22 research outputs found
The Flattened Dark Matter Halo of M31 as Deduced from the Observed HI Scale Heights
In this paper, we use the outer-galactic HI scale height data as well as the
observed rotation curve as constraints to determine the halo density
distribution of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). We model the galaxy as a
gravitationally-coupled system of stars and gas, responding to the external
force-field of a known Hernquist bulge and the dark matter halo, the density
profile of the latter being characterized by four free parameters. The
parameter space of the halo is optimized so as to match the observed HI
thickness distribution as well as the rotation curve on an equal footing,
unlike the previous studies of M31 which were based on rotation curves alone.
We show that an oblate halo, with an isothermal density profile, provides the
best fit to the observed data. This gives a central density of 0.011 M_sun
/pc^3, a core radius of 21 kpc, and an axis ratio of 0.4. The main result from
this work is the flattened dark matter halo for M31, which is required to match
the outer galactic HI scale height data. Interestingly, such flattened halos
lie at the most oblate end of the distribution of halo shapes found in recent
cosmological simulations.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Milky Way potentials in CDM and MOND. Is the Large Magellanic Cloud on a bound orbit?
We compute the Milky Way potential in different cold dark matter (CDM) based
models, and compare these with the modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND)
framework. We calculate the axis ratio of the potential in various models, and
find that isopotentials are less spherical in MOND than in CDM potentials. As
an application of these models, we predict the escape velocity as a function of
the position in the Galaxy. This could be useful in comparing with future data
from planned or already-underway kinematic surveys (RAVE, SDSS, SEGUE, SIM,
GAIA or the hypervelocity stars survey). In addition, the predicted escape
velocity is compared with the recently measured high proper motion velocity of
the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). To bind the LMC to the Galaxy in a MOND
model, while still being compatible with the RAVE-measured local escape speed
at the Sun's position, we show that an external field modulus of less than
is needed.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 13 pages, 7 figures, 3 table
The Milky Way: An Exceptionally Quiet Galaxy; Implications for the formation of spiral galaxies
[Abridged]We compare both the Milky Way and M31 galaxies to local external
disk galaxies within the same mass range, using their relative locations in the
planes formed by V_flat versus M_K, j_disk, and the average Fe abundance of
stars in the galaxy outskirts. We find, for all relationships, that the MW is
systematically offset by ~ 1 sigma, showing a significant deficiency in stellar
mass, in angular momentum, in disk radius and [Fe/H] in the stars in its
outskirts at a given V_flat. On the basis of their location in the M_K, V_flat,
and R_d volume, the fraction of spirals like the MW is 7+/-1%, while M31
appears to be a "typical'' spiral. Our Galaxy appears to have escaped any
significant merger over the last ~10 Gyrs which may explain why it is deficient
by a factor 2 to 3 in stellar mass, angular momentum and outskirts metallicity
and then, unrepresentative of the typical spiral. As with M31, most local
spirals show evidence for a history shaped mainly by relatively recent merging.
We conclude that the standard scenario of secular evolution is generally unable
to reproduce the properties of most (if not all) spiral galaxies. However, the
so-called "spiral rebuilding'' scenario proposed by Hammer et al. 2005 is
consistent with the properties of both distant galaxies and of their
descendants - the local spirals.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Ap
Stellar mass map and dark matter distribution in M31
Stellar mass distribution in M31 is estimated using optical and infrared
imaging data. Combining the derived stellar mass model with various kinematical
data, properties of the DM halo of the galaxy are constrained.
SDSS observations through the ugriz filters and the Spitzer imaging at 3.6
microns are used to sample the SED of the galaxy at each imaging pixel.
Intrinsic dust extinction effects are taken into account by using far-infrared
observations. Synthetic SEDs created with different stellar population
synthesis models are fitted to the observed SEDs, providing estimates for the
stellar mass surface density. The stellar mass distribution of the galaxy is
described with a 3D model consisting of a nucleus, a bulge, a disc, a young
disc and a halo component, each following the Einasto density distribution
(relations between different functional forms of the Einasto density
distribution are given in App. B). By comparing the stellar mass distribution
to the observed rotation curve and kinematics of outer globular clusters and
satellite galaxies, the DM halo parameters are estimated.
