20,331 research outputs found
Deep optical imaging of AGB circumstellar envelopes
We report results of a program to image the extended circumstellar envelopes
of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in dust-scattered Galactic light. The
goal is to characterize the shapes of the envelopes to probe the mass-loss
geometry and the presence of hidden binary companions. The observations consist
of deep optical imaging of 22 AGB stars with high mass loss rates: 16 with the
ESO 3.5 m NTT telescope, and the remainder with other telescopes. The
circumstellar envelopes are detected in 15 objects, with mass loss rates > 2E-6
Msun/year. The surface brightness of the envelopes shows a strong decrease with
Galactic radius, which indicates a steep radial gradient in the interstellar
radiation field. The envelopes range from circular to elliptical in shape, and
we characterize them by the ellipticity (E = major/minor axis) of iso-intensity
contours. We find that about 50 percent of the envelopes are close to circular
with E
1.2. We interpret the shapes in terms of populations of single stars and
binaries whose envelopes are flattened by a companion. The distribution of E is
qualitatively consistent with expectations based on population synthesis models
of binary AGB stars. We also find that about 50 percent of the sample exhibit
small-scale, elongated features in the central regions. We interpret these as
the escape of light from the central star through polar holes, which are also
likely produced by companions. Our observations of envelope flattening and
polar holes point to a hidden population of companions within the circumstellar
envelopes of AGB stars. These companions are expected to play an important role
in the transition to post-AGB stars and the formation of planetary nebulae.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures, color pictures in Appendix, accepted by A&
Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures: Anatomy, Classification, Treatment and Complications
Context: Fractures of proximal fifth metatarsal are one of the most common fractures of the foot.
Evidence Acquisition: A search of PubMed for studies on proximal fifth metatarsal fracture and Jones fracture focusing on the classification and management was performed. The reference list of the retrieved articles was searched for additional related studies.
Results: The vascular supply and soft tissue anatomy of the fifth metatarsal explains the increased risk of delayed union and non-union in fractures at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction. Lawrence and Botte classify proximal fifth metatarsal fractures according to their location: tuberosity avulsion fractures (zone 1), fractures at metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction extending into the fourth-fifth intermetatarsal joint (zone 2) and proximal diaphyseal fractures (zone 3). Zone 1 fractures are treated conservatively with functional immobilization and early mobilization with excellent outcome. For zone 2 and zone 3 fractures, acute forms can be treated conservatively but with a risk of delayed union time and time for return to function. Therefore, early surgical fixation with intramedullary screw is advised in athletic individuals. For cases presented with signs of delayed union and non-union, surgical treatment with or without bone grafting is recommended. Complications of these fractures and their management are discussed in this report.
Conclusions: Lawrence and Botte’s classification of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures is recommended by experts, due to its implication on prognosis and treatment strategy. Zone 1 fractures should be treated conservatively due to their excellent healing potential. Early operative treatment is advised for zone 2 and zone 3 fractures, especially in the athletic group. Complications of delayed union, non-union and refractures should be treated by revision fixation and bone grafting
Amplitudes and Spinor-Helicity in Six Dimensions
The spinor-helicity formalism has become an invaluable tool for understanding
the S-matrix of massless particles in four dimensions. In this paper we
construct a spinor-helicity formalism in six dimensions, and apply it to derive
compact expressions for the three, four and five point tree amplitudes of
Yang-Mills theory. Using the KLT relations, it is a straightforward process to
obtain amplitudes in linearized gravity from these Yang-Mills amplitudes; we
demonstrate this by writing down the gravitational three and four point
amplitudes. Because there is no conserved helicity in six dimensions, these
amplitudes describe the scattering of all possible polarization states (as well
as Kaluza-Klein excitations) in four dimensions upon dimensional reduction. We
also briefly discuss a convenient formulation of the BCFW recursion relations
in higher dimensions.Comment: 26 pages, 2 figures. Minor improvements of the discussio
Serendipitous discovery of an extended X-ray jet without a radio counterpart in a high-redshift quasar
A recent Chandra observation of the nearby galaxy cluster Abell 585 has led
to the discovery of an extended X-ray jet associated with the high-redshift
background quasar B3 0727+409, a luminous radio source at redshift z=2.5. This
is one of only few examples of high-redshift X-ray jets known to date. It has a
clear extension of about 12", corresponding to a projected length of ~100 kpc,
with a possible hot spot located 35" from the quasar. The archival high
resolution VLA maps surprisingly reveal no extended jet emission, except for
one knot about 1.4" from the quasar. The high X-ray to radio luminosity ratio
for this source appears consistent with the amplification
expected from the inverse Compton radiative model. This serendipitous discovery
may signal the existence of an entire population of similar systems with bright
X-ray and faint radio jets at high redshift, a selection bias which must be
accounted for when drawing any conclusions about the redshift evolution of jet
properties and indeed about the cosmological evolution of supermassive black
holes and active galactic nuclei in general
The Highest Redshift Relativistic Jets
We describe our efforts to understand large-scale (10's-100's kpc)
relativistic jet systems through observations of the highest-redshift quasars.
Results from a VLA survey search for radio jets in ~30 z>3.4 quasars are
described along with new Chandra observations of 4 selected targets.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Extragalactic Jets: Theory and
Observation from Radio to Gamma Ray, Eds. T.A. Rector and D.S. De Youn
The spectroscopic evolution of the -ray emitting classical nova Nova Mon 2012. I. Implications for the ONe subclass of classical novae
Nova Mon 2012 was the first classical nova to be detected as a high energy
-ray transient, by Fermi-LAT, before its optical discovery. We study a
time sequence of high resolution optical echelle spectra (Nordic Optical
Telescope) and contemporaneous NOT, STIS UV, and CHIRON echelle spectra (Nov
20/21/22). We use [O III] and H line fluxs to constrain the properties
of the ejecta. We derive the structure from the optical and UV line profiles
and compare our measured line fluxes for with predictions using Cloudy with
abundances from other ONe novae. Mon 2012 is confirmed as an ONe nova. We find
E(B-V)=0.850.05 and hydrogen column density
cm. The corrected continuum luminosity is nearly the same in the entire
observed energy range as V1974 Cyg, V382 Mon, and Nova LMC 2000 at the same
epoch after outburst. The distance, about 3.6 kpc, is quite similar to V1974
Cyg. The line profiles can be modeled using an axisymmetric bipolar geometry
for the ejecta with various inclinations of the axis to the line of sight, 60
\le i \le 80 degrees, an opening angle of \approx\Delta
R/R(t)\approx 0.4f\approx 0.1-0.3\leq 6\times
10^{-5}_\odot\gamma$-ray emission may be a generic phenomenon, common to all ONe novae,
possibly to all classical novae, and connected with acceleration and emission
processes within the ejecta (abstract severely truncated).Comment: Submitted to A&A 9/1/2013; Accepted 27/2/2013 (in press
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