165 research outputs found
A Hubble Space Telescope ACS Search for Brown Dwarf Binaries in the Pleiades Open Cluster
We present the results of a high-resolution imaging survey for brown dwarf
binaries in the Pleiades open cluster. The observations were carried out with
the Advance Camera for Surveys onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. Our sample
consists of 15 bona-fide brown dwarfs. We confirm 2 binaries and detect their
orbital motion, but we did not resolve any new binary candidates in the
separation range between 5.4AU and 1700AU and masses in the range
0.035--0.065~Msun. Together with the results of our previous study (Martin et
al., 2003), we can derive a visual binary frequency of 13.3\%
for separations greater than 7~AU masses between 0.055--0.065~M_{\sun} and
mass ratios between 0.45--0.91.0. The other observed properties of
Pleiades brown dwarf binaries (distributions of separation and mass ratio)
appear to be similar to their older counterparts in the field.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in Ap
17 new very low-mass members in Taurus. The brown dwarf deficit revisited
Recent studies of the substellar population in the Taurus cloud have revealed
a deficit of brown dwarfs (BD) compared to the Trapezium cluster population
(Briceno et al 1998; Luhman 2000; Luhman et al 2003a; Luhman 2004). However,
these works have concentrated on the highest stellar density regions of the
Taurus cloud. We have performed a large scale optical survey of this region,
covering a total area of 30 deg^2, and encompassing the densest part of the
cloud as well as their surroundings, down to a mass detection limits of 15
Jupiter Masses (MJ). In this paper, we present the optical spectroscopic
follow-up observations of 97 photometrically selected potential new low-mass
Taurus members, of which 27 are strong late-M (SpT < M4V) candidates. These
observations reveal 5 new very low mass (VLM) Taurus members and 12 new BDs.
Combining our observations with previously published results, we derive an
updated substellar to stellar ratio in Taurus of Rss =0.23 +/- 0.05. This ratio
now appears consistent with the value previously derived in the Trapezium
cluster under similar assumptions of 0.26 +/- 0.04. We find strong indication
that the relative numbers of BDs with respect to stars is decreased by a factor
2 in the central regions of the aggregates with respect to the more distributed
population. Our findings are best explained in the context of the
embryo-ejection model where brown dwarfs originate from dynamical interactions
in small N unstable multiple systems.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figure
Global and decomposition evolutionary support vector machine approaches for time series forecasting
Multi-step ahead Time Series Forecasting (TSF) is a key tool for support- ing tactical decisions (e.g., planning resources). Recently, the support vector machine emerged as a natural solution for TSF due to its nonlinear learning capabilities. This paper presents two novel Evolutionary Support Vector Machine (ESVM) methods for multi-step TSF. Both methods are based on an Estimation Distribution Algorithm (EDA) search engine that automatically performs a simultaneous variable (number of inputs) and model (hyperparameters) selection. The Global ESVM (GESVM) uses all past patterns to fit the support vector machine, while the Decomposition ESVM (DESVM) separates the series into trended and stationary effects, using a distinct ESVM to forecast each effect and then summing both predictions into a sin- gle response. Several experiments were held, using six time series. The proposed approaches were analyzed under two criteria and compared against a recent Evolu- tionary Artificial Neural Network (EANN) and two classical forecasting methods, Holt-Winters and ARIMA. Overall, the DESVM and GESVM obtained competitive and high quality results. Furthermore, both ESVM approaches consume much less computational effort when compared with EANN.The authors wish to thank Ramon Sagarna for introducing the subject of EDA. The work of P. Cortez was supported by FEDER (program COMPETE and FCT) under project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674
A young binary Brown Dwarf in the R-CrA star formation region
We present imaging and spectroscopic observations with HST (WFPC2, ACS/HRC
and STIS), VLT (FORS2) and Keck (HIRES) of the dM8 ultra-cool dwarf DENIS-P
J185950.9-370632, located in the R-CrA region. The presence of lithium
absorption at 670.8 nm and the strong Halpha emission indicate a young age and
a sub-stellar mass. Our diffraction-limited images resolve a companion at the
separation limit of HST/ACS (~0.06"). The 2.1 mJy flux in the LW2 filter
