Inflation of 430-parsec bipolar radio bubbles in the Galactic Centre by an energetic event.

The Galactic Centre contains a supermassive black hole with a mass of four million Suns1 within an environment that differs markedly from that of the Galactic disk. Although the black hole is essentially quiescent in the broader context of active galactic nuclei, X-ray observations have provided evidence for energetic outbursts from its surroundings2. Also, although the levels of star formation in the Galactic Centre have been approximately constant over the past few hundred million years, there is evidence of increased short-duration bursts3, strongly influenced by the interaction of the black hole with the enhanced gas density present within the ring-like central molecular zone4 at Galactic longitude |l| < 0.7 degrees and latitude |b| < 0.2 degrees. The inner 200-parsec region is characterized by large amounts of warm molecular gas5, a high cosmic-ray ionization rate6, unusual gas chemistry, enhanced synchrotron emission7,8, and a multitude of radio-emitting magnetized filaments9, the origin of which has not been established. Here we report radio imaging that reveals a bipolar bubble structure, with an overall span of 1 degree by 3 degrees (140 parsecs × 430 parsecs), extending above and below the Galactic plane and apparently associated with the Galactic Centre. The structure is edge-brightened and bounded, with symmetry implying creation by an energetic event in the Galactic Centre. We estimate the age of the bubbles to be a few million years, with a total energy of 7 × 1052 ergs. We postulate that the progenitor event was a major contributor to the increased cosmic-ray density in the Galactic Centre, and is in turn the principal source of the relativistic particles required to power the synchrotron emission of the radio filaments within and in the vicinity of the bubble cavities.

[The 'signe du miroir'. Psychopathological reflections on a forgotten phenomenon]. / Het 'signe du miroir'. Psychopathologische bespiegelingen aan de hand van een vergeten fenomeen.

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of the last century, the 'signe du miroir' was considered to be a frequent and alarming prodrome of schizophrenia. Since then, the concept has fallen into oblivion. AIM: To study and clarify the 'signe du miroir' concept in an attempt to bridge the gap between observable behaviour and subjective experiences. METHOD: Background information was obtained by searching on PubMed, Google Scholar and Google and applying the snowball method. RESULTS: In various psychiatric disorders, patients may experience disturbing disorders of self-perception. By seeing themselves in a mirror they are able to test their experiences against external reality. Presumably this is the phenomenon that underlies the 'signe du miroir'. In theory, this phenomenon may mark the transition from intact reality testing to aberrant reality testing. In practice, talking about the phenomenon may lead to more comprehensive and earlier diagnosis of psychopathology and to a better working relationship. CONCLUSION: A forgotten phenomenon such as the 'signe du miroir' illustrates the value of reinstating the practice of observing patients meticulously and thereby developing the ability to perceive patients underlying subjective experiences.

Schizophrenia as a self-disorder due to perceptual incoherence.

The aim of this review is to describe the potential relationship between multisensory disintegration and self-disorders in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Sensory processing impairments affecting multisensory integration have been demonstrated in schizophrenia. From a developmental perspective multisensory integration is considered to be crucial for normal self-experience. An impairment of multisensory integration is called 'perceptual incoherence'. We theorize that perceptual incoherence may evoke incoherent self-experiences including depersonalization, ambivalence, diminished sense of agency, and 'loosening of associations' between thoughts, feelings and actions that lie within the framework of 'self-disorders' as described by Sass and Parnas (2003). We postulate that subconscious attempts to restore perceptual coherence may induce hallucinations and delusions. Increased insight into mechanisms underlying 'self-disorders' may enhance our understanding of schizophrenia, improve recognition of early psychosis, and extend the range of therapeutic possibilities.