139 research outputs found
Oscillator strengths for transitions to Rydberg levels in , and between 967 and 972 A
Absorption oscillator strengths have been determined from high-resolution
spectra in the 967-972 \AA region of three CO isotopomers for transitions to
the Rydberg levels 4{\it p}(0), 3{\it d}(1) and 4{\it p}(0),
as well as to the mixed {\it E(6)} level recently characterized by Eidelsberg
et al. (2004). Synchrotron radiation from the Super-ACO electron storage ring
at Orsay (LURE) was used as a light source. Oscillator strengths were extracted
from the recorded spectra by least-squares fitting of the experimental profiles
with synthetic spectra taking into account the homogeneous and heterogeneous
interactions of the four levels. Column densities were derived from fits to the
3{\it p}(0) absorption band whose oscillator strength is well established.
These are the first reported measurements for CO. For
CO, our results are consistent with the larger values obtained in
the most recent laboratory and astronomical studies.Comment: 9 pages 7 figures 3 tables. Accepted in A&A, date of acceptance
11/05/200
High Resolution HST-STIS Spectra of CI and CO in the Beta Pictoris Circumstellar Disk
High resolution FUV echelle spectra showing absorption features arising from
CI and CO gas in the Beta Pictoris circumstellar (CS) disk were obtained on
1997 December 6 and 19 using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS).
An unsaturated spin-forbidden line of CI at 1613.376 A not previously seen in
spectra of Beta Pictoris was detected, allowing for an improved determination
of the column density of CI at zero velocity relative to the star (the stable
component), N = (2-4) x 10^{16} cm^{-2}. Variable components with multiple
velocities, which are the signatures of infalling bodies in the Beta Pictoris
CS disk, are observed in the CI 1561 A and 1657 A multiplets. Also seen for the
first time were two lines arising from the metastable singlet D level of
carbon, at 1931 A and 1463 A The results of analysis of the CO A-X (0-0),
(1-0), and (2-0) bands are presented, including the bands arising from {13}^CO,
with much better precision than has previously been possible, due to the very
high resolution provided by the STIS echelle gratings. Only stable CO gas is
observed, with a column density N(CO) = (6.3 +/- 0.3) x 10^{14} cm{-2}. An
unusual ratio of the column densities of {12}^CO to {13}^CO is found (R = 15
+/- 2). The large difference between the column densities of CI and CO
indicates that photodissociation of CO is not the primary source of CI gas in
the disk, contrary to previous suggestion.Comment: 13 pages, including 6 figures. LaTex2e (emulateapj5.sty). Accepted
for publication in Ap
Oscillator Strengths and Predissociation Rates for Rydberg Transitions in 12C16O, 13C16O, and 13C18O Involving the E 1Pi, B 1Sigma+, and W 1Pi States
One of the processes controlling the interstellar CO abundance and the ratio
of its isotopologues is photodissociation. Accurate oscillator strengths and
predissociation rates for Rydberg transitions are needed for modeling this
process. We present results on absorption from the E ^1Pi-X ^1Sigma^+ (1-0) and
B ^1Sigma^+-X ^1Sigma^+ (6-0) bands at 1051 and 1002 \AA, respectively, and the
vibrational progression W ^1Pi-X ^1Sigma^+ (v'-0) bands with v' = 0 to 3 at
972, 956, 941, and 925 \AA, respectively. The corresponding spectra were
acquired at the high resolution (R ~ 30,000) SU5 beam line at the Super ACO
Synchrotron in Orsay, France. Spectra were obtained for the ^12C^16O, ^13C^16O,
and ^13C^18O isotopologues. These represent the most complete set of
measurements available. Comparison is made with earlier results, both empirical
and theoretical. While earlier determinations of oscillator strengths based on
absorption from synchrotron radiation tend to be somewhat smaller than ours,
the suite of measurements from a variety of techniques agree for the most part
considering the mutual uncertainties. For the bands studied here, their
relative weakness, or their significant line widths arising from
predissociation, minimizes potential problems from large optical depths at line
center in absorption measurements. Predissociating line widths could generally
be extracted from the spectra thanks to the profile simulations used in the
analysis. In many cases, these simulations allowed us to consider e and f
parity levels separately and to determine the dependence of the width on
rotational quantum number, J. Our results are consistent with earlier
determinations, especially the widths inferred from laser experiments
Antiferromagnet-mediated interlayer exchange: hybridization versus proximity effect
We investigate the interlayer coupling between two thin ferromagnetic (F)
films mediated by an antiferromagnetic (AF) spacer in F*/AF/F trilayers and
show how it transitions between different regimes on changing the AF thickness.
Employing layer-selective Kerr magnetometry and ferromagnetic-resonance
techniques in a complementary manner enables us to distinguish between three
functionally distinct regimes of such ferromagnetic interlayer coupling. The F
layers are found to be individually and independently exchange-biased for thick
FeMn spacers - the first regime of no interlayer F-F* coupling. F-F* coupling
appears on decreasing the FeMn thickness below 9 nm. In this second regime
found in structures with 6.0-9.0 nm thick FeMn spacers, the interlayer coupling
exists only in a finite temperature interval just below the effective N\'eel
temperature of the spacer, which is due to magnon-mediated exchange through the
thermally softened antiferromagnetic spacer, vanishing at lower temperatures.
