We combine observations from ALMA, ATCA, MUSE, andHerschel to study gas-to-dust ratios in 15 Fornax cluster galaxies detected in the FIR/sub-mm by Herschel and observed by ALMA as part of the ALMA ...Fornax Cluster Survey (AlFoCS). The sample spans a stellar mass range of 8.3 \(\leq\) log (M\(_*\) / M\(_\odot\)) \(\leq\) 11.16, and a variety of morphological types. We use gas-phase metallicities derived from MUSE observations (from the Fornax3D survey) to study these ratios as a function of metallicity, and to study dust-to-metal ratios, in a sub-sample of nine galaxies. We find that gas-to-dust ratios in Fornax galaxies are systematically lower than those in field galaxies at fixed stellar mass/metallicity. This implies that a relatively large fraction of the metals in these Fornax systems is locked up in dust, which is possibly due to altered chemical evolution as a result of the dense environment. The low ratios are not only driven by HI deficiencies, but H\(_2\)-to-dust ratios are also significantly decreased. This is different in the Virgo cluster, where low gas-to-dust ratios inside the virial radius are driven by low HI-to-dust ratios, while H\(_2\)-to-dust ratios are increased. Resolved observations of NGC1436 show a radial increase in H\(_2\)-to-dust ratio, and show that low ratios are present throughout the disc. We propose various explanations for the low H\(_2\)-to-dust ratios in the Fornax cluster, including the more efficient stripping of H\(_2\) compared to dust, more efficient enrichment of dust in the star formation process, and altered ISM physics in the cluster environment.
The aim of the study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of epirubicin combined with a fixed dose of paclitaxel, without and with support of filgrastim, in patients with platinum ...resistant or refractory ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel (150 mg/m2) and epirubicin (starting dose 90 mg/m2, 15 mg/m2 escalation per level) were given on day 1, every 28 days for 4-6 cycles. Filgrastim (F) (5 microg/kg/die) was given in case of grade 4 leukopenia (levels without support) or from day 4 up to leukocyte count >10,000/mm3 after nadir (levels with support). Cohorts of 3 patients were enrolled at each level and further 3 patients were planned if 1 or 2 unacceptable toxic events (UTE) were registered. MTD was determined first without and then with filgrastim. Four levels were studied (90, 90+F, 105+F, 120+F) with 4, 6, 5 and 4 patients enrolled, respectively. UTE (grade 4 neutropenia) were observed in 3 patients at level 1. Thus, 90 mg/m2 was the MTD for epirubicin without filgrastim. MTD of epirubicin with filgrastim was not reached at 120 mg/m2. Hematological toxicity was mild. Grade 3 mucositis was reported in 1 patient. Among the 14 patients with measurable or evaluable disease, 3 objective responses were observed (1 complete and 2 partial) for an overall response rate of 21.4%. The combination of paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 and epirubicin at 120 mg/m2 with filgrastim is a feasible therapy. Grade 4 leukopenia is the dose limiting toxicity using epirubicin at 90 mg/m2 without filgrastim.
The identification of oil slicks on the ocean surface from SAR data requires quantitative sound models accounting for the most important characteristics (ocean spectrum, slick viscosity, slick shape, ...and so on). In this paper we present the implementation of an innovative SAR raw signal and image simulator, which is able to reproduce images relative to ocean surfaces covered by oil slicks with arbitrary shapes. The attention is mainly focused on slicks with fractal contours. The fractal Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function is used to generate slicks with fixed fractal dimension. A box counting technique is employed to evaluate the fractal dimensions of the generated slicks and the corresponding SAR images. Radiometric properties of the area covered by oil are also estimated in order to show how the simulated data provide a powerful set for processing algorithms.
Thanks to their capability to cover large areas, in all weather conditions, during the day as well as during the night, spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) techniques constitute an extremely ...promising alternative to traditional surveillance methods. Nevertheless, in order to assure further usability of SAR images, specific data mining tools are still to be developed to provide an efficient automatic interpretation of SAR data. The aim of this paper is to introduce texture analysis performed in the framework of time - frequency theory, as a means to detect oil spills in the sea surface. In particular, an algorithm permitting a precise quantitative characterization of the border between the oil spill candidate and the sea, will allow a novel classification of oil spills and look-alikes.
PDF