a possible Japanese Blitzkrieg westwards across the Gobi desert. Only the decisive battle of Nomonhan in Mongolia between Soviet and Japanese army units eliminated the acute danger of such a Blitzkrieg. When the German front of the Red Army was sagging in early 1942 - before the turning point of Stalingrad - the Soviet grip on Sinkiang was replaced by that of the Kuomintang. Moreover, it has been possible in the paper to point out and to correlate historical events in the USSR and the province of Sinkiang during the scrutinized decade.Lars-Erik Nyman, Sinkiang 1934-1943. Une sombre décennie pour une marionnette essentielle. Pendant les années 1934-1943, la province du Sinkiang n'était chinoise que de nom ; en effet, l'Union Soviétique l'utilisait comme un pion pour fournir du matériel de guerre au gouvernement du Kuomintang à Tchongking bien avant que la route de la Birmanie ne soit ouverte. Derrière cette coopération sino-soviétique au Sinkiang il existait une autre raison : la menace d'un éventuel Blitzkrieg japonais à l'ouest à travers le désert de Gobi. C'est seulement la bataille décisive de Nomonhan en Mongolie entre les unités de l'armée soviétique et japonaise qui élimina le danger aigu d'un tel Blitzkrieg. Lorsque le front allemand de l'Armée rouge s'affaissa au début de 1942 - avant le tournant de Stalingrad - l'emprise soviétique sur le Sinkiang fut remplacée par celle du Kuomintang. En outre, cet article s'est efforcé de montrer et de relier les événements historiques survenus en URSS et dans la province du Sinkiang pendant la décennie examinée.Nyman Lars-Erik. Sinkiang 1934-1943 : Dark decade for a pivotal puppet. In: Cahiers du monde russe et soviétique, vol. 32, n°1, Janvier-mars 1991. En Asie Centrale soviétique Ethnies, nations, États. pp. 97-105

Factors influencing return to work after surgery for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow

Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow (UNE) frequently affects people of working age. Surgically treated patients may not immediately return to work (RTW) postoperatively. In 2008, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency reformed the national insurance policy. We aimed to examine RTW postoperatively for UNE, variations among surgical methods, and potential risk factors for prolonged RTW (sick leave > 6 weeks). Surgically treated cases of UNE (n = 635) from two time periods (2004–2008 and 2009–2014) and two healthcare regions (Southern and South-eastern) were studied retrospectively regarding age, sex, comorbidities, occupation, type of surgery and time to RTW. A sub-analysis of the exact number of weeks before RTW (n = 201) revealed longer RTW for unemployed cases compared to employed cases. Prolonged RTW was seen among younger, manual workers and after transposition or revision surgery. Prolonged RTW was approximately four times more likely after transposition than after simple decompression. Comparisons before and after 2008 showed occupational differences and differences in RTW, where cases operated before 2008 more often had permanent sickness benefit, but the reform of the social insurance system did not seem to influence RTW. In conclusion, unemployment, younger age at surgery, manual labour, transposition, and revision surgery were related to prolonged RTW