| 1. |
- Andreoni, I., et al.
(författare)
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Follow Up of GW170817 and Its Electromagnetic Counterpart by Australian-Led Observing Programmes
- 2017
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Ingår i: Publications Astronomical Society of Australia. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1323-3580 .- 1448-6083. ; 34
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The discovery of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal has generated follow-up observations by over 50 facilities world-wide, ushering in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy. In this paper, we present follow-up observations of the gravitational wave event GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart SSS17a/DLT17ck (IAU label AT2017gfo) by 14 Australian telescopes and partner observatories as part of Australian-based and Australian-led research programs. We report early- to late-time multi-wavelength observations, including optical imaging and spectroscopy, mid-infrared imaging, radio imaging, and searches for fast radio bursts. Our optical spectra reveal that the transient source emission cooled from approximately 6 400 K to 2 100 K over a 7-d period and produced no significant optical emission lines. The spectral profiles, cooling rate, and photometric light curves are consistent with the expected outburst and subsequent processes of a binary neutron star merger. Star formation in the host galaxy probably ceased at least a Gyr ago, although there is evidence for a galaxy merger. Binary pulsars with short (100 Myr) decay times are therefore unlikely progenitors, but pulsars like PSR B1534+12 with its 2.7 Gyr coalescence time could produce such a merger. The displacement (similar to 2.2 kpc) of the binary star system from the centre of the main galaxy is not unusual for stars in the host galaxy or stars originating in the merging galaxy, and therefore any constraints on the kick velocity imparted to the progenitor are poor.
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| 2. |
- Franceschini, N., et al.
(författare)
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GWAS and colocalization analyses implicate carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque loci in cardiovascular outcomes
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carotid artery intima media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque are measures of subclinical atherosclerosis associated with ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD). Here, we undertake meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 71,128 individuals for cIMT, and 48,434 individuals for carotid plaque traits. We identify eight novel susceptibility loci for cIMT, one independent association at the previously-identified PINX1 locus, and one novel locus for carotid plaque. Colocalization analysis with nearby vascular expression quantitative loci (cis-eQTLs) derived from arterial wall and metabolic tissues obtained from patients with CHD identifies candidate genes at two potentially additional loci, ADAMTS9 and LOXL4. LD score regression reveals significant genetic correlations between cIMT and plaque traits, and both cIMT and plaque with CHD, any stroke subtype and ischemic stroke. Our study provides insights into genes and tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms linking atherosclerosis both to its functional genomic origins and its clinical consequences in humans. © 2018, The Author(s).
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| 3. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(författare)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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| 4. |
- Shimwell, T. W., et al.
(författare)
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The LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey: V. Second data release
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 659
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this data release from the ongoing LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) Two-metre Sky Survey we present 120a 168 MHz images covering 27% of the northern sky. Our coverage is split into two regions centred at approximately 12h45m +44 30a and 1h00m +28 00a and spanning 4178 and 1457 square degrees respectively. The images were derived from 3451 h (7.6 PB) of LOFAR High Band Antenna data which were corrected for the direction-independent instrumental properties as well as direction-dependent ionospheric distortions during extensive, but fully automated, data processing. A catalogue of 4 396 228 radio sources is derived from our total intensity (Stokes I) maps, where the majority of these have never been detected at radio wavelengths before. At 6a resolution, our full bandwidth Stokes I continuum maps with a central frequency of 144 MHz have: a median rms sensitivity of 83 μJy beama 1; a flux density scale accuracy of approximately 10%; an astrometric accuracy of 0.2a; and we estimate the point-source completeness to be 90% at a peak brightness of 0.8 mJy beama 1. By creating three 16 MHz bandwidth images across the band we are able to measure the in-band spectral index of many sources, albeit with an error on the derived spectral index of > a ±a 0.2 which is a consequence of our flux-density scale accuracy and small fractional bandwidth. Our circular polarisation (Stokes V) 20a resolution 120a168 MHz continuum images have a median rms sensitivity of 95 μJy beama 1, and we estimate a Stokes I to Stokes V leakage of 0.056%. Our linear polarisation (Stokes Q and Stokes U) image cubes consist of 480a A a 97.6 kHz wide planes and have a median rms sensitivity per plane of 10.8 mJy beama 1 at 4a and 2.2 mJy beama 1 at 20a; we estimate the Stokes I to Stokes Q/U leakage to be approximately 0.2%. Here we characterise and publicly release our Stokes I, Q, U and V images in addition to the calibrated uv-data to facilitate the thorough scientific exploitation of this unique dataset.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Bhat, N. D. R., et al.
