8,758 research outputs found
A Multi-Wavelength Study of Sgr A*: The Role of Near-IR Flares in Production of X-ray, Soft -ray and Sub-millimeter Emission
(abridged) We describe highlights of the results of two observing campaigns
in 2004 to investigate the correlation of flare activity in Sgr A* in different
wavelength regimes, using a total of nine ground and space-based telescopes. We
report the detection of several new near-IR flares during the campaign based on
{\it HST} observations. The level of near-IR flare activity can be as low as
mJy at 1.6 m and continuous up to about 40% of the total
observing time. Using the NICMOS instrument on the {\it HST}, the {\it
XMM-Newton} and CSO observatories, we also detect simultaneous bright X-ray and
near-IR flare in which we observe for the first time correlated substructures
as well as simultaneous submillimeter and near-IR flaring. X-ray emission is
arising from the population of near-IR-synchrotron-emitting relativistic
particles which scatter submillimeter seed photons within the inner 10
Schwarzschild radii of Sgr A* up to X-ray energies. In addition, using the
inverse Compton scattering picture, we explain the high energy 20-120 keV
emission from the direction toward Sgr A*, and the lack of one-to-one X-ray
counterparts to near-IR flares, by the variation of the magnetic field and the
spectral index distributions of this population of nonthermal particles. In
this picture, the evidence for the variability of submillimeter emission during
a near-IR flare is produced by the low-energy component of the population of
particles emitting synchrotron near-IR emission. Based on the measurements of
the duration of flares in near-IR and submillimeter wavelengths, we argue that
the cooling could be due to adiabatic expansion with the implication that flare
activity may drive an outflow.Comment: 48 pages, 12 figures, ApJ (in press
Ab initio analysis of the x-ray absorption spectrum of the myoglobin-carbon monoxide complex: Structure and vibrations
We present a comparison between Fe K-edge x-ray absorption spectra of
carbonmonoxy-myoglobin and its simulation based on density-functional theory
determination of the structure and vibrations and spectral simulation with
multiple-scattering theory. An excellent comparison is obtained for the main
part of the molecular structure without any structural fitting parameters. The
geometry of the CO ligand is reliably determined using a synergic approach to
data analysis. The methodology underlying this approach is expected to be
especially useful in similar situations in which high-resolution data for
structure and vibrations are available.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure
On the Effects of Dissipative Turbulence on the Narrow Emission-Line Ratios in Seyfert Galaxies
We present a photoionization model study of the effects of micro-turbulence
and dissipative heating on emission lines for number and column densities,
elemental abundances, and ionizations typical for the narrow emission line
regions (NLRs) of Seyfert galaxies. Earlier studies of NLR spectra generally
found good agreement between the observations and the model predictions for
most strong emission lines, such as [O III] 5007, [O II]
3727, [N II] 6583, [Ne III] 3869, and the H and He
recombination lines. Nevertheless, the strengths of lines from species with
ionization potentials greater than that of He(54.4 eV), e.g. N and
Ne, were often under-predicted. Among the explanations suggested for
these discrepancies were (selectively) enhanced elemental abundances and
contributions from shock heated gas. Interestingly, the NLR lines have widths
of several 100 km s, well in excess of the thermal broadening. If this
is due to micro-turbulence, and the turbulence dissipates within the
emission-line gas, the gas can be heated in excess of that due to
photoionization. We show that the combined effects of turbulence and
dissipative heating can strongly enhance N V 1240 (relative to He II
1640), while the heating alone can boost the strength of [Ne V]
3426. We suggest that this effect is present in the NLR, particularly
within 100 pc of the central engine. Finally, since micro-turbulence
would make clouds robust against instabilities generated during acceleration,
it is not likely to be a coincidence that the radially outflowing emission-line
gas is turbulent.Comment: 29 oages, including 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journa
Structural and functional stabilization of protein entities
XI Reunião Regional Nordeste da SBBq | 4th International Symposium in Biochemistry of Macromolecules and BiotechnologyStabilization of protein and protein-like molecules translates into preservation of both
structure and functionality during storage and/or targeting, and such stabilization is
mostly attained through establishment of a thermodynamic equilibrium with the
(micro)environment. The basic thermodynamic principles that govern protein structural
transitions and the interactions of the protein and/or peptide molecule with its
(micro)environment will, therefore, be tackled. Protein stabilization is based upon
dampening the molecular motions and, therefore, eliminating conformational transitions
while the molecule is still in the native 3D (folded) state. The 3D structure of a protein
molecule depends mostly on two types of interactions: intramolecular interactions
between aminoacid moieties and intermolecular interactions with solute and/or solvent
molecules present in its microenvironment. Stabilizing a biomolecule (aiming at
preserving its function) involves dampening its molecular motions, and this can be
achieved by reducing the chemical activity of the water present in its microenvironment,
thus stabilizing both its structure and functionality. Recently, the simultaneous
entrapment-stabilization of proteins and enzymes based on nanoencapsulation in a
nanoemulsion (W/O/W) matrix with an hydrophilic core has started to gain momentum.
Similarly to the stabilization mechanism of osmolytes, in nanoencapsulation the water
activity is altered thus affecting the molecular motions of the proteins. Highlights will also
be given to structural and functional stabilization of protein entities (viz. enzymes,
(macro)peptides, (recombinant) proteins, and bacteriophages) by chemical
methodologies. Modification of the biomolecules microenvironment via multipoint
covalent attachment onto a solid surface followed by hydrophylic polymer coimmobilization,
are some of the (latest) strategies that will be discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Modulating spin transfer torque switching dynamics with two orthogonal spin-polarizers by varying the cell aspect ratio
We study in-plane magnetic tunnel junctions with additional perpendicular
polarizer for subnanosecond-current-induced switching memories. The
spin-transfer-torque switching dynamics was studied as a function of the cell
aspect ratio both experimentally and by numerical simulations using the
macrospin model. We show that the anisotropy field plays a significant role in
the dynamics, along with the relative amplitude of the two spin-torque
contributions. This was confirmed by micromagnetic simulations. Real-time
measurements of the reversal were performed with samples of low and high aspect
ratio. For low aspect ratios, a precessional motion of the magnetization was
observed and the effect of temperature on the precession coherence was studied.
For high aspect ratios, we observed magnetization reversals in less than 1 ns
for high enough current densities, the final state being controlled by the
current direction in the magnetic tunnel junction cell.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure
Dense Molecular Gas Associated with the Circumnuclear Star Forming Ring in the Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 6951
We present high resolution (3" - 5") observations of CO(1-0) and HCN(1-0)
emission from the circumnuclear star forming ring in the barred spiral galaxy
NGC 6951, a host of a type-2 Seyfert, using the Nobeyama Millimeter Array and
45 m telescope. We find that most of the HCN emission is associated with the
circumnuclear ring, where vigorous star formation occurs. The HCN to CO
integrated intensity ratio is also enhanced in the star forming ring; the peak
value of HCN/CO ratio is 0.18, which is comparable to the ratio in the
starbursts NGC 253 and M82. The formation mechanism of dense molecular gas has
been investigated. We find that the shocks along the orbit crowding do not
promote the formation of the dense molecular gas effectively but enhance the
presence of low density GMCs. Instead, gravitational instabilities of the gas
can account for the dense molecular gas formation. The HCN/CO ratio toward the
Seyfert nucleus of NGC 6951 is a rather normal value (0.086), in contrast with
other Seyferts NGC 1068 and M51 where extremely high HCN/CO value of ~ 0.5 have
been reported.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, to appear in the Astrophysical Journa
A 4-D dataset for validation of crystal growth in a complex three-phase material, ice cream
Four dimensional (4D, or 3D plus time) X-ray tomographic imaging of phase changes in materials is quickly becoming an accepted tool for quantifying the development of microstructures to both inform and validate models. However, most of the systems studied have been relatively simple binary compositions with only two phases. In this study we present a quantitative dataset of the phase evolution in a complex three-phase material, ice cream. The microstructure of ice cream is an important parameter in terms of sensorial perception, and therefore quantification and modelling of the evolution of the microstructure with time and temperature is key to understanding its fabrication and storage. The microstructure consists of three phases, air cells, ice crystals, and unfrozen matrix. We perform in situ synchrotron X-ray imaging of ice cream samples using in-line phase contrast tomography, housed within a purpose built cold-stage (-40 to +20oC) with finely controlled variation in specimen temperature. The size and distribution of ice crystals and air cells during programmed temperature cycling are determined using 3D quantification. The microstructural evolution of three-phase materials has many other important applications ranging from biological to structural and functional material, hence this dataset can act as a validation case for numerical investigations on faceted and non-faceted crystal growth in a range of materials
The local electronic structure of alpha-Li3N
New theoretical and experimental investigation of the occupied and unoccupied
local electronic density of states (DOS) are reported for alpha-Li3N. Band
structure and density functional theory calculations confirm the absence of
covalent bonding character. However, real-space full-multiple-scattering
(RSFMS) calculations of the occupied local DOS finds less extreme nominal
valences than have previously been proposed. Nonresonant inelastic x-ray
scattering (NRIXS), RSFMS calculations, and calculations based on the
Bethe-Salpeter equation are used to characterize the unoccupied electronic
final states local to both the Li and N sites. There is good agreement between
experiment and theory. Throughout the Li 1s near-edge region, both experiment
and theory find strong similarities in the s- and p-type components of the
unoccupied local final density of states projected onto an orbital angular
momentum basis (l-DOS). An unexpected, significant correspondence exists
between the near-edge spectra for the Li 1s and N 1s initial states. We argue
that both spectra are sampling essentially the same final density of states due
to the combination of long core-hole lifetimes, long photoelectron lifetimes,
and the fact that orbital angular momentum is the same for all relevant initial
states. Such considerations may be generically applicable for low atomic number
compounds.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figures, 1 tabl
Accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 supporting technologies in manufacturing engineering courses
[EN] Universities are one of the fundamental actors to guarantee the dissemination of knowledge and the development of competences related to the Industry of the Future (IoF) or Industry 4.0. Computer Aided (CAX) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) technologies are key part in the IoF. With this aim, it was launch a project focused on Manufacturing and partially funded by La Fondation Dassault Systèmes. This communication presents a review on CAX-PLM training, four initiatives already in place in universities participating in the project, the project scope, the approach to integrate with the industrial context, the working method to consider different competence profiles and the development framework.The authors express their gratitude to the other project colleagues and to La Fondation Dassault Systèmes for its funding support.Ríos, J.; Mas, F.; Marcos, M.; Vila, C.; Ugarte, D.; Chevrot, T. (2017). Accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 supporting technologies in manufacturing engineering courses. MATERIALS SCIENCE FORUM. 903:100-111. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.903.100S10011190
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