Search

We used Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data to identify 29 candidate active galactic nuclei (AGNs) through their optical variability. The high-cadence, high-precision TESS light curves present an opportunity for the identification of AGNs, including those not selected through other methods. Of the candidates, we found that 18 have either previously been identified as AGNs in the literature or could have been selected based on emission-line diagnostics, mid-IR colours, or X-ray luminosity. AGNs in low-mass galaxies offer a unique window into supermassive black hole and galaxy co-evolution and 8 of the 29 candidates have estimated black hole masses ≲ 106 M⊙. The low-mass galaxies NGC 4395 and NGC 4449 are two of our five 'high-confidence' candidates. Since our initial sample largely draws from just nine TESS sectors, we expect to identify at least ∼45 more candidates in the TESS primary and extended mission data sets, of which ∼60 per cent will be new AGNs and ∼20 per cent will be in low-mass galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse high-cadence data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) of the ambiguous nuclear transient (ANT) ASASSN-18el. The optical changing-look phenomenon in ASASSN-18el has been argued to be due to either a drastic change in the accretion rate of the existing active galactic nucleus (AGN) or the result of a tidal disruption event (TDE). Throughout the TESS observations, short-time-scale stochastic variability is seen, consistent with an AGN. We are able to fit the TESS light curve with a damped-random-walk (DRW) model and recover a rest-frame variability amplitude of |$\hat{\sigma } = 0.93 \pm 0.02$| mJy and a rest-frame time-scale of |$\tau _{DRW} = 20^{+15}_{-6}$| d. We find that the estimated τ DRW for ASASSN-18el is broadly consistent with an apparent relationship between the DRW time-scale and central supermassive black hole mass. The large-amplitude stochastic variability of ASASSN-18el, particularly during late stages of the flare, suggests that the origin of this ANT is likely due to extreme AGN activity rather than a TDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery that ATLAS18mlw was a tidal disruption event (TDE) in the galaxy WISEA J073544.83+663717.3, at a luminosity distance of 334 Mpc. Initially discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on 2018 March 17.3, the TDE nature of the transient was uncovered only recently with the re-reduction of a SuperNova Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) spectrum. This spectrum, taken by the Spectral Classification of Astronomical Transients (SCAT) survey, shows a strong blue continuum and a broad H α emission line. Here, we present roughly 6 yr of optical survey photometry beginning before the TDE to constrain active galactic nucleus activity, optical spectroscopy of the transient, and a detailed study of the host galaxy properties through analysis of archival photometry and a host spectrum. ATLAS18mlw was detected in ground-based light curves for roughly 2 months. From a blackbody fit to the transient spectrum and bolometric correction of the optical light curve, we conclude that ATLAS18mlw is best explained by a low-luminosity TDE with a peak luminosity of log(L [erg s−1]) = 43.5 ± 0.2. The TDE classification is further supported by the quiescent Balmer strong nature of the host galaxy. We also calculated the TDE decline rate from the bolometric light curve and find Δ L 40 = −0.7 ± 0.2 dex, making ATLAS18mlw a member of the growing class of 'faint and fast' TDEs with low peak luminosities and fast decline rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TOI-1259 consists of a transiting exoplanet orbiting a main-sequence star, with a bound outer white dwarf (WDs) companion. Less than a dozen systems with this architecture are known. We conduct follow-up spectroscopy on the WD TOI-1259B using the Large Binocular Telescope to better characterize it. We observe only strong hydrogen lines, making TOI-1259B a DA WD. We see no evidence of heavy element pollution, which would have been evidence of planetary material around the WD. Such pollution is seen in |$\sim 25{-}50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of WDs, but it is unknown if this rate is higher or lower in TOI-1259-like systems that contain a known planet. Our spectroscopy permits an improved WD age measurement of |$4.05^{+1.00}_{-0.42}$| Gyr, which matches gyrochronology of the main-sequence star. This is the first of an expanded sample of similar binaries that will allow us to calibrate these dating methods and provide a new perspective on planets in binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of an All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) search for sources with large flux decrements, we discovered a transient where the quiescent, stellar source ASASSN-V J192114.84+624950.8 rapidly decreased in flux by |$\sim 55{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| (∼0.9 mag) in the g band. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite light curve revealed that the source is a highly eccentric, eclipsing binary. Fits to the light curve using phoebe find the binary orbit to have e  = 0.79, P orb = 18.462 d, and i  = 88.6°, and the ratios of the stellar radii and temperatures to be R 2/ R 1 = 0.71 and T e,2/ T e,1 = 0.82. Both stars are chromospherically active, allowing us to determine their rotational periods of P 1 = 1.52 d and P 2 = 1.79 d, respectively. A Large Binocular Telescope/Multi-Object Double Spectrograph spectrum shows that the primary is a late-G- or early-K-type dwarf. Fits to the spectral energy distribution show that the luminosities and temperatures of the two stars are L 1 = 0.48 L⊙, |$T_1= 5050\, \mathrm{K}$|⁠ , L 2 = 0.12 L⊙, and |$T_{2} = 4190\, \mathrm{K}$|⁠. We conclude that ASASSN-V J192114.84+624950.8 consists of two chromospherically active, rotational variable stars in a highly elliptical eclipsing orbit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize the extreme heartbeat star system MACHO 80.7443.1718 in the Large Magellanic Cloud using Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry and spectroscopic observations from the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle (MIKE) and SOAR Goodman spectographs. MACHO 80.7443.1718 was first identified as a heartbeat star system in the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) with |$P_{\rm orb}=32.836\pm 0.008\, {\rm d}$|⁠. MACHO 80.7443.1718 is a young (∼6 Myr), massive binary, composed of a B0 Iae supergiant with |$M_1 \simeq 35\, {\rm M}_\odot$| and an O9.5V secondary with |$M_2 \simeq 16\, {\rm M}_\odot$| on an eccentric (e = 0.51 ± 0.03) orbit. In addition to having the largest variability amplitude amongst all known heartbeats stars, MACHO 80.7443.1718 is also one of the most massive heartbeat stars yet discovered. The B[e] supergiant has Balmer emission lines and permitted/forbidden metallic emission lines associated with a circumstellar disc. The disc rapidly dissipates at periastron that could indicate mass transfer to the secondary, but re-emerges immediately following periastron passage. MACHO 80.7443.1718 also shows tidally excited oscillations at the N = 25 and N = 41 orbital harmonics and has a rotational period of 4.4 d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of the closest known black hole candidate as a binary companion to V723 Mon. V723 Mon is a nearby (⁠|$d\sim 460\, \rm pc$|⁠), bright (V ≃ 8.3 mag), evolved (T eff, giant ≃ 4440 K, and L giant ≃ 173 L⊙) red giant in a high mass function, f (M) = 1.72 ± 0.01 M⊙, nearly circular binary (P  = 59.9 d, e ≃ 0). V723 Mon is a known variable star, previously classified as an eclipsing binary, but its All-Sky Automated Survey, Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope, and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite light curves are those of a nearly edge-on ellipsoidal variable. Detailed models of the light curves constrained by the period, radial velocities, and stellar temperature give an inclination of |$87.0^{\circ ^{+1.7^\circ }}_{-1.4^\circ }$|⁠ , a mass ratio of q ≃ 0.33 ± 0.02, a companion mass of M comp = 3.04 ± 0.06 M⊙, a stellar radius of R giant = 24.9 ± 0.7 R⊙, and a giant mass of M giant = 1.00 ± 0.07 M⊙. We identify a likely non-stellar, diffuse veiling component with contributions in the B and V band of |${\sim }63{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| and |${\sim }24{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠ , respectively. The SED and the absence of continuum eclipses imply that the companion mass must be dominated by a compact object. We do observe eclipses of the Balmer lines when the dark companion passes behind the giant, but their velocity spreads are low compared to observed accretion discs. The X-ray luminosity of the system is |$L_{\rm X}\simeq 7.6\times 10^{29}~\rm ergs~s^{-1}$|⁠ , corresponding to L / L edd ∼ 10−9. The simplest explanation for the massive companion is a single compact object, most likely a black hole in the 'mass gap'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a small but important body of literature on female sex workers' (FSWs) violence towards others, but little of that focused on low- and middle-income countries. Drawn from a larger biobehavioural study of FSWs in three cities in Papua New Guinea, we analyse the interviews from 19 FSWs who reported having perpetrated physical violence towards four major groups: (1) ex-husbands; (2) clients; (3) other sex workers and (4) other people (mainly women). Our study demonstrates that FSWs' use of violence arises from a complex set of social, material and gendered circumstances and cannot be addressed in isolation from other aspects of their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some young stellar objects such as T Tauri-like 'dipper' stars vary due to transient partial occultation by circumstellar dust, and observations of this phenomenon inform us of conditions in the planet-forming zones close to these stars. Although many dipper stars have