The third regime, with FeMn thinner than 4 nm, is characterized by a much
stronger interlayer coupling in the entire temperature interval, which is
attributed to a magnetic-proximity induced ferromagnetic exchange. These
experimental results, spanning the key geometrical parameters and thermal
regimes of the F*/AF/F nanostructure, complemented by a comprehensive
theoretical analysis, should broaden the understanding of the interlayer
exchange in magnetic multilayers and potentially be useful for applications in
spin-thermionics.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure
Herbivore benefits from vectoring plant virus through reduction of period of vulnerability to predation
Herbivores can profit from vectoring plant pathogens because the induced defence of plants against pathogens sometimes interferes with the induced defence of plants against herbivores. Plants can also defend themselves indirectly by the action of the natural enemies of the herbivores. It is unknown whether the defence against pathogens induced in the plant also interferes with the indirect defence against herbivores mediated via the third trophic level. We previously showed that infection of plants with Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) increased the developmental rate of and juvenile survival of its vector, the thrips Frankliniella occidentalis. Here, we present the results of a study on the effects of TSWV infections of plants on the effectiveness of three species of natural enemies of F. occidentalis: the predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris and Iphiseius degenerans, and the predatory bug Orius laevigatus. The growth rate of thrips larvae was positively affected by the presence of virus in the host plant. Because large larvae are invulnerable to predation by the two species of predatory mites, this resulted in a shorter period of vulnerability to predation for thrips that developed on plants with virus than thrips developing on uninfected plants (4.4 vs. 7.9 days, respectively). Because large thrips larvae are not invulnerable to predation by the predatory bug Orius laevigatus, infection of the plant did not affect the predation risk of thrips larvae from this predator. This is the first demonstration of a negative effect of a plant pathogen on the predation risk of its vector
Rapid Redistribution of Synaptic PSD-95 in the Neocortex In Vivo
Most excitatory synapses terminate on dendritic spines. Spines vary in size, and their volumes are proportional to the area of the postsynaptic density (PSD) and synaptic strength. PSD-95 is an abundant multi-domain postsynaptic scaffolding protein that clusters glutamate receptors and organizes the associated signaling complexes. PSD-95 is thought to determine the size and strength of synapses. Although spines and their synapses can persist for months in vivo, PSD-95 and other PSD proteins have shorter half-lives in vitro, on the order of hours. To probe the mechanisms underlying synapse stability, we measured the dynamics of synaptic PSD-95 clusters in vivo. Using two-photon microscopy, we imaged PSD-95 tagged with GFP in layer 2/3 dendrites in the developing (postnatal day 10–21) barrel cortex. A subset of PSD-95 clusters was stable for days. Using two-photon photoactivation of PSD-95 tagged with photoactivatable GFP (paGFP), we measured the time over which PSD-95 molecules were retained in individual spines. Synaptic PSD-95 turned over rapidly (median retention times τ (r) ~ 22–63 min from P10–P21) and exchanged with PSD-95 in neighboring spines by diffusion. PSDs therefore share a dynamic pool of PSD-95. Large PSDs in large spines captured more diffusing PSD-95 and also retained PSD-95 longer than small PSDs. Changes in the sizes of individual PSDs over days were associated with concomitant changes in PSD-95 retention times. Furthermore, retention times increased with developmental age (τ (r) ~ 100 min at postnatal day 70) and decreased dramatically following sensory deprivation. Our data suggest that individual PSDs compete for PSD-95 and that the kinetic interactions between PSD molecules and PSDs are tuned to regulate PSD size
Shift and broadening of hyperfine components of the first doublet of cesium perturbed by foreign gases
Testing the optimal defence hypothesis for two indirect defences: extrafloral nectar and volatile organic compounds
Many plants respond to herbivory with an increased production of extrafloral nectar (EFN) and/or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to attract predatory arthropods as an indirect defensive strategy. In this study, we tested whether these two indirect defences fit the optimal defence hypothesis (ODH), which predicts the within-plant allocation of anti-herbivore defences according to trade-offs between growth and defence. Using jasmonic acid-induced plants of Phaseolus lunatus and Ricinus communis, we tested whether the within-plant distribution pattern of these two indirect defences reflects the fitness value of the respective plant parts. Furthermore, we quantified photosynthetic rates and followed the within-plant transport of assimilates with 13C labelling experiments. EFN secretion and VOC emission were highest in younger leaves. Moreover, the photosynthetic rate increased with leaf age, and pulse-labelling experiments suggested transport of carbon to younger leaves. Our results demonstrate that the ODH can explain the within-plant allocation pattern of both indirect defences studied
Transcript expression plasticity as a response to alternative larval host plants in the speciation process of corn and rice strains of Spodoptera frugiperda
Social Transfer of Pathogenic Fungus Promotes Active Immunisation in Ant Colonies
Social contact with fungus-exposed ants leads to pathogen transfer to healthy nest-mates, causing low-level infections. These micro-infections promote pathogen-specific immune gene expression and protective immunization of nest-mates
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