X-rays across the galaxy population - III. The incidence of AGN as a function of star formation rate

We map the co-eval growth of galaxies and their central supermassive black holes in detail by measuring the incidence of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in galaxies as a function of star formation rate (SFR) and redshift (to z~4). We combine large galaxy samples with deep Chandra X-ray imaging to measure the probability distribution of specific black hole accretion rates (LX relative to stellar mass) and derive robust AGN fractions and average specific accretion rates. First, we consider galaxies along the main sequence of star formation. We find a linear correlation between the average SFR and both the AGN fraction and average specific accretion rate across a wide range in stellar mass ($M_* \sim 10^{8.5-11.5}M_\odot$) and to at least z~2.5, indicating that AGN in main-sequence galaxies are driven by the stochastic accretion of cold gas. We also consider quiescent galaxies and find significantly higher AGN fractions than predicted, given their low SFRs, indicating that AGN in quiescent galaxies are fuelled by additional mechanisms (e.g. stellar winds). Next, we bin galaxies according to their SFRs relative to the main sequence. We find that the AGN fraction is significantly elevated for galaxies that are still star-forming but with SFRs below the main sequence, indicating further triggering mechanisms enhance AGN activity within these sub-main-sequence galaxies. We also find that the incidence of high-accretion-rate AGN is enhanced in starburst galaxies and evolves more mildly with redshift than within the rest of the galaxy population, suggesting mergers play a role in driving AGN activity in such high-SFR galaxies.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figures. This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in MNRAS following peer revie

Electronic structure and magnetism in X_xW_{1-x}O_3 (X=Nb,V,Re) from supercell calculations

Some doped semiconductors have recently been shown to display superconductivity or weak ferromagnetism. Here we investigate the electronic structure and conditions for magnetism in a supercells of cubic XW_{26}O_{81}, where X=Nb,V and Re. The undoped material is an insulator, and although the slightly doped material is a metal, it is far from the Stoner criterion of magnetism. The conditions of a localized density-of-states which varies rapidly with the energy, resemble those of doped hexaborides. The virtual crystal approximation is used to vary the doping level. A small moment appears if the Fermi energy coincides with a large derivative of the DOS.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, to appear in JMM

Vulnerability of eco-environmental health to climate change: The views of government stakeholders and other specialists in Queensland, Australia

Background: There is overwhelming scientific evidence that human activities have changed and will continue to change the climate of the Earth. Eco-environmental health, which refers to the interdependencies between ecological systems and population health and well-being, is likely to be significantly influenced by climate change. The aim of this study was to examine perceptions from government stakeholders and other relevant specialists about the threat of climate change, their capacity to deal with it, and how to develop and implement a framework for assessing vulnerability of eco-environmental health to climate change.---------- Methods: Two focus groups were conducted in Brisbane, Australia with representatives from relevant government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the industry sector (n = 15) involved in the discussions. The participants were specialists on climate change and public health from governmental agencies, industry, and nongovernmental organisations in South-East Queensland.---------- Results: The specialists perceived climate change to be a threat to eco-environmental health and had substantial knowledge about possible implications and impacts. A range of different methods for assessing vulnerability were suggested by the participants and the complexity of assessment when dealing with multiple hazards was acknowledged. Identified factors influencing vulnerability were perceived to be of a social, physical and/or economic nature. They included population growth, the ageing population with associated declines in general health and changes in the vulnerability of particular geographical areas due to for example, increased coastal development, and financial stress. Education, inter-sectoral collaboration, emergency management (e.g. development of early warning systems), and social networks were all emphasised as a basis for adapting to climate change. To develop a framework, different approaches were discussed for assessing eco-environmental health vulnerability, including literature reviews to examine the components of vulnerability such as natural hazard risk and exposure and to investigate already existing frameworks for assessing vulnerability.---------- Conclusion: The study has addressed some important questions in regard to government stakeholders and other specialists’ views on the threat of climate change and its potential impacts on eco-environmental health. These findings may have implications in climate change and public health decision-making

A new system for better employment and social outcomes: interim report

This report argues that fundamental reform of the architecture of Australia\u27s welfare system is needed to better capture evolving labour market and social changes, and proposes four pillars of reform. In December 2013, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Kevin Andrews MP, appointed an independent Reference Group to review Australia\u27s welfare system. This is the Reference Group’s Interim Report. Mr Patrick McClure AO chairs the Reference Group. The other members are Mr Wesley Aird and Ms Sally Sinclair. The Reference Group was supported by a Taskforce in the Department of Social Services in preparing this report. Executive summary Government cash transfer payments to individuals and families represent the most significant component of Australia’s social support system in expenditure terms. The Department of Social Services has policy responsibility for income support payments and supplements worth around $100 billion in 2012–13. This is a significant investment with a wide reach across the community. Changes to Australia’s income support system over time have resulted in unintended complexities, inconsistencies and disincentives for some people to work. The system is also out of step with today’s labour market realities and community expectations. The income support system is in need of major reform to deliver better outcomes for all Australians now and into the future. Long-term reliance on income support increases the risks of poor health, low self-esteem and social isolation. It can also have intergenerational effects. Children who grow up in households with long periods on income support are more likely to have poor education, employment and social outcomes. In contrast, employment generates clear financial, health and social benefits for individuals, families and communities. To maximise employment and social outcomes, and to remain sustainable over the longer term, Australia’s income support system needs to have a stronger employment focus. It should provide adequate support while encouraging more people to work to their capacity. It should also be simpler and more coherent. While reforms in recent decades have increased participation expectations for income support recipients, a more fundamental reform of the architecture of the system is needed to better capture evolving labour market and social changes such as the growth in part-time work and the increased labour force participation of women. The broader social support system should work in tandem with the income support system to assist those most in need. This includes well-functioning employment services, housing assistance, child care, and early intervention and integrated services for people and families with complex needs, such as homelessness, mental health conditions and drug or alcohol addiction. Reform needs to take account of recent developments such as the system of lifelong care and support for people with disability being introduced through the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the expansion of paid parental leave and the opportunities offered by new technology. It should also take account of effective interventions to support people who are vulnerable in the labour market, such as people with mental health conditions and people with disability. This report proposes four pillars of reform: Simpler and sustainable income support system Strengthening individual and family capability Engaging with employers Building community capacit

Quelques réflexions sur l’état actuel des services en santé mentale dans la région de Montréal

On trouvera dans ce texte, des considérations d'ordre clinique, administratif et pédagogique. Le point de vue est subjectif : il et celui d'un clinicien qui a ses préjugés, son expérience propre, et qui croit à la possibilité d'améliorer les services offerts dans le domaine de la santé mentale, afin de rendre ces services plus accessibles, mieux répartis sur le territoire (les Îles de Montréal et de Laval), mieux adaptés aux besoins de ceux à qui ils s'adressent. Les obstacles aux changements viennent des difficultés que l'on rencontre lorsqu'on essaie d'adapter un modèle théorique à une réalité concrète ; ils viennent en deuxième lieu du fait que, si les soins psychiatriques sont distribués de façon plus souple et plus humaine, la maladie mentale demeure toujours une grande inconnue, qu'aucune découverte récente ne nous permet de mieux comprendre ; enfin, un troisième volet de difficulté concerne les professionnels de la santé mentale, ces hommes et ces femmes qui, coincés entre les malades et les niveaux administratifs, tentent de s'adapter, de durer, d'améliorer leur compétence, de s'articuler harmonieusement les uns aux autres.The author sets forth some reflections on the present state of mental health services in the Montreal Region, concerning himself primarily with the problems encountered in the application of the theoretical model underlying the existing services, that being community psychiatry. These problems are of three orders: the distribution of establishments and the geographic distribution of the population do not correspond; because of the liberation of many psychotics a backlash is starting to make itself felt in the population, and chronic patients have become immigrants in the city; the multidisciplinary «earns are experiencing difficulties in working with this large and demanding clientele, and also in defining the limits to teir interventive capacity, with what that entails

La mort d’une illusion?

La psychiatrie communautaire a-t-elle un avenir au Québec, plus particulièrement à Montréal? Conçue initialement comme un projet global de réorganisation des services psychiatriques, la psychiatrie communautaire se proposait de traiter les psychotiques ailleurs et autrement qu'à l'asile. Après une période d'influence positive sur la psychiatrie québécoise, le projet global du début semble se détériorer. La sectorisation géographique, qui n'était que l'un des éléments du projet, a déplacé les objectifs initiaux et mobilise de plus en plus les énergies des cliniciens et des administrateurs. Le corporatisme et les revendications professionnelles qu'il entraîne menacent l'existence des équipes pluridisciplinaires. Et, comme on peut s'y attendre, la qualité des soins apparaît elle aussi en perte de vitesse, comme en témoignent les séjours prolongés des malades dans les salles d'urgence ainsi que l'allongement des listes d'attente dans les cliniques externes.What is the future of community psychiatry in Quebec, more precisely in the Montreal area? Initially aimed at globally reorganizing psychiatric services, community psychiatry intended to take care of psychotic patients outside psychiatric hospitals, and in a different way. After an initial period of positive influence on psychiatric services in Quebec, the early objectives seem to be deteriorating. At the beginning, the geographical division of the territory in catchment areas was but one of the many characteristics of community psychiatry : with years the part has become more important than the whole and is consuming an increasing amount of energy among clinicians as well as administrators in the fiels of psychiatry. Professionalism (professions claiming more autonomy) has become a threat to team work, another characteristic of community psychiatry. As one could have expected, theses changes have brought, it seems, some modifications in the quality of care, as witnessed by the many psychiatric patients waiting for many days on streatchers in emergency wards and by the lenghtening of waiting lists in out-patient clinics

La psychiatrie de secteur en hôpital général

Cet exposé tente de brosser un tableau aussi fidèle que possible de la pratique de la psychiatrie de secteur dans un hôpital général en 1976. L'auteur travaille dans un centre hospitalier universitaire de 700 lits situé dans le centre-ville de Montréal. Dans ce texte, il illustre sa perception des difficultés et des satisfactions que peut vivre un professionnel de la santé mentale au sein d'un hôpital général.This exposé attempts to draw a portrait as accurate as possible of the practice of sectorial psychiatry within a general hospital setting in 1976. The author works in a university hospital of 700 beds in downtown Montréal. In this article, he underlines his perception of difficulties and satisfactions mental health professionals can experience within a general hospital setting

Services en santé mentale et chefs de département

L'auteur, chef de département de psychiatrie d'un hôpital général, dévoile les résultats d'une enquête faite auprès de 15 chefs de psychiatrie. Les questions portaient sur la population de prise en charge ; la distribution des professionnels ; le travail clinique ; et les équipes. Il commente ensuite les résultats.The author, head of a psychiatric department in a general hospital, presents results of a study conducted with 15 psychiatric department chiefs. Questions were related to population ; distribution of professionals ; clinical work ; and various teams. The author then comments results