Despite the progress that has been made in understanding radio relics, there are still open questions regarding the underlying particle acceleration mechanisms. In this paper, we present deep 1-4 GHz ...Very Large Array (VLA) observations of CIZA J2242.8+5301 (z = 0.1921), a double radio relic cluster characterized by small projection on the plane of the sky. Our VLA observations reveal, for the first time, the complex morphology of the diffuse sources and the filamentary structure of the northern relic. We discover new, faint, diffuse radio emission extending north of the main northern relic. Our Mach number estimates for the northern and southern relics, based on the radio spectral index map obtained using the VLA observations and existing LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope data, are consistent with previous radio and X-ray studies ( and ). However, color-color diagrams and models suggest a flatter injection spectral index than the one obtained from the spectral index map, indicating that projection effects might be not entirely negligible. The southern relic consists of five "arms." Embedded in it, we find a tailed radio galaxy that seems to be connected to the relic. A spectral index flattening, where the radio tail connects to the relic, is also measured. We propose that the southern relic may trace AGN fossil electrons that are reaccelerated by a shock, with an estimated strength of . High-resolution mapping of other tailed radio galaxies also supports a scenario where AGN fossil electrons are revived by the merger event and could be related to the formation of some diffuse cluster radio emission.
ABSTRACT
Radio mini-haloes are poorly understood, moderately extended diffuse radio sources that trace the presence of magnetic fields and relativistic electrons on scales of hundreds of kiloparsecs, ...predominantly in relaxed clusters. With relatively few confirmed detections to-date, many questions remain unanswered. This paper presents new radio observations of the galaxy cluster MS 1455.0+2232 performed with MeerKAT (covering the frequency range 872−1712 MHz) and LOFAR (covering 120−168 MHz), the first results from a homogeneously selected mini-halo census. We find that this mini-halo extends for ∼590 kpc at 1283 MHz, significantly larger than previously believed, and has a flatter spectral index (α = −0.97 ± 0.05) than typically expected. Our X-ray analysis clearly reveals a large-scale (254 kpc) sloshing spiral in the intracluster medium. We perform a point-to-point analysis, finding a tight single correlation between radio and X-ray surface brightness with a super-linear slope of $b_{\rm 1283\, MHz} = 1.16^{+0.06}_{-0.07}$ and $b_{\rm 145\, MHz} = 1.15^{+0.09}_{-0.08}$; this indicates a strong link between the thermal and non-thermal components of the intracluster medium. Conversely, in the spectral index/X-ray surface brightness plane, we find that regions inside and outside the sloshing spiral follow different correlations. We find compelling evidence for multiple sub-components in this mini-halo for the first time. While both the turbulent (re-)acceleration and hadronic scenarios are able to explain some observed properties of the mini-halo in MS 1455.0+2232, neither scenario is able to account for all the evidence presented by our analysis.
Arbitrary shaping the field intensity is a challenging problem relevant in many applications. To date, procedures addressing such a challenging problem have been developed assuming a full knowledge ...of both the scenario and the target within embedded. However, this is not the case in many applications where the investigated scenario is only approximately known and/or modeled on the basis of some auxiliary imaging methods. In this article, we propose a novel adaptive procedure able to shape the field intensity in an unknown (or partially unknown) scenario without the need of a quantitative scenario retrieval. The approach takes advantage from the linear sampling method, which belongs to the class of qualitative imaging methods, in order to focus the field intensity with respect to different control points belonging to the target. Then, the desired spatial field intensity shaping is obtained by recombining the results from such single-focusing problems and by exploiting an additional degree of freedom, which is represented by phase shifts of the field in the considered control points. A preliminary numerical validation and assessment are given for in-homogeneous and lossy unknown 2-D scenarios.
Generating given 3-D field intensity distributions in a non-homogeneous scenario is a canonical problem which is of interest in many applications. On the other side, due to its very challenging ...nature, very few methods have been proposed up to now in the literature. In this communication, starting from the well-known time reversal (TR) technique, a simple innovative approach, the so-called optimized multi-target TR (O-mt-TR), is presented. The strategy is based on the optimization of the phase shifts between the time-reversed fields in a number of control points within the target region. In doing so, the proposed method outperforms the simple juxtaposition of time-reversed fields pursued by the so-called mt-TR, or even succeed in cases in which the latter fails completely. This capability of the proposed method is assessed through a numerical analysis concerned with a 3-D inhomogeneous scenario, in which the results are quantitatively appraised in terms of coverage of the target areas.
