Star formation in Galactic flows

RS and IAB acknowledges funding from the European Research Council for the FP7 ERC advanced grant project ECOGAL. This work used the DiRAC Complexity system, operated by the University of Leicester IT Services, which forms part of the STFC DiRAC HPC Facility (www.dirac.ac.uk). This equipment is funded by BIS National E-Infrastructure capital grant ST/K000373/1 and STFC DiRAC Operations grant ST/K0003259/1. DiRAC is part of the National E-Infrastructure.We investigate the triggering of star formation in clouds that form in Galactic scale flows as the interstellar medium passes through spiral shocks. We use the Lagrangian nature of smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations to trace how the star-forming gas is gathered into self-gravitating cores that collapse to form stars. Large-scale flows that arise due to Galactic dynamics create shocks of the order of 30 km s−1 that compress the gas and form dense clouds (n > several × 102 cm−3) in which self-gravity becomes relevant. These large-scale flows are necessary for creating the dense physical conditions for gravitational collapse and star formation. Local gravitational collapse requires densities in excess of n > 103 cm−3 which occur on size scales of ≈1 pc for low-mass star-forming regions (M 103 M⊙). Star formation in the 250 pc region lasts throughout the 5 Myr time-scale of the simulation with a star formation rate of ≈10−1 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2. In the absence of feedback, the efficiency of the star formation per free-fall time varies from our assumed 100 per cent at our sink accretion radius to values of <10−3 at low densities.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Formation of stellar clusters

We investigate the triggering of star formation and the formation of stellar clusters in molecular clouds which form as the interstellar medium passes through spiral shocks. The spiral shock compresses gas into an ∼100 pc long main star formation ridge, where clusters form every 5–10 pc along the merger ridge. We use a gravitational potential-based cluster finding algorithm, which extracts individual clusters, calculates their physical properties and traces cluster evolution over multiple time-steps. Final cluster masses at the end of simulation range between 1000 and 30 000 M⊙ with their characteristic half-mass radii between 0.1 and 2 pc. These clusters form by gathering material from 10–20 pc size scales. Clusters also show a mass-specific angular momentum relation, where more massive clusters have larger specific angular momentum due to the larger size scales, and hence angular momentum from which they gather their mass. The evolution shows that more massive clusters experience hierarchical merging process, which increases stellar age spreads up to 2–3 Myr. Less massive clusters appear to grow by gathering nearby recently formed sinks, while more massive clusters with their large global gravitational potentials are increasing their mass growth from gas accretion.PostprintPeer reviewe

Formation of stars and stellar clusters in galactic environment

Star and stellar cluster formation in spiral galaxies is one of the biggest questions of astrophysics. In this thesis, I study how star formation, and the formation of stellar clusters, proceeds using SPH simulations. These simulations model a region of 400 pc and 10⁷ solar masses. Star formation is modelled through the use of sink particles which represent small groups of stars. Star formation occurs in high density regions, created by galactic spiral arm passage. The spiral shock compresses the gas and generates high density regions. Once these regions attain sufficiently high density, self-gravity becomes dominant and drives collapse and star formation. The regions fragment hierarchically, forming local small groups of stars. These fall together to form clusters, which grow through subsequent mergers and large scale gas infall. As the individual star formation occurs over large distances before forming a stellar cluster, this process can result in significant age spreads of 1-2 Myrs. One protocluster is found to fail to merge due to the large scale tidal forces from the nearby regions, and instead expands forming a dispersed population of young stars such as an OB association

Differentiated thyroid cancer radioiodine therapy with simplified personalized dosimetry

