A Multi-Wavelength Study of Sgr A*: The Role of Near-IR Flares in Production of X-ray, Soft γ\gamma-ray and Sub-millimeter Emission

(abridged) We describe highlights of the results of two observing campaigns in 2004 to investigate the correlation of flare activity in Sgr A* in different wavelength regimes, using a total of nine ground and space-based telescopes. We report the detection of several new near-IR flares during the campaign based on {\it HST} observations. The level of near-IR flare activity can be as low as $\sim0.15$ mJy at 1.6 $\mu$m and continuous up to about 40% of the total observing time. Using the NICMOS instrument on the {\it HST}, the {\it XMM-Newton} and CSO observatories, we also detect simultaneous bright X-ray and near-IR flare in which we observe for the first time correlated substructures as well as simultaneous submillimeter and near-IR flaring. X-ray emission is arising from the population of near-IR-synchrotron-emitting relativistic particles which scatter submillimeter seed photons within the inner 10 Schwarzschild radii of Sgr A* up to X-ray energies. In addition, using the inverse Compton scattering picture, we explain the high energy 20-120 keV emission from the direction toward Sgr A*, and the lack of one-to-one X-ray counterparts to near-IR flares, by the variation of the magnetic field and the spectral index distributions of this population of nonthermal particles. In this picture, the evidence for the variability of submillimeter emission during a near-IR flare is produced by the low-energy component of the population of particles emitting synchrotron near-IR emission. Based on the measurements of the duration of flares in near-IR and submillimeter wavelengths, we argue that the cooling could be due to adiabatic expansion with the implication that flare activity may drive an outflow.Comment: 48 pages, 12 figures, ApJ (in press

Thrombotic and Hemorrhagic Complications Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement: An Emphasis on Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Stroke, and Pump Thrombosis

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a mechanical circulatory support device that supports the heart failure patient as a bridge to transplant (BTT) or as a destination therapy for those who have other medical comorbidities or complications that disqualify them from meeting transplant criteria. In patients with severe heart failure, LVAD use has extended survival and improved signs and symptoms of cardiac congestion and low cardiac output, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. However, these devices are associated with specific hematologic and thrombotic complications. In this manuscript, we review the common hematologic complications of LVADs

The Resolved Narrow Line Region in NGC4151

We present slitless spectra of the Narrow Line Region (NLR) in NGC4151 from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on HST, and investigate the kinematics and physical conditions of the emission line clouds in this region. Using medium resolution (~0.5 Angstrom) slitless spectra at two roll angles and narrow band undispersed images, we have mapped the NLR velocity field from 1.2 kpc to within 13 pc (H_o=75 km/s/Mpc) of the nucleus. The inner biconical cloud distribution exhibits recessional velocities relative to the nucleus to the NE and approaching velocities to the SW of the nucleus. We find evidence for at least two kinematic components in the NLR. One kinematic component is characterized by Low Velocities and Low Velocity Dispersions (LVLVD clouds: |v| < 400 km/s, and Delta_v < 130 km/s). This population extends through the NLR and their observed kinematics may be gravitationally associated with the host galaxy. Another component is characterized by High Velocities and High Velocity Dispersions (HVHVD clouds: 400 130 km/s). This set of clouds is located within 1.1 arcsec (~70pc) of the nucleus and has radial velocities which are too high to be gravitational in origin, but show no strong correlation between velocity or velocity dispersion and the position of the radio knots. Outflow scenarios will be discussed as the driving mechanism for these HVHVD clouds.Comment: 38 pages, 14 figures, accepted by ApJ. For higher resolution images see http://www.pha.jhu.edu/~kaiser

HST FOC spectroscopy of the NLR of NGC 4151. I. Gas kinematics

We present the results from a detailed kinematic analysis of both ground-based, and Hubble Space Telescope/Faint Object Camera long-slit spectroscopy at sub-arcsec spatial resolution, of the narrow-line region of NGC 4151. In agreement with previous work, the extended emission gas (R > 4") is found to be in normal rotation in the galactic plane, a behaviour that we were able to trace even across the nuclear region, where the gas is strongly disturbed by the interaction with the radio jet, and connects smoothly with the large scale rotation defined by the neutral gas emission. The HST data, at 0.029" spatial resolution, allow us for the first time to truly isolate the kinematic behaviour of the individual clouds in the inner narrow-line region. We find that, underlying the perturbations introduced by the radio ejecta, the general velocity field can still be well represented by planar rotation down to a radius of ~ 0.5" (30 pc), distance at which the rotation curve has its turnover. The most striking result that emerges from our analysis is that the galaxy potential derived fitting the rotation curve changes from a "dark halo" at the ENLR distances to dominated by the central mass concentration in the NLR, with an almost Keplerian fall-off in the 1"< R < 4" interval. The observed velocity of the gas at 0.5" implies a mass of M ~ 10E9 M(sol) within the inner 60 pc. The presence of a turnover in the rotation curve indicates that this central mass concentration is extended. The first measured velocity point (outside the region saturated by the nucleus) would imply an enclosed mass of ~ 5E7 M(sol) within R ~ 0.15" (10 pc) which represents an upper limit to any nuclear point mass.Comment: 30 pages (aaspp4.sty), 14 figures. Fig. 1, 2 and 4 available by anonymous FTP at 143.54.2.51 (cd /pub/winge) as GIF files; or upon request to [email protected]. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (part 1

Current Management Strategies in Patients with Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation: A Review of the Literature

Heart Failure (HF) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are common diseases which lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Each disease can be a challenge to treat clinically, especially when they present together. We performed a review of the literature including clinical trials, metanalyses, and guidelines regarding the management of patients with HF and AF. This review describes the pathophysiologic mechanisms behind each disease state, their associated prognosis, and epidemiologic features. Strategies for prevention of stroke in patients with AF, including use of novel oral anticoagulants as well as prevention of the development of AF are discussed. We review the medical and catheter-based therapies for AF and present an original algorithm for the management of AF in patients with HF

Dense Molecular Gas Associated with the Circumnuclear Star Forming Ring in the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 6951

We present high resolution (3" - 5") observations of CO(1-0) and HCN(1-0) emission from the circumnuclear star forming ring in the barred spiral galaxy NGC 6951, a host of a type-2 Seyfert, using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array and 45 m telescope. We find that most of the HCN emission is associated with the circumnuclear ring, where vigorous star formation occurs. The HCN to CO integrated intensity ratio is also enhanced in the star forming ring; the peak value of HCN/CO ratio is 0.18, which is comparable to the ratio in the starbursts NGC 253 and M82. The formation mechanism of dense molecular gas has been investigated. We find that the shocks along the orbit crowding do not promote the formation of the dense molecular gas effectively but enhance the presence of low density GMCs. Instead, gravitational instabilities of the gas can account for the dense molecular gas formation. The HCN/CO ratio toward the Seyfert nucleus of NGC 6951 is a rather normal value (0.086), in contrast with other Seyferts NGC 1068 and M51 where extremely high HCN/CO value of ~ 0.5 have been reported.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, to appear in the Astrophysical Journa

A 15 µm selected sample of hHigh-z starbursts and AGNs

We report results from our Spitzer GO-1 program on IRS spectroscopy of a large sample of Luminous Infrared Galaxies and quasars selected from the European Large Area ISO Survey (ELAIS). The selected ELAIS sources have a wide multi-wavelength coverage, including ISOCAM, ISOPHOT, IRAC and MIPS (from SWIRE), and optical photometry. Here we present the sample selection and results from the IRS spectroscopy

Research at the learning and vision mobile robotics group 2004-2005

Spanish Congress on Informatics (CEDI), 2005, Granada (España)This article presents the current trends on wheeled mobile robotics being pursued at the Learning and Vision Mobile Robotics Group (IRI). It includes an overview of recent results produced in our group in a wide range of areas, including robot localization, color invariance, segmentation, tracking, audio processing and object learning and recognition.This work was supported by projects: 'Supervised learning of industrial scenes by means of an active vision equipped mobile robot.' (J-00063), 'Integration of robust perception, learning, and navigation systems in mobile robotics' (J-0929).Peer Reviewe