(författare)
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Observations of Low-frequency Radio Emission from Millisecond Pulsars and Multipath Propagation in the Interstellar Medium
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series. - : American Astronomical Society. - 1538-4365 .- 0067-0049. ; 238:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studying the gravitational-wave sky with pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) is a key science goal for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and its pathfinder telescopes. With current PTAs reaching sub-microsecond timing precision, making accurate measurements of interstellar propagation effects and mitigating them effectively has become increasingly important to realize PTA goals. As these effects are much stronger at longer wavelengths, low-frequency observations are most appealing for characterizing the interstellar medium (ISM) along the sight lines toward PTA pulsars. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and the Engineering Development Array (EDA), which utilizes MWA technologies, present promising opportunities for undertaking such studies, particularly for PTA pulsars located in the southern sky. Such pulsars are also the prime targets for PTA efforts planned with the South African MeerKAT, and eventually with the SKA. In this paper we report on observations of two bright southern millisecond pulsars, PSR J0437-4715 and PSR J2145-0750, made with these facilities; MWA observations sampled multiple frequencies across the 80-250 MHz frequency range, while the EDA provided direct-sampled baseband data to yield a large instantaneous usable bandwidth of similar to 200 MHz. Using these exploratory observations, we investigate various aspects relating to pulsar emission and ISM properties, such as spectral evolution of the mean pulse shape, scintillation as a function of frequency, chromaticity in interstellar dispersion, and flux density spectra at low frequencies. Systematic and regular monitoring observations will help ascertain the role of low-frequency measurements in PTA experiments, while simultaneously providing a detailed characterization of the ISM toward the pulsars, which will be useful in devising optimal observing strategies for future PTA experiments.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Fransson, P., et al.
(författare)
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Ultra-hypofractionated versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer (HYPO-RT-PC): patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes of a randomised, controlled, 3 trial
- 2021
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Ingår i: Lancet Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1470-2045. ; 22:2, s. 235-245
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The HYPO-RT-PC trial compared conventionally fractionated radiotherapy with ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with localised prostate cancer. Ultra-hypofractionation was non-inferior to conventional fractionation regarding 5-year failure-free survival and toxicity. We aimed to assess whether patient-reported quality of life (QOL) differs between conventional fractionation and ultra-hypofractionation up to 6 years after treatment in the HYPO-RT-PC trial. Methods HYPO-RT-PC is a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial done in 12 centres (seven university hospitals and five county hospitals) in Sweden and Denmark. Inclusion criteria were histologically verified intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer (defined as T1c-T3a with one or two of the following risk factors: stage T3a; Gleason score >= 7; and prostate-specific antigen 10-20 ng/mL with no evidence of lymph node involvement or distant metastases), age up to 75 years, and WHO performance status 0-2. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to conventional fractionation (78.0 Gy in 39 fractions, 5 days per week for 8 weeks) or ultra-hypofractionation (42.7 Gy in seven fractions, 3 days per week for 2.5 weeks) via a minimisation algorithm with stratification by trial centre, T-stage, Gleason score, and prostate-specific antigen. QOL was measured using the validated Prostate Cancer Symptom Scale (PCSS) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) at baseline, the end of radiotherapy, months 3, 6, 12, and 24 after radiotherapy, every other year thereafter up to 10 years, and at 15 years. The primary endpoint (failure-free survival) has been reported elsewhere. Here we report QOL, a secondary endpoint analysed in the perprotocol population, up to 6 years after radiotherapy. The HYPO-RT-PC trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN45905321. Findings Between July 1, 2005, and Nov 4, 2015, 1200 patients were enrolled and 1180 were randomly assigned (conventional fractionation n=591, ultra-hypofractionation n=589); 1165 patients (conventional fractionation n=582, ultra-hypofractionation n=583) were included in this QOL analysis. 158 (71%) of 223 patients in the conventional fractionation group and 146 (66%) of 220 in the ultra-hypofractionation group completed questionnaires at 6 years. The median follow-up was 48 months (IQR 25-72). In seven of ten bowel symptoms or problems the proportion of patients with clinically relevant deteriorations at the end of radiotherapy was significantly higher in the ultra-hypofractionation group than in the conventional fractionation group (stool frequency [p<0.0001], rush to toilet [p=0.0013], flatulence [p=0.0013], bowel cramp [p<0.0001], mucus [p=0.0014], blood in stool [p<0.0001], and limitation in daily activity [p=0.0014]). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with clinically relevant acute urinary symptoms or problems (total 14 items) and sexual functioning between the two treatment groups at end of radiotherapy. Thereafter, there were no clinically relevant differences in urinary, bowel, or sexual functioning between the groups. At the 6-year followup there was no difference in the incidence of clinically relevant deterioration between the groups for overall urinary bother (43 [33%] of 132 for conventional fractionation vs 33 [28%] of 120 for ultra-hypofractionation; mean difference 5.1% [95% CI -4.4 to 14.6]; p=0.38), overall bowel bother (43 [33%] of 129 vs 34 [28%] of 123; 5.7% [-3.8 to 15.2]; p=0.33), overall sexual bother (75 [60%] of 126 vs 59 [50%] of 117; 9.1% [-1.4 to 19.6]; p=0.15), or global health/QOL (56 [42%] of 134 vs 46 [37%] of 125; 5.0% [-5.0 to 15.0]; p=0.41). Interpretation Although acute toxicity was higher for ultra-hypofractionation than conventional fractionation, this long-term patient-reported QOL analysis shows that ultra-hypofractionation was as well tolerated as conventional fractionation up to 6 years after completion of treatment. These findings support the use of ultra-hypofractionation radiotherapy for intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer.
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| 10. |
- Lange, S, et al.
(författare)
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The kinase domain of titin controls muscle gene expression and protein turnover
- 2005
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Ingår i: Science (New York, N.Y.). - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 308:5728, s. 1599-1603
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The giant sarcomeric protein titin contains a protein kinase domain (TK) ideally positioned to sense mechanical load. We identified a signaling complex where TK interacts with the zinc-finger protein nbr1 through a mechanically inducible conformation. Nbr1 targets the ubiquitin-associated p62/SQSTM1 to sarcomeres, and p62 in turn interacts with MuRF2, a muscle-specific RING-B-box E3 ligase and ligand of the transactivation domain of the serum response transcription factor (SRF). Nuclear translocation of MuRF2 was induced by mechanical inactivity and caused reduction of nuclear SRF and repression of transcription. A human mutation in the titin protein kinase domain causes hereditary muscle disease by disrupting this pathway.
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| 11. |
- Sun, B, et al.
(författare)
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Biophysical and physiological properties of a modified porcine surfactant enriched with surfactant protein A
- 1997
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Ingår i: The European respiratory journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 10:9, s. 1967-1974
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Surfactant protein A (SP-A), a major protein component of natural pulmonary surfactant, is absent in exogenous surfactants currently used in clinical practice. We investigated the physical and physiological properties of one of these modified natural surfactants (Curosurf) after enrichment with 5% SP-A (SP-A-Curosurf). A pulsating bubble system was used for in vitro assessments and ventilated newborn rabbits for evaluation of in vivo effects. In the presence of various potential inhibitors (meconium 5 mg.mL-1, fibrinogen 5 mg.mL-1, albumin 25 mg.mL-1, or whole serum proteins 25 mg.mL-1), Curosurf at a concentration of 5 mg.mL-1 was inactivated while SP-A-Curosurf and natural porcine surfactant at the same concentration had normal maximum and minimum surface tension. This protective effect of SP-A was calcium dependent. In immature newborn rabbits, the improvement of lung-thorax compliance observed after treatment with 100 mg.kg-1 of SP-A-Curosurf was equivalent to that obtained with 200 mg.kg-1 of Curosurf. Similarly, in near-term newborn rabbits with respiratory failure induced by instillation of fibrinogen via the airways, the increase in compliance after administration of 100 mg.kg-1 of SP-A-Curosurf corresponded to that seen after treatment with 200 mg.kg-1 of Curosurf, whereas Curosurf at a dose of 100 mg.kg-1 had no substantial effect. Our data thus indicate that surfactant protein A increases the resistance of Curosurf to inactivation under in vivo conditions.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Widmark, A., et al.
