The cool core state of Planck SZ-selected clusters versus X-ray selected samples: evidence for cool core bias

We characterized the population of galaxy clusters detected with the SZ effect with Planck, by measuring the cool core state of the objects in a well-defined subsample of the Planck catalogue. We used as indicator the concentration parameter Santos et al. (2008). The fraction of cool core clusters is $29 \pm 4 \%$ and does not show significant indications of evolution in the redshift range covered by our sample. We compare the distribution of the concentration parameter in the Planck sample with the one of the X-ray selected sample MACS (Mann & Ebeling, 2011): the distributions are significantly different and the cool core fraction in MACS is much higher ($59 \pm 5 \%$). Since X-ray selected samples are known to be biased towards cool cores due to the presence of their prominent surface brightness peak, we simulated the impact of the "cool core bias" following Eckert et al. (2011). We found that it plays a large role in the difference between the fractions of cool cores in the two samples. We examined other selection effects that could in principle bias SZ-surveys against cool cores but we found that their impact is not sufficient to explain the difference between Planck and MACS. The population of X-ray under-luminous objects, which are found in SZ-surveys but missing in X-ray samples (Planck Collaboration 2016), could possibly contribute to the difference, as we found most of them to be non cool cores, but this hypothesis deserves further investigation.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

CN rings in full protoplanetary disks around young stars as probes of disk structure

Bright ring-like structure emission of the CN molecule has been observed in protoplanetary disks. We investigate whether such structures are due to the morphology of the disk itself or if they are instead an intrinsic feature of CN emission. With the intention of using CN as a diagnostic, we also address to which physical and chemical parameters CN is most sensitive. A set of disk models were run for different stellar spectra, masses, and physical structures via the 2D thermochemical code DALI. An updated chemical network that accounts for the most relevant CN reactions was adopted. Ring-shaped emission is found to be a common feature of all adopted models; the highest abundance is found in the upper outer regions of the disk, and the column density peaks at 30-100 AU for T Tauri stars with standard accretion rates. Higher mass disks generally show brighter CN. Higher UV fields, such as those appropriate for T Tauri stars with high accretion rates or for Herbig Ae stars or for higher disk flaring, generally result in brighter and larger rings. These trends are due to the main formation paths of CN, which all start with vibrationally excited H2* molecules, that are produced through far ultraviolet (FUV) pumping of H2. The model results compare well with observed disk-integrated CN fluxes and the observed location of the CN ring for the TW Hya disk. CN rings are produced naturally in protoplanetary disks and do not require a specific underlying disk structure such as a dust cavity or gap. The strong link between FUV flux and CN emission can provide critical information regarding the vertical structure of the disk and the distribution of dust grains which affects the UV penetration, and could help to break some degeneracies in the SED fitting. In contrast with C2H or c-C3H2, the CN flux is not very sensitive to carbon and oxygen depletion.Comment: New version of paper, correcting too high H2 excitation rates and consequently too high CN column densities. Qualitative conclusions of the paper remain unchanged. Quantitatively, the CN column densities are an order of magnitude lower whereas fluxes decrease by a factor of 3-4. Rings are larger by up to a factor of 2. 13 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in A&

An Inner Disk in the Large Gap of the Transition Disk SR 24S

We report new Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) Band 3 observations at 2.75 mm of the TD around SR 24S with an angular resolution of $\sim$0.11''$\times$ 0.09'' and a peak signal-to-noise ratio of $\sim24$. We detect an inner disk and a mostly symmetric ring-like structure that peaks at $\sim$0.32'', that is $\sim$37 au at a distance of $\sim$114.4 pc. The full width at half maximum of this ring is $\sim$28 au. We analyze the observed structures by fitting the dust continuum visibilities using different models for the intensity profile, and compare with previous ALMA observations of the same disk at 0.45 mm and 1.30 mm. We qualitatively compare the results of these fits with theoretical predictions of different scenarios for the formation of a cavity or large gap. The comparison of the dust continuum structure between different ALMA bands indicates that photoevaporation and dead zone can be excluded as leading mechanisms for the cavity formation in SR 24S disk, leaving the planet scenario (single or multiple planets) as the most plausible mechanism. We compared the 2.75 mm emission with published (sub-)centimeter data and find that the inner disk is likely tracing dust thermal emission. This implies that any companion in the system should allow dust to move inwards throughout the gap and replenish the inner disk. In the case of one single planet, this puts strong constraints on the mass of the potential planet inside the cavity and the disk viscosity of about $\lesssim$5 $M_{\rm{Jup}}$ and $\alpha\sim10^{-4}-10^{-3}$, respectively.Comment: Accepted to Ap

