92 research outputs found
High-Contrast Observations in Optical and Infrared Astronomy
High-contrast observations in optical and infrared astronomy are defined as
any observation requiring a technique to reveal a celestial object of interest
that is in such close angular proximity to another source brighter by a factor
of at least 10^5 that optical effects hinder or prevent the collection of
photons directly from the target of observation. This is a relatively new type
of observation that enables research on previously obscured parts of the
Universe. In particular, it is most applicable to Comparative Planetary
Science, a field that directly attacks such questions as "how common are
planetary systems? What types of planets exist, and are there planets other
than Earth that are capable of supporting life as we know it?" We survey the
scientific motivations for high-contrast observations, provide an overview of
the techniques currently being used or developed, and discuss some ideas and
studies for future prospects.Comment: In press for Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Vol. 47).
46 pages, 15 figure
Constraints on Nucleon Decay via "Invisible" Modes from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory
Data from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory have been used to constrain the
lifetime for nucleon decay to ``invisible'' modes, such as n -> 3 nu. The
analysis was based on a search for gamma-rays from the de-excitation of the
residual nucleus that would result from the disappearance of either a proton or
neutron from O16. A limit of tau_inv > 2 x 10^{29} years is obtained at 90%
confidence for either neutron or proton decay modes. This is about an order of
magnitude more stringent than previous constraints on invisible proton decay
modes and 400 times more stringent than similar neutron modes.Comment: Update includes missing efficiency factor (limits change by factor of
2) Submitted to Physical Review Letter
First Neutrino Observations from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory
The first neutrino observations from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are
presented from preliminary analyses. Based on energy, direction and location,
the data in the region of interest appear to be dominated by 8B solar
neutrinos, detected by the charged current reaction on deuterium and elastic
scattering from electrons, with very little background. Measurements of
radioactive backgrounds indicate that the measurement of all active neutrino
types via the neutral current reaction on deuterium will be possible with small
systematic uncertainties. Quantitative results for the fluxes observed with
these reactions will be provided when further calibrations have been completed.Comment: Latex, 7 pages, 10 figures, Invited paper at Neutrino 2000
Conference, Sudbury, Canada, June 16-21, 2000 to be published in the
Proceeding
Variability of Brown Dwarfs
Brown dwarfs constitute a missing link between low-mass stars and giant
planets. Their atmospheres display chemical species typical of planets, and one
could wonder whether they also have weather-like patterns. While brown dwarf
surface features cannot be directly resolved, the photometric and spectroscopic
modulations induced by these features, as they rotate in and out of view,
provide a wealth of information on the evolution of their atmosphere. A review
of brown dwarfs variability through the L, T and Y spectral types sequence is
presented, as well as the constraints that they set on the nature of
weather-like patterns on their surface.Comment: Accepted chapter in the "Handbook of Exoplanets"; Springe
Sensitivity of various body indices and visceral adiposity index in predicting metabolic syndrome among Chinese patients with adult growth hormone deficiency
Formation, evolution and multiplicity of brown dwarfs and giant exoplanets
This proceeding summarises the talk of the awardee of the Spanish
Astronomical Society award to the the best Spanish thesis in Astronomy and
Astrophysics in the two-year period 2006-2007. The thesis required a tremendous
observational effort and covered many different topics related to brown dwarfs
and exoplanets, such as the study of the mass function in the substellar domain
of the young sigma Orionis cluster down to a few Jupiter masses, the relation
between the cluster stellar and substellar populations, the accretion discs in
cluster brown dwarfs, the frequency of very low-mass companions to nearby young
stars at intermediate and wide separations, or the detectability of Earth-like
planets in habitable zones around ultracool (L- and T-type) dwarfs in the solar
neighbourhood.Comment: "Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics V", Proceedings of the VIII
Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society (SEA) held in
Santander, 7-11 July, 2008. Edited by J. Gorgas, L. J. Goicoechea, J. I.
Gonzalez-Serrano, J. M. Diego. Invited oral contribution to plenary sessio
Pediatric DXA: clinical applications
Normal bone mineral accrual requires adequate dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients; hepatic and renal activation of vitamin D; normal hormone levels (thyroid, parathyroid, reproductive and growth hormones); and neuromuscular functioning with sufficient stress upon the skeleton to induce bone deposition. The presence of genetic or acquired diseases and the therapies that are used to treat them can also impact bone health. Since the introduction of clinical DXA in pediatrics in the early 1990s, there has been considerable investigation into the causes of low bone mineral density (BMD) in children. Pediatricians have also become aware of the role adequate bone mass accrual in childhood has in preventing osteoporotic fractures in late adulthood. Additionally, the availability of medications to improve BMD has increased with the development of bisphosphonates. These factors have led to the increased utilization of DXA in pediatrics. This review summarizes much of the previous research regarding BMD in children and is meant to assist radiologists and clinicians with DXA utilization and interpretation
Observing Exoplanets with the James Webb Space Telescope
The census of exoplanets has revealed an enormous variety of planets or- biting stars of all ages and spectral types: planets in orbits of less than a day to frigid worlds in orbits over 100 AU; planets with masses 10 times that of Jupiter to planets with masses less than that of Earth; searingly hot planets to temperate planets in the Habitable Zone. The challenge of the coming decade is to move from demography to physical characterization. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is poised to open a revolutionary new phase in our understanding of exoplanets with transit spectroscopy of relatively short period planets and coronagraphic imaging of ones with wide separations from their host stars. This article discusses the wide variety of exoplanet opportunities enabled by JWSTs sensitivity and stability, its high angular resolution, and its suite of powerful instruments. These capabilities will advance our understanding of planet formation, brown dwarfs, and the atmospheres of young to mature planets
The prevalence of growth hormone deficiency in survivors of subarachnoid haemorrhage: results from a large single centre study
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