1,101 research outputs found
Two Cases of Primary Ectopic Ovarian Pregnancy
Primary ovarian pregnancy is one of the rarest varieties of ectopic pregnancies. Patients frequently present with abdominal pain and menstrual irregularities. Intrauterine devices have evolved as probable risk factors. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging but transvaginal sonography has often been helpful. A diagnostic delay may lead to rupture, secondary implantation or operative difficulties. Therefore, awareness of this rare condition is important in reducing the associated risks. Here, we report two cases of primary ovarian pregnancies presenting with acute abdominal pain. Transabdominal ultrasonography failed to hint at ovarian pregnancy in one, while transvaginal sonography aided in the correct diagnosis of the other. Both cases were confirmed by histopathological examinations and were successfully managed by surgery
High-resolution near-IR Spectral mapping with H and [Fe II] lines of Multiple Outflows around LkH 234
We present a high-resolution, near-IR spectroscopic study of multiple
outflows in the LkH 234 star formation region using the Immersion
GRating INfrared Spectrometer (IGRINS). Spectral mapping over the blueshifted
emission of HH 167 allowed us to distinguish at least three separate, spatially
overlapped, outflows in H and [Fe II] emission. We show that the H
emission represents not a single jet, but complex multiple outflows driven by
three known embedded sources: MM1, VLA 2, and VLA 3. There is a redshifted
H outflow at a low velocity, \VLSR 50 {\kms}, with respect to
the systemic velocity of \VLSR 11.5 {\kms}, that coincides with the
HO masers seen in earlier radio observations two arcseconds southwest of
VLA 2. We found that the previously detected [Fe II] jet with \VLSR
100 {\kms} driven by VLA 3B is also detected in H emission, and confirm
that this jet has a position angle about 240. Spectra of the
redshifted knots at 14\arcsec65\arcsec northeast of LkH 234 are
presented for the first time. These spectra also provide clues to the existence
of multiple outflows. We detected high-velocity (50120 {\kms}) H gas
in the multiple outflows around LkH 234. Since these gases move at
speeds well over the dissociation velocity ( 40 {\kms}), the emission must
originate from the jet itself rather than H gas in the ambient medium.
Also, position-velocity diagrams and excitation diagram indicate that emission
from knot C in HH 167 come from two different phenomena, shocks and
photodissociation.Comment: 32 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables, Accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journa
Reddening, distance, and stellar content of the young open cluster Westerlund 2
We present deep UBVIC photometric data of the young open cluster Westerlund 2. An abnormal reddening law of RV, cl = 4.14 ± 0.08 was found for the highly reddened early-type members (E(B−V)≧1.45E(B−V)≧1.45), whereas a fairly normal reddening law of RV, fg = 3.33 ± 0.03 was confirmed for the foreground early-type stars (E(B − V)fg < 1.05). The distance modulus was determined from zero-age main-sequence fitting to the reddening-corrected colour–magnitude diagram of the early-type members to be V0 − MV = 13.9 ± 0.14 (random error) +0.4−0.1−0.1+0.4 (the upper limit of systematic error) mag (d=6.0±0.4+1.2−0.3d=6.0±0.4−0.3+1.2 kpc). To obtain the initial mass function, pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars were selected by identifying the optical counterparts of Chandra X-ray sources and mid-infrared emission stars from the Spitzer GLIMPSE (Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire) source catalogue. The initial mass function shows a shallow slope of Γ = −1.1 ± 0.1 down to log m = 0.7. The total mass of Westerlund 2 is estimated to be at least 7 400 M⊙. The age of Westerlund 2 from the main-sequence turn-on and PMS stars is estimated to be ≲ 1.5 Myr. We confirmed the existence of a clump of PMS stars located ∼1 arcmin north of the core of Westerlund 2, but we could not find any clear evidence for an age difference between the core and the northern clump
Density Perturbations in the Brans-Dicke Theory
We analyse the fate of density perturbation in the Brans-Dicke Theory, giving
a general classification of the solutions of the perturbed equations when the
scale factor of the background evolves as a power law. We study with details
the cases of vacuum, inflation, radiation and incoherent matter. We find, for
the a negative Brans-Dicke parameter, a significant amplification of
perturbations.Comment: 26 pages, latex fil
Differential integrity of TALE nuclease genes following adenoviral and lentiviral vector gene transfer into human cells
