2,735 research outputs found
The gaseous extent of galaxies and the origin of Lyman alpha absorption systems. IV: Lyman alpha absorbers arising in a galaxy group
We present new GHRS observations of Lyman alpha absorption lines associated
with a group of galaxies towards the QSO 1545+2101. We have identified eight
distinct Lyman alpha absorption features in the spectrum of QSO 1545+2101 at a
mean redshift of z=0.2648 with a velocity dispersion of 163 km/s. A group of
galaxies is detected in the vicinity of this QSO at a mean redshift of z=0.2645
and velocity dispersion 239 km/s.
The identification of discrete absorption systems indicates that they arise
in clouds of neutral hydrogen rather than in a diffuse intragroup medium. Our
analysis suggests that the Lyman alpha absorption lines are associated with
individual galaxies in the group, although a one-to-one relationship between
absorbers and galaxies is difficult to establish in such a dense environment.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Comparative Sorption of Methylene Blue onto Hydrophobic Clays
Chemical modifications of clay to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions at room temperature were compared. Natural bentonite (NC) was modified by cation exchange with hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (HC), bencyltriethylammonium chloride (BC), and tetramethylammonium chloride (TC) to reverse the surface polarity of the hydrophilic bentonite. The adsorption of MB was studied and fitted by the adsorption theories of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin. Equilibrium parameters were calculated, indicating that chemical modification did not improve the adsorption, due to the electrostatic adsorption mechanism. Specific surface area was determined, reporting the following trend: NC \u3e TC \u3e BC \u3e HC. Isotherms show that TC is the best modified clay for the adsorption of MB with a capacity of 217 mg/g. Adsorbents were characterized by SEM and the determination of their point zero charge, indicating a charge reversal at pH 9.5 and a heterogeneous surface that is optimum for the adsorption of molecules and ions onto their surfaces
Transneptunian objects and Centaurs from light curves
We analyze a vast light curve database by obtaining mean rotational
properties of the entire sample, determining the spin frequency distribution
and comparing those data with a simple model based on hydrostatic equilibrium.
For the rotation periods, the mean value obtained is 6.95 h for the whole
sample, 6.88 h for the Trans-neptunian objects (TNOs) alone and 6.75 h for the
Centaurs. From Maxwellian fits to the rotational frequencies distribution the
mean rotation rates are 7.35 h for the entire sample, 7.71 h for the TNOs alone
and 8.95 h for the Centaurs. These results are obtained by taking into account
the criteria of considering a single-peak light curve for objects with
amplitudes lower than 0.15 mag and a double-peak light curve for objects with
variability >0.15mag. The best Maxwellian fits were obtained with the threshold
between 0.10 and 0.15mag. The mean light-curve amplitude for the entire sample
is 0.26 mag, 0.25mag for TNOs only, and 0.26mag for the Centaurs. The amplitude
versus Hv correlation clearly indicates that the smaller (and collisionally
evolved) objects are more elongated than the bigger ones. From the model
results, it appears that hydrostatic equilibrium can explain the statistical
results of almost the entire sample, which means hydrostatic equilibrium is
probably reached by almost all TNOs in the H range [-1,7]. This implies that
for plausible albedos of 0.04 to 0.20, objects with diameters from 300km to
even 100km would likely be in equilibrium. Thus, the great majority of objects
would qualify as being dwarf planets because they would meet the hydrostatic
equilibrium condition. The best model density corresponds to 1100 kg/m3.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures. Astronomy & Astrophysics, in pres
A mid-term astrometric and photometric study of Trans-Neptunian Object (90482) Orcus
From CCD observations of a fixed and large star field that contained the
binary TNO Orcus, we have been able to derive high-precision relative
astrometry and photometry of the Orcus system with respect to background stars.
The RA residuals of an orbital fit to the astrometric data revealed a
periodicity of 9.7+-0.3 days, which is what one would expect to be induced by
the known Orcus companion. The residuals are also correlated with the
theoretical positions of the satellite with regard to the primary. We therefore
have revealed the presence of Orcus' satellite in our astrometric measurements.