Stellar population synthesis models suggest that M31 is dominated by old
stars throughout the galaxy. The total stellar mass is (10-15)10^10Msun, 30% of
which is in the bulge and 56% in the disc. None of the tested DM distribution
models can be falsified on the basis of the stellar matter distribution and the
rotation curve of the galaxy. The virial mass of the DM halo is
(0.8-1.1)10^12Msun and the virial radius is 189-213kpc, depending on the DM
distribution. The central density of the DM halo is comparable to that of
nearby dwarf galaxies, low-surface-brightness galaxies and distant massive disc
galaxies, thus the evolution of central DM halo properties seems to be
regulated by similar processes for a broad range of halo masses, environments,
and cosmological epochs.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy
and Astrophysic
Geological controls on the geometry of incised-valley fills: Insights from a global dataset of late-Quaternary examples
Incised valleys that develop due to relative sea-level change are common features of continental shelves and coastal plains. Assessment of the factors that control the geometry of incised-valley fills has hitherto largely relied on conceptual, experimental or numerical models, else has been grounded on case studies of individual depositional systems. Here, a database-driven statistical analysis of 151 late-Quaternary incised-valley fills has been performed, the aim being to investigate the geological controls on their geometry.
Results of this analysis have been interpreted with consideration of the role of different processes in determining the geometry of incised-valley fills through their effect on the degree and rate of river incision, and on river size and mobility. The studied incised-valley fills developed along active margins are thicker and wider, on average, than those along passive margins, suggesting that tectonic setting exerts a control on the geometry of incised-valley fills, likely through effects on relative sea-level change and river behaviour, and in relation to distinct characteristics of basin physiography, water discharge and modes of sediment delivery. Valley-fill geometry is positively correlated with the associated drainage-basin size, confirming the dominant role of water discharge. Climate is also inferred to exert a potential control on valley-fill dimensions, possibly through modulations of temperature, peak precipitation, vegetation and permafrost, which would in turn affect water discharge, rates of sediment supply and valley-margin stability. Shelves with slope breaks that are currently deeper than 120 m contain incised-valley fills that are thicker and wider, on average, than those hosted on shelves with breaks shallower than 120 m. No correlation exists between valley-fill thickness and present-day coastal-prism convexity, which is measured as the difference in gradient between lower coastal plains and inner shelves.
These findings challenge some concepts embedded in sequence stratigraphic thinking, and have significant implications for analysis and improved understanding of source-to-sink sediment route-ways, and for attempting predictions of the occurrence and characteristics of hydrocarbon reservoirs
Liax Is a Surrogate Marker For Cell Envelope Stress and Daptomycin Non-Susceptibility in Enterococcus Faecium
Daptomycin (DAP) is often used as a first-line therapy to treat vancomycin-resistan
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United States Bureau of Mines Bulletin 4613
Report issued by the Bureau of Mines regarding studies conducted on zinc-lead mines in Clark County, Nevada. Physical qualities of the mine, equipment used, and methods of sampling are presented. This report includes tables, and maps
Effect of a urine culture stewardship initiative on urine culture utilization and catheter-associated urinary tract infections in intensive care units
OBJECTIVE: Urine cultures have poor specificity for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). We evaluated the effect of a urine-culture stewardship program on urine culture utilization and CAUTI in adult intensive care units (ICUs).
DESIGN: A quasi-interventional study was performed from 2015 to 2017.
SETTING AND PATIENTS: The study cohort comprised 21,367 patients admitted to the ICU at a teaching hospital.
INTERVENTION: The urine culture stewardship program included monthly 1-hour discussions with ICU house staff emphasizing avoidance of pan-culture for sepsis workup and obtaining urine culture only if a urinary source of sepsis is suspected. The urine culture utilization rate metric (UCUR; ie, no. urine cultueres/catheter days ×100) was utilized to measure the effect. Monthly UCUR, catheter utilization ratio (CUR), and CAUTI rate were reported on an interactive quality dashboard. To ensure safety, catheterized ICU patients (2015-2016) were evaluated for 30-day readmission for UTI. Time-series data and relationships were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients and regression analysis.
RESULTS: Urine culture utilization decreased from 3,081 in 2015 to 2,158 in 2016 to 1,218 in 2017. CAUTIs decreased from 78 in 2015 to 60 in 2016 and 28 in 2017. Regression analysis over time showed significant decreases in UCUR (r, 0.917; P \u3c .0001) and CAUTI rate (r, 0.657; P \u3c .0001). The co-correlation between UCUR and CAUTI rate was (r, 0.625; P \u3c .0001) compared to CUR and CAUTI rate (r, 0.523; P = .004). None of these patients was readmitted with a CAUTI.
CONCLUSIONS: Urine culture stewardship program was effective and safe in reducing UC overutilization and was correlated with a decrease in CAUTIs. Addition of urine-culture stewardship to standard best practices could reduce CAUTI in ICUs