1,226 research outputs found
The enigmatic core L1451-mm: a first hydrostatic core? or a hidden VeLLO?
We present the detection of a dust continuum source at 3-mm (CARMA) and
1.3-mm (SMA), and 12CO(2-1) emission (SMA) towards the L1451-mm dense core.
These detections suggest a compact object and an outflow where no point source
at mid-infrared wavelengths is detected using Spitzer. An upper limit for the
dense core bolometric luminosity of 0.05 Lsun is obtained. By modeling the
broadband SED and the continuum interferometric visibilities simultaneously, we
confirm that a central source of heating is needed to explain the observations.
This modeling also shows that the data can be well fitted by a dense core with
a YSO and disk, or by a dense core with a central First Hydrostatic Core
(FHSC). Unfortunately, we are not able to decide between these two models,
which produce similar fits. We also detect 12CO(2-1) emission with red- and
blue-shifted emission suggesting the presence of a slow and poorly collimated
outflow, in opposition to what is usually found towards young stellar objects
but in agreement with prediction from simulations of a FHSC. This presents the
best candidate, so far, for a FHSC, an object that has been identified in
simulations of collapsing dense cores. Whatever the true nature of the central
object in L1451-mm, this core presents an excellent laboratory to study the
earliest phases of low-mass star formation.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, emulateapj. Accepted by Ap
AN An ica-ensemble learning approach for prediction of uwb nlos signals data classification
Trapped human detection in search and rescue (SAR) scenarios poses a
significant challenge in pervasive computing. This study addresses this issue
by leveraging machine learning techniques, given their high accuracy. However,
accurate identification of trapped individuals is hindered by the curse of
dimensionality and noisy data. Particularly in non-line-of-sight (NLOS)
situations during catastrophic events, the curse of dimensionality may lead to
blind spots due to noise and uncorrelated values in detections. This research
focuses on harmonizing information through wireless communication and
identifying individuals in NLOS scenarios using ultra-wideband (UWB) radar
signals. Employing independent component analysis (ICA) for feature extraction,
the study evaluates classification performance using ensemble algorithms on
both static and dynamic datasets. The experimental results demonstrate
categorization accuracies of 88.37% for static data and 87.20% for dynamic
data, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Finally, this
work can help scientists and engineers make instant decisions during SAR
operations.Comment: 20 pages,4 figures, 1 algorithm and 3 table
Proximate, minerals and antinutrient assessment of the leaves and tenderstem of Leptadenia hastate (pers.) decne
The study evaluated the proximate, minerals and antinutrient contents of the plant Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) decne (Asclepiadaceae). Nutrient and antinutritional factors were determined using standard analytical methods and parameters subjected to statistical analysis. Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca) and Cobalt (Co) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the tender stems when compared to the leaves. The percentages of Moisture content, Crude proteins and Total ash were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while crude fiber and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the stem when compared to the leaves. Oxalate and phytic acid were anti nutrient found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem. However, Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Potassium (K) and Crude fat were not significantly (p>0.05) different when compared in the leaves and tender stem. Correlation analysis indicated that antinutrient contents in the tender stems will not affect the mineral absorption in the leaves while negative correlation between Fe and Cu in the stems could affect the absorption of iron. Therefore, Leptadenia hastata leave and tender stem consumed in soup and local salad in northern Nigeria proved to be rich in minerals and nutrients to support its dietary role as a consumed vegetable.Keywords: Leptadenia hastata, Minerals, Proximate, Antinutrients, Tender stems, Leave
Structure and decay of a proto-Y region in Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Funding for Open Access provided by the UMD Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund.Sex-determination genes drive the evolution of adjacent chromosomal regions. Sexually antagonistic selection favors the accumulation of inversions that reduce recombination in regions adjacent to the sex-determination gene. Once established, the clonal inheritance of sex-linked inversions leads to the accumulation of deleterious alleles, repetitive elements and a gradual decay of sex-linked genes. This in turn creates selective pressures for the evolution of mechanisms that compensate for the unequal dosage of gene expression. Here we use whole genome sequencing to characterize the structure of a young sex chromosome and quantify sex-specific gene expression in the developing gonad. We found an 8.8 Mb block of strong differentiation between males and females that corresponds to the location of a previously mapped sex-determiner on linkage group 1 of Oreochromis niloticus. Putatively disruptive mutations are found in many of the genes within this region. We also found a significant female-bias in the expression of genes within the block of differentiation compared to those outside the block of differentiation. Eight candidate sex-determination genes were identified within this region. This study demonstrates a block of differentiation on linkage group 1, suggestive of an 8.8 Mb inversion encompassing the sex-determining locus. The enrichment of female-biased gene expression inside the proposed inversion suggests incomplete dosage compensation. This study helps establish a model for studying the early-to-intermediate stages of sex chromosome evolution.https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-97
WASP-29b: A Saturn-sized transiting exoplanet
We report the discovery of a Saturn-sized planet transiting a V = 11.3, K4
dwarf star every 3.9 d. WASP-29b has a mass of 0.24+/-0.02 M_Jup and a radius
of 0.79+/-0.05 R_Jup, making it the smallest planet so far discovered by the
WASP survey, and the exoplanet most similar in mass and radius to Saturn. The
host star WASP-29 has an above-Solar metallicity and fits a possible
correlation for Saturn-mass planets such that planets with higher-metallicity
host stars have higher core masses and thus smaller radii.Comment: 6 pages, submitted to ApJ
WASP-30b: a 61 Mjup brown dwarf transiting a V=12, F8 star
We report the discovery of a 61-Jupiter-mass brown dwarf, which transits its
F8V host star, WASP-30, every 4.16 days. From a range of age indicators we
estimate the system age to be 1-2 Gyr. We derive a radius (0.89 +/- 0.02 RJup)
for the companion that is consistent with that predicted (0.914 RJup) by a
model of a 1-Gyr-old, non-irradiated brown dwarf with a dusty atmosphere. The
location of WASP-30b in the minimum of the mass-radius relation is consistent
with the quantitative prediction of Chabrier & Baraffe (2000), thus confirming
the theory.Comment: As accepted for publication in ApJL (6 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables
Hepatitis A seroprevalence in Western Cape Province South Africa: Are we in epidemiological transition
Background. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Hepatitis A vaccine is not included in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in South Africa (EPI-SA), as the country is considered to be highly endemic for hepatitis A.Objectives. To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A infection in Western Cape Province (WCP), South Africa.Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in the 1 - 7-year age group in WCP. Our samples (N=482) were blood specimens left over after laboratory testing obtained from referral hospitals between August and October 2015. A Siemens enzyme immunoassay was used to test for total hepatitis A antibodies. We also analysed hepatitis A immunoglobulin G antibody results from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Disa*Lab database at Groote Schuur Hospital from 2009 to 2014, and included 2009 - 2014 acute hepatitis A (immunoglobulin M-positive) surveillance data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to look at trends in notified acute infections over the same period.Results. Our cross-sectional study showed 44.1% seroprevalence in the 1 - 7-year age group. Hepatitis A data from the NHLS database indicated a seroprevalence of <90% up to age 10 years, indicating intermediate endemicity. The surveillance data showed that a substantial number of symptomatic hepatitis A infections occurred in the 7 - 40-year age group, suggesting that an increasing proportion of the population is susceptible to HAV infection.Conclusions. These results suggest an urgent need for detailed evidence-based considerations to introduce hepatitis A vaccine into the EPI-SA
WASP-26b : a 1-Jupiter-mass planet around an early-G-type star
We report the discovery of WASP-26b, a moderately over-sized Jupiter-mass exoplanet transiting its 11.3-mag early-G-type host star (1SWASP J001824.70-151602.3; TYC 5839-876-1) every 2.7566 days. A simultaneous fit to transit photometry and radial-velocity measurements yields a planetary mass of 1.02 ± 0.03 MJup and radius of 1.32 ± 0.08 RJup. The host star, WASP-26, has a mass of
1.12 ± 0.03 M and a radius of 1.34 ± 0.06 R and is in a visual double with a fainter K-type star. The two stars are at least a common-proper motion pair with a common distance of around 250 ± 15 pc and an age of 6 ± 2 Gy
Will the starless cores in Chamaeleon I and III turn prestellar?
The nearby Chamaeleon molecular cloud complex is a good laboratory to study
the process of low-mass star formation since it consists of three clouds with
very different properties. Cha III does not show any sign of star formation,
while star formation has been very active in Cha I and may already be
finishing. Our goal is to determine whether star formation can proceed in Cha
III, and to compare the results to our recent survey of Cha I. We used the
Large APEX Bolometer Array (LABOCA) to map Cha III in dust continuum emission
at 870 micron. 29 sources are extracted from the map, all of them being
starless. The starless cores are found down to a visual extinction of 1.9 mag,
in marked contrast with other molecular clouds, including Cha I. Apart from
this difference, the Cha III starless cores share very similar properties with
those found in Cha I. At most two sources have a mass larger than the critical
Bonnor-Ebert mass, which suggests that the fraction of prestellar cores is very
low, even lower than in Cha I. Only the most massive sources are candidate
prestellar cores, in agreement with the correlation found earlier in the Pipe
nebula. The mass distribution of the 85 starless cores of Cha I and III that
are not candidate prestellar cores is consistent with a single power law down
to the 90% completeness limit, with an exponent close to the Salpeter value. A
fraction of the starless cores in Cha I and III may still grow in mass and
become gravitationally unstable. Based on predictions of numerical simulations
of turbulent molecular clouds, we estimate that at most 50% and 20% of the
starless cores of Cha I and III, respectively, may form stars. The LABOCA
survey reveals that Cha III, and Cha I to some extent too, is a prime target to
study the formation of prestellar cores, and thus the onset of star formation.
(abridged).Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 22 pages, 16 figures, 4 tables. A
version with high-resolution figures is available on request to the first
autho
Factors Affecting the Radii of Close-in Transiting Exoplanets
The radius of an exoplanet may be affected by various factors, including
irradiation, planet mass and heavy element content. A significant number of
transiting exoplanets have now been discovered for which the mass, radius,
semi-major axis, host star metallicity and stellar effective temperature are
known. We use multivariate regression models to determine the dependence of
planetary radius on planetary equilibrium temperature T_eq, planetary mass M_p,
stellar metallicity [Fe/H], orbital semi-major axis a, and tidal heating rate
H_tidal, for 119 transiting planets in three distinct mass regimes. We
determine that heating leads to larger planet radii, as expected, increasing
mass leads to increased or decreased radii of low-mass (<0.5R_J) and high-mass
(>2.0R_J) planets, respectively (with no mass effect on Jupiter-mass planets),
and increased host-star metallicity leads to smaller planetary radii,
indicating a relationship between host-star metallicity and planet heavy
element content. For Saturn-mass planets, a good fit to the radii may be
obtained from log(R_p/R_J)=-0.077+0.450 log(M_p/M_J)-0.314[Fe/H]+0.671
log(a/AU)+0.398 log(T_eq/K). The radii of Jupiter-mass planets may be fit by
log(R_p/R_J)=-2.217+0.856 log(T_eq/K)+0.291 log(a/AU). High-mass planets' radii
are best fit by log(R_p/R_J)=-1.067+0.380 log(T_eq/K)-0.093
log(M_p/M_J)-0.057[Fe/H]+0.019 log(H_tidal/1x10^{20}). These equations produce
a very good fit to the observed radii, with a mean absolute difference between
fitted and observed radius of 0.11R_J. A clear distinction is seen between the
core-dominated Saturn-mass (0.1-0.5M_J) planets, whose radii are determined
almost exclusively by their mass and heavy element content, and the gaseous
envelope-dominated Jupiter-mass (0.5-2.0M_J) planets, whose radii increase
strongly with irradiating flux, partially offset by a power-law dependence on
orbital separation.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, accepted in A&
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