Observed and Physical Properties of Core-Collapse Supernovae

I use photometry and spectroscopy data for 24 Type II plateau supernovae to examine their observed and physical properties. This dataset shows that these objects encompass a wide range of ~5 mag in their plateau luminosities, their expansion velocities vary by x5, and the nickel masses produced in these explosions go from 0.0016 to 0.26 Mo. From a subset of 16 objects I find that the explosion energies vary between 0.6x and 5.5x10^51 ergs, the ejected masses encompass the range 14-56 Mo, and the progenitors' radii go from 80 to 600 Ro. Despite this great diversity several regularities emerge, which reveal that there is a continuum in the properties of these objects from the faint, low-energy, nickel-poor SNe 1997D and 1999br, to the bright, high-energy, nickel-rich SN 1992am. This study provides evidence that more massive progenitors produce more energetic explosions, thus suggesting that the outcome of the core collapse is somewhat determined by the envelope mass. I find also that supernovae with greater energies produce more nickel. Similar relationships appear to hold for Type Ib/c supernovae, which suggests that both Type II and Type Ib/c supernovae share the same core physics. When the whole sample of core collapse objects is considered, there is a continous distribution of energies below 8x10^51 ergs. Far above in energy scale and nickel production lies the extreme hypernova 1998bw, the only supernova firmly associated to a GRB.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures, accepted for Part 1 of Astrophysical Journa

The holographic supersymmetric Casimir energy

We consider a general class of asymptotically locally AdS5 solutions of minimal gauged supergravity, that are dual to superconformal field theories on curved backgrounds S 1 × M3 preserving two supercharges. We demonstrate that standard holographic renormalization corresponds to a scheme that breaks supersymmetry. We propose new boundary terms that restore supersymmetry, and show that for smooth solutions with topology S 1 ×R 4 the improved on-shell action reproduces both the supersymmetric Casimir energy and the field theory BPS relation between charges

The sedimentary legacy of a palaeo-ice stream on the shelf of the southern Bellingshausen Sea: Clues to West Antarctic glacial history during the Late Quaternary

A major trough ("Belgica Trough") eroded by a palaeo-ice stream crosses the continental shelf of the southern Bellingshausen Sea (West Antarctica) and is associated with a trough mouth fan ("Belgica TMF") on the adjacent continental slope. Previous marine geophysical and geological studies investigated the bathymetry and geomorphology of Belgica Trough and Belgica TMF, erosional and depositional processes associated with bedform formation, and the temporal and spatial changes in clay mineral provenance of subglacial and glaciomarine sediments. Here, we present multi-proxy data from sediment cores recovered from the shelf and uppermost slope in the southern Bellingshausen Sea and reconstruct the ice-sheet history since the last glacial maximum (LGM) in this poorly studied area of West Antarctica. We combined new data (physical properties, sedimentary structures, geochemical and grain-size data) with published data (shear strength, clay mineral assemblages) to refine a previous facies classification for the sediments. The multi-proxy approach allowed us to distinguish four main facies types and to assign them to the following depositional settings: 1) subglacial, 2) proximal grounding-line, 3) distal sub-ice shelf/sub-sea ice, and 4) seasonal open-marine. In the seasonal open-marine fades we found evidence for episodic current-induced winnowing of near-seabed sediments on the middle to outer shelf and at the uppermost slope during the late Holocene. In addition, we obtained data on excess Pb-210 activity at three core sites and 44 AMS C-14 dates from the acid-insoluble fraction of organic matter (AIO) and calcareous (micro-) fossils, respectively, at 12 sites. These chronological data enabled us to reconstruct, for the first time, the timing of the last advance and retreat of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) and the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet (APIS) in the southern Bellingshausen Sea. We used the down-core variability in sediment provenance inferred from clay mineral changes to identify the most reliable AIO C-14 ages for ice-sheet retreat. The palaeo-ice stream advanced through Belgica Trough after similar to 36.0 corrected C-14 ka before present (B.P.). It retreated from the outer shelf at similar to 25.5 ka B.P, the middle shelf at similar to 19.8 ka B.P., the inner shelf in Eltanin Bay at similar to 12.3 ka B.P., and the inner shelf in Ronne Entrance at similar to 6.3 ka B.P. The retreat of the WAIS and APIS occurred slowly and stepwise, and may still be in progress. This dynamical ice-sheet behaviour has to be taken into account for the interpretation of recent and the prediction of future mass-balance changes in the study area. The glacial history of the southern Bellingshausen Sea is unique when compared to other regions in West Antarctica, but some open questions regarding its chronology need to be addressed by future work. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Robust and Biocompatible Functionalization of ZnS Nanoparticles by Catechol-Bearing Poly(2-Methyl-2-Oxazoline)s.

Zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles (NPs) are particularly interesting materials for their electronic and luminescent properties. Unfortunately, their robust and stable functionalization and stabilization, especially in aqueous media, has represented a challenging and not yet completely accomplished task. In this work, we report the synthesis of colloidally stable, photoluminescent and biocompatible core\u2013polymer shell ZnS and ZnS:Tb NPs by employing a water-in-oil miniemulsion (ME) process combined with surface functionalization via catechol-bearing poly-2-methyl-2-oxazoline (PMOXA) of various molar masses. The strong binding of catechol anchors to the metal cations of the ZnS surface, coupled with the high stability of PMOXA against chemical degradation, enable the formation of suspensions presenting excellent colloidal stability. This feature, combined with the assessed photoluminescence and biocompatibility, make these hybrid NPs suitable for optical bioimaging

Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) life development: morphological, physiological, behavioral and molecular phenotypes.

BackgroundMahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is a commercially and ecologically important fish species that is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters. Biological attributes and reproductive capacities of mahi-mahi make it a tractable model for experimental studies. In this study, life development of cultured mahi-mahi from the zygote stage to adult has been described.ResultsA comprehensive developmental table has been created reporting development as primarily detailed observations of morphology. Additionally, physiological, behavioral, and molecular landmarks have been described to significantly contribute in the understanding of mahi life development.ConclusionRemarkably, despite the vast difference in adult size, many developmental landmarks of mahi map quite closely onto the development and growth of Zebrafish and other warm-water, active Teleost fishes

Photometric Identification of Type Ia Supernovae at Moderate Redshift

Large photometric surveys with the aim of identifying many Type Ia supernovae (SNe) at moderate redshift are challenged in separating these SNe from other SN types. We are motivated to identify Type Ia SNe based only on broadband photometric information, since spectroscopic determination of the SN type, the traditional method, requires significant amounts of time on large telescopes. We consider the possible observables provided by a large synoptic photometry survey. We examine the optical colors and magnitudes of many SN types from z=0.1 to z=1.0, using space-based ultraviolet spectra and ground-based optical spectra to simulate the photometry. We also discuss the evolution of colors over the SN outburst and the use of host galaxy characteristics to aid in the identification of Type Ia SNe. We consider magnitudes in both the SDSS photometric system and in a proposed filter system with logarithmically spaced bandpasses. We find that photometric information in four bands covering the entire optical spectrum appears capable of providing identification of Type Ia SNe based on their colors at a single observed epoch soon after maximum light, even without independent estimates of the SN redshift. Very blue filters are extremely helpful, as at moderate redshift they sample the restframe ultraviolet spectrum where the SN types are very different. We emphasize the need for further observations of SNe in the restframe ultraviolet to fully characterize, refine, and improve this method of SN type identification.Comment: AASTeX, 37 pages with 12 figures, being resubmitted to A.J. Figures 3, 4 and 9 updated, minor typos correcte

An asymmetric explosion as the origin of spectral evolution diversity in type Ia supernovae

Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) form an observationally uniform class of stellar explosions, in that more luminous objects have smaller decline-rates. This one-parameter behavior allows SNe Ia to be calibrated as cosmological `standard candles', and led to the discovery of an accelerating Universe. Recent investigations, however, have revealed that the true nature of SNe Ia is more complicated. Theoretically, it has been suggested that the initial thermonuclear sparks are ignited at an offset from the centre of the white-dwarf (WD) progenitor, possibly as a result of convection before the explosion. Observationally, the diversity seen in the spectral evolution of SNe Ia beyond the luminosity decline-rate relation is an unresolved issue. Here we report that the spectral diversity is a consequence of random directions from which an asymmetric explosion is viewed. Our findings suggest that the spectral evolution diversity is no longer a concern in using SNe Ia as cosmological standard candles. Furthermore, this indicates that ignition at an offset from the centre of is a generic feature of SNe Ia.Comment: To appear in Nature, 1st July 2010 issue. 36 pages including supplementary materials. 4 figures, 3 supplementary figures, 1 supplementary tabl

Evidence of Asymmetry in SN 2007rt, a Type IIn Supernova

An optical photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the slowly-evolving Type IIn SN2007rt is presented, covering a duration of 481 days after discovery. Its earliest spectrum, taken approximately 100 days after the explosion epoch, indicates the presence of a dense circumstellar medium, with which the supernova ejecta is interacting. This is supported by the slowly-evolving light curve. A notable feature in the spectrum of SN 2007rt is the presence of a broad He I 5875 line, not usually detected in Type IIn supernovae. This may imply that the progenitor star has a high He/H ratio, having shed a significant portion of its hydrogen shell via mass-loss. An intermediate resolution spectrum reveals a narrow Halpha P-Cygni profile, the absorption component of which has a width of 128 km/s. This slow velocity suggests that the progenitor of SN 2007rt recently underwent mass-loss with wind speeds comparable to the lower limits of those detected in luminous blue variables. Asymmetries in the line profiles of H and He at early phases bears some resemblance to double-peaked features observed in a number of Ib/c spectra. These asymmetries may be indicative of an asymmetric or bipolar outflow or alternatively dust formation in the fast expanding ejecta. In addition, the late time spectrum, at over 240 days post-explosion, shows clear evidence for the presence of newly formed dust.Comment: Submitted to A&A on 4/2/2009. Accepted by A&A on 17/5/2009.15 pages plus 3 pages of online materia

SN 2002lt and GRB 021211: a SN/GRB Connection at z = 1

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the afterglow of GRB 021211 and the discovery of its associated supernova, SN 2002lt. The spectrum shows a broad feature (FWHM = 150 A), around 3770 A (in the rest-frame of the GRB), which we interpret as Ca H+K blueshifted by 14400 km/s. Potential sources of contamination due to the host galaxy and/or residuals of telluric absorption have been analyzed and ruled out. Overall, the spectrum shows a suggestive resemblance with the one of the prototypical type-Ic SN 1994I. This might indicate that GRBs are produced also by standard type-Ic supernovae.Comment: 6 pages, 5 color figures. Proceedings of the 2003 GRB Conference (Santa Fe, NM, 2003 Sep 8-12). Needs aipprocs LaTeX clas

Recent results on the properties of two-phase argon avalanche detectors

The characteristic properties of two-phase Ar avalanche detectors, including those obtained with CsI photocathode, are further studied. Such detectors are relevant in the field of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark matter search experiments. The detectors investigated comprised a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer followed by a triple-GEM multiplier. In these detectors, typical gains reaching 10000 were obtained with good reproducibility and a stable operation for at least one day was demonstrated. Amplitude and pulse-shape characteristics are presented under irradiation with X-rays, gamma-rays and neutrons from different radioactive sources. The detection of both primary scintillation and ionization signals at higher gains, at a deposited energy of 60 keV, has been demonstrated.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures. Presented at Xth Int. Conf. for Collid. Beam Phys., Feb 28 - March 6, 2008, Novosibirsk, to be published in Nucl. Instr. Meth.