1,586 research outputs found
A grid of Synthetic Spectra for Hot DA White Dwarfs and Its Application in Stellar Population Synthesis
In this work we present a grid of LTE and non-LTE synthetic spectra of hot DA
white dwarfs (WDs). In addition to its usefulness for the determination of
fundamental stellar parameters of isolated WDs and in binaries, this grid will
be of interest for the construction of theoretical libraries for stellar
studies from integrated light. The spectral grid covers both a wide temperature
and gravity range, with 17,000 K <= T_eff <= 100,000 K and 7.0 <= log(g) <=
9.5. The stellar models are built for pure hydrogen and the spectra cover a
wavelength range from 900 A to 2.5 microns. Additionally, we derive synthetic
HST/ACS, HST/WFC3, Bessel UBVRI and SDSS magnitudes. The grid was also used to
model integrated spectral energy distributions of simple stellar populations
and our modeling suggests that DAs might be detectable in ultraviolet bands for
populations older than ~8 Gyr.Comment: to be published in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serie
Full spectral fitting of Milky Way and M31 globular clusters: ages and metallicities
Context: The formation and evolution of disk galaxies are long standing
questions in Astronomy. Understanding the properties of globular cluster
systems can lead to important insights on the evolution of its host galaxy.
Aims: We aim to obtain the stellar population parameters - age and metallicity
- of a sample of M31 and Galactic globular clusters. Studying their globular
cluster systems is an important step towards understanding their formation and
evolution in a complete way. Methods: Our analysis employs a modern
pixel-to-pixel spectral fitting technique to fit observed integrated spectra to
updated stellar population models. By comparing observations to models we
obtain the ages and metallicities of their stellar populations. We apply this
technique to a sample of 38 globular clusters in M31 and to 41 Galactic
globular clusters, used as a control sample. Results: Our sample of M31
globular clusters spans ages from 150 Myr to the age of the Universe.
Metallicities [Fe/H] range from -2.2 dex to the solar value. The
age-metallicity relation obtained can be described as having two components: an
old population with a flat age-[Fe/H] relation, possibly associated with the
halo and/or bulge, and a second one with a roughly linear relation between age
and metallicity, higher metallicities corresponding to younger ages, possibly
associated with the M31 disk. While we recover the very well known Galactic GC
metallicity bimodality, our own analysis of M31's metallicity distribution
function (MDF) suggests that both GC systems cover basically the same [Fe/H]
range yet M31's MDF is not clearly bimodal. These results suggest that both
galaxies experienced different star formation and accretion histories.Comment: A&A, in pres
Genetic vaccine for tuberculosis (pVAXhsp65) primes neonate mice for a strong immune response at the adult stage
Abstract\ud
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Background\ud
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Vaccination of neonates is generally difficult due to the immaturity of the immune system and consequent higher susceptibility to tolerance induction. Genetic immunization has been described as an alternative to trigger a stronger immune response in neonates, including significant Th1 polarization. In this investigation we analysed the potential use of a genetic vaccine containing the heat shock protein (hsp65) from Mycobacterium leprae (pVAXhsp65) against tuberculosis (TB) in neonate mice. Aspects as antigen production, genomic integration and immunogenicity were evaluated.\ud
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Methods\ud
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Hsp65 message and genomic integration were evaluated by RT-PCR and Southern blot, respectively. Immunogenicity of pVAXhsp65 alone or combined with BCG was analysed by specific induction of antibodies and cytokines, both quantified by ELISA.\ud
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Results\ud
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This DNA vaccine was transcribed by muscular cells of neonate mice without integration into the cellular genome. Even though this vaccine was not strongly immunogenic when entirely administered (three doses) during early animal's life, it was not tolerogenic. In addition, pVAXhsp65 and BCG were equally able to prime newborn mice for a strong and mixed immune response (Th1 + Th2) to pVAXhsp65 boosters administered later, at the adult life.\ud
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Conclusion\ud
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These results suggest that pVAXhsp65 can be safely used as a priming stimulus in neonate animals in prime-boost similar strategies to control TB. However, priming with BCG or pVAXhsp65, directed the ensuing immune response triggered by an heterologous or homologous booster, to a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern of response. Measures as introduction of IL-12 or GM-CSF genes in the vaccine construct or even IL-4 neutralization, are probably required to increase the priming towards Th1 polarization to ensure control of tuberculosis infection.The authors are grateful to Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de São Paulo for providing BCG and to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) that supported this study with a grant (Proc. No. 03/06348-7).The authors are grateful to Secretaria da Saúde do Estado de São Paulo for providing BCG and to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) that supported this study with a grant (Proc. No. 03/063487)
Surface brightness fluctuation spectrum: a new probe of evolved stars in unresolved stellar populations
The surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) method measures spatial fluctuations due to the most luminous stars in a galaxy. Besides being useful for distance measurements, it also provides diagnostic power to investigate the contribution of the brightest stars to the underlying unresolved stellar population. We apply the SBF technique to every wavelength layer in integral field spectroscopy data obtained with the MUSE instrument. This yields the first SBF spectrum of a galaxy. SBF spectra combine the sensitivity of SBF to luminous stars with the physical information content of spectra. We show that the SBF spectrum of the S0 galaxy NGC 5102 is dominated by spectra of M-type giants (red giant branch, asymptotic giant branch, and red supergiant stars). We build the first stellar population synthesis tool that predicts SBF spectra. Through comparison of integrated spectra from our new tool with published model spectra, we confirm that it is mathematically correct. We use the integrated spectrum and a bootstrap method to derive an ensemble of (degenerate) star formation histories of NGC 5102. We compute a model SBF spectrum for each star formation history. Given that some models do not reproduce the observed SBF spectrum well, we are able to obtain additional constraints on the star formation history, leading to marginally reduced uncertainties on the mean age and metallicity. This result is confirmed by modelling mock spectra with different star formation histories
J-PLUS: A wide-field multi-band study of the M15 globular cluster. Evidence of multiple stellar populations in the RGB
The Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS) provides wide
field-of-view images in 12 narrow, intermediate and broad-band filters
optimized for stellar photometry. Here we have applied J-PLUS data for the
first time for the study of Galactic GCs using science verification data
obtained for the very metal-poor GC M\,15. Our J-PLUS data provide
low-resolution spectral energy distributions covering the near-UV to the
near-IR, allowing us to search for MPs based on pseudo-spectral fitting
diagnostics. J-PLUS CMDs are found to be particularly useful to search for
splits in the sequences formed by the upper red giant branch (RGB) and
asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. We interpret these split sequences as
evidence for the presence of MPs. This demonstrates that the J-PLUS survey will
have sufficient spatial coverage and spectral resolution to perform a large
statistical study of GCs through multi-band photometry in the coming years.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication @ A&
An optimized nanoparticle delivery system based on chitosan and chondroitin sulfate molecules reduces the toxicity of amphotericin B and is effective in treating tegumentary leishmaniasis
Amphotericin B (AmpB) is active against leishmaniasis, but its use is hampered due to its high toxicity observed in patients. In this study, a nanoparticles-delivery system for AmpB (NQC-AmpB), containing chitosan and chondroitin sulfate molecules, was evaluated in BALB/c mice against Leishmania amazonensis. An in vivo biodistribution study, including biochemical and toxicological evaluations, was performed to evaluate the toxicity of AmpB. Nanoparticles were radiolabeled with technetium-99m and injected in mice. The products presented a similar biodistribution in the liver, spleen, and kidneys of the animals. Free AmpB induced alterations in the body weight of the mice, which, in the biochemical analysis, indicated hepatic and renal injury, as well as morphological damage to the kidneys of the animals. In general, no significant organic alteration was observed in the animals treated with NQC-AmpB. Mice were infected with L. amazonensis and treated with the nanoparticles or free AmpB; then, parasitological and immunological analyses were performed. The NQC-AmpB group, as compared to the control groups, presented significant reductions in the lesion size and in the parasite burden in all evaluated organs. These animals presented significantly higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-12, and low levels of IL-4 and IL-10, when compared to the control groups. The NQC-AmpB system was effective in reducing the infection in the animals, and proved to be effective in diminishing the toxicity evoked by AmpB, which was observed when it was administered alone. In conclusion, NQC-AmpB could be considered a viable possibility for future studies in the treatment of leishmaniasisThis work was supported by grants from Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa from UFMG (Edital 01/2014), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-biofarmacêutica (INCT-Nanobiofar), FAPEMIG (CBB-APQ-00496-11 and CBB-APQ-00819-12), and CNPq (APQ-472090/2011-9 and APQ-482976/2012-8). MACF is a grant recipient of FAPEMIG/CAPES. EAFC, VNC, and AAGF are grant recipients of CNPq. Eduardo AF Coelho and André AG Faraco are co-senior authors of this stud
Consumption, nicotine dependence and motivation for smoke cessation during early stages of COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: A cross-sectional study
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed smoking habits. For the smoking population, information regarding smoking habits and the pandemic could potentially aid COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Our study aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence levels, and motivation for smoking cessation. We also collected information from smokers regarding their awareness of the consequences of tobacco use and the increased risks smokers have for severe complications from COVID-19.
Methods: In the survey for this observational cross-sectional study, 122 smokers responded to an online form. The participants provided general data about their smoking history, their smoking habits in the months of April and May 2020, and the effect of the pandemic on their smoking habits. They also completed a Fagerström test and were measured by the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale.
Results:When compared to pre-pandemic levels, the majority of smokers reported increased tobacco consumption of between 1 and 10 cigarettes per day (37.7%). Their motivation to quit smoking (59.8%) and desire to smoke (53.2%) were unchanged by the pandemic. Most participants demonstrated an awareness of the increased risks smokers have for severe COVID-19-related complications (p
Conclusions: Most smokers are well aware of their increased risks for severe COVID- 19-related complications. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, most smokers reported increased cigarette consumption. In addition, motivation to quit and desire to smoke were unchanged for the majority of smokers
RESIDUAL BIOMASSES IN THE MICRO-REGION OF DOURADOS (MS): ASSESSMENT AND AVAILABILITY FOR ENERGY IN AGRICULTURE THERMAL CONVERSION
The C Allele of rs5743836 Polymorphism in the Human TLR9 Promoter Links IL-6 and TLR9 Up-Regulation and Confers Increased B-Cell Proliferation
In humans, allelic variants in Toll-like receptors (TLRs) associate with several pathologies. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of this association remain largely unknown. Analysis of the human TLR9 promoter revealed that the C allele of the rs5743836 polymorphism generates several regulatory sites, including an IL-6-responding element. Here, we show that, in mononuclear cells carrying the TC genotype of rs5743836, IL-6 up-regulates TLR9 expression, leading to exacerbated cellular responses to CpG, including IL-6 production and B-cell proliferation. Our study uncovers a role for the rs5743836 polymorphism in B-cell biology with implications on TLR9-mediated diseases and on the therapeutic usage of TLR9 agonists/antagonists
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