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Recent studies have proposed that the nuclear millimeter continuum emission observed in nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) could be created by the same population of electrons that gives rise to the X-ray emission that is ubiquitously observed in accreting black holes. We present the results of a dedicated high spatial resolution ($\sim$60-100 milliarcsecond) ALMA campaign on a volume-limited ($10$ keV) selected radio-quiet AGN. We find an extremely high detection rate (25/26 or $94^{+3}_{-6}\%$), which shows that nuclear emission at mm-wavelengths is nearly ubiquitous in accreting SMBHs. Our high-resolution observations show a tight correlation between the nuclear (1-23 pc) 100GHz and the intrinsic X-ray emission (1$\sigma$ scatter of $0.22$ dex). The ratio between the 100GHz continuum and the X-ray emission does not show any correlation with column density, black hole mass, Eddington ratio or star formation rate, which suggests that the 100GHz emission can be used as a proxy of SMBH accretion over a very broad range of these parameters. The strong correlation between 100GHz and X-ray emission in radio-quiet AGN could be used to estimate the column density based on the ratio between the observed 2-10keV ($F^{\rm obs}_{2-10\rm\,keV}$) and 100GHz ($F_{100\rm\,GHz}$) fluxes. Specifically, a ratio $\log (F^{\rm obs}_{2-10\rm\,keV}/F_{100\rm\,GHz})\leq 3.5$ strongly suggests that a source is heavily obscured [$\log (N_{\rm H}/\rm cm^{-2})\gtrsim 23.8$]. Our work shows the potential of ALMA continuum observations to detect heavily obscured AGN (up to an optical depth of one at 100GHz, i.e. $N_{\rm H}\simeq 10^{27}\rm\,cm^{-2}$), and to identify binary SMBHs with separations $, Comment: ApJL in press

Verfassungsblog: On Matters Constitutional

Recent studies have proposed that the nuclear millimeter continuum emission observed in nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) could be created by the same population of electrons that gives rise to the X-ray emission that is ubiquitously observed in accreting black holes. We present the results of a dedicated high spatial resolution ($\sim$60-100 milliarcsecond) ALMA campaign on a volume-limited ($10$ keV) selected radio-quiet AGN. We find an extremely high detection rate (25/26 or $94^{+3}_{-6}\%$), which shows that nuclear emission at mm-wavelengths is nearly ubiquitous in accreting SMBHs. Our high-resolution observations show a tight correlation between the nuclear (1-23 pc) 100GHz and the intrinsic X-ray emission (1$σ$ scatter of $0.22$ dex). The ratio between the 100GHz continuum and the X-ray emission does not show any correlation with column density, black hole mass, Eddington ratio or star formation rate, which suggests that the 100GHz emission can be used as a proxy of SMBH accretion over a very broad range of these parameters. The strong correlation between 100GHz and X-ray emission in radio-quiet AGN could be used to estimate the column density based on the ratio between the observed 2-10keV ($F^{\rm obs}_{2-10\rm\,keV}$) and 100GHz ($F_{100\rm\,GHz}$) fluxes. Specifically, a ratio $\log (F^{\rm obs}_{2-10\rm\,keV}/F_{100\rm\,GHz})\leq 3.5$ strongly suggests that a source is heavily obscured [$\log (N_{\rm H}/\rm cm^{-2})\gtrsim 23.8$]. Our work shows the potential of ALMA continuum observations to detect heavily obscured AGN (up to an optical depth of one at 100GHz, i.e. $N_{\rm H}\simeq 10^{27}\rm\,cm^{-2}$), and to identify binary SMBHs with separations $, ApJL in press

We constrain the intrinsic Eddington ratio (\lamEdd ) distribution function for local AGN in bins of low and high obscuration (log NH -1), the trend is reversed, with < 30% of AGN having log NH > 22, which we suggest is mainly due to the small fraction of time spent in a highly obscured state. Considering the Eddington ratio distribution function of narrow-line and broad-line AGN from our prior work, we see a qualitatively similar picture. To disentangle temporal and geometric effects at high lamEdd, we explore plausible clearing scenarios such that the time-weighted covering factors agree with the observed population ratio. We find that the low fraction of obscured AGN at high lamEdd is primarily due to the fact that the covering factor drops very rapidly, with more than half the time is spent with < 10% covering factor. We also find that nearly all obscured AGN at high-lamEdd exhibit some broad-lines. We suggest that this is because the height of the depleted torus falls below the height of the broad-line region, making the latter visible from all lines of sight., Accepted by ApJL

Virial black hole (BH) mass (M (BH)) determination directly involves knowing the broad-line region (BLR) clouds' velocity distribution, their distance from the central supermassive BH (R (BLR)), and the virial factor (f). Understanding whether biases arise in M (BH) estimation with increasing obscuration is possible only by studying a large (N > 100) statistical sample of obscuration-unbiased (hard) X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the rest-frame near-infrared (0.8-2.5 mu m) since it penetrates deeper into the BLR than the optical. We present a detailed analysis of 65 local Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) selected Seyfert galaxies observed with Magellan/FIRE. Adding these to the near-infrared BAT AGN spectroscopic survey database, we study a total of 314 unique near-infrared spectra. While the FWHMs of H alpha and near-infrared broad lines (He i, Pa beta, Pa alpha) remain unbiased to either BLR extinction or X-ray obscuration, the H alpha broad-line luminosity is suppressed when N (H) greater than or similar to 10(21) cm(-2), systematically underestimating M (BH) by 0.23-0.46 dex. Near-infrared line luminosities should be preferred to H alpha until N (H) < 10(22) cm(-2), while at higher obscuration a less-biased R (BLR) proxy should be adopted. We estimate f for Seyfert 1 and 2 using two obscuration-unbiased M (BH) measurements, i.e., the stellar velocity dispersion and a BH mass prescription based on near-infrared and X-ray, and find that the virial factors do not depend on the redshift or obscuration, but some broad lines show a mild anticorrelation with M (BH). Our results show the critical impact obscuration can have on BLR characterization and the importance of the near-infrared and X-rays for a less-biased view of the BLR., The Astrophysical Journal. Supplement Series, 261, ISSN:1538-4365, ISSN:0067-0049

