The nature and origin of Seyfert warm absorbers

We collate the results of recent high resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of 23 AGN, and use the resulting information to try to provide answers to some of the main open questions about warm absorbers: where do they originate, what effect do they have on their host galaxies, and what is their importance within the energetics and dynamics of the AGN system as a whole? We find that the warm absorbers of nearby Seyferts and certain QSOs are most likely to originate in outflows from the dusty torus, and that the kinetic luminosity of these outflows accounts for well under 1% of the bolometric luminosities of the AGN. Our analysis supports, however, the view that the relativistic outflows recently observed in two PG quasars have their origin in accretion disc winds, although the energetic importance of these outflows is similar to that of the Seyfert warm absorbers. We find that the observed soft X-ray absorbing ionisation phases fill less than 10% of the available volume. Finally, we show that the amount of matter processed through an AGN outflow system, over the lifetime of the AGN, is probably large enough to have a significant influence on the evolution of the host galaxy and of the AGN itself

The nature of X-ray-absorbed quasi-stellar objects

There exists a significant population of broad line, z∼ 2 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) which have heavily absorbed X-ray spectra. Follow-up observations in the submillimetre show that these QSOs are embedded in ultraluminous starburst galaxies, unlike most unabsorbed QSOs at the same redshifts and luminosities. Here we present X-ray spectra from XMM–Newton for a sample of five such X-ray-absorbed QSOs that have been detected at submillimetre wavelengths. We also present spectra in the rest-frame ultraviolet from ground-based telescopes. All the five QSOs are found to exhibit strong C iv absorption lines in their ultraviolet spectra with equivalent width >5 Å. The X-ray spectra are inconsistent with the hypothesis that these objects show normal QSO continua absorbed by low-ionization gas. Instead, the spectra can be modelled successfully with ionized absorbers, or with cold absorbers if they possess unusually flat X-ray continuum shapes and unusual optical to X-ray spectral energy distributions. We show that the ionized absorber model provides the simplest, most self-consistent explanation for their observed properties. We estimate that the fraction of radiated power that is converted into kinetic luminosity of the outflowing winds is typically ∼4 per cent, in agreement with recent estimates for the kinetic feedback from QSOs required to produce the M–σ relation, and consistent with the hypothesis that the X-ray-absorbed QSOs represent the transition phase between obscured accretion and the luminous QSO phase in the evolution of massive galaxies

Preparation of C2-Symmetric Biaryl Bisiminium Salts and Their Use as Organocatalysts for Asymmetric Epoxidation

Two C2-symmetric bisiminium salt species containing biphenylazepinium units and derived from two chiral diamines were prepared and tested as organocatalysts for asymmetric epoxidation

Global Citizens, Global Futures Project Report, Initial Findings and Reflections

The Global Citizens, Global Futures Project explored current understandings and expectations of global citizenship education of students and staff across Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) (Research Phase) and developed and pilot a university-wide global citizenship initiative for students (Implementation Phase). Using staff and student questionnaires, student focus groups and individual interviews to investigate concepts and practices around the topic of Global Citizenship we found MMU students and staff see the concept in terms of diversity, global issues, values and attitudes, belonging to a ‘global community’ and collective responsibility for participation. Students were more likely to rate Global Citizenship as important for embracing and understanding diversity, whilst staff saw the need for MMU students to develop an outward looking view and benefits for the institution but were more likely to critique the term both in terms of the imposition of a ‘Western’ worldview and possible cultural homogenisation. The research has also highlighted current opportunities for students to develop Global Citizenship and for staff to report on their practice in internationalising or incorporating elements of Global Citizenship in curricula. The implementation strand focussed on the piloting of a student award under the university’s extra-curricular award scheme, and on the development of further staff opportunities to internationalise the curriculum. The student award has seen paid student ‘Global Ambassadors’ building student engagement via a new Global Futures student society seeking to provide platforms for student involvement. The awards ceremony took place as part of the Humanities’ faculty’s Global Citizens event. Staff development as part of the implementation strand has included: Internationalising the Curriculum - a 10 credit unit (PGCAP/MAAP) engaging staff from six faculties; exploration of a potential collaborative enquiry with international staff in the area of cross-cultural pedagogies; the development of a unit specification for a 15-credit Level 5 Global Citizenship unit to be piloted in the Contemporary Arts programme at MMU Cheshire; and a presentation of the project report at institutional level workshops to inform the new MMU International strategy. Staff and students also attended the event Global Citizens event, where the Dean of Manchester cathedral spoke and presented students with their awards. As a result of the research and implementation, perceived gaps in provision were used to construct recommendations for further actio

White light-activated antimicrobial surfaces: effect of nanoparticles type on activity

Toluidine blue O (TBO) dye together with either silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), gold (Au) NPs, or a mixture of Ag and Au NPs (Mix Ag–Au NPs) were incorporated into polyurethane to make antimicrobial surfaces using a swell-encapsulation-shrink process. Antimicrobial testing against Escherichia coli showed that inclusion of the NPs significantly enhanced the antimicrobial activities of the TBO polyurethane samples. In particular, samples containing Ag NPs exhibited potent antimicrobial activity under white light and surprisingly, also in the dark. The numbers of viable bacteria decreased below the detection limit on the TBO/Ag NPs incorporated samples within 3 h and 24 h under white light and dark conditions. A mechanistic study using furfuryl alcohol indicated that the enhanced photobactericidal activity was most likely due to a type I photochemical reaction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an antimicrobial surface comprised of a combination of Ag NPs and a light activated agent to provide a dual kill mechanism. These surfaces are promising candidates for use in healthcare environments to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections

Dominant-negative calcium channel suppression by truncated constructs involves a kinase implicated in the unfolded protein response

Expression of the calcium channel Ca(V)2.2 is markedly suppressed by coexpression with truncated constructs of Ca(V)2.2. Furthermore, a two-domain construct of Ca(V)2.1 mimicking an episodic ataxia-2 mutation strongly inhibited Ca(V)2.1 currents. We have now determined the specificity of this effect, identified a potential mechanism, and have shown that such constructs also inhibit endogenous calcium currents when transfected into neuronal cell lines. Suppression of calcium channel expression requires interaction between truncated and full-length channels, because there is inter-subfamily specificity. Although there is marked cross-suppression within the Ca(V)2 calcium channel family, there is no cross-suppression between Ca(V)2 and Ca(V)3 channels. The mechanism involves activation of a component of the unfolded protein response, the endoplasmic reticulum resident RNA-dependent kinase (PERK), because it is inhibited by expression of dominant-negative constructs of this kinase. Activation of PERK has been shown previously to cause translational arrest, which has the potential to result in a generalized effect on protein synthesis. In agreement with this, coexpression of the truncated domain I of Ca(V)2.2, together with full-length Ca(V)2.2, reduced the level not only of Ca(V)2.2 protein but also the coexpressed alpha2delta-2. Thapsigargin, which globally activates the unfolded protein response, very markedly suppressed Ca(V)2.2 currents and also reduced the expression level of both Ca(V)2.2 and alpha2delta-2 protein. We propose that voltage-gated calcium channels represent a class of difficult-to-fold transmembrane proteins, in this case misfolding is induced by interaction with a truncated cognate Ca(V) channel. This may represent a mechanism of pathology in episodic ataxia-2

Exploring the canonical behaviour of long gamma-ray bursts using an intrinsic multiwavelength afterglow correlation

In this paper, we further investigate the relationship, reported by Oates et al., between the optical/UV afterglow luminosity (measured at restframe 200 s) and average afterglow decay rate (measured from restframe 200 s onwards) of long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We extend the analysis by examining the X-ray light curves, finding a consistent correlation. We therefore explore how the parameters of these correlations relate to the prompt emission phase and, using a Monte Carlo simulation, explore whether these correlations are consistent with predictions of the standard afterglow model. We find significant correlations between: log  LO, 200 s and log  LX, 200 s; αO, >200 s and αX, >200 s, consistent with simulations. The model also predicts relationships between log Eiso and log  L200 s; however, while we find such relationships in the observed sample, the slope of the linear regression is shallower than that simulated and inconsistent at ≳3σ. Simulations also do not agree with correlations observed between log  L200 s and α> 200 s, or logEiso logEiso and α> 200 s. Overall, these observed correlations are consistent with a common underlying physical mechanism producing GRBs and their afterglows regardless of their detailed temporal behaviour. However, a basic afterglow model has difficulty explaining all the observed correlations. This leads us to briefly discuss alternative more complex models

Staphylococcus cornubiensis sp. nov., a member of the Staphylococcus intermedius Group (SIG)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Microbiology Society via the DOI in this recordWe here describe a novel species in the Staphylococcus intermedius Group (SIG) which is phenotypically similar to Staphylococcus pseudintermedius but is genomically distinct from it and other SIG members, with an average nucleotide identity of 90.2 % with its closest relative S. intermedius. The description of Staphylococcus cornubiensis sp. nov. is based on strain NW1T (=NCTC 13950T=DSM 105366T) isolated from a human skin infection in Cornwall, UK. Although pathogenic, NW1T carries no known virulence genes or mobilizable antibiotic resistance genes and further studies are required to assess the prevalence of this species in humans as well as its potential presence in companion animals.This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant WT 098051). We acknowledge BBSRC/MRC funding (grant MR/N007174/1) enabling discounted sequencing through the microbesNG program

Chromosome assignment of two cloned DNA probes hybridizing predominantly to human sex chromosomes

In situ hybridization experiments were carried out with two clones, YACG 35 and 2.8, which had been selected from two genomic libraries strongly enriched for the human Y chromosome. Besides the human Y chromosome, both sequences strongly hybridized to the human X chromosome, with few minor binding sites on autosomes. In particular, on the X chromosome DNA from clone YACG 35 hybridized to the centromeric region and the distal part of the short arm (Xp2.2). On the Y chromosome, the sequence was assigned to one site situated in the border region between Yq1.1 and Yq1.2. DNA from clone 2.8 also hybridized to the centromeric region of the X and the distal part of the short arm (Xq2.2). On the Y, however, two binding sites were observed (Yp1.1 and Yq1.2). The findings indicate that sex chromosomal sequences may be localized in homologous regions (as suggested from meiotic pairing) but also at ectopic sites

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cancer pain: A database analysis to determine recruitment feasibility for a clinical trial

Background: Insufficient evidence exists to support or refute use of NSAIDs for managing cancer pain. Palliative physicians support a placebo-controlled trial of NSAIDs as strong opioid adjuncts for cancer-induced bone pain as the most pragmatic design to benefit clinical practice. Aim: We aimed to determine patient numbers receiving palliative radiotherapy for cancer-induced bone pain, estimate the suitability of NSAID prescription and determine survival, guiding future trial feasibility. Design: A retrospective observational database analysis was undertaken using 5 years of routinely collected regional radiotherapy and healthcare data, filtered to achieve a cohort with cancer-induced bone pain. Demographics and survival were linked to available serology and co-morbidity data. Setting/participants: Data was sourced from the regional Leeds Cancer Centre, a tertiary care setting. Patients who underwent palliative single fraction 8 gray (Gy) radiotherapy treatment for cancer-induced bone pain were included, totalling 2411 over 5 years. Results: A mean of 478 patients received palliative radiotherapy for cancer-induced bone pain annually. Median age (IQR) was 70 (62–77); negatively skewed (−0.69). 65.3% died within 1 year of radiotherapy; 48.0% within 6 months. Age was not associated with survival on univariable analysis (HR 0.999 (95% CI 0.996–1.003)). Serology from 1063 patients (44.2%) were available; eGFR was ⩾60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 83.0%. From available data (1352 pts; 51.6% of sample), 20.2% had a coded co-morbidity contra-indicating NSAIDs. Combining serology and co-morbidities, 68.5% could be considered for NSAID prescription. Conclusions: Patient numbers at a regional radiotherapy centre support the feasibility of trial recruitment. Available serology and co-morbidity data suggest two-thirds may be suitable for NSAID prescription