Star Formation in Southern Seyfert Galaxies

We have produced radio maps, using the ATCA, of the central regions of six southern Seyfert 2 galaxies (NGC 1365, 4945, 6221, 6810, 7582, and Circinus) with circumnuclear star formation, to estimate the relative contribution of star formation activity compared to activity from the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The radio morphologies range from extended diffuse structures to compact nuclear emission, with no evidence, even in the relatively compact sources, for synchrotron self--absorption. In each case the radio to far--infrared (FIR) ratio has a value consistent with star formation, and in all but one case the radio to [FeII] ratio is also consistent with star formation. We derive supernova rates and conclude that, despite the presence of a Seyfert nucleus in these galaxies, the radio, FIR, and [FeII] line emission are dominated by processes associated with the circumnuclear star formation (i.e. supernova remnants and HII regions) rather than with the AGN.Comment: 26 pages, Latex, 13 figures, submitted to MNRA

The Brain as CEO: Teaching Neuroleadership

Recent advances in the brain sciences have opened a window of opportunity for organizational leadership. For example, neuroscientists have determined that the prefrontal cortex of the brain is closely associated with the highest orders of human functioning such as planning, decision-making, control of attention and self-monitoring. This area of grey matter has also become a vivid metaphor for the primary executive or leadership role in business, the Chief Executive Officer or CEO. The burgeoning discipline of Neuroleadership attempts to apply the findings of relevant brain research to the field of leadership studies. A primary educational challenge is how to best translate the rapidly expanding neuroscience research findings into form and substance that can improve the performance of live human leaders in complex organizational settings. The Managerial Psychology course in Franklin University’s MS in Business Psychology program explores the new Neuroleadership field and offers its students insights, tools, and techniques for immediate application.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ss2018/1061/thumbnail.jp

Cold gas and star formation in a merging galaxy sequence

We explore the evolution of the cold gas and star-formation activity during galaxy interactions, using a merging galaxy sequence comprising both pre- and post-mergers. Data for this study come from the literature but supplemented by new radio observations presented here. Firstly, we confirm that the star-formation efficiency (SFE) increases close to nuclear coalescence. At post-merger stages there is evidence that the SFE declines to values typical of ellipticals. This trend can be attributed to M(H_2) depletion due to interaction induced star-formation. However, there is significant scatter, likely to arise from differences in the interaction details of individual systems. Secondly, we find that the central molecular hydrogen surface density, increases close to the final stages of the merging of the two nuclei. Such a trend is also predicted by numerical simulations. Furthermore, there is evidence for a decreasing fraction of cold gas mass from early interacting systems to merger remnants, attributed to gas conversion into other forms. The evolution of the total-radio to blue-band luminosity ratio, reflecting the disk+nucleus star-formation activity, is also investigated. Although this ratio is on average higher than that of isolated spirals, we find a marginal increase along the merging sequence, attributed to the relative insensitivity of disk star-formation to interactions. However, a similar result is also obtained for the nuclear radio emission, although galaxy interactions are believed to significantly affect the activity in the central galaxy regions. Finally, we find that the FIR--radio flux ratio distribution of interacting galaxies is consistent with star-formation being the main energising source.Comment: 18 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Radio Observations of Super Star Clusters in Dwarf Starburst Galaxies

We present new radio continuum observations of two dwarf starburst galaxies, NGC3125 and NGC5408, with observations at 4.80GHz (6cm) and 8.64GHz (3cm), taken with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). Both galaxies show a complex radio morphology with several emission regions, mostly coincident with massive young star clusters. The radio spectral indices of these regions are negative (with alpha ~ -0.5 - -0.7), indicating that the radio emission is dominated by synchrotron emission associated with supernova activity from the starburst. One emission region in NGC5408 has a flatter index (alpha ~ -0.1) indicative of optically thin free-free emission, which could indicate it is a younger cluster. Consequently, in these galaxies we do not see regions with the characteristic positive spectral index indicative of optically obscured star-formation regions, as seen in other dwarf starbursts such as Hen 2-10.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Therapeutic action of ketogenic enteral nutrition in obese and overweight patients: a retrospective interventional study.

Ketogenic enteral nutrition (KEN™) is a modification of Blackburn’s protein-sparing modified fast, using a hypocaloric, ketogenic liquid diet. The study is about ketogenic enteral nutrition (KEN) in overweight and obese patients receiving a short treatment of the nutritional solution as a 24-h infusion. It is a retrospective analysis that examines safety, weight loss and body composition changes after three sequential 10-day cycles of KEN therapy. Anthropometric and bio-impedance data from 629 patients who underwent KEN were collected before and after completing a 10-day cycle. The study focuses on the change in outcomes from the first cycle to the second cycle and from the first cycle to the third cycle. The following outcomes were explored: weight, waist circumference, BMI, fat mass, lean mass, dry lean mass, phase angle, wellness marker, water mass as a percentage of total body weight. Statistical tests were used to test for significant differences between paired cycle 1 and cycle 2 outcomes and also between paired cycle 1 and cycle 3 outcomes. Where changes in outcomes between timepoints were found to be normally distributed, the paired t test was used, whereas where the changes in outcomes had skewed distributions, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. Linear regression was used to examine associations between changes in both phase angle and BMR/weight with percentage weight change. Initially the simple relationship between variables was examined, and subsequently multiple linear regression was used to re-examine the relationships after adjusting for two pre-specified confounding variables. The results suggested significant changes for all analyzed parameters. There were significant decreases in weight, waist circumference, BMI, fat mass, lean mass, dry lean mass and phase angle. Quantitative changes in lean mass and dry lean mass were minor changes with respect to changes in fat mass. When considering the change from cycle 1 to cycle 3, there was a significant association between change in BMR/weight and change in weight, which remained significant after adjusting for changes in phase angle, fat mass and waist circumference. A one-unit increase in BMR/weight was associated with a 2.4% reduction in weight. There was no significant association between change in phase angle from cycle 1 to cycle 3 in the simple analysis. However, after adjustments greater change in phase angle was associated with a greater weight loss. KEN treatment was overall well tolerated. Results might be restricted to a British cohort only and should not be universally applied. Long-term results need to be explored in controlled studies. KEN treatment is safe, well tolerated and results in rapid fat loss without detriment to dry lean mass

The complex radio and X-ray structure in the nuclear regions of the active galaxy NGC1365

We present a multiwavelength analysis of the prominent active galaxy NGC1365, in particular looking at the radio and X-ray properties of the central regions of the galaxy. We analyse ROSAT observations of NGC1365, and discuss recent ASCA results. In addition to a number of point sources in the vicinity of NGC1365, we find a region of X-ray emission extending along the central bar of the galaxy, combined with an emission peak near the centre of the galaxy. This X-ray emission is centred on the optical/radio nucleus, but is spatially extended. The X-ray spectrum can be well fitted by a thermal plasma model, with kT=0.6-0.8keV and a low local absorbing column. The thermal spectrum is suggestive of starburst emission rather than emission from a central black-hole. The ATCA radio observations show a number of hotspots, located in a ring around a weak radio nucleus. Synchrotron emission from electrons accelerated by supernovae and supernova remnants (SNRs) is the likely origin of these hotspots. The radio nucleus has a steep spectrum, indicative perhaps of an AGN or SNRs. The evidence for a jet emanating from the nucleus is at best marginal. The extent of the radio ring is comparable to the extended central X-ray source.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, to be published in MNRA

Hypoxia regulates GR function through multiple mechanisms involving microRNAs 103 and 107

Glucocorticoids (Gcs) potently inhibit inflammation, and regulate liver energy metabolism, often acting in a hypoxic environment. We now show hypoxic conditions open a specific GR cistrome, and prevent access of GR to part of the normoxic GR cistrome. Motif analysis identified enrichment of KLF4 binding sites beneath those peaks of GR binding exclusive to normoxia, implicating KLF4 as a pioneer, or co-factor under these conditions. Hypoxia reduced KLF4 expression, however, knockdown of KLF4 did not impair GR recruitment. KLF4 is a known target of microRNAs 103 and 107, both of which are induced by hypoxia. Expression of mimics to either microRNA103, or microRNA107 inhibited GR transactivation of normoxic target genes, thereby replicating the hypoxic effect. Therefore, studies in hypoxia reveal that microRNAs 103 and 107 are potent regulators of GR function. We have now identified a new pathway linking hypoxia through microRNAs 103 and 107 to regulation of GR function

Gemini/GMOS Imaging of Globular Cluster Systems in Five Early-type Galaxies

This paper presents deep high quality photometry of globular cluster (GC) systems belonging to five early-type galaxies covering a range of mass and environment. Photometric data were obtained with the Gemini North and Gemini South telescopes in the filter passbands g', r', and i'. The combination of these filters with good seeing conditions allows an excellent separation between GC candidates and unresolved field objects. Bimodal GC colour distributions are found in all five galaxies. Most of the GC systems appear bimodal even in the (g' -r') vs (r' -i') plane. A population of resolved/marginally resolved GC and Ultra Compact Dwarf candidates was found in all the galaxies. A search for the so-called "blue tilt" in the colour-magnitude diagrams reveals that NGC 4649 clearly shows that phenomenon although no conclusive evidence was found for the other galaxies in the sample. This "blue tilt" translates into a mass-metallicity relation given by Z \propto M^0.28\pm0.03 . This dependence was found using a new empirical (g' -i') vs [Z/H] relation which relies on an homogeneous sample of GC colours and metallicities. This paper also explores the radial trends in both colour and surface density for the blue (metal-poor) and red (metal-rich) GC subpopulations. As usual, the red GCs show a steeper radial distribution than the blue ones. Evidence of galactocentric colour gradients is found in some of the GC systems, being more significant for the two S0 galaxies in the sample. Red GC subpopulations show similar colours and gradients to the galaxy halo stars in their inner region. A GC mean colour-galaxy luminosity relation, consistent with [Z/H] \propto L_B ^0.26\pm0.08, is present for the red GCs. An estimate of the total GC populations and specific frequency SN values is presented for NGC 3115, NGC 3379, NGC 3923 and NGC 4649.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figures and 9 tables. Tables A1 and A2 will be published in full online only. Accepted for publication in MNRA

A 75-Year-Old Woman with a Hemispheric Stroke

What are the causes, investigation, and management of hemispheric stroke? Find out in this case-based articl