The dreissenids, quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis and zebra mussel D. polymorpha, are invasive freshwater mussels in Europe and North America. These species strongly impact aquatic ecosystems, such as the food web through their high abundance and filtration rate. They spread quickly within and between waterbodies, and have the ability to colonize various substrates and depths. The zebra mussel invaded and established in Swiss lakes in the 1960s, whereas the quagga mussel was not detected until 2014. We collected all available data from cantonal as well as local authorities and other institutions to describe the colonization pattern of quagga mussels in perialpine lakes north of the Alps. We also collected data regarding the distribution of larval stages of the mussels, the so-called veliger larvae. We observed that in lakes colonized by the quagga mussel, veligers are present the whole year round, whereas they are absent in winter in lakes with only zebra mussels. Additionally, we present detailed information about the invasion and colonization pattern of quagga mussels in Lake Constance. Quagga mussels colonized the lakeshore within a few years (~ 2016–2018), outcompeted zebra mussels, and have reached densities > 5000 ind. m-2 in the littoral zone, even at 80 m densities above 1000 ind. m-2 were found at some locations. At the end of the article, we discussed possibilities on how the spread of quagga mussels within and among northern perialpine lakes should be monitored and prevented in the future., Aquatic invasions, 17 (2), ISSN:1818-5487, ISSN:1798-6540

Verfassungsblog: On Matters Constitutional

The 6.4 keV Fe Ka emission line is a ubiquitous feature in X-ray spectra of AGN, and its properties track the interaction between the variable primary X-ray continuum and the surrounding structure from which it arises. We clarify the nature and origin of the narrow Fe Ka emission using X-ray spectral, timing, and imaging constraints, plus possible correlations to AGN and host galaxy properties, for 38 bright nearby AGN ($z, Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A), 35 pages, 22 figures, 3 tables

The BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS) is designed to provide a highly complete census of the key physical parameters of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) that power local active galactic nuclei (AGN) (z, 21 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables, published in ApJS as part of BASS DR2 special issue

We present Chandra X-ray Observatory observations and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectra of NGC 5972, one of the 19 "Voorwerpjes" galaxies. This galaxy contains an Extended Emission Line Region (EELR) and an arc-second scale nuclear bubble. NGC 5972 is a faded AGN, with EELR luminosity suggesting a 2.1 dex decrease in L$_{\textrm{bol}}$ in the last $\sim5\times10^{4}$ yr. We investigate the role of AGN feedback in exciting the EELR and bubble given the long-term variability and potential accretion state changes. We detect broadband (0.3-8 keV) nuclear X-ray emission coincident with the [OIII] bubble, as well as diffuse soft X-ray emission coincident with the EELR. The soft nuclear (0.5-1.5 keV) emission is spatially extended and the spectra are consistent with two APEC thermal populations ($\sim$0.80,$\sim$0.10 keV). We find a bubble age >2.2 Myr, suggesting formation before the current variability. We find evidence for efficient feedback with L$_{\textrm{kin}}/L_{\textrm{bol}}\sim0.8\%$, which may be overestimated given the recent L$_{\textrm{bol}}$ variation. Kinematics suggest an out-flowing 300 km s$^{-1}$ high-ionization [OIII]-emitting gas which may be the line of sight component of a $\sim$780 km s$^{-1}$ thermal X-ray outflow capable of driving strong shocks that could photoionize the precursor material. We explore possibilities to explain the overall jet, radio lobe and EELR misalignment including evidence for a double SMBH which could support a complex misaligned system., 24 pages, 22 figures. Submitted to MNRAS

The dreissenids, quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis and zebra mussel D. polymorpha, are invasive freshwater mussels in Europe and North America. These species strongly impact aquatic ecosystems, such as the food web through their high abundance and filtration rate. They spread quickly within and between waterbodies, and have the ability to colonize various substrates and depths. The zebra mussel invaded and established in Swiss lakes in the 1960s, whereas the quagga mussel was not detected until 2014. We collected all available data from cantonal as well as local authorities and other institutions to describe the colonization pattern of quagga mussels in perialpine lakes north of the Alps. We also collected data regarding the distribution of larval stages of the mussels, the so-called veliger larvae. We observed that in lakes colonized by the quagga mussel, veligers are present the whole year round, whereas they are absent in winter in lakes with only zebra mussels. Additionally, we present detailed information about the invasion and colonization pattern of quagga mussels in Lake Constance. Quagga mussels colonized the lakeshore within a few years (~ 2016–2018), outcompeted zebra mussels, and have reached densities > 5000 ind. m-2 in the littoral zone, even at 80 m densities above 1000 ind. m-2 were found at some locations. At the end of the article, we discussed possibilities on how the spread of quagga mussels within and among northern perialpine lakes should be monitored and prevented in the future. published

The 6.4 keV Fe Ka emission line is a ubiquitous feature in X-ray spectra of AGN, and its properties track the interaction between the variable primary X-ray continuum and the surrounding structure from which it arises. We clarify the nature and origin of the narrow Fe Ka emission using X-ray spectral, timing, and imaging constraints, plus possible correlations to AGN and host galaxy properties, for 38 bright nearby AGN ($z, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A), 35 pages, 22 figures, 3 tables

Der Artikel „Holzhauser, Thorsten (2019): Die ‚Nachfolgepartei‘. Die Integration der PDS in das politische System der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 1990–2005“ von Michael Koß wurde ursprünglich am 14. April 2020 ohne „Open Access“ online auf der Internetplattform des Verlags publiziert. Der Autor hat sich jedoch nachträglich für eine „Open Access“-Veröffentlichung entschieden. Das Urheberrecht des Artikels wurde deshalb 16. Juni 2021 in © The Author(s) 2020 geändert.

Der Artikel Meinel, Florian (2019): Vertrauensfrage. Zur Krise des heutigen Parlamentarismus von Michael Koß wurde ursprünglich Online First ohne „Open Access“ auf der Internetplattform des Verlags publiziert. Nach der Veröffentlichung in Band 61 Heft 2 [pp. 191-193] hatten sich die Autoren für eine „Open Access“-Veröffentlichung entschieden. Das Urheberrecht des Artikels wurde deshalb in © Der/die Autor(en) 2020 geändert.

Die Dominanz der Volksparteien, die nach 1945 für Jahrzehnte Deutschland und Österreich geprägt hat, ist unwiderruflich vergangen. Nach dem Ende des Kalten Krieges durchkreuzen neue gesellschaftliche Konfliktlinien die bereits existierenden und damit auch die »alten« Parteien. Die Größenunterschiede zwischen »großen« und »kleinen« Parteien schrumpfen. Mehrheiten sind unter diesen Bedingungen schwerer zu organisieren.

In this study, we use the SWIFT/BAT AGN sample, which has received extensive multiwavelength follow-up analysis as a result of the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS), to develop a diagnostic for nuclear obscuration by examining the relationship between the line-of-sight column densities ($N_{\rm{H}}$), the 2-10 keV-to-$12\,\rm{\mu m}$ luminosity ratio, and WISE mid-infrared colors. We demonstrate that heavily obscured AGNs tend to exhibit both preferentially ''redder'' mid-infrared colors and lower values of $L_{\rm{X,\,Obs.}}$/$L_{12\,\rm{\mu m}}$ than less obscured AGNs, and we derive expressions relating $N_{\rm{H}}$ to the $L_{\rm{X,\,Obs.}}$/$L_{12\,\rm{\mu m}}$ and $L_{22\,\rm{\mu m}}$/$L_{4.6\,\rm{\mu m}}$ luminosity ratios as well as develop diagnostic criteria using these ratios. Our diagnostic regions yield samples that are $\gtrsim80$% complete and $\gtrsim60$% pure for AGNs with log($N_{\rm{H}})\geq24$, as well as $\gtrsim85$% pure for AGNs with $\rm{log}(N_{\rm{H}})\gtrsim23.5$. We find that these diagnostics cannot be used to differentiate between optically star forming galaxies and active galaxies. Further, mid-IR contributions from host galaxies that dominate the observed $12~\rm{\mu m}$ emission can lead to larger apparent X-ray deficits and redder mid-IR colors than the AGNs would intrinsically exhibit, though this effect helps to better separate less obscured and more obscured AGNs. Finally, we test our diagnostics on two catalogs of AGNs and infrared galaxies, including the XMM-Newton XXL-N field, and we identify several known Compton-thick AGNs as well as a handful of candidate heavily obscured AGNs based upon our proposed obscuration diagnostics., Comment: 28 pages: 1-19 main text, 20-28 appendix and references. 15 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJS; part of BASS DR2 special issue

We present Integral Field Spectroscopic (IFS) observations of the nearby ($z\sim0.03$) dual Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) Mrk 739, whose projected nuclear separation is $\sim$3.4~kpc, obtained with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). We find that the galaxy has an extended AGN-ionized emission-line region extending up to $\sim 20$ kpc away from the nuclei, while star-forming regions are more centrally concentrated within 2 - 3 kpc. We model the kinematics of the ionized gas surrounding the East nucleus using a circular disk profile, resulting in a peak velocity of $237^{+26}_{-28}$ km s$^{-1}$ at a distance of $\sim 1.2$ kpc. The enclosed dynamical mass within 1.2 kpc is $\log M(M_{\odot})=10.20\pm0.06$, $\sim$1,000 times larger than the estimated supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass of Mrk 739E. The morphology and dynamics of the system are consistent with an early stage of the collision, where the foreground galaxy (Mrk 739W) is a young star-forming galaxy in an ongoing first passage with its background companion (Mrk 739E). Since the SMBH in Mrk 739W does not show evidence of being rapidly accreting, we claim that the northern spiral arms of Mrk 739W are ionized by the nuclear activity of Mrk 739E., Comment: 26 pages, 15 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Objective: To develop a nanoparticle (NP) platform that can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo for the suppression of autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs encapsulating interleukin-2 (IL-2) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were coated with anti-CD2/CD4 antibodies and administered to mice with lupus-like disease induced by the transfer of DBA/2 T cells into (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 (BDF1) mice. The peripheral frequency of Treg cells was monitored ex vivo by flow cytometry. Disease progression was assessed by measuring serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney disease was defined as the presence of proteinuria or renal histopathologic features. Results: Anti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated, but not noncoated, NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ induced CD4+ and CD8+ FoxP3+ Treg cells in vitro. The optimal dosing regimen of NPs for expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells was determined in in vivo studies in mice without lupus and then tested in BDF1 mice with lupus. The administration of anti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ resulted in the expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells, a marked suppression of anti-DNA antibody production, and reduced renal disease. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that T cell-targeted PLGA NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo and suppress murine lupus. This approach, which enables the expansion of Treg cells in vivo and inhibits pathogenic immune responses in SLE, could represent a potential new therapeutic modality in autoimmune conditions characterized by impaired Treg cell function associated with IL-2 deficiency.

Existing research on the evolution of European integration has pitted economic against identity issues. In the economic sphere, governments are arguably able to pursue their preferences more independently. If, however, identity issues become politicized this is supposed to suggest that governments lose their dominant position in integration and gradually become agents of Eurosceptic parties and/or electorates. This article looks at a phenomenon neither the intergovernmentalist nor the postfunctionalist perspective can fully explain: the emergence of the Visegrád Group (V4) as a collective actor in European politics in early 2016. This emergence occurred in the wake of the refugee crisis during which the identity issue of migration was politicized. However, there was no coherent partisan composition uniting V4 governments. Based on a sequence elaboration of all press statements of meetings of the V4 Prime Ministers since their EU-accession in 2004, we show that what at first sight appears to be informed by anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic sentiments may in fact display a more ambivalent position towards regional integration. The post-refugee crisis V4 appears as a case of politicized transnationalism—that is, cooperation to achieve transnational interests under the condition of politicization. This transnational interest not only comprised opposition to a relocation of migrants, but also the maintenance of a core transnational freedom within the EU, namely free movement under the Schengen acquis. We conclude that, under the condition of increasing politicization, identity issues help to forge government alliances of governments pursuing economic preferences.

