Aims.
The collimation of relativistic jets in galaxies is a poorly understood process. Detailed radio studies of the jet collimation region have been performed so far in a few individual objects, ...providing important constraints for jet formation models. However, the extent of the collimation zone as well as the nature of the external medium possibly confining the jet are still debated.
Methods.
In this article, we present a multifrequency and multiscale analysis of the radio galaxy NGC 315, including the use of mm-VLBI data up to 86 GHz, aimed at revealing the evolution of the jet collimation profile. We then consider results from the literature to compare the jet expansion profile in a sample of 27 low-redshift sources, mainly comprising radio galaxies and BL Lacs, which were classified based on the accretion properties as low-excitation (LEG) and high-excitation (HEG) galaxies.
Results.
We propose that the jet collimation in NGC 315 is completed on sub-parsec scales. A transition from a parabolic to conical jet shape is detected at
z
t
= 0.58 ± 0.28 parsecs or ∼5 × 10
3
Schwarzschild radii (
R
S
) from the central engine, a distance which is much smaller than the Bondi radius,
r
B
∼ 92 pc, estimated based on X-ray data. The jet in this and in a few other LEG in our sample may be initially confined by a thick disk extending out to ∼10
3
− 10
4
R
S
. A comparison between the mass-scaled jet expansion profiles of all sources indicates that jets in HEG are surrounded by thicker disk-launched sheaths and collimate on larger scales with respect to jets in LEG. These results suggest that disk winds play an important role in the jet collimation mechanism, particularly in high-luminosity sources. The impact of winds on the origin of the FRI and FRII dichotomy in radio galaxies is also discussed.
Context.
A number of works have reported that the polarization plane of extragalactic sources as well as the structural axes of radio sources are aligned on the large scale. However, both the claims ...and their interpretation remain controversial.
Aims.
For the first time, we explore the alignment of parsec-scale jets. Additionally, we use archival polarimetric data at different wavelengths in order to compare the relative orientations of the jets and the polarization planes of their emission.
Methods.
Using the flux density distribution in very long baseline interferometry radio maps from the Astrogeo database, we determine the parsec-scale jet orientation for the largest sample of active galactic nuclei to date. Employing the method of parallel transport and a sample statistics characterizing the jet orientation dispersion among neighbors, we test whether the identified jets are significantly aligned.
Results.
We show that the parsec-scale jets in our sample do not demonstrate any significant global alignments. Moreover, the jet direction is found to be weakly correlated with the direction of the polarization plane at different frequencies.
The binary neutron star merger event GW170817 was detected through both electromagnetic radiation and gravitational waves. Its afterglow emission may have been produced by either a narrow ...relativistic jet or an isotropic outflow. High-spatial-resolution measurements of the source size and displacement can discriminate between these scenarios. We present very-long-baseline interferometry observations, performed 207.4 days after the merger by using a global network of 32 radio telescopes. The apparent source size is constrained to be smaller than 2.5 milli-arc seconds at the 90% confidence level. This excludes the isotropic outflow scenario, which would have produced a larger apparent size, indicating that GW170817 produced a structured relativistic jet. Our rate calculations show that at least 10% of neutron star mergers produce such a jet.
We use a combination of high-resolution very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) radio and multiwavelength flux density and polarization observations to constrain the physics of the dissipation ...mechanism powering the broadband flares in 3C 279 during an episode of extreme flaring activity in 2013-2014. Six bright flares superimposed on a long-term outburst are detected at γ-ray energies. Four of the flares have optical and radio counterparts. The two modes of flaring activity (faster flares sitting on top of a long-term outburst) present at radio, optical, and γ-ray frequencies are missing in X-rays. X-ray counterparts are only observed for two flares. The first three flares are accompanied by ejection of a new VLBI component (NC2), suggesting the 43 GHz VLBI core as the site of energy dissipation. Another new component, NC3, is ejected after the last three flares, which suggests that the emission is produced upstream from the core (closer to the black hole). The study therefore indicates multiple sites of energy dissipation in the source. An anticorrelation is detected between the optical percentage polarization (PP) and optical/γ-ray flux variations, while the PP has a positive correlation with optical/γ-ray spectral indices. Given that the mean polarization is inversely proportional to the number of cells in the emission region, the PP versus optical/γ-ray anticorrelation could be due to more active cells during the outburst than at other times. In addition to the turbulent component, our analysis suggests the presence of a combined turbulent and ordered magnetic field, with the ordered component transverse to the jet axis.
Context.
Controversial studies on the jet collimation profile of BL Lacertae (BL Lac), the eponymous blazar of the BL Lac objects class, complicate the scenario in this already puzzling class of ...objects. Understanding the jet geometry in connection with the jet kinematics and the physical conditions in the surrounding medium is fundamental for better constraining the formation, acceleration, and collimation mechanisms in extragalactic jets.
Aims.
With the aim of investigating the jet geometry in the innermost regions of the BL Lac jet, and resolving the controversy, we explore the radio jet in this source using high-resolution millimeter-wave VLBI data.
Methods.
We collect 86 GHz GMVA and 43 GHz VLBA data to obtain stacked images that we use to infer the jet collimation profile by means of two comparable methods. We analyze the kinematics at 86 GHz, and we discuss it in the context of the jet expansion. Finally, we consider a possible implication of the Bondi sphere in shaping the jet of BL Lac.
Results.
The jet in BL Lac expands with an overall conical geometry. A higher expanding rate region is observed between ∼5 and 10 pc (de-projected) from the black hole. Such a region is associated with the decrease in brightness usually observed in high-frequency VLBI images of BL Lac. The jet retrieves the original jet expansion around 17 pc, where the presence of a recollimation shock is supported by both the jet profile and the 15 GHz kinematics (MOJAVE survey). The change in the jet expansion profile occurring at ∼5 pc could be associated with a change in the external pressure at the location of the Bondi radius (∼3.3 × 10
5
R
S
).
Highlights • Melanoma and mesothelioma show a statistically significant co-occurrence in the general population. • Inherited melanoma and mesothelioma predisposition is shown by individual with ...germline mutations in BAP1. • This paper reports a patient with mesothelioma who carried a germline mutation in CDKN2A , a gene involved in familial melanoma. Thus, CDKN2A may also predispose to both these tumors. • This paper also suggests that other genes could be involved in this predisposition, because families with cases of both melanoma and mesothelioma and no mutations in either BAP1 or CDKN2A are presented. • Since BAP1 and CDKN2A are somatically mutated in both cancers, our results suggest that these tumors may share common stepwise carcinogenic pathways.
VLBA polarimetric monitoring of 3C 111 Beuchert, T.; Kadler, M.; Perucho, M. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
02/2018, Volume:
610
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Context. While studies of large samples of jets of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are important in order to establish a global picture, dedicated single-source studies are an invaluable tool for ...probing crucial processes within jets on parsec scales. These processes involve in particular the formation and geometry of the jet magnetic field as well as the flow itself. Aims. We aim to better understand the dynamics within relativistic magneto-hydrodynamical flows in the extreme environment and close vicinity of supermassive black holes. Methods. We analyze the peculiar radio galaxy 3C 111, for which long-term polarimetric observations are available. We make use of the high spatial resolution of the VLBA network and the MOJAVE monitoring program, which provides high data quality also for single sources and allows us to study jet dynamics on parsec scales in full polarization with an evenly sampled time-domain. While electric vectors can probe the underlying magnetic field, other properties of the jet such as the variable (polarized) flux density, feature size, and brightness temperature, can give valuable insights into the flow itself. We complement the VLBA data with data from the IRAM 30-m Telescope as well as the SMA. Results. We observe a complex evolution of the polarized jet. The electric vector position angles (EVPAs) of features traveling down the jet perform a large rotation of ≳180∘ across a distance of about 20 pc. As opposed to this smooth swing, the EVPAs are strongly variable within the first parsecs of the jet. We find an overall tendency towards transverse EVPAs across the jet with a local anomaly of aligned vectors in between. The polarized flux density increases rapidly at that distance and eventually saturates towards the outermost observable regions. The transverse extent of the flow suddenly decreases simultaneously to a jump in brightness temperature around where we observe the EVPAs to turn into alignment with the jet flow. Also the gradient of the feature size and particle density with distance steepens significantly at that region. Conclusions. We interpret the propagating polarized features as shocks and the observed local anomalies as the interaction of these shocks with a localized recollimation shock of the underlying flow. Together with a sheared magnetic field, this shock-shock interaction can explain the large rotation of the EVPA. The superimposed variability of the EVPAs close to the core is likely related to a clumpy Faraday screen, which also contributes significantly to the observed EVPA rotation in that region.
To test the efficacy of levonorgestrel-release intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for treating women aged <40 years with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) ...or presumed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA limited to the endometrium, well differentiated (G1), endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC), who wish to preserve their fertility.
A prospective observational study was conducted. Treatment consisted on the insertion of an LNG-IUD for 1 year plus GnRH analogue for 6 months.
From January 1996 to June 2009, 20 and 14 patients with AEH and EC, respectively, were studied. Complete response rate was 95% in patients with AEH and 57.1% in women with EC-G1. A progression of the disease was observed in one (5%) and in four patients (28%) with AEH and EC, respectively. Four of 20 patients with AEH and 2 of 14 with EC-G1 experienced recurrences. The average relapse time was 36 months (range: 16–62 months). All of them were alive without evidence of disease at the last follow-up, mean: 29 months (range: 4–102 months). Nine women achieved 11 spontaneous pregnancies.
The combined treatment showed effectiveness in a substantial proportion of patients with AEH and EC. Close follow-up during and after treatment is crucial.
SMILE: Search for MIlli-LEnses Casadio, C; Blinov, D; Readhead, A C S ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Letters,
10/2021, Volume:
507, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
ABSTRACT
Dark matter (DM) haloes with masses below ∼108 M⊙, which would help to discriminate between DM models, may be detected through their gravitational effect on distant sources. The same applies ...to primordial black holes, considered as an alternative scenario to DM particle models. However, there is still no evidence for the existence of such objects. With the aim of finding compact objects in the mass range of ∼106–109 M⊙, we search for strong gravitational lenses on milliarcsec scales (<150 mas). For our search, we used the Astrogeo very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) fits image data base – the largest publicly available data base, containing multifrequency VLBI data of 13 828 individual sources. We used the citizen science approach to visually inspect all sources in all available frequencies in search for images with multiple compact components on mas scales. At the final stage, sources were excluded based on the surface brightness preservation criterion. We obtained a sample of 40 sources that passed all steps and therefore are judged to be mas lens candidates. These sources are currently followed up with ongoing European VLBI network observations at 5 and 22 GHz. Based on spectral index measurements, we suggest that two of our candidates have a higher probability to be associated with gravitational lenses.
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