Abstract We detail a new fast radio burst (FRB) survey with the Molonglo Radio Telescope, in which six FRBs were detected between 2017 June and 2018 December. By using a real-time FRB detection system, we captured raw voltages for five of the six events, which allowed for coherent dedispersion and very high time resolution (10.24 $\mu$s) studies of the bursts. Five of the FRBs show temporal broadening consistent with interstellar and/or intergalactic scattering, with scattering time-scales ranging from 0.16 to 29.1 ms. One burst, FRB181017, shows remarkable temporal structure, with three peaks each separated by 1 ms. We searched for phase-coherence between the leading and trailing peaks and found none, ruling out lensing scenarios. Based on this survey, we calculate an all-sky rate at 843 MHz of $98^{+59}_{-39}$ events sky−1 d−1 to a fluence limit of 8 Jy ms: a factor of 7 below the rates estimated from the Parkes and ASKAP telescopes at 1.4 GHz assuming the ASKAP-derived spectral index α = −1.6 (Fν ∝ να). Our results suggest that FRB spectra may turn over below 1 GHz. Optical, radio, and X-ray follow-up has been made for most of the reported bursts, with no associated transients found. No repeat bursts were found in the survey.

The flat-spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 experienced a prolonged state of enhanced activity across the entire observed electromagnetic spectrum during 2016–2017, most pronounced during a major outburst between 2016 December and 2017 May. Fermi-LAT observed a flux of (2.2 ± 0.2) × 10−5 photons cm−2 s−1 at energies above 100 MeV on 2017 April 19 during a single orbit. We report here the detection of significant (4.7σ) flux variations down to timescales of ∼5 minutes during this orbit. The measured variability timescale is much shorter than the light-travel time across the central black hole (∼70 minutes) indicating a very compact emission region within the jet, similar to that seen in IC 310, Mrk 501, or PKS 1222+21 from MAGIC observations. This short-timescale variability is unexpected since the γ-ray spectrum shows no sign of attenuation due to pair creation in interactions with photons from the broad emission line region, and therefore must be assumed to originate far from the black hole. The observed fast variability could either indicate the dissipation of magnetic islands or protons in a collimated beam from the base of the jet encountering the turbulent plasma at the end of the magnetic nozzle.

Context Routine electronic patient-reported outcome collection in patients with advanced disease could improve communication among patients, caregivers and providers and improve the timeliness of identifying problems and effectiveness of follow-up. Objective To develop a web-based tool to collect symptoms and need data and provide feedback to hospice and palliative care patients, caregivers and providers. Methods We developed Tell Us™ based on an existing pure web technology platform, the Medical Decision Logic, Inc. (“mdlogix”) Health Science Process Framework (HSPF™). The software development process included eliciting information on systems and needs and mapping care processes with three diverse hospices, and soliciting ideas for the software from clinicians and researchers. We developed a prototype software product, incorporated the hospices’ processes, assessment questions, and educational materials, and refined the product with feedback from other hospice and palliative care professionals. Results Tell Us includes modules for authoring and deploying clinical queries and completion schedules; for enrolling clinical sites and patients for patients and/or families to complete assigned assessments on a scheduled basis; and for providers to view patient-reported data. Tell Us provides customizable automated provider e-mail alerts based on patient responses (such as uncontrolled symptoms or need for medication refills) and provides educational materials targeted to patient needs. Conclusions This web-based toolset may be useful for improving communication between hospice and palliative care patients, caregivers, and providers and proactive patient management. Future research will involve integrating the software into care and evaluating its feasibility and use for data collection, patient education, and improving outcomes.

We present the timing and spectral studies of RX J0209.6–7427 during its rare 2019 outburst using observations with the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) instruments on the AstroSat satellite. Pulsations having a periodicity of 9.29 s were detected for the first time by the NICER mission in the 0.2–10 keV energy band and, as reported here, by AstroSat over a broad energy band covering 0.3–80 keV. The pulsar exhibits a rapid spin-up during the outburst. Energy resolved folded pulse profiles are generated in several energy bands in 3–80 keV. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of the timing and spectral characteristics of this Be binary pulsar in hard X-rays. There is suggestion of evolution of the pulse profile with energy. The energy spectrum of the pulsar is determined and from the best-fitting spectral values, the X-ray luminosity of RX J0209.6−7427 is inferred to be 1.6 × 1039 erg s−1. Our timing and spectral studies suggest that this source has features of an ultraluminous X-ray pulsar in the Magellanic Bridge. Details of the results are presented and discussed in terms of the current ideas.