13,841 research outputs found
The optical variability of the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 13224-3809
We report on a short optical monitoring programme of the narrow-line Seyfert
1 Galaxy IRAS 13224-3809. Previous X-ray observations of this object have shown
persistent giant variability. The degree of variability at other wavelengths
may then be used to constrain the conditions and emission processes within the
nucleus. Optical variability is expected if the electron population responsible
for the soft X-ray emission is changing rapidly and Compton-upscattering
infrared photons in the nucleus, or if the mechanism responsible for X-ray
emission causes all the emission processes to vary together. We find that there
is no significant optical variability with a firm upper limit of 2 per cent and
conclude that the primary soft X-ray emission region produces little of the
observed optical emission. The X-ray and optical emission regions must be
physically distinct and any reprocessing of X-rays into the optical waveband
occurs some distance from the nucleus. The lack of optical variability
indicates that the energy density of infrared radiation in the nucleus is at
most equal to that of the ultraviolet radiation since little is upscattered
into the optical waveband. The extremely large X-ray variability of IRAS
13224-3809 may be explained by relativistic boosting of more modest variations.
Although such boosting enhances X-ray variability over optical variability,
this only partially explains the lack of optical variability.Comment: 5 pages with 8 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
“I wish I’d told them”: a qualitative study examining the unmet psychosexual needs of prostate cancer patients during follow-up after treatment
<b>Objective</b> To gain insight into patients' experiences of follow-up care after treatment for prostate cancer and identify unmet psychosexual needs.<p></p>
<b>Methods</b> Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 35 patients aged 59-82 from three UK regions. Partners were included in 18 interviews. Data were analyzed using constant comparison. <p></p>
<b>Results</b> (1) Psychosexual problems gained importance over time, (2) men felt they were rarely invited to discuss psychosexual side effects within follow-up appointments and lack of rapport with health care professionals made it difficult to raise problems themselves, (3) problems were sometimes concealed or accepted and professionals' attempts to explore potential difficulties were resisted by some, and (4) older patients were too embarrassed to raise psychosexual concerns as they felt they would be considered 'too old' to be worried about the loss of sexual function.<p></p>
<b>Conclusion</b> Men with prostate cancer, even the very elderly, have psychosexual issues for variable times after diagnosis. These are not currently always addressed at the appropriate time for the patient.Practice implications Assessments of psychosexual problems should take place throughout the follow-up period, and not only at the time of initial treatment. Further research examining greater willingness or reluctance to engage with psychosexual interventions may be particularly helpful in designing future intervention
Editorial: Supply networks design and management
International audienc
Signaling integration in the rugae growth zone directs sequential SHH signaling center formation during the rostral outgrowth of the palate
AbstractEvolution of facial morphology arises from variation in the activity of developmental regulatory networks that guide the formation of specific craniofacial elements. Importantly, the acquisition of novel morphology must be integrated with a phylogenetically inherited developmental program. We have identified a unique region of the secondary palate associated with the periodic formation of rugae during the rostral outgrowth of the face. Rugae function as SHH signaling centers to pattern the elongating palatal shelves. We have found that a network of signaling genes and transcription factors is spatially organized relative to palatal rugae. Additionally, the first formed ruga is strategically positioned at the presumptive junction of the future hard and soft palate that defines anterior–posterior differences in regional growth, mesenchymal gene expression, and cell fate. We propose a molecular circuit integrating FGF and BMP signaling to control proliferation and differentiation during the sequential formation of rugae and inter-rugae domains in the palatal epithelium. The loss of p63 and Sostdc1 expression and failed rugae differentiation highlight that coordinated epithelial–mesenchymal signaling is lost in the Fgf10 mutant palate. Our results establish a genetic program that reiteratively organizes signaling domains to coordinate the growth of the secondary palate with the elongating midfacial complex
The Diversity of Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets
Extrasolar planetary host stars are enriched in key planet-building elements.
These enrichments have the potential to drastically alter the building blocks
available for terrestrial planet formation. Here we report on the combination
of dynamical models of late-stage terrestrial planet formation within known
extrasolar planetary systems with chemical equilibrium models of the
composition of solid material within the disk. This allows us to constrain the
bulk elemental composition of extrasolar terrestrial planets. A wide variety of
resulting planetary compositions exist, ranging from those that are essentially
"Earth-like", containing metallic Fe and Mg-silicates, to those that are
dominated by graphite and SiC. This implies that a diverse range of terrestrial
planets are likely to exist within extrasolar planetary systems.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to the proceedings of IAU symposium 265
Chemical Abundances in the Universe: Connecting First Stars to Planet
An Atlas of Computed Equivalent Widths of Quasar Broad Emission Lines
We present graphically the results of several thousand photoionization
calculations of broad emission line clouds in quasars, spanning seven orders of
magnitude in hydrogen ionizing flux and particle density. The equivalent widths
of 42 quasar emission lines are presented as contours in the particle density -
ionizing flux plane for a typical incident continuum shape, solar chemical
abundances, and cloud column density of . Results are
similarly given for a small subset of emission lines for two other column
densities ( and ), five other incident
continuum shapes, and a gas metallicity of 5 \Zsun. These graphs should prove
useful in the analysis of quasar emission line data and in the detailed
modeling of quasar broad emission line regions. The digital results of these
emission line grids and many more are available over the Internet.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX (AASTeX aaspp4.sty); to appear in the 1997 ApJS: full
contents of the 9 photoionization grids presented in this paper may be found
at http://www.pa.uky.edu/~korista/grids/grids.htm
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