Probing UV-sensitive Pathways for CN and HCN Formation in Protoplanetary Disks with the Hubble Space Telescope

The UV radiation field is a critical regulator of gas-phase chemistry in surface layers of disks around young stars. In an effort to understand the relationship between photocatalyzing UV radiation fields and gas emission observed at infrared and submillimeter wavelengths, we present an analysis of new and archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Spitzer, ALMA, IRAM, and SMA data for five targets in the Lupus cloud complex and 14 systems in Taurus-Auriga. The HST spectra were used to measure Lyα and far-UV (FUV) continuum fluxes reaching the disk surface, which are responsible for dissociating relevant molecular species (e.g., HCN, N₂). Semi-forbidden C II] λ2325 and UV-fluorescent H₂ emission were also measured to constrain inner disk populations of C⁺ and vibrationally excited H2. We find a significant positive correlation between 14 μm HCN emission and fluxes from the FUV continuum and C II] λ2325, consistent with model predictions requiring N₂ photodissociation and carbon ionization to trigger the main CN/HCN formation pathways. We also report significant negative correlations between submillimeter CN emission and both C II] and FUV continuum fluxes, implying that CN is also more readily dissociated in disks with stronger FUV irradiation. No clear relationships are detected between either CN or HCN and Lyα or UV-H₂ emission. This is attributed to the spatial stratification of the various molecular species, which span several vertical layers and radii across the inner and outer disk. We expect that future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope will build on this work by enabling more sensitive IR surveys than were possible with Spitzer

ALMA Observations of the Young Substellar Binary System 2M1207

We present ALMA observations of the 2M1207 system, a young binary made of a brown dwarf with a planetary-mass companion at a projected separation of about 40 au. We detect emission from dust continuum at 0.89 mm and from the $J = 3 - 2$ rotational transition of CO from a very compact disk around the young brown dwarf. The small radius found for this brown dwarf disk may be due to truncation from the tidal interaction with the planetary-mass companion. Under the assumption of optically thin dust emission, we estimated a dust mass of 0.1 $M_{\oplus}$ for the 2M1207A disk, and a 3$\sigma$ upper limit of $\sim 1~M_{\rm{Moon}}$ for dust surrounding 2M1207b, which is the tightest upper limit obtained so far for the mass of dust particles surrounding a young planetary-mass companion. We discuss the impact of this and other non-detections of young planetary-mass companions for models of planet formation, which predict the presence of circum-planetary material surrounding these objects.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A

InternationaL cross-sectIonAl and longItudinal assessment on aSthma cONtrol in European adult patients : the LIAISON study protocol

The study is funded by Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Parma, ItalyPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Not so smooth after all: resolving dust and gas structures in protoplanetary disks

A large diversity of exoplanetary systems has been found, but it is still unclear what drives this diversity. Planets are formed in disks around young stars, but the sensitivity and resolution of pre-ALMA data have allowed only a handful of disks to be characterized. ALMA has opened up the possibility to survey hundreds of disks in both the gas and dust, and to also spatially resolve them. The most recent observations of protoplanetary disks in the (sub-)mm emission and in optical/near-infrared scattered light have revealed complex structures such as spirals, rings, gaps and vortices. Planets are often invoked as an explanation, but their number and location are degenerate, and the same system can be often explained by more than one scenario. In this thesis, the origin of these gas and dust structures both through dust observations and through chemical modelling of the gas emission is studied, and the link between the structures observed in the different tracers is investigated.These studies are critical to understand if substructures in disks are the signpost of ongoing planet formation and will ultimately also tell whether and how the variety of structures observed is linked to the diversity in the exoplanetary systems’ properties.Galaxie