been identified with space missions such as Kepler / K2 , ground-based telescopes offer longer term and multiwavelength perspectives. We identified 11 dipper stars in the Lupus star-forming region in data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN), and further characterized these using observations by the Las Cumbres Global Observatory Telescope (LCOGT) and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), as well as archival data from other missions. Dipper stars were identified from a catalogue of nearby young stars and selected based on the statistical significance, asymmetry, and quasi-periodicity or aperiodicity of variability in their ASAS-SN light curves. All 11 stars lie above or redwards of the zero-age main sequence and have infrared (IR) excesses indicating the presence of full circumstellar discs. We obtain reddening–extinction relations for the variability of seven stars using our combined ASAS-SN- TESS and LCOGT photometry. In all cases, the slopes are below the ISM value, suggesting larger grains, and we find a tentative relation between the slope (grain size) and the |$K_\text{s}-[22 \, \mu \text{m}]$| IR colour regarded as a proxy for disc evolutionary state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SN 1993J is one of the best-studied Type IIb supernovae. Spectropolarimetric data analyses were published over two decades ago at a time when the field of supernova spectropolarimetry was in its infancy. Here, we present a new analysis of the spectropolarimetric data of SN 1993J and an improved estimate of its interstellar polarization (ISP) as well as a critical review of ISP removal techniques employed in the field. The polarization of SN 1993J is found to show significant alignment on the q − u plane, suggesting the presence of a dominant axis and therefore of continuum polarization. We also see strong line polarization features, including H β, He  i λ5876, H α, He  i λ6678, He  i λ7065, and high velocity (HV) components of He  i λ5876 and H α. SN 1993J is therefore the second example of a stripped-envelope supernova, alongside iPTF13bvn, with prominent HV helium polarization features, and the first to show a likely HV H α contribution. Overall, we determine that the observed features can be interpreted as the superposition of anisotropically distributed line forming regions over ellipsoidal ejecta. We cannot exclude the possibility of an off-axis energy source within the ejecta. These data demonstrate the rich structures that are inaccessible if solely considering the flux spectra but can be probed by spectropolarimetric observations. In future studies, the new ISP corrected data can be used in conjunction with 3D radiative transfer models to better map the geometry of the ejecta of SN 1993J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize an all-sky catalogue of ∼8400 δ Scuti variables in ASAS-SN, which includes ∼3300 new discoveries. Using distances from Gaia DR2, we derive period–luminosity relationships for both the fundamental mode and overtone pulsators in the WJK , V, Gaia DR2 G, J, H, Ks , and W 1 bands. We find that the overtone pulsators have a dominant overtone mode, with many sources pulsating in the second overtone or higher order modes. The fundamental mode pulsators have metallicity-dependent periods, with log10(P) ∼ −1.1 for |$\rm [Fe/H]\lt -0.3$| and log10(P) ∼ −0.9 for |$\rm [Fe/H]\gt 0$|⁠ , which leads to a period-dependent scale height. Stars with |$P\gt 0.100\, \rm d$| are predominantly located close to the Galactic disc (⁠|$\rm |\mathit{ Z}|\lt 0.5\, kpc$|⁠). The median period at a scale height of |$Z\sim 0\, \rm kpc$| also increases with the Galactocentric radius R , from log10(P) ∼ −0.94 for sources with |$R\gt 9\, \rm kpc$| to log10(P) ∼ −0.85 for sources with |$R\lt 7\, \rm kpc$|⁠ , which is indicative of a radial metallicity gradient. To illustrate potential applications of this all-sky catalogue, we obtained 30 min cadence, image subtraction TESS light curves for a sample of 10 fundamental mode and 10 overtone δ Scuti stars discovered by ASAS-SN. From this sample, we identified two new δ Scuti eclipsing binaries, ASASSN-V J071855.62−434247.3 and ASASSN-V J170344.20−615941.2 with short orbital periods of P orb = 2.6096 and 2.5347 d, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We place statistical constraints on Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitors using 227 nebular-phase spectra of 111 SNe Ia. We find no evidence of stripped companion emission in any of the nebular-phase spectra. Upper limits are placed on the amount of mass that could go undetected in each spectrum using recent hydrodynamic simulations. With these null detections, we place an observational 3σ upper limit on the fraction of SNe Ia that are produced through the classical H-rich non-degenerate companion scenario of |$\lt 5.5 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠. Additionally, we set a tentative 3σ upper limit otan He star progenitor scenarios of |$\lt 6.4 {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠ , although further theoretical modelling is required. These limits refer to our most representative sample including normal, 91bg-like, 91T-like, and 'super-Chandrasekhar' SNe Ia but excluding SNe Iax and SNe Ia-CSM. As part of our analysis, we also derive a Nebular Phase Phillips Relation, which approximates the brightness of an SN Ia from 150 to 500 d after maximum using the peak magnitude and decline rate parameter Δ m 15(B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One observational prediction for Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) explosions produced through white dwarf–white dwarf collisions is the presence of bimodal velocity distributions for the 56Ni decay products, although this signature can also be produced by an off-centre ignition in a delayed detonation explosion. These bimodal velocity distributions can manifest as double-peaked or flat-topped spectral features in late-time spectroscopic observations for favourable viewing angles. We present nebular-phase spectroscopic observations of 17 SNe Ia obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope. Combining these observations with an extensive search of publicly available archival data, we collect a total sample of 48 SNe Ia and classify them based on whether they show compelling evidence for bimodal velocity profiles in three features associated with 56Ni decay products: the [Fe  ii ] and [Fe  iii ] feature at ∼5300 Å, the [Co  iii ] λ5891 feature, and the [Co  iii ] and [Fe  ii ] feature at ∼6600 Å. We identify nine bimodal SNe in our sample, and we find that these SNe have average peak MV about 0.3 mag fainter than those that do not. This is consistent with theoretical predictions for explosions created by nearly head-on collisions of white dwarfs due to viewing angle effects and 56Ni yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES There are a number of minimally invasive approaches to revascularization of coronary artery disease that involve the left main or proximal left anterior descending artery; however, studies to date provide mixed results. METHODS A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to compare early and late postoperative outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention with first- and second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs), off-pump coronary artery bypass and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) in patients with involvement of left main or left anterior descending disease. RESULTS A total of 37 studies with 31 728 patients were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in early mortality rates, strokes or myocardial infarctions (MIs). The long-term all-cause mortality rate was equivalent between the groups. Patients who had off-pump coronary artery bypass had fewer late MI compared with those who had first-generation DES (DES1) [odds ratio (OR) 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.72] and MIDCAB (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17–0.97) and reduced late target vessel revascularization compared with DES1 (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.09–0.32) and second-generation DES (DES2) (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.72). The rate of late major adverse cardiac events was lower with off-pump coronary artery bypass compared with that with DES1 (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.26–0.43) and DES2 (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45–0.90). The rate of late major adverse cardiac events with MIDCAB was lower than that with DES1 (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.31–0.62) as was that with DES2 compared with DES1 (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.70). CONCLUSIONS Surgical approaches to left main or proximal left anterior descending disease remain superior to first- or second-generation DES in terms of long-term freedom from MI and target vessel revascularization as well as improved overall long-term survival. Conflicting rates of late MI and target vessel revascularization in patients who underwent MIDCAB suggest disease in alternate vessels that may best be approached via hybrid techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of the unusual Type Ia supernova ASASSN-18tb, including a series of Southern African Large Telescope spectra obtained over the course of nearly six months and the first observations of a supernova by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. We confirm a previous observation by Kollmeier et al. showing that ASASSN-18tb is the first relatively normal Type Ia supernova to exhibit clear broad (∼1000 km s−1) H α emission in its nebular-phase spectra. We find that this event is best explained as a sub-Chandrasekhar mass explosion producing |$M_{\mathrm{ Ni}} \approx 0.3\,\, \rm {M}_\odot$|⁠. Despite the strong H α signature at late times, we find that the early rise of the supernova shows no evidence for deviations from a single-component power-law and is best fit with a moderately shallow power law of