Chimney subsidence can cause surface subsidence (ground settlement) in the form of a pit or sag when there is a mine roof collapse in a mine entry. Surface subsidence occurs when the roof collapse ...propagates upward and does not choke itself off due to the associated volume expansion of the rubblized fallen materials and where no sufficiently competent rock is present to bridge the cavity. This paper contains a review and evaluation of reported case history data associated with occurrences of surface subsidence related to chimney subsidence. This analysis included investigating the chimney subsidence height potential including relative to the overburden rock conditions, extraction height, mine depth, the width of entry and the roof rock fall distance. Also, this paper provides a summary of the results of an assessment of the bridging capacity of various more common competent coal measures in the roof. This numerical analysis was performed considering linear arch conditions. Parameters which were investigated in this analysis included the competent roof rock strength, thickness, depth, and spanning distance.
ABSTRACT
Cosmological simulations predict the presence of warm hot thermal gas in the cosmic filaments that connect galaxy clusters. This gas is thought to constitute an important part of the missing ...baryons in the Universe. In addition to the thermal gas, cosmic filaments could contain a population of relativistic particles and magnetic fields. A detection of magnetic fields in filaments can constrain early magnetogenesis in the cosmos. So far, the resulting diffuse synchrotron emission has only been indirectly detected. We present our search for thermal and non-thermal diffuse emission from intercluster regions of 106 paired galaxy clusters by stacking the 0.6–2.3 keV X-ray and 144 MHz radio data obtained with the eROSITA telescope onboard the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory and LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR), respectively. The stacked data do not show the presence of X-ray and radio diffuse emission in the intercluster regions. This could be due to the sensitivity of the data sets and/or the limited number of cluster pairs used in this study. Assuming a constant radio emissivity in the filaments, we find that the mean radio emissivity is not higher than $1.2\times 10^{-44}\, {\rm erg \, s^{-1} \, cm^{-3} \, Hz^{-1}}$. Under equipartition conditions, our upper limit on the mean emissivity translates to an upper limit of $\sim 75\, {\rm nG}$ for the mean magnetic field strength in the filaments, depending on the spectral index and the minimum energy cutoff. We discuss the constraint for the magnetic field strength in the context of the models for the formation of magnetic fields in cosmic filaments.
The potential of MR thermometry (MRT) fostered the development of MRI compatible radiofrequency (RF) hyperthermia devices. Such device integration creates major technological challenges and a crucial ...point for image quality is the water bolus (WB). The WB is located between the patient body and external sources to both couple electromagnetic energy and to cool the patient skin. However, the WB causes MRT errors and unnecessarily large field of view. In this work, we studied making the WB MRI transparent by an optimal concentration of compounds capable of modifying T 2 * relaxation without an impact on the efficiency of RF heating. Three different T 2 * reducing compounds were investigated, namely CuSO 4 , MnCl 2 , and Fe 3 O 4 . First, electromagnetic properties and T 2 * relaxation rates at 1.5 T were measured. Next, through multi-physics simulations, the predicted effect on the RF-power deposition pattern was evaluated and MRT precision was experimentally assessed. Our results identified 5 mM Fe 3 O 4 solution as optimal since it does not alter the RF-power level needed and improved MRT precision from 0.39 ∘ C to 0.09 ∘ C. MnCl 2 showed a similar MRT improvement, but caused unacceptable RF-power losses. We conclude that adding Fe 3 O 4 has significant potential to improve RF hyperthermia treatment monitoring under MR guidance.
Purpose
Lacosamide (LCM) is a third-generation anti-seizure medication (ASM) approved for focal onset epilepsy in patients aged ≥ 4.378 Previous studies have reported an efficacy of LCM as add-on ...treatment in brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE). To date, there are no studies in the literature focusing on lacosamide used in monotherapy to treat BTRE. In our retrospective study we investigated efficacy and tolerability of LCM in monotherapy in a multicenter national cohort of primary brain tumor patients.
Methods
We collected from 12 Italian Centers 132 patients with primary brain tumors who were treated with LCM in monotherapy. For each patient we evaluated seizure freedom at 3 and 6 months (primary endpoints), side effects and drop-out rate (secondary endpoints).
Results
Overall, LCM led to seizure freedom in 64.4% of patients at 3 months and 55% at 6 months. Patients who used two or more ASMs before LCM had a worse seizure control than patients in monotherapy with LCM as first choice.
In 14 patients, we observed seizure control despite tumor progression on magnetic resonance (MRI).
Multivariate analysis showed that gross-total resection at diagnosis was significantly associated with higher seizure freedom rate at 6 months.
Side effects were mainly mild (grade 1–2 according to CTCAE classification) and drop-out rate was low (1.5%). Main side effects were dizziness and somnolence.
Conclusions
This is the first study showing a good efficacy and tolerability of LCM when used in monotherapy in BTRE. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data, investigating also quality of life and neurocognitive functions.