16. Commission Pour les Observations Physiques des Planétes, des Cométes et des Satellites

The following works embodying researches coming within the scope of this Commission have been published since the last meeting of the Union:1. “Recherches sur la polarisation de la lumière des planètes et de quelques substances terrestres,” by B. Lyot, Annales de l’Observatoire de Paris, Section de Meudon, 3, Fase. i. Characteristic curves are found representing the fraction of light polarized in the case of the Moon and several of the planets for the angles Sun-Moon or planet-Earth and compared with curves obtained in the laboratory for light reflected by a number of terrestrial substances. Some of the conclusions arrived at are referred to in the notes below.2. La Planète Mars 1656-1929, by E. M. Antoniadi. This is based mainly on the author’s own telescopic observations with the 0.83 m. Meudon refractor in 1909 and the following years, and contains the author’s conclusions therefrom. The work of numerous earlier and contemporary observers is also summarized and compared with the Meudon observations.3. The Moon, by W. Goodacre. Contains a description of the lunar surface formations, numerous drawings, charts and photographs, and the author’s revised Map of the Moon in 25 sections.4. “Ricerche Polarigrafiche sui Pianeti. La Polarizzazione sul Disco di Giove,” by M. Maggini, Mem. della Soc. Astron. Italiana, 4.5. La Constitution des Comètes, by F. Baldet. Paris, Hermann et Cie. 1930.6. “ Halley’s Comet in its Apparition of 1909-1911,” by Nicholas T. Bobrovnikoff, Pub. of the Lick Observatory, 17, pt 11, 1931.7. “Absorptionsspektren und Atmosphären der grossen Planeten,” by R. Wildt, Nach, von der Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Math.-Phys. Klasse, 1932.</jats:p

28. Commission des Nébuleuses et des Amas Stellaires

1. Since the field covered by Commission No. 28 extends over the problems of three very different types of objects—external galaxies, galactic nebulae, and star clusters—it has been proposed occasionally that the Commission might well be subdivided, or possibly eventually split into three separate Commissions. As Trumpler points out, these three fields “have often been grouped together...more on a historical basis than on an actual similarity of the researches... which are more and more drifting apart.” But some members of the Commission have noted that a distinct difference also separates globular clusters and galactic clusters; and that planetary nebulae and dark absorbing clouds involve at times widely different types of investigations. The chairman of the Commission has made a canvass of the opinions of the members and finds that a large majority believe that no division or subdivision is advisable at this time. It is suggested that the organization or reorganization of a Commission should be left to the Union as a whole or to the Executive Committee.</jats:p

28. Commission des Nébuleuses et des Amas Stellaires

During the time elapsed since the last general assembly of the I.A.U., many activities have been pursued by the astronomers engaged in research work in the wide fields of problems concerning nebulae and clusters. In fact a number of important discoveries have been made and earlier work has been extended in a way to consolidate earlier views or revise them. The embarras de richesse in this field and the extremely short time available for the compilation of a report make it impossible to present anything else than a few short notes partly written by heart and only intended to express personal views on the question of how the research work on nebulae and clusters might be carried on.The following report is mainly restricted to work done since the last meeting of the I.A.U., but in a few cases it has been necessary to mention earlier results.</jats:p

16. Commission Pour les Observations Physiques des Planètes et des Satellites

Depuis la dernière Assemblée générale, notre commission a eu le regret de perdre deux de ses membres les plus éminents: M. Paul Stroobant, directeur de l’Observatoire Royal de Belgique et M. W. H. Pickering, ancien directeur des succursales de l’Observatoire de Harvard à Arequipa (Pérou) et Mandeville (Jamaïque). Les recherches de M. Paul Stroobant se rapportent pour une grande partie aux planètes, notamment Mercure, Vénus, les petites planètes et Saturne dont il étudia pendant des années les anneaux. Il faisait partie de notre Union comme président de la 5e commission et membre de beaucoup d’autres.</jats:p

28. Commission des Nébuleuses et des Amas Stellaires

During the past three years observational and theoretical work has been uncommonly extensive and fruitful in two of the fields within the interests of Commission 28—namely, the distribution of external galaxies and the analysis of diffuse nebulosity, the latter including interstellar absorbing material. Important work is also under way at a number of observatories in the interpretation of planetary nebulae. Studies of clusters, however, have been limited to a few active workers, and progress has not been rapid in the analysis of individual galaxies.</jats:p

16. Commission Pour les Observations Physiques des Planètes, des Comètes et des Satellites

The following work embodying researches coming within the scope of this commission has been published since the last meeting of the Union: La Planète Mercure et la Rotation des Satellites, by E. M. Antoniadi; Gauthier-Villars, Paris.In addition to references to the work of other astronomers the author gives a summary of his own observations with the 0.83 m. refractor at Meudon and his conclusions.The following Memoirs or papers not specifically referred to in the body of the Report have also been published since the last meeting of the Union: Cometa Halley. Vol. xxv of Resultados del Observatorio Nacional Argentino. This is a monograph on the Comet at its 1910 return. By C. D. Perrine. Les Comètes en 1930,1931 et 1932. By F. Baldet. (L’ Astronomie 46,497 et 48,175.) I Fondamenti Psicologici dell’ Indagine Visuale. By M. Maggini. (Memorie dellaSoc. Astron. Italiana, Vol. VIII, 2.) Théorie Photométrique des Eclipses de Lune. By F. M. Link. (Bulletin Astronomique,8 fase. 11.) Relative Lunar Heights and Topography by means of the Motion Picture Negative.</jats:p

Aerosolized Calfactant for Newborns With Respiratory Distress: A Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND:Exogenous surfactants to treat respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) are approved for tracheal instillation only; this requires intubation, often followed by positive pressure ventilation to promote distribution. Aerosol delivery offers a safer alternative, but clinical studies have had mixed results. We hypothesized that efficient aerosolization of a surfactant with low viscosity, early in the course of RDS, could reduce the need for intubation and instillation of liquid surfactant.METHODS:A prospective, multicenter, randomized, unblinded comparison trial of aerosolized calfactant (Infasurf) in newborns with signs of RDS that required noninvasive respiratory support. Calfactant was aerosolized by using a Solarys nebulizer modified with a pacifier adapter; 6 mL/kg (210 mg phospholipid/kg body weight) were delivered directly into the mouth. Infants in the aerosol group received up to 3 treatments, at least 4 hours apart. Infants in the control group received usual care, determined by providers. Infants were intubated and given instilled surfactant for persistent or worsening respiratory distress, at their providers’ discretion.RESULTS:Among 22 NICUs, 457 infants were enrolled; gestation 23 to 41 (median 33) weeks and birth weight 595 to 4802 (median 1960) grams. In total, 230 infants were randomly assigned to aerosol; 225 received 334 treatments, starting at a median of 5 hours. The rates of intubation for surfactant instillation were 26% in the aerosol group and 50% in the usual care group (P &amp;lt; .0001). Respiratory outcomes up to 28 days of age were no different.CONCLUSIONS:In newborns with early, mild to moderate respiratory distress, aerosolized calfactant at a dose of 210 mg phospholipid/kg body weight reduced intubation and surfactant instillation by nearly one-half.</jats:sec