New Planetary Nebulae in the Galactic Bulge region with l>0deg - I. Discovery method and first results

We present the first results of an [O III] 5007 A interference filter survey for Planetary Nebulae (PNe) in the Galactic bulge. Covering (at first) the 66 per cent of the survey area, we detected a total of 90 objects, including 25 new PNe, 57 known PNe and 8 known PNe candidates. Deep Halpha+[N II] CCD images have been obtained as well as low resolution spectra for the newly discovered PNe. Their spectral signature suggests that the detected emission originates from a photoionized nebula. In addition, absolute line fluxes have been measured and the electron densities are given. Accurate optical positions and optical diameters were also determined.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Optical observations of the supernova remnant G 69.4+1.2

We performed deep optical observations of the area of the new supernova remnant G 69.4+1.2 in the emission lines of [O III], Halpha+[N II] and [S II]. The low ionization images reveal diffuse and filamentary emission in the central and south, south-west areas of our field. Estimates of the [S II]/Halpha ratio suggest that the detected emission in these areas originates from shock heated gas, while the strong extended source in the north must be an HII region. The medium ionization image of [O III] shows a single filament close to the field center. Emission from [O III] is not detected elsewhere in the field but only in the north from LBN 069.96+01.35. Deep long-slit spectra taken at the position of the [O III] filament suggest shock velocities ~120 km/s, while in other areas velocities around 50 km/s are expected. The sulfur lines ratio indicates electron densities less than 120 cm^{-3}. The absolute Halpha flux is ~5 x 10^{-17} erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} arcsec^{-2}. The optical emission is very well correlated with the radio emission, especially in the south west. The soft X-ray emission detected in the ROSAT All-Sky survey shows a satisfactory degree of correlation with the optical data in the south-west suggesting their association.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Aerobic power and anaerobic threshold of male rowers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the endurance component of off-season rowing performance in male rowers before and after an 8-week training period. Specific attention was given to laboratory assessment of aerobic power (AP) and anaerobic threshold (AT) as they were affected by the above training period. A single subject case study research design was employed, which involved pre- and post-training tests, of seven male rowers of national and provincial calibre. Following the pre-training test, individualized training programs were designed involving continuous and interval endurance training. The training intensity for continuous training (CT) and interval training (IT) was based on a percentage below (AT -10% VO[subscript]2 max) and above (AT +10 to 25% VO[subscript]2 max) the subject's AT. The training intensity was monitored through heart rate count. The training was carried out on rowing ergometers (Concept II), 3 times per week, each session lasting 50 to 60 minutes. After the training period, VO2 max L min[superscript]1 and VO[subscript]2 M1kg[superscript]1 min[superscript]1 at AT increased in all subjects between 1.8% and 22.9% and -4.2% to 16.3%, respectively. As well, the maximum rowing ergometer performance, power output, maximum workload, and time before reaching AT increased. High levels of AT among oarsmen are attributed to the specific nature of training regimens which may have increased the oxidative capacity of muscle fibers and the cardiorespiratory transport system. Measurement of HR at AT could provide the coach and the oarsman with an objective method of monitoring the intensity of training. These results demonstrate that the AT in rowers is profoundly influenced by endurance training

The Long-term Radiative Evolution of Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1E 2259+586 after its 2002 Outburst

We present an analysis of five X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM) observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 1E 2259+586 taken in 2004 and 2005 during its relaxation following its 2002 outburst. We compare these data with those of five previous XMM observations taken in 2002 and 2003, and find the observed flux decay is well described by a power-law of index -0.69+/-0.03. As of mid-2005, the source may still have been brighter than preoutburst, and was certainly hotter. We find a strong correlation between hardness and flux, as seen in other AXP outbursts. We discuss the implications of these results for the magnetar model.Comment: 23 Pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, published on Ap

Activity from Magnetar Candidate 4U 0142+61: Bursts and Emission Lines

After 6 years of quiescence, Anomalous X-ray Pulsar (AXP) 4U 0142+61 entered an active phase in 2006 March that lasted several months. During the active phase, several bursts were detected, and many aspects of the X-ray emission changed. We report on the discovery of six X-ray bursts, the first ever seen from this AXP in ~10 years of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) monitoring. All the bursts occurred in the interval between 2006 April 6 and 2007 February 7. The bursts had the canonical fast rise slow decay profiles characteristic of SGR/AXP bursts. The burst durations ranged from 8-3x10^3 s as characterized by T90,these are very long durations even when compared to the broad T90 distributions of other bursts from SGRs and AXPs. The first five burst spectra are well modeled by simple blackbodies, with temperature kT ~2-6 keV. However, the sixth burst had a complicated spectrum consisting of at least three emission lines with possible additional emission and absorption lines. The most significant feature was at ~14 keV. Similar 14-keV spectral features were seen in bursts from AXPs 1E 1048.1-5937 and XTE J1810-197. If this feature is interpreted as a proton cyclotron line, then it supports the existence of a magnetar-strength field for these AXPs. Several of the bursts were accompanied by a short-term pulsed flux enhancement. We discuss these events in the context of the magnetar model.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the "40 Years of Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars and More" conference, held 12-17 August 2007, in Montreal QC (AIP, in press, eds: C. Bassa, Z. Wang, A. Cumming, V. Kaspi

Right procedure, wrong organ, an unusual case report of aortic trauma in a multiple injured patient

Blunt traumatic injury and acute dissection of thoracic aorta is increasing in incidence in seriously multi-trauma patients, remaining highly lethal. Early identification and repair is the key to a successful outcome. We report an unusual case of a 62-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle accident after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an intracranial artery aneurysm rupture. The post-traumatic aorta dissection was overlooked during the initial evaluation and was found incidentally later during an attempt for endovascular treatment of the intracranial aneurysm. The pitfalls in the diagnostic approach of this patient are discussed and the paramount importance of the correct interpretation of all the available clinical and investigational findings in multiple injured patients are highlighted

A Phase II Study of Docetaxel and Epirubicin in Advanced Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of docetaxel plus epirubicin combination as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic adult STS