2,329 research outputs found
On the volatile enrichments and composition of Jupiter
Using the clathrate hydrates trapping theory, we discuss the enrichments in
volatiles in the atmosphere of Jupiter measured by the \textit{Galileo} probe
in the framework of new extended core-accretion planet formation models
including migration and disk evolution. We construct a self-consistent model in
which the volatile content of planetesimals accreted during the formation of
Jupiter is calculated from the thermodynamical evolution of the disk. Assuming
CO2:CO:CH4 = 30:10:1 (ratios compatible with ISM measurements), we show that we
can explain the enrichments in volatiles in a way compatible with the recent
constraints set from internal structure modeling on the total amount of heavy
elements present in the planet.Comment: Accepted in ApJLetter
Extracellular calcium reduction strongly increases the lytic capacity of pneumolysin from streptococcus pneumoniae in brain tissue
Background. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes serious diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis. Its major pathogenic factor is the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin pneumolysin, which produces lytic pores at high concentrations. At low concentrations, it has other effects, including induction of apoptosis. Many cellular effects of pneumolysin appear to be calcium dependent. Methods. Live imaging of primary mouse astroglia exposed to sublytic amounts of pneumolysin at various concentrations of extracellular calcium was used to measure changes in cellular permeability (as judged by lactate dehydrogenase release and propidium iodide chromatin staining). Individual pore properties were analyzed by conductance across artificial lipid bilayer. Tissue toxicity was studied in continuously oxygenated acute brain slices. Results. The reduction of extracellular calcium increased the lytic capacity of the toxin due to increased membrane binding. Reduction of calcium did not influence the conductance properties of individual toxin pores. In acute cortical brain slices, the reduction of extracellular calcium from 2 to 1 mM conferred lytic activity to pathophysiologically relevant nonlytic concentrations of pneumolysin. Conclusions. Reduction of extracellular calcium strongly enhanced the lytic capacity of pneumolysin due to increased membrane binding. Thus, extracellular calcium concentration should be considered as a factor of primary importance for the course of pneumococcal meningitis
Comparison between 2-D and 3-D codes in dynamical simulations of gas flow in barred galaxies
Context: One of the ways to determine the contribution of the dark halo to
the gravitational potential of a galaxy is the study of non-circular
(streaming) motions and the associated gas shocks in the bar region. These
motions, determined by the potential in the inner parts, can break the
disk-halo degeneracy. Here, two main fluid dynamical approaches have been
chosen to model the non-circular motions in the bar region; a 2-D Eulerian grid
code for an isothermal gas (FS2) and a 3-D smoothed particle hydrodynamic code
(N-body/SPH). Aims: The aim of this paper is to compare and quantify the
differences of the gas flows in rotating barred potential obtained using two
different fluid dynamical approaches. We analyse the effect of using 2-D and a
3-D codes in the calculation of gas flow in barred galaxies and to which extend
the results are affected by the code. To do this, we derive the velocity field
and density maps for the mass model of NGC 4123 using a 3-D N-body/SPH code and
compare the results to the previous 2-D Eulerian grid code results. Methods:
Numerical modelling, 3-D N-body/SPH simulations Results: The global velocity
field and the gas distribution is very similar in both models. The study shows
that the position and strength of the shocks developed in the SPH simulations
do not vary significantly compared to the results derived from the 2-D FS2
code. The largest velocity difference across the shock is 20\kms between the
2-D and 3-D fluid dynamical models. Conclusions: The results obtained in the
studies deriving the dark matter content of barred galaxies using the bar
streaming motions and strength and position of shocks are robust to the fluid
dynamical model used. The effect of 2-D and 3-D modelling can be neglected in
this type of studies.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in A&
High-resolution wide-band Fast Fourier Transform spectrometers
We describe the performance of our latest generations of sensitive wide-band
high-resolution digital Fast Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FFTS). Their
design, optimized for a wide range of radio astronomical applications, is
presented. Developed for operation with the GREAT far infrared heterodyne
spectrometer on-board SOFIA, the eXtended bandwidth FFTS (XFFTS) offers a high
instantaneous bandwidth of 2.5 GHz with 88.5 kHz spectral resolution and has
been in routine operation during SOFIA's Basic Science since July 2011. We
discuss the advanced field programmable gate array (FPGA) signal processing
pipeline, with an optimized multi-tap polyphase filter bank algorithm that
provides a nearly loss-less time-to-frequency data conversion with
significantly reduced frequency scallop and fast sidelobe fall-off. Our digital
spectrometers have been proven to be extremely reliable and robust, even under
the harsh environmental conditions of an airborne observatory, with
Allan-variance stability times of several 1000 seconds. An enhancement of the
present 2.5 GHz XFFTS will duplicate the number of spectral channels (64k),
offering spectroscopy with even better resolution during Cycle 1 observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A (SOFIA/GREAT special issue
Quiescent Radio Emission from Southern Late-type M Dwarfs and a Spectacular Radio Flare from the M8 Dwarf DENIS 1048-3956
We report the results of a radio monitoring program conducted at the
Australia Telescope Compact Array to search for quiescent and flaring emission
from seven nearby Southern late-type M and L dwarfs. Two late-type M dwarfs,
the M7 V LHS 3003 and the M8 V DENIS 1048-3956, were detected in quiescent
emission at 4.80 GHz. The observed emission is consistent with optically thin
gyrosynchrotron emission from mildly relativistic (~1-10 keV) electrons with
source densities n_e ~ 10 G magnetic fields. DENIS
1048-3956 was also detected in two spectacular, short-lived flares, one at 4.80
GHz (peak f_nu = 6.0+/-0.8 mJy) and one at 8.64 GHz (peak f_nu = 29.6+/-1.0
mJy) approximately 10 minutes later. The high brightness temperature (T_B >~
10^13 K), short emission period (~4-5 minutes), high circular polarization
(~100%), and apparently narrow spectral bandwidth of these events imply a
coherent emission process in a region of high electron density (n_e ~
10^11-10^12 cm^-3) and magnetic field strength (B ~ 1 kG). If the two flare
events are related, the apparent frequency drift in the emission suggests that
the emitting source either moved into regions of higher electron or magnetic
flux density; or was compressed, e.g., by twisting field lines or gas motions.
The quiescent fluxes from the radio-emitting M dwarfs violate the Gudel-Benz
empirical radio/X-ray relations, confirming a trend previously noted by Berger
et al. (abridged)Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Electron Acceleration by Multi-Island Coalescence
Energetic electrons of up to tens of MeV are created during explosive
phenomena in the solar corona. While many theoretical models consider magnetic
reconnection as a possible way of generating energetic electrons, the precise
roles of magnetic reconnection during acceleration and heating of electrons
still remain unclear. Here we show from 2D particle-in-cell simulations that
coalescence of magnetic islands that naturally form as a consequence of tearing
mode instability and associated magnetic reconnection leads to efficient
energization of electrons. The key process is the secondary magnetic
reconnection at the merging points, or the `anti-reconnection', which is, in a
sense, driven by the converging outflows from the initial magnetic reconnection
regions. By following the trajectories of the most energetic electrons, we
found a variety of different acceleration mechanisms but the energization at
the anti-reconnection is found to be the most important process. We discuss
possible applications to the energetic electrons observed in the solar flares.
We anticipate our results to be a starting point for more sophisticated models
of particle acceleration during the explosive energy release phenomena.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures (degraded figure quality), 1 table. Accepted for
publication in ApJ
Graphene microwave transistors on sapphire substrates
We have developed metal-oxide graphene field-effect transistors (MOGFETs) on
sapphire substrates working at microwave frequencies. For monolayers, we obtain
a transit frequency up to ~ 80 GHz for a gate length of 200 nm, and a power
gain maximum frequency of about ~ 3 GHz for this specific sample. Given the
strongly reduced charge noise for nanostructures on sapphire, the high
stability and high performance of this material at low temperature, our MOGFETs
on sapphire are well suited for a cryogenic broadband low-noise amplifier
Survey on solar X-ray flares and associated coherent radio emissions
The radio emission during 201 X-ray selected solar flares was surveyed from
100 MHz to 4 GHz with the Phoenix-2 spectrometer of ETH Zurich. The selection
includes all RHESSI flares larger than C5.0 jointly observed from launch until
June 30, 2003. Detailed association rates of radio emission during X-ray flares
are reported. In the decimeter wavelength range, type III bursts and the
genuinely decimetric emissions (pulsations, continua, and narrowband spikes)
were found equally frequently. Both occur predominantly in the peak phase of
hard X-ray (HXR) emission, but are less in tune with HXRs than the
high-frequency continuum exceeding 4 GHz, attributed to gyrosynchrotron
radiation. In 10% of the HXR flares, an intense radiation of the above genuine
decimetric types followed in the decay phase or later. Classic meter-wave type
III bursts are associated in 33% of all HXR flares, but only in 4% they are the
exclusive radio emission. Noise storms were the only radio emission in 5% of
the HXR flares, some of them with extended duration. Despite the spatial
association (same active region), the noise storm variations are found to be
only loosely correlated in time with the X-ray flux. In a surprising 17% of the
HXR flares, no coherent radio emission was found in the extremely broad band
surveyed. The association but loose correlation between HXR and coherent radio
emission is interpreted by multiple reconnection sites connected by common
field lines.Comment: Solar Physics, in pres
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