Host Galaxies of Gamma-ray Bursts: Spectral Energy Distributions and Internal Extinction

We present BVRcIc broad-band flux spectra for the host galaxies of GRB970508, GRB980613, GRB980703, GRB990123 and GRB991208 obtained with the 6-m telescope of SAO RAS. The BVRcIc of these hosts are best fitted by the spectral properties of template SEDs of starburst galaxies and that there is a significant internal extinction in these host galaxies. We derived the absolute magnitudes of the GRB host galaxies making use of SEDs for the starburst galaxies. We performed the population synthesis modeling of the continuum spectral energy distribution of the host galaxies of GRB970508 and GRB980703 using different extinction laws and assuming burst and exponential scenarios of star formation. The comparison of BVRcIc broad-band flux spectra with the local starburst galaxies templates and theoretical templates as well as direct estimates (using Balmer emission lines) of the internal extinction shows that it is likely to be of great importance to take into account effects of the internal extinction in the host galaxies. From the SED of the host galaxy of GRB991208 and from the intensity of their spectral lines it follows that this is a GRB galaxy with the highest massive star-formation rate of all known GRB galaxies. The reduced luminosity of these dusty galaxies (e.g. for the host of GRB970508 A_V\sim 2 mag, for the host of GRB980703 A_V\sim 0.6 mag and for the host of GRB991208 A_V\sim 2 mag) could explain the observational fact: none of the observed GRB host galaxies with known distances is brighter than the local galaxies with the luminosity L_*.Comment: Added acknowledgement

Prevalence, and associated risk factors, of self-reported diabetes mellitus in a sample of adult urban population in Greece: MEDICAL Exit Poll Research in Salamis (MEDICAL EXPRESS 2002)

BACKGROUND: The continuous monitoring and future prediction of the growing epidemic of diabetes mellitus worldwide presuppose consistent information about the extent of the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes and to identify associated risk factors in a sample of adult urban Greek population. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in municipality of Salamis, Greece, during an election day (2002). The study sample consisted of 2805 participants, aged 20–94 years. Data were collected using a standardized short questionnaire that was completed by a face-to-face interview. Multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of diabetes with potential risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 8.7% (95% CI 7.7–9.8%). After age adjustment for the current adult population (2001 census) of Greece, the projection prevalence was calculated to 8.2%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified as independent risk factors: increasing age (odds ratio, OR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.06–1.08), male sex (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.04–1.95), overweight and obesity (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.29–3.01 and OR = 3.76, 95% CI 2.41–5.86, respectively), family history of diabetes (OR = 6.91, 95% CI 5.11–9.34), hypertension (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.60–2.99) and, among women, lower educational level (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.22–5.63). The prevalence of overweight and obesity, based on self-reported BMI, were 44.2% and 18.4%, respectively. Moreover, the odds for diabetes in obese subjects with family history were 25-fold higher than those with normal weight and without family history of diabetes, while the odds in overweight subjects with family history of diabetes were 15-fold higher. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that the prevalence of diabetes is high in Greek population. It is suggested that the main modifiable contributing factor is obesity, whose effect is extremely increased upon positive heredity presence

South African national HIV prevalence, HIV incidence, behaviour and communication survey, 2005

The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) commissioned the first national, household sero-prevalence survey of HIV/AIDS in 2002. That study had significant impact nationally, in the sub-region and internationally. The report received widespread attention, has been used to build the capacity of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in implementing similar studies, and has impacted on policy, strategy and practice in the area of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Statistics South Africa currently uses the 2002 household survey to estimate the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS situation in the country. Since 2002, significant shifts have occurred and South Africa has made great strides: the roll out of a comprehensive programme for the care and treatment of HIV-infected individuals has begun and investment in mass media campaigns aimed at preventing new infections is at an all-time high. The NMF realised that it was important to assess the extent to which these policies and practices had changed the shape of the pandemic in South Africa by following up on the first survey. This report on the second national survey of HIV/AIDS reveals a number of key issues, such as: South Africans are increasingly being tested to find out their HIV status; More people, including older South Africans, are using condoms at higher rates than before; and More care and support is being provided to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The report brings home the reality that the HIV prevalence in South Africa among persons aged 2 years and older at 10.8% translates to 4.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2005. Factors underpinning continued high HIV prevalence are partly illustrated by the finding that half of the respondents in this study who were found to be HIV positive did not think they were at risk of HIV infection. It considers HIV/AIDS stigma, the integration of family planning and HIV/AIDS service, and the existing HIV/AIDS communication campaigns. The findings and recommendations of the report will be invaluable to policy-makers and strategic planners, health and other professionals, the media, researchers and academics