1,430 research outputs found
The Assembly of Diversity in the Morphologies and Stellar Populations of High-Redshift Galaxies
We have studied the evolution in the morphologies, sizes, stellar-masses,
colors, and internal color dispersion (ICD) of galaxies at z=1 and 2.3, using a
near-IR, flux-limited catalog for the HDF-N. At z=1 most luminous galaxies have
morphologies of early-to-mid Hubble-types, and many show transformations
between their rest-frame UV-optical morphologies. Galaxies at z=2.3 have
compact and irregular morphologies with no clearly evident Hubble-sequence
candidates. The mean galaxy size grows from z=2.3 to 1 by 40%, and the density
of galaxies larger than 3 kpc increases by 7 times. At z=1, the size-luminosity
distribution is broadly consistent with that of local galaxies, with passive
evolution. However, galaxies at z=2.3 are smaller than the large present-day
galaxies, and must continue to grow in size and stellar mass. We have measured
the galaxies' UV-optical ICD, which quantifies differences in morphology and
the relative amount of on-going star-formation. The mean and scatter in
galaxies' total colors and ICD increase from z=2.3 to 1. At z=1 many galaxies
with large ICD are spirals, with a few irregular systems. Few z=2.3 galaxies
have high ICD, and those that do are actively merging. We interpret this as
evidence for the presence of older and more diverse stellar populations at z=1
that are not generally present at z>2. We conclude that the star-formation
histories of galaxies at z>2 are dominated by discrete, recurrent bursts, which
quickly homogenize the galaxies' stellar content, and are possibly associated
with mergers. The increase in the stellar-population diversification by z<1.4
implies that merger-induced starbursts occur less frequently than at higher
redshifts, and more quiescent star-forming modes dominate. This transition
coincides with the emergence of Hubble-sequence galaxies. [Abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 20 pages, in
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Endogenous hydrogen peroxide production in the epithelium of the developing embryonic lens
Purpose Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an endogenously produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in a variety of mammalian systems. This particular ROS can play dichotomous roles, being beneficial in some cases and deleterious in others, which reflects the level and location of H2O2 production. While much is known about the redox regulation of ROS by antioxidant and repair systems in the lens, little is known about the endogenous production of H2O2 in embryonic lens tissue or the physiologic relevance of endogenous H2O2 to lens development. This gap in knowledge exists primarily from a lack of reagents that can specifically detect endogenous H2O2 in the intact lens. Here, using a recently developed chemoselective fluorescent boronate probe, peroxyfluor-6 acetoxymethyl ester (PF6-AM), which selectively detects H2O2 over related ROS, we examined the endogenous H2O2 signals in the embryonic lens. Methods: Embryonic day 10 chick whole lenses in ex vivo organ culture and lens epithelial cells in primary culture were loaded with the H2O2 probe PF6-AM. To determine the relationship between localization of mitochondria with active membrane potential and the region of H2O2 production in the lens, cells were exposed to the mitochondrial probe MitoTracker Red CMXRos together with PF6-AM. Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a flavin inhibitor that blocks generation of intracellular ROS production, was used to confirm that the signal from PF6-AM was due to endogenous ROS production. All imaging was performed by live confocal microscopy. Results: PF6-AM detected endogenous H2O2 in lens epithelial cells in whole lenses in ex vivo culture and in lens epithelial cells grown in primary culture. No endogenous H2O2 signal could be detected in differentiating lens fiber cells with this probe. Treatment with DPI markedly attenuated the fluorescence signal from the peroxide-specific probe PF6-AM in the lens epithelium, suggesting that basal generation of ROS occurs in this region. The lens epithelial cells producing an endogenous H2O2 signal were also rich in actively respiring mitochondria. Conclusions: PF6-AM can be used as an effective reagent to detect the presence and localization of endogenous H2O2 in live lens cells
The Evolution of Early-type Field Galaxies Selected from a NICMOS Map of the Hubble Deep Field North
The redshift distribution of well-defined samples of distant early-type
galaxies offers a means to test the predictions of monolithic and hierarchical
galaxy formation scenarios. NICMOS maps of the entire Hubble Deep Field North
in the F110W and F160W filters, when combined with the available WFPC2 data,
allow us to calculate photometric redshifts and determine the morphological
appearance of galaxies at rest-frame optical wavelengths out to z ~ 2.5. Here
we report results for two subsamples of early-type galaxies, defined primarily
by their morphologies in the F160W band, which were selected from the NICMOS
data down to H160_{AB} < 24.0. The observed redshift distributions of our two
early-type samples do not match that predicted by a monolithic collapse model,
which shows an overabundance at z > 1.5. A hierarchical formation model better
matches the redshift distribution of the HDF-N early-types at z > 1.5, but
still does not adequately describe the observed early-types. The hierarchical
model predicts significantly bluer colors on average than the observed
early-type colors, and underpredicts the observed number of early-types at z <
1. [abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal; 54 pages, 21
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Molecular and mass spectral identification of the broadly conserved decapod crustacean neuropeptide pQIRYHQCYFNPISCF: The first PISCF-allatostatin (Manduca sexta- or C-type allatostatin) from a non-insect
The PISCF-allatostatins (Manduca sexta- or C-type allatostatins) are a family of pentadecapeptides characterized by a pyroglutamine blocked N-terminus, an unamidated-PISCF C-terminus, and a disulfide bridge between two internal Cys residues. Several isoforms of PISCF-AST are known, all from holometabolous insects. Using a combination of transcriptomics and mass spectrometry, we have identified the first PISCF-type peptides from a non-insect species. In silico analysis of crustacean ESTs identified several Litopenaeus vannamei (infraorder Penaeidea) transcripts encoding putative PISCF-AST precursors. Translation of these ESTs, with subsequent prediction of their putative post-translational processing, revealed the existence of as many as three PISCF-type peptides, including pQIRYHQCYFNPISCF (disulfide bridging between Cys7 and Cys14). Although none of the predicted isoforms was detected by mass spectrometry in L. vannamei, MALDI-FTMS mass profiling identified an m/z signal corresponding to pQIRYHQCYFNPISCF (disulfide bridge present) in neural tissue from 28 other decapods, which included members of six infraorders (Stenopodidea, Astacidea, Thalassinidea, Achelata, Anomura and Brachyura). Further characterization of the peptide using SORI-CID and chemical derivatization/enzymatic digestion supported the theorized structure. In both the crab Cancer borealis and the lobster Homarus americanus, MALDI-based tissue surveys suggest that pQIRYHQCYFNPISCF is broadly distributed in the nervous system; it was also detected in the posterior midgut caecum. Collectively, our data show that members of the PISCF-AST family are not restricted to the holometabolous insects, but instead may be broadly conserved within the Pancrustacea. Moreover, our data suggest that one highly conserved PISCF-type peptide, pQIRYHQCYFN-PISCF, is present in decapod crustaceans, functioning as a brain-gut paracrine/hormone. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Spectroscopy of Nine Cataclysmic Variable Stars
We present optical spectroscopy of nine cataclysmic binary stars, mostly
dwarf novae, obtained primarily to determine orbital periods Porb. The stars
and their periods are LX And, 0.1509743(5) d; CZ Aql, 0.2005(6) d; LU Cam,
0.1499686(4) d; GZ Cnc, 0.0881(4) d; V632 Cyg, 0.06377(8) d; V1006 Cyg,
0.09903(9) d; BF Eri, 0.2708804(4) d; BI Ori, 0.1915(5) d; and FO Per, for
which Porb is either 0.1467(4) or 0.1719(5) d.
Several of the stars proved to be especially interesting. In BF Eri, we
detect the absorption spectrum of a secondary star of spectral type K3 +- 1
subclass, which leads to a distance estimate of approximately 1 kpc. However,
BF Eri has a large proper motion (100 mas/yr), and we have a preliminary
parallax measurement that confirms the large proper motion and yields only an
upper limit for the parallax. BF Eri's space velocity is evidently large, and
it appears to belong to the halo population. In CZ Aql, the emission lines have
strong wings that move with large velocity amplitude, suggesting a
magnetically-channeled accretion flow. The orbital period of V1006 Cyg places
it squarely within the 2- to 3-hour "gap" in the distribution of cataclysmic
binary orbital periods.Comment: 31 pages, 5 postscript and one PNG figure. Accepted for PAS
Morphologies and Spectral Energy Distributions of Extremely Red Galaxies in the GOODS-South Field
Using U'- through Ks-band imaging data in the GOODS-South field, we construct
a large, complete sample of 275 ``extremely red objects'' (EROs; K_s<22.0,
R-K_s>3.35; AB), all with deep HST/ACS imaging in B_435, V_606, i_775, and
z_850, and well-calibrated photometric redshifts. Quantitative concentration
and asymmetry measurements fail to separate EROs into distinct morphological
classes. We therefore visually classify the morphologies of all EROs into four
broad types: ``Early'' (elliptical-like), ``Late'' (disk galaxies),
``Irregular'' and ``Other'' (chain galaxies and low surface brightness
galaxies), and calculate their relative fractions and comoving space densities.
For a broad range of limiting magnitudes and color thresholds, the relative
number of early-type EROs is approximately constant at 33-44%, and the comoving
space densities of Early- and Late-type EROs are comparable. Mean rest-frame
spectral energy distributions (SEDs) at wavelengths between 0.1 and 1.2 um are
constructed for all EROs. The SEDs are extremely similar in their range of
shapes, independent of morphological type. The implication is that any
differences between the broad-band SEDs of Early-type EROs and the other types
are relatively subtle, and there is no robust way of photometrically
distinguishing between different morphological types with usual
optical/near-infrared photometry.Comment: Submitted to the ApJL. A version with full-resolution figures, all
GOODS data and all GOODS collaboration papers may be found at
http://www.stsci.edu/science/goods
Host movement dominates the predicted effects of climate change on parasite transmission between wild and domestic mountain ungulates
Climate change is shifting the transmission of parasites, which is determined by host density, ambient temperature and moisture. These shifts can lead to increased pressure from parasites, in wild and domestic animals, and can impact the effectiveness of parasite control strategies. Understanding the interactive effects of climate on host movement and parasite life histories will enable targeted parasite management, to ensure livestock productivity and avoid additional stress on wildlife populations. To assess complex outcomes under climate change, we applied a gastrointestinal nematode transmission model to a montane wildlife–livestock system, based on host movement and changes in abiotic factors due to elevation, comparing projected climate change scenarios with the historic climate. The wildlife host, Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex), undergoes seasonal elevational migration, and livestock are grazed during the summer for eight weeks. Total parasite infection pressure was more sensitive to host movement than to the direct effect of climatic conditions on parasite availability. Extended livestock grazing is predicted to increase parasite exposure for wildlife. These results demonstrate that movement of different host species should be considered when predicting the effects of climate change on parasite transmission, and can inform decisions to support wildlife and livestock health.<br/
The Unusual Infrared Object HDF-N J123656.3+621322
We describe an object in the Hubble Deep Field North with very unusual
near-infrared properties. It is readily visible in Hubble Space Telescope
NICMOS images at 1.6um and from the ground at 2.2um, but is undetected (with
signal-to-noise <~ 2) in very deep WFPC2 and NICMOS data from 0.3 to 1.1um. The
f_nu flux density drops by a factor >~ 8.3 (97.7% confidence) from 1.6 to
1.1um. The object is compact but may be slightly resolved in the NICMOS 1.6um
image. In a low-resolution, near-infrared spectrogram, we find a possible
emission line at 1.643um, but a reobservation at higher spectral resolution
failed to confirm the line, leaving its reality in doubt. We consider various
hypotheses for the nature of this object. Its colors are unlike those of known
galactic stars, except perhaps the most extreme carbon stars or Mira variables
with thick circumstellar dust shells. It does not appear to be possible to
explain its spectral energy distribution as that of a normal galaxy at any
redshift without additional opacity from either dust or intergalactic neutral
hydrogen. The colors can be matched by those of a dusty galaxy at z >~ 2, by a
maximally old elliptical galaxy at z >~ 3 (perhaps with some additional
reddening), or by an object at z >~ 10 whose optical and 1.1um light have been
suppressed by the intergalactic medium. Under the latter hypothesis, if the
luminosity results from stars and not an AGN, the object would resemble a
classical, unobscured protogalaxy, with a star formation rate >~ 100 M_sun/yr.
Such UV-bright objects are evidently rare at 2 < z < 12.5, however, with a
space density several hundred times lower than that of present-day L* galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 27 pages,
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