85 research outputs found
Probing UV-Sensitive Pathways for CN and HCN Formation in Protoplanetary Disks with the Hubble Space Telescope
The UV radiation field is a critical regulator of gas-phase chemistry in
surface layers of disks around young stars. In an effort to understand the
relationship between photocatalyzing UV radiation fields and gas emission
observed at infrared and sub-mm wavelengths, we present an analysis of new and
archival HST, Spitzer, ALMA, IRAM, and SMA data for five targets in the Lupus
cloud complex and 14 systems in Taurus-Auriga. The HST spectra were used to
measure LyA and FUV continuum fluxes reaching the disk surface, which are
responsible for dissociating relevant molecular species (e.g. HCN, N2).
Semi-forbidden C II] 2325 and UV-fluorescent H2 emission were also measured to
constrain inner disk populations of C+ and vibrationally excited H2. We find a
significant positive correlation between 14 micron HCN emission and fluxes from
the FUV continuum and C II] 2325, consistent with model predictions requiring
N2 photodissociation and carbon ionization to trigger the main CN/HCN formation
pathways. We also report significant negative correlations between sub-mm CN
emission and both C II] and FUV continuum fluxes, implying that CN is also more
readily dissociated in disks with stronger FUV irradiation. No clear
relationships are detected between either CN or HCN and LyA or UV-H2 emission.
This is attributed to the spatial stratification of the various molecular
species, which span several vertical layers and radii across the inner and
outer disk. We expect that future observations with JWST will build on this
work by enabling more sensitive IR surveys than were possible with Spitzer.Comment: Accepted for publication in A
The Radial Distribution and Excitation of H2 around Young Stars in the HST-ULLYSES Survey
The spatial distribution and evolution of gas in the inner 10 au of
protoplanetary disks form the basis for estimating the initial conditions of
planet formation. Among the most important constraints derived from
spectroscopic observations of the inner disk are the radial distributions of
the major gas phase constituents, how the properties of the gas change with
inner disk dust evolution, and how chemical abundances and excitation
conditions are influenced by the high-energy radiation from the central star.
We present a survey of the radial distribution, excitation, and evolution of
inner disk molecular hydrogen (H) obtained as part of the /ULLYSES
program. We analyze far-ultraviolet spectroscopy of 71 (63 accreting) pre-main
sequence systems in the ULLYSES DR5 release to characterize the H
emission lines, H dissociation continuum emission, and major
photochemical/disk evolution driving UV emissions (Ly, UV continuum,
and C IV). We use the widths of the H emission lines to show that most
fluorescent H arises between 0.1 - 1.4 au from the parent star, and show
positive correlations of the average emitting radius with the accretion
luminosity and with the dust disk mass. We find a strong correlation between
H dissociation emission and both the accretion-dominated Ly
luminosity and the inner disk dust clearing, painting a picture where water
molecules in the inner 3 au are exposed to and dissociated by strong Ly
emission as the opacity of the inner disk declines with time.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures. Accepted to the Astronomical Journa
HST spectra reveal accretion in MY Lupi
The mass accretion rate is a crucial parameter for the study of the evolution
of accretion discs around young low-mass stellar and substellar objects (YSOs).
We revisit the case of MYLup, an object where VLT/X-Shooter data suggested a
negligible mass accretion rate, and show it to be accreting on a level similar
to other ClassII YSOs in Lupus based on HST observations. In our HST-COS and
-STIS spectra, we find many emission lines, as well as substantial FUV
continuum excess emission, which can be ascribed to active accretion. The total
luminosity of the CIV 1549A doublet is 4.1 Lsun. Using scalings
between accretion luminosity, Lacc, and CIV luminosity from the literature, we
derive Lacc 2 Lsun, which is more than an order of
magnitude higher than the upper limit estimated from the X-Shooter
observations. We discuss possible reasons for the X-Shooter-HST discrepancy,
the most plausible being that the low contrast between the continuum excess
emission and the photospheric+chromospheric emission at optical wavelengths in
MYLup hampered detection of excess emission. The luminosity of the FUV
continuum and CIV lines, strong H fluorescence, and a "1600 A Bump" place
MYLup in the class of accreting objects with gas-rich discs. So far, MYLup is
the only peculiar case in which a significant difference between the HST and
X-Shooter Macc estimates exists that is not ascribable to variability. The mass
accretion rate inferred from the revisited Lacc estimate is Macc 1(
) Msun/yr. This value is consistent with the
typical value derived for accreting YSOs of similar mass in Lupus and points to
less clearing of the inner disc than indicated by near- and mid-infrared
observations. This is confirmed by ALMA data, which show that the gaps and
rings seen in the sub-millimetre are relatively shallow.Comment: 13 pager, 8 figures, two table
Water-Rich Disks around Late M-stars Unveiled: Exploring the Remarkable Case of Sz114
We present an analysis of the JDISC JWST/MIRI-MRS spectrum of Sz~114, an
accreting M5 star surrounded by a large dust disk with a shallow gap at au. The spectrum is molecular-rich: we report the detection of water, CO,
CO, HCN, CH, and H. The only identified atomic/ionic transition
is from [NeII] at 12.81 micron. A distinct feature of this spectrum is the
forest of water lines with the 17.22 micron emission surpassing that of most
mid-to-late M-star disks by an order of magnitude in flux and aligning instead
with disks of earlier-type stars. Moreover, flux ratios of CH/HO
and HCN/HO in Sz~114 also resemble those of earlier-type disks, with a
