328 research outputs found
The planetary nebula Abell 48 and its [WN4] central star
We have conducted a multi-wavelength study of the planetary nebula Abell 48
and give a revised classification of its nucleus as a hydrogen-deficient star
of type [WN4]. The surrounding nebula has a morphology typical of PNe and
importantly, is not enriched in nitrogen, and thus not the 'peeled atmosphere'
of a massive star. Indeed, no WN4 star is known to be surrounded by such a
compact nebula. The ionized mass of the nebula is also a powerful discriminant
between the low-mass PN and high-mass WR ejecta interpretations. The ionized
mass would be impossibly high if a distance corresponding to a Pop I star was
adopted, but at a distance of 2 kpc, the mass is quite typical of moderately
evolved PNe. At this distance, the ionizing star then has a luminosity of ~5000
Lsolar, again rather typical for a PN central star. We give a brief discussion
of the implications of this discovery for the late-stage evolution of
intermediate-mass stars.Comment: EUROWD12 Proceeding
The planetary nebula Abell 48 and its [WN] nucleus
We have conducted a detailed multi-wavelength study of the peculiar nebula
Abell 48 and its central star. We classify the nucleus as a helium-rich,
hydrogen-deficient star of type [WN4-5]. The evidence for either a massive WN
or a low-mass [WN] interpretation is critically examined, and we firmly
conclude that Abell 48 is a planetary nebula (PN) around an evolved low-mass
star, rather than a Population I ejecta nebula. Importantly, the surrounding
nebula has a morphology typical of PNe, and is not enriched in nitrogen, and
thus not the `peeled atmosphere' of a massive star. We estimate a distance of
1.6 kpc and a reddening, E(B-V) = 1.90 mag, the latter value clearly showing
the nebula lies on the near side of the Galactic bar, and cannot be a massive
WN star. The ionized mass (~0.3 M_Sun) and electron density (700 cm^-3) are
typical of middle-aged PNe. The observed stellar spectrum was compared to a
grid of models from the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) grid. The best fit
temperature is 71 kK, and the atmospheric composition is dominated by helium
with an upper limit on the hydrogen abundance of 10 per cent. Our results are
in very good agreement with the recent study of Todt et al., who determined a
hydrogen fraction of 10 per cent and an unusually large nitrogen fraction of ~5
per cent. This fraction is higher than any other low-mass H-deficient star, and
is not readily explained by current post-AGB models. We give a discussion of
the implications of this discovery for the late-stage evolution of
intermediate-mass stars. There is now tentative evidence for two distinct
helium-dominated post-AGB lineages, separate to the helium and carbon dominated
surface compositions produced by a late thermal pulse. Further theoretical work
is needed to explain these recent discoveries.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, to appear in MNRAS. Version 3 incorporates
proof correction
Statistical Mechanics of Torque Induced Denaturation of DNA
A unifying theory of the denaturation transition of DNA, driven by
temperature T or induced by an external mechanical torque Gamma is presented.
Our model couples the hydrogen-bond opening and the untwisting of the
helicoidal molecular structure. We show that denaturation corresponds to a
first-order phase transition from B-DNA to d-DNA phases and that the
coexistence region is naturally parametrized by the degree of supercoiling
sigma. The denaturation free energy, the temperature dependence of the twist
angle, the phase diagram in the T,Gamma plane and isotherms in the sigma, Gamma
plane are calculated and show a good agreement with experimental data.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, model improve
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Use of the Modified Light Duty Utility Arm to Perform Nuclear Waste Cleanup of Underground Waste Storage Tanks at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
The Modified Light Duty Utility Arm (MLDUA) is a selectable seven or eight degree-of-freedom robot arm with a 16.5 ft (5.03 m) reach and a payload capacity of 200 lb. (90.72 kg). The utility arm is controlled in either joystick-based telerobotic mode or auto sequence robotics mode. The MLDUA deployment system deploys the utility arm vertically into underground radioactive waste storage tanks located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These tanks are constructed of gunite material and consist of two 25 ft (7.62 m) diameter tanks in the North Tank Farm and six 50 ft (15.24 m) diameter tanks in the South Tank Farm. After deployment inside a tank, the utility arm reaches and grasps the confined sluicing end effecter (CSEE) which is attached to the hose management arm (HMA). The utility arm positions the CSEE within the tank to allow the HMA to sluice the tank's liquid and solid waste from the tank. The MLDUA is used to deploy the characterization end effecter (CEE) and gunite scarifying end effecter (GSEE) into the tank. The CEE is used to survey the tank wall's radiation levels and the physical condition of the walls. The GSEE is used to scarify the tank walls with high-pressure water to remove the wall scale buildup and a thin layer of gunite which reduces the radioactive contamination that is embedded into the gunite walls. The MLDUA is also used to support waste sampling and wall core-sampling operations. Other tools that have been developed for use by the MLDUA include a pipe-plugging end effecter, pipe-cutting end effecter, and pipe-cleaning end effecter. Washington University developed advance robotics path control algorithms for use in the tanks. The MLDUA was first deployed in June 1997 and has operated continuously since then. Operational experience in the first four tanks remediated is presented in this paper
The Spitzer Spectroscopic Survey of S-type Stars
S-type AGB stars are thought to be in the transitional phase between M-type
and C-type AGB stars. Because of their peculiar chemical composition, one may
expect a strong influence of the stellar C/O ratio on the molecular chemistry
and the mineralogy of the circumstellar dust. In this paper, we present a large
sample of 87 intrinsic galactic S-type AGB stars, observed at infrared
wavelengths with the Spitzer Space Telescope, and supplemented with
ground-based optical data. On the one hand, we derive the stellar parameters
from the optical spectroscopy and photometry, using a grid of model
atmospheres. On the other, we decompose the infrared spectra to quantify the
flux-contributions from the different dust species. Finally, we compare the
independently determined stellar parameters and dust properties. For the stars
without significant dust emission, we detect a strict relation between the
presence of SiS absorption in the Spitzer spectra and the C/O ratio of the
stellar atmosphere. These absorption bands can thus be used as an additional
diagnostic for the C/O ratio. For stars with significant dust emission, we
define three groups, based on the relative contribution of certain dust species
to the infrared flux. We find a strong link between group-membership and C/O
ratio. We show that these groups can be explained by assuming that the
dust-condensation can be cut short before silicates are produced, while the
remaining free atoms and molecules can then form the observed magnesium
sulfides or the carriers of the unidentified 13 and 20 micron features.
Finally, we present the detection of emission features attributed to molecules
and dust characteristic to C-type stars, such as molecular SiS, hydrocarbons
and magnesium sulfide grains. We show that we often detect magnesium sulfides
together with molecular SiS and we propose that it is formed by a reaction of
SiS molecules with Mg.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Expression of Msx1 and Dlx1 during Dumbo rat head development: Correlation with morphological features
The Dumbo rat possesses some characteristics that evoke several human syndromes, such as Treacher-Collins: shortness of the maxillary, zygomatic and mandibular bones, and low position of the ears. Knowing that many homeobox genes are candidates in craniofacial development, we investigated the involvement of the Msx1 and Dlx1 genes in the Dumbo phenotype with the aim of understanding their possible role in abnormal craniofacial morphogenesis and examining the possibility of using Dumbo rat as an experimental model for understanding abnormal craniofacial development. We studied the expression of these genes during craniofacial morphogenesis by RT-PCR method. We used Dumbo embryos at E12 and E14 and included the Wistar strain as a control. Semi-quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated that Msx1 and Dlx1 are expressed differently between Dumbo and Wistar rats, indicating that their low expression may underly the Dumbo phenotype
Physical Activity Characteristics across GOLD Quadrants Depend on the Questionnaire Used
BACKGROUND:The GOLD multidimensional classification of COPD severity combines the exacerbation risk with the symptom experience, for which 3 different questionnaires are permitted. This study investigated differences in physical activity (PA) in the different GOLD quadrants and patient's distribution in relation to the questionnaire used. METHODS:136 COPD patients (58±21% FEV1 predicted, 34F/102M) completed COPD assessment test (CAT), clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire. Exacerbation history, spirometry and 6MWD were collected. PA was objectively measured for 2 periods of 1 week, 6 months apart, in 5 European centres; to minimise seasonal and clinical variation the average of these two periods was used for analysis. RESULTS:GOLD quadrants C+D had reduced PA compared with A+B (3824 [2976] vs. 5508 [4671] steps.d-1, p<0.0001). The choice of questionnaire yielded different patient distributions (agreement mMRC-CAT Îș = 0.57; CCQ-mMRC Îș = 0.71; CCQ-CAT Îș = 0.72) with different clinical characteristics. PA was notably lower in patients with an mMRC score â„2 (3430 [2537] vs. 5443 [3776] steps.d-1, p <0.001) in both the low and high risk quadrants. CONCLUSIONS:Using different questionnaires changes the patient distribution and results in different clinical characteristics. Therefore, standardization of the questionnaire used for classification is critical to allow comparison of different studies using this as an entry criterion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01388218
The emerging structure of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: where does Evo-Devo fit in?
The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) debate is gaining ground in contemporary evolutionary biology. In parallel, a number of philosophical standpoints have emerged in an attempt to clarify what exactly is represented by the EES. For Massimo Pigliucci, we are in the wake of the newest instantiation of a persisting Kuhnian paradigm; in contrast, Telmo Pievani has contended that the transition to an EES could be best represented as a progressive reformation of a prior Lakatosian scientific research program, with the extension of its Neo-Darwinian core and the addition of a brand-new protective belt of assumptions and auxiliary hypotheses. Here, we argue that those philosophical vantage points are not the only ways to interpret what current proposals to âextendâ the Modern Synthesis-derived âstandard evolutionary theoryâ (SET) entail in terms of theoretical change in evolutionary biology. We specifically propose the image of the emergent EES as a vast network of models and interweaved representations that, instantiated in diverse practices, are connected and related in multiple ways. Under that assumption, the EES could be articulated around a paraconsistent network of evolutionary theories (including some elements of the SET), as well as models, practices and representation systems of contemporary evolutionary biology, with edges and nodes that change their position and centrality as a consequence of the co-construction and stabilization of facts and historical discussions revolving around the epistemic goals of this area of the life sciences. We then critically examine the purported structure of the EESâpublished by Laland and collaborators in 2015âin light of our own network-based proposal. Finally, we consider which epistemic units of Evo-Devo are present or still missing from the EES, in preparation for further analyses of the topic of explanatory integration in this conceptual framework
Hierarchy Theory of Evolution and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: Some Epistemic Bridges, Some Conceptual Rifts
Contemporary evolutionary biology comprises a plural landscape of multiple co-existent conceptual frameworks and strenuous voices that disagree on the nature and scope of evolutionary theory. Since the mid-eighties, some of these conceptual frameworks have denounced the ontologies of the Modern Synthesis and of the updated Standard Theory of Evolution as unfinished or even flawed. In this paper, we analyze and compare two of those conceptual frameworks, namely Niles Eldredgeâs Hierarchy Theory of Evolution (with its extended ontology of evolutionary entities) and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (with its proposal of an extended ontology of evolutionary processes), in an attempt to map some epistemic bridges (e.g. compatible views of causation; niche construction) and some conceptual rifts (e.g. extra-genetic inheritance; different perspectives on macroevolution; contrasting standpoints held in the âexternalismâinternalismâ debate) that exist between them. This paper seeks to encourage theoretical, philosophical and historiographical discussions about pluralism or the possible unification of contemporary evolutionary biology
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