We present visible and near-infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations of interstellar object 2I/Borisov taken from 2019 September 10 to 2019 November 29 using the GROWTH, the APO ARC 3.5 m and the NASA/IRTF 3.0 m combined with post and pre-discovery observations of 2I obtained by ZTF from 2019 March 17 to 2019 May 5. Comparison with imaging of distant Solar System comets shows an object very similar to mildly active Solar System comets with an out-gassing rate of $\sim$10$^{27}$ mol/sec. The photometry, taken in filters spanning the visible and NIR range shows a gradual brightening trend of $\sim0.03$ mags/day since 2019 September 10 UTC for a reddish object becoming neutral in the NIR. The lightcurve from recent and pre-discovery data reveals a brightness trend suggesting the recent onset of significant H$_2$O sublimation with the comet being active with super volatiles such as CO at heliocentric distances $>$6 au consistent with its extended morphology. Using the advanced capability to significantly reduce the scattered light from the coma enabled by high-resolution NIR images from Keck adaptive optics taken on 2019 October 04, we estimate a diameter of 2I's nucleus of $\lesssim$1.4 km. We use the size estimates of 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov to roughly estimate the slope of the ISO size-distribution resulting in a slope of $\sim$3.4$\pm$1.2, similar to Solar System comets and bodies produced from collisional equilibrium., 22 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in AJ on 12 May 2020

The $M_{BH}$ - $\sigma_{\star}$ relation is considered a result of co-evolution between the host galaxies and their super-massive black holes. For elliptical-bulge hosting inactive galaxies, this relation is well established, but there is still a debate whether active galaxies follow the same relation. In this paper, we estimate black hole masses for a sample of 19 local luminous AGNs (LLAMA) in order to test their location on the $M_{BH}$ - $\sigma_{\star}$ relation. Super-massive black hole masses ($M_{BH}$) were derived from the broad-line based relations for H$\alpha$, H$\beta$ and Pa$\beta$ emission line profiles for the Type 1 AGNs. We compare the bulge stellar velocity dispersion ($\sigma_{\star}$) as determined from the Ca II triplet (CaT) with the dispersion measured from the near-infrared CO (2-0) absorption features for each AGN and find them to be consistent with each other. We apply an extinction correction to the observed broad line fluxes and we correct the stellar velocity dispersion by an average rotation contribution as determined from spatially resolved stellar kinematic maps. The H$\alpha$-based black hole masses of our sample of AGNs were estimated in the range 6.34 $\leq$ $\log{M_{BH}}$ $\leq$ 7.75 M$_\odot$ and the $\sigma_{\star CaT}$ estimates range between 73 $\leq$ $\sigma_{\star CaT}$ $\leq$ 227 km s$^{-1}$. From the so-constructed $M_{BH}$ - $\sigma_{\star}$ relation for our Type 1 AGNs, we estimate the black hole masses for the Type 2 AGNs and the inactive galaxies in our sample. In conclusion, we find that our sample of local luminous AGNs is consistent with the $M_{BH}$ - $\sigma_{\star}$ relation of lower luminosity AGNs and inactive galaxies, after correcting for dust extinction and the rotational contribution to the stellar velocity dispersion., Comment: Accepted by A&A, 30 pages, 19 figures

ObjectiveTo develop a nanoparticle (NP) platform that can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo for the suppression of autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsPoly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs encapsulating interleukin-2 (IL-2) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) were coated with anti-CD2/CD4 antibodies and administered to mice with lupus-like disease induced by the transfer of DBA/2 T cells into (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 (BDF1) mice. The peripheral frequency of Treg cells was monitored ex vivo by flow cytometry. Disease progression was assessed by measuring serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibody levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney disease was defined as the presence of proteinuria or renal histopathologic features.ResultsAnti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated, but not noncoated, NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ induced CD4+ and CD8+ FoxP3+ Treg cells in vitro. The optimal dosing regimen of NPs for expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells was determined in in vivo studies in mice without lupus and then tested in BDF1 mice with lupus. The administration of anti-CD2/CD4 antibody-coated NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ resulted in the expansion of CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells, a marked suppression of anti-DNA antibody production, and reduced renal disease.ConclusionThis study shows for the first time that T cell-targeted PLGA NPs encapsulating IL-2 and TGFβ can expand both CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells in vivo and suppress murine lupus. This approach, which enables the expansion of Treg cells in vivo and inhibits pathogenic immune responses in SLE, could represent a potential new therapeutic modality in autoimmune conditions characterized by impaired Treg cell function associated with IL-2 deficiency.

This chapter examines the impact of the alleged acceleration of social life on legislatures. Theoretically, acceleration can be regarded as a constraint or an opportunity. Conceptually, a number of time rules granting various subgroups of legislators different time budgets are used to cope with acceleration. The most important of these rules are those regarding agenda control and committee power. Different time rules and time budgets culminate in two procedural ideal types, talking and working legislatures. Empirically, both ideal types are clearly identifiable and have distinct consequences for public policies. A tentative long-term analysis shows no evidence for an ever-increasing acceleration of lawmaking in five lower chambers.

Much of the baryonic matter in the Universe, including the most active and luminous sources, are best studied in the X-ray band. Key advances in X-ray optics and detectors have paved the way for the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS), a Probe-class mission that is a major improvement over Chandra, which has generated a steady stream of important discoveries for the past 2 decades. AXIS can be launched in the late 2020s and will transform our understanding in several major areas of astrophysics, including the growth and fueling of supermassive black holes, galaxy formation and evolution, the microphysics of cosmic plasmas, the time-variable universe, and a wide variety of cutting-edge studies. Relative to Chandra, the AXIS PSF is nearly twice as sharp on-axis; its field of view for subarcsecond imaging 70 times larger by area; its effective area at 1 keV is 10 times larger. The low-Earth orbit ensures a low and stable detector background, resulting in 50 times greater sensitivity than Chandra for extended sources. AXIS has a rapid repointing response with operations similar to Swift, but is 100 times more sensitive for time-domain science. These capabilities open up a vast discovery space and complement the next generation of astronomical observatories. A high-spectral-resolution mission (Athena) operating at the same time as a high-angular-resolution mission (AXIS) greatly increases the range of scientific discovery. AXIS will use lightweight X-ray optics made of thin single-crystal silicon mirrors developed at NASA Goddard. The detector array builds on a long legacy of X-ray CCD and provides improved photon localization, much faster readout time, and broader energy band. The estimated mission costs are consistent with the $1B Probe mission cost guideline., A Probe-class mission study commissioned by NASA for the NAS Astro2020 Decadal Survey. Cost section redacted. 66 pages, 41 figures. v2: minor fixes