Orientador: Celso Darío RamosDissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências MédicasResumo: O câncer de tireoide é o tumor maligno mais comum para o sistema endócrino e, para que possa apresentar baixas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade, deve ser tratado e seguido adequadamente. Atualmente, após o diagnóstico do câncer diferenciado de tireoide, o seu tratamento é baseado na intervenção cirúrgica, visando à máxima remoção possível da massa tireoidiana, seguida da radioiodoterapia, que objetiva levar à morte o tecido tireoidiano remanescente, assim como as possíveis metástases. A atividade do iodo radioativo (isótopo I-131) administrada ao paciente é, em geral, baseada na gravidade e extensão da doença, e a vasta maioria dos Serviços de Medicina Nuclear brasileiros utiliza valores fixos que variam de 30 mCi (1110 MBq) a 250 mCi (9250 MBq). Entretanto, várias instituições internacionais, tais como a European Association of Nuclear Medicine e a Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, descrevem protocolos de radioiodoterapia personalizados para cada paciente, que visam a utilizar uma atividade mais precisa e de menor impacto no sistema hematopoiético e excretor, baseando-se em estudos individuais da biodistribuição do I-131. Tal abordagem, apesar de seu maior custo e demanda de tempo e trabalho, é de grande importância para grupos selecionados de pacientes, tais como os pediátricos e os mais debilitados, principalmente aqueles com presença de metástases pulmonares. Assim, este trabalho propõe um protocolo de radioiodoterapia baseado no cálculo personalizado da atividade de I-131 a ser administrada a pacientes de grupos selecionados, que leva em consideração fatores sócio-econômicos e a viabilidade de implantação em hospitais públicos brasileiros, como o Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, que é financiado com verba pública do Sistema Único de Saúde. Para tanto, o protocolo da European Association of Nuclear Medicine foi adaptado para a fase diagnóstica da radioiodoterapia, ou seja, as medidas de biodistribuição ao longo de 120 horas foram feitas com a administração de somente 5 mCi de I-131. A medida de radiotoxicidade realizada na fase diagnóstica mostra que a maioria dos pacientes do Serviço de Medicina Nuclear do HC/Unicamp estudados poderiam, caso fosse necessário, ser submetidos à terapia com atividade superior àquela tradicionalmente administrada, mantendo-se a dose máxima segura para medula óssea, permitindo-se assim, o planejamento mais eficiente da radioiodoterapiaAbstract: Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system and, in order to obtain low rates of morbidity and mortality, it should be treated and followed properly. The current recommended treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer is surgical intervention with the goal of removing most of the thyroid mass, followed by radioiodine therapy aiming to kill off the remaining thyroid tissue cells and any possible metastases. The activity of radioactive iodine (isotope I-131) administered to the patient is generally based on the severity and extent of the disease, and most Nuclear Medicine centers in Brazil utilize fixed between 30 mCi (1110 MBq) and 250 mCi (9250 MBq). However several international institutions, such as the European Association of Nuclear Medicine and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, recommend customized radioiodine protocols for each patient, which aim to use more accurate activities, with lower impact to the hematopoietic and excretory system, based on individual studies of the biodistribution of I-131. Despite being more onerous in cost, time and effort, that approach is very important for selected groups of patients, such as pediatric and the more debilitated ones, especially those with lung metastases. Thus, this work proposes a radioiodine protocol based on a personalized calculation of the activity of I-131 to be administered to patients of selected groups, that takes into account socioeconomic factors and the feasibility of its implementation in Brazilian public hospitals, such as the Clinical Hospital of the State University of Campinas, which is supported by public funds from the Brazilian Health System. For this purpose, the protocol of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine was adapted for the diagnostic phase of radioiodine therapy, that is, the biodistribution measurements over 120 hours were done with the administration of only 5 mCi of I-131. The radiotoxicity measurement performed in the diagnostic phase shows that most of the patients studied at the Nuclear Medicine Service of the HC/Unicamp could, if necessary, be submitted to therapy with an activity superior to that traditionally administered, maintaining the maximum safe dose for bone marrow, thus allowing more efficient planning of radioiodine therapyMestradoOncologiaMestra em Ciência

Progress Toward Roll Processing of Solar Reflective Material

This presentation discusses the goal of this project which was to demonstrate that it is possible to cost-effectively produce high performance solar reflective material using vacuum deposition techniques

Conventional Fast Neutron Flux Measurement in the Radial Piercing Channel D of the TRIGA Mark II Reactor, Pavia

open8openMarco Di Luzio; Giancarlo D’Agostino; Setareh Fatemi; Barbara Smilgys; Andrea Salvini; Massimo Oddone; Saverio Altieri; Michele PrataDI LUZIO, Marco; D'Agostino, Giancarlo; Fatemi, Setareh; Smilgys, Barbara; Salvini, Andrea; Oddone, Massimo; Altieri, Saverio; Prata, Michel

DIAGNÓSTICO ULTRASSONOGRÁFICO DE CORPO ESTRANHO OCULAR EM CÃO

Trauma caused by porcupine thorns is common in dogs. However, these spines are not inert and can carry bacteria and other microorganisms. The advice given this situation is the removal of all material whenever possible. Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance have significant value in the diagnosis and localization of foreign bodies not visible on physical examination. The purpose of this case report is to describe the presence of a linear foreign body in the intraocular region of a three year old, male dog, of mixed breed. The animal was admitted to the clinical service of a Veterinary Hospital with apathy and a history of contact with a porcupine within thirty days. Eye discharge and eyes covered by the third eyelid were observed. On this occasion, hedgehog spines were removed in the oral cavity and the animal was released. However, the patient returned 40 days later with worsening of the ophthalmic condition. A transpalpebral ultrasound examination was performed, which detected a hyperechoic linear structure measuring approximately 1.47cm with evident acoustic leftovers and abnormal mixed echogenicity content in the vitreous chamber.&nbsp;The dog was referred for transpalpebral enucleation, which made it possible to confirm the diagnosis and identify the object. After surgical removal, the patient showed significant clinical improvement and was discharged within 14 days.Traumatismos causados com espinho de porco espinho são comuns em cães.&nbsp;Entretanto, estes espinhos não são inertes podendo carrear bactérias e outros micro-organismos. A indicação frente à essa situação é a remoção de todo o material sempre que possível. Ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética possuem valor significativo no diagnóstico e localização de corpos estranhos não visíveis no exame físico. O objetivo deste relato de caso é descrever a presença de um corpo estranho linear na região intraocular de um cão macho, três anos de idade, sem raça definida. O animal deu entrada no serviço clínico de um Hospital Veterinário com apatia e histórico de contato com porco espinho há trinta dias. Observou-se secreção ocular e olhos recobertos pela terceira pálpebra. Nesta ocasião, foram retirados espinhos de ouriço na cavidade oral e o animal foi liberado. Entretanto, o paciente retornou 40 dias com piora do quadro oftalmológico. Foi realizado exame ultrassonográfico transpalpebral que detectou uma estrutura linear hiperecoica medindo aproximadamente 1,47cm com sobra acústica evidente e conteúdo anormal de ecogenicidade mista na câmara vítrea. Encaminhado para enucleação transpalpebral que possibilitou confirmar o diagnóstico e identificar o objeto. Após a remoção cirúrgica o paciente apresentou melhora clínica significativa e recebeu alta médica em 14 dias

Episcopal conferences in the code of canon law 1983: protest of normative

Šiame straipsnyje toliau tęsiama tema apie vyskupų konferencijas. Ši institucija mūsų krašto žmogui, aišku, daugiausia dvasininkams ir vienuoliams, yra pasiekiama ir suprantama per įvairaus pobūdžio nutarimus, dekretus, laiškus, paraginimus ir t. t. Niekam nekyla klausimų dėl pastarųjų turinio, pobūdžio, kompetencijos. Kad visa tai, ką šiandien turime, yra ne vienerių metų diskusijos, dar nepasibaigusios, rezultatas, žinoma ne visiems. Straipsnio tikslas – pažvelgti į šių institucijų kilmę ir prigimtį, trumpai tariant, į normatyvinės galios prigimtį, apibrėžti jos kompleksiškumą ir raidąIt is possible to state that Episcopal Conferences started a new period in their life together with Vatican Coun-cil II. Among many novelties, they gained normative power which they lacked before. The main source: decree Christus Dominusch. 38. It was new to all the Church, in all its structures, especially, its juridical system. It is worth noticing that nowadays this normative law given to the Episcopal Conferences exceeds the limits of the Church and becomes the norm of the international law. Going deeper into this argument, it becomes clear that the introduction of this important norm in Episcopal Conferences was not met only positively, either during the process of preparation of the decree Christus Dominusor after its formulation and during the preparation of the corresponding norms for the valid Code of Canon Law. The main and only reason was: Episcopal Conferences were acknowledged as institutions, helping the bishops to fulfill their pastoral mission. In other words, these are the questions, concerning the nature of the Conference itself, because gaining the normative power, they become not additional, but structural power. Before formation of the final text of Christus Dominusch. 38, 4 variants were offered, but the leading idea was how to diminish, to limit the importance of the decisions of Episcopal Conferences, making them only morally obligatory. Such decisions helped to protect a diocese bishop with his missio canonicain a diocese; everything intro-duced “as new” should serve as a means to the bishop’s pastoral office. A diocese bishop was understood as individual personality with his special power which should be preserved, otherwise it would restrict bishops’ freedom, and the Conferences would become “a new centralization”, “destruction of Church structure” or the distortion of hierarchic order. [...]Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta