134 research outputs found
Seeing deconvolution of globular clusters in M31
Seeing deconvolution of surface-brightness profiles using the regularized multi-Gaussian method is potentially a powerful method for extraction of morphological information from digital images. Here we illustrate this method by applying it to CCD images of six globular clusters in M31. We demonstrate that it is possible to make some judgments about the dynamical structure of M31 globulars, using good-seeing, deconvolved CCD images obtained from the ground; for example, whether they have post-core-collapse morphology or not. The effective resolution limit of the method is about 0.1-0.3 arcsec, for the CCD images obtained in FWHM â 1 arcsec seeing, and sampling of 0.3 arcsec/pixel. We also demonstrate the robustness of the method, i.e., its insensivity to the exact choices of the functional representation of the point-spread function, details of the deconvolution technique, etc. The situation is equivalent in terms of angular resolution and sampling to observing globular clusters in the Virgo Cluster (e.g., around M87) with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the methods demonstrated here may be applied to HST data in the future. Dynamical structure of globular clusters, e.g., propensity for the post-core-collapse morphology as a function of position in the host galaxy, reflects the global dynamical evolution of a globular cluster system, as was already demonstrated for our galaxy. Similar studies of large samples of globulars in M31 and other Local Group galaxies from the ground, and out to Virgo with the HST, can provide valuable insights about the mass distribution in galaxies, and the formation and evolution of their globular cluster systems. This pilot study is a step in this direction
Analysis of isoplanatic high resolution stellar fields by Starfinder code
We describe a new code for the deep analysis of stellar fields, designed for
Adaptive Optics Nyquist-sampled images with high and low Strehl ratio. The
Point Spread Function is extracted directly from the image frame, to take into
account the actual structure of the instrumental response and the atmospheric
effects. The code is written in IDL language and organized in the form of a
self-contained widget-based application, provided with a series of tools for
data visualization and analysis. A description of the method and some
applications to AO data are presented.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in Astron.& Astrophys.
Sup. Se
StarFinder: an IDL GUI based code to analyze crowded fields with isoplanatic correcting PSF fitting
StarFinder is a new code for the deep analysis of stellar fields, designed
for well-sampled images with high and low Strehl ratio. It is organized in the
form of a self-contained IDL widget-based application, with a 'user-friendly'
graphic interface. We give here a general description of the code along with
some applications to real data with space-invariant Point Spread Function
(PSF). We present also some methods to handle anisoplanatic effects in
wide-field Adaptive Optics (AO)observations.Comment: 9 pages, to to be published on "Proceeedings of Adaptive Optical
Systems Technology",Proc.of SPIE,Vol.4007,2000. In pres
Seeing deconvolution of globular clusters in M31
Seeing deconvolution of surface-brightness profiles using the regularized multi-Gaussian method is potentially a powerful method for extraction of morphological information from digital images. Here we illustrate this method by applying it to CCD images of six globular clusters in M31. We demonstrate that it is possible to make some judgments about the dynamical structure of M31 globulars, using good-seeing, deconvolved CCD images obtained from the ground; for example, whether they have post-core-collapse morphology or not. The effective resolution limit of the method is about 0.1-0.3 arcsec, for the CCD images obtained in FWHM â 1 arcsec seeing, and sampling of 0.3 arcsec/pixel. We also demonstrate the robustness of the method, i.e., its insensivity to the exact choices of the functional representation of the point-spread function, details of the deconvolution technique, etc. The situation is equivalent in terms of angular resolution and sampling to observing globular clusters in the Virgo Cluster (e.g., around M87) with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the methods demonstrated here may be applied to HST data in the future. Dynamical structure of globular clusters, e.g., propensity for the post-core-collapse morphology as a function of position in the host galaxy, reflects the global dynamical evolution of a globular cluster system, as was already demonstrated for our galaxy. Similar studies of large samples of globulars in M31 and other Local Group galaxies from the ground, and out to Virgo with the HST, can provide valuable insights about the mass distribution in galaxies, and the formation and evolution of their globular cluster systems. This pilot study is a step in this direction
On the Size Difference between Red and Blue Globular Clusters
Several recent studies have reported a mean size difference of about 20%
between the metal-rich and metal-poor subpopulations of globular clusters (GCs)
in a variety of galaxies. In this paper we investigate the possibility that the
size difference might be a projection effect, resulting from a correlation
between cluster size and galactocentric distance, combined with different
radial distributions of the GC subpopulations. We find that projection effects
may indeed account for a size difference similar to the observed one, provided
that there is a steep relation between GC size and galactocentric distance in
the central parts of the GC system and that the density of GCs flattens off
near the center in a manner similar to a King profile. For more centrally
peaked distributions, such as a de Vaucouleurs law, or for shallower
size-radius relations, projection effects are unable to produce the observed
differences in the size distributions.Comment: 30 pages, including 14 figures and 2 tables. Accepted for publication
in Ap
Vaccination with an Inactivated Virulent Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Engineered to Express High Levels of Env
An inactivated virus vaccine was prepared from a pathogenic isolate of feline immunodeficiency virus containing a mutation that eliminated an endocytic sorting signal in the envelope glycoprotein, increasing its expression on virions. Cats immunized with inactivated preparations of this modified virus exhibited strong titers of antibody to Env by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Evidence of protection following challenge demonstrated the potential of this approach to lentiviral vaccination
Macrophages and Cell-Cell Spread of HIV-1
Macrophages have been postulated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and their resistance to virus-induced cytopathic effects allows them to serve as reservoirs for long-term infection. Thus, exploring the mechanisms of virus transmission from macrophages to target cells such as other macrophages or T lymphocytes is central to our understanding of HIV-1 pathogenesis and progression to AIDS, and is vital to the development of vaccines and novel antiretroviral therapies. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of cell-cell transmission in macrophages
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