The $M_{BH}$ - $��_{\star}$ relation is considered a result of co-evolution between the host galaxies and their super-massive black holes. For elliptical-bulge hosting inactive galaxies, this relation is well established, but there is still a debate whether active galaxies follow the same relation. In this paper, we estimate black hole masses for a sample of 19 local luminous AGNs (LLAMA) in order to test their location on the $M_{BH}$ - $��_{\star}$ relation. Super-massive black hole masses ($M_{BH}$) were derived from the broad-line based relations for H$��$, H$��$ and Pa$��$ emission line profiles for the Type 1 AGNs. We compare the bulge stellar velocity dispersion ($��_{\star}$) as determined from the Ca II triplet (CaT) with the dispersion measured from the near-infrared CO (2-0) absorption features for each AGN and find them to be consistent with each other. We apply an extinction correction to the observed broad line fluxes and we correct the stellar velocity dispersion by an average rotation contribution as determined from spatially resolved stellar kinematic maps. The H$��$-based black hole masses of our sample of AGNs were estimated in the range 6.34 $\leq$ $\log{M_{BH}}$ $\leq$ 7.75 M$_\odot$ and the $��_{\star CaT}$ estimates range between 73 $\leq$ $��_{\star CaT}$ $\leq$ 227 km s$^{-1}$. From the so-constructed $M_{BH}$ - $��_{\star}$ relation for our Type 1 AGNs, we estimate the black hole masses for the Type 2 AGNs and the inactive galaxies in our sample. In conclusion, we find that our sample of local luminous AGNs is consistent with the $M_{BH}$ - $��_{\star}$ relation of lower luminosity AGNs and inactive galaxies, after correcting for dust extinction and the rotational contribution to the stellar velocity dispersion., Accepted by A&A, 30 pages, 19 figures

We present an observed relationship between Eddington ratio (��Edd) and optical narrow-emission-line ratio ([N II]��6583/H��) of X-ray-selected broad-line active galactic nuclei (AGN) at 0.6 < z < 1.7. We use 27 near-infrared spectra from the Fiber Multi-Object Spectrograph along with 26 sources from the literature. We show that the ��Edd and [N II]��6583/H�� ratio at 0.6 < z < 1.7 exhibits a similar anti-correlation distribution of ��Edd-[N II]��6583/H�� as has been found for local ( = 0.036), ultra-hard X-ray selected AGN. The observed distribution implies that there is a consistent relationship from local to z \sim 1.7 which corresponds from the present time to 4 Gyr old. Further study of high redshift low Eddington ratio AGN (log��Edd < -2) is necessary to determine fully whether the ��Edd-[N II]��6583/H�� anti-correlation still holds in high-redshift AGN at low Eddington ratios., 15 pages, 7 figures, and 2 tables; Accepted for publication in ApJ

We study the r31=L'CO(3-2)/L'CO(1-0) luminosity line ratio in a sample of nearby (z < 0.05) galaxies: 25 star-forming galaxies (SFGs) from the xCOLD GASS survey, 36 hard X-ray selected AGN host galaxies from BASS and 37 infrared luminous galaxies from SLUGS. We find a trend for r31 to increase with star-formation efficiency (SFE). We model r31 using the UCL-PDR code and find that the gas density is the main parameter responsible for variation of r31, while the interstellar radiation field and cosmic ray ionization rate play only a minor role. We interpret these results to indicate a relation between SFE and gas density. We do not find a difference in the r31 value of SFGs and AGN host galaxies, when the galaxies are matched in SSFR (= 0.52 +/- 0.04 for SFGs and = 0.53 +/- 0.06 for AGN hosts). According to the results of UCL-PDR models, the X-rays can contribute to the enhancement of the CO line ratio, but only for strong X-ray fluxes and for high gas density (nH > 10$^4$ cm-3). We find a mild tightening of the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation when we use the molecular gas mass surface density traced by CO(3-2) (Pearson correlation coefficient R=0.83), instead of the molecular gas mass surface density traced by CO(1-0) (R=0.78), but the increase in correlation is not statistically significant (p-value=0.06). This suggests that the CO(3-2) line can be reliably used to study the relation between SFR and molecular gas for normal SFGs at high redshift, and to compare it with studies of low-redshift galaxies, as is common practice.

Hierarchical models of galaxy formation predict that galaxy mergers represent a significant transitional stage of rapid supermassive black hole (SMBH) growth. Yet, the connection between the merging process and enhanced active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity as well as the timescale of SMBH mergers remains highly uncertain. The breakthrough in reconciling the importance of galaxy mergers with black hole growth lies in a thoroughly-studied census of dual AGN across cosmic history, which will be enabled by next-generation observational capabilities, theoretical advances, and simulations. This white paper outlines the key questions in galaxy mergers, dual and offset AGN, and proposes multiwavelength solutions using future high-resolution observatories in the X-rays (AXIS, Lynx), near and mid-infrared (30 meter class telescopes, JWST), and submillimeter (ALMA)., Comment: Submission to the 2020-2030 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey (Astro2020), 10 pages, 3 figures

We present an analysis of a sample of 69 local obscured Swift/Burst Alert Telescope active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with X-ray spectra from NuSTAR and infrared (IR) spectral energy distributions from Herschel and WISE. We combine this X-ray and IR phenomenological modeling and find a significant correlation between reflected hard X-ray emission and IR AGN emission, with suggestive indications that this correlation may be stronger than the one between intrinsic hard X-ray and IR emissions. This relation between the IR and reflected X-ray emission suggests that both are the result of the processing of intrinsic emission from the corona and accretion disk by the same structure. We explore the resulting implications on the underlying distribution of covering fraction for all AGNs, by generating mock observables for the reflection parameter and IR luminosity ratio using empirical relations found for the covering fraction with each quantity. We find that the observed distributions of the reflection parameter and IR-to-X-ray ratio are reproduced with broad distributions centered around covering fractions of at least ~40%-50%, whereas narrower distributions match our observations only when centered around covering fractions of ~70%-80%. Our results are consistent with both independent estimates of the covering fractions of individual objects and the typical covering fraction obtained on the basis of obscured fractions for samples of AGNs. These results suggest that the level of reprocessing in AGNs, including X-ray reflection, is related in a relatively straightforward way to the geometry of the obscuring material., Published in the Astrophysical Journal: Lanz, L. et al. 2019, ApJ, 870, 26; 19 pages; 9 figures

