1,023 research outputs found
The Spatial Distribution of Star Formation in the Solar Neighbourhood: Do all stars form in clusters?
We present a global study of low mass, young stellar object (YSO) surface
densities in nearby (< 500 pc) star forming regions based on a comprehensive
collection of Spitzer Space Telescope surveys. We show that the distribution of
YSO surface densities in the solar neighbourhood is a smooth distribution,
being adequately described by a lognormal function from a few to 10^3 YSOs per
pc^2, with a peak at 22 stars/pc^2 and a dispersion of 0.85. We do not find
evidence for multiple discrete modes of star-formation (e.g. clustered and
distributed). Comparing the observed surface density distribution to previously
reported surface density threshold definitions of clusters, we find that the
fraction of stars in clusters is crucially dependent on the adopted
definitions, ranging from 40 to 90%. However, we find that only a low fraction
(< 26%) of stars are formed in dense environments where their
formation/evolution (along with their circumstellar disks and/or planets) may
be affected by the close proximity of their low-mass neighbours.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, MNRAS letters, accepte
Color Transformations for the 2MASS Second Incremental Data Release
Transformation equations are presented to convert colors and magnitudes
measured in the AAO, ARNICA, CIT, DENIS, ESO, LCO (Persson standards), MSSSO,
SAAO, and UKIRT photometric systems to the photometric system inherent to the
2MASS Second Incremental Data Release. The transformations have been derived by
comparing 2MASS photometry with published magnitudes and colors for stars
observed in these systems. Transformation equations have also been derived
indirectly for the Bessell & Brett (1988) and Koornneef (1983) homogenized
photometric systems.Comment: To appear in AJ, May 200
Spitzer Imaging of the Nearby Rich Young Cluster, Cep OB3b
We map the full extent of a rich massive young cluster in the Cep OB3b
association with the IRAC and MIPS instruments aboard the {\it Spitzer} Space
Telescope and the ACIS instrument aboard the X-Ray Observatory.
At 700 pc, it is revealed to be the second nearest large ( member),
young ( Myr) cluster known. In contrast to the nearest large cluster, the
Orion Nebula Cluster, Cep OB3b is only lightly obscured and is mostly located
in a large cavity carved out of the surrounding molecular cloud. Our infrared
and X-ray datasets, as well as visible photometry from the literature, are used
to take a census of the young stars in Cep OB3b. We find that the young stars
within the cluster are concentrated in two sub-clusters; an eastern
sub-cluster, near the Cep B molecular clump, and a western sub-cluster, near
the Cep F molecular clump. Using our census of young stars, we examine the
fraction of young stars with infrared excesses indicative of circumstellar
disks. We create a map of the disk fraction throughout the cluster and find
that it is spatially variable. Due to these spatial variations, the two
sub-clusters exhibit substantially different average disk fractions from each
other: and . We discuss whether the discrepant disk
fractions are due to the photodestruction of disks by the high mass members of
the cluster or whether they result from differences in the ages of the
sub-clusters. We conclude that the discrepant disk fractions are most likely
due to differences in the ages.Comment: 48 Pages, 12 figures, 6 table
"How do pilates trained physiotherapists utilize and value pilates exercise for MSK conditions? A qualitative study"
Background
Pilates is a popular exercise therapy approach offering numerous benefits, including muscular strength, flexibility, control, and core stability. Pilates has been widely utilized in the prevention and rehabilitation of a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and opinions of Pilates trained NHS and private practice physiotherapists in the UK, regarding the perceived benefits, risks, delivery and rationale for this exercise method.
Methods
This qualitative study used a self‐designed electronic survey to retrieve the views of 30 physiotherapists, who had undertaken formal Pilates Instruction training, recruited by a purposive and snowball sampling method. Questions were either multiple choice or open‐ended, examined via thematic analysis.
Results
Physiotherapists identified the most important benefits of Pilates as reduction in fear‐avoidance, improving bodily awareness and increasing muscular strength. Exercises that promote general movement were highlighted as being particularly useful, with a majority recommending daily practice for optimum benefit. Participants recognized lack of core strength as a key indicator, whereas others criticized excessive focus on this principle.
Conclusions
Physiotherapists identified a range of inter‐linked benefits and recognized that Pilates is hugely modifiable. Individualizing exercises can further encourage participation and negate the restriction of some health conditions. NHS and Private Practice Therapists utilize Pilates in a similar way, although rationales for its use may differ, as the justification for Pilates exercise may be evolving. Pilates appears a valuable methodology in the NHS, which can help patients engage with activity
Correlation between the spatial distribution of circumstellar disks and massive stars in the young open cluster NGC 6611. II: Cluster members selected with Spitzer/IRAC
Context: the observations of the proplyds in the Orion Nebula Cluster,
showing clear evidence of ongoing photoevaporation, have provided a clear proof
about the role of the externally induced photoevaporation in the evolution of
circumstellar disks. NGC 6611 is an open cluster suitable to study disk
photoevaporation, thanks to its large population of massive members and of
stars with disk. In a previous work, we obtained evidence of the influence of
the strong UV field generated by the massive cluster members on the evolution
of disks around low-mass Pre-Main Sequence members. That work was based on a
multi-band BVIJHK and X-ray catalog purposely compiled to select the cluster
members with and without disk. Aims: in this paper we complete the list of
candidate cluster members, using data at longer wavelengths obtained with
Spitzer/IRAC, and we revisit the issue of the effects of UV radiation on the
evolution of disks in NGC 6611. Methods: we select the candidate members with
disks of NGC 6611, in a field of view of 33'x34' centered on the cluster, using
IRAC color-color diagrams and suitable reddening-free color indices. Besides,
using the X-ray data to select Class III cluster members, we estimate the disks
frequency vs. the intensity of the incident radiation emitted by massive
members. Results: we identify 458 candidate members with circumstellar disks,
among which 146 had not been revealed in our previous work. Comparing of the
various color indices we used to select the cluster members with disk, we claim
that they detect the excesses due to the emission of the same physical region
of the disk: the inner rim at the dust sublimation radius. Our new results
confirm that UV radiation from massive stars affects the evolution of nearby
circumstellar disks.Comment: Accepted for publication at Astronomy & Astrophysic
Mid-Infrared Variability of protostars in IC 1396A
We have used Spitzer/IRAC to conduct a photometric monitoring program of the
IC1396A dark globule in order to study the mid-IR (3.6 - 8 micron) variability
of the heavily embedded Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) present in that area. We
obtained light curves covering a 14 day timespan with a twice daily cadence for
69 YSOs, and continuous light curves with approximately 12 second cadence over
7 hours for 38 YSOs. Typical accuracies for our relative photometry were 1-2%
for the long timespan data and a few mmag, corresponding to less than 0.5%, for
the 7 hour continuous "staring-mode" data. More than half of the YSOs showed
detectable variability, with amplitudes from ~0.05 mag to ~0.2 mag. About
thirty percent of the YSOs showed quasi-sinusoidal light curve shapes with
apparent periods from 5-12 days and light curve amplitudes approximately
independent of wavelength over the IRAC bandpasses. We have constructed models
which simulate the time dependent spectral energy distributions of Class I and
I I YSOs in order to attempt to explain these light curves. Based on these
models, the apparently periodic light curves are best explained by YSO models
where one or two high latitude photospheric spots heat the inner wall of the
circumstellar disk, and where we view the disk at fairly large inclination
angle. Disk inhomogeneities, such as increasing the height where the accretion
funnel flows to the stellar hotspot, enhances the light curve modulations. The
other YSOs in our sample show a range of light curve shapes, some of which are
probably due to varying accretion rate or disk shadowing events. One star,
IC1396A-47, shows a 3.5 hour periodic light curve; this object may be a PMS
Delta Scuti star
The Initial Mass Function and Disk Frequency of the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud: An Extinction-Limited Sample
We have completed an optical spectroscopic survey of an unbiased,
extinction-limited sample of candidate young stars covering 1.3 square degrees
of the Rho Ophiuchi star forming region. While infrared, X-ray, and optical
surveys of the cloud have identified many young stellar objects (YSOs), these
surveys are biased towards particular stages of stellar evolution and are not
optimal for studies of the disk frequency and initial mass function.We have
obtained over 300 optical spectra to help identify 135 association members
based on the presence of H-alpha in emission, lithium absorption, X-ray
emission, a mid-infrared excess, a common proper motion, reflection nebulosity,
and/or extinction considerations. Spectral types along with R and I band
photometry were used to derive effective temperatures and bolometric
luminosities for association members to compare with theoretical tracks and
isochrones for pre-main-sequence stars. An average age of 3.1 Myr is derived
for this population which is intermediate between that of objects embedded in
the cloud core of Rho Ophiuchi and low mass stars in the Upper Scorpius
subgroup. Consistent with this age we find a circumstellar disk frequency of
27% plus or minus 5%. We also constructed an initial mass function for an
extinction-limited sample of 123 YSOs (A_v less than or equal to 8 mag), which
is consistent with the field star initial mass function for YSOs with masses >
0.2 M_sun. There may be a deficit of brown dwarfs but this result relies on
completeness corrections and requires confirmation.Comment: 46 pages, 7 figures, 4 table
Properties of the Distant Kuiper Belt: Results from the Palomar Distant Solar System Survey
We present the results of a wide-field survey using the 1.2-m Samuel Oschin
Telescope at Palomar Observatory. This survey was designed to find the most
distant members of the Kuiper belt and beyond. We searched ~12,000 deg2 down to
a mean limiting magnitude of 21.3 in R. A total number of 52 KBOs and Centaurs
have been detected, 25 of which were discovered in this survey. Except for the
re-detection of Sedna, no additional Sedna-like bodies with perihelia greater
than 45 AU were detected despite sensitivity out to distances of 1000 AU. We
discuss the implications for a distant Sedna- like population beyond the Kuiper
belt, focusing on the constraints we can place on the embedded stellar cluster
environment the early Sun may be have been born in, where the location and
distribution of Sedna-like orbits sculpted by multiple stellar encounters is
indicative of the birth cluster size. We also report our observed latitude
distribution and implications for the size of the plutino population.Comment: 40 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables Accepted by Ap
Overexpression of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase-1 in Skeletal Muscle Is Sufficient to Enhance Fatty Acid Oxidation and Improve High-Fat Diet–Induced Insulin Resistance
OBJECTIVE—Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is associated with lipid accumulation, but whether insulin resistance is due to reduced or enhanced flux of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria is both controversial and unclear. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle–specific overexpression of the muscle isoform of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), the enzyme that controls the entry of long-chain fatty acyl CoA into mitochondria, would enhance rates of fatty acid oxidation and improve insulin action in muscle in high-fat diet insulin-resistant rats
Anthropogenic Space Weather
Anthropogenic effects on the space environment started in the late 19th
century and reached their peak in the 1960s when high-altitude nuclear
explosions were carried out by the USA and the Soviet Union. These explosions
created artificial radiation belts near Earth that resulted in major damages to
several satellites. Another, unexpected impact of the high-altitude nuclear
tests was the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that can have devastating effects
over a large geographic area (as large as the continental United States). Other
anthropogenic impacts on the space environment include chemical release ex-
periments, high-frequency wave heating of the ionosphere and the interaction of
VLF waves with the radiation belts. This paper reviews the fundamental physical
process behind these phenomena and discusses the observations of their impacts.Comment: 71 pages, 35 figure
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