index 1.69 ± 0.04. We find that the H α luminosity remains approximately constant after its initial detection at phase +37 d, and that the H α velocity evolution does not trace that of the Fe  iii  λ4660 emission. These suggest that the H α emission arises from a circumstellar medium (CSM) rather than swept-up material from a non-degenerate companion. However, ASASSN-18tb is strikingly different from other known CSM-interacting Type Ia supernovae in a number of significant ways. Those objects typically show an H α luminosity two orders of magnitude higher than what is seen in ASASSN-18tb, pushing them away from the empirical light-curve relations that define 'normal' Type Ia supernovae. Conversely, ASASSN-18tb exhibits a fairly typical light curve and luminosity for an underluminous or transitional SN Ia, with MR ≈ −18.1 mag. Moreover, ASASSN-18tb is the only SN Ia showing H α from CSM interaction to be discovered in an early-type galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this catalogue we compile information for all supernovae discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) as well as all other bright (m peak ≤ 17), spectroscopically confirmed supernovae found in 2017, totalling 308 supernovae. We also present UV through near-IR magnitudes gathered from public databases of all host galaxies for the supernovae in the sample. We perform statistical analyses of our full bright supernova sample, which now contains 949 supernovae discovered since 2014 May 1, including supernovae from our previous catalogues. This is the fourth of a series of yearly papers on bright supernovae and their hosts from the ASAS-SN team, and this work presents updated data and measurements, including light curves, redshifts, classifications, and host galaxy identifications, that supersede information contained in any previous publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations of the highly luminous Type Ibn supernova ASASSN-14ms, which was discovered on UT 2014-12-26.61 at mV ~ 16.5. With a peak absolute V-band magnitude brighter than -20.5, a peak bolometric luminosity of 1.7 × 1044 erg s-1, and a total radiated energy of 2.1 × 1050 erg, ASASSN-14ms is one of the most luminous Type Ibn supernovae yet discovered. In simple models, the most likely power source for this event is a combination of the radioactive decay of 56Ni and 56Co at late times and the interaction of supernova ejecta with the progenitor's circumstellar medium at early times, although we cannot rule out the possibility of a magnetar-powered light curve. The presence of a dense circumstellar medium is indicated by the intermediate-width He I features in the spectra. The faint (mg ~ 21.6) host galaxy SDSS J130408.52+521846.4 has an oxygen abundance below 12 + log (O/H) ≲ 8.3, a stellar mass of M* ~ 2.6 × 108M☉, and a star formation rate of SFR ~ 0.02 M☉ yr-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse a time series of optical spectra of SN 2014J from almost two weeks prior to maximum to nearly four months after maximum. We perform our analysis using the SYNOW code, which is well suited to track the distribution of the ions with velocity in the ejecta. We show that almost all of the spectral features during the entire epoch can be identified with permitted transitions of the common ions found in normal supernovae (SNe) Ia in agreement with previous studies. We show that 2014J is a relatively normal SN Ia. At early times the spectral features are dominated by Si II, S II, Mg II, and Ca II. These ions persist to maximum light with the appearance of Na I and Mg I. At later times iron-group elements also appear, as expected in the stratified abundance model of the formation of normal Type Ia SNe. We do not find significant spectroscopic evidence for oxygen, until 100 d after maximum light. The +100 d identification of oxygen is tentative, and would imply significant mixing of unburned or only slight processed elements down to a velocity of 6000 kms-1. Our results are in relatively good agreement with other analyses in the infrared. We briefly compare SN 2011fe to SN 2014J and conclude that the differences could be due to different central densities at ignition or differences in the C/O ratio of the progenitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was performed to analyze the associations between cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition, using cervical samples from previous studies in Tanzania and Uganda.Methods: A total of 161 adult women who acquired HIV infection during follow-up and 464 individually matched HIV-seronegative controls were selected from 5 cohorts of women working in bars and recreational facilities. Stored cervical samples were tested for 37 HPV genotypes, using a polymerase chain reaction assay (Roche Linear Array genotyping assay). Multivariate matched analysis using conditional logistic regression was performed to evaluate HPV infection, persistence, and clearance as predictors of HIV acquisition.Results: HIV seroconverters were significantly more likely than