High resolution observations of compact H II regions at 230 GHz

Based on the idea that star formation goes on progressively in molecular clouds, a search was conducted for protostars by mapping compact H II regions at a frequency of 250 GHz. The IRAM 30 m radio telescope was used with a (3)He cooled bolometer. Twenty compact H II regions usually obtaining twice the expected free-free flux density, positionally coincident with the H II region, were observed. Even fine structure within the H II regions can be traced in the maps as in the case of G75.84+0.40 near ON-2. The high degree of coincidence between the 250 and 5 GHz map of Harris shows that the excess flux density observed must come from dust mixed with the ionized gas. Part of the dust must however be accumulated in the outer part of the H II region, since in some cases the contours are shifted outwards relative to the radio maps. This is consistent with the fact that in those cases where enough information is available to make a model fit, temperatures were derived of 80 + or - 30 K

Effects of a Novel Dental Gel on Plaque and Gingivitis: A Comparative Study.

ObjectivesThe goal of this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study was to evaluate the effects of a novel dental gel on plaque and gingival health. The dental gel was designed to (1) break up and prevent re-accumulation of microbial biofilm, and (2) inhibit metal mediated inflammation.Materials and methodsTwenty-five subjects with moderate gingival inflammation (Löe and Silness Gingival Index ≥2) and pocket depths <4 were randomly assigned to brush twice daily for 21 days with the test or the control dental gel. On Days 0, 7, 14 and 21, plaque levels (Quigley-Hein, Turesky Modification Plaque Index), gingival inflammation (Löe and Silness Gingival Index) and gingival bleeding (modified Sulcus Bleeding Index) were determined by one blinded, investigator using a pressure sensitive probe.ResultsAfter 3 weeks, all 3 clinical indices were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05) and significantly lower in the test group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe novel dental gel formulation was provided effective plaque control and reduced gingival inflammation.Clinical relevanceA novel dentifrice formulation may be an effective tool for plaque removal and maintaining gingival health

A Hypothesis on Biological Protection from Space Radiation Through the Use of New Therapeutic Gases

Radiation exposure to astronauts could be a significant obstacle for long duration manned space exploration because of current uncertainties regarding the extent of biological effects. Furthermore, concepts for protective shielding also pose a technically challenging issue due to the nature of cosmic radiation and current mass and power constraints with modern exploration technology. The concern regarding exposure to cosmic radiation is the biological damage it induces. As damage is associated with increased oxidative stress, it is important and would be enabling to mitigate and/or prevent oxidative stress prior to the development of clinical symptoms and disease. This paper hypothesizes a "systems biology" approach in which a combination of chemical and biological mitigation techniques are used conjunctively. It proposes using new, therapeutic, medical gases as both chemical radioprotectors for radical scavenging and biological signaling molecules for management of the body s response to exposure. From reviewing radiochemistry of water, biological effects of CO, H2, NO, and H2S gas, and mechanisms of radiation biology, it is concluded that this approach may have great therapeutic potential for radiation exposure. Furthermore, it also appears to have similar potential for curtailing the pathogenesis of other diseases in which oxidative stress has been implicated including, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic inflammatory disease, hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, parkinson s and alzheimer s disease, cataracts, and agin

Hot gas and dust in a protostellar cluster near W3(OH

We used the IRAM Interferometer to obtain sub-arcsecond resolution observations of the high-mass star-forming region W3(OH) and its surroundings at a frequency of 220 GHz. With the improved angular resolution, we distinguish 3 peaks in the thermal dust continuum emission originating from the hot core region about 6 arcsec (0.06 pc) east of W3(OH). The dust emission peaks are coincident with known radio continuum sources, one of which is of non-thermal nature. The latter source is also at the center of expansion of a powerful bipolar outflow observed in water maser emission. We determine the hot core mass to be 15 solar masses based on the integrated dust continuum emission. Simultaneously many molecular lines are detected allowing the analysis of the temperature structure and the distribution of complex organic molecules in the hot core. From HNCO lines, spanning a wide range of excitation, two 200 K temperature peaks are found coincident with dust continuum emission peaks suggesting embedded heating sources within them.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

3C 48: Stellar Populations and the Kinematics of Stars and Gas in the Host Galaxy

We present deep Keck LRIS spectroscopy of the host galaxy of 3C 48. Our observations at various slit positions sample the different luminous components near the quasar, including the apparent tidal tail to the NW and several strong emission line regions. By fitting Bruzual & Charlot (1996) population synthesis models to our spectra, we obtain ages for the most recent major episodes of star formation in various parts of the host galaxy covered by our slits. There is vigorous current star formation in regions just NE and SE of the quasar and post-starburst regions with ages up to ~10^8 years in other parts of the host galaxy, but most of the NW tidal tail shows no sign of significant recent star formation. We use these model fits, together with the kinematics of the stars and gas, to outline a plausible evolutionary history for the host galaxy, its recent starburst activity, the triggering of the quasar, and the interaction of the radio jet with the ambient gas. There is strong evidence that the 3C 48 host is an ongoing merger, and that it is probably near the peak of its starburst activity. Nevertheless, the quasar itself seems to suffer little extinction, perhaps because we are viewing it along a particularly favorable line-of-sight.Comment: 27 pages plus 11 figures (7 postscript, 4 gif). Postscript version including figures (1840 kb) available at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~canaguby/preprints.html . Accepted for publication in Ap

On the central ionizing star of G23.96+0.15 and near-IR spectral classification of O stars

Aims: A near-infrared study of the main ionizing star of the ultracompact HII region G23.96+0.15 (IRAS 18317-0757) is presented, along with a re-evaluation of the distance to this source, and a re-assessment of H- and K-band classification diagnostics for O dwarfs; Methods: We have obtained near-IR VLT/ISAAC imaging and spectroscopy of G23.96+0.15, plus archival imaging from UKIRT/UFTI. A spectroscopic analysis was carried out using a non-LTE model atmosphere code; Results: A quantitative H- and K-band classification scheme for O dwarfs is provided, from which we establish an O7.5V spectral subtype for the central star of G23.96+0.15. We estimate an effective temperature of Teff ~ 38 kK from a spectral analysis; Conclusions: A spectroscopic distance of 2.5 kpc is obtained for G23.96+0.15, substantially lower than the kinematic distance of 4.7 kpc, in common with recent studies of other Milky way HII regions. Such discrepancies would be alleviated if sources are unresolved binaries or clusters.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for Astronomy & Astrophysic

Interferometric imaging of carbon monoxide in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp): evidence for a strong rotating jet

Observations of the CO J(1-0) 115 GHz and J(2-1) 230 GHz lines in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) were performed with the IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer on 11 March, 1997. The observations were conducted in both single-dish (ON-OFF) and interferometric modes with 0.13 km s-1 spectral resolution. Images of CO emission with 1.7 to 3" angular resolution were obtained. The ON-OFF and interferometric spectra show a velocity shift with sinusoidal time variations related to the Hale-Bopp nucleus rotation of 11.35 h. The peak position of the CO images moves perpendicularly to the spin axis direction in the plane of the sky. This suggests the presence of a CO jet, which is active night and day at about the same extent, and is spiralling with nucleus rotation. The high quality of the data allows us to constrain the characteristics of this CO jet. We have developed a 3-D model to interpret the temporal evolution of CO spectra and maps. The CO coma is represented as the combination of an isotropic distribution and a spiralling gas jet, both of nucleus origin. Spectra and visibilities (the direct output of interferometric data) analysis shows that the CO jet comprises ~40% the total CO production and is located at a latitude ~20 degrees North on the nucleus surface. Our inability to reproduce all observational characteristics shows that the real structure of the CO coma is more complex than assumed, especially in the first thousand kilometres from the nucleus. The presence of another moving CO structure, faint but compact and possibly created by an outburst, is identified.Comment: 20 pages, 26 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic