Monitoring the Bi-Directional Relativistic Jets of the Radio Galaxy 1946+708

We report on a multi-frequency, multi-epoch campaign of Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations of the radio galaxy 1946+708 using the VLBA and a Global VLBI array. From these high-resolution observations we deduce the kinematic age of the radio source to be $\sim$4000 years, comparable with the ages of other Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs). Ejections of pairs of jet components appears to take place on time scales of 10 years and these components in the jet travel outward at intrinsic velocities between 0.6 and 0.9 c. From the constraint that jet components cannot have intrinsic velocities faster than light, we derive H_0 > 57 km s^-1 Mpc^-1 from the fastest pair of components launched from the core. We provide strong evidence for the ejection of a new pair of components in ~1997. From the trajectories of the jet components we deduce that the jet is most likely to be helically confined, rather than purely ballistic in nature.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, accepted to Ap

Transverse motions in CSOs?

The measurement of proper motions in CSOs is a powerful tool to determine the dynamical evolution of the newly born extragalactic radio sources. We observed 3 CSOs with the VLBA in 2004 and in 2006 to monitor changes in their structure and measure the separation velocity of the hot spots. It is important to increase the size of the samples of CSOs with measured expansion velocity to test the existance of frustrated objects, and put stringent constraints on the current models. We found for all the three objects observed a transverse motion of the hotspots, and we suggest as the more likey explanation a precession in the jet axis. This behaviour likely inhibits or at least slows down the radio source growth because the head of the hotspot continuously hits new regions of the ISM. Therefore these radio sources may represent an old population of GPS/CSOs.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomische Nachrichte

The Discovery of Water Maser Emission from Eight Nearby Galaxies

Using the Green Bank Telescope, we conducted a ``snapshot'' survey for water maser emission toward the nuclei of 611 galaxies and detected eight new sources. The sample consisted of nearby (v < 5000 km/s) and luminous (M_B < -19.5) galaxies, some with known nuclear activity but most not previously known to host AGNs. Our detections include both megamasers associated with AGNs and relatively low luminosity masers probably associated with star formation. The detection in UGC 3789 is particularly intriguing because the spectrum shows both systemic and high-velocity lines indicative of emission from an AGN accretion disk seen edge-on. Based on six months of monitoring, we detected accelerations among the systemic features ranging from 2 to 8 km/s/yr, the larger values belonging to the most redshifted systemic components. High-velocity maser lines in UGC 3789 show no detectable drift over the same period. Although UGC 3789 was not known to be an AGN prior to this survey, the presence of a disk maser is strong evidence for nuclear activity, and an optical spectrum obtained later has confirmed it. With follow up observations, it may be possible to measure a geometric distance to UGC 3789.Comment: to appear in Astrophysical Journal, 1 May 200

Paraoxonase 1 in Chronic Kidney Failure

In this review we summarize the findings from the literature and our own laboratory on the decreased PON1 activity in renal failure, the mechanisms proposed and the effect of interventions. In addition to profound alterations in lipoproteins, reduced serum PON1 activity has been clearly established in the past decade and could contribute to accelerated development of atherosclerosis in ESRD and in HD. PON1 lactonase activity is lower in ESRD patients. Hemodialysis partially restores PON1 lactonase and the other activities. PON1 activity recovery after dialysis suggests that uremic toxins may play a mechanistic role in PON1 inactivation. Lower PON1 activity in CRF patients is associated with low thiol concentration, high CRP, and is beneficially enhanced with vitamin C and flavonoids. Changes in HDL subclasses, namely lower HDL3 in these patients may also play a role in PON1 lower activity. Future research should focus on: (1) mechanistic studies on causes for low PON1 activity and mass; (2) prospective studies focusing on whether there is an added predictive value in measuring PON1 activity (and PON1 activity in HDL3) in this patient population; (3) intervention studies attempting to increase PON1 activity

Magnetic Fields in the Center of the Perseus Cluster

We present Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of the nucleus of NGC 1275, the central, dominant galaxy in the Perseus cluster of galaxies. These are the first observations to resolve the linearly polarized emission from 3C84, and from them we determine a Faraday rotation measure (RM) ranging from 6500 to 7500 rad/m^2 across the tip of the bright southern jet component. At 22 GHz some polarization is also detected from the central parsec of 3C84, indicating the presence of even more extreme RMs that depolarize the core at lower frequencies. The nature of the Faraday screen is most consistent with being produced by magnetic fields associated with the optical filaments of ionized gas in the Perseus Cluster.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

A Call to Action: Maine’s Colleges and Universities Respond to an Aging Population

Jeffrey E. Hecker and Marilyn R. Gugliucci report on the findings of the Higher Education Workgroup, which is part of the Maine Aging Initiative. They present summary information on aging-related research, gerontology/geriatrics educational curricula, and educational opportunities for older adults including retooling for employment

