517 research outputs found
MUSE-inspired view of the quasar Q2059-360, its Lyman alpha blob, and its neighborhood
The radio-quiet quasar Q2059-360 at redshift is known to be close to
a small Lyman blob (LAB) and to be absorbed by a proximate damped
Ly (PDLA) system.
Here, we present the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral field
spectroscopy follow-up of this quasi-stellar object (QSO). Our primary goal is
to characterize this LAB in detail by mapping it both spatially and spectrally
using the Ly line, and by looking for high-ionization lines to
constrain the emission mechanism.
Combining the high sensitivity of the MUSE integral field spectrograph
mounted on the Yepun telescope at ESO-VLT with the natural coronagraph provided
by the PDLA, we map the LAB down to the QSO position, after robust subtraction
of QSO light in the spectral domain.
In addition to confirming earlier results for the small bright component of
the LAB, we unveil a faint filamentary emission protruding to the south over
about 80 pkpc (physical kpc); this results in a total size of about 120 pkpc.
We derive the velocity field of the LAB (assuming no transfer effects) and map
the Ly line width. Upper limits are set to the flux of the N V , C IV , He II , and C III] lines. We have discovered two probable Ly emitters at the
same redshift as the LAB and at projected distances of 265 kpc and 207 kpc from
the QSO; their Ly luminosities might well be enhanced by the QSO
radiation. We also find an emission line galaxy at near the line of
sight to the QSO.
This LAB shares the same general characteristics as the 17 others surrounding
radio-quiet QSOs presented previously. However, there are indications that it
may be centered on the PDLA galaxy rather than on the QSO.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics; 16 pages, 19
figure
Cigarette smoke extract induces a phenotypic shift in epithelial cells: involvement of HIF1α in mesenchymal transition
In COPD, matrix remodeling contributes to airflow limitation. Recent evidence suggests that next to fibroblasts, the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition can contribute to matrix remodeling. CSE has been shown to induce EMT in lung epithelial cells, but the signaling mechanisms involved are largely unknown and subject of this study. EMT was assessed in A549 and BEAS2B cells stimulated with CSE by qPCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence for epithelial and mesenchymal markers, as were collagen production, cell adhesion and barrier integrity as functional endpoints. Involvement of TGF-beta and HIF1 alpha signaling pathways were investigated. In addition, mouse models were used to examine the effects of CS on hypoxia signaling and of hypoxia per se on mesenchymal expression. CSE induced EMT characteristics in A549 and BEAS2B cells, evidenced by decreased expression of epithelial markers and a concomitant increase in mesenchymal marker expression after CSE exposure. Furthermore cells that underwent EMT showed increased production of collagen, decreased adhesion and disrupted barrier integrity. The induction of EMT was found to be independent of TGF-beta signaling. On the contrary, CS was able to induce hypoxic signaling in A549 and BEAS2B cells as well as in mice lung tissue. Importantly, HIF1 alpha knock-down prevented induction of mesenchymal markers, increased collagen production and decreased adhesion after CSE exposure, data that are in line with the observed induction of mesenchymal marker expression by hypoxia in vitro and in vivo. Together these data provide evidence that both bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells undergo a functional phenotypic shift in response to CSE exposure which can contribute to increased collagen deposition in COPD lungs. Moreover, HIF1 alpha signaling appears to play an important role in this process
The UV, Lyman α, and dark matter halo properties of high-redshift galaxies
We explore the properties of high-redshift Lyman alpha emitters (LAEs), and their link with the Lyman-break galaxy (LBG) population, using a semi-analytic model of galaxy formation that takes into account resonant scattering of Lyα photons in gas outflows. We can reasonably reproduce the abundances of LAEs and LBGs from z≈3 to 7, as well as most UV luminosity functions (LFs) of LAEs. The stronger dust attenuation for (resonant) Lyα photons compared to UV continuum photons in bright LBGs provides a natural interpretation to the increase of the LAE fraction in LBG samples, XLAE, towards fainter magnitudes. The redshift evolution of XLAE seems however very sensitive to UV magnitudes limits and equivalent width (EW) cuts. In spite of the apparent good match between the statistical properties predicted by the model and the observations, we find that the tail of the Lyα EW distribution (EW≳100 Å) cannot be explained by our model, and we need to invoke additional mechanisms. We find that LAEs and LBGs span a very similar dynamical range, but bright LAEs are ∼4times rarer than LBGs in massive haloes. Moreover, massive haloes mainly contain weak LAEs in our model, which might introduce a bias towards low-mass haloes in surveys which select sources with high-EW cuts. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea that LAEs and LBGs make a very similar galaxy population. Their apparent differences seem mainly due to EW selections, UV detection limits, and a decreasing Lyα to UV escape fraction ratio in high star formation rate galaxie
A young star-forming galaxy at z = 3.5 with an extended Ly\, halo seen with MUSE
Spatially resolved studies of high redshift galaxies, an essential insight
