Molecules in an infrared cirrus cloud

One of the clouds that form the Polar Loop was observed in the 1(sub 10)-1(sub 11) 4.8 GHz transition of formaldehyde and in J equal to 1-0 transitions of CO-12 and CO-13 at 115 and 110 GHz resp. The cloud consists of several filaments. From the correlation of IRAS 60 and 100 microns intensities a color temperature of the dust of 21 K and a maximum optical depth of 3 x 10(exp -4) were derived. At one local maximum of the 100 micron intensity, the hyperfine structure of formaldehyde could be resolved. Since the infrared optical depth is small, the 100 micron intensity can be used as a measure of dust column density

Assessment of [Fe/H] determinations for FGK stars in spectroscopic surveys

The number of stars with a measured value of [Fe/H] is considerably increasing thanks to spectroscopic surveys. However different methodologies, inputs and assumptions used in spectral analyses lead to different precisions in [Fe/H] and possibly to systematic differences that need to be evaluated. It is essential to understand the characteristics of each survey to fully exploit their potential, in particular if the surveys are combined. The purpose of this study is to compare [Fe/H] determinations from the largest spectroscopic surveys (APOGEE, GALAH, the Gaia ESO survey, RAVE, LAMOST, SEGUE ) to other catalogues taken as reference. Offsets and dispersions of the residuals are examined as well as their trends with other parameters. We use reference samples providing independent determinations of [Fe/H] which are compared to those from the surveys for common stars. The distribution of the residuals is assessed through simple statistics that measures the offset between two catalogues and the dispersion representative of the precision of both catalogues. When relevant, linear fits are performed. A large sample of FGK-type stars with [Fe/H] based on high-resolution, high signal to noise spectroscopy was built from the PASTEL catalogue to provide a reference sample. We also use FGK members in open and globular clusters to assess the internal consistency of [Fe/H] of each survey. The agreement of median [Fe/H] values for clusters observed by different surveys is discussed. All the surveys overestimate the low metallicities, and some of them also underestimate the high metallicities. They perform well in the most populated intermediate metallicity range, whatever the resolution. In most cases the typical precision that we deduce from the comparisons is in good agreement with the uncertainties quoted in the catalogues. Some exceptions to this general behaviour are discussed.Comment: accepted in A&

HCN and HCO+ emission in the disk of M31

We report observations made with the IRAM 30m radiotelescope in the HCN(1-0) and HCO+(1-0) lines towards a sample of molecular complexes (GMCs) in the disk of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). The targets were identified bright CO GMCs selected from the IRAM 30m CO survey with various morphologies and environments. The clouds vary in galactocentric distances from 2.4 to 15.5kpc. The HCN and HCO+ emission is easily detected in almost all observed positions, with line widths generally similar to the CO ones and there is a good correlation between the two dense gas tracers. The HCO+ emission is slightly stronger than the HCN, in particular towards GMCs with a strong star formation activity. However the HCO+ emission is weaker than the HCN towards a quiescent cloud in the inner part of M31, which could be due to a lower abundance of HCO+. We derive I_HCN/I_CO ratios between 0.008 and 0.03 and I_HCO+/I_CO ratios between less than 0.003 and 0.04. We study the radial distribution of the dense gas in the disk of M31. Unlike our Galaxy the HCO+/CO ratio is lower in the center of M31 than in the arms, which can be explained by both a lower abundance of HCO+ and different conditions of excitation. Furthermore the HCN/CO and HCO+/CO ratios appear to be higher in the inner spiral arm and weaker in the outer arm.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

A Challenge to the Episodic Account of Negative Compatibility Effect in a Gender Categorization Task: Impact of Prime-Probe Contextual Similarity Versus Time Encoding

L’Effet de Compatibilité Négative (ECN) renvoie au fait que la compatibilité des réponses entre amorçe et cible donne lieu à un ralentissement des temps de décision comparativement à une condition d’incompatibilité. Dans une tâche de catégorisation sur le genre, Versace et Allain (2001) expliquent cet effet d’amorçage négatif  par la réévocation épisodique de traces mnésiques entrant en conflit. Afin de mettre à l’épreuve cette hypothèse, nous évaluons si l’intensité de l’Effet de Compatibilité Négative augmente dans des conditions expérimentales favorisant la récupération épisodique mnésique (Fox & de Fockert, 1998; Kane et al., 1997; Wong, 2000). Dans ce but, nous manipulons la similarité contextuelle entre amorce et cible par le biais des temps d’exposition. Nos résultats montrent qu’une interprétation épisodique ne peut rendre compte de façon unifiée de l’ECN. Le facteur déterminant de l’ECN se révèle être le temps alloué à l’encodage des informations plus que la similarité des traitements entre amorces et cibles.Negative Compatibility Effect (NCE) refers to the fact that a negative priming effect appears when prime/target pairs are mapped to the same response compared to pairs that are mapped to the opposite one. In a gender categorisation task, Versace and Allain (2001) explained this result by a backward-acting memorial processes leading to the detection of a conflict between prime and target responses. In this paper, we investigated whether NCE is stronger in condition enhancing episodic retrieval (Fox & de Fockert, 1998; Kane et al., 1997; Wong, 2000). We manipulated the contextual similarity between prime and target through information exposition duration. Our results do not emphasize episodic retrieval as a unified account for NCE: The critical determinant of NCE was the time allowed for primes encoding but not the contextual overlap between prime and target.