Changes in the use of anti-asthmatic medication in an international cohort

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldThe aim of this study was to describe changes in pharmacotherapy for asthma since the early 1990s in an international cohort of young and middle-aged adults. A total of 28 centres from 14 countries participated in a longitudinal study. The study included 8,829 subjects with a mean follow-up time of 8.7 yrs. Change in the prevalence of use for medication was expressed as absolute net change (95% confidence interval) standardised to a 10-yr period. The use of anti-asthmatics was found to have increased by 3.1% (2.4-3.7%) and the prevalence of symptomatic asthma by 4.0% (3.5-4.5%). In the sample with asthma in both surveys (n=423), the use of inhaled corticosteroids increased by 12.2% (6.6-17.8%). Despite this, only 17.2% were using inhaled corticosteroids on a daily basis at follow-up. Females with continuous asthma were more likely, compared with males, and smokers with asthma, to have started using inhaled corticosteroids since the first survey. The use of anti-asthmatics has increased in a pattern consistent with current consensus on treatment. However, despite increased use of inhaled corticosteroids, a large majority of subjects with symptomatic asthma do not use this treatment on a daily basis, particularly males and smokers with asthma

Cleaning and asthma characteristics in women.

International audienceWe aimed to assess the associations between occupational exposure to cleaning products, a gender-related exposure, and asthma characteristics, considering clinical, immunological and inflammatory aspects. Analyses were conducted in 391 women (73 with adult-onset asthma) from the follow-up of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA). Occupational exposure to cleaning/disinfecting products was estimated using the asthma-specific job-exposure-matrix (44 women exposed). Occupational exposures were associated with more symptomatic asthma (odds ratio (95% CI): 2.8(1.2-6.4)) and severe asthma (5.1(1.7-15.3)). An association was suggested for poorly controlled asthma (2.2(0.9-5.5)). Associations were observed for asthma without positive skin prick test (3.0(1.1-8.3)), with a low IgE level (2.8(1.2-6.2)), and with a low eosinophil count (3.2(1.5-7.1)). Results strengthen the evidence of a deleterious role of cleaning products in asthma and are consistent with the hypothesis of non-allergic mechanisms in relation to workplace cleaning exposures

The modified patient enablement instrument: a Portuguese cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability study

"Article number: 16087"Enabling patients with asthma to obtain the knowledge, confidence and skills they need in order to assume a major role in the management of their disease is cost effective. It should be an integral part of any plan for long-term control of asthma. The modified Patient Enablement Instrument (mPEI) is an easily administered questionnaire that was adapted in the United Kingdom to measure patient enablement in asthma, but its applicability in Portugal is not known. Validity and reliability of questionnaires should be tested before use in settings different from those of the original version. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of the mPEI to Portuguese asthma patients after translation and cross-cultural adaptation, and to verify the structural validity, internal consistency and reproducibility of the instrument. The mPEI was translated to Portuguese and back translated to English. Its content validity was assessed by a debriefing interview with 10 asthma patients. The translated instrument was then administered to a random sample of 142 patients with persistent asthma. Structural validity and internal consistency were assessed. For reproducibility analysis, 86 patients completed the instrument again 7 days later. Item-scale correlations and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess structural validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to test internal consistency, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was used for the analysis of reproducibility. All items of the Portuguese version of the mPEI were found to be equivalent to the original English version. There were strong item-scale correlations that confirmed construct validity, with a one component structure and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.8) as well as high test-retest reliability (ICC=0.85). The mPEI showed sound psychometric properties for the evaluation of enablement in patients with asthma making it a reliable instrument for use in research and clinical practice in Portugal. Further studies are needed to confirm its responsiveness.Financial support for this work was provided by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors-COMPETE and National Funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology under the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038, and by the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio