Diverse young stellar populations in the intermediate-redshift radio galaxies 3C 213.1 and 3C 459: implications for the evolution of the host galaxies

We present European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope (ESO VLT) and William Herschel Telescope (WHT) spectroscopic observations of two powerful radio galaxies at intermediate redshifts (3C 213.1 and 3C 459), obtained with the aim of establishing the nature and evolutionary status of the host galaxies. Spectral synthesis modelling has been used to demonstrate that young stellar populations (YSP) make a major contribution to the integrated optical light in both sources, contributing at least 37 and 80 per cent of the integrated B-band light in 3C 213.1 and 3C 459, respectively. While in the case of 3C 213.1 the YSP has an intermediate age (0.4–0.8 Gyr) and comprises 3–30 per cent of the total stellar mass, adequate fits to the spectra of 3C 459 require a combination of younger (<0.1 Gyr) and intermediate (0.2–1.2 Gyr) age YSP components that together comprise 5–100 per cent of the total stellar mass. Both the optical and far-IR properties of 3C 459 are consistent with its status as an ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG), and a scenario in which the observed radio source has been triggered close to the peak of star formation activity in a major gas-rich merger. On the other hand, in 3C 213.1 it is likely that the radio source has been triggered (or re-triggered) a significant period after the starburst peak, and the far-IR luminosity of the source is substantially lower. Following correction for the contributions of the YSP, the absolute magnitudes of the host galaxies of both sources are relatively modest (≤2L*), thus demonstrating that powerful radio activity is not always associated with the most massive and luminous elliptical galaxies. These results serve to emphasize that the radio source population is diverse, in terms of both the host galaxy properties and the triggering mechanism(s) for the radio source activity

On the Nature and Genesis of EUV Waves: A Synthesis of Observations from SOHO, STEREO, SDO, and Hinode

A major, albeit serendipitous, discovery of the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory mission was the observation by the Extreme Ultraviolet Telescope (EIT) of large-scale Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) intensity fronts propagating over a significant fraction of the Sun's surface. These so-called EIT or EUV waves are associated with eruptive phenomena and have been studied intensely. However, their wave nature has been challenged by non-wave (or pseudo-wave) interpretations and the subject remains under debate. A string of recent solar missions has provided a wealth of detailed EUV observations of these waves bringing us closer to resolving their nature. With this review, we gather the current state-of-art knowledge in the field and synthesize it into a picture of an EUV wave driven by the lateral expansion of the CME. This picture can account for both wave and pseudo-wave interpretations of the observations, thus resolving the controversy over the nature of EUV waves to a large degree but not completely. We close with a discussion of several remaining open questions in the field of EUV waves research.Comment: Solar Physics, Special Issue "The Sun in 360",2012, accepted for publicatio

Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis in the reproductive setting: British Fertility Society Guidelines for practice

Chlamydia trachomatis infection of the genital tract is the most common sexually transmitted infection and has a world-wide distribution. The consequences of infection have an adverse effect on the reproductive health of women and are a common cause of infertility. Recent evidence also suggests an adverse effect on male reproduction. There is a need to standardise the approach in managing the impact of C. trachomatis infection on reproductive health. We have surveyed current UK practice towards screening and management of Chlamydia infections in the fertility setting. We found that at least 90% of clinicians surveyed offered screening. The literature on this topic was examined and revealed a paucity of solid evidence for estimating the risks of long-term reproductive sequelae following lower genital tract infection with C. trachomatis. The mechanism for the damage that occurs after Chlamydial infections is uncertain. However, instrumentation of the uterus in women with C. trachomatis infection is associated with a high risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be prevented by appropriate antibiotic treatment and may prevent infected women from being at increased risk of the adverse sequelae, such as ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Recommendations for practice have been proposed and the need for further studies is identified

Feint Lines: Notes on the Creation of a Skateboard Choreography

Magnetic fields on a range of scales play a large role in the ecosystems of galaxies, both in the galactic disk and in the extended layers of gas away from the plane. Observing magnetic field strength, structure and orientation is complex, and necessarily indirect. Observational data of magnetic fields in the halo of the Milky Way are scarce, and non-conclusive about the large-scale structure of the field. In external galaxies, various large-scale configurations of magnetic fields are measured, but many uncertainties about exact configurations and their origin remain. There is a strong interaction between magnetic fields and other components in the interstellar medium such as ionized and neutral gas and cosmic rays. The energy densities of these components are comparable on large scales, indicating that magnetic fields are not passive tracers but that magnetic field feedback on the other interstellar medium components needs to be taken into account.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures. Accepted in Space Science Review

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease

VLBI observations of SNR in M82 - Is 41.95+575 an anomalous SNR or something else ?

Global VLBI 1.7GHz datasets from 1990 and 1998 have been used to study the evolution of SNR 41.95+575 in M82. An expansion velocity of around 1800 km/s is found with an implied birth around 1915. A young 41.95+575 would resemble radio supernovae seen in Arp220, although it could also be an evolving accretion disc system</jats:p

Patient-Controlled Analgesia Versus Conventional Intramuscular Injection: A Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Background. In previous studies comparing patient-controlled-analgesia and intramuscular pain management have been unable to provide conclusive evidence of the benefits of either method of postoperative pain control. Aim. The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of intravenous patient-controlled-analgesia with intermittent intramuscular morphine for Chinese women in the first 24 hours following elective gynaecological surgery. Methods. A randomized control design was used. The main outcomes were level of pain and cost for the two types of pain management. Participants indicated their level of pain at rest and when deep breathing or coughing on a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale, on seven occasions within 24 postoperative hours. Costs for the two types of pain management were based on the costs of equipment, drugs and nursing time. Results. A total of 125 women participated in the study. Mean pain level over the 24 hours in the patient-controlled-analgesia group was significantly lower than in the intramuscular group (P < 0•001). Mean pain level over the seven occasions for the patient-controlled-analgesia group was 11•83 points (95% CI 7•1416•52) lower when at rest and 11•73 points (95% CI 5•9617•50) lower during motion than the intramuscular group. Cost per patient was $81•10 (Hong Kong) higher for patient-controlled-analgesia than for intramuscular pain management. Women in the patient-controlled-analgesia group had significantly greater satisfaction with pain management than those in the intramuscular group (P < 0•001), but reported significantly more episodes of nausea (P < 0•05). Conclusions. While patient-controlled-analgesia was more costly, it was also more effective than conventional on-demand intramuscular opioid injections after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery