Context
. A moderate enhancement of the star formation rates (SFR) in local interacting galaxies has been reported, but the physical mechanisms leading to this increase are not clear.
Aims
. We study ...the atomic gas content and the central stellar mass concentration for a sample of almost 1500 nearby galaxies to further investigate the nature of starbursts and the influence of galaxy-galaxy interactions on star formation.
Methods
. We used a sample of catalogued interacting and non-interacting galaxies in the S
4
G survey – along with archival H
I
gas masses, stellar masses (
M
*
), and SFRs from IRAS far-infrared fluxes – and calculate depletion times (
τ
) and gas fractions. We traced the central stellar mass concentration from the inner slope of the stellar component of the rotation curves,
d
R
v
*
(0). Starbursts are defined as galaxies with a factor > 4 enhanced SFR relative to a control sample of non-interacting galaxies which are ±0.2 dex in stellar mass and ±1 in
T
-type.
Results
. Starbursts are mainly early-type (
T
≲ 5), massive spiral galaxies (
M
*
≳ 10
10
M
⊙
) that are not necessarily interacting. For a given stellar mass bin, starbursts are characterised by lower gas depletion times, similar gas fractions, and larger central stellar mass concentrations than non-starburst galaxies. The global distributions of gas fraction and gas depletion time of interacting galaxies are not statistically different from those of their non-interacting counterparts. However, in the case of currently merging galaxies, the median gas depletion time is a factor of 0.4 ± 0.2 that of control sample galaxies, and their SFRs are a factor of 1.9 ± 0.5 enhanced, even though the median gas fraction is similar.
Conclusions
. Starbursts present long-lasting star formation in circumnuclear regions, which causes an enhancement of the central stellar density at
z
≈ 0 in both interacting and non-interacting systems. Starbursts have low gas depletion timescales, yet similar gas fractions as normal main-sequence galaxies. Galaxy mergers cause a moderate enhancement of the star formation efficiency.
We have used Spitzer images of a sample of 68 barred spiral galaxies in the local universe to make systematic measurements of bar length and bar strength. We combine these with precise determinations ...of the corotation radii associated with the bars, taken from our previous study, which used the phase change from radial inflow to radial outflow of gas at corotation, based on high-resolution two-dimensional velocity fields in H taken with a Fabry-Pérot spectrometer. After presenting the histograms of the derived bar parameters, we study their dependence on the galaxy morphological type and on the total stellar mass of the host galaxy, and then produce a set of parametric plots. These include the bar pattern speed versus bar length, the pattern speed normalized with the characteristic pattern speed of the outer disk versus the bar strength, and the normalized pattern speed versus , the ratio of corotation radius to bar length. To provide guidelines for our interpretation, we used recently published simulations, including disk and dark matter halo components. Our most striking conclusion is that bars with values of < 1.4, previously considered dynamically fast rotators, can be among the slowest rotators both in absolute terms and when their pattern speeds are normalized. The simulations confirm that this is because as the bars are braked, they can grow longer more quickly than the outward drift of the corotation radius. We conclude that dark matter halos have indeed slowed down the rotation of bars on Gyr timescales.
We analyse the star formation (SF) relations in a sample of 16 nearby luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) with more than 2800 regions defined on scales of 90 to 500 pc. We used ALMA to map the ...distribution of the cold molecular gas traced by the
J
= 2–1 line of CO and archival Pa
α
HST/NICMOS imaging to trace the recent SF. In four objects we find two different branches in the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation at 90 pc scales, suggesting the existence of a duality in this relation. The two branches correspond to two different dynamical environments within each galaxy. One branch, which corresponds to the central region of these galaxies (90% of the regions are located at radii < 0.85 kpc), shows higher gas and SF rate surface densities with higher velocity dispersion. The other branch, which shows lower molecular gas and SF rate surface densities, corresponds to the more external disk regions (
r
∼ 1 kpc). Despite the scatter, the SF efficiency of the galaxies with dual behaviour increases with increasing boundedness as measured by the
b
parameter (
b
≡ Σ
H2
/
σ
2
∝
α
vir
−1
). At larger spatial scales (250 and 500 pc), the duality disappears. The rest of the sample does not show evidence of this dual behaviour at any scale.