controls to frequently drink alcohol and to be infected with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or herpes simplex virus type 2. There was no evidence of an association between HIV acquisition and any detectable HPV at the visit prior to HIV seroconversion (adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, .66-1.57) or between HIV acquisition and persistent HPV infection (defined as 2 positive HPV genotype-specific test results at least 6 months apart), cleared HPV infection (defined as a positive HPV test result followed by negative HPV genotype-specific test result), or newly acquired HPV infection, compared with HPV-negative women.Conclusions: There was no evidence of association between HPV infection status and subsequent HIV acquisition. These results stand in contrast to other observational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the intensive spectroscopic follow up of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2014J in the starburst galaxy M82. Twenty-seven optical spectra have been acquired from 2014 January 22 to September 1 with the Isaac Newton and William Herschel Telescopes. After correcting the observations for the recession velocity of M82 and for MilkyWay and host galaxy extinction, we measured expansion velocities from spectral line blueshifts and pseudo-equivalent width of the strongest features in the spectra, which gives an idea on how elements are distributed within the ejecta.We position SN 2014J in the Benetti, Branch et al. andWang et al. diagrams. These diagrams are based on properties of the Si II features and provide dynamical and chemical information about the SN ejecta. The nearby SN 2011fe, which showed little evidence for reddening in its host galaxy, is shown as a reference for comparisons. SN 2014J is a border-line object between the Core-normal and Broad-line groups, which corresponds to an intermediate position between low-velocity gradient and high-velocity gradient objects. SN 2014J follows the R(Si II)-Δm15 correlation, which confirms its classification as a relatively normal SN Ia. Our description of the SN Ia in terms of the evolution of the pseudo-equivalent width of various ions as well as the position in the various diagrams put this specific SN Ia into the overall sample of SN Ia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recent research as part of a multi-disciplinary investigation on the acceptability and impact of male circumcision for HIV prevention in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has shown that health workers (HWs) undertake unauthorized forms of penile cutting practices in public health facilities or in community settings, at times within a traditional context. Participation in these activities shares common features with coping mechanisms, strategies used by HWs to alleviate the burden of unsatisfactory living and working conditions. Coping mechanisms, however, are typically described as motivated by economic advantage, but in PNG evidence exists that the behaviours of HWs are also influenced by opportunities for social capital.Methods Twenty-five in-depth interviews (IDIs) were completed with a variety of HWs from 2009 until 2011 and were triangulated with findings from 45 focus group discussions and 82 IDIs completed with community members as part of a wider qualitative study. Thematic analysis examined HW participation in unauthorized penile cutting services.Results The emergence of unauthorized practices as a coping mechanism in PNG is compelled by mutual obligations and social capital arising from community recognition and satisfaction of moral, professional and cultural obligations. Using the example of unauthorized penile cutting practices amongst HWs in PNG, the research shows that although economic gains are not explicitly derived, evidence exists that they meet other community and socio cultural responsibilities forming a social currency within local traditional economies.Conclusions Coping mechanisms create an opportunity to extend the boundaries of a health system at the discretion of the HW. Fragile health systems create opportunities for coping mechanisms to become institutionalized, pre-empting appropriate policy development or regulation in the introduction of new programmes. In order to ensure the success of new programmes, the existence of such practices and their potential implications must be addressed within programme design, and in implementation and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A phage antibody display library of single chain fragment variable (scFv) was applied to develop anti-HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) and glycoprotein H (gH) neutralising libraries. To enrich for specific scFvs, the phage antibody was panned against cytomegalovirus epitopes derived from the N-terminal part of gB, the C-terminal part of gB and the N-terminal part of gH (NETIYNTTLKYGDV, VTSGSTKD and AASEALDPHAFHLLLNTYGR). A number of clones were differentiated by Bst N1 fingerprinting. After isolation of specific clones against