Gaia FGK Benchmark Stars: fundamental Teff and log g of the third version

Context. Large spectroscopic surveys devoted to the study of the Milky Way, including Gaia, use automated pipelines to massively determine the atmospheric parameters of millions of stars. The Gaia FGK Benchmark Stars are reference stars with Teff and log g derived through fundamental relations, independently of spectroscopy, to be used as anchors for the parameter scale. The first and second versions of the sample have been extensively used for that purpose, and more generally to help constrain stellar models. Aims. We provide the third version of the Gaia FGK Benchmark Stars, an extended set intended to improve the calibration of spectroscopic surveys, and their interconnection. Methods. We have compiled about 200 candidates which have precise measurements of angular diameters and parallaxes. We determined their bolometric fluxes by fitting their spectral energy distribution. Masses were determined using two sets of stellar evolution models. In a companion paper we describe the determination of metallicities and detailed abundances. Results. We provide a new set of 192 Gaia FGK Benchmark Stars with their fundamental Teff and logg, and with uncertainties lower than 2% for most stars. Compared to the previous versions, the homogeneity and accuracy of the fundamental parameters are significantly improved thanks to the high quality of the Gaia data reflecting on distances and bolometric fluxes.Comment: accepted in A&

13C—methyl formate : observations of a sample of high mass starforming regions including Orion—KL and spectroscopic characterization

We have surveyed a sample of massive star-forming regions located over a range of distances from the Galactic centre for methyl formate, HCOOCH3, and its isotopologues H13COOCH3 and HCOO13CH3. The observations were carried out with the APEX telescope in the frequency range 283.4-287.4 GHz. Based on the APEX observations, we report tentative detections of the 13C-methyl formate isotopologue HCOO13CH3 towards the following four massive star-forming regions: Sgr B2(N-LMH), NGC 6334 IRS 1, W51 e2 and G19.61-0.23. In addition, we have used the 1 mm ALMA science verification observations of Orion-KL and confirm the detection of the 13C-methyl formate species in Orion-KL and image its spatial distribution. Our analysis shows that the 12C/13C isotope ratio in methyl formate toward Orion-KL Compact Ridge and Hot Core-SW components (68.4±10.1 and 71.4±7.8, respectively) are, for both the 13C-methyl formate isotopologues, commensurate with the average 12C/13C ratio of CO derived toward Orion-KL. Likewise, regarding the other sources, our results are consistent with the 12C/13C in CO. We also report the spectroscopic characterization, which includes a complete partition function, of the complex H13COOCH3 and HCOO13CH3 species. New spectroscopic data for both isotopomers H13COOCH3 and HCOO13CH3, presented in this study, has made it possible to measure this fundamentally important isotope ratio in a large organic molecule for the first time.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant 1008800. We are grateful to the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of Spain for the financial support through grant No. FIS2011-28738-C02-02 and to the French Government through grant No. ANR-08-BLAN-0054 and the French PCMI (Programme National de Physique Chimie du Milieu Interstellaire). This paper makes use of the following ALMA data: ADS/JAO. ALMA#2011.0.00009.SV.ALMAis a partnership of ESO (representing its member states), NSF (USA), and NINS (Japan), together with NRC (Canada) and NSC and ASIAA (Taiwan), in cooperation with the Republic of Chile. The Joint ALMA Observatory is operated by ESO, AUI/NRAO, and NAOJ. C.F. thanks Dahbia Talbi, Eric Herbst, and Anthony Remijan for enlightening discussions. Finally, we thank the anonymous referee for helpful comments

Mémoire et compréhension : lire pour comprendre

International audienceMémoriser et Comprendre sont deux activités cognitives intrinsèquement reliées. En effet, comment mémoriser ce que l'on n'a pas compris, et réciproquement, comment comprendre sans mettre en oeuvre des processus de mémorisation ? L'objectif de cet ouvrage est précisément de mettre en relation ces deux fonctions du système cognitif afin d'en dégager leur articulation. L'accent est particulièrement porté sur les situations de traitement d'informations écrites. - La première partie consacrée à la mémoire, retrace quelle a été l'évolution dans la manière de la concevoir, perçue tantôt d'un point de vue structurel, fonctionnel puis comme un processus. - En deuxième partie les principales modélisations de l'activité de compréhension d'informations textuelles sont décrites. Cette présentation donne l'occasion d'aborder certains déficits de compréhension. - La troisième partie aborde conjointement les deux activités et tente de préciser la place accordée à la mémoire dans les différentes modélisations des processus de compréhension. Un livre essentiel pour les étudiants en psychologie, en sciences cognitives, en orthophonie, de même que pour les psychologues, les orthophonistes, les professionnels de la petite enfance..

Étude interférométrique du formiate de méthyle et d'autres molécules complexes dans la nébuleuse d'Orion Kleinmann-Low

Un peu plus de 150 molécules ont été détectées dans le milieu interstellaire et circumstellaire. Parmi elles, nous dénombrons une soixantaine de molécules complexes composées d'au moins 6 atomes. La chimie du milieu interstellaire, synthétisant des molécules plus ou moins complexes à la surface des grains ou en phase gazeuse, est très différente de celle connue sur Terre. À ce jour, seules l'observation et l'analyse de l'émission des différentes espèces moléculaires permettent de contraindre les modèles de chimie interstellaire.Au cours de cette thèse, j'ai recherché des molécules complexes au sein de la nébuleuse d'Orion Kleinmann-Low qui est la région de formation d'étoiles massives la plus proche de nous. De nombreuses étoiles de faible masse s'y forment également. Je me suis intéressée en particulier à la molécule du formiate de méthyle HCOOCH3 qui est une molécule complexe abondante et qui s'est révélée être un traceur de température et de structure de l'ensemble de la région étudiée. Grâce à des observations millimétriques de hautes résolutions spatiales et spectrales (respectivement de 7 à 2 et de 2.3 km/s à 0.4 km/s), obtenues avec l'interféromètre du Plateau de Bure de l'IRAM, j'ai réalisé une étude détaillée de l'émission cette molécule oxygénée dans la région du Compact Ridge. Notre étude montre que cette région particulière semble être chauffée par des mécanismes externes tels des chocs. De plus, nos observations en direction du Compact Ridge et de son voisinage tendent à confirmer la désorption suite à un choc du formiate de méthyle, ou d'un de ses précurseurs, formé à la surface des grains interstellaires.J'ai également recherché les deux isomères de formule [C2H4O2] du formiate de méthyle : le glycolaldéhyde et l'acide acétique. Leur étude a montré la difficulté de détecter des molécules peu abondantes dans Orion K-L en raison d'une confusion spectrale importante, mettant ainsi en évidence la nécessité d'observations de hautes résolutions aussi bien spatiale que spectrale pour la recherche de molécules comme le permettra l'interféromètre ALMA. Les limites supérieures de densité de colonne déduites de nos données pour le pré-sucre glycolaldehyde (CH2OHCHO, détecté dans SgrB2) sont très contraignantes pour les modèles de chimie. Nos résultats pourraient permettre une avancée dans la compréhension de l'origine de cette espèce moléculaire.Over 150 different molecular species have been detected in the interstellar and circumstellar media. Among these, approximatively 60 are complex molecules and contain 6 or more atoms. The interstellar chemical processes that form more or less complex molecules, either on the surface of dust grains or in gas phase, are different from the processes we know on Earth. The only way to constrain chemical models relies on the observation and the analysis of the emission coming from various molecular species.The main goal of my PhD is to look for complex molecules in the nearest star forming region with both high and low mass stars, the Orion Kleinmann-Low nebula. I specially studied the emission of the methyl formate molecule (HCOOCH3) which appeared to be an abundant molecule and a good probe of the temperature and structure of Orion K-L.Using high spectral and spatial resolution millimetre observations (from 7 to 2 and from 2.3 km/s to 0.4 km/s, respectively) from the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer, I carried out a detailed study of the emission of this O-bearing molecule towards the Compact Ridge component. Our study shows that this region seems to be heated by external mechanisms (e.g. shocks).Moreover, our observations toward the Compact Ridge region and its surroundings tend to confirm that methyl formate or a precursor seems to be formed on grain surfaces and is subsequently desorbed due to shocks.I also looked for the two isomers of methyl formate [C2H4O2] : glycolaldehyde and acetic acid. Owing to strong spectral confusion in the region, it is very difficult to detect low abundance molecules such as these two isomers. In order to lower the confusion level, higher spatial as well as spectral resolutions must be achieved which ALMA will soon allow.We derived upper limits for the column density of glycolaldehyde, a precursor of sugar (CH2OHCHO that has been detected towards SgrB2), these limits provide strong constraints for chemical models.BORDEAUX1-Bib.electronique (335229901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Gelatinization and gelation of corn starch followed by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy analysis

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Émotion et cognition: quand l'émotion parle à la cognition

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