We investigate the relation between the detection of the 11.3
μ
m polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) feature in the nuclear (∼24−230 pc) regions of 22 nearby Seyfert galaxies and the properties ...of the cold molecular gas. For the former we use ground-based (0.3−0.6″ resolution) mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy. The cold molecular gas is traced by ALMA and NOEMA high (0.2−1.1″) angular resolution observations of the CO(2–1) transition. Galaxies with a nuclear detection of the 11.3
μ
m PAH feature contain more cold molecular gas (median 1.6 × 10
7
M
⊙
) and have higher column densities (
N
(H
2
) = 2 × 10
23
cm
−2
) over the regions sampled by the mid-IR slits than those without a detection. This suggests that molecular gas plays a role in shielding the PAH molecules in the harsh environments of Seyfert nuclei. Choosing the PAH molecule naphthalene as an illustration, we compute its half-life in the nuclear regions of our sample when exposed to 2.5 keV hard X-ray photons. We estimate shorter half-lives for naphthalene in nuclei without a 11.3
μ
m PAH detection than in those with a detection. The
Spitzer
/IRS PAH ratios on circumnuclear scales (∼4″ ∼ 0.25−1.3 kpc) are in between model predictions for neutral and partly ionized PAHs. However, Seyfert galaxies in our sample with the highest nuclear H
2
column densities are not generally closer to the neutral PAH tracks. This is because in the majority of our sample galaxies, the CO(2–1) emission in the inner ∼4″ is not centrally peaked and in some galaxies traces circumnuclear sites of strong star formation activity. Spatially resolved observations with the MIRI medium-resolution spectrograph on the
James Webb
Space Telescope will be able to distinguish the effects of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) and star formation on the PAH emission in nearby AGN.
ALMA observations have revealed nuclear dusty molecular disks or tori with characteristic sizes 15−40 pc in the few Seyferts and low -luminosity AGN that have been studied so far. These structures ...are generally decoupled both morphologically and kinematically from the host galaxy disk. We present ALMA observations of the CO(2–1) and CO(3–2) molecular gas transitions and associated (sub-) millimeter continua of the nearby Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 3227 with angular resolutions 0.085 − 0.21″ (7–15 pc). On large scales, the cold molecular gas shows circular motions as well as streaming motions on scales of a few hundred parsecs that are associated with a large-scale bar. We fit the nuclear ALMA 1.3 mm emission with an unresolved component and an extended component. The 850 μm emission shows at least two extended components, one along the major axis of the nuclear disk, and the other along the axis of the ionization cone. The molecular gas in the central region (1″ ∼ 73 pc) shows several CO clumps with complex kinematics that appears to be dominated by noncircular motions. While we cannot conclusively demonstrate the presence of a warped nuclear disk, we also detected noncircular motions along the kinematic minor axis. They reach line-of-sight velocities of v − vsys = 150 − 200 km s−1. Assuming that the radial motions are in the plane of the galaxy, we interpret them as a nuclear molecular outflow due to molecular gas in the host galaxy that is entrained by the AGN wind. We derive molecular outflow rates of 5 M⊙ yr−1 and 0.6 M⊙ yr−1 at projected distances of up to 30 pc to the northeast and southwest of the AGN, respectively. At the AGN location we estimate a mass in molecular gas of 5 × 105 M⊙ and an equivalent average column density N(H2) = 2 − 3 × 1023 cm−2 in the inner 15 pc. The nuclear CO(2–1) and CO(3–2) molecular gas and submillimeter continuum emission of NGC 3227 do not resemble the classical compact torus. Rather, these emissions extend for several tens of parsecs and appear connected with the circumnuclear ring in the host galaxy disk, as found in other local AGN.
Network alterations underlying neurodegenerative diseases often precede symptoms and functional deficits. Thus, their early identification is central for improved prognosis. In Huntington's disease ...(HD), the cortico-striatal networks, involved in motor function processing, are the most compromised neural substrate. However, whether the network alterations are intrinsic of the striatum or the cortex is not fully understood.
In order to identify early HD neural deficits, we characterized neuronal ensemble calcium activity and network topology of HD striatal and cortical cultures. We used large-scale calcium imaging combined with activity-based network inference analysis. We extracted collective activity events and inferred the topology of the neuronal network in cortical and striatal primary cultures from wild-type and R6/1 mouse model of HD. Striatal, but not cortical, HD networks displayed lower activity and a lessened ability to integrate information. GABA
receptor blockade in healthy and HD striatal cultures generated similar coordinated ensemble activity and network topology, highlighting that the excitatory component of striatal system is spared in HD. Conversely, NMDA receptor activation increased individual neuronal activity while coordinated activity became highly variable and undefined. Interestingly, by boosting NMDA activity, we rectified striatal HD network alterations.
Overall, our integrative approach highlights striatal defective network integration capacity as a major contributor of basal ganglia dysfunction in HD and suggests that increased excitatory drive may serve as a potential intervention. In addition, our work provides a valuable tool to evaluate in vitro network recovery after treatment intervention in basal ganglia disorders.
Summary
Background
Little is known about the impact of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection on clinical outcomes in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Aim
To evaluate seroprevalence, ...seroconversion rate and complications associated with EBV infection in an adult IBD cohort attending a tertiary care hospital in Spain between 2006 and 2016.
Methods
EBV serological status was determined. In seronegative patients, the seroconversion rate was evaluated. The complications associated with primary and latent EBV infection are described.
