Stellar population of the Rosette Nebula and NGC 2244: application of the probabilistic random forest

(Abridged) In this work, we study the 2.8x2.6 deg2 region in the emblematic Rosette Nebula, centred at the young cluster NGC 2244, with the aim of constructing the most reliable candidate member list to date, determining various structural and kinematic parameters, and learning about the past and the future of the region. Starting from a catalogue containing optical to mid-infrared photometry, as well as positions and proper motions from Gaia EDR3, we apply the Probabilistic Random Forest algorithm and derive membership probability for each source. Based on the list of almost 3000 probable members, of which about a third are concentrated within the radius of 20' from the centre of NGC 2244, we identify various clustered sources and stellar concentrations, and estimate the average distance of 1489+-37 pc (entire region), 1440+-32 pc (NGC 2244) and 1525+-36 pc (NGC 2237). The masses, extinction, and ages are derived by SED fitting, and the internal dynamic is assessed via proper motions relative to the mean proper motion of NGC 2244. NGC 2244 is showing a clear expansion pattern, with an expansion velocity that increases with radius. Its IMF is well represented by two power laws (dN/dM\propto M^{-\alpha}), with slopes \alpha = 1.05+-0.02 for the mass range 0.2 - 1.5 MSun, and \alpha = 2.3+-0.3 for the mass range 1.5 - 20 MSun, in agreement with other star forming regions. The mean age of the region is ~2 Myr. We find evidence for the difference in ages between NGC 2244 and the region associated with the molecular cloud, which appears slightly younger. The velocity dispersion of NGC 2244 is well above the virial velocity dispersion derived from the total mass (1000+-70 MSun) and half-mass radius (3.4+-0.2 pc). From the comparison to other clusters and to numerical simulations, we conclude that NGC 2244 may be unbound, and possibly even formed in a super-virial state.Comment: 30 pages, 28 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Disks around Young Planetary-mass Objects: Ultradeep Spitzer Imaging of NGC 1333

We report on a sensitive infrared search for disks around isolated young planetary-mass objects (PMOs) in the NGC 1333 cluster, by stacking 70 Spitzer/IRAC frames at 3.6 and 4.5 μ m. Our coadded images go >2.3 mag deeper than single-epoch frames, and cover 50 brown dwarfs, 15 of which have M9 or later spectral types. Spectral types >M9 correspond to masses in the giant-planet domain, i.e., near or below the deuterium-burning limit of 0.015 M _⊙ . Five of the 12 PMOs show definitive evidence of excess, implying a disk fraction of 42%, albeit with a large statistical uncertainty given the small sample. Comparing with measurements for higher-mass objects, the disk fraction does not decline substantially with decreasing mass in the substellar domain, consistent with previous findings. Thus, free-floating PMOs have the potential to form their own miniature planetary systems. We note that only one of the six lowest-mass objects in NGC 1333, with spectral type L0 or later, has a confirmed disk. Reviewing the literature, we find that the lowest-mass free-floating objects with firm disk detections have masses ∼0.01 M _⊙ (or ∼10 M _Jup ). It is not clear yet whether even lower-mass objects harbor disks. If not, it may indicate that ∼10 M _Jup is the lower-mass limit for objects that form like stars. Our disk-detection experiment on deep Spitzer images paves the way for studies with JWST at longer wavelengths and higher sensitivity, which will further explore disk prevalence and formation of free-floating PMOs

Proangiogenic factor midkine is increased in melanoma patients with sleep apnea and induces tumor cell proliferation

Midkine (MDK) might mediate the proangiogenic effect of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cutaneous melanoma (CM). We compare circulating MDK in CM patients with and without OSA, and their relationship with tumor aggressiveness, while exploring in vitro effects of soluble MDK on human lymphatic endothelial (HLEC) and melanoma cell proliferation. In 360 CM patients, sleep studies and MDK serum level measurements were performed. The effect of MDK on cell proliferation was assessed using HLEC and melanoma cell lines with patient sera under both normoxia and IH. MDK levels were higher in severe OSA compared to mild OSA or non‐OSA patients, whereas no differences in VEGF levels emerged. In OSA patients, MDK levels correlated with nocturnal hypoxemia and CM mitotic rate. In vitro, MDK promotes HLEC proliferation under IH conditions. Moreover, cultures of the human melanoma cell line C81‐61 with sera from patients with the highest MDK levels promoted tumor cell proliferation, which was attenuated after the addition of MDK antibody. These responses were enhanced by IH exposures. In conclusion, in CM patients, OSA severity is associated with higher MDK levels, which, appear to enhance both the lymphangiogenesis as the intrinsic aggressiveness of CM tumor cells.Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria‐Fondos FEDER. Grant Numbers: PI13/01512, PI16/00201, PI14/01234, PIE15/00065, PI16/01772 HHS | National Institutes of Health (NIH). Grant Numbers: HL130984, HL14054