We present an observational constraint for the typical active galactic nucleus (AGN) phase lifetime. The argument is based on the time lag between an AGN central engine switching on and becoming visible in X rays and the time the AGN then requires to photoionize a large fraction of the host galaxy. Based on the typical light travel time across massive galaxies and the observed fraction of X ray selected AGN without AGN photoionized narrow lines we estimate that the AGN phase typically lasts ~ 105 years. This lifetime is short compared to the total growth time of 107 - 109 years estimated from e.g. the Soltan argument and implies that black holes grow via many such short bursts and that AGN therefore "flicker" on and off. We discuss some consequences of this flickering behavior for AGN feedback and the analogy of X ray binaries and AGN lifecycles.

We study the relation between accretion rate (in terms of L/LEdd) and shape of the hard X-ray spectral energy distribution (namely the photon index Γx) for a large sample of 228 hard X-ray-selected, low-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGNs), drawn from the Swift/BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS). This includes 30 AGNs for which black hole mass (and therefore L/LEdd) is measured directly through masers, spatially resolved gas or stellar dynamics, or reverberation mapping. The high-quality and broad energy coverage of the data provided through BASS allow us to examine several alternative determinations of both Γx and L/LEdd. For the BASS sample as a whole, we find a statistically significant, albeit very weak correlation between Γx and L/LEdd. The best-fitting relations we find, Γx ≃ 0.15 log L/LEdd + const., are considerably shallower than those reported in previous studies. Moreover, we find no corresponding correlations among the subsets of AGN with different MBH determination methodology. In particular, we find no robust evidence for a correlation when considering only those AGN with direct or single-epoch MBH estimates. This latter finding is in contrast to several previous studies which focused on z > 0.5 broad-line AGN. We discuss this tension and conclude that it can be partially accounted for if one adopts a simplified, power-law X-ray spectral model, combined with L/LEdd estimates that are based on the continuum emission and on single-epoch broad-line spectroscopy in the optical regime. We finally highlight the limitations on using Γx as a probe of supermassive black hole evolution in deep extragalactic X-ray surveys., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 470 (1), ISSN:0035-8711, ISSN:1365-2966, ISSN:1365-8711

We study the observed relation between accretion rate (in terms of L/L_Edd) and shape of the hard X-ray spectral energy distribution (namely the photon index Gamma_X) for a large sample of 228 hard X-ray selected, low-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGN), drawn from the Swift/BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS). This includes 30 AGN for which black hole mass (and therefore L/L_Edd) is measured directly through masers, spatially resolved gas or stellar dynamics, or reverberation mapping. The high quality and broad energy coverage of the data provided through BASS allow us to examine several alternative determinations of both Gamma_X and L/L_Edd. For the BASS sample as a whole, we find a statistically significant, albeit very weak correlation between Gamma_X and L/L_Edd. The best-fitting relations we find, Gamma_X=0.15 log(L/L_Edd)+const., are considerably shallower than those reported in previous studies. Moreover, we find no corresponding correlations among the subsets of AGN with different M_BH determination methodology. In particular, we find no robust evidence for a correlation when considering only those AGN with direct or single-epoch M_BH estimates. This latter finding is in contrast to several previous studies which focused on z>0.5 broad-line AGN. We discuss this tension and conclude that it can be partially accounted for if one adopts a simplified, power-law X-ray spectral model, combined with L/L_Edd estimates that are based on the continuum emission and on single-epoch broad line spectroscopy in the optical regime. We finally highlight the limitations on using Gamma_X as a probe of supermassive black hole evolution in deep extragalactic X-ray surveys., Resubmitted to MNRAS after addressing referee's comments

Humans are constantly exposed to hazardous pollutants in the environment—for example, in the air, water, soil, rocks, diet, or workplace. Trace metals are important in environmental pathology because of the wide range of toxic reactions and their potential adverse effects on the physiological function of organ systems. Exposures to toxic trace metals have been the subject of numerous environmental and geochemical investigations, and many studies have been published on the acute and/or chronic effects of high-level exposures to these types of agents; however, much fewer data are available concerning the health effects of low-dose chronic exposure to many trace metals. Chronic low-dose exposures to toxic elements such as cadmium and arsenic have been shown to cause these metals to accumulate in tissues over time, leading to multiple adverse effects in exposed individuals.

The study of AGN variability on timescales of 10^4-10^5 years is important in order to understand the BH – host galaxy interaction and coevolution. The discovery of “Hanny’s Voorwerp” (HV), an extended emission line region associated with the nearby galaxy IC 2497, provided us with a laboratory to study AGN variability over such timescales. HV was illuminated by a strong quasar in IC 2497, but this quasar significantly shut down in the last 200 kyrs. Thanks to its recent shutdown we can now explore the host galaxy unimpeded by the presence of a quasar dominating the observations, while the Voorwerp preserves the echoes of its past activity. Recent studies on the optical properties of hard X-ray selected AGN suggest that AGN may flicker on and off hundreds or thousands times with each burst lasting ~10^5 yrs. Systems similar to IC 2497 and HV, the so-called Voorwerpjes, allow us to constrain the last stages of the AGN lifecycle. On the other hand, we recently suggested that the switch on phase may be observed in the so-called optically elusive AGN. In this talk I will review both observational evidence and results from simulation work which support this picture, and explain how optically elusive AGN and Voorwerpjes galaxies can help us to understand different phases of the AGN lifecycle. Moreover, I will discuss possible implications for AGN feedback, BH - host galaxy coevolution, and the analogy between AGN and X-ray binaries accretion physics.