Hospice Home Immersion Project: Advancing Medical Education

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) Hospice Immersion project was piloted in 2014 in southern Maine. It was designed and implemented as an experiential medical education learning model whereby medical students were “admitted” into the local Hospice Home to live there for 48 hours. Until this project, palliative and end of life care education at US Medical Schools and specifically UNECOM were accomplished through traditional medical education methods. The Hospice Immersion project utilizes qualitative ethnographic and autobiographic research designs, whereby a unique environment or “culture” (Hospice Home) is observed and life experiences of the medical student before, during, and immediately after the immersion are reported by him/her. The purpose of the Hospice Immersion project is to provide second year medical students with firsthand experiences of living in the Hospice Home for 48 hours to answer the question: “What it is like FOR ME to live in the Hospice Home?” The results focus on the students’ common themes that include 1) Unknown Territory; 2) Support; 3) Role of Staff; 4) Role of Immersion Learning in Palliative and End of Life Care; 5) Facing Death and Dying; and 6) Clinical Pearls. This project humanizes dying and death, solidified student realization that dying is a part of life and what an honor it is to be a part of the care process that alleviates pain, increases comfort, values communication, and human connections. Students report new found skills in patient care such as the 1) importance of physical touch; 2) significance of communication at the end of life for the patient, family, and staff; 3) the value of authenticity and sincerity that comes from being comfortable with oneself, which allows silence to communicate caring; 4) connection with and awareness of the person (rather than their terminal illness) and their family; and 5) the importance of speaking with patients and their families about end of life plans in advance. Although this is a time intensive experience for the faculty member and the Hospice Home staff, the depth of learning experienced by the students and opportunities to advance medical education in death and dying are well worth the efforts

We Are Alfred: Empathy Learned Through A Medical Education Virtual Reality Project

Poster describing project collaboration among University of New England (UNE) librarians and College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) faculty, whose goal was to adopt technology which will teach UNECOM students to be empathic with older adults and familiarize medical students with information resources from the NIH/NLM related to older adult health. Technology tested was the Alfred Lab developed by Embodied Labs. First year medical students were required to complete the ‘We Are Alfred’ virtual reality module and a pre and post assessment. Descriptive statistics were applied to finite questions on pre and post assessments, and content analysis on open ended answers. Virtual reality was deemed a successful medical education learning tool enhancing empathy for these medical students.https://dune.une.edu/libserv_facpost/1001/thumbnail.jp

Paraoxonase 1, HDL Subclasses and Post Surgery Acute Inflammation: A Pilot Study.

High density lipoproteins (HDL) structure and function studies are needed to better understand the heterogeneous nature of the HDL particle, and its interaction with associated proteins such as apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1), paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and the environment. Our study assesses the effects of acute inflammation on PON1 and HDL subclasses in post-surgical colorectal cancer patients. PON1 was measured kinetically through its arylesterase and lactonase activity and HDL sub-classes were measured using Quantimetrix Lipoprint® System. White blood cells (WBC) counts, c-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels were also analyzed using standard techniques. Our findings show that baseline PON1 activity is lower in colorectal cancer patients and significant reductions are observed in the acute inflammatory state post-surgery. PON1 changes are also inversely related to inflammatory markers such as SAA and CRP. In addition, our preliminary findings show that small and intermediate HDL decreases post-op Day 1. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the effects of chronic and acute inflammation on PON1. Specifically, PON1 arylesterase and lactonase activity is lower in states of chronic inflammation and further decreased in the acute inflammatory state. Additionally, in our limited sample size, while changes in PON1 and HDL subclasses may be variable in the acute inflammatory period, small HDL decreased with a loss of PON1 activity in the subacute phase

Empathy Learned Through An Extended Medical Education Virtual Reality Project

Studies have suggested that empathy in healthcare professionals tends to erode during medical school and residency training. However, a study conducted by Hofat presents outcomes that reveals the opposite effect; instead empathy improves or there is no effect on empathy at all. Despite the contradictory studies, it is generally agreed that empathy is an important aspect in the patient-physician relationship as it is associated with improved patient satisfaction, increased adherence to treatment, and fewer malpractice complaints. This research exposed 346 first year medical students to virtual reality (VR) technology that is intended to elicit empathy for a 74-year-old African American male, Alfred, whom each student embodied to experience what it is like to have macular degeneration and hearing loss. Specifically, pre/post test responses to embodying Alfred were analyzed to determine empathic changes. The VR software, developed by Embodied Labs, Inc., is specifically designed to affect health professions students and staff empathy responses. Results yielded statically significant changes between pre and post assessment across both cohorts of the Alfred Lab.https://dune.une.edu/com_studpost/1002/thumbnail.jp