(5.0-8.5 microns) of the Infrared Space Observatory (see 1999A&A...350..883)
likely corresponds to an infrared excess, suggesting the presence of
circumstellar material. Proper motion and photometric measurements, as well as
the Halpha activity, confirm membership in the R-CrA star forming region. If
confirmed by further observations, DENIS-P J185950.9-370632 would be the first
accreting sub-stellar multiple system observed to date.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables Version with full resolution figures
available on: ftp://ftp.mpe.mpg.de/people/hbouy/publications/DENIS1859.ps.g
Topical Gene Electrotransfer to the Epidermis of Hairless Guinea Pig by Non-invasive Multielectrode Array
Topical gene delivery to the epidermis has the potential to be an effective therapy for skin disorders, cutaneous cancers, vaccinations and systemic metabolic diseases. Previously, we reported on a non-invasive multielectrode array (MEA) that efficiently delivered plasmid DNA and enhanced expression to the skin of several animal models by in vivo gene electrotransfer. Here, we characterized plasmid DNA delivery with the MEA in a hairless guinea pig model, which has a similar histology and structure to human skin. Significant elevation of gene expression up to 4 logs was achieved with intradermal DNA administration followed by topical non-invasive skin gene electrotransfer. This delivery produced gene expression in the skin of hairless guinea pig up to 12 to 15 days. Gene expression was observed exclusively in the epidermis. Skin gene electrotransfer with the MEA resulted in only minimal and mild skin changes. A low level of human Factor IX was detected in the plasma of hairless guinea pig after geneelectrotransfer with the MEA, although a significant increase of Factor IX was obtained in the skin of animals. These results suggest geneelectrotransfer with the MEA can be a safe, efficient, non-invasive skin delivery method for skin disorders, vaccinations and potential systemic diseases where low levels of gene products are sufficient
Does Proximity to Retailers Influence Alcohol and Tobacco Use Among Latino Adolescents?
Despite decades of research surrounding determinants of alcohol and tobacco (A&T) use among adolescents, built environment influences have only recently been explored. This study used ordinal regression on 205 Latino adolescents to explore the influence of the built environment (proximity to A&T retailers) on A&T use, while controlling for recognized social predictors. The sample was 45% foreign-born. A&T use was associated with distance from respondents’ home to the nearest A&T retailer (−), acculturation (+), parents’ consistent use of contingency management (−), peer use of A&T (+), skipping school (+), attending school in immediate proximity to the US/Mexico border (+), and the interaction between the distance to the nearest retailer and parents’ consistent use of contingency management (+). The association between decreasing distance to the nearest A&T retailer and increased A&T use in Latino adolescents reveals an additional risk behavior determinant in the US–Mexico border region
Exploring the Lower Mass Function in the young open Cluster IC 4665
We present a study of the young (30-100Myr) open cluster IC 4665 with the aim
to determine the shape of the mass function well into the brown dwarf regime.
We photometrically select 691 low-mass stellar and 94 brown dwarf candidate
members over an area of 3.82 square degrees centred on the cluster. K-band
follow-up photometry and Two-Micron All-Sky Survey data allow a first filtering
of contaminant objects from our catalogues. A second filtering is performed for
the brightest stars using proper motion data provided by the Tycho-2 and UCAC2
public catalogues. Contamination by the field population for the lowest mass
objects is estimated using same latitude control fields. We fit observed
surface densities of various cluster populations with King profiles and find a
consistent tidal radius of 1.0 degree. The presence of possible mass
segregation is discussed. In most respects investigated, IC 4665 is similar to
other young open clusters at this age: (1) a power law fit to the mass function
between 1 and 0.04Msun results in best fit for a slope of -0.6; (2) a cusp in
the mass function is noticed at about the substellar boundary with respect to
the power law description, the interpretation of which is discussed; (3) a
fraction between 10-19% for BDs with M > 0.03Msun to total members; (4) a
best-fit lognormal function to the full mass distribution shows an average
member mass of 0.32Msun, if IC 4665 has an age of 50Myr.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A. Catalogue with
candidate members at CD
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