PurposeA subretinal implant termed CPCB-RPE1 is currently being developed to surgically replace dystrophic RPE in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and severe vision loss. CPCB-RPE1 is composed of a terminally differentiated, polarized human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE (hESC-RPE) monolayer pre-grown on a biocompatible, mesh-supported submicron parylene C membrane. The objective of the present delivery study was to assess the feasibility and 1-month safety of CPCB-RPE1 implantation in Yucatán minipigs, whose eyes are similar to human eyes in size and gross retinal anatomy.MethodsThis was a prospective, partially blinded, randomized study in 14 normal-sighted female Yucatán minipigs (aged 2months, weighing 24-35kg). Surgeons were blinded to the randomization codes and postoperative and post-mortem assessments were performed in a blinded manner. Eleven minipigs received CPCB-RPE1 while three control minipigs underwent sham surgery that generated subretinal blebs. All animals except two sham controls received combined local (Ozurdex™ dexamethasone intravitreal implant) and systemic (tacrolimus) immunosuppression or local immunosuppression alone. Correct placement of the CPCB-RPE1 implant was assessed by in vivo optical coherence tomography and post-mortem histology. hESC-RPE cells were identified using immunohistochemistry staining for TRA-1-85 (a human marker) and RPE65 (an RPE marker). As the study results of primary interest were nonnumerical no statistical analysis or tests were conducted.ResultsCPCB-RPE1 implants were reliably placed, without implant breakage, in the subretinal space of the minipig eye using surgical techniques similar to those that would be used in humans. Histologically, hESC-RPE cells were found to survive as an intact monolayer for 1month based on immunohistochemistry staining for TRA-1-85 and RPE65.ConclusionsAlthough inconclusive regarding the necessity or benefit of systemic or local immunosuppression, our study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of CPCB-RPE1 subretinal implantation in a comparable animal model and provides an encouraging starting point for human studies.

Zielsetzung: Untersuchung des funktionellen und morphologischen Verlaufs nach pars plana Vitrektomie (PPV) von Patienten mit persistierendem Makulaforamen (MF) nach Ocriplasmin Injektion. Methoden: Vergleichende, interventionelle, multizentrische, retrospektive Studie von 37 Augen von 37 Patienten,[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 29. Internationaler Kongress der Deutschen Ophthalmochirurgen

We present a catalog of hard X-ray sources detected in the first 105 months of observations with the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) coded mask imager on board the Swift observatory. The 105 month Swift-BAT survey is a uniform hard X-ray all-sky survey with a sensitivity of $8.40\times 10^{-12}\ {\rm erg\ s^{-1}\ cm^{-2}}$ over 90% of the sky and $7.24\times 10^{-12}\ {\rm erg\ s^{-1}\ cm^{-2}}$ over 50% of the sky in the 14-195 keV band. The Swift-BAT 105 month catalog provides 1632 (422 new detections) hard X-ray sources in the 14-195 keV band above the 4.8{\sigma} significance level. Adding to the previously known hard X-ray sources, 34% (144/422) of the new detections are identified as Seyfert AGN in nearby galaxies (z, Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJS. The Swift-BAT 105-month Survey public website can be found at this URL: https://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/results/bs105mon/

大気球シンポジウム 平成21年度 (2009年10月1-2日. 宇宙航空研究開発機構宇宙科学研究本部), 相模原, 神奈川, Balloon Symposium 2008 (October 1-2, 2009. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)), Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan, 資料番号: AA0064736028

Fabian Höhn,1,* Florian TA Kretz,2,* Saumil Sheth,3 S Natarajan,3 Pankaj Singh,4 Frank H Koch,4 Michael J Koss2,51Helios Klinikum Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital of the Ruprecht-Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany; 3Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital Pvt.Ltd, Mumbai, India; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital of the Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; 5Department of Ophthalmology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA,USA*These authors contributed equally tothis workAim: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Intrector® for treating postoperative endophthalmitis.Materials and methods: In a retrospective multicenter study, patients who received a single port 23-gauge core pars plana vitrectomy and isovolumetric injection of vancomycin, ceftazidime, and dexamethasone/amphotericin B using the Intrector® for postoperative endophthalmitis of intermediate severity (grade II or III vitreous inflammation and best-corrected visual acuity between hand movements and 0.3 logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution]) were evaluated. Improvement in visual acuity, resolution of intraocular inflammation, the need for additional surgical procedures, and the development of complications were evaluated at a 1-month follow-up examination.Results: Fifteen patients (mean age 55.6±7.2 years) underwent treatment with the Intrector®. The mean vitreous volume aspirated was 0.78±0.22 mL. The vitreous samples indicated positive microorganism culture results in six of the 15 cases, but the samples were positive when analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in all cases (15/15). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (P=0.01) from 0.88±0.29 (logMAR) to 0.32±0.28. Each patient demonstrated at least three lines of visual improvement. No additional medical or surgical interventions were required, and the complete resolution of intraocular inflammation was noted in all patients at the 1-month follow-up examination. No procedure-related complications were observed.Conclusion: The Intrector® may be a safe and effective treatment option for infectious postoperative endophthalmitis. Larger studies comparing the outcomes of the Intrector® to the traditional treatments for postoperative endophthalmitis need to be conducted before its role in the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis can be properly defined.Keywords: Intrector®, postoperative endophthalmitis, 23-gauge vitrectomy

We present an observational constraint for the typical active galactic nucleus (AGN) phase lifetime. The argument is based on the time lag between an AGN central engine switching on and becoming visible in X-rays, and the time the AGN then requires to photoionize a large fraction of the host galaxy. Based on the typical light travel time across massive galaxies, and the observed fraction of X-ray selected AGN without AGN-photoionized narrow lines, we estimate that the AGN phase typically lasts $\sim10^{5}$ years. This lifetime is short compared to the total growth time of $10^{7}-10^{9}$ years estimated from e.g. the Soltan argument and implies that black holes grow via many such short bursts and that AGN therefore "flicker" on and off. We discuss some consequences of this flickering behavior for AGN feedback and the analogy of X-ray binaries and AGN lifecycles., Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 448 (4), ISSN:0035-8711, ISSN:1365-2966, ISSN:1365-8711

In my recent book on the politics of party funding, I argued that West European party funding systems have converged (Koß 2011).¹ By “converged,” I mean that a cross-party, cross-national consensus about appropriate regulations of party funding has developed. Convergence can be defined, however, as “a process of ‘becoming’ rather than a condition of ‘being’ more alike. . . . In comparative research, therefore, the essential theoretical dimension is temporal rather than spatial” (Bennett 1991, 219). In practice, this means that there are still salient differences among European nations’ systems but that these differences have become smaller over time. This...