into galaxy formation processes, have been mostly limited to stacking or
unusually bright objects. We present here the study of a typical (L,
M = 6 ) young lensed galaxy at , observed
with MUSE, for which we obtain 2D resolved spatial information of Ly
and, for the first time, of CIII] emission. The exceptional signal-to-noise of
the data reveals UV emission and absorption lines rarely seen at these
redshifts, allowing us to derive important physical properties (T15600
K, n300 cm, covering fraction f) using multiple
diagnostics. Inferred stellar and gas-phase metallicities point towards a low
metallicity object (Z = 0.07 Z and
Z 0.16 Z). The Ly emission extends over
10 kpc across the galaxy and presents a very uniform spectral profile,
showing only a small velocity shift which is unrelated to the intrinsic
kinematics of the nebular emission. The Ly extension is 4 times
larger than the continuum emission, and makes this object comparable to
low-mass LAEs at low redshift, and more compact than the Lyman-break galaxies
and Ly emitters usually studied at high redshift. We model the
Ly line and surface brightness profile using a radiative transfer code
in an expanding gas shell, finding that this model provides a good description
of both observables.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures, accepted in MNRA
Understanding the escape of LyC and Lyα photons from turbulent clouds
Understanding the escape of Lyman continuum (LyC) and Lyman alpha (Lya)
photons from molecular clouds is one of the keys to constraining the
reionization history of the Universe and the evolution of galaxies at high
redshift. Using a set of radiation-hydrodynamic simulations with adaptive mesh
refinement, we investigate how photons propagate and escape from turbulent
clouds with different masses, star formation efficiencies (SFEs), and
metallicities, as well as with different models of stellar spectra and
supernova feedback. We find that the escape fractions in both LyC and Lya are
generally increasing with time if the cloud is efficiently dispersed by
radiation and supernova feedback. When the total SFE is low (1% of the cloud
mass), 0.1-5% of LyC photons leave the metal-poor cloud, whereas the fractions
increase to 20-70% in clouds with a 10% SFE. LyC photons escape more
efficiently if gas metallicity is lower, if the upper mass limit in the stellar
initial mass function is higher, if binary interactions are allowed in the
evolution of stars, or if additional strong radiation pressure, such as Lya
pressure, is present. As a result, the number of escaping LyC photons can
easily vary by a factor of on cloud scales. The escape fractions of Lya
photons are systemically higher (60-80%) than those of LyC photons despite
large optical depths at line centre (). Scattering of Lya
photons is already significant on cloud scales, leading to double-peaked
profiles with peak separations of during
the initial stage of the cloud evolution, while it becomes narrower than
in the LyC bright phase. Comparisons
with observations of low-redshift galaxies suggest that Lya photons require
further interactions with neutral hydrogen to reproduce their velocity offset
for a given LyC escape fraction
Prevalence and incidence of COPD in smokers and non-smokers: the Rotterdam Study
COPD is the third leading cause of death in the world and its global burden is predicted to increase further. Even though the prevalence of COPD is well studied, only few studies examined the incidence of COPD in a prospective and standardized manner. In a prospective population-based cohort study (Rotterdam Study) enrolling subjects aged ≥45, COPD was diagnosed based on a pre-bronchodilator obstructive spirometry (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). In absence of an interpretable spirometry within the Rotterdam Study, cases were defined as having COPD diagnosed by a physician on the basis of clinical presentation and obstructive lung function measured by the general practitioner or respiratory physician. Incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of incident cases by the total number of person years of subjects at risk. In this cohort of 14,619 participants, 1993 subjects with COPD were identified of whom 689 as prevalent ones and 1304 cases as incident ones. The overall incidence rate (IR) of COPD was 8.9/1000 person-years (PY); 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 8.4–9.4. The IR was higher in males and in smokers. The proportion of female COPD participants without a history of smoking was 27.2 %, while this proportion was 7.3 % in males. The prevalence of COPD in the Rotterdam Study i
An extreme [OIII] emitter at : a low metallicity Lyman continuum source
[Abridged] We investigate the physical properties of a Lyman continuum
emitter candidate at with photometric coverage from to MIPS
24m band and VIMOS/VLT and MOSFIRE/Keck spectroscopy. Investigation of the
UV spectrum confirms a direct spectroscopic detection of the Lyman continuum
emission with . Non-zero Ly flux at the systemic redshift and
high Lyman- escape fraction suggest a low HI column density. The weak C
and Si low-ionization absorption lines are also consistent with a low covering
fraction along the line of sight. The
[OIII] equivalent width is one of the
largest reported for a galaxy at
(, rest-frame) and the NIR spectrum shows that this is mainly due to an
extremely strong [OIII] emission. The large observed [OIII]/[OII] ratio ()
and high ionization parameter are consistent with prediction from
photoionization models in case of a density-bounded nebula scenario.
Furthermore, the
is
comparable to recent measurements reported at , in the reionization
epoch. We also investigate the possibility of an AGN contribution to explain
the ionizing emission but most of the AGN identification diagnostics suggest
that stellar emission dominates instead. This source is currently the first
high- example of a Lyman continuum emitter exhibiting indirect and direct
evidences of a Lyman continuum leakage and having physical properties
consistent with theoretical expectation from Lyman continuum emission from a
density-bounded nebula.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&A. Minor
modifications, Figure 2 updated, Figure 9 adde
Real-life effectiveness of omalizumab in difficult-to-treat versus severe asthma: A national cohort study in Belgium
Background: Guidelines recommend omalizumab in patients with uncontrolled severe allergic asthma. We investigated real-life use of omalizumab, the proportion of patients fulfilling eligibility criteria, its costs and its effectiveness. Method: In a cohort of asthma patients initiating treatment with omalizumab in Belgium between 2010 and 2016, we investigated fulfilment of eligibility criteria (chronic use of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) plus long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) and ⩾2 severe asthma exacerbations in previous year), and compared hospitalisations and systemic corticosteroid consumption in the year before and after omalizumab initiation. We computed healthcare costs in the respective time periods and compared the cost per prevented hospitalisation in patients fulfilling eligibility criteria versus those who did not. Results: Between 2010 and 2016, omalizumab treatment was initiated in 2068 patients with asthma; only 24% fulfilled the eligibility criteria, mainly due to nonadherence to high-dose ICSs + LABAs. The proportion of patients hospitalised f
The unusual NIV]-emitter galaxy GDS J033218.92-275302.7: star formation or AGN-driven winds from a massive galaxy at z=5.56
Aims: We investigate the nature of the source GDS J033218.92-275302.7at
redshift ~ 5.56. Methods: The SED of the source is well sampled by 16 bands
photometry, from UV-optical, near infrared and mid-infrared (MID-IR).The
detection of signal in the MID-IR Spitzer/IRAC bands 5.8, 8.0 um -- where the
nebular emission contribution is less effective -- suggests the presence of a
Balmer break, signature of an underlying stellar population formed at earlier
epochs. The optical spectrum shows a clear Lya emission line together with
semi-forbidden NIV] 1483.3-1486.5 also in emission. Results: From the SED
fitting and the Lya modelling it turns out that the source seems to have an
evolved component with stellar mass of ~5 x10^(10) Msolar and age ~ 0.4 Gyrs,
and a young component with an age of ~ 0.01 Gyrs and SFR in the range of 30-200
Msolar yr^(-1). The limits on the effective radius derived from the ACS/z850
and VLT/Ks bands indicate that this galaxy is denser than the local ones with
similar mass. A relatively high nebular gas column density is favored from the
Lya line modelling (NHI>=10^(21) cm^(-2)). A vigorous outflow (~ 450 km/s) has
been measured from the optical spectrum,consistent with the Lya modelling. From
ACS observations it turns out that the region emitting Lya photons is spatially
compact and of the same order of the effective radius estimated at the ~1400A
rest-frame wavelength, whose emission is dominated by the stellar continuum
and/or AGN. The gas is blown out from the central region,but given the mass of
the galaxy it is uncertain whether it will pollute the IGM to large distances.
We argue that a burst of star formation in a dense gas environment is active
(possibly containing hot and massive stars and/or a low luminosity AGN),
superimposed to an already formed fraction of stellar mass (abridged).Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures (published on A&A). Here replaced with a typo
fixed in the footnote of Sect. 4.2 and with four updated references. Results
unchange
Ubiquitous giant Ly nebulae around the brightest quasars at revealed with MUSE
Direct Ly imaging of intergalactic gas at has recently
revealed giant cosmological structures around quasars, e.g. the Slug Nebula
(Cantalupo et al. 2014). Despite their high luminosity, the detection rate of
such systems in narrow-band and spectroscopic surveys is less than 10%,
possibly encoding crucial information on the distribution of gas around quasars
and the quasar emission properties. In this study, we use the MUSE
integral-field instrument to perform a blind survey for giant Ly
nebulae around 17 bright radio-quiet quasars at that does not suffer
from most of the limitations of previous surveys. After data reduction and
analysis performed with specifically developed tools, we found that each quasar
is surrounded by giant Ly nebulae with projected sizes larger than 100
physical kpc and, in some cases, extending up to 320 kpc. The circularly
averaged surface brightness profiles of the nebulae appear very similar to each
other despite their different morphologies and are consistent with power laws
with slopes . The similarity between the properties of all these
nebulae and the Slug Nebula suggests a similar origin for all systems and that
a large fraction of gas around bright quasars could be in a relatively "cold"
(T10K) and dense phase. In addition, our results imply that such gas
is ubiquitous within at least 50 kpc from bright quasars at
independently of the quasar emission opening angle, or extending up to 200 kpc
for quasar isotropic emission.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, 3 Tables, accepted to Ap
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