3,524 research outputs found
Interferometric Observations of Explosive Variables: V838 Mon, Nova Aql 2005, and RS Oph
During the last two years we have used the Palomar Testbed Interferometer to
observe several explosive variable stars, including V838 Monocerotis, V1663
Aquilae and recently RS Ophiuchi. We observed V838 Monocerotis approximately 34
months after its eruption, and were able to resolve the ejecta. Observations of
V1663 Aql were obtained starting 9 days after peak brightness and continued for
10 days. We were able to resolve the milliarcsecond-scale emission and follow
the expansion of the nova photosphere. When combined with radial-velocity
information, these observations can be used to infer the distance to the nova.
Finally we have resolved the recurrent nova RS Oph and can draw some
preliminary conclusions regarding the emission morphology.Comment: 8 Pages, SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation 2006,
Advances in Stellar Interferometery, 6268-16
New insights on the AU-scale circumstellar structure of FU Orionis
We report new near-infrared, long-baseline interferometric observations at
the AU scale of the pre-main-sequence star FU Orionis with the PTI, IOTA and
VLTI interferometers. This young stellar object has been observed on 42 nights
over a period of 6 years from 1998 to 2003. We have obtained 287 independent
measurements of the fringe visibility with 6 different baselines ranging from
20 to 110 meters in length, in the H and K bands. Our extensive (u,v)-plane
coverage, coupled with the published spectral energy distribution data, allows
us to test the accretion disk scenario. We find that the most probable
explanation for these observations is that FU Ori hosts an active accretion
disk whose temperature law is consistent with standard models. We are able to
constrain the geometry of the disk, including an inclination of 55 deg and a
position angle of 47 deg. In addition, a 10 percent peak-to-peak oscillation is
detected in the data (at the two-sigma level) from the longest baselines, which
we interpret as a possible disk hot-spot or companion. However, the oscillation
in our best data set is best explained with an unresolved spot located at a
projected distance of 10 AU at the 130 deg position angle and with a magnitude
difference of DeltaK = 3.9 and DeltaH = 3.6 mag moving away from the center at
a rate of 1.2 AU/yr. we propose to interpret this spot as the signature of a
companion of the central FU Ori system on an extremely eccentric orbit. We
speculate that the close encounter of this putative companion and the central
star could be the explanation of the initial photometric rise of the luminosity
of this object
Coupled dynamics of voltage and calcium in paced cardiac cells
We investigate numerically and analytically the coupled dynamics of
transmembrane voltage and intracellular calcium cycling in paced cardiac cells
using a detailed physiological model and its reduction to a three-dimensional
discrete map. The results provide a theoretical framework to interpret various
experimentally observed modes of instability ranging from electromechanically
concordant and discordant alternans to quasiperiodic oscillations of voltage
and calcium
Exoplanet science with the LBTI: instrument status and plans
The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer (LBTI) is a strategic instrument
of the LBT designed for high-sensitivity, high-contrast, and high-resolution
infrared (1.5-13 m) imaging of nearby planetary systems. To carry out a
wide range of high-spatial resolution observations, it can combine the two
AO-corrected 8.4-m apertures of the LBT in various ways including direct
(non-interferometric) imaging, coronagraphy (APP and AGPM), Fizeau imaging,
non-redundant aperture masking, and nulling interferometry. It also has
broadband, narrowband, and spectrally dispersed capabilities. In this paper, we
review the performance of these modes in terms of exoplanet science
capabilities and describe recent instrumental milestones such as first-light
Fizeau images (with the angular resolution of an equivalent 22.8-m telescope)
and deep interferometric nulling observations.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, Proc. SPI
Analysis of variability of TW Hya as observed by MOST and ASAS in 2009
As a continuation of our previous studies in 2007 and 2008, new photometric
observations of the T Tauri star TW Hya obtained by the MOST satellite and the
ASAS project over 40 days in 2009 with temporal resolution of 0.2 days are
presented. A wavelet analysis of the combined MOST-ASAS data provides a rich
picture of coherent, intermittent, variable-period oscillations, similarly as
discovered in the 2008 data. The periods (1.3 - 10 days) and systematic period
shortening on time scales of weeks can be interpreted within the model of
magneto-rotationally controlled accretion processes in the inner accretion disk
around the star. Within this model and depending on the assumed visibility of
plasma parcels causing the oscillations, the observed shortest-period
oscillation period may indicate the stellar rotation period of 1.3 or 2.6 d,
synchronized with the disk at 4.5 or 7.1 solar radii, respectively.Comment: Accepted to MNRA
Increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio is a poor prognostic factor in patients with primary operable and inoperable pancreatic cancer
Background:
The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as an indicator of systemic inflammatory response. Previous findings from small-scale studies revealed conflicting results about its independent prognostic significance with regard to different clinical end points in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. Therefore, the aim of our study was the external validation of the prognostic significance of NLR in a large cohort of PC patients.