A 42-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of impaired vision in the right eye (OD). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (LogMAR) was 1.1 for the right eye and 0.0 for the left eye (OS). Fundus examination revealed white-centered hemorrhages resembling Roth spots in both macular regions. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed intraretinal pseudocysts and hyperreflective deposits in the areas corresponding to the Roth spots. Conducted blood tests revealed elevated D-dimer concentration, increased total number of neutrophils, high C-reactive protein concentration, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Procalcitonin concentration, platelet count, and body temperature were within normal ranges. A blood culture was ordered and yielded Streptococcus mitis and intravenous antibiotics were started immediately. The patient started complaining of chest and left calf pain. The systemic examination revealed infective endocarditis accompanied by bicuspid aortic valve and paravalvular abscess formation. The patient underwent cardiac surgery with mechanical aortic valve implantation. After recovery, the patient’s visual acuities improved fully. Control ophthalmic examination, including SD-OCT, showed no abnormalities.

Sweden can be seen as a testing ground for a new form of coalition government called ‘contract parliamentarism’. Tim Bale and Torbjörn Bergman (2006a: p. 422) define contract parliamentarism as follows: ‘in contract parliamentarism, what are formally minority governments (formed by either a single party or a coalition of parties) have relationships with their “support” parties that are so institutionalised that they come close to being majority governments.’ Next to the Swedish Greens (Miljöpartiet den Gröna, MP), the Swedish Left Party (Vänsterpartiet, V) was the main support party of Social Democratic governments between 1998 and 2006. As we shall see in the following, the Left Party, after achieving an all-time electoral high of 12 per cent in 1998, suffered badly at the polls during this period and, indeed, afterwards. Even though Bale and Bergman (2006a, b) analysed contract parliamentarism closely, they paid scant attention to the Left Party. This chapter aims to fill this gap and addresses three major questions: first, why did V end up as a support party rather than a coalition partner? Second, which factors caused the collapse of the Left Party’s electoral appeal after 1998? Third, how much did this collapse have to do with V’s role as a support party? In order to answer these questions, this chapter proceeds as follows. After first discussing V’s background as a Communist party, I provide an overview of the (institutional) context of the Swedish party system. Then I trace V’s ideological development before, during and after its experience as a support party. The next section discusses the consequences of V’s support party experience, while the final section provides a brief analysis of the party’s future prospects. As we shall see, a combination of unfavourable institutional factors and unsolved strategic dilemmas weakened V’s bargaining power vis-à-vis its support partner (the Social Democrats). More ominously, on account of the structural changes within the Swedish party system the future prospects of V joining a coalition government are anything but rosy.

Francisco R Stefanini,1–3 Maurício Maia,1 Paulo Falabella,1–3 Marcel Pfister,2,3 Moritz Niemeyer,2 Amir H Kashani,3 Mark S Humayun,3 Michael J Koss2,3,41Retina Division, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; 2Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, GermanyAbstract: The recent approval by the US Food and Drug Administration of ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), often associated with vitreomacular traction (VMT) and macular hole (MH), has brought new attention to the field of pharmacologic vitreolysis. The need for an enzyme to split the vitreomacular interface, which is formed by a strong adhesive interaction between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane, historically stems from pediatric eye surgery. This review summarizes the different anatomic classifications of posterior vitreous detachment or anomalous posterior vitreous detachment and puts these in the context of clinical pathologies commonly observed in clinical practice of the vitreoretinal specialist, such as MH, VMT, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic macular edema. We revisit the outcome of the Phase II studies that indicated ocriplasmin was a safe and effective treatment for selected cases of symptomatic VMA and MH. Release of VMA at day 28 was achieved by 26.5% of patients in the ocriplasmin group versus 10.1% in the placebo group (P

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of vision loss around the world, being the leading cause in the population between 20 and 60 years old. Among patients with DR, diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most frequent cause of vision impairment and represents a significant public health issue. Macular photocoagulation has been the standard treatment for this condition reducing the risk of moderate visual loss by approximately 50%. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in DR and DME pathogenesis has been demonstrated in recent studies. This review addresses and summarizes data from the clinical trials that investigated anti-VEGF for the management of DME and evaluates their impact on clinical practice. The literature searches were conducted between August and October 2013 in PubMed and Cochrane Library with no date restrictions and went through the most relevant studies on pegaptanib, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept for the management of DME. The efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF as therapy for DME have recently been proved by various clinical trials providing significantly positive visual and anatomical results. Regarding clinical practice, those outcomes have placed intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF as an option that must be considered for the treatment of DME.

We present the results from a large 850 micron survey of the sigma Orionis cluster using the SCUBA-2 camera on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. The 0.5-degree diameter circular region we surveyed contains 297 young stellar objects with an age estimated at about 3Myr. We detect 9 of these objects, 8 of which have infrared excesses from an inner disc. We also serendipitously detect 3 non-stellar sources at > 5sigma that are likely background submillimetre galaxies. The 9 detected stars have inferred disc masses ranging from 5 to about 17MJup, assuming similar dust properties as Taurus discs and an ISM gas-to-dust ratio of 100. There is a net positive signal toward the positions of the individually undetected infrared excess sources indicating a mean disc mass of 0.5 MJup . Stacking the emission toward those stars without infrared excesses constrains their mean disc mass to less than 0.3MJup, or an equivalent Earth mass in dust. The submillimetre luminosity distribution is significantly different from that in the younger Taurus region, indicating disc mass evolution as star forming regions age and the infrared excess fraction decreases. Submillimeter Array observations reveal CO emission toward 4 sources demonstrating that some, but probably not much, molecular gas remains in these relatively evolved discs. These observations provide new constraints on the dust and gas mass of protoplanetary discs during the giant planet building phase and provide a reference level for future studies of disc evolution., 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS