1,507 research outputs found
Galaxy Clusters in the Line of Sight to Background Quasars: I. Survey Design and Incidence of MgII Absorbers at Cluster Redshifts
We describe the first optical survey of absorption systems associated with
galaxy clusters at z= 0.3-0.9. We have cross-correlated SDSS DR3 quasars with
high-redshift cluster/group candidates from the Red-Sequence Cluster Survey. We
have found 442 quasar-cluster pairs for which the MgII doublet might be
detected at a transverse (physical) distance d<2 Mpc from the cluster centers.
To investigate the incidence (dN/dz) and equivalent-width distribution n(W) of
MgII systems at cluster redshifts, two statistical samples were drawn out of
these pairs: one made of high-resolution spectroscopic quasar observations (46
pairs), and one made of quasars used in MgII searches found in the literature
(375 pairs). The results are: (1) the population of strong MgII systems
(W_0>2.0 Ang.) near cluster redshifts shows a significant (>3 sigma)
overabundance (up to a factor of 15) when compared with the 'field' population;
(2) the overabundance is more evident at smaller distances (d<1 Mpc) than
larger distances (d<2 Mpc) from the cluster center; and, (3) the population of
weak MgII systems (W_0<0.3 Ang.) near cluster redshifts conform to the field
statistics. Unlike in the field, this dichotomy makes n(W) in clusters appear
flat and well fitted by a power-law in the entire W-range. A sub-sample of the
most massive clusters yields a stronger and still significant signal. Since
either the absorber number density or filling-factor/cross-section affects the
absorber statistics, an interesting possibility is that we have detected the
signature of truncated halos due to environmental effects. Thus, we argue that
the excess of strong systems is due to a population of absorbers in an
overdense galaxy environment, and the lack of weak systems to a different
population, that got destroyed in the cluster environment. (Abridged)Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Squark Loop Correction to W^{+-} H^{-+} Associated Hadroproduction
We study the squark loop correction to W^{+-} H^{-+} associated
hadroproduction via gluon-gluon fusion within the minimal supersymmetric
extension of the standard model. We list full analytic results and
quantitatively analyze the resulting shift in the cross section at the CERN
Large Hadron Collider assuming a supergravity-inspired scenario.Comment: 13 pages (Latex), 5 figures (Postscript
Stress relaxation in epithelial monolayers is controlled by the actomyosin cortex
Epithelial monolayers are one-cell thick tissue sheets that separate internal and external environments. As part of their function, they have to withstand extrinsic mechanical stresses applied at high strain rates. However, little is known about how monolayers respond to mechanical deformations. Here, by subjecting suspended epithelial monolayers to stretch, we find that they dissipate stresses on a minute time-scale in a process that involves an increase in monolayer length, pointing to active remodelling of cell architecture during relaxation. Strikingly, monolayers consisting of tens of thousands of cells relax stress with similar dynamics to single rounded cells and both respond similarly to perturbations of actomyosin. By contrast, cell-cell junctional complexes and intermediate filaments do not relax tissue stress, but form stable connections between cells, allowing monolayers to behave rheologically as single cells. Taken together our data show that actomyosin dynamics governs the rheological properties of epithelial monolayers, dissipating applied stresses, and enabling changes in monolayer length.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Experimental Studies of Phase Change Materials in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed
Proceedings of: 14th International Conference on Fluidization: From Fundamentals to Products. Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, 26-31 may 2013.The aim of this work is to experimentally study the behaviour of three microencapsulated PCM in a bubbling fluidized bed for thermal energy storage. Different experiments, heating and cooling the granular PCM with fluidizing air, are carried out with different superficial gas velocities. When achieving their phase change temperature two of the three materials present agglomeration. For this reason, the material flowability and wear resistance are studied by measuring the angle of repose and attrition, respectively. Nevertheless, the angle of repose does not seem to be influenced by the temperature of the material and the particle size distributions after the attrition tests indicate that the bed particles are just slightly smaller than the original ones.This work was partially founded by the Spanish Government (Project ENE2010-15403), the regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha (Project PPIC10-0055-4054) and Castilla-La Mancha University (Project GE20101662).Publicad
The ALMA Frontier Fields Survey - IV. Lensing-corrected 1.1 mm number counts in Abell 2744, MACSJ0416.1-2403 and MACSJ1149.5+2223
[abridged] Characterizing the number counts of faint, dusty star-forming
galaxies is currently a challenge even for deep, high-resolution observations
in the FIR-to-mm regime. They are predicted to account for approximately half
of the total extragalactic background light at those wavelengths. Searching for
dusty star-forming galaxies behind massive galaxy clusters benefits from strong
lensing, enhancing their measured emission while increasing spatial resolution.
Derived number counts depend, however, on mass reconstruction models that
properly constrain these clusters. We estimate the 1.1 mm number counts along
the line of sight of three galaxy clusters, i.e. Abell 2744, MACSJ0416.1-2403
and MACSJ1149.5+2223, which are part of the ALMA Frontier Fields Survey. We
perform detailed simulations to correct these counts for lensing effects. We
use several publicly available lensing models for the galaxy clusters to derive
the intrinsic flux densities of our sources. We perform Monte Carlo simulations
of the number counts for a detailed treatment of the uncertainties in the
magnifications and adopted source redshifts. We find an overall agreement among
the number counts derived for the different lens models, despite their
systematic variations regarding source magnifications and effective areas. Our
number counts span ~2.5 dex in demagnified flux density, from several mJy down
to tens of uJy. Our number counts are consistent with recent estimates from
deep ALMA observations at a 3 level. Below 0.1 mJy, however,
our cumulative counts are lower by 1 dex, suggesting a flattening in
the number counts. In our deepest ALMA mosaic, we estimate number counts for
intrinsic flux densities 4 times fainter than the rms level. This
highlights the potential of probing the sub-10 uJy population in larger samples
of galaxy cluster fields with deeper ALMA observations.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in A&
Spatially Resolved Outflows in a Seyfert Galaxy at z = 2.39
We present the first spatially resolved analysis of rest-frame optical and UV
imaging and spectroscopy for a lensed galaxy at z = 2.39 hosting a Seyfert
active galactic nucleus (AGN). Proximity to a natural guide star has enabled
high signal-to-noise VLT SINFONI + adaptive optics observations of rest-frame
optical diagnostic emission lines, which exhibit an underlying broad component
with FWHM ~ 700 km/s in both the Balmer and forbidden lines. Measured line
ratios place the outflow robustly in the region of the ionization diagnostic
diagrams associated with AGN. This unique opportunity - combining gravitational
lensing, AO guiding, redshift, and AGN activity - allows for a magnified view
of two main tracers of the physical conditions and structure of the
interstellar medium in a star-forming galaxy hosting a weak AGN at cosmic noon.
By analyzing the spatial extent and morphology of the Ly-alpha and
dust-corrected H-alpha emission, disentangling the effects of star formation
and AGN ionization on each tracer, and comparing the AGN induced mass outflow
rate to the host star formation rate, we find that the AGN does not
significantly impact the star formation within its host galaxy.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
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