The photocenter motion is much larger than the motion of Orcus around the
barycenter, and we show here that detecting some binaries through a carefully
devised astrometric technique might be feasible with telescopes of moderate
size. We also analyzed the system's mid-term photometry to determine whether
the rotation could be tidally locked to the satellite's orbital period. We
found that a photometric variability of 9.7+-0.3 days is clear in our data, and
is nearly coincident with the orbital period of the satellite. We believe this
variability might be induced by the satellite's rotation. There is also a
slight hint for an additional small variability in the 10 hr range that was
already reported in the literature. This short-term variability would indicate
that the primary is not tidally locked and therefore the system would not have
reached a double synchronous state. Implications for the basic physical
properties of the primary and its satellite are discussed. From angular
momentum considerations we suspect that the Orcus satellite might have formed
from a rotational fission. This requires that the mass of the satellite would
be around 0.09 times that of the primary, close to the value that one derives
by using an albedo of 0.12 for the satellite and assuming equal densities for
both objects.Comment: in Press at A&
Distorted Heisenberg Algebra and Coherent States for Isospectral Oscillator Hamiltonians
The dynamical algebra associated to a family of isospectral oscillator
Hamiltonians is studied through the analysis of its representation in the basis
of energy eigenstates. It is shown that this representation becomes similar to
that of the standard Heisenberg algebra, and it is dependent of a parameter
. We name it {\it distorted Heisenberg algebra}, where is the
distortion parameter. The corresponding coherent states for an arbitrary
are derived, and some particular examples are discussed in full detail. A
prescription to produce the squeezing, by adequately selecting the initial
state of the system, is given.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, 3 figures available as hard copies upon request from
the first Autho
Magma displacements under insular volcanic fields, applications to eruption forecasting: El Hierro, Canary Islands, 2011-2013
Significant deformations, followed by increased seismicity detected since 2011 July at El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, prompted the deployment of additional monitoring equipment. The climax of this unrest was a submarine eruption first detected on 2011 October 10, and located at about 2 km SW of La Restinga, southernmost village of El Hierro Island. The eruption ceased on 2012 March 5, after the volcanic tremor signals persistently weakened through 2012 February. However, the seismic activity did not end with the eruption, as several other seismic crises followed. The seismic episodes presented a characteristic pattern: over a few days the number and magnitude of seismic event increased persistently, culminating in seismic events severe enough to be felt all over the island. Those crises occurred in 2011 November, 2012 June and September, 2012 December to 2013 January and in 2013 March-April. In all cases the seismic unrest was preceded by significant deformations measured on the island's surface that continued during the whole episode. Analysis of the available GPS and seismic data suggests that several magma displacement processes occurred at depth from the beginning of the unrest. The first main magma movement or 'injection' culminated with the 2011 October submarine eruption. A model combining the geometry of the magma injection process and the variations in seismic energy release has allowed successful forecasting of the new-vent opening.CSIC [2011-30E070]; MINECO [CGL2011-28682-C02-01]; bilateral UNAM (Mexico) - CSIC (Spain) program; Mayor's Office of El Pinar de El Hierroinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Structural identification of oxidized acyl-phosphatidylcholines that induce platelet activation
Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) generates proinflammatory and prothrombotic mediators that may play a crucial role in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. In order to study platelet-activating components of oxidized LDL 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, a representative of the major phospholipid species in LDL, the 1-acyl-phosphatidylcholines (PC), was oxidized by CuCl2 and H2O2. After separation by high-performance liquid chromatography, three compounds were detected which induced platelet shape change at low micromolar concentrations. Platelet activation by these compounds was distinct from the pathways stimulated by platelet-activating factor, lysophosphatidic acid, lyso-PC and thromboxane A(2), as evidenced by the use of specific receptor antagonists. Further analyses of the oxidized phospholipids by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry structurally identified them as 1-stearoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (m/z 694; SAzPC), 1-stearoyl-2-glutaroyl-snglycero-3- phosphocholine (m/z 638; SGPC), and 1-stearoyl-2-( 5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (m/z 622; SOVPC). These observations demonstrate that novel 1-acyl-PC which had previously been found to stimulate interaction of monocytes with endothelial cells also induce platelet activation, a central step in acute thrombogenic and atherogenic processes. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel
Fear of non-employability and of economic crisis increaseworkplace harassment through lower organizational welfare orientation
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that economic crisis is a preeminent stressor
(i.e., economic stress) that may worsen working conditions and expose individuals to negative acts
at work (i.e., workplace bullying). Following an occupational health perspective that considers
contextual factors as risk factors for workplace bullying, this study aims to examine the mediation
effects of organizational orientation to employee welfare in the economic stress-workplace bullying
relationship. A cross-sectional study with the participation of 1004 Italian workers from several
organizations was conducted. Our results indicate that economic stress (composed of two dimensions:
fear of the economic crisis and perceived non-employability) is associated with workplace bullying
through the total mediation of organizational orientation to employee welfare. These results have
relevant implications for psychosocial risk assessment in turbulent times
Albumin-induced apoptosis of tubular cells is modulated by BASP1
Albuminuria promotes tubular injury and cell death, and is associated with faster progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to
end-stage renal disease. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating tubular cell death in response to albuminuria are not fully
understood. Brain abundant signal protein 1 (BASP1) was recently shown to mediate glucose-induced apoptosis in tubular cells.
We have studied the role of BASP1 in albumin-induced tubular cell death. BASP1 expression was studied in experimental
puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats and in human nephrotic syndrome. The role of BASP1 in
albumin-induced apoptosis was studied in cultured human HK2 proximal tubular epithelial cells. Puromycin aminonucleoside
induced proteinuria and increased total kidney BASP1 mRNA and protein expression. Immunohistochemistry localized the
increased BASP1 to tubular cells. BASP1 expression colocalized with deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end
labeling staining for apoptotic cells. Increased tubular BASP1 expression was observed in human proteinuric nephropathy by
immunohistochemistry, providing evidence for potential clinical relevance. In cultured tubular cells, albumin induced apoptosis
and increased BASP1 mRNA and protein expression at 6–48 h. Confocal microscopy localized the increased BASP1 expression
in albumin-treated cells mainly to the perinuclear area. A peripheral location near the cell membrane was more conspicuous in
albumin-treated apoptotic cells, where it colocalized with actin. Inhibition of BASP1 expression by a BASP1 siRNA protected from
albumin-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, albumin-induced apoptosis in tubular cells is BASP1-dependent. This information may
be used to design novel therapeutic approaches to slow CKD progression based on protection of tubular cells from the adverse
consequences of albuminuriaGrant support: FIS PS09/00447, PI13/00047, CP14/
00133, ISCIII-RETIC, REDinREN/RD06/0016/and RD012/0021 FEDER funds,
Comunidad de Madrid/CIFRA S2010/BMD-2378. Salary support: FIS to MDSN
and ABS (Miguel Servet), Beatriz Fernandez-Fernandez (Rio Hortega). Programa
Intensificación Actividad Investigadora (ISCIII/Agencia LaÃn-Entralgo/CM) to AO.
IIS-FJD Biobank RD09/0076/0010
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