(författare)
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Ultra-hypofractionated versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer: 5-year outcomes of the HYPO-RT-PC randomised, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial
- 2019
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Ingår i: Lancet. - : Elsevier BV. - 0140-6736. ; 394:10196, s. 385-395
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer has gained increased attention due to its proposed high radiation-fraction sensitivity. Recent reports from studies comparing moderately hypofractionated and conventionally fractionated radiotherapy support the clinical use of moderate hypofractionation. To date, there are no published randomised studies on ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy. Here, we report the outcomes of the Scandinavian HYPO-RTPC phase 3 trial with the aim to show non-inferiority of ultra-hypofractionation compared with conventional fractionation. Methods In this open-label, randomised, phase 3 non-inferiority trial done in 12 centres in Sweden and Denmark, we recruited men up to 75 years of age with intermediate-to-high-risk prostate cancer and a WHO performance status between 0 and 2. Patients were randomly assigned to ultra-hypofractionation (42.7 Gy in seven fractions, 3 days per week for 2.5 weeks) or conventional fractionated radiotherapy (78.0 Gy in 39 fractions, 5 days per week for 8 weeks). No androgen deprivation therapy was allowed. The primary endpoint was time to biochemical or clinical failure, analysed in the per-protocol population. The prespecified non-inferiority margin was 4% at 5 years, corresponding to a critical hazard ratio (HR) limit of 1.338. Physician-recorded toxicity was measured according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity scale and patient-reported outcome measurements with the Prostate Cancer Symptom Scale (PCSS) questionnaire. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN45905321. Findings Between July 1, 2005, and Nov 4, 2015, 1200 patients were randomly assigned to conventional fractionation (n=602) or ultra-hypofractionation (n=598), of whom 1180 (591 conventional fractionation and 589 ultra-hypofractionation) constituted the per-protocol population. 1054 (89%) participants were intermediate risk and 126 (11%) were high risk. Median follow-up time was 5.0 years (IQR 3.1-7.0). The estimated failure-free survival at 5 years was 84% (95% CI 80-87) in both treatment groups, with an adjusted HR of 1.002 (95% CI 0.758-1.325; log-rank p=0.99). There was weak evidence of an increased frequency of acute physician-reported RTOG grade 2 or worse urinary toxicity in the ultra-hypofractionation group at end of radiotherapy (158 [28%] of 569 patients vs 132 [23%] of 578 patients; p=0.057). There were no significant differences in grade 2 or worse urinary or bowel late toxicity between the two treatment groups at any point after radiotherapy, except for an increase in urinary toxicity in the ultra-hypofractionation group compared to the conventional fractionation group at 1-year follow-up (32 [6%] of 528 patients vs 13 [2%] of 529 patients; (p=0.0037). We observed no differences between groups in frequencies at 5 years of RTOG grade 2 or worse urinary toxicity (11 [5%] of 243 patients for the ultra-hypofractionation group vs 12 [5%] of 249 for the conventional fractionation group; p=1.00) and bowel toxicity (three [1%] of 244 patients vs nine [4%] of 249 patients; p=0.14). Patient-reported outcomes revealed significantly higher levels of acute urinary and bowel symptoms in the ultra-hypofractionation group compared with the conventional fractionation group but no significant increases in late symptoms were found, except for increased urinary symptoms at 1-year follow-up, consistent with the physician-evaluated toxicity. Interpretation Ultra-hypofractionated radiotherapy is non-inferior to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for intermediate-to-high risk prostate cancer regarding failure-free survival. Early side-effects are more pronounced with ultra-hypofractionation compared with conventional fractionation whereas late toxicity is similar in both treatment groups. The results support the use of ultra-hypofractionation for radiotherapy of prostate cancer. Copyright (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 18. |
- Bergendorff, O., et al.