slightly elevated CO/HO ratio. While accretional heating can boost all
infrared lines, the unusual properties of Sz~114 could be explained by the
young age of the source, its formation under unusual initial conditions (a
large massive disk), and the presence of dust substructures. The latter delays
the inward drift of icy pebbles and help preserve a lower C/O ratio over an
extended period. In contrast, mid-to-late M-star disks--which are typically
faint, small in size, and likely lack significant substructures--may have more
quickly depleted the outer icy reservoir and already evolved out of a
water-rich inner disk phase. Our findings underscore the unexpected diversity
within mid-infrared spectra of mid-to-late M-star disks, highlighting the need
to expand the observational sample for a comprehensive understanding of their
variations and thoroughly test pebble drift and planet formation models.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted by ApJ
Perspectives, practices, and challenges of online teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational survey
The result of the movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was an impromptu and abrupt switch from in-person to online teaching. Most focus has been on the perception and experience of students during the process. The aim of this international survey is to assess staffs' perspectives and challenges of online teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cross-sectional research using a validated online survey was carried out in seven countries (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Indonesia, India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt) between the months of December 2021 and August 2022, to explore the status of online teaching among faculty members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Variables and response are presented as percentages while logistic regression was used to assess the factors that predict levels of satisfaction and the challenges associated with online instruction. A total of 721 response were received from mainly male (53%) staffs. Most respondents are from Brazil (59%), hold a Doctorate degree (70%) and have over 10 years of working experience (62%). Although, 67% and 79% have relevant tools and received training for online teaching respectively, 44% report that online teaching required more preparation time than face-to-face. Although 41% of respondents were uncertain about the outcome of online teaching, 49% were satisfied with the process. Also, poor internet bandwidth (51%), inability to track students' engagement (18%) and Lack of technical skills (11.5%) were the three main observed limitations. Having little or no prior experience of online teaching before the COVID-19 pandemic [OR, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.35–1.85)], and not supporting the move to online teaching mode [OR, 0.56 (95% CI,0.48–0.64)] were two main factors independently linked with dissatisfaction with online teaching. While staffs who support the move to online teaching were twice likely to report no barriers [OR, 2.15 (95% CI, 1.61–2.86)]. Although, relevant tools and training were provided to support the move to online teaching during COVID-19 lockdown, barriers such as poor internet bandwidth, inability to track students’ engagement and lack of technical skills were main limitations observed internationally by teaching staffs. Addressing these barriers should be the focus of higher education institution in preparation for future disruptions to traditional teaching modes
Seeing Through the Ring: Near-infrared Photometry of V582 Mon (KH 15D)
We examine the light and color evolution of the T Tauri binary KH 15D through photometry obtained at wavelengths between 0.55 and 8.0 μm. The data were collected with A Novel Dual Imaging CAMera (ANDICAM) on the 1.3 m SMARTS telescope at Cerro-Tololo Inter-American Observatory and with InfraRed Array Camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope. We show that the system's circumbinary ring, which acts as a screen that covers and uncovers different portions of the binary orbit as the ring precesses, has reached an orientation where the brighter component (star B) fully or nearly fully emerges during each orbital cycle. The fainter component (star A) remains fully occulted by the screen at all phases. The leading and trailing edges of the screen move across the sky at the same rate of ~15 m s^(−1), consistent with expectation for a ring with a radius and width of ~4 au and a precession period of ~6500 years. Light and color variations continue to indicate that the screen is sharp edged and opaque at VRIJH wavelengths. However, we find an increasing transparency of the ring edge at 2.2, 3.6, and 4.5 μm. Reddening seen at the beginning of the eclipse that occurred during the CSI 2264 campaign particularly suggests selective extinction by a population of large dust grains. Meanwhile, the gradual bluing observed while star B is setting is indicative of forward scattering effects at the edge of the ring. The spectral energy distribution of the system at its bright phase shows no evidence of infrared excess emission that can be attributed to radiation from the ring or other dust component out to 8 μm
A UV-to-NIR Study of Molecular Gas in the Dust Cavity around RY Lupi
We present a study of molecular gas in the inner disk (r ∼ 0.4± 0.1 au; {r(narrow,H₂)} ∼ 3± 2 au). The 4.7 μm ¹²CO emission lines are also well fit by two-component profiles ( {{r}broad,CO} =0.4± 0.1 au; {{r}narrow,CO} =15± 2 au). We combine these results with 10 μm observations to form a picture of gapped structure within the mm-imaged dust cavity, providing the first such overview of the inner regions of a young disk. The HST SED of RY Lupi is available online for use in modeling efforts
Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.
PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks
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