each peptide, the neutralising effect of each clone was assessed by plaque reduction assay. This resulted in the isolation of eight neutralising scFv antibodies with 51–63% neutralising effects. Sequence analysis of three neutralising clones revealed the amino acids specificity changes in heavy and light chains of antibody molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of bovine sera on the ability of human seminal plasma (SP) to suppress lymphocyte responses was investigated. Marked suppression of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicily (NCMC) against K562 targets was observed when effectors were pretreated for 1 h with SP (l: 50 dilution) in the presence of 10% newborn calf serum (NBCS). Some suppression of natural cytotoxicity was observed when the effectors were treated with SP in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and this suppression was greater if the length of pretreatment with SP was increased to 20 h. Suppression of NCMC did not occur, or was considerably less, when the effectors were treated with SP in the presence of 10% autologous human plasma or in HB 103 serum-free medium. The effect of bovine sera on suppression of T lymphocyte response lo mitogen was also examined. Pre-treatment of lymphocytes with SP( 1:50 dilution) for 1 hin the presence of 10% NBCS was sufficient lo abrogate completely the stimulatory effect of PHA. In the presence of 10% FCS it was necessary for SP to be present throughout the assay for suppresion to occur. In HB103 medium, stimulation was only slightly decreased below control values when SP was present throughout the assay, but suppression was considerably less than that obtained upon addition of NBCS or FCS to the culture medium. These findings imply that suppression of lymphocyte activity by SP is dependent on the presence of exogenous serum co-factors and in the light of this finding, the clinical relevance of SP suppression may require re-examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of human seminal plasma (SP) and whole semen (S) on the expression of natural cytotoxicity by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) was examined. Marked suppression of natural cytotoxicity against K562 targets was observed when effectors were pre-treated for 1 h with SP or S diluted up to 1 : 400. Abrogation of cytolytic activity by SP was not the result of direct lymphotoxicity, although a reduction of approximately 50% in the number of target binding cells was observed. In addition, the cytotoxicity of interferon (α-IFN, β-IFN, γ-IFN) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) activated human PBMNC was suppressed by components present in human SP, although IL-2 activated human PBMC were relatively resistant to suppression compared with other effector (spontaneous or activated) populations. Following 1 h exposure to SP. PBMNC failed to recover more than 25% of their initial cytotoxic potential upon further in vitro incubation (18 h) in the absence of SP. However, both interferon and IL-2 caused an increase in the cytotoxicity of these populations, in some instances to the level obtained with control. IFN or IL-2 activated PBMNC, The biological significance of SP as an inhibitor of immune function under experimentally defined conditions is discussed in relation to its possible role in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solid sense of indigenous Irishness in older music, song and dance has been established in Ireland since the 1960s. Known as ‘traditional’ (rather than ‘folk’), this body of recreational and artistic melodic and rhythmic practices is a product of individual and collective creativity and social interaction. It has been added to by the consequences of colonial intervention and international fashions, and is linked to political identity, to history and to rural living. This essay uses aspects of the music's practices to show that traditional music is by evolution an artistic and cultural commons, a factor which has driven the impetus of its 1950s-on revival and (ultimately) has underpinned State recognition in both the arts and education. The idea of such a ‘ commons’ has, however, been challenged in the later twentieth century by the pressure to have all forms of music licensed for performance in public spaces as well as for public broadcast. The morality—if not the legality—of such with regard to the traditional is questioned, not just because it has been enforced via State support, but because it amounts to an annexation of sites of performance of traditional music by the commerce of copyright. This has been done without consultation with the music's performers or those for whom the music is artistic legacy and cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Several photographs of cardio-thoracic surgery underwent by an 81-year old man with situs inversus (SI) and dextrocardia, including preoperative chest X-ray, an oblique view of left coronary system showing severe stenosis, and arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), are presented.