(författare)
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Screening of some European medicinal plants for spasmolytic activity on isolated guinea-pig trachea
- 1995
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Ingår i: International Journal of Pharmacognosy. - 0925-1618. ; 33:4, s. 356-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Eight European plants, used traditionally against diseases of the respiratory system, have been assayed for in vitro spasmolytic activity on guinea-pig trachea. The plants were collected or cultivated in the south of Sweden, and both water and 67% methanol extracts of the parts reported to be used in the traditional medicine were prepared and assayed. Five of the species did not show any significant activity at concentrations up to 0.6 mg extract per ml organ bath, the methanol extracts of 2 species (Glechoma hederacea and Hyssopus officinale) showed weak activity, while 0.6 mg/ml of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia abrotanum relaxed the tone induced by 0.1 μmol/l carbachol almost (80%) as effectively as 2.2 mmol/l terbutaline.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Broderick, J. W., et al.
(författare)
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LOFAR 144-MHz follow-up observations of GW170817
- 2020
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Ingår i: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 494:4, s. 5110-5117
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present low-radio-frequency follow-up observations of AT 2017gfo, the electromagnetic counterpart of GW170817, which was the first binary neutron star merger to be detected by Advanced LIGO-Virgo. These data, with a central frequency of 144 MHz, were obtained with LOFAR, the Low-Frequency Array. The maximum elevation of the target is just 13 degrees.7 when observed with LOFAR, making our observations particularly challenging to calibrate and significantly limiting the achievable sensitivity. On time-scales of 130-138 and 371-374 d after the merger event, we obtain 3s upper limits for the afterglow component of 6.6 and 19.5mJy beam(-1), respectively. Using our best upper limit and previously published, contemporaneous higher frequency radio data, we place a limit on any potential steepening of the radio spectrum between 610 and 144 MHz: the two-point spectral index alpha(610)(144) greater than or similar to -2.5. We also show that LOFAR can detect the afterglows of future binary neutron star merger events occurring at more favourable elevations.
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| 23. |
- Förlin, Lars, 1950, et al.
(författare)
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Effektscreening –Biologisk effektövervakning i förorenade områdenlängs Sveriges kust2017–2018
- 2019
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Undersökningarna visar att samtliga metoder inklusive undersökningar av hälsotillståndet hos fisk, fortplantning och biomarkörer hos vitmärla, lysosomal membranstabilitet hos mussla och imposex hos snäckor med få undantag visade på tydliga effekter i de åtta undersökta och förorenade områdena längs Sveriges kuster. En jämförelse mellan de olika metoderna visar, med undantag för området i Uddevalla/Byfjorden, en tydlig påverkan i resterande undersökta områdena. I Byfjorden noterades mindre stressade musslor och endast låga stadier av imposex hos snäckor medan fiskhälsan kunde konstateras vara påverkad. Utöver Byfjorden gjordes undersökningar med mer än en av metoderna även i Sundsvallsfjärden, Norrsundet, Bråviken, Ronnebyåns mynning och Landskrona. I dessa områden visar jämförelsen mellan metoderna att samtliga indikerar en tydlig påverkan. Att samtliga metoder ger utslag beror sannolikt på att alla valda undersökningsområden har en mycket komplex och ganska påtaglig föroreningsbelastning vilket innebär att det kan förväntas att de flesta organismer som lever i dessa områden kan uppvisa effekter som kan härledas till påverkan av miljöstörande ämnen. I Sverige är den nationella effektbaserade miljöövervakningen i marin miljö väsentligen inriktad på att undersöka effekter av miljögifter i referensområden. Sådana områden karakteriseras av att de ska ligga på stort avstånd från större befolkningscentra och industrier, eller till exempel inte ligga nära stora flodmynningar. Resultaten från denna studie kompletterar den ordinarie miljöövervakningen i referensområden och visar med stor tydlighet att de undersökta områdena är källor för miljöstörande ämnen till vattenmiljön. Undersökningarna visar också att det är önskvärt att kontinuerlig biologisk effektövervakning kommer igång i något eller några påverkade områden inom ramen för den nationella miljöövervakningen för att parallellt följa förändringar i miljön nära eller en bit från påtagliga, mer eller mindre kontinuerliga föroreningskällor i vårt samhälle. Detta skulle också komplettera Sveriges internationella rapportering av miljödata genom att förutom att rapportera effektdata från referensområden även kunna rapportera data från påverkade/förorenade områden.
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