The Cepheid distance to the Local Group Galaxy NGC 6822

Recent estimates of the Cepheid distance modulus of NGC 6822 differ by 0.18 mag. To investigate this we present new multi-epoch JHKs photometry of classical Cepheids in the central region of NGC 6822 and show that there is a zero-point difference from earlier work. These data together with optical and mid-infrared observations from the literature are used to derive estimates of the distance modulus of NGC 6822. A best value of 23.40 mag is adopted, based on an LMC distance modulus of 18.50 mag. The standard error of this quantity is ~0.05 mag. We show that to derive consistent moduli from Cepheid observations at different wavelengths, it is necessary that the fiducial LMC period-luminosity relations at these wavelengths should refer to the same subsample of stars. Such a set is provided. A distance modulus based on RR Lyrae variables agrees with the Cepheid result.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRA

Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in the Leo I Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

Twenty six Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) variables are identified in the Local Group galaxy Leo I. These include 7 Mira and 5 semi-regular variables for which periods, amplitudes and mean magnitudes are determined. The large range of periods for the Miras, 158<P<523 days, suggests an AGB spanning a significant age range. The youngest must be around 1.6 Gyr while the oldest could be 10 Gyr or more. Two of these old Miras are found in the outer regions of Leo I (over 490 arcsec from the centre) where stars on the extended AGB are rare. They could provide an interesting test of third dredge-up and mass loss in old stars with low metallicity and are worth further detailed investigation. At least two stars, one a Mira, the other an irregular variable, are undergoing obscuration events due to dust ejection. An application of the Mira period-luminosity relation to these stars yields a distance modulus for Leo I of (m-M)=21.80 \pm 0.11 mag (internal), \pm 0.12 (total) (on a scale that puts the LMC at 18.39 mag) in good agreement with other determinations.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

JHK_S photometry is presented for a 35 arcmin square field centred on the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy. With the aid of published kinematic data definite galaxy members are identified and the width in J-K of the colour-magnitude diagram is shown to be consistent with an old population of stars with a large range in metal abundance. We identify two Asymptotic Giant Branch variables, both carbon Miras, with periods of 189 and 554 days, respectively, and discuss their ages, metallicities and mass loss as well as their positions in the Mira period-luminosity diagram. There is evidence for a general period-age relation for Local Group Miras. The mass-loss rate for the 554-day variable, MAG29, appears to be consistent with that found for Miras of comparable period in other Local Group galaxies.Comment: accepted for publication in MNRA

AGB Stars in the Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

We report on a multi-epoch study of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy, made with the Infrared Survey Facility, over an area of about 42'x42'. The colour-magnitude diagram shows a broad well-populated giant branch with a tip that slopes down-wards from red to blue, as might be expected given Fornax's known range of age and metallicity. The extensive AGB includes seven Mira variables and ten periodic semi-regular variables. Five of the seven Miras are known to be carbon rich. Their pulsation periods range from 215 to 470 days, indicating a range of initial masses. Three of the Fornax Miras are redder than typical LMC Miras of similar period, probably indicating particularly heavy mass-loss rates. Many, but not all, of the characteristics of the AGB are reproduced by isochrones from Marigo et al. for a 2 Gyr population with a metallicity of Z=0.0025. An application of the Mira period-luminosity relation to these stars yields a distance modulus for Fornax of 20.69+/-0.04 (internal), +/-0.08 (total) (on a scale that puts the LMC at 18.39 mag) in good agreement with other determinations. Various estimates of the distance to Fornax are reviewed.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Pediatric Procedural Pain

Reviews the various settings in which infants, children, and adolescents experience pain during acute medical procedures, and issues related to referral of children to pain management teams. In addition, self-report, reports by others, physiological monitoring, and direct observation methods of assessment of pain and related constructs are discussed and recommendations provided. Pharmacological, other medical approaches, and empirically supported cognitive behavioral interventions are reviewed. Salient features of the interventions are discussed and recommendations are made for necessary components of effective treatment interventions

Insights into Cleavage Specificity from the Crystal Structure of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus 3C Protease Complexed with a Peptide Substrate.

Accepted versio

OH Project: Healing from Cambodian Genocide Headnote

This brief essay introduces the The OH Project: Healing from Cambodian Genocide. The OH Project interviews were conducted in Portland, Oregon in the Spring of 2009. The project was developed by the Cambodian American Community of Oregon, a non-profit organization that provides cultural activities and social support to families and children. The purpose was to conduct intergenerational interviews between youth and elders in order to transmit to pass heritage from the migrating generation to youth born in the United States, and to use storytelling to help narrators heal from wartime trauma. Participants attended oral history workshops at PSU in order to prepare for the interviews. The essay identifies key themes in a subset of the interviews and provides context for further exploration of the collection, with a bibliography and links to further resources.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/caco_interviews/1005/thumbnail.jp

A Painter and Her Poet: Rosemarie Beck and Marcia Nardi

Presentation focuses on the relationship between Rosemarie Beck (1923-2003) and the poet Marcia Nardi (1901-1990)