Results
One thousand four hundred and eighty‐three patients over the age of 17 were included in the study (mean age at EBV serological status determination was 48.3). Overall seroprevalence of EBV was 97.4% (95% CI: 96.6%‐98.2%). The seroconversion rate was 29.7% (95% CI: 16.2‐45.9) after a mean of 47.5 months. There were no differences in seroconversion rates between patients 35 years or younger and patients older than 35 years. A 66‐year‐old man, on treatment with thiopurines, developed lymphoma and a hemophagocytic syndrome during a primary EBV infection. Overall, six patients (one with primary infection and five with prior EBV infection) developed lymphoma. In three of five patients with lymphoma and thiopurine use, EBV was associated to the development of lymphoma.
Conclusions
There is a small percentage of adults with IBD at risk of primary EBV infection. The risks of seroconversion and its complications remain through adulthood. Our results suggest that, when considering the use of thiopurines in IBD, the information on EBV serological status should be taken into account at any age.
Context.
Stellar bars are known to gradually funnel gas to the central parts of disk galaxies. It remains a matter of debate why the distribution of ionized gas along bars and in the circumnuclear ...regions varies among galaxies.
Aims.
Our goal is to investigate the spatial distribution of star formation (SF) within bars of nearby low-inclination disk galaxies (
i
< 65°) from the S
4
G survey. We aim to link the loci of SF to global properties of the hosts (morphological type, stellar mass, gas fraction, and bar-induced gravitational torques), providing constraints for the conditions that regulate SF in bars.
Methods.
We use archival GALEX far- and near-UV imaging for 772 barred galaxies, and for a control sample of 423 non-barred galaxies. We also assemble a compilation of continuum-subtracted H
α
images for 433 barred galaxies, 70 of which we produced from ancillary photometry and MUSE and CALIFA integral field unit data cubes. We employ two complementary approaches: (i) the analysis of bar (2D) and disk (1D) stacks built from co-added UV images (oriented and scaled with respect to the stellar bars and the extent of disks) of hundreds of galaxies that are binned based on their Hubble stage (
T
) and bar family; and (ii) the visual classification of the morphology of ionized regions (traced from H
α
and UV data) in individual galaxies into three main SF classes: (A) only circumnuclear SF; (B) SF at the bar ends, but not along the bar; and (C) SF along the bar. Barred galaxies with active and passive inner rings are likewise classified.
Results.
Massive, gas-poor, lenticular galaxies typically belong to SF class A; this is probably related to bar-induced quenching of SF in the disk. The distribution of SF class B peaks for early- and intermediate-type spirals; this most likely results from the interplay of gas flow, shocks, and enhanced shear in massive centrally concentrated galaxies with large bar amplitudes (the latter is supported by the lack of a dip in the radial distribution of SF in non-barred galaxies). Late-type gas-rich galaxies with high gravitational torques are mainly assigned to SF class C; we argue that this is a consequence of low shear among the faintest galaxies. In bar stacks of spiral galaxies the UV emission traces the stellar bars and dominates on their leading side, as witnessed in simulations. Among early-type spirals the central UV emission is ∼0.5 mag brighter in strongly barred galaxies, relative to their weakly barred counterparts; this is probably related to the efficiency of strong bars sweeping the disk gas and triggering central starbursts. On the contrary, in later types the UV emission is stronger at all radii in strongly barred galaxies than in weakly barred and non-barred ones. We also show that the distributions of SF in inner-ringed galaxies are broadly the same in barred and non-barred galaxies, including a UV and H
α
deficit in the middle part of the bar; this hints at the effect of resonance rings trapping gas that is no longer funneled inwards.
Conclusions.
Distinct distributions of SF within bars are reported in galaxies of different morphological types. Star-forming bars are most common among late-type gas-rich galaxies. Bars are important agents in the regulation of SF in disks.
Transplacental transmission of Zika virus has been reported during all trimesters of pregnancy and might lead to central nervous system anomalies, including microcephaly. We report 3 cases of ...perinatal Zika infection identified during the epidemic in Colombia and provide detailed descriptions of clinical features, diagnosis, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months of age (corrected).
Spanish consumers have a strong preference for Iberian meat products, as they perceive them to be of extra sensorial and nutritional quality. The production of these meat products depends on multiple ...variables, such as genetics, livestock production systems and, above all, the feed provided. The aim of this paper is to study the preferences of Spanish consumers for the various types of Iberian dry-cured ham, analysing whether they are willing to pay the premium required by the highest-quality products. The methodological approach combined a sensory analysis and a choice-based conjoint experiment with obtained through tasting sessions in Extremadura (SW of Spain). Findings of the sensory test have shown that there are significant differences in odour, texture and taste, explained mainly by the type of feed pigs were fed. The main results of the choice experiment have also shown that the type of feed is the most preferred attribute by consumers, in line with the sensory analysis.
•Sensory evaluation and sensory analysis were used to compare various types of Iberian dry-cured ham.•Sensory analysis found that consumers prefer dry-cured hams from pigs raised in the traditional “montanera” system.•Type of feed is the most important attribute while % Iberian breed is the one with the lowest importance.•Participants are willing to pay the highest premium price to buy acorn-fed Iberian ham.