The array of genome editing strategies based on targeted double-stranded DNA break formation have recently been enriched through the introduction of transcription activator-like type III effector (TALE) nucleases (TALENs). To advance the testing of TALE-based approaches, it will be crucial to deliver these custom-designed proteins not only into transformed cell types but also into more relevant, chromosomally stable, primary cells. Viral vectors are among the most effective gene transfer vehicles. Here, we investigated the capacity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1- and adenovirus-based vectors to package and deliver functional TALEN genes into various human cell types. To this end, we attempted to assemble particles of these two vector classes, each encoding a monomer of a TALEN pair targeted to a bipartite sequence within the AAVS1 'safe harbor' locus. Vector DNA analyses revealed that adenoviral vectors transferred intact TALEN genes, whereas lentiviral vectors failed to do so, as shown by their heterogeneously sized proviruses in target cells. Importantly, adenoviral vector-mediated TALEN gene delivery resulted in site-specific double-stranded DNA break formation at the intended AAVS1 target site at similarly high levels in both transformed and non-transformed cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that adenoviral, but not lentiviral, vectors constitute a valuable TALEN gene delivery platfor
The starburst cluster westerlund 1: The initial mass function and mass segregation
Westerlund 1 is the most important starburst cluster in the Galaxy due to its massive star content. We have performed BVIC and JKS photometry to investigate the initial mass function (IMF). By comparing the observed color with the spectral-type-intrinsic-color relation, we obtain the mean interstellar reddening of 〈E(B-V)〉 = 4.19 ± 0.23 and 〈E(J-KS )〉 = 1.70 ± 0.21. Due to the heavy extinction toward the cluster, the zero-age main sequence fitting method based on optical photometry proved to be inappropriate for the distance determination, while the near-infrared photometry gave a reliable distance to the cluster - 3.8 kpc from the empirical relation. Using the recent theoretical stellar evolution models with rotation, the age of the cluster is estimated to be 5.0 ± 1.0 Myr. We derived the IMF in the massive part and obtained a fairly shallow slope of Γ = -0.8 ± 0.1. The integration of the IMF gave a total mass for the cluster in excess of 5.0 × 104 M⊙. The IMF shows a clear radial variation indicating the presence of mass segregation. We also discuss the possible star formation history of Westerlund 1 from the presence of red supergiants and relatively low luminosity yellow hypergiants
Preroughening, Diffusion, and Growth of An FCC(111) Surface
Preroughening of close-packed fcc(111) surfaces, found in rare gas solids, is
an interesting, but poorly characterized phase transition. We introduce a
restricted solid-on-solid model, named FCSOS, which describes it. Using mostly
Monte Carlo, we study both statics, including critical behavior and scattering
properties, and dynamics, including surface diffusion and growth. In antiphase
scattering, it is shown that preroughening will generally show up at most as a
dip. Surface growth is predicted to be continuous at preroughening, where
surface self-diffusion should also drop. The physical mechanism leading to
preroughening on rare gas surfaces is analysed, and identified in the step-step
elastic repulsion.Comment: Revtex + uuencoded figures, to appear in Physical Review Letter
RGB vegetation indices applied to grass monitoring: a qualitative analysis
ArticleIn developing countries such as Brazil, research on low-cost remote sensing and
computational techniques become essential for the development of precision agriculture (PA),
and improving the quality of the agricultural products. Faced with the scenario of increasing
production of emerald grass (Zoysia Japônica) in Brazil, and the value added the quality of this
agricultural product. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of RGB (IV)
vegetation indices in the identification of exposed soil and vegetation. The study was developed
in an irrigated area of 58 ha cultivated with emerald grass at Bom Sucesso, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The images were obtained by a RGB digital camera coupled to an remotely piloted aircraft. The
flight plan was setup to take overlapping images of 70% and the aircraft speed was 10 m s
-1
. Six
RGB Vegetation index (MGVRI, GLI, RGBVI, MPRI, VEG, ExG) were evaluated in a mosaic
resulting from the images of the study area. All of the VIs evaluated were affected by the
variability of lighting conditions in the area but MPRI and MGVRI were the ones that presented
the best results in a qualitative evaluation regarding the discrimination of vegetation and soil
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