Core-Collapse Supernovae and Host Galaxy Stellar Populations

We have used images and spectra of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to examine the host galaxies of 519 nearby supernovae. The colors at the sites of the explosions, as well as chemical abundances, and specific star formation rates of the host galaxies provide circumstantial evidence on the origin of each supernova type. We examine separately SN II, SN IIn, SN IIb, SN Ib, SN Ic, and SN Ic with broad lines (SN Ic-BL). For host galaxies that have multiple spectroscopic fibers, we select the fiber with host radial offset most similar to that of the SN. Type Ic SN explode at small host offsets, and their hosts have exceptionally strongly star-forming, metal-rich, and dusty stellar populations near their centers. The SN Ic-BL and SN IIb explode in exceptionally blue locations, and, in our sample, we find that the host spectra for SN Ic-BL show lower average oxygen abundances than those for SN Ic. SN IIb host fiber spectra are also more metal-poor than those for SN Ib, although a significant difference exists for only one of two strong-line diagnostics. SN Ic-BL host galaxy emission lines show strong central specific star formation rates. In contrast, we find no strong evidence for different environments for SN IIn compared to the sites of SN II. Because our supernova sample is constructed from a variety of sources, there is always a risk that sampling methods can produce misleading results. We have separated the supernovae discovered by targeted surveys from those discovered by galaxy-impartial searches to examine these questions and show that our results do not depend sensitively on the discovery technique.Comment: Accepted by the Astrophysical Journal (22 July 2012), conclusions not changed, extended discussion of sample construction and updated SN spectroscopic type

Supernovae 2016bdu and 2005gl, and their link with SN 2009ip-like transients: another piece of the puzzle

Supernova (SN) 2016bdu is an unusual transient resembling SN 2009ip. SN 2009ip-like events are characterized by a long-lasting phase of erratic variability which ends with two luminous outbursts a few weeks apart. The second outburst is significantly more luminous (about 3 mag) than the first. In the case of SN 2016bdu, the first outburst (Event A) reached an absolute magnitude M(r) ~ -15.3 mag, while the second one (Event B) occurred over one month later and reached M(r) ~ -18 mag. By inspecting archival data, a faint source at the position of SN 2016bdu is detectable several times in the past few years. We interpret these detections as signatures of a phase of erratic variability, similar to that experienced by SN 2009ip between 2008 and mid-2012, and resembling the currently observed variability of the luminous blue variable SN 2000ch in NGC 3432. Spectroscopic monitoring of SN 2016bdu during the second peak initially shows features typical of a SN IIn. One month after the Event B maximum, the spectra develop broad Balmer lines with P Cygni profiles and broad metal features. At these late phases, the spectra resemble those of a typical Type II SN. All members of this SN 2009ip-like group are remarkably similar to the Type IIn SN 2005gl. For this object, the claim of a terminal SN explosion is supported by the disappearance of the progenitor star. The similarity with SN 2005gl suggests that all members of this family may finally explode as genuine SNe, although the unequivocal detection of nucleosynthesised elements in their nebular spectra is still missing.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS on April 10, 2017; re-submitted on June 23 including suggestions from the referee. 24 pages, 12 figures, 5 table

Precision Synthesis of Silicon Nanowires with Crystalline Core and Amorphous Shell

A synthetic route to crystalline silicon (Si) nanowires with an amorphous Si shell is reported. Trisilane (Si3H8) and Sn(HMDS)(2) are decomposed in supercritical toluene at 450 degrees C. Sn(HMDS)(2) creates Sn nanoparticles that seed Si nanowire growth by the supercritical fluid-liquid-solid (SFLS) mechanism. The Si : Sn ratio in the reaction determines the growth of amorphous Si shell. No amorphous shell forms at relatively low Si : Sn ratios of 20 : 1, whereas higher Si : Sn ratio of 40 : 1 leads to significant amorphous shell. We propose that hydrogen evolved from trisilane decomposition etches away the Sn seed particles as nanowires grow, which promotes the amorphous Si shell deposition when the higher Si : Sn ratios are used.Robert A. Welch Foundation F-1464U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences DE-SC0001091National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate FellowshipChemistr

Late Light Curves of Normal Type Ia Supernovae

We present late-epoch optical photometry (BVRI) of seven normal/super-luminous Type Ia supernovae: SN 2000E, SN 2000ce, SN 2000cx, SN 2001C, SN 2001V, SN 2001bg, SN 2001dp. The photometry of these objects was obtained using a template subtraction method to eliminate galaxy light contamination during aperture photometry. We show the optical light curves of these supernovae out to epochs of up to ~640 days after the explosion of the supernova. We show a linear decline in these data during the epoch of 200-500 days after explosion with the decline rate in the B,V,& R bands equal to about 1.4 mag/100 days, but the decline rate of the I-band is much shallower at 0.94 mag/100 days.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figures, Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

The Host Galaxies of Fast-Ejecta Core-Collapse Supernovae

Spectra of broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SN Ic-BL), the only kind of SN observed at the locations of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), exhibit wide features indicative of high ejecta velocities (~0.1c). We study the host galaxies of a sample of 245 low-redshift (z<0.2) core-collapse SN, including 17 SN Ic-BL, discovered by galaxy-untargeted searches, and 15 optically luminous and dust-obscured z<1.2 LGRBs. We show that, in comparison with SDSS galaxies having similar stellar masses, the hosts of low-redshift SN Ic-BL and z<1.2 LGRBs have high stellar-mass and star-formation-rate densities. Core-collapse SN having typical ejecta velocities, in contrast, show no preference for such galaxies. Moreover, we find that the hosts of SN Ic-BL, unlike those of SN Ib/Ic and SN II, exhibit high gas velocity dispersions for their stellar masses. The patterns likely reflect variations among star-forming environments, and suggest that LGRBs can be used as probes of conditions in high-redshift galaxies. They may be caused by efficient formation of massive binary progenitors systems in densely star-forming regions, or, less probably, a higher fraction of stars created with the initial masses required for a SN Ic-BL or LGRB. Finally, we show that the preference of SN Ic-BL and LGRBs for galaxies with high stellar-mass and star-formation-rate densities cannot be attributed to a preference for low metal abundances but must reflect the influence of a separate environmental factor.Comment: Accepted by ApJ 9 May 2014 with only minor revision

A comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of silver diamine fluoride and silver nitrate: an in vitro study

A COMPARISON OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE AND SILVER NITRATE: AN IN VITRO STUDY By: Nicholas L Luke, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, May 2018 Thesis Advisor: William O. Dahlke Jr., D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry, Department Chair Purpose: To determine the antimicrobial efficacy of SDF and SN/NaF. Methods: Three bacterial species were combined to create an in vitro biofilm. Treatment was completed with SN, SN/NaF, SDF, SDF½ or untreated (control). Results: The untreated group demonstrated significantly higher growth than all other treatment groups across the study. On the BHI-plates (1-day), there were significant differences between all treatments except SDF and SDF½. On the BHI-plates (3-days), SN/NaF was not significantly different from SDF or SDF½. On the L-MRS-plates (1-day), both SN treatment groups yielded significantly higher growth than the SDF groups. On the L-MRS-plates (3-days), SN yielded significantly higher growth than SN/NaF, SDF, and SDF½. Conclusion: SDF is more effective than SN/NaF, with the exception of BHI-plates (3-days) only and SN/NaF is more effective than SN on primarily S. mutans and L. acidophilus. There is evidence of a possible antimicrobial tolerance of oral bacteria to silver