Circumstellar chemistry

The study of the outer envelopes of cool evolved stars has become an active area of research. The physical properties of CS envelopes are presented. Observations of many wavelengths bands are relevant. A summary of observations and a discussion of theoretical considerations concerning the chemistry are summarized. Recent theoretical considerations show that the thermal equilibrium model is of limited use for understanding the chemistry of the outer CS envelopes. The theoretical modeling of the chemistry of CS envelopes provides a quantitive test of chemical concepts which have a broader interest than the envelopes themselves

The Shapes of AGB Envelopes as Probes of Binary Companions

We describe how the large scale geometry of the circumstellar envelopes of asymptotic giant branch stars can be used to probe the presence of unseen stellar companions. A nearby companion modifies the mass loss by gravitationally focusing the wind towards the orbital plane, and thereby determines the shape of the envelope at large distances from the star. Using available simulations, we develop a prescription for the observed shapes of envelopes in terms of the binary parameters, envelope orientation, and type of observation. The prescription provides a tool for the analysis of envelope images at optical, infrared, and millimetre wavelengths, which can be used to constrain the presence of companions in well observed cases. We illustrate this approach by examining the possible role of binary companions in triggering the onset of axi-symmetry in planetary nebula formation. If interaction with the primary leads to axi-symmetry, the spherical halos widely seen around newly formed nebulae set limits on the companion mass. Only low mass objects may orbit close to the primary without observable shaping effects: they remain invisible until the interaction causes a sudden change in the mass loss geometry.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, to appear in MNRA

Simultaneous observations of active galactic nuclei with IUE

The IUE observations of four active nuclei were coordinated with radio, infrared, and X-ray measurements to obtain simultaneous determinations of their continuous spectra. The results for the BL Lac objects 0735+178 and I Zw 187 indicate sufficient UV and X-ray fluxes to ionize any gas. Comparison of the X-ray measurements with the extrapolated optical UV continuum show a definite X-ray excess for I Zw 187 but none for the other BL Lac object

Gender and the Constructions of Paranoid Experiences in the General Population

Existing research has continued to demonstrate that experiences of paranoia are best understood as lying on a continuum, across both clinical and non-clinical populations. Within the non-clinical population, experiences of paranoia have been associated with gender, with the predominant pattern being a higher prevalence rate amongst males. The aim of this study was to further investigate this relationship, utilising a qualitative and discursive approach to data collection and analysis. This approach was chosen in order to address concerns with the predominantly reductive methodologies commonly utilised in investigations of both gender and paranoia. The culturally available discourses of ‘paranoia’ and ‘gender’ were investigated through conducting semi-structured interviews with nine interviewees, recruited from a non-clinical, student population. Transcripts of interviews were subsequently analysed using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA). The findings of the study demonstrated gendered aspects of discursive constructions of paranoia, as well as ways in which men and women are positioned differently within discourse, and the resultant potential consequences for individual subjective experience. Common constructions of paranoia in men were of an experience related to external and physical threats, expressed through an unpredictable and aggressive manner; whilst paranoia in women was constructed as more normalised and based in social and intimate relationships, expressed in an open manner, and shared with others. Implications of these findings suggest that considerations of gender should be brought more to the fore in both research and clinical practice, to provide a more nuanced understanding of the experience of paranoia

Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Spontaneous Large Animal Model of Human HCM.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common disease in pet cats, affecting 10-15% of the pet cat population. The similarity to human HCM, the rapid progression of disease, and the defined and readily determined endpoints of feline HCM make it an excellent natural model that is genotypically and phenotypically similar to human HCM. The Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats are particularly valuable models of HCM because of myosin binding protein-C mutations and even higher disease incidence compared to the overall feline population. The cat overcomes many of the limitations of rodent HCM models, and can provide enhanced translation of information from in vitro and induced small animal models to human clinical trials. Physicians and veterinarians working together in a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach can accelerate the discovery of more effective treatments for this and other cardiovascular diseases affecting human and veterinary patients

An automatic data system for vibration modal tuning and evaluation

A digitally based automatic modal tuning and analysis system developed to provide an operational capability beginning at 0.1 hertz is described. The elements of the system, which provides unique control features, maximum operator visibility, and rapid data reduction and documentation, are briefly described; and the operational flow is discussed to illustrate the full range of capabilities and the flexibility of application. The successful application of the system to a modal survey of the Skylab payload is described. Information about the Skylab test article, coincident-quadrature analysis of modal response data, orthogonality, and damping calculations is included in the appendixes. Recommendations for future application of the system are also made

Solid state television camera system Patent

Solid state television camera system consisting of monolithic semiconductor mosaic sensor and molecular digital readout system