Methods:
Data from 371 consecutive PC patients, treated between 2004 and 2010 at a single centre, were evaluated retrospectively. The whole cohort was stratified into two groups according to the treatment modality. Group 1 comprised 261 patients with inoperable PC at diagnosis and group 2 comprised 110 patients with surgically resected PC. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. To evaluate the independent prognostic significance of the NLR, the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied.
Results:
Multivariate analysis identified increased NLR as an independent prognostic factor for inoperable PC patients (hazard ratio (HR)=2.53, confidence interval (CI)=1.64–3.91, P<0.001) and surgically resected PC patients (HR=1.61, CI=1.02–2.53, P=0.039). In inoperable PC patients, the mGPS was associated with poor CSS only in univariate analysis (HR=1.44, CI=1.04–1.98).
Conclusion:
Risk prediction for cancer-related end points using NLR does add independent prognostic information to other well-established prognostic factors in patients with PC, regardless of the undergoing therapeutic modality. Thus, the NLR should be considered for future individual risk assessment in patients with PC
Photometric variability of the Herbig Ae star HD 37806
The more massive counterparts of T Tauri stars, Herbig Ae/Be stars, are known
to vary in a complex way with no variability mechanism clearly identified. We
attempt to characterize the optical variability of HD~37806 (MWC 120) on time
scales ranging between minutes and several years. A continuous, one-minute
resolution, 21 day-long sequence of MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of
STars) satellite observations has been analyzed using wavelet, scalegram and
dispersion analysis tools. The MOST data have been augmented by sparse
observations over 9 seasons from ASAS (All Sky Automated Survey), by previously
non-analyzed ESO (European Southern Observatory) data partly covering 3 seasons
and by archival measurements dating back half a century ago. Mutually
superimposed flares or accretion instabilities grow in size from about 0.0003
of the mean flux on a time scale of minutes to a peak-to-peak range of <~0.05
on a time scale of a few years. The resulting variability has properties of
stochastic "red" noise, whose self-similar characteristics are very similar to
those observed in cataclysmic binary stars, but with much longer characteristic
time scales of hours to days (rather than minutes) and with amplitudes which
appear to cease growing in size on time scales of tens of years. In addition to
chaotic brightness variations combined with stochastic noise, the MOST data
show a weakly defined cyclic signal with a period of about 1.5 days, which may
correspond to the rotation of the star.Comment: Accepted for publication by Astron. & Astroph. 8 pages, 9 figures.
For some reason Fig.5 incorrectly shows in arXiv: Contours OK, gray scale no
Resolving the compact dusty discs around binary post-AGB stars using N-band interferometry
We present the first mid-IR long baseline interferometric observations of the
circumstellar matter around binary post-AGB stars. Two objects, SX Cen and HD
52961, were observed using the VLTI/MIDI instrument during Science
Demonstration Time. Both objects are known binaries for which a stable
circumbinary disc is proposed to explain the SED characteristics. This is
corroborated by our N-band spectrum showing a crystallinity fraction of more
than 50 % for both objects, pointing to a stable environment where dust
processing can occur. Surprisingly, the dust surrounding SX Cen is not resolved
in the interferometric observations providing an upper limit of 11 mas (or 18
AU at the distance of this object) on the diameter of the dust emission. This
confirms the very compact nature of its circumstellar environment. The dust
emission around HD 52961 originates from a very small but resolved region,
estimated to be ~ 35 mas at 8 micron and ~ 55 mas at 13 micron. These results
confirm the disc interpretation of the SED of both stars. In HD 52961, the dust
is not homogeneous in its chemical composition: the crystallinity is clearly
concentrated in the hotter inner region. Whether this is a result of the
formation process of the disc, or due to annealing during the long storage time
in the disc is not clear.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A &
Researcher as Artist/Artist as Researcher
This is a postmodern article that is nontraditional in its form, content, and mode of representation. Upon recognizing that we share interests and common experiences as artists, we decided to collect life history information from each other about our artistic experiences. Thus we have become, simultaneously, "the researched" and "the re searcher." In these conversations, we explore the ways in which we were each guided by our past, very strong aesthetic and artistic experiences. We also include the voices of other researchers and artists in our conversations as we explore the influences of art in the formation of our worldviews.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68